Dantero opened a portal in the middle of Ilyra Quen's terrace.
Cold wind struck the tables.
Napkins lifted. A woman carrying a tray turned her back before the gust could reach the glasses. Beyond the opening, snow swept across a narrow street.
Ilyra caught her guest list against her chest.
Ilyra: Dantero.
He leaned through the portal.
Dantero: Evening. You ready?
A distant voice answered.
Voice: Does this look ready to you?
Dantero looked downward.
Then slightly to the left.
Dantero: Depends which part you mean.
Something flew toward him.
He closed the portal.
A boot landed on the terrace.
For several seconds, he and Ilyra looked at it.
Ilyra: Who was that?
Dantero: Someone reconsidering their entrance.
Ilyra: Why do we have their shoe?
Dantero picked it up.
Dantero: Strong feelings about punctuality.
He opened a smaller portal and pushed the boot through.
Voice: The other way round, you—
Dantero closed it again.
Ilyra lowered the list.
She wore pale grey, with copper embroidery crossing one shoulder and continuing along the edge of her sleeve. Her hair had been pinned back before the preparations began. A strand had escaped beside her cheek, and she pushed it away with the weary precision of someone who had already done so twenty times.
Ilyra: You said you needed one receiving point.
Dantero: This is one receiving point.
Ilyra looked at the three circles marked across her terrace.
Dantero followed her gaze.
Dantero: With options.
Ilyra: And the tables?
Dantero: Lovely.
Ilyra: They were lovely where I put them.
Dantero examined the nearest arrangement.
Dantero: People need room to dance.
Ilyra: People also need room to walk out of a portal without landing in dinner.
He glanced at the table behind him.
A serving woman stood beside it, holding the napkins he had scattered.
Dantero: Fair criticism.
He moved the nearest circle several paces toward the terrace steps.
Ilyra watched.
Ilyra: Away from the musicians.
He moved it again.
Ilyra: And the stairs.
Dantero stopped with his hand raised.
Dantero: You've got very particular feelings about where people can exist.
Ilyra: Mostly upright.
A voice called from the lawn.
Musician: Lady Quen. Are we facing the terrace or the gardens?
Dantero turned immediately.
Dantero: Gardens.
Ilyra: Terrace.
The musician lowered his instrument.
Dantero looked at her.
Ilyra looked back.
Dantero: We discussed this.
Ilyra: You discussed it while I was speaking to the kitchen.
Dantero: You nodded.
Ilyra: I was counting plates.
The musician shifted his weight.
Musician: We can turn the chairs later.
Ilyra pointed toward the terrace.
Ilyra: Start there.
Dantero: Then turn them when everyone starts dancing.
Ilyra: If everyone starts dancing.
Dantero smiled.
Dantero: They will.
She regarded him for a moment, then handed him half the guest list.
Ilyra: Here. These are yours.
He looked down.
Dantero: All of them?
Ilyra: You invited them.
Dantero: You make hospitality sound like a punishment.
Ilyra: Ask me again when Varek arrives.
Dantero folded the list into his jacket.
Dantero: Perfect gentleman.
Ilyra: You've met him more often than I have.
Dantero: Usually under worse lighting.
He opened the next portal.
White light fell across the terrace.
Tier stood at a workbench beyond it, dressed in a charcoal suit. Narrow silver fastenings held his cuffs closed. A small display hovered beside his face, following his attention as he adjusted a mechanism suspended above the bench.
Dantero waited.
Tier touched two parts together.
A pale spark crossed the space between them.
Dantero: No.
Tier: I haven't said anything.
Dantero: You're thinking it loudly.
Tier adjusted the display.
Tier: Three minutes.
Dantero: You said three minutes when I contacted you.
Tier: And then you kept talking.
Ilyra walked into view.
Ilyra: Good evening, Tier.
He looked up.
Tier: Ilyra. Sorry. This needs—
Dantero: Putting down.
Tier looked at him.
Tier: Finishing.
Dantero stepped halfway through the portal and reached for his jacket.
A click sounded beneath Tier's cuff.
Dantero stopped.
His eyes lowered.
Dantero: Did your sleeve just threaten me?
Tier: You reached for me.
Dantero: To bring you to a party.
Tier: It doesn't distinguish motives.
Dantero: Build a friendlier sleeve.
Ilyra folded her arms.
Ilyra: Can you bring the work with you?
Tier looked at the mechanism.
Dantero looked at Ilyra.
Dantero: We're rewarding it now?
