Allies and Enemies

True to Vandrad’s prediction, it had not taken long at all for the Dread Masters to make their move against the prince and his loved ones. The moment Serilda and Mythal had received Mercury’s group text advising everyone that she was being followed, the couple quickly abandoned what they had been working on and warped themselves home. While they personally believed that the Masters would not be stupid enough to come at the leaders of the Rune Knights specifically, the couple found it hard to believe that they would not jump at the opportunity to strike at Patricia, who had been staying at their home in Era and living under their protection ever since Scourge had released her from their employ.

The house was exceptionally fortified, of course, and had been for quite some time. Considering that Mythal and Serilda had been secretly investigating the Magic Council for a number of years now, they had taken great lengths to ensure that their residence was more heavily protected than even the jail at headquarters, ensuring that none could ever eavesdrop on the house or pop in without an invitation. And while they were confident that such measures would be more than enough, the unfortunate truth was that they didn’t know what kind of resources the Masters had at their disposal. One could never be too careful.

Thankfully, when they arrived at the house they found Patricia relaxed and totally unaware that there was any risk of impending danger. The woman was happily entertaining the young twins, having quickly taken up the mantle of a doting aunt-like figure almost immediately upon moving into the home. She did look confused as to why the couple was home so early and abruptly, of course, so they took a moment to fill her in on the message they’d received from Mercury and how they had elected to come home for the time being, just to be cautious.

As time went on, Serilda became more and more concerned about the lack of response from the others in the group message. In fact, the only other person who responded was Zemenar, Mercury’s father. She couldn’t imagine that none of the rest of Vandrad’s family would ignore something like this without checking in. Some kind of assault had to be happening on multiple fronts for basically all of them except the Gods of Ishgar. And while they wanted nothing more than to zip over to Bellum or the island and provide assistance, their place was to stay with Patricia, their daughters, and the members of the household staff that were under their care. So it had become a waiting game, something that none of the three of them were particularly happy about.

If only Serida knew exactly how unhappy they would be soon enough.

The moment their magical alarms sounded to alert them that someone was attempting to breach the property, Mythal and Serilda snapped into action, wasting no time in teleporting to meet the trespassers with weapons drawn and magical auras primed and ready to go, the wolves staying behind with Patricia, Alexia, and Naomi. Serilda’s expression was hard and determined as they materialized before the two individuals that had been caught in the invisible trap just inside the perimeter of the estate grounds, the pair stuck in place like flies caught upon a spider’s web. The field marshal’s face shifted from grim to confusion when she saw the first interloper. “Wanda..?’ she asked, lowering her swords slowly, taking in the sight of the living Ataxian shard who looked very much like she had just escaped a battle. Had the Masters made a move against the Order of Souls as well as Vandrad’s family?

Her pale blue gaze glanced only briefly at Wanda’s companion before her eyes snapped back upon the darker toned woman. In a single, indescribable moment, every shred of discipline washed away leaving Serilda slack jawed in awe and shock as she stared. “Kessicia…” She looked different, but there was no mistaking the presence of her long lost friend, one that Serilda had thought dead. In an instant, Serilda completely dropped her swords and released both women from the trap, rushing over and frantically pulling the woman into a tight embrace.

Tears started to stream down the princess’ cheeks as she held the woman. “I thought you were dead!” Serilda pulled back to look the woman in the eyes, her hands on either side of her face as if not truly believing the one time slave was actually standing before her, only to pull her back in for another firm hug. But this was no time to stand around being flummoxed, and even in her emotional state Serilda knew that. Forcing herself to break away from the woman, though not too far, Serilda wiped her face with the back of her hand and attempted to compose herself. “Come inside, both of you. Tell us what’s going on.”

Everytime Serilda heard Scourge’s name, it was followed by some statement or admission that made the man all the more of an enigma. She could only stare at Kess with teary eyed confusion as the woman explained that she had died, but had been brought back to life, and shortly after Scourge had found her and sought to ensure that she stayed that way. Between that news and all the knowledge prior of the Dread Master’s assistance with Mercury and saving Vandrad’s life, and it was giving the noblewoman a number of conflicting questions and feelings. Everything they had been told about the Dread Masters by Chishan, Zifu, Gren, and especially Patricia, was that they were power hungry mortals that presented themselves as shields for humanity but in reality wanted little more than to replace the gods. So either Scourge was very different from his cult fellows, or the Order of Souls didn’t have all the facts about their nemeses.

