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The following morning, Ennui leads them through the city, which remains as still and ghostly as it had the night before. She urges them along a snow-covered path, weaving through a copse of conifers. In the distance, the outline of a manor looms against the sky, perched atop a cliff overlooking the city. The mansion had stood derelict since the fire that consumed it when she was a girl, but its bones remained strong.
After the fire, Ennui had explored the surviving wings of the manor, surprised by how much of the structure had endured. Even so, she had no idea what might still be standing after all these years. As they break through the small copse of trees, she laughs. The old iron gates still stand, their metal points like pure black spears rising to the sky, the rust which had formed across the gate reminds her of the blood spilled across the manor grounds. Behind the gate, the manor courtyard is just as she remembers it. The iron bowl in the center of the courtyard is overgrown with reeds. Ivy grows along the remaining wings of the house, while the central foyer and entrance have all burned to nothing but cinders.
Ennui puts her weight against the gates, which refuse to budge in the slightest. Scowling, she kicks against the chains wrapped around them, only to be met with resistance. She lets out a furious growl and rattles the metal gates. Khimi steps beside her and pushes his weight against the chained gate along with her.With a sudden, resounding pop, a rusted link snaps, sending the chain clattering to the ground like a metallic snake. Together, they push the gates open, allowing the others to step onto the snow-covered path. They pause, taking in the ruined grandeur of the once-proud estate.
How bloody these stones were that day, she thinks as she takes the first step onto the flagstones. You shouldn’t feel bad for that… they never gave my life a second thought. Alone in her thoughts, she suddenly chuckles out loud as the rest of the group looks her over. Stopping before the iron bowl in the center of the courtyard, she looks into the scum-covered pond. Reeds grow through the top of the algae and rise nearly to her height. She remembers thinking as a girl how beautiful the strange reeds were, a plant brought to the north from the southern reaches. Anything can adapt.
“So, what’s the plan?” Augustus asks, poking his fingers into the top of the algae. “This place definitely looks haunted. How did you even know it was up here?”
“Just a hunch,” Ennui replies, looking at her reflection through the rippling water. Her pale form grins back at her as she continues, “Since the city is full of ungrateful little shits, we can stay here. The wings of the manor should be in good shape. There are a few dozen rooms on each side… hearths… and enough broken furniture to last awhile for burning.”
Lumi rubs his eyes, the drowsiness from the early morning still on his face. “What about beds… and bedding?”
Ennui waves a hand dismissively at Lumi as she passes. “Well, assuming things are still as they are… I am sure there is something to sleep on.”
Lumi seizes Khimi’s arm, already dragging him toward the dilapidated structure. “We’ll find our room,” he announces cheerfully, skidding over the icy stones.
Mido rushes behind them, Augustus quick on his heels. “I hope this place is as nice as you made it out to be,” he calls back to Ennui, his short tail wagging against the fabric of his tunic.
Ennui crosses her arms and steps cautiously over the stones, remembering each and every violent moment that transpired. “It’s absolutely peachy,” she cackles.
The central building had largely been burned down to nothing, only the southeast corner of the building still remained other than the wings on either side. The only thing that had managed to spare the side buildings from burning was the external hallways that connected the buildings. Lumi and Khimi pause and admire the burnt-out structure.
“This place is huge…” Lumi murmurs, tilting his head back to look at the remaining structure. Then, with a glance at Khimi, he adds, “I mean, not as big as your place.”
“Of course not.” Khimi snorts confidently as he drapes an arm around Lumi’s shoulder. “Our place isn’t burned to shit.”
“I mean… it almost was,” Lumi mutters.
Mido and Augustus ease past them, and Lumi shouts at them as he surges towards the wing of the house. Ennui grins as she looks up at the remaining ruins and follows behind. The veranda running to the wing of the house still stands, the slate shingles litter the ground along the path. Khimi tugs open the glass-paned double doors, revealing a dimly lit foyer with a spiral staircase. The wood appears mostly intact, though a patch near the entrance has succumbed to rot. The rest of it still bears the faint sheen of old beeswax.
