Sultana Dudula held to her promise. The leader of another Saviran country entered Bravost for the first time in a decade. She invited Sultan Cerberus and Rasheena into the Emerald Palace to the shock of an entire city. Even more surprising to the citizens of Bravost was the announcement of an alliance.

But tensions didn't just disappear overnight. People were on edge having dignitaries from a foreign power enter their city. Now that news spread that the Queen of the Commonwealth and Archbishop of Radevic were here, it came as no surprise that rumors were abound of Sultana Dudula being reduced to a puppet.

Two days later, however, the Sultana of Bravost exercised her power to demonstrate that she was still in control. At least to those that mattered. First, she relinquished her iron grip on the adventurers hall in Bravost and Kandis. Second, she held court in the Emerald Palace. A number of Bravost's most affluent members were in attendance, since they had previously come. Mainly, those of the East Saviran Trading Association.

Sitting upon her high throne to make up for a short stature, Sultana Dudula loomed over everyone in the chamber. She especially loomed over Premier Migo Kudagu and five other conspirators of the association, all on their knees, and flanked by armed palace guards in case they tried anything.

"Can't you all see? Ever since the mutt and succubi came to Bravost, Sultana Dudula's had a drastic change! She's being controlled. Now is the time to cast off your idleness and act. Bring them to heel, not us!" Migo cried to the gallery.

"Enough, Migo!" Sultana Dudula snapped. "I am of sound mind. But you, I cannot say the same of. You six are charged with embezzling Bravost's coffers for your own game. None of you had any intention of serving the country. You may continue to lie, but our new succubi friends can compel the truth out of you."

Kanae stepped forward menacingly, causing the fat hobgoblin man to gulp hard and sweat.

"I-I've done all you asked. Provided you with the Association's own private army!" Migo exclaimed.

Sultana Dudula scoffed. "All to eventually convince me to enact martial law, and have your people install you as the new Sultan of Bravost. Isn't that why you ordered the royal army and Archmage Donnu to march on the border? So only the Association's forces are left in Bravost. Isn't that right? Theo Mambahu?"

"It is as you say, Your Majesty." The Mamba slithered out from the crowd and bowed to the sultana, but he lifted his head slightly to sneer at Migo.

"Treacherous snake!"

Infuriated, Migo lunged for Theo, only for the guards to quickly subdue him.

Kanae locked eyes with The Mamba, whose pearly white fangs might as well be salivating with venom from how excited he was. When they had met in The Diamond, she figured helping him to clean up his ruby mine would be the end of it. She couldn't be sure if he outed Migo from the goodness of his heart or for personal gain, but thank the gods they were on each other's good side.

"From this day forth, the East Saviran Trading Association will be led by a new premier— Premier Theo Mambahu. As for you, Migo, I hope you find your new accommodations in the dungeons suitable. You will tell us who else conspired with you. Unfortunately, I don't need succubi to compel the answer. I have torturers for that." Sultana Dudula motioned for the guards to take Migo and the others away kicking and screaming. She turned to the Mamba, eyes still roiling with fury. "Do not betray me like your predecessor did."

"Perish the thought, Your Majesty. I am nothing but grateful to you for elevating me to the position of Premier." Theo Mambahu continued bowing as he retreated back into the standing audience.

Sultana Dudula ended the assembly after announcing that Bravost would enter an alliance with Avanesse. She, Sultan Cerberus, Rasheena, and Archbishop Patrice ascended the palace to have a more private meeting. 

They invited Kanae, too, but she declined and opted to have Patrice tell her everything later. Instead, she hurried to Misiah's edirashem, where Claudia, Alicia, and Kris were preparing to depart. Renya and Edina were helping to load things into the back of two wagons.

"Whew. I thought I was going to be late. The audience with Sultana Dudula lasted longer than I thought." Kanae landed next to them.

"We already packed everything up. Hells, I loaded everything. The rest of ya twiddled your thumbs!" Edina shot the others a glare.

"You didn't do shit. Your undead did!" Renya complained.

Alicia flew up to Kanae and smiled.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have taken the mantle of Vice-Captain. I could have stayed by your side longer," Alicia said.

