Chapter 759: Setup

When Jadis was alone with just her companions and lovers, she often forgot that Alex was a member of a species that was feared and loathed by basically all societies on Oros since the beginning of history. As far as she was concerned, Alex was Alex. The actions taken by her ancestors were not her actions, and there was no reason to put any blame on her for what others had done. And when it came to Alex’s unique looks, well, what problem did anyone have there? The particulars of her biology, while important parts of her that required acknowledgment and understanding to fully accept Alex for who she was, didn’t bother or distract Jadis any more than any other feature that one of her other lovers possessed. Really, in day-to-day practice, was a tentacle any different from a tail or a pair of horns? Certainly, the third eye was no more cause for concern than long ears or hair made from leaves.

Nothing reminded Jadis that the rest of Oros did not share her comfortable ease with Alex better than spending a few minutes around a bunch of noblewomen who were trying not to appear rude. Sideways glances, whispered remarks, and presumptive statements abounded. Nothing was ever said that was so bad as to take offense, but the fact that no one was being outright offensive was somehow more offensive than if they had just been direct and started hurling insults.

Well, not everyone was acting snidely. Princess Lynn’s unflappable friendliness had not abated since her first spoken word. And Duchess Umberlund was being excessively polite, as were the rest of the women who were very clearly on her side of the faction support. It was mostly Vanessa Colgrave and the rest of those who supported Prince Hraustrekr who were starting to piss Jadis off.

Fortunately, the tension created by the consistently not-quite obnoxious behavior of Vanessa and those of like mind was broken by the perfect distraction. Namely, a child with a lot of awkward questions to ask.

At least they were honest questions.

“Why do you have a third eye?”

“I don’t know…”

“Do all Demons have three eyes?”

“No…”

“Do all Demons have four arms?”

“No…”

“Are all Demons as tall as you?”

“No…”

“Do Demons eat people?”

“Demons… Do not eat… Anything…”

“You never eat anything? Ever?”

“No…”

“But you just said Demons don’t eat anything.”

“We do not… Need… To eat… We can… Eat… If we have… A mouth… I have… A mouth… So… Sometimes… I eat… For pleasure…”

As had been the case for the past several minutes, Astra absorbed the answers Alex gave to her questions with a scholar’s studious intensity. The slight pucker of her brow as she frowned in concentration was really quite cute, except that it reminded Jadis of Prince Hraustrekr when he was frowning at her.

“There are Demons who don’t have mouths?”

“Most… Do not… Have mouths…”

“But you have one, so you can eat things.”

“Yes…”

“What do you like to eat?”

“Sweet things…”

“Like epleblomster?”

“I don’t… Know…”

“What’s your favorite sweet thing?”

“Jadis…”

“But Jadis isn’t a food.”

“Yet she is… Still sweet…”

Astra glared suspiciously at Alex.

“Is this a romance thing? Because I don’t like those kinds of stories.”

“Yes, it is,” Jay confirmed while giving Alex a pointed look. “Also, Demons have very different perceptions of the world from you or me. Most of their senses focus on taste. They taste the scents in the air with a far greater sensitivity than other races. In fact, that’s one of the main ways that they communicate. They can taste each other’s emotions.”

“That’s weird.”

“Maybe to you or me, but to a Demon, it’s natural,” Jay patiently explained.

“But what do the emotions smell like?”

“Well…”

As the questions continued to pour out of Astra while Alex and Jay did their best to answer them all, Princess Lynn turned an apologetic eye onto Dys.

“Really, she can be so excessive when the mood strikes her,” Lynn said with mildly concealed embarrassment. “Perhaps I should send her off to play with the others.”

“No, it’s fine,” Dys dismissed the woman’s concern. “Asking lots of questions is a good thing. It’s a sign of intelligence. I don’t mind answering, and I know Alex doesn’t either.”

“Thank you for your patience with her,” Lynn smiled gratefully. “I admit, she has been asking so many questions for months now, and it seems that she is taking this opportunity to ask them all at once.”

“Like I said, it’s not a problem,” Dys reassured the royal. “Astra is welcome to ask as many questions as she wants.”

“And does that invitation extend to others?”

