The Zombie Knight Saga - Chapter 81

Chapter 81






Emiliana moved toward the glass wall, just wanting to get away from the other people before they noticed they were standing next to some kind of freak. She stared at her hands in horror. 'I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life?'

'Yes and no,' said Chergoa, still trying to sound gentle. 'You can't exactly undo what's happened, but you can make further changes to yourself and potentially counteract any negative effects they've caused.'

Emiliana touched her face another time. Her rocky fingertips had lost all sensation, but with her palm, she could feel four little horns on her head--one on each cheek and then two on her forehead. Her reflection in the window was faint, but she could see enough to know that she already hated what she'd become.

'Mutation is the least understood type,' said Chergoa. 'I know that might not inspire much confidence, but luckily for you, I've studied it quite a bit, so I know more about it than most reapers probably do.'

Emiliana wanted to scream at her. It was disgusting. How could her parents let her become a servant if they knew something like this could happen?

Her parents.

Emiliana remembered.

Where were they? She wanted to yell at them. And cry at them. Most of all, she wanted to stop worrying about them. About herself. About everything. She pressed her hands against the window and dropped to her knees. Her claws left scratches in the glass, and she could not have cared less.

She settled wearily into a heap on the floor, letting her roiling thoughts slowly diminish. And perhaps it was the agonized wonder for her parents only a moment prior that was responsible for the sudden and inexplicably clear reminder of her mother's words.

Sacrifice is what it means to serve.

The woman had said it enough times that Emiliana nearly came to hate the phrase, but dammit if she hadn't also come to understand its meaning. Her mother wasn't just talking about being in the Vanguard. She was talking about being a servant. The power and responsibility it granted, the unwanted attention. Sacrifice was inevitable, and oftentimes, unknowable. The only thing to be done was to attempt to prepare for the worst.

And annoyingly, Emiliana abruptly remembered her mother doing exactly that. The Lady Elroy had indeed explained about the mutation type, along with the other five categories of abilities. She'd warned her of the possibility, told her to keep a clear head if the time ever came, even told her that might not be possible due to the way abilities tended to manifest via stress--and that, nonetheless, it was still necessary.

"Because you are an Elroy," her mother had said. "One day, someone will attempt to hurt you for no other reason than that."

It wasn't fair, Emiliana felt. The only thing she wanted to do right now was blame her parents. And she couldn't bring herself to.


Chergoa was still trying to soothe her, Emiliana realized. 'I know this seems horrible right now, but you're okay. Trust me.'

Emiliana didn't even have the energy to glare at her.

"Are you unwell, child?"

Emiliana turned and saw the elderly woman from earlier standing there.

She was a tiny thing, even shorter than Emiliana and certainly more shriveled. When she saw Emiliana's mutated face, however, she didn't flee or yell. Instead, she merely raised an eyebrow at the girl.

Emiliana stood to her feet. She went straight for the first question she could think of. "Are you Alicia's grandmother?"

"I am indeed," the woman said. "I apologize for not telling you right away. I was hoping to catch your pursuers when they revealed themselves, but it seems they intend to remain hidden."

'Ah, I sense them fleeing now,' said Chergoa.

'That would explain it,' said a new reaper, phasing up through the floor behind Madame Redwater. 'I suppose Octavia and I have become a bit too famous to employ such discretion.'

"How dull." Octavia offered Emiliana a pert smile. "They never tell you that once you grow powerful enough, people tend to stop trying to fight you. I have not had a real fight in four years."

'Six, actually,' her reaper said.

"Really? Huh." The old gal shrugged. "Glad it only seemed like four."

'It's a pleasure to meet you both,' said Chergoa. 'I've heard of Octavia Redwater, of course, but not her reaper. What is your name? Mine is Chergoa, and this is Emiliana Elroy.'

'I am Wendissofigelroc,' he said.

"Just call him Wendy," said Octavia.

'Please don't. I hate that name.'

Octavia shook her head. "He never learns. No one is ever going to call him Wednesdaywafflerocks."