Ilyra: I'm getting him out of the room.
Tier closed his hand. The mechanism folded into a compact case, which he placed inside his jacket.
Tier: There.
Dantero stepped aside.
Dantero: You could've done that an hour ago.
Tier came through.
Tier: You could've asked an hour ago.
Dantero closed the portal behind him.
Tier looked around the terrace.
His eyes followed the lanterns, the table spacing, the musicians and the arrangement of the receiving circles.
Dantero lifted a finger.
Dantero: Don't.
Tier: What?
Dantero: Whatever needs adjusting.
Tier pointed.
Tier: That portal opens across the service path.
A woman carrying a covered dish passed through the exact place he indicated.
Dantero lowered his finger.
Ilyra smiled.
Ilyra: Drinks are by the doors, Tier.
Tier: Thank you.
As he walked away, Dantero moved the circle again.
Ilyra watched him do it.
Dantero: Say nothing.
Ilyra: I didn't have to.
Dark had arrived before the first portal opened.
He stood at the garden's outer balustrade, looking down over the restored district. Beneath him, tables filled a small square. People carried food between houses while children chased one another around the legs of the benches.
Some of the windows were new.
Some had survived.
He could tell where the repairs joined the older stone, even where the work had been carefully hidden.
A woman on a balcony shook a cloth over the street.
Woman: You spill it again, you clean it!
Someone below answered.
Man: I didn't spill it!
Woman: Then stop standing in it!
Dark's mouth moved faintly.
Behind him, Dantero called another guest through a portal.
A glass stood on the balustrade beside Dark's hand.
He had accepted it when he arrived.
He had not yet tasted it.
Vorax shifted beneath his collar.
Vorax: You can go closer.
Dark: I'm fine here.
Vorax: I meant the table. You've looked at it six times.
Dark glanced over his shoulder.
Vorax rose against the edge of his coat, a small dark shape turning toward the gathering.
Vorax: Seven.
Dark: You counting for a reason?
Vorax: You seem occupied. I thought I would assist.
Dark looked back toward the square.
His coat rested across his shoulders, black feathers settling against the collar of his suit. Gold showed briefly at one cuff when he moved. His hair had refused most of the attention given to it before he left.
The mask was in his pocket.
He had taken it off after an attendant tried to address him without quite looking at his face.
Footsteps approached.
Leona stopped beside him.
Her dress was deep blue, with silver at the shoulders and along one side of the waist. She had fastened part of her hair away from her face, leaving the rest loose.
Dark looked at her.
Dark: You look nice.
Leona: Thank you.
She looked him over.
Leona: You found all your buttons.
Dark glanced down.
Dark: Tier checked.
Leona: Of course he did.
She reached for the untouched glass.
Dark moved it toward her.
Leona took a sip.
Dark watched her expression.
Dark: Bad?
Leona swallowed.
Leona: You haven't tried it?
Dark: Not yet.
She handed it back.
Leona: It's good.
He drank.
The flavor was sharp at first, then sweet.
Leona leaned beside him.
Leona: Did Ilyra show you the gardens?
Dark: A little.
Leona: There's a pool on the other side. The fish follow your hand.
Dark looked at her.
Dark: Regular fish?
Leona: I asked that too.
Dark: And?
Leona: She said not to let Dantero feed them.
A laugh escaped him.
Leona smiled.
From the terrace, Dantero raised his voice.
Dantero: I can hear you!
Leona turned.
Leona: Then you heard the important part!
Dantero pointed at her from beside an opening.
Dantero: I fed them once!
Ilyra's voice followed.
Ilyra: They climbed out!
Dark lowered his head.
Leona watched his shoulders move.
Dantero: Briefly!
Another portal opened before he could defend himself further.
Kenzo stood beyond it with a bottle in one hand.
Cron was beside him.
Cron: I told him you'd have enough.
Dantero held out both hands.
Dantero: Ignore him. Come through.
Kenzo entered in a dark green coat over a plain shirt. He had fastened the cuffs properly. His hair looked as though he had considered fixing it and then decided he had other priorities.
Dantero took the bottle.
Dantero: What is it?
Kenzo: Something to drink.
Dantero turned it over.
There was no label.
Dantero: Helpful. Anything else I should know?
Kenzo: Small glasses.
Dantero looked up.
Kenzo continued past him.
Cron waited until he was out of earshot.
Cron: He said that twice before we left.
Dantero examined the bottle more carefully.
