“No!” Vason roared, pounding his fists on the table.
“Told ya!” Tia said smugly, holding out an open palm.
“Chala’s Knees, Tia! Ugh. As if you need the money. Let us paupers be, will you?”
But Tia’s smile remained unchanged. “A bet’s a bet. You too, Haymi.”
Each took out a silver and handed it to Tia. Just a year ago, Vir would’ve balked at how people would be so frivolous. Now, it was just spare change.
“I, uh. I have some business to attend to. I don’t know how long I’ll be away,” Vir said, hoping they wouldn’t ask too many questions.
“Oh, perfect!” Tia replied. “We were just thinking about a change of scenery. When do we leave?”
“Uh, sorry?” Vir asked. “I, er, was planning on going alone.”
“You’re… leaving the party? After everything we’ve been through?” Tia asked, all joy leaving her face. Her reaction made Vir want to immediately retract his words, but he stood firm.
“Tia, come on. You yourself said you wouldn’t pressure me to stay. Truthfully, I like working with you all. And… to be honest, I’d planned on staying a bit longer. Yeah, the Matron fight was incredibly dangerous, but it was fun, too.”
“But this is more important?” Tia asked. There was no judgment in her eyes, nor scorn.
“It is. There is something I must do. Something… that I must know.”
“I understand. We won’t badger you, then. Just… where are you going? I’d at least like to know you’re safe.”
Vir thought it over. Though Tia might ask questions if he told her he was going to the Pagan Order, it wasn’t bad to have an insurance policy. Especially with such volatile actors as the Order. The Executor gave him his word that Vir wouldn’t be harmed, and that counted for a lot, but one could never be too sure, given the Order’s reputation.
Also… I’d rather avoid bringing them into enemy territory. He’d feel terrible if something happened to Tia and the others there. This felt like a good compromise.
“The Pagan Order’s capital. Balindam. I might only be gone a week, but I’ll write letters. If they stop coming… Well, I’d appreciate it if you could come looking.”
The room fell silent upon hearing the words Pagan Order. Hardly a surprise, given their infamy.
“I… see. Apramor, be careful. I know you use Talents, but still. The Voidlands are… strange. It saps your very energy. Don’t expect to fight at your full strength there. And… beware of the Order. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors. They might do the world a favor hunting demons, but I wouldn’t trust them as far as I could throw them.”
Tia’s casual words were like icicles to Vir’s heart, but he didn’t allow a single trace of his anger to show.
“Trust me, I’ll be careful.”
“Wait. How are you getting there?” Vason asked. “It’ll take weeks just to travel there? How are you expecting to be gone only—! No way. An Acira?”
Vir smiled. “The Order’s sent one. It’s waiting on me as we speak.”
“Impressive,” Haymi said softly, giving Vir a pointed look. “They must want you badly.”
“Yeah, it’s odd,” Vir replied, scratching his neck.
“It’s more than just odd, Apramor,” Tia replied. “Most people don’t even see an Acira in their lives, let alone ride one. Even most Sawai don’t get the opportunity. Do you have any idea how much Acira cost to buy and maintain? We’re talking serics. I’m honestly shocked. For the Order to send an Acira. It’s unheard of.”
“Yeah. I dunno what to think.”
“I don’t think they’d harm someone they’re extending the red carpet to, but be vigilant.”
“Believe me, I fully intend to. But uh, that leaves Bumpy. Would… would you mind looking after him for me? He’s a good boy. I feel bad about leaving him behind like this.”
Tia smiled. “Bumpy’s the finest! He’ll live like royalty while you’re gone. No expense will be spared. You have my word. And, um, when you come back, maybe think about rejoining the party?”
“Thanks, Tia. I will.”
Fearing an awkward silence, Vir left for his room and packed his gear. He didn’t have much. Packing didn’t take long at all.
“Then… we’ll be off,” he said, returning to the common room with his rucksack. “Haymi, Vason? It’s been a pleasure.”
“Aw, c’mere. No way you’re going off just like that!” Vason said, enveloping Vir in a great bear hug that forced him to Toughen his chest to avoid being crushed. “Gonna miss you, Apramor. Had my doubts about you at first, but you’re alright.”
Haymi gave him a more reserved, tight-lipped farewell. “Goodbye, Apramor. I’ve also enjoyed our time together. I-it’s a shame we won’t be able to get to know one another better,” she said with a complicated look.
Vir averted his eyes. She knew he was a demon, and yet there was more to her expression that he couldn’t quite place.
“L-Likewise, Haymi. I’ve learned so much from you. From all of you,” Vir said, flustered at her scrutiny. “I really owe you a debt.”
“Please,” Tia said, rolling her eyes. “You were the one who took on the Narapazu, mostly. You landed the killing blow on the Brood Matron. Don’t sell yourself short.”
Vir smiled. “I won’t. C’mon, Neel. We’re leaving.”
The bandy perked up, obediently following Vir out of the room and down the stairs to the Sanctum’s Acira landing area. Vir had never had reason to come to this side of the building, so it was all new to him. The lone Acira occupying the open space caught his eye immediately.
Jet-black and scaly, it looked fearsome, though Acira were docile, domesticated, and posed no danger to anyone. They were strictly mounts for transportation. The best mounts, capable of traveling faster than anything other than an Altani Fast Attack Skyship.
“Apramor, I presume?” a man in an ornately tailored robe said, bowing lightly as Vir approached.
“That’s right,” Vir replied. “Are you the one who will take me to Balindam?”
“Indeed. We appreciate your timely response, and sincerely apologize for the urgency of the situation.”
“It’s fine,” Vir replied, somewhat surprised at the man’s refinement. The Pagan Order was supposed to be a lawless place, full of barbarians, but if Vir didn’t know their reputation, he’d have thought this man was a Sawai from Rani or some other civilized country.
“I see you have brought along your bandy. Will he be joining us on our flight?”
“Yes. Will that be a problem?” Vir didn’t know how much weight Acira could carry, but he doubted it was a lot. Unlike Ash’va, they had to defy their own weight.
“Not at all. Our Acira are bred for carrying burdens, unlike many others. So long as he behaves, of course. The flight will be rather long, at five hours. We shall take frequent breaks, but if your bandy grows restless…”
“He’ll be fine. He’s well trained. Aren’t you, boy?”
“Awoo!”
“Excellent. Then let us be off!”
The Acira’s pilot guided Vir up its back to a saddle that had been positioned behind the pilot’s seat. Vir had Neel sit behind him, and the pilot tied a tether to Neel’s collar. In case the bandy slipped, at least he wouldn’t go falling off. Vir and the pilot both tied their own tethers around their belt.
“Do people ever fall off?” Vir asked.
The man smiled. “Rarely. But accidents can happen.”
Great…
Worse, in the air, Vir couldn’t use a single Talent. While Light Step would soften his fall, he’d never fallen from great heights before. For all he knew, he might end up a splattered mess on the ground. Luckily, the tether was there to prevent that grim demise.