'Wendissofigelroc.'

"Whatever, Wendy."

'Ugh. Wendy is a girl's name. At least tell them to call me Wen.'

"When what?" And the smirk grew slowly into Octavia's face.

Wendy only returned a flat stare.

"Get it? When what? That was a joke."

Wendy just sighed and floated away.

"Anywho..." Madame Redwater turned to Emiliana again. "You are safe now. Let us go find the rest of your family, shall we?"

Emiliana wanted to hug her, but she only managed a weak nod.

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

Mariana had to keep to an exact path. If the rain hadn't been strong enough that day, certain areas below the platform wouldn't be flooded enough for the boat to pass over.

It was a long while before they reached the edge. Beneath Aguarey, the persistent darkness was only occasionally offset by pillars of light and their accompanying waterfalls, both of which were provided by the few drains that weren't connected to the city's greater sewage system.

By the time they saw the gray sky again, Marcos had died. And the clock was ticking. Mariana had about eighteen hours to find the boy a reaper before his soul decayed too greatly and became unusable.

'Think this through calmly,' said Shenado.

Mariana didn't want to be told that. She was perfectly calm. She'd already cleared her head and saw the situation exactly for what it was.

But Shenado was insistent with her attempts at comfort. 'We can find a reaper for him. If we explain that it is an emergency, the other Rainlords will be able to recommend someone for him.'

There were multiple problems with that, Mariana knew, chief among them being the fact that she wasn't at all sure who among the Rainlords should be trusted. What little faith she had in her allies had already been shaken today. 'We rule out any family that has ties to the Vanguard,' she said.

Shenado frowned. 'I understand your caution, but that eliminates almost everyone in Intar. And half of us in Sair.'

'I'm not willing to risk contact with anyone in Intar, anyway. The Vanguard monitors all long-distance communications there.'

'True. They could be monitoring Sair, too. They don't have permission, but given what we've seen today, that probably wouldn't stop them. And they wouldn't need to monitor the whole country, either. Just the Rainlords.'

Mariana pulled out her phone. Now that they were out from under the platform, she finally had a signal again, but that wasn't why she'd held onto it all this time. She only wanted to see if she had any missed calls. And she did, all of which were from Emiliana. The temptation to call her back immediately was strong, even knowing that someone else could be listening.

Thankfully, it wouldn't be necessary. Mariana tossed the phone overboard and kept going, leaving Aguarey behind. She knew the exact coordinates of her destination even without Shenado reminding her, and after a while, she saw it there, bobbing up and down in the water. It was a boathouse and safe house all in one, tied to a tall pillar in the water.

In this area, the waters often receded enough to reveal the bare ground, and the boathouse was designed with that in mind, bearing a foundation that could stand or float equally well in exchange for sacrificing most of its aquatic mobility. It also wasn't terribly large. Even the few people she'd brought with her wouldn't be able to stay here comfortably, but it would have to do for now. She pulled up beside it and had everyone else board it first, then carried Marcos' body over with her.

The remote location was ideal for the current circumstances. Due to all the souls in Aguarey, Shenado hadn't been able to identify any of the reapers who'd been pursuing them; but now that they were far enough away from the city, any reaper stupid enough to have kept following would be immediately sensed and memorized by Shenado. Unfortunately, none of the enemy reapers had been that stupid.

'Whoever they were, they've given up chasing us,' the reaper said. 'Seems their reapers value their anonymity. I'd say that confirms that it's a watcher's unit, then. And that Charlie Day fellow--strange for an alteration type to be used as a watchman, but it might make sense if he had power over radio waves. Would also explain the heat he could produce and perhaps even the jamming of your cellphone.'

Right now, the only thing Mariana needed from this place was the encrypted satellite phone. It required a bit of setup, but she had it working within a few minutes.

'Who are you calling first?' Shenado asked.

'Emiliana.' She didn't need Shenado to tell her the girl's number. She tapped it in from memory. It took a little while to connect and start ringing.