"Maaan. Why do I gotta leave, too? Especially when that masochistic glasses chick is here. I wanna mess her up so badly!" Claudia groaned.

"Do you mean Delayn? Maybe it's a good thing you're going back to Radevic then… Anyway, thanks. You two have been a big help here. I know you'll be able to keep things in check back home." Kanae grabbed both of them for a big hug.

The sisters returned the embrace.

"Don't forget to take them, too." Petyr descended from the edirashem lift, shoving Arnault Pyrelle and Vernon DeSalle, both in shackles, off of it. "Two more sons from Ortesian houses. Analise better be thankful. I should be asking her for a castle. It'll probably come sooner than the one you owe me."

"Give that a rest already! Does it look like I'm in a state to give you a castle right now? Actually, are you sure you don't want to go back with the others?" Kanae asked.

"I'm not going anywhere," the high elf replied steadfastly. "Not until I've settled things with Riley. She went to Elusis with those Dervish bastards, and it sounds like that's where your next stop is going to be. You won't get rid of me that easily."

Renya threw an arm around Kanae's shoulders and added, "That goes for me, too. The Harpy King owes me answers about my old man, Solasta. And you know I ain't one to leave a deal unfinished."

"I thought you made a deal with Avanesse to do something about their edirashems?" she recalled.

"Yep!" The chairwoman of Rown Company nodded and patted Kanae on the chest. "I know a capable man to handle things while I'm away. I sent word to Thedia to send him and four crews down, and gave the blueprints to Alicia to bring back to HQ. You better make sure those schematics get there safe and sound, ya hear!"

"Of course, of course." Alicia waved.

Kanae turned to Edina, who cast back a knowing look. It was obvious the squirreling was still after Riben Crow and the Necronomicon. She had every reason to stay, and Kanae was always glad to have her necromancer friend along.

As for the explorer, Kris waited for her turn to say goodbye. She had gotten exactly what she came to Savir for— the keys to the underground dungeons north of Hellfire Badlands.

"You're heading back up with them, right? Are you going straight to Artaggon?" Kanae asked.

"After being surrounded by sand for months, I'm not really hankering to trudge through more sand. I think I might make a stop in Radevic and Ehmvier. Take your advice about exploring the local sights, even if they are already charted. Really though, I can't thank you and everyone enough. If one of these opens to a vault of treasure, I'll be sure to share some of it with you." Kris shook the sack of stone keys and grinned.

The two of them clasped hands and shook on it.

Kris, Alicia, and Claudia climbed into the front carriage, pulling their high elven prisoners in with them. Souvenirs and gifts packed the other two wagons to the brim. Kanae had made sure to write a couple of letters to everyone back home, too.

"Bye! Have a safe trip!" Kanae shouted as the coaches whipped their ronoas into gear.

"Don't get into too much trouble, Knight-Commander. I won't be there to bail you out!" Alicia hollered back.

"Same goes for you guys back in Aidenhall!" she retorted.

Hopefully, everyone back home was doing alright. Kanae wished she could see Arenade and the kids again. But she still had work to do in Savir. The rugrats were likely already a lot taller than she last remembered.

"Okay, everyone. With Alicia and Claudia gone, our effective strength has been reduced. We should—"

"No, it hasn't. I'm still here," Petyr said.

"Leaving Petyr aside…" Kanae rolled her eyes. "Our effective strength has been reduced. We know the Dervish Five are somehow infused with elemental powers. It's probably true of the Harpy King and his armies, too. We shouldn't overestimate them and focus mostly on rescuing the Knight of Red, Sivvy Brenhallow. For now though, we're waiting on Archbishop Patrice's word on when to go to Elusis. You're all entitled to shore leave until it comes time to go."

No one stuck around. They all went separate directions in the city. Edina and Renya headed to the gambling dens of the Shaded Pits, and Petyr disappeared elsewhere. Maybe to drown her sorrows with a drink and young boy over the Riley conundrum.

Kanae had other ideas. She searched for the most popular brothel in Bravost to sample the local cuisine, a chance she didn't get the last time. It was unfortunately named Sandy Cooch, an upscale courtesan house that serviced wealthy patrons.