Dantero: Sensible advice. Terrible packaging.
Dark watched Kenzo greet Ilyra.
She offered her hand.
He took it and said something Dark could not hear over the arriving guests.
Leona touched his sleeve.
Leona: I'm going to say hello.
Dark nodded.
She paused.
Leona: Coming?
Dark looked toward the terrace.
Kenzo had already found Cron again. They stood beside Tier, looking at the bottle Dantero was attempting to open.
Dark: In a minute.
Leona studied him briefly.
Then she nodded.
Leona: All right.
She left him there.
The next portal brought warm evening air and Rykaou carrying a covered dish.
Dantero reached for it.
Rykaou lifted it out of reach.
Rykaou: Where do you want this?
Dantero: Here.
Rykaou: Where everyone can have some.
Dantero placed a hand against his chest.
Dantero: You wound me.
Rykaou: Last time, you said you were checking whether it was poisoned.
Dantero: And you're welcome.
Rykaou looked at Ilyra.
She pointed toward the long table.
Rykaou: Thank you.
Akira came through behind him, gathering the lower edge of her violet dress clear of the threshold.
She looked across the terrace.
Akira: Tier!
He turned from the bottle.
Akira pointed at his ear.
Akira: Take it out!
Tier touched the small device there.
Tier: It's a receiver.
Akira: I know what it is. You've answered it three times since I arrived.
Tier: You arrived four seconds ago.
Akira: Exactly.
Dantero grinned.
Tier looked toward the nearest guests.
Tier: Something might need my attention.
Akira: Then it can send a message.
Tier: It does. Through this.
Akira walked toward him.
Tier removed the device.
She stopped.
Akira: Thank you.
He placed it in his pocket.
A small light flashed beneath the fabric.
Akira looked down.
Tier looked at her.
Dantero put the bottle between them.
Dantero: Drink. Both of you. We'll argue about surveillance after dinner.
Akira accepted a glass.
Tier did too.
Dantero poured.
Kenzo spoke from behind him.
Kenzo: Less.
Dantero stopped.
He looked at the small amount already in each glass.
Dantero: You're joking.
Kenzo: Try it.
Tier lifted his glass.
Akira watched him take the first sip.
His expression remained steady.
Dantero leaned closer.
Dantero: Well?
Tier set it down.
Tier: I understand the advice.
Akira lowered hers without drinking.
Kenzo smiled.
Kaelith arrived while Dantero was finding smaller glasses.
She wore black beneath a long red coat, the fabric cut to leave her arms free. Gold circled one wrist. Her hair fell loose over her shoulder, and she paused long enough at the entrance for Ilyra to greet her.
Ilyra: You look lovely.
Kaelith: So do you.
Dantero turned.
Dantero: See? Perfectly normal conversation. Keep doing that.
Kaelith looked at him.
Kaelith: Where's Dark?
Dantero pointed at the balustrade.
Dantero: No.
Kaelith: I haven't asked anything.
Dantero: Neither did Tier. It's been a difficult evening.
She took a glass from the table.
Dantero caught the bottle before she poured from it.
Dantero: That one requires instructions.
Kenzo lifted his hand.
Kenzo: Let her.
Kaelith glanced between them.
Then she took the bottle.
Dantero watched her drink.
She swallowed, looked down at the glass, and took another sip.
Kaelith: Not bad.
Kenzo nodded.
Tier looked mildly offended.
Kaelith found Dark still beside the balustrade.
She stopped at his shoulder.
Kaelith: You're hiding.
Dark: You found me easily.
Kaelith: You picked a terrible place.
He looked at her coat.
Dark: That survive the journey?
Kaelith: Nothing worth hitting on the way.
Dark: Unfortunate.
She smiled.
For a moment, they watched the square together.
Then her attention shifted.
A man in a brown formal coat had stopped several paces away. He held a glass with both hands and looked as though he was deciding whether to approach.
Kaelith turned toward him.
Kaelith: Do you need something?
The man straightened.
Man: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.
Dark faced him.
Dark: You're not.
The man glanced at Kaelith.
She moved half a step aside.
Man: My name's Tovan.
Dark: Dark.
Tovan gave a nervous laugh.
Tovan: Yes. I know. Sorry.
Dark set his glass down.
Dark: What can I do for you?
Tovan: Nothing. That's what I wanted to say first. I'm not here to ask for anything.
Kaelith's expression eased slightly.
Tovan rubbed his thumb against the stem of his glass.