Given Wanda’s following statement, Serilda was inclined to assume the former as the Ataxian woman confirmed that not only did the Dread Masters attack the Order of Souls as a part of the day’s strike, but they had managed to wipe them out completely, either by killing them or converting them to the Dread Master’s cause. If it had not been for Kessicia’s timely arrival, it seemed Chishan and Gren would have died. Serilda’s head practically swiveled over to the other woman as Mythal frantically asked where the two men were. Apparently, they had left immediately to help fight off the force that had been sent to Bellum to handle the du Wolffs, the Dread Masters aiming to just wipe the slate clean when it came to Vandrad and his family.

Serilda’s anger was rising, and while she certainly didn’t lose her temper like she had the night Faera had tried to usurp Mythal’s body and mind, her face was visibly twitching with ire. “Scorched earth for everyone except us apparently.” It was clear that she was almost wishing the Masters had tried to come at Serilda and Mythal as well, if only so she could be doing something more than just sitting around while the rest of the du Wolffs and Order of Souls fought for their lives. They probably hadn’t wanted to risk going up against the couples’ power, but it would still make the Dread Masters a target to the Rune Knight leaders either way. She couldn’t decide if they were cowards or just hadn’t fully thought through the consequences of their attack.

But outside at the front of the estate grounds was no place for this conversation, so Serilda insisted that they retreat to the interior for the time being. Patricia was coming down the stairs as they re-entered the home, to let them know that the girls had fallen asleep and were being guarded over by the wolves. When she was about to ask if everything was alright, she took notice of the two new companions. Wanda introduced herself even as Serilda took a moment to summon the head steward Julian, asking the man to have the household staff set up two of the guest rooms and prepare some accommodations in the great room for the beleaguered women that had joined them.

In the meantime, Kessicia had been glancing about the entry foyer to take in the sight of their home, complimenting it as being as grand as she’d thought it would be. Serilda matched the woman’s sad smile with one of her own. “Thank you. I had a much more humble place back in Ace of Spades, where I lived when you and I first met… but after I left Sabertooth and Mythal and I took over the Rune Knights, social expectations called for something a bit more… ostentatious.” In truth, Serilda had not minded her small living arrangements that she’d had in Ace of Space. There was something comforting and private about not living on a large estate. But, her current stations in life required that she maintain a certain reputation, so upon moving to Era she’d had to make a few “upgrades” to her lifestyle back to what she had grown up with. And at the very least, that allowed her to not have to worry about having the space to take care of her friends.

Taking Kessicia’s arm, Serilda gently led everyone to the great room to get more comfortable while Mythal inquired for more details about everything that was going on. Silently inviting Kess to take a seat on the large couch, the princess sat close beside her, holding her hand firmly in her own, sensing that the two of them both would benefit from the comfort of being beside one another. Wanda explained that the Dread Masters had elected to wipe out all of their enemies at once, primarily the Order and the du Wolffs. She surmised that Mercury had been a target as well, but apparently Scourge had done what he could to ensure the Silver Wolf Ace survived.

Kessicia confirmed the statement, telling them all that he had be worried something like this would happen, though it sounds like he had not expected it to come to pass. He had supposedly wasted no time in pulling his resources together, asking Kess to go to the Order of Souls and help everyone she could, with a focus on Gren and Chishan, knowing they would be the turning point in saving the du Wolffs. Serilda frowned in thought over the wording, but remained silent for the time being as she listened to the conversation. Mythal expressed that Themesycia would be quite the challenge to overcome, but apparently Maker had been tasked with putting his intellect into finding a way to keep the Ashen Dread preoccupied. Scourge was tasked with handling Vandrad directly, so that was barely a concern before it had even started. And as for Mercury, he had apparently convinced the Masters that she wasn’t a threat, ensuring that only a small detail had gone up against her. Considering that Mercury seemed to be a fan of hiding the true depths of her abilities, Serilda imagined that had not been a hard sell.

Wanda asked about why Scourge was betraying his order to protect all of them, and Kess could only shrug. Whatever his aims were, it seemed she had not been made privy to them. She only knew that for one reason or another he did not want Vandrad or his allies to come to ruin. Serilda was quiet for a long moment as she processed the information. Her thoughts on Scourge were mixed, to say the least, the information so far coming from second hand sources as she had never met the man herself. She very much wanted to at this point, if only to size him up for herself. But at the moment there was a more burning question in mind that she had to ask.

