Layla took a sip from her cup, savouring the sweet and bitter notes of her wine. It was an unfamiliar vintage but delicious all the same. Still, she preferred ale or beer since that one, she can keep tossing down her gullet without feeling guilty.

Wine was for fancy dinners or nightcaps when nothing even fancier was available. Still, it was an excellent enough drink that she briefly activated Enhanced Senses to get the full measure of the bouquet and the undertones.

“...I’m worried, Davar. What if they don’t give us the full bounty?” Captain Lauretta Mitchell mumbled into her cup. She and Lauretta had moved from the mess hall into a more intimate parlour. The wait staff followed them there and served them drinks and finger foods.

The man himself was quite easy on the eyes. Layla fuzzily thought. Even Lauretta was eying him hungrily, becoming more open about it the more liquor she drank. Layla was sure the man noticed, and from the slight smirk on his lips, he liked the attention very much. He wasn’t Layla’s type though. She preferred bulkier muscles and features that were a bit more rugged, not the youthful look that had her questioning whether he was a man or a boy. Still, he had a lean look with strong hands.

Ah, she was tipsy. She’d drunk too much and didn’t neutralise the alcohol in her bloodstream. Well, it dulled the pain of her burnt channels. Her left arm had been a mass of bruises, burst blood vessels, and leaking Animus–a product of using it to shield the rest of her from the explosion. Still, she was better off than poor Christoph. Or Tiernan Hersal, who, until now, was still unconscious.

Those last hours defending the Ebon Horizon…terrible.

Layla’s efforts could only stretch the strained engine’s life so far before it failed catastrophically. And it failed right when the Protective Sphere needed the most power, too. She only had a blink of an eye to react and thankfully, her reflexes were honed to a fine point. A product of numerous explosions that marked her laboratory classes back in Sharom.

“I hardly think they would go back on their word,” Layla finally said after too long a pause.

Lauretta grunted then downed her drink. She gestured peremptorily to the attendant, who gave her a short bow and retrieved the glass. He spun on his heels and strode towards the bar. The captain’s eyes were glued to his bottom.

“You’re drooling.”

“Huh, what? Er, yeah.” Lauretta sighed and wiped the corner of her mouth. She wasn’t normally this forward, but she was under greater stress than anything before.

The Ebon Horizon had been damaged before, obviously, but it had never even come close to having to abandon ship. And now…they were homeless.

“Is it even worth it?” Lauretta moaned after the attendant gave her a new wineglass half-filled with burgundy wine.

“Well, yes.”

Lauretta snorted. “Of course, it is for you. You found your niece, and whether we get paid or not, doesn’t really matter to you now does it?”

“Hey, three shares out of forty-six isn’t nothing. That’s more than six hundred thousand Sovies,” Layla protested.

“Sixty gold crowns,” Lauretta sniffed, “eighty for me. The Ebon Horizon’s engine alone costs a thousand crowns. The entire ship costs nearly as much as the bounty! And I’m not sure if the Admiralty Board will let me keep my title either. They may not stand surety either. Without Guarantors, the Investor-owners will have my hide.” Here, she started sobbing.

Layla felt a twinge of shame. Of course, Lauretta bore heavier burdens. The Ebon Horizon wasn’t hers alone, but she was in command. The Admiralty Board… A political animal, if it was anything else.

The Ebon Horizon has a surety certificate, that in the event of destruction and loss, should pay for rebuilding the ship, but circumstances aside, the Banker’s Guild would dispute that the Horizon had breached the terms of the surety. They left their dedicated trade route, broke cargo contracts, and then encountered privateers on a route that they would never have taken if they had stuck to schedule.

No, if the Banker’s Guild honours the surety, then Layla was the daughter of the Empress. At the very least, they could expect the process to drag on for years if not decades. In the meantime, while the rest of the crew were free to seek employment elsewhere, the captain and the surviving officers would be held in bureaucratic limbo.

Well, Runeers like Layla wouldn’t be penalised. Neither would the marines, for that matter. Except for the two foreigners.

Layla sighed. Jonir and Zoey would face an Inquiry, and it would not be pleasant. Well, nothing Layla could do now would help.

Unless…they ask for aid from the Mishalas.

But what price would they ask for? They already issued a bounty, and their legal obligations would be met simply by paying it. Add to the fact that it was they who ultimately rescued them, and it would be a wonder if they paid in full or at all. Their lives were worth more than the coin, Layla knew, but without intervention, life would be bleak indeed.