Door after door, the others shoulder through the rooms until they find rooms suitable for their needs. Lumi and Khimi had settled in a room with a wide bed situated beneath a rectangular window which had a view over the city. A random assortment of furniture in the room had been destroyed by trespassers at some point and ransacked. The landscape paintings Ennui had recalled were taken, much to her chagrin. Across the hall and down the way, the other three had chosen to share a room, wanting to keep their numbers together. Four beds had been drawn to the corners, and empty trunks rest at the foot of each of the beds. The blankets and sheets over each of the beds are moth-eaten and dusty but have been mostly preserved in the ancient tomb. An oval tub sits just beneath the window, the velvety red curtains drawn shut.
“Is it… necessary?” Mido asks suddenly in the privacy of their room. “I mean… we can all just sleep in one room, and we can save on fuel for the fire.”
Ennui drops on the bed with an audible squeak. “You don’t really want to share a room with them if it can be helped… or even an inn.”
Augustus smiles as he climbs into the empty wooden tub. “Let them have their fun. Khimi looks a bit pent-up anyway,” he says with a groan as he tilts his head back over the side.
Ennui laughs and points at Augustus. “See… he’s got brains,” she says with a wag of her finger.
Mido hums, leaning against the door frame. “I don’t know… it just feels silly to split up at a time like this.”
Ennui stretches out on the bed, propping herself on one elbow. “You do realize he’s the Saint of Flames? Chosen by the gods?” She smirks. “I’m sure it was the gods that made sure he survived our shipwreck, too.”
Augustus chuckles, kicking his feet up on the wooden tub. “I’m sure they were plenty capable on their own. More capable than me, apparently. Somehow, Mido managed to swim ashore.”
“Lucky pup,” Ennui whispers and leans back onto the bed. “I admit I don’t really remember when I finally couldn’t stay above the waves… but at some point, I felt I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore.”
“Eh, we were just lucky,” Mido mutters, sliding down the doorframe to sit on the floor. “Somehow, we got pulled toward an island nearby. I-I didn’t even see it… I just felt.” He tucks his knees up to his chest. “What’re we going to do for food? No one in the town would even acknowledge us. I don’t see how Lumi is supposed to help these people.”
Augustus sits up, letting his head hang over the side of the tub. “I planned to check out the city later with Khimi. We were talking about it on the way up here… Mido’s going to stay and try to teach Lumi how to read more—”
“I don’t think it’s wise to split up,” Ennui cuts in. “But if you’re set on it, then take your dagger. I don’t think I should leave Lumi or Mido alone. I doubt they’d survive without Khimi or me.”
“So much for a vote of confidence.” Augustus sighs and dips back below the edge of the tub. “That’s cruel, Ennui.”
“I’m being realistic—”
“We never had any grand adventures before like you have!” Mido snarls from the doorway. “We’re basically novices from the temple… we shouldn’t even be here!”
Ennui chuckles and slaps the dusty sheets beside her, sending a plume of dust into the air. The midday sun filters through the thick, velvety curtains. “C’mon, tell me how you really feel, Mido. I’m dying to know.”
Mido’s lips twitch in anger. “We should be back in the Desert Cities,” he mutters. “We never should have come to Hermon’s Well. I told Augustus back at the lighthouse—before the ferry came—that we could go to Vicchi and pass through the capital instead. This journey isn’t for us. We don’t have the experience. And whatever it is that you’re all getting wrapped up in… it’s beyond us.”
“But I convinced Mido that we should at least find you guys to make sure you were safe…” Augustus says, his voice trailing off. “But I just don’t think we have it in us to tell Khimi or Lumi.”
“Wow,” Ennui chuckles, sitting up suddenly. “That was bleak.”
“What?” Mido snaps, forcing himself to his feet. “What would you have done in our situation?! And we’re not even getting anything out of this! You’re getting bloody paid for your work, aren’t you?”
Ennui shrugs, her lips pursed. “True enough. But I am not a follower of the Faith. Nor was I assigned to guard duty by one of the chosen. I mean… hells, imagine what the saint is going to think when you return to the Desert Cities with your tails tucked between your legs like a pair of Lorian girls.”
“Don’t mock us!” Augustus snaps. “You don’t know how hard this has been for us! All of it! I turned my back on my birthright for Mido’s dreams!”