Tovan: My brother came home through one of the reopened crossings. Three weeks ago.
Dark listened.
Tovan: We hadn't heard from him since the battle. The place where he'd been staying lost its route. Everyone who tried to reach it came back somewhere else.
Dark: Was he injured?
Tovan: His leg. It's healing.
Dark: Has someone seen it?
Tovan nodded quickly.
Tovan: Twice. He's already complaining that they won't let him work.
Dark: Sounds like he's doing better.
Tovan smiled.
Tovan: He came through our front door and asked why I'd moved his chair.
Kaelith looked at him.
Kaelith: Had you?
Tovan: Into my room.
Dark's mouth shifted.
Tovan: We thought he was dead. I wanted something of his.
His voice caught unexpectedly.
He looked down at his glass.
Tovan: I'm sorry. I had a much shorter version of this ready.
Dark: Take your time.
The music began behind them, low strings carrying across the terrace.
Tovan waited until his breathing settled.
Tovan: I spent three months trying to decide what to tell his daughter. Then he came home and started arguing about a chair.
Dark lowered his eyes briefly.
Tovan: I stood there thinking I'd give him the whole house if he'd just keep talking.
Kaelith rested her glass against the stone.
Kaelith: Did you give the chair back?
Tovan laughed, wiping beneath one eye with his free hand.
Tovan: Immediately.
Dark: Where is he now?
Tovan looked toward the tables.
Tovan: Over there. Near the man in green.
Kenzo sat with Cron.
A man beside them had one leg extended carefully beneath the table. A young girl leaned against his shoulder while he spoke.
Tovan: He wanted to come and thank you himself. His daughter won't let him stand up yet.
Dark watched the girl adjust her father's collar.
Dark: He can stay there.
Tovan looked back at him.
Dark: I'll come over.
Tovan nodded.
He started to offer his hand, remembered the glass, shifted it awkwardly, and held the other out instead.
Dark took it.
Tovan: Thank you for opening the way.
Dark: I'm glad he came home.
Tovan held the grip for a moment.
Then he let go.
Tovan: Enjoy your evening. Please.
Dark nodded.
Tovan returned to the tables.
Kaelith watched him reach his brother.
She lifted her drink.
Kaelith: All right.
Dark looked at her.
Kaelith: That one was worth interrupting.
Dark: Very generous.
Kaelith nudged his arm.
Kaelith: You were about to spend another hour staring at a roof.
He looked down toward the district.
Dark: Different roof.
Kaelith: Come on.
She took his glass from the balustrade and put it into his hand.
Kaelith: You said you'd go over.
Dark went with her.
At the table, Tovan's brother began trying to stand.
His daughter pressed both hands against his shoulder.
Girl: You said you wouldn't.
Brother: I'm only—
Girl: You said.
Dark stopped beside them.
Dark: Stay there.
The man looked up.
Dark offered his hand.
Dark: I hear you lost a chair.
The man stared.
Then he turned toward Tovan.
Brother: That's what you told him?
Tovan spread his hands.
Tovan: It was memorable.
Brother: Three months stranded, and you tell the Emperor about my chair.
Girl: You shouted about it.
Brother: Because he took it.
Kenzo leaned back.
Kenzo: Comfortable chair?
Brother: Very.
Kenzo: Then I understand.
The girl looked at Dark.
Girl: He cried afterward.
Her father closed his eyes.
Brother: Thank you.
Girl: You did.
Dark smiled at her.
Dark: People do that.
She studied him.
Then she nodded, apparently satisfied.
Cron moved a seat away from the table.
Cron: Sit down before someone else comes looking for you.
Dark sat.
Kaelith took the chair opposite him.
Rykaou placed his covered dish in the middle.
Rykaou: Eat this before Dantero notices.
Dantero's voice came from behind them.
Dantero: I heard my name.
Rykaou closed his eyes.
Dantero reached between two chairs with a serving spoon.
Dantero: Excellent timing, really.
More guests arrived while they ate.
Biru came through carrying a folded parcel for Ilyra. One followed with a sleeping child against his shoulder while the child's father hurried behind them.
Father: I can take her.
One adjusted his arm carefully.
One: She's holding the collar.
Father: She does that.
One looked down.
A small fist had twisted into the fabric beneath his throat.
He eased one finger free.
The child immediately caught another part.
Dantero watched.
Dantero: Finally. Someone who can restrain him.
One looked at him.
Dantero raised both hands.
Dantero: Admiring the technique.