There was no use complaining either. The Mishalas’ political strength was even greater than the Admiralty Board.

The two of them drank wine and nibbled on roasted nuts and dried fruits. A luxury in a Chaos ship. But, from everything Layla had seen, the Silver Tiger was much bigger inside than out. Spatial runescript lines, an artefact or two, plus one of the most powerful Runescript Engines in the Empire, made up the Chaos ship. And it wasn’t even a warship.

It was a glorified luxury yacht that just so happened to ferry one of the Empire’s court Sorcerers through a dangerous sea, whose inhabitants would stop at nothing to devour her should they know. If they find out. The hull was made of a composite of silver and white jade, with the grains of the metal warped to form runescript lines. It was impossible to sense through the hull from inside, and the same from the Chaos outside.

Layla itched to explore every nook and cranny of this ship. What would she give for the chance? Anything, honestly.  Ah, more than that, she wanted to see the ship’s engines. Oh, and the carronades!

“Any news on Hersal?” Lauretta mumbled.

“The last I saw him was with you,” Layla stated pointedly. “What caused his collapse, you think?”

“I don’t know. If anything, I’m surprised he even survived.” She shook her head. “At least that’s a letter I wouldn’t have to write.”

“True. That’s good,” Layla murmured. “I’d like to take a look at him now though. Want to come with?”

Lauretta gazed mournfully at her cup, then glanced at the server. Her gaze danced between the two, then she let out a delicate burp.

“Excuse me. I think I’ve had enough and would like to turn in.” She staggered to her feet. “If you would please escort me to my quarters.”

“Of course, ma’am,” he said smoothly, “It would be my pleasure.”

Lauretta gave Layla a bleary look. “See you tomorrow, Davar.”

“Aye, Mitchell, see you tomorrow.” Layla chuckled. She waited for the other woman to stagger out of the parlour, with her arm around the man’s shoulder. Just before they left, Lauretta’s hand dropped down and pinched his bottom.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Well, Laurie needed to find what comfort she could. Layla sighed and got up, leaving her drink unfinished. Recovery would have to wait until she was in her quarters, but before that, she’d like to visit the healer’s bay.

The word from the brothers was that Tiernan Hersal had been like that when they found Yuriko. It had been a pleasant surprise to find the boy alive, even if he was in that state.

Yuriko had told the brothers that Tiernan just collapsed when the Blood Moon appeared in the sky. But it couldn’t have been that simple. Otherwise the whole lot of them would have fallen unconscious. What was different with Tiernan? Was it the simple fact that he was only an Apprentice?

Well, she would have to ask Yuriko what happened. Every little thing could help. Layla palmed the panel, and selected the Healer’s Bay. The door opened and she marveled at the hidden runescript patterns that she could barely discern with Chaos Sight. Well, she ought not tarry.

She crossed the five paces of hallway and opened the door on the opposite side. The doors were identical to each other and only the tag just above the sill distinguished each destination. She wasn’t sure if the hallway was the same every time, but throughout the day she’d been in the ship, she’d never encountered anyone entering the same hallway unless they came through with her.

The Healer’s Bay was a short rectangle with two partitioned areas on either side. Each area had curtains that provided some privacy and there were devices hanging from the ceiling, jade tipped instruments connected with copper tubing. Only one partition was occupied, that of Hersal’s.

A healer sat by the station, dozing. The man was as comely as every last servitor on board and Layla suspected that the staff and crew of the Silver Tiger must have physical beauty as part of their qualifications.

What kind of debauched ship did she board? Her heart fluttered treacherously at the thought.

Since the attendant healer was resting, she proceeded to Hersal’s bedside. He was clad in a patient’s gown, open on either side of his body to facilitate cleaning and for ease of disrobing. Runescript lines glowed around his bed frame and small paper squares were stuck on his bare skin. Each patch had a pattern that corresponded with another on the tip of a rod sticking out of a table by the side. There was a crystal screen displaying a bunch of data that she wasn’t trained to understand. One was a monitor for his heartbeat, she thought, while another monitored the activity of his mind, and another, the health of his Anima.

The mind scanner was strangely quiet, while the one that observed the Anima moved in odd patterns. The rise and fall of his chest coincided with the twitching of the sensors.

Layla stared at the display, trying to recall what she knew of the Healer’s arts. While she stood there, the door opened and she glanced back, eyes widening when she recognised the Luminous Sorceress, Sadeen Mishala.