Emiliana picked up immediately. <"Mama?">

Mariana exhaled a long breath. "Yes, it's me."

<"Oh, thank god!">

"Are you alright? Are you safe?"

<"I am. I'm with Octavia Redwater. I called her granddaughter for help, and then she came to get me herself.">

"Good! Smart girl. I'm proud of you. Is Francisco with you?"

She paused. <"No... He stayed behind to fight, I think. I don't know what happened to him. I'm sorry...">

Mariana's expression softened. "Don't apologize, mijara. You didn't do anything wrong. Is Octavia there right now?"

<"Y-yes...">

"Let me speak with her."

<"Mama... I...">

"What?"

<"Ah..."> Her voice was shaking. <"My power manifested. I'm a mutation user...">

Mariana stopped to digest that information as she looked around the cabin. The sloped windows all around her offered a full view of rolling hills among the flooded lowlands. Aguarey stood high to the south, appearing to almost float above the waves.

"You will have great need of that power, Emiliana," said Mariana. "I know you may not want it now, but one day, it will save you and those you care about. Remember that, mijara."

Emiliana didn't respond.

Mariana had to press her onward. "We'll talk more when I see you again. Put Octavia on the phone, please."

<"...Yes, enma'am.">

There came a brief rustling, and then, <"Lady Elroy, hello."> The old woman's airy voice was familiar and welcome. <"I am glad to know you are alive.">

"Not as glad as I am to know you have my daughter," said Mariana. House Redwater was one of the few she was inclined to trust. Of all the Rainlord families in both Sair and Intar, the Redwaters were probably the proudest and definitely the most famous. They were troublemakers, historically, not given to taking orders from anyone other than themselves.

<"Is your husband with you?">

"No. I don't know where he is. I fear the worst."

<"I see. I have already sent word out to look for him. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.">

"Unfortunately, I have a problem which takes precedence even over finding Zeff."

<"Not having a very good day, are you?">

Mariana nodded tiredly to herself. "My son Marcos is dead."

<"Ah... I am so sorry.">

"I require a suitable reaper for him. I was wondering if you might know of one."

Octavia was slow to answer. <"That will be difficult. I have a network of contacts, as I'm sure you do as well, but any reaper without a servant is also without a means of getting in contact with them.">

"I am aware," said Mariana. "I was hoping you would have someone already nearby."

<"I'm sorry. Several candidates come to mind, but I don't know where to find them. You know how reapers are, especially without a servant tying them down.">

"I thought as much. It was worth asking." Searching for any single reaper could take months or even years, she knew. It was not uncommon for them to disappear, particularly after releasing a long-held servant. For many, replacing their servant meant replacing their very best friend. It wasn't a thing they liked to rush into. Or, depending on their circumstances, some reapers might go into hiding while they built up a new servant's power.

<"I'll make some calls to the other families and see if any of them have someone lined up for your son. With any luck--">

"You would only be wasting your time," said Mariana. "Unless you give me your word that you have met the reaper personally and would entrust them with your own child's life, then I will certainly not be entrusting them with mine."

There came a long pause. <"I see. And you are planning to...?">

"Yes."

More quietly, Octavia asked, <"What can I do for you?">

"I would like to see Emiliana. Did you take her to Red Lake Castle?"

<"I did. Can you make it here safely?">

"Yes, that shouldn't be a problem. I will be there shortly."

<"Very well.">

"Thank you for all your help, Octavia."

<"Ah, before you go--do you know why your family has been targeted? Your daughter mentioned that the assailants were Vanguard.">

"No, I don't know. I will see you soon." She hung up.

Shenado floated in front of her.

And Mariana could see her son's soul in the reaper's grasp. It was a faint, bluish thing to her eyes, a somehow pyramidic liquid, impossibly holding its shape with slow, trembling effort. She remembered the first time she'd started seeing souls, after years of being a servant already. It was unequivocally strange, suddenly being able to see what Shenado saw. The only apparent difference seemed to be that Shenado could see them even before a person had died, while Mariana could not--with the exception of aberrations, which were suddenly quite easy to pick out of a crowd.