Dys’ attention shifted to Vanessa, not at all surprised to see that the woman had butted into the conversation yet again. The woman was nothing if not consistent. She continually inserted commentary at every window, usually with the intention of calling attention to something about what Jadis had said that she found objectionable. Thus far, Jadis had avoided taking the bait and starting a fight, but her patience was growing thin.

“No,” Dys answered Lady Brunholt bluntly. “There are a lot of people who I don’t welcome any questions from. I like Astra, so she gets a free pass.”

“Considering some of the company you keep, that must be a rather low barrier to entry,” Vanessa said mildly before taking a sip from her elegantly crafted teacup.

The looks that passed across the faces of the women around her made it clear that they had recognized just how dangerously close to a direct insult Vanessa had come. Certainly, Jadis could see the gauntlet that had just been thrown down. She was sorely tempted to pick it up. She was also tempted to just pick up Lady Brunholt and throw her, preferably down the nearest sanitary pit. However, the calming presence of both Eir and Severina sitting on either side of her helped immensely.

Instead of responding with a strong hand or a sharp word, Dys nodded in agreement.

“Yes, that’s true,” she replied while keeping her tone even and free of malice. “Which just shows how low a person has to be to fail to meet that standard.”

The snort of quickly suppressed glee that came from Duchess Umberlund was as unexpected as the offended look on Vanessa’s face was predictable. The noble lady quickly turned a censuring eye on the duchess, then a glance at the princess in what Jadis assumed was an appeal for support. However, all she found was a woman whose lips were twisted up in a sincere attempt to avoid laughter. Seeing that her majesty would not be providing the assistance that she had hoped for, Lady Brunholt bristled like a wild boar before opening her mouth to say something that was probably going to be a lot harder for Jadis to deflect so nicely.

Before the insulted noble could speak, Duchess Umberlund asked a question first.

“Jadis, if I may be so familiar with you, would you mind answering a question that has been on my mind ever since I learned of the fascinating skill that allows you to have three bodies at one time?”

Dys focused on the older woman, happy to turn away from Vanessa, even if she still wasn’t sure if the duchess was an ally or not.

Duchess Linnea Umberlund was a human woman of advanced years. At a guess, Jadis would say that she was in her early seventies, though when skills and magic were involved, there was no way of knowing for sure going by sight alone. She was a thin woman, with steel gray hair that she kept in a tight bun and brown eyes that were starting to turn cloudy with cataracts. Eir, Maeve, and Severina had given Jadis some preparation when it came to the major players on the political scene, so she knew a little about the duchess. Mainly, that she had inherited the title from her father forty years ago and that she had never married. According to Eir, there were rumors that Duchess Umberlund had fallen in love with a knight when she was a young girl, but the man had died and she had vowed to never love another, hence the lack of a spouse.

According to Maeve, the real reason Linnea Umberlund never married was because she was just a bit of a crab and didn’t like the idea of sharing her household with anyone else.

“Sure,” Dys replied to the duchess with a smile. “What’s your question?”

“How do you keep track of everything you are saying and doing? I presume a skill is involved, but the idea of holding two conversations at once is astounding to me, much less three. At least, I presume you are having a third conversation?”

Linnea’s question was accompanied by a glance around the area, making it clear what she was referring to.

“I do have a skill that helps, yes,” Dys admitted. “But I’ve also always been good at multitasking. Honestly, I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s just natural for me at this point. That’s why I can answer Astra’s questions, talk with you, and sneak off to eat a bunch of pastries all at the same time.”

As the duchess and several of the other noble ladies chuckled at Dys’ response, Syd popped another one of the random assortment of finger foods she had piled onto her plate and savored the tasty morsel. Hans was the undisputed king of meat pies, but the imperial chef definitely knew what she was doing. Jadis was pretty sure that if she brought some of these pastries back to the compound and showed them to Oats, the Demon would spend the next couple of decades trying to replicate them.

“These are really good,” Syd commented around the food in her mouth. “You should have grabbed some.”

“I am fine, thank you,” Elodie gave Syd an exasperated look. “Must you eat those right now?”

“I must,” Syd popped another dainty bite into her mouth. “I’m hungry. And I’m eating for six.”

“Six? Have you grown three more bodies?”

“Currently growing them,” Syd corrected. “I’m pregnant. All three of me.”

