Maiya groaned at the monstrous pile of tos in front of her. When Princess Ira had said that her chores would be reduced from now on, shed jumped for joy.
Now, shed give anything to get those chores back. Anything was better than this.
Once again, she peeked at the Magic Clock in the corner. Still another ten minutes to go.
It wasnt like anyone was forcing her to spend every waking hour of every day sitting in front of her tos. Except, she didnt want to disappoint the princess. As childish as it sounded, her determination ca neither from a sense of duty, nor from her desire to be useful to Tanya. She just wanted to impress.
Theyd t twice more after her initial eting, and it was becoming clear that Ira had sothing very arduous in store for Maiya. Her Highness hadnt yet revealed what that task would be, but Maiya doubted itd be anything easy. Nothing that required as much training as shed had could be easy.
The Children of Ash most closely resemble a religion, albeit a twisted and profane one. These cultists worship a Prana Swarm, said to circle around so long-lost city of the gods deep within the Ash. As one might assu, confirming the existence of such a being has proven both foolhardy and dangerous. The goal of the children is to eventually enter the Ash. Those who do are revered and respected. However, we do know that few who enter the Ash ever return. Those who do say the very air is poisoned. That an agonizing death is all that awaits us there. Why the Children continue to send their mbers into that hellish realm is beyond us.
When Princess Ira asked Maiya to expand her worldview, shed been thrilled. Here lay new, privileged information, and Maiya absorbed it like a sponge. If it made her a more cultured individual, she was all for it.
Yet, every to the princess had given Maiya was on the Children of the Ash. Her father had often warned about the cultists back in the village, but her only experience with them was through Vir. Hed run into one, just before the Hiranyan Knights had arrived, and everything hed told her about them made her want nothing to do with them.
Nevertheless, she suspected the Children would play a large role in her future. A thought that made her despair.
Ping! The Magic Clock sounded the end of her study session, prompting her to stretch in a very unlady-like fashion. It was a good thing the Head Maid didnt frequent the royal archives where she currently sat. Only a select few were allowed in here, and no tos could ever be checked out. The Balarian Royal Guard at the entrance made amply sure of that.
Sadly, if there was one thing Maiya dreaded more than spending hours researching the crazy cult, it was the bitter task she was about to undertake.
Returning to her quarterswhich had been recently upgraded to a two-story room with a beautiful balcony right inside the castleshe threw off her handmaidens clothes, tossing them hurriedly onto her bed, and changed into an unassuming Kinjali robe.
Comfortable, simple, and easy to walk around in, she wished she could wear it all the ti. Her royal handmaiden outfit attracted attention and commanded respect wherever she went, but when she wanted to blend in, she owned nothing better.
The only downside was she had to go the distance on foot; using an Ashva would attract too much attention for what she was about to do. Distance-wise, her destination in the Southern Quarter wasnt that far. What ought to have been a fifteen-minute walk instead took over an hour as she navigated the castle walls, then the walls of the Balarian Guard, then the walls of the Royal Quarter.
Walls after walls after walls. Getting around Sonam was beyond infuriating. It was designed that way in case of invasion, but no general in their right mind would ever consider invading such a fortress, even if it wasnt the capital of one of the most powerful nations in the Known World.
Would it kill them to just knock a few holes in these walls for passages? On more than one occasion, shed wished for magic that could disappear the walls, but she doubted even S Tier magic could pull off such a feat; Sonams made those of other cities look like toys.
With throbbing feet, she finally made it to the alley in the Southern Quarter that had beco familiar to her. Ducking into a trapdoor that led into a cellar, she followed a hallway that led to a dead end, with only a ladder rising to another trapdoor. Knocking thrice, then four tis, then thrice again. She waited until the latch on the other side of the door clicked.
Pushing it up, Maiya ascended into a small ho with only one other occupant.
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Well? Anything new to report? Tanya asked.
Plenty. Just a question of how much I want to tell you, Maiya retorted.
You will tell everything! Tanya demanded, but her words rang hollow.
Gone were the days where Tanya ruled over her. With Maiyas station, she could order a dozen Balarian Guard to co and jail her forr instructor, and no one would bat an eye.