Shenado looked like she had something to say, but she remained quiet.

Mariana made a few more calls. She tried Zeff and Francisco without success, and then she rang Joana Cortes again to inform the woman of what had happened. House Cortes was a burgeoning Rainlord line, an offshoot of House Elroy started by Joana herself. She'd chosen to take her commoner husband's name--a decision which had upset Zeff to no end--but Joana had at least made it clear that she still intended to carry on their bloodline with children of her own.

It was a particularly delicate issue for Zeff, because for many years, aside from him and his sister, there had been no other Elroys left. Zeff had inherited his family's fortune when he was only fifteen. And not due to peaceable circumstances.

At the moment, though, Mariana didn't have the time or patience to listen to Joana's questions or ramblings. As soon as Joana confirmed that she did not have a reaper for Marcos, Mariana hung up and called three other Rainlord families. House Garza, House Merlo, and House Delaguna. They were the only other ones without ties to the Vanguard, but as Mariana had expected, none of them had any reapers available, either. The tradition of turning one's own children into servants was a custom exclusive to the Vanguardian Rainlords, so it was unsurprising that they were not keeping any spare reapers around. Supposedly, House Blackburn had cut ties with the Vanguard a few years ago, but Mariana didn't know that family well enough. This matter was too important to entrust to strangers.

With no other calls to make, it was time to leave. Mariana knew that Zeff and Axiolis might turn up here looking for her, so she scribbled a quick note and left it at the helm. Then she gathered everyone back into the boat again, topped off its gas tank, and set out for Red Lake Castle. It was an easy place to reach, as the castle sat on the farthest northwestern edge of Aguarey's platform and doubled as a gigantic support column.

Red Lake Castle was a hulking, crimson structure with a tower on its northwestern corner that rose much higher than any of its others. The castle also had a port all its own, hidden away beneath the platform, allowing Mariana to take her boat right into its welcoming underbelly. She found Emiliana waiting for her inside, along with Chergoa and Octavia.

Emiliana looked relieved to see her mother. Until she saw Marcos' body.

"He is going to be fine," said Mariana. The four small horns on her daughter's face did not escape her notice, but reacting to them now would serve no purpose, she felt. Instead, she turned to Octavia. "I would like to speak with my daughters in private. Do you have a room we can use?"

"Of course. Follow me." The old woman led Mariana's group to a nearby elevator.

Ramira hadn't said a word this whole time. Mariana shifted Marcos over to her right arm and held her left hand out for the girl. Ramira took it and walked with her.

The journey was painfully quiet.

Shenado took the opportunity to ask a private question. 'So when are you going to ask me to release your soul?'

Mariana only glanced at her.

'I know you're considering it,' the reaper said.

'I am more than considering it.'

'Oh, so you didn't think you needed to ask, then. You're just assuming I have no problem with letting you go and taking on your son as my servant, is that it?'

'I do not see many options, Shenado.'

'Yes, but are you sure this is the best one?'

Mariana gave the reaper a hard look. 'You are telling me to let my son die.'

'I am telling you not to abandon the rest of your children. The whole reason you chose to stay in Aguarey today was because you refused to leave them alone while Zeff was away. And now? We still don't know what has become of him. They may have already lost their father. Are you going to deprive them of their mother, as well? They need you now more than ever.'

Mariana had to turn away as she listened. There was truth in Shenado's words. She knew there was. And it gave her pause. The choice in her head wasn't quite so clear anymore.

'I know it is difficult,' Shenado went on, 'but think about this carefully. Yes, Marcos is only twelve. But Ramira is only nine. Emiliana is confused and distraught and looking to you for guidance. We don't even know where Francisco is. Hopefully, only captured. And then there's Gema. Obviously, she's gotten herself involved in something big and terrible. Wherever she is, I'm sure she could use your help, too.'