Ennui clicks her tongue. “Tsk, and whose fault is that?” She gives an amused, but cruel grin. “You chose to walk this far… and you’ve come this far. Do you even think you two worms could make it back to Loria yourselves? The only reason you’re still alive, Egg, is because I kept you alive when that priest appeared.”
“Enough!” Mido shouts as he slams the door. He lowers his voice to a whisper. “Nothing would have happened if you hadn’t brought us outside the estate in the first place!”
“And you think he wasn’t waiting for the first chance he could get?” She challenges. “C’mon, tell me a better solution to that problem than him dead at your feet.”
Augustus looks between them, his face pale with what Ennui guesses is shock. “W-what are you both droning on about? Dead priest? Mido, what is she talking about?”
“Nothing!” Mido snaps as Ennui holds a hand up to silence Augustus. He turns back to her, his voice unsteady. “You’re talking rubbish!” His voice falters. “It’s just like I said… Augustus and I have no right to be in the middle of this. His gods are not my gods. T-this isn’t our place. I just want to help people…”
Ennui palms her cheek and closes her eyes as Mido’s eyes begin to well with tears. “Calm down,” she insists quietly.
“Look what you’ve done,” Augustus snaps, leaping from the tub. “All Mido ever does is care about others… how can you be so cold?”
Ennui’s face screws up. They’re both so weak… dead weight. She clenches her jaw and stares Mido down. “I won’t stop you if you want to leave. I’ll even lie for you—say I forced you to go. They’ll be none the wiser. Because the truth is, you’ll both die before you reach Vicchi. Your chosen asked you to grow stronger, and if you want to turn your back on her… then do it. Do it, but do it for yourself. Do it because you know you’re too weak and loathsome to stand beside your friends.”
“You’re not our friend,” Augustus says through gritted teeth, standing beside Mido.
“What happened to you?” Mido questions, peering at her through soft eyes. “What made you like this?”
“Life,” Ennui snaps. “Reality. You want to help people? You want to make a difference? There’s a reason Nina sent you with Lumi…”
Mido pulls at his hair in frustration. “Why? Since you’re so insightful… tell us why Nina sent us to watch over Lumi.”
“Because Lumi can make a difference,” Ennui says quietly. “I’ve never believed in anyone other than Khimi… until I met Lumi.”
Augustus laughs and glares at Ennui. “Khimi would have been better chosen than Lumi.”
Ennui can’t believe the words leaving her lips. “Lumi is more suited to be chosen. His naivety will allow the gods to control him, and his kindness will allow the populace to cling to him. He has the support of the Temple of Life and the love of one of the most powerful men in the Desert Cities.”
Mido stands before her as if he is seeing Ennui for the first time. “I believe he also has the support of the Sepulchre of Rites… their head priestess spoke to him at Rashid’s funeral.”
“I’m not sure who all support him,” Ennui confesses with a shrug. “But I find that people are drawn to him… even myself.”
Augustus places a hand on Mido’s shoulder. “Even you were drawn to him,” he whispers to Mido, keeping his eyes on Ennui.
Mido turns away. “I don’t feel that way anymore… I haven’t since he stayed in Cecilia’s. I realized how unreasonable and childish he is. All he could do was make excuses for Khimi’s—”
“Don’t,” Ennui interrupts as she narrows her eyes. “Don’t disrespect Khimi. The things he’s had to do, the life he’s lived… you could never imagine. So don’t pretend to know him enough to cast judgment on him.”
“He cheated on Lumi,” Mido mumbles in disbelief. “We were there when he said it.”
“So was I,” Ennui admits. “But you will never understand the stress and complexity of Khimi’s life. So while I can understand your feelings… he deserves leniency. Besides, the woman all but threw herself onto him.”
Augustus nods. “I can understand completely,” he says quietly as Mido shoots him a cold look. “I mean it! A bit too much to drink, and suddenly you’re on a bed with a maiden on top of you.”
Mido scowls. “You’ve never bedded a maiden since I’ve known you, don’t lie.”
Ennui looks at the two and releases a long sigh. “So tell me what you’re both planning to do—because there are decisions that need to be made. And soon.”
“Do you really think we don’t have a chance to make it to Vicchi?” Mido asks in a hushed voice. “It was only a few days south of the crossroads.”