The little girl woke enough to lift her head.
Girl: Are we there?
One: Yes.
She looked around the terrace.
Girl: Is there cake?
Ilyra came forward.
Ilyra: Several.
The child released One immediately.
Dantero nodded.
Dantero: We've found the price.
Her father took her, thanked One, and followed Ilyra toward the food.
One looked down at the stretched collar.
Biru clapped him on the shoulder.
Biru: Could've moved her hand.
One: She was asleep.
Biru nodded toward the garden.
Biru: Come on. Before Dantero gives you another job.
Igor arrived through the next opening.
He wore dark clothing without ornament, his sword carried as naturally as anyone else might carry a walking stick.
Dantero opened his mouth.
Igor looked at him.
Dantero closed it.
Igor: What?
Dantero: Nothing.
Igor: You prepared something.
Dantero: A warm welcome.
Igor waited.
Dantero pointed toward the drinks.
Dantero: Which continues over there.
Igor walked past him.
Biru laughed.
Shinryu arrived shortly afterward.
Leona saw him at the threshold and crossed the terrace.
Leona: You came.
Shinryu: I was invited.
Dantero placed a hand against his own chest.
Dantero: Repeatedly. With excellent wording.
Shinryu looked at him.
Shinryu: You sent one message that only said, "Wear something decent."
Dantero: Concise. Memorable.
Leona looked over Shinryu's coat.
Leona: You look fine.
Shinryu inclined his head.
Shinryu: Thank you.
Dantero held out a drink.
Dantero: And no swords on the food tables.
Shinryu took the glass.
Shinryu: Has that happened?
Dantero glanced toward Igor.
Dantero: Preventative measure.
The musicians began a faster piece.
People moved toward the lawn.
Dantero watched two guests hesitate at its edge, then set down his drink.
Dantero: Right. This is painful.
He approached them with a smile and offered his hand to one.
Dantero: One song. If I'm terrible, you can tell everyone.
Woman: And if you're good?
Dantero: Tell everyone louder.
She laughed and took his hand.
He led her onto the lawn.
His first steps were easy enough that she followed without looking down. When the rhythm changed, he turned with it, coat moving around his legs. His hand remained light against hers.
At the table, Lucen's voice came through a newly opened portal.
Lucen: Are we walking into the garden or the dining room?
Dantero, halfway through a turn, called back.
Dantero: Follow the music!
Lucen stepped onto the terrace.
He wore a dark violet jacket with silver fastenings and an open collar. His earrings caught the lantern light as he looked around.
Eiren followed him in a long pale coat over dark clothing. A narrow silver pattern ran along his sleeves. His expression suggested that the journey had included a disagreement he had not yet finished.
Lucen looked back.
Lucen: We're here.
Eiren: Eventually.
Lucen: We're not late.
Eiren pointed toward the dancing.
Eiren: They've started.
Lucen: That means we avoided waiting.
Dark stood.
Lucen saw him and smiled.
Lucen: You look awake.
Dark approached.
Dark: You going to shout at me again?
Lucen: Worked last time.
They clasped hands.
Dark pulled him into a brief embrace, then turned to Eiren.
Dark: Good to see you.
Eiren gripped his forearm.
Eiren: Better circumstances.
Dark: Much better.
Eiren glanced toward the musicians.
Eiren: Is Dantero hosting or performing?
Dark followed his gaze.
Dantero completed a turn and bowed to his partner.
Dark: I don't think he separates them.
Lucen looked across the tables.
Lucen: Where's the food?
Kaelith raised her glass.
Kaelith: Here. Before he gives it all away.
They joined the table.
Eiren sat beside Rykaou.
Lucen settled opposite Cron and immediately looked at the bottle near Kenzo's elbow.
Lucen: What's that?
Cron: Ask him.
Kenzo poured a small amount.
Lucen took the glass.
Eiren watched.
Lucen drank.
His expression remained confident for almost a second.
Then he stopped moving.
Kaelith leaned forward.
Kaelith: Well?
Lucen swallowed carefully.
Lucen: That's aggressive.
Kenzo nodded.
Lucen looked at the glass.
Lucen: Is it supposed to feel like that?
Kenzo: Depends what you're feeling.
Lucen: Insulted.
Eiren laughed.
Lucen pushed the glass toward him.
Lucen: Go on, then.
Eiren took a smaller sip.
He paused.
Set it down.
Eiren: You were right.
Lucen spread his hands.
Lucen: Finally.