“Oh,” Elodie murmured meekly. “I didn’t think… wait. Are not your pregnancies paused?”

“Yup.”

“Then the infants aren’t growing at all!”

“Nope. But they’re still hungry.”

“Ridiculous woman,” the noblewoman muttered darkly. Then, in a more reconciliatory tone, “and you have my congratulations, by the by. I pray all of your children grow up healthy and wise.”

“Even Hope?”

“Yes,” Elodie huffed. “Perhaps especially her.”

“Thank you,” Syd said genuinely. “I will pray the same for your children.”

The two continued their walk in silence for a little while. They were alone, in so far as no one else was near them. The many meandering hedgerows of the palace garden allowed for privacy even amidst a party with hundreds of participants, though Jadis doubted that anywhere amongst the rows of bushes and exotic flowers was truly free from prying ears. Even if none of the noblewomen were in close enough proximity for normal hearing, some of them had to have skills and spells that were meant to pick up on distant conversations. The guards, too, were in abundance and were likely listening intently to everything being said, which would make having any kind of open and honest conversation without being observed difficult.

Unless, of course, one had the right kind of spell.

“I’m going to cast a zone of privacy around us for a moment,” Elodie eventually explained. “People will know that we are talking, but they won’t be able to hear anything other than the general sound of our voices. This spell does not obscure our lips, so if you’re about to say something you really don’t want someone to hear, make sure that either no one has a direct line of sight or that you are covering your mouth.”

“Go ahead,” Syd allowed as she raised one eyebrow in curiosity.

This was not the first time Jadis had experienced such protections. In the past, enchantments had been used, like with the one item that Vraekae would activate when she wanted to make sure no one else was listening. There had also been the mayor of Glanum, who had used a spell just like what Elodie was describing, though his version had also protected against lip reading. Such spells and enchantments were not uncommon among the nobility and Jadis wasn’t shocked that Elodie was employing such a measure. She was, however, a little surprised to learn that the woman had a class that let her cast such spells herself, rather than using a magic device.

After a second or two, an egg-shaped bubble of refracted light formed around the two of them before fading out of view a moment later. Sound wasn’t dampened for Syd since the effect was only one way, but she presumed that their conversation would be muted for anyone else who might be listening. Since the whole encounter was Elodie’s idea, Syd waited to see what she would do next.

“I’m supposed to give you this,” the woman held up a sealed letter that she had fished out from somewhere.

Jadis was genuinely impressed. She had no idea where the envelope had come from. Had a spell been involved? Or was Elodie simply much more skilled with her fingers than Jadis knew?

“Supposed to give it to me?”

“Yes,” Elodie confirmed. “I am supposed to. To be absolutely clear, this is not my idea. I had no involvement in this idea at all. I am just… a means by which to put this in your hand.”

“Alright,” Syd frowned down at the noble. “So, what’s the deal with the letter that it needs that kind of qualifier?”

“I’m supposed to ask you to deliver this letter to Ludger for me,” Elodie explained with a purposefully placid look on her face. “Since you visit the Hero and your lover, Ammy, regularly. The letter itself is just one of the usual sort that I send to my Luddy—Ludger.”

Syd raised an eyebrow at the pet name but let the slip slide by. Elodie was blushing badly enough as it was. After a second or two of recovery, she continued.

“However, the inside of the envelope has a hidden message ensorcelled onto it. The message contained within regards various illegal shipments of eleria and other rare and valuable resources that are being sent to Volto. It also details Lady Amarantha’s cut of the profits, thanks to her assistance in sourcing some of the valuable alchemical ingredients that are being sold to a Senator Celsa in Volto.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Syd came to a full stop as she turned to look at Elodie with an angry glare.

“These are, of course, all lies,” the woman held up the letter and waggled it back and forth. “A fabrication intended to be discovered. However, the shipment is real and is going to be caught in about ten days’ time. An investigation will be conducted by Magistrate Sandstrom, who will confirm the veracity of various other letters that will be found amongst the shipment. The discovery of this letter in Ludger’s possession will be seen as a covert means of communication between you and Ammy, and as evidence supporting this smuggling plot.”