That argument almost convinced her. Almost. She steeled her expression. 'I am not going to let Marcos die. And I am not abandoning them. I am leaving them in your care.'

It was Shenado's turn to hesitate.

'They won't need me to guide them when they have you,' said Mariana. 'They're practically your children as much as mine. It won't just be Marcos. Not really. You'll take care of them all. I know you will.'

'I can't protect them from physical threats.'

'Yes, you can. Not with your body, but with your mind. By being smart. And by teaching them to be just as much so. We've already started. They know how the world is. Now, they will see it firsthand. And you will be there for them.'

'Mariana...'

'Please, Shenado. I've made up my mind.'

'...And what if I refuse?'

'Then I will never forgive you for as long as I live. And you might as well find a new servant, anyway, because I will never listen to any requests you make of me ever again.'

'...I thought you would threaten to kill me.'

'I would have been bluffing, and you would have known it. But make no mistake, if there ever came a day when the rest of my children were finally out of danger, I would certainly kill you for letting Marcos die today.'

Shenado sighed publicly, drawing looks from Emiliana and Octavia as they proceeded down a long hallway together. 'Fine,' the reaper said privately. 'I'll release you. You were always mean to me, anyway.'

'Thank you.'

'I bet Marcos will be nicer.'

Octavia showed them into a vast, windowless chamber with a high ceiling. Beds sat on either side of the room, each one neatly made. Octavia had her housekeepers show Mariana's own staff to different rooms on the same floor. Ramira and Emiliana didn't leave their mother's side, but Emiliana was eyeing one of the beds as if it might be holding all the secrets of the universe. Mariana certainly understood the impulse. The fatigue was weighing on her, and her clothes were still smote and ragged from earlier.

She'd been struggling to think of what to tell her girls. Before she could even get started, however, Wendy phased through the ceiling and floated down toward everyone.

'Our other guests have begun to arrive,' the reaper said.

"What other guests?" said Mariana.

"I called an emergency meeting," said Octavia. "We will be needing a plan of action, of course."

Three more reapers descended from the ceiling after Wendy. Mariana recognized all of them. Lonogren, Jostomere, and Mevox. Each one belonged to a different Rainlord family--House Merlo, House Zabat, and House Delaguna, respectively. Their servants were all the heads of their houses.

'So what's all this then?' said Mevox. He stood out a little from the other reapers in that his fox fur had a faint luster to it.

"If you would please wait upstairs with your partners," said Octavia, "Mariana and I will be with you in a mome--"

'Nah,' said Mevox. 'I wanna know what's goin' on right now.'

'We know the Elroys were attacked,' said Lonogren. 'We would like to hear the full details from Mariana and Shenado. I am sure we can all agree that this is a matter of great urgency.'

"We should at least wait until everyone has gathered," said Octavia.

'Hell with that,' said Mevox. 'No need to wait for their slow asses. Talk to us, Mariana. We're here to help.'

Octavia looked at the Lady Elroy with sympathy. "We've an impatient lot here, it seems."

Mariana took a haggard breath. She only wanted to talk to her daughters, but she supposed there was still plenty of time for that. Regardless, Shenado was gracious enough to speak up for her.

'The Vanguard sent seven servants to our house,' said Shenado. 'They claimed they only wanted to "escort" us safely to Lagemoor, but when we refused to go with them, they attacked us. One of Mariana's sons was fatally wounded in the battle. Another is missing. As is Zeff.'

Mevox drifted closer to Mariana and her children, poking his head forward curiously. 'Why were they tryin' to escort you to Lagemoor?'

'We're not sure,' said Shenado. 'They mentioned something about wanting to find Gema, Mariana's oldest daughter, but that might have been just another lie. Not that it matters much, because we don't know where Gema is. Even if we were of a mind to turn her over to them, we wouldn't be able to.'

"Are you of a mind to do that?" said Octavia.

"No," said Mariana.