Augustus shoves Mido aside with a laugh. “We’ll stay—even if we die. It’ll be better if we die doing what the saint asked, right, Mido?”
Mido glances at Augustus, sighs, then grins. “Right.” He hesitates before looking at Ennui. “I… didn’t expect you to get so heated,” he confesses, “you must have strong feelings about this then.”
Ennui turns away, her gaze landing on the empty hearth between the beds. “My feelings are limited to coin,” she says quietly. “I meant it when I said I would lie for you if you wanted to leave.”
Augustus steps behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “It was just a fleeting thought,” he whispers, attempting a gentle massage— only for Ennui to grab his hands and squeeze tight.
“Then push that thought forever out of your mind… because if push comes to shove and you turn tail on us. Northern vampires will be the last thing you have to worry about,” she says coldly, knocking Augustus’ hands away.
Mido chuckles at Augustus’ misfortune, then sighs. “We’re basically holding you all back. We’ve never had any training. We’ve only been out on small assignments.”
“I can help you grow stronger if you’re willing… but only if you’re willing to put all your efforts into it,” Ennui says, tapping her foot on the ground.
“Of course,” Augustus says excitedly, a spark of eagerness in his eyes.
Mido’s eyes grow wide at Ennui’s words. “Truly? You would train us?” he asks, his pointed ears shaking as his tail wags beneath his tunic.
Ennui presses her fingers to the tips of her horns. “I’ll do what I can… but you’re years behind in proper martial training. Surely you can at least swing those swords you carry?”
“Well enough,” Augustus replies, raising an eyebrow.
Ennui’s tail whips behind her. “I’ll see if I can find any weapons. You—get the fire started. If you can even do that.”
As Ennui pushes the door open, Mido follows behind. “T-thank you…” he says, his voice meek.
“Don’t thank me yet—I’m going to beat you both into the dirt,” Ennui mutters, her tail slapping against the wooden floor.
Mido stammers his thanks as Ennui closes the door behind her. The lengthy hallway hosts several empty frames, the canvas paintings had been cut free, leaving the gilded frames behind. An art thief… or just some jackass. She pauses in the middle of the hallway and admires the floral patterned rug which runs along the length of the hallway. Outside the Desert Cities, weaving of this kind is uncommon. The expertise and craftsmanship remind her of the Rhazian rugs and tapestries she has grown accustomed to.
Before descending the stairs, she stops outside Lumi and Khimi’s room. Pressing her ear against the wood, she listens. Asleep already? Gently, she eases the door open and peers inside. Atop the ancient sheets and blankets, Lumi is sprawled atop of Khimi, his cheek pushing over his eyelid as Khimi’s snores cut through the silence. Much to her surprise, they’re still clothed—Khimi’s boots are unlaced but still clinging to his feet. Sleep tight…
Sanctuary
As Ennui makes her way along the central building, she pulls her cloak tightly around her shoulders to ward off the chilly air. The remnants of the fire still linger here, a constant reminder of the destruction and loss. Yet, she had spent a short time here after the flames had died down, searching for any supplies that could aid her on her journey. The manor was once filled with secrets and treasures, but they were all lost in the blaze.
Underneath the old stairwell, a large section of brick catches Ennui’s eye. Ignoring the chill of the soil and grass beneath her fingertips, she pushes against the knotted roots until a dark wooden door is revealed. It is made of Dolman Elderwood, a rare and sought-after wood known for its resistance to burning and dense quality.
The surrounding grass spreads like a thick green carpet, which Ennui carefully flips to the side while she works over the soil.
After much effort, she discovers the rusted loops that serve as handles for the door. Despite her best attempts, it refuses to budge. She lets out a string of curses before grabbing her dagger. With practiced precision, she clears away debris from the hinges and gives one more determined tug on the loops—only to find them rusted shut.
“Fucking hells,” she growls, unwilling to give up just yet.
Frustrated, she raises her hands to shield her eyes and lets out a groan of annoyance. With careful steps, she moves to the center of the basement doors, testing their strength with her weight. Bouncing up and down, she feels them barely shift beneath her. Determined to test further, she jumps with more force. A faint creaking echoes through the air, like that of a loose wooden plank. Ignoring the warning signs, she continues, her boots hitting the wood with an audible thud at the apex of each leap. Crack. The rusted hinge gives way beneath her. Her nails claw at the sliding door as she tumbles into the dark basement. The door catches on the narrow stairwell, sending her careening forward over dusty stone bricks, a cloud of debris billowing around her.