Syd stared daggers at the letter but did not let her temper take control. Instead, she took a calming breath. Then, after a second breath, she turned and continued the slow walk down the hedgerow.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I owe you my life,” Elodie replied evenly. Then, after a few moments, she continued in a less certain tone. “And because… I don’t like this. I have never had any issue using the wrongdoings of others against them. Secrets, intrigues… cruel remarks. They are tools to be used against your political opponents so that you can gain the upper hand and achieve your goals. But this is… This is a pure fabrication that is meant to not only ruin your reputation, but the reputations of multiple other individuals, including Amarantha, who had always been one of Ludger’s closest friends. And now, because she has fallen for you, I am supposed to destroy that friendship?”

This time it was Elodie who stopped and turned to face Syd.

“I don’t like this. I don’t like it and I won’t be a part of it.”

“Thank you,” Syd said and meant it. “I appreciate that.”

Nodding her head, Elodie slipped the letter away into her sleeve. Then, the two turned and continued walking together, a different sort of silence lingering between them.

“Was this your mother’s plan? Or did your grandfather arrange this?”

“You don’t question my father’s involvement?”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s involved if an illegal shipment of eleria is the basis of all this,” Syd let out a dry laugh. “I just doubt he was in charge of the planning.”

“My grandfather is the source,” Elodie admitted. “But my parents are certainly playing their parts. How many others are also involved, I can’t be entirely certain. But Magistrate Sandstrom is grandfather’s man, without question.”

“Great. Well, if that’s the case, then I’m going to need that letter. Better yet, I’ll come pick you up tomorrow, and we can go see Magistrate Vraekae in the morning and explain all of this to her. I’d say we go straight to the emperor, but since he isn’t around right now—”

“Absolutely not.”

Syd looked sharply at Elodie, not expecting the vehement interruption.

“Why not?”

“Because revealing this plot with direct evidence would ruin my family.”

“Okay, yeah, but your grandfather—”

“Is doing something wrong, yes,” Elodie agreed. “But if I were to come out against him, with evidence, the end result would not be happy for me. I’m not like that little mouse, Estelle, fleeing her mother’s overbearing personality. I want to inherit. I want to be the Duchess of Colgrave, ruling my family’s lands with my Ludger at my side. If I stand against my grandfather in this, even if I am not expelled from his house, our reputation will suffer immensely. There are other nobles who would waste no time in taking advantage of our weakness. We would lose power, influence, even our lands depending on how badly the aftermath of any trials might go. I will not let my grandfather’s pride and idiocy jeopardize my future.”

“I think your future would be just fine regardless,” Syd pointed out after processing Elodie’s words. “You’re going to be married to Ludger, the Hero’s Bulwark. Even if you get kicked out of your grandfather’s house, Ludger is probably going to be given some kind of important title after the war anyway. Maybe even a dukedom of his own. You don’t need your grandfather’s wealth, and your reputation doesn’t have to be linked to his.”

“Perhaps,” Elodie admitted after a moment. “But there are many cases of companions falling into relative obscurity after a demonic invasion has ended. There is no guarantee that he will be given any great titles at all. Besides. You know my Ludger well by now, do you not? As pure and noble as his heart may be, do you see much in the way of ambition in him?”

“No, not really. But that’s not a bad thing.”

“No, it is not,” Elodie agreed. “Because I carry enough ambition to make up for his lack.”

Jadis wasn’t wholly certain that dynamic was a good thing, but she wasn’t there to debate relationships with the woman. Instead, she shook her head and moved onto the question that really mattered.

“Then what do you want to do about this?”

“I… don’t know,” Elodie eventually admitted. “That is why I am discussing this with you. I want to stop this plot. But I do not want to do so at the expense of my own family’s reputation. I am hoping that you might find a way forward that benefits us both.”

A heavy request to make, Jadis thought to herself. But looking at the sincere faith that was behind Elodie’s eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to reject the proposal. Not without taking at least a little while to work the problem over.

“Alright,” Syd replied. “Let me talk things over with everyone and we’ll see what we can do.”

“Thank you,” Elodie smiled. Then, her expression turned to concern as she looked up at Syd. “Just… please don’t tell Ludger about all of this. If he finds out, he might show up on my grandfather’s doorstep demanding a duel of honor, and I truly do not want that.”

“Even if your grandfather deserves a good beating?”

“…even so. He is my grandfather.”