'Damn right,' said Mevox. He turned to Jostomere, who'd thus far remained silent. 'What're you thinkin'? Your family works for the Vanguard, too. I suspect you've got a more difficult decision to make than the rest of us here do.'

'That is true.' Jostomere's burning eyes fell upon Marcos' body. 'But this is plainly unacceptable. And if it can happen to the Elroys, it can happen to the Zabats. You can expect our full support.'

'Ours as well,' said Lonogren. 'Which already puts us at five of ten.'

'Six, actually,' said Shenado. 'House Cortes is guaranteed to help. Joana is Zeff's sister.'

'Ah, that's right,' said Lonogren, nodding.

'We can ask the Intarians for help, too,' said Wendy. 'They might turn us down, but there are thirty more families there. At least a few will agree to help, I'm sure.'

'Worth asking,' said Mevox. 'Where was Zeff's last known location?'

"Rheinhal," said Mariana. "He was ordered there by General Lawrence."

Octavia's brow twitched. "Xavier Lawrence, you mean?"

Mariana nodded.

Octavia pursed her lips. "The Blue Bear, huh? I didn't realize he was the one they had stationed in Sair."

'Do you know him personally?' asked Shenado.

"Not well," said Octavia. "We crossed paths ages ago. Very polite, as I recall. A real gentleman. His reaper, less so. I haven't heard his name in years. Thought he might have been killed."

'If it's only a single general and his underlings we have to worry about, then I'm not too concerned,' said Mevox. 'Problem is, you Vanguardians like to send reinforcements.'

'Indeed,' said Jostomere.

Soon, more Rainlords began to arrive, and Octavia decided to move the conversation upstairs. Mariana still hadn't set Marcos down or left her daughters alone, wanting the girls to hear everything that was discussed.

Mariana knew that Zeff was well-loved among the other Rainlords, but even so, she was still a bit surprised by everyone's readiness to support her. Only House Blackburn and House Stroud did not have representatives here today, but among the other eight family heads, none even humored the notion of handing Mariana and her children over to the Vanguard. At first, Mariana thought they were just holding back while in her presence, but more and more, she became convinced that was not the case.

"I can't believe they had the gall to attack you in your own home," a lumbering man was saying. He was the largest person in the room by a head and had the bulk of two men put together. Salvador Delaguna was his name, and just like his reaper, he was prone to 'listening to his passions' as Octavia had once put it. "We should go to Rheinhal this very moment and demand they return Zeff to us."

'Sounds good to me,' said Mevox.

Abel Sebolt shook his head. "We all care for Zeff, but let's not be rash," he said. The Lord of House Sebolt reminded Mariana of Zeff in many ways. They had the same kind of naturally cold expression, though Abel was slimmer. "We are still immensely outnumbered, you realize."

"So were our ancestors," said Joana Cortes.

"Hear hear!" said Salvador.

As they talked, Mariana noticed a maid enter the room and rush to Octavia's side, whispering in her ear. After a moment, Octavia nodded and whispered something back. The maid exited, and Octavia stood to address everyone.

"I've just received word from Asad Najir. Apparently, Axiolis is with him."

That caught everyone's attention.

"Zeff?" said Mariana.

"Let us see," said Octavia. She reached toward the middle of the broad table and lifted the receiver on the conference phone there. She put it on speaker for all to hear. "Lord Najir, are you there?"

<"I am,"> came the Sandlord's voice.

"Is this line encrypted?" Mariana asked.

<"It is. And before you ask, no, Zeff is not here with me. Only Axiolis escaped.">

Mariana's heart sank a little. But at least now she knew he wasn't dead.

Salvador puffed up with visible irritation. "Why would Axiolis go to you and not us?"

<"Ah, is that you I hear, oaf?">

"It is! Answer my question, desert rat!"

<"Axiolis feared that going to you would be too predictable. So he came to me, knowing the enemy would not think to intercept him on the way here.">

"Hmph."

<"Don't feel bad, oaf. I'm sure Axiolis would have gone to you right away if he needed any big rocks turned into small rocks.">

"Ha! Will you be delivering Axiolis to us in person, then? Please tell me you will be."