“And what of Zifu?” She looked calmly between Wanda and Kessicia, though there was a distinct look in her eyes that told her she would not like the answer. There was a lot of talk about Kessicia being charged with protecting Chishan and Gren, and those two managing to survive with her help, but the queen and her fate had yet to be mentioned, which did not bode well. Either she was already dead, or something much darker was afoot. She almost hoped it was the former, if only because the latter would mean a slew of complications and rage awaited them, but if Zifu had been killed in the attack or someone that Scourge was trying to protect, then surely Wanda and Kessicia would have said so by now…

A stern breath of air escaped Serilda’s nostril as Wanda nervously admitted that Zifu had not only betrayed the Order, but had personally led the attack against them. That was all the woman had confirmed before Gren had ushered her out, risking his own life to protect Wanda’s, knowing what the woman was and that she would either be a captive or a high profile target by the Masters. It was exactly like Gren to play the noble hero, and like nearly every time before it had almost gotten him killed. From what Wanda could ascertain judging their injuries when she found them again, she felt that Gren and Chishan had been held still as a purposefully fatal blow had been delivered before they were left to bleed out. Serilda never understood people who didn’t confirm their kills, but she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth that Zifu had failed to do so then and there.

She was silent, but there was no mistaking exactly how angry she was. Serilda was practically staring off in the distance as she processed the admission, her jaw clenched tight in visible fury as a palpable anger rolled off of her nearly as strong as the night she had lost her temper at the Order. Though this time it was worth noting that she kept her power in check, having learned her lesson the last time. Still, she was completely and utterly ripshit. Serilda had put so much effort into trying to repair the damage she had done that night and move forward as allies with Zifu, and the queen had seemed genuine in her intent to carry on past the rocky first impression they had made with one another. Yet in the end, Chishan’s wife had proven herself a lying, backstabbing witch, and Serilda was not taking it well at all.

That is not good.

No, it’s not good at all.

We have to assume that she told the Masters about both Lux and myself, as well as your affiliation with Ozorith. She probably told them about Ruzatz and Agatha, as well.

Each new implication deepened the ache in her chest from the sheer levels of treachery that had transpired, her indignation deepening by the second. She didn’t realize how hard she was gripping Kess’s hand, not hard enough to hurt the woman but certainly enough to be uncomfortable. And while Serilda was somewhat dissociated from the moment in her upset, she could still hear Wanda clearly as the woman struggled to express her confusion over Zifu’s actions. The queen had always been stoic and hard, but not uncaring. Wanda had always felt that Zifu had the best interests of everyone around them in mind, so seeing her ally and friend treating them with such contempt was baffling her to the point of tears.

Thankfully, Patricia was the one to step up to the plate where Mythal and Serilda could not in that moment. She got up and wasted no time in taking Wanda’s hand and kneeling down to look her in the eyes as she explained that oftentimes the deepest wounds people ever experienced came from those they loved the most. It was okay to feel hurt and betrayed, but whatever the reasons for Zifu’s actions there was nothing that Wanda could have done to change the outcome because it was not Wanda’s fault. She didn’t know the woman at all, but at this time she knew the Rune Knight leaders fairly well and trusted their judgment when it came to others, so she knew that Wanda would not have been welcomed with open arms if they had any doubts about her.

It seemed to be what Wanda needed to hear. Only a moment later, after giving it brief thought, the living Ataxian shard sighed and calmed herself, nodding her understanding and thanking her. It seemed she had feared that her mere existence had been part of Zifu’s drive to act as she had, though Patricia obviously didn’t understand the full implications of what Wanda was saying. Serilda felt no desire to enlighten her. While she trusted Patty and Kessicia both, it was not their business to share, so she kept Wanda’s true nature to herself for now.

In the meantime, Patty vocalized her observation that Zifu had poorly made enemies out of everyone in the room, along with the entirety of the du Wolffs. As far as she figured, the woman’s life was officially on a timer counting down, if only because she couldn’t imagine that Mercury and Vandrad weren’t already actively planning out their vengeance. That was most likely true; the other couple was quite volatile and rarely wasted time in getting right to whatever they set their minds to do. Still, the mention of the affianced pair caused Patricia to question what the update was on the other attacks. Scourge’s precautions aside, she would feel more at ease with some kind of concrete confirmation that everyone was okay.

The inquiry shook Serilda out of her funk, at least enough to engage in the conversation again. “I don’t think anyone has responded to the message Mercury sent besides me and her father. Let me check.” Reaching into a pocket with her free hand, she pulled out her iLac and opened the group chat. “No one else has replied. Let me see if Zemenar has heard anything else.” Reluctantly, she withdrew her other hand from Kessicia so she could type out her message and send it.