Ennui’s eyes adjust to the darkness as she steadies herself on the brick stairs, gripping a metal railing along the edge. Regaining her balance, she rises and glances toward the entrance, wondering just how dank and disgusting the cellar has become after years of exposure to rain and the elements. Step by step, she descends deeper into the darkness. The ceiling takes shape before her—a curved brick arch spanning a large, open room. Rows of casks stretch along the hall, likely placed here when the cellar was first built. Lucky the fire didn’t reach this far, she thinks, wandering past the smaller barrels.
Bottles, their tops neatly corked and wrapped in cloth, line the walls in endless rows. Here and there, broken glass reveals dark, sloshing contents. Wine—more wine than Ennui has seen in her lifetime. I could sell this… be rich. She exhales sharply. Then I’d have to explain its origins. The vintage. How I got it. With an audible groan, she dismisses the thought and shoves her dagger into one of the smaller casks. The blade sinks deep, and when she pulls it free, amber-colored liquid trickles down the pale wood, dripping onto the dusty stone floor. Running a finger through the spill, she presses it to the tip of her tongue. Sharp, bitter, and smoky—the flavors are familiar, reminiscent of the fine establishments scattered across the Desert Cities and beyond.
“At least you had taste, Father,” she murmurs, chuckling as she continues her tour of the cellar.
Beyond a stone arch, Ennui steps into what appears to be a drawing room. The style is familiar—reminiscent of Lorian households. A hearth along the wall has partially collapsed, its stones crumbling beneath an invasion of fungi and lichen. The faint sound of dripping water draws her attention to an opening in the broken hearth, where small ferns cling to mossy stones leading up to the surface. Opposite the hearth, two chairs sit untouched, their embroidered floral patterns faded but still strikingly similar to the rug in the manor’s main hall. Bronze rivets hold the carefully woven fabric in place, speaking of the fine craftsmanship and detail that had gone into this masterpiece.
But it’s not the furniture that holds Ennui’s interest. Her eyes light up at the crossed blades mounted on the stone wall behind the chairs. Thinner than her usual weapon of choice, but still—rapiers. Well-balanced, well-crafted. Perfect. She strides forward, kicks the nearest chair against the wall, and steps onto its dusty seat. With a forceful yank, she rips the two blades free. Holding them aloft, she tests their weight before shoving against the chair’s back, sending it crashing onto the stone floor with a hollow crack.
Retracing her steps, she moves back through the cellar’s central chamber and beneath another stony arch. The room hosts a number of small chairs and a central table, obviously made for the purpose of entertaining. A metallic glimmer along the wall catches her eye, and Ennui steps back to take a better look at the framed painting. Her stomach knots. The thrill of her discovery vanishes, replaced by a sick, creeping dread. A rapier slips from her grasp, clattering onto the floor. Her breath comes short, tight. She stares up at the portrait of what should have been her family. Her mother and father, regal and composed, just as she had always imagined them. But the few living memories she holds are tainted—marred by terror, by blood. And Sigmund. The name forced upon her all those years ago. Her brother. The boy I killed. In the portrait, he looks noble, confident, a proud grin on his lips.
Ennui’s fingers tense on the handle of the rapier in hand. Her body moves before thought can catch up. She hurls the blade with a guttural snarl. The point rips along the canvas and clatters against the floor. Her breathing becomes labored, anxious. Anger boils over. You did this. She growls, driving her boot through a chair. You made me like this. She seizes a chair and hurls it at the portrait. The impact sends dust spilling from the frame, but the image remains. She glares at it, studying it. Her mother and brother’s light hair contrasts sharply to her own dark black locks, their gentle and fair features are unlike her own. Yet she and her father… so much alike. If it had not been for her devilish features, their familial resemblance would have been undeniable. The through sends a fresh wave of rage coursing through her.