<"Axiolis says he will stay here and attempt to recruit more of the Sandlords with me.">

Mariana's brow rose. "You have already decided to help us?"

<"Of course."> The man said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Mariana knew Zeff and Asad were close, but considering they hadn't spoken to each other in months, she would have expected some hesitation, at least. Certainly, the other Sandlords would not be so easily convinced. "I must thank you, Asad."

<"You are welcome. How is the situation in Aguarey? I have seen the news.">

Mariana brought him up to speed in detail. The attack on her house, her subsequent escape, Cisco being unaccounted for, and Marcos. The boy's lifeless body was already becoming stiff. Mercifully, the stench of death was not as bad as she knew it could be.

<"Terrible. I am so sorry. Do you have a reaper for him?">

"...I do not," she said. "Do you happen to have one there with you now? If you send them to Aguarey right away, they could make it here in time." Axiolis, of course, was not an option, as he could not release Zeff without making contact again.

<"...I am sorry, Mariana. There are no such reapers here.">

'Alright, then, who here has a reaper for her son?' Mevox looked across the room at everyone present. Cortes, Garza, Delaguna, Merlo, Redwater, Sebolt, Zabat, and Elroy.

None answered him.

'Oh, come on. There are eight families here--nine, including Asad's. You tellin' me none of us can help her?'

'We all know reapers who could fill the role,' said Shenado. 'The problem is contacting them in time. Do you have a solution to that, Mevox?'

Mevox looked over everyone again and frowned. His head dropped a little. 'Well, then... is there a servant here willing to give up their life for the boy?'

"Stop," said Mariana. "I appreciate the sentiment, but you all have families of your own to protect. If anyone is to give their life for my son, it will be me." She heard the intake of breath from Emiliana. "Instead, after I am gone, I ask that you watch over my children until my husband is free."

"We are not out of time yet," said Salvador, though not with his usual vigor. "A reaper might still be found..."

Mariana leveled a stare at the huge man, which was enough to make him shift uncomfortably in his chair. "Yes, well... if such a miracle does not occur, then please consider that to have been my final request."
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The table fell briefly silent.

Joana placed a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, Mary... of course we will take care of them."

"As if they were our own," said the Lord Sebolt.

The others all nodded in agreement. Lady Rayen of House Merlo, Lady Soccoro of House Garza, Lord Santos of House Zabat, and Salvador and Octavia as well. Their reapers acknowledged the promise, too.

There wasn't much left to be said after that, but the conversation lasted a while, anyway. They came to a rough consensus that an immediate assault on Rheinhal was not the right course of action and that a non-violent resolution to this conflict was still possible, though unlikely. First, they would send formal word to General Lawrence demanding Zeff's release, and while they waited for the man's response, they would muster all available forces and begin calling in favors from allies abroad.

The Rainlords dispersed, but no one left the castle just yet. Everyone promised to call around for any available reapers. Mariana almost told them not to bother, but the desperation of her circumstances had begun to weigh on her, finally. And in the past couple hours, her trust for everyone in that room had grown immeasurably.

In truth, even after all these years, even after giving birth to five new Rainlords, she'd never quite felt like a Rainlord herself. She'd only married into the title, not been born with it.

But today, she felt it. That companionship. Ancient and bloody and fierce and warm. And so very welcome.

The rest of the day drew out slowly. Mariana waited as long as she could, spent as much time with her daughters as she could, and hoped silently that someone would walk through that door with a reaper for Marcos. But no one did.

The girls had been quiet, perhaps afraid to ask their questions, perhaps just knowing that their mother would talk to them in her own time. Mariana thought at length about what she should say to them, what her last words should be.

It wasn't easy.

"You will be safe here. I wouldn't leave you if I thought otherwise. Red Lake is one of the most secure castles in all of Sair." Mariana paused, her expression spoiling slightly. "But I don't know what the future holds. Something could happen. Even if I remained here with you, something could happen. Do you remember what I taught you? The most important lesson?"