Around that time, Julian and a couple other members of the house staff came in with some drinks and a small charcuterie platter with various cheeses, fruits, crackers and meats to at least get something in their stomachs until they could figure out what the rest of the night held. By the time everything was set out for them, the field marshal’s phone beeped to alert her to an incoming message. She took a moment to read it. “Zemenar said that Vandrad’s family is safe with them at the new estate. Chishan and Gren are with them, but they have not heard from Vandrad or Mercury yet.” Then, with a soft sigh of remorse, she looked up at Mythal and Patricia. “Apparently the Masters completely destroyed the du Wolff manor. Blew it up along with the entire surrounding town… But the Xocili were never attacked, so clearly the Masters weren’t aware of that particular safehaven.”

Normally Serilda was a much better host than this, but considering the weight of everything that was happening it was understandable that she was a little off her game when it came to noble propriety. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be fairly understanding about the whole thing, considering how hard it was hitting nearly all of them. The only one who wasn’t really directly involved was Patricia, and even then she still was to a great extent – she just wasn’t as familiar with the Order of Souls side of things. Kessicia seemed more than content to be an outlet for Serilda’s frustration, happy to simply sit beside her old friend and act as a silent support, and even if Serilda wasn’t of the right mindset in that moment to express her gratitude she was thankful.

Soon enough Patricia moved the conversation to a different topic that wasn’t necessarily less emotional but was at least a lateral step toward something that wasn’t as actively concerning. Serilda took a few minutes to reach back out to Zemenar while Mythal took a moment to formally introduce himself to the woman that he’d helped free from slavery so many years ago. It did not take Mercury’s father long at all to relay some updates about everyone’s status, and Serilda passed the news along to those present with them. It was comforting to know that nearly everyone was accounted for, but that relief was offset by the knowledge that Vandrad and Mercury were still in the middle of whatever was happening with them, and that the entire du Wolff island in Bellum had been quite literally wiped off the map.

It was Mythal who spoke up first, expressing his reassurance that the prince and his alien fiance were probably okay. And truthfully, those two were the ones that Serilda was least worried about in the bunch, second perhaps only to Themesycia, whose prowess on the battlefield was the stuff of legend. As far as the director was concerned, they were probably just making sure to tie up whatever loose ends they found before rejoining everyone else. Patty agreed, and with a soft sigh Serilda finally allowed herself to relax a little. Vandrad and Mercury were more than capable of taking care of themselves.

As Patty went over to finally exchange her own greeting with Kess, Serilda stood and forced herself to get a small bite to eat as well. But her body temporarily stopped functioning as her friend introduced herself as the vassel for not just one but two divines. Her head swiveled up in pure shock to blink at the woman, and after some quick inquiries from Patty and Mythal, Kess explained briefly what had happened to her. It seemed she had been chosen separately by both gods as a vassel, and each of them cashed in on the decree at the exact same time – which also happened to be right when Kessicia had died. According to her they had not really interacted with her much since, happy enough to do their own thing without involving her directly, but as far as Kess was aware she was the only person in the history of mankind that had ever held such a position for two divines or sins simultaneously. And while they did not meet with Kess face to face, they did speak to her in her dreams and apparently had been curious about her ever since she’d become a succubus.

Patricia was practically beside herself with all the odd facts that Kess was revealing about her history, which was understandable. Kessicia had always been a remarkable woman, and that truth only seemed to be expanding. But of course this would now lead into a somewhat more awkward conversation regarding a topic that they had not brought up with Patricia yet, if only because it was a bit of a sore subject that Serilda didn’t really like talking about unless she had to. However, given what Kess had just revealed and the fact that Wanda was already aware of the details herself, there seemed little point in continuing to avoid the topic.

“Well… they may not be too happy to hear that you and I are friends, then.” Serilda sighed, the resignation in the sound unmistakable. “I’m a vassel, too, but for one of the Sins… Ozorith. It’s a really long story, and not something I’m particularly thrilled about.” She paused there briefly as she contemplated revealing a bit more, her hesitance not so much in not trusting Kess so much as knowing that the more people who found out, the more easily the word could spread. But in the end, she trusted Kessicia and with a brief glance to Mythal to ensure he wasn’t against it, she went on. “Mythal and I are also both vessels for two Seals. He has Lux, and I have Victoria. Ozorith is not aware about Victoria at this time, and I’d like to keep it that way for now.”