The only reason she didnt was because of the debt she felt she owed Riyan. And for the training Tanya gave her even if most of her advancent was thanks to Vir, and not Tanya.
Maiya shook her head; shed co here today not to report on Princess Iras secrets as shed always done, but for sothing else.
Shes having research the Children of Ash, Maiya said, observing Tanyas reaction.
The Children, is it? Tanya said. Puzzling. But Im sure General Savar will wish to learn more.
There, Maiya said, pointing at the other woman. Thats it, isnt it? The past few tis weve t like this, I always thought there was sothing off. Tanya, youre unable to contact Riyan, arent you?
The woman in black leathers narrowed her eyes. I do not know why you would think that, but I assure you, you are
See, if you really had been in touch with him, youd have scoffed at and hurled so insult. Sothing like Please. Your pathetic attempts to foul his plans are rely that. Pathetic. Thing is, I know you havent heard a word from him lately.
Oh? And pray tell how you know this?
Tell . Have you been back to Riyans house?
Of course. Several tis, in fact.
Maiya crossed her arms in victory.
Tanya gave Maiya a death glare, but when she refused to wither, the woman finally relented. What do you know?
Tanya, Riyans abode burned to the ground. Dunes filled it in so you cant even tell there was a ho there anymore. I flew there, saw it myself. Ah, right. I have an Acira now. I can fly places, she added, rubbing salt into Tanyas wounds.
The commander did her best to hide her surprise, but Maiya had been trained to detect such things.
Hes gone, Tanya. Princess Mina finally did him in.
We do not know that, Tanya said, her desperation finally leaking onto her face.
Maiya continued her assault. Bet your communication orb isnt working either, is it?
How did you
Ive got my ways. Maybe I cant sneak around as well as Vir can, but Riyan taught himself, rember? You didnt think Id check your possessions?
Thats
The two fell silent for a mont.
Say isnt this all useless now? My espionage. coming here, feeding you information? What are you even going to do with it? You were operating under Riyans orders, werent you? With him gone, whats the point? Whats the point of any of this? Maiya said, gesturing to the ho.
No. No, you must continue to
Go look for him, Maiya said, cutting her off. Its what you want to do, isnt it? Staying in this place is a hazard to you, and Im also taking a great risk spying for you. Lets just end the farce and each go our separate ways.
...What will you do? If I leave?
Tanyas question ca as a surprise to Maiya. Shed planned to give the woman an ultimatum today. To break away from the chains that had bound her until now. She hadnt really thought about what ca after.
What should she do? Her role as handmaiden was voluntaryshe could walk away from the job anyti she liked. Maybe shed burn so bridges with the Kinjal, but it wasnt like anyone was forcing her to stay. Not anymore.
As she reflected on her current situation, she ca to realize that it wasnt that bad. In fact, shed achieved nearly all of her childhood goals.
Yknow? For the longest ti, I just wanted to move to a big city. To be a sobody. To be wealthy. To be soone significant, doing aningful things. I well, its hard work, and I dunno if I like where the princess is going with the Children of the Ash, but I think Im happy here. I really do.
I figured as much, Tanya said, smiling wryly. When I said this job had everything you ever wanted, I said it only partially to coerce you. So youll beco a true agent of Kinjal. An agent of our enemy.
Hiranya killed my parents. I'll gladly help burn that country to the ground. But honestly? If Iras the sort of person I think she is, I dont know if Kinjal will be Hiranyas enemy for long. There are things. Things I havent told you, Tanya. But if they go Iras way, Kinjal could be a very different place soon. A better place, I think.
Ill believe it when I see it, Tanya said with a scoff. So
So
This is it, then.
Emotional monts werent a strong suit for either of them, but Tanya seed especially bad at it.
It is, Maiya replied stiffly.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Maiya replied softly. And Tanya? Thanks. For training . I cant say I like you. But, well Im grateful for so of the stuff youve done.
Tanya nodded. Now go.
Maiya turned and left through the hatch through which she ca.
Im probably never going to see her again, huh?
The thought brought her down. But then it was gone. Because her next task was a far more enjoyable one. Her next Acira ti slot was in just a few hours. And with it, she would fly to Zorin. To Vir.
Just wait, Vir. Just a little longer.
With a deep breath, she set out.
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