"Always be prepared," Ramira piped up.

Mariana smiled tiredly. "Yes."

"Think, plan, and act ahead of time," added Emiliana.

"That's right. You are smart girls. I have confidence in you both. Look out for one another. Listen to one another. And protect each other. Do you understand? The time for childishness is past. It is unfair, but both of you must grow up quickly now. That means you will have to give up on many of the things you desire. Possibly forever. You will come to accept this, or you will get someone killed. Perhaps someone you love very dearly. Perhaps yourself. Perhaps both."

The looks on their faces were stern, and Mariana knew they understood. Or hoped they did, at least.

"And don't you dare blame Marcos for my death," Mariana went on. "And don't let him blame himself. None of this is his fault."

Emiliana frowned. "It's not yours, either, Mama..."

Mariana blinked at her. She exhaled a curt breath and took Emiliana's face in both hands in order to kiss her on the forehead, just above the horns. Then she knelt down and hugged Ramira more tightly than she'd ever hugged her before.

"Mama--that hurts..."

Mariana released her. "I'm sorry, mijara."

"It's okay."

Time was running short, she knew. Mariana composed herself and considered what else she needed to say. She eyed the two reapers present. "Listen to Shenado and Chergoa," she told her girls. "They are both wiser than I could ever be. They will guide you well."

"What if they don't agree with each other?" said Emiliana.

"Then listen to Shenado."

'Hey,' Chergoa pouted.

Shenado smirked. 'Seniority rules.'

'Ugh, you sound like my brother.'

Everyone but Ramira looked at her.

Chergoa cocked an eyebrow. 'What?'

"You said that as though your brother was still alive," said Mariana.

'He is. At least, the last time I checked, he was.' She squinted. 'It's been a while, though. I suppose he could've gotten himself killed. Sounds like something he'd do.'

'That is very rare,' said Shenado. 'You truly have a living sibling? Why did you never mention him before?'

Chergoa shrugged. 'Didn't think to. I have no clue where he is. Haven't seen him in... a while, like I said. I did tell Axiolis about him, though.'

"Your brother is a reaper, too?" Emiliana asked.

'Yeah, of course.'

'What is his name?' said Shenado.

'Garovel. You know him?'

'No.'

'I figured.'

The reapers' chatter lasted a bit longer, only continuing to lose poignancy and relevance as it dragged on. It seemed apparent to Mariana that they were just trying to delay the inevitable now. Oddly childish of them, she thought--but not altogether unexpected. In her experience, most reapers tended to hold onto that quality in some small way. She always figured it was just something they did to help keep themselves sane.

At length, Mariana finally had to urge the reapers along. "Shenado..."

'I know,' the reaper said, turning heavily toward her. 'We are out of time.'

Mariana breathed deeply and took a seat next to the hearth. She gazed into the fire therein. She'd lit it herself. She hadn't sat next to an open flame like this in years. The crackling warmth summoned images of her childhood, of her humble parents, of their quaint home, of a plump mass of fur called Polly with those floppy ears and big, soft eyes. 'Thank you for everything you've done for me,' Mariana thought. 'I never did say that enough.'

'You never needed to,' said Shenado, wrapped in the echo of privacy. 'Do you have any last words?'

Mariana considered turning to her girls right then and telling them that she loved them. But she didn't want to. She'd never liked saying it, which was perhaps a shame, because saying it now would only make things harder for herself. And for the girls, too, probably. And it didn't really matter, anyway. Because they already knew. They had to. So she decided to hold her tongue. Instead, she thought, 'For Zeff, if you ever see him again, tell him... I've decided that it wasn't a mistake.'

'What wasn't a mistake?'

'He will understand.'

Shenado nodded solemnly. She moved closer.

Mariana watched the fox's claws reach toward her face. And as she felt her life leave her, she heard Shenado's tremulous parting words.

'Goodbye, my sweet girl...'

And the echo faded.