“Aunt Layla!”

A voice came from behind the august woman. Her niece. Yuriko followed her mother into the room. There was another woman, but Layla barely paid her any attention.

The Mishala blood was far stronger than the Davar one when it came to Yuriko. While they weren’t identical by any means, they had the same golden hair, the same blue eyes, and the same delicate features. But where Yuriko’s body was lean and athletic, Sadeen Mishala’s was softer. They were of the same height though, both taller than Layla.

Layla started when she saw the Mishala woman’s face. Despite knowing that the woman was as old as Virgil, meaning they were both in their fifth decade, if not the sixth, mother and daughter could easily pass for sisters.

Which meant only one thing. Sadeen Mishala’s rank was at least that of Knight Commander, and that she achieved Knight in her teens. Aging slowed dramatically the earlier one became a Knight, and every level above that did the same.

There were even cases when one reached Knight Commander while their body already looked in their middle years. Their youth returned, but only to the point where they looked to be in their twenties.

Sadeen had the rosy glow of a teenager despite being nearly twice Layla’s age.

“Ah, Virgil’s a cradle robber.”

Sadeen’s lips twitched to a smile while Yuriko looked bewildered.

“Ahh! My apologies!” Layla blushed.

Sadeen chuckled, as did the woman behind them, looking for all the world like their guardian. Still, there was no mistaking Sadeen Mishala for a child though, especially once Layla saw the woman’s eyes. They were far too serene, as though nothing would cause them to change expression. It had the look of one who had looked death in the face and spat on it.

“You must be Layla Davar,” Sadeen said as she glided forward and held out a hand. Layla took it gingerly and they shook hands. “Cousin Layla then.”

“Ah, of course. Cousin Sadeen,” she answered faintly. “And you.” She rounded on Yuriko with eyes blazing, “I told you not to call me that!”

“Ehehehe.” Yuriko stuck out her tongue unabashedly.

“You!”

Yuriko caught Layla in a fierce hug, and nearly broke her ribs. “You’re alright. You’re alive.”

“Not…for…long…!” Layla gasped, and Yuriko blushed as she released her.

“Sorry.”

“No, no. It’s alright.”

The last woman, with cat-slitted pupils, walked up to her and held out a hand.

“Hi!” she said cheerily. “I’m Kiyo Mishala Alfein, Yuriko’s aunt, too,” Kiyo grinned. “I’m also her instructor in Sharom.”

“Oh?” Layla’s eyes narrowed. “Hmmm. We must speak regarding her education.”

“Agreed,” Kiyo said easily. “I didn't anticipate my cute niece to get blown out of Rumiga.”

Layla nodded then cocked her head at Tiernan. “Do you mind telling me how he came to be like that? Perhaps, tell me what happened while the both of you were in the Pure Lands?”

“Alright.” Yuriko agreed. Then she gave a concise report from how they landed in the plains, then arrived in the town of Euphoril and how they left and ended up surrounded by blood warriors in the plains.

“You say you felt something try to take control of your body while you were in the temple? What could have done that?”

“Ah,” Sadeen interrupted, “that was probably Katharos. Or Yabranth.”

The moment those names left the woman’s lips, the air seemed to still, and it was as if something stared at them from the Abyss. It lasted for but a moment, before the Sorceress snorted and waved a hand. The feeling disappeared almost instantly.

“Don’t repeat those names unless you’re inside an Imperial plane,” she said cheerily.

“Oh…” Yuriko swayed on her feet and fell to her knees. Her face turned completely pale and she looked about to sick up. All three of the adults gasped and rushed to her side.

“Baby!” Sadeen gushed, while pale green Animus gathered on her palms. Yuriko pushed her hands away and got back to her feet, her complexion quickly returning to normal. In fact, a golden glow seemed to come from just beneath her skin.

“I’m…I’m fine,” she insisted. “We were talking about Tiernan?”

“You sure?” Sadeen asked, and when the girl nodded again, she sighed, “Well, it looked like both of you took in some of…their seed or fruit. It contaminated his Anima, but is almost undetectable. I’ll see if I can purge it.”

“What about Yuri?” Layla gasped.

“She’s alright, isn’t she?” Kiyo laughed. “It looks like it didn’t affect her at all. Well, let’s see what cousin Sadeen does. It should be enlightening.”

Nodding, the rest of them crowded behind the woman and watched as she drove her Animus into the boy’s body.