The first floor was an open sandpit and bar for guests seeking more than just a single vice. Saviran waitresses in belly dancer outfits paraded themselves around as they served people drinks. A man flaunting his thick pouch of gold got the most attention from the courtesans. To each side of the room, prostitutes sat behind colorful and thin drapes, only giving passersby a glimpse of their silhouette. 

As Kanae perused the options, dozens of people couldn't help but stare at her. A mature human woman dressed in a regal blue gown over umber skin sidled up with a warm smile.

"Hello, honey. We never get succubi patrons. How might I sate your thirst?" she asked.

"I'm feeling some group play with some proactive girls. Maybe you can introduce me to some?" Kanae winked.

"Oh, I know just the three for—"

"Ah ha! I knew I'd find you here. Follow the scent of sin, and there she is!" an easy-going voice exclaimed.

Kanae whirled around to the door and found Camilla cruising in.

"Camilla? What are you doing here? I know you're not a brothel enthusiast, but doesn't protocol state that Saint Priests are supposed to stay in units of two?" Kanae asked.

"Protocol, schmotocol." Camilla waved dismissively. "You'd know Patrice doesn't need protection if you ever saw her in a fight. 'Sides, Delayn is more than enough. We got better things to do than go for a romp, Amethyst! You met up with my little sister, didn't you? Help a buddy out and reunite a pair of siblings, yeah?"

"Ugh, talk about blue balling me. I guess I can come back next time. Fine, let's go. The adventurers hall should be letting Rookies take quests again. I bet you Kara and Seven are there as we speak," she explained.

They took a carriage to Bravost's adventurers hall. It was located in the first district upon first entering the city, across from the administrative commons. The building was distinguished by two statues, one wielding a sword and shield and the other standing guard with a spear. Kanae had passed it several times before entering Bravost, but she had no idea this was the adventurers hall. Before, the place didn't seem to receive any adventurers. Now, however, they came and went as lively as a bustling bazaar.

As soon as Kanae and Camilla stepped out of the carriage, they were already drawing attention due to their clothes, but each for different reasons. They climbed the steps to enter a spacious hall that smelled of ashes and incense. Braziers hanging from the ceiling burned and crackled. Three different elevated floors denoted the tiers of an adventurer, from Rookie, Seasoned, and Veteran.

Camilla paused at the doorway, causing an adventurer to bump into her back. She didn't seem to register what happened. Her eyes were fixed on a young feline beastman with orange hair and rapier hanging from her waistguard. The girl stood beside a harpy boy whose feathers were a deep black and blue.

"Is that… Kara's friend?" Camilla whispered.

"Why do I feel like you're laying eyes on a unicorn? Yeah, that's Seven. He's one of her friends. They're friends with another, Theena, but… it's complicated. What are you waiting for? Go say hi!" Kanae insisted.

"I don't know. Seeing Kara all grown up, with a friend by her side, I feel like she doesn't need me anymore. I think I'm fine just seeing her and—"

Kanae seized Camilla with Charm and compelled her to walk forward.

"Kara, Seven!" Kanae shouted to get their attention.

The two spun around and, as expected, Kara stared forward, petrified. On the other hand, Seven lit up like the first morning light.

"Kanae, you're back! Did you find anything about Theena? Actually, who's that strangely-dressed friend with you?" Seven asked.

"Funny you should ask, her name is—"

"Ca… milla?" Kara gasped.

"It's me, you little fuzzball. You going to come give your big sister a hug, or what? I can't, because Kanae has me charmed right now… ahaha…" Camilla laughed nervously.

Before Kanae had a chance to end the effects of Charm, Kara tackled Camilla with a hug. She buried her face into her older sister's chest. Both of them erupted into content purrs, like actual cats in a state of pure joy.

"I've missed you so much! When Kanae gave me your rapier, I couldn't stop thinking about how to thank you… so… Thank you, Camilla!" Kara cried.

"I dunno what's going on, but this sounds like a good thing. I'm happy for ya, Kara!" Seven cheered from behind.

"Come here, Seven." Kanae pulled him aside. "Let them catch up. We can talk about Theena after. Maybe do a quest together like old times."