Her boots tap against the stone tiles as sudden determination seizes her. Moving opposite the table, she plants her hands against its edge and shoves, dragging it across the room with a grating scrape. Laughter bubbles up, harsh, near-delirious laughter. She pulls the dagger from her boot and drives it into the painting’s frame. There had been many times she had been tasked with stealing antiques and rare paintings, but where she usually exercises the utmost care, here she allows the dagger to rip violently through the canvas, tearing at the image. As the canvas folds over with her cuts, she does not stop, instead ripping the dagger back along the edges until the portrait falls onto the table.
Breathing hard, she snatches up the shredded remains, rolling them into a scroll before tucking it under her arm. Without looking back, she retrieves the rapiers and strides toward the stairs. At the base, she shoves the portrait between the railings, leaving it there as she moves toward the last unexplored hallway. Straight through the center of the cellar. More bottles, more casks, more spirits. She grumbles to herself as she reaches the end of the hall, stepping into a vast, rounded chamber. Unwanted laughter leaves her lips. A shrine? A domed ceiling rises overhead, and at its center, a circular engraving marks the floor—the symbols of the Faith etched into stone. I suppose it all makes sense… you’d need to be drunk to deal with the gods. Along the walls are carved niches which host various statues of the nameless gods. Typical of most shrines throughout Talmus. The figures are always depicted as staggeringly beautiful, always divine, yet their features remain deliberately inconsistent. At times, artisans would depict them as all females, and others as all male. The one thing that has always been important to the Faith is that there are always five. Five statues. Always.
As she moves through the room, Ennui shifts both rapiers into one hand, trailing her fingers along the walls and objects scattered throughout. Ornate ewers, golden chalices, silver candelabras. Well… if we can find someone to buy this, we’ll make it through the north without worrying about coin. She briefly considers bringing Lumi to the shrine but thinks better of it and turns back toward the entrance. Snatching up the portrait, she hurries up the stairs, stepping through the cellar entrance just as the midday sun kisses her pale skin. Gray clouds scatter across the sky, allowing rays of sunlight to pierce through and bathe Cochon in a hopeful warmth.
Ennui looks across the courtyard and notices Mido and Augustus along the edge of the iron fence. Augustus turns and looks at her, trying his best to wave, though both of his arms are burdened with firewood. Mido stops and calls out a greeting, and Ennui lifts a hand in lazy acknowledgment. Still haven’t made a fire yet, have they? She glances at the standing building—only to notice a thin trail of white smoke curling from the chimney. Looks like they can do something after all.
Back in their bedroom, Ennui closes the door behind her and forces a chair beneath the knob. Before the hearth, she unfurls the portrait one final time, glancing at her would-be family. The tiny fire the others had managed to make without Lumi or Khimi is tiny, clinging to life by the bits of kindling which still hold the flame. Someone had brought in leaves and small sticks, which hardly helped keep the flame. A dry laugh escapes her as she presses the edge of the canvas into the embers, watching as fire licks at the stuffy portrait. She shoves the entire painting into the hearth, and the flames burst through, devouring her father and mother before finally consuming her older brother.
Despite hating her family, Ennui had spent time researching them. Her mother had been born in the north and married her father in Loria. Her mother was the daughter of the dying Kraus family, a lineage that crossed the frozen strait from Breva generations before. Their noble bloodlines were destined for greatness, this is until she was born. With the death of Sigmund, the noble Livius line had ended. As the painting burns to nothing, she wonders—What would you have called me? The question will never have an answer. A series of names scroll through her mind. Minerva? Livia? Luna? Cybele? A smirk tugs at her lips. Livia Livius… what a name.
Setting the rapiers beside the hearth, she stands, warming her hands over the fire before sinking onto the ratty, moth-eaten sheets. A short while later, Mido and Augustus shoulder through the door. The chair collapses to the ground with a bang. They offer her a wide grin, their arms filled with firewood. The last remnants of the painting have long since turned to ash.
“Don’t mean to disturb your slumber,” Augustus says, holding the door open with his foot, “but I got the wood.”
“Bet you’ve never said that to a woman.” Ennui snorts and leaps from the bed. “Great timing, I was starting to grow bored.”
“W-what are we doing?” Mido asks, tilting his head quizzically.
Ennui crouches, grabbing the rapiers from the hearth’s edge. A slow grin spreads across her face. “Training.”