Their laughter was interrupted by another portal opening at the terrace's far edge.
Varek stepped through.
His formal coat was immaculate.
His right hand was not.
A large heart hung from his fingers, dark muscle contracting around the pressure of his grip. Ruptured vessels trailed beneath it. Blood ran between his knuckles and struck the pale stone.
A torn length of tissue slipped from his cuff.
Something grey clung near his thumb.
The nearest guest lowered her plate.
Varek looked around.
Dantero stopped dancing.
His partner followed his gaze.
Woman: Is that part of the evening?
Dantero: Not intentionally.
He released her hand with an apologetic bow and crossed the terrace.
Dantero: Grand Regent.
Varek inclined his head.
Dantero looked at the heart.
Dantero: We did say dinner was provided.
Varek glanced down at his hand.
Varek: This isn't dinner.
Dantero: Delighted we agree.
Dark approached with Tier beside him.
Dark: What happened?
Varek: Something tried to enter Edrassan while I was leaving.
The heart contracted hard enough to spill blood over his wrist.
Dark: Did it reach anyone?
Varek: No.
Tier's eyes narrowed.
Tier: Is that its only remaining body?
Varek lifted the heart slightly.
Varek: Its last way back.
Dantero looked at the grey fragments on his hand.
Dantero: And the rest?
Varek: It objected when I took this.
Lucen had come to the edge of the table.
He looked from Varek's hand to his clean coat.
Lucen: How did you keep the blood off that?
Varek regarded him.
Varek: I moved my arm.
Eiren turned away.
His shoulders shook.
Dantero pointed toward the floor.
Dantero: Wonderful. Could we now move it somewhere that isn't Ilyra's terrace?
The heart began opening between Varek's fingers.
Dark felt something search outward from it.
Varek closed his hand.
The movement stopped.
A wet crack sounded.
He held the remains until Tier nodded.
Dantero opened a narrow portal beneath the grip.
Varek released what was left.
Blood, torn vessels and pale fragments disappeared into the opening. The remaining matter lifted from his skin and followed.
Dantero closed the portal.
Tier passed a small device over the floor.
The stains vanished.
Ilyra arrived with a folded cloth.
She looked at Varek's now clean hand.
Then at Dantero.
Ilyra: Perfect gentleman?
Dantero: I stand by the assessment. Unusual luggage.
Varek accepted the cloth anyway.
Varek: I apologize for the floor.
Ilyra: Thank you.
She paused.
Ilyra: Was anyone hurt?
Varek: Nobody from Edrassan.
Ilyra nodded.
Ilyra: Then come and sit down.
Dantero took an empty glass.
Dantero: Next time, bring wine.
Varek looked toward the bottle Kenzo held up.
Varek: He seems to have brought enough.
Kenzo poured.
Varek drank.
Lucen watched closely.
Varek lowered the glass.
Varek: Good.
Lucen leaned toward Eiren.
Lucen: We're sitting at the wrong table.
Eiren: You chose it.
Lucen: You followed.
Eiren: I keep making that mistake.
The gathering grew louder as the sky darkened.
Akira joined Leona near the lawn, where two women were arguing about whether Dantero had changed the rhythm or the musicians had followed him.
Woman: He keeps turning before the beat.
Leona watched him.
Leona: He's listening to the lower instrument.
Akira: You know that how?
Leona took her wrist.
Leona: Come on.
Akira looked down at their hands.
Akira: I didn't agree to that.
Leona: You asked.
Akira: That isn't agreement.
Leona guided her onto the lawn.
Leona: One song.
Akira looked toward Tier.
Akira: If he opens a display, tell him I saw it.
Tier raised his empty hands from the table.
Tier: I heard you!
Dantero passed them during a turn.
Dantero: Beautiful. Threats from across the dance floor. We're finally relaxing.
Akira pointed at him.
Akira: Don't start.
Dantero: Already started. Do keep up.
Leona laughed and pulled Akira into the next step.
Dark watched from his chair.
For a while, he stayed inside the conversation around him.
Cron asked Lucen about the journey.
Lucen described the opening Dantero had placed too close to a staircase.
Eiren interrupted.
Eiren: You missed a step.
Lucen: The opening moved.
Eiren: The opening stayed still. Your foot missed the step.
Dantero called from the lawn.
Dantero: Thank you, Eiren!
Lucen leaned back.
Lucen: Incredible hearing when he's being defended.
Rykaou slid a dish toward him.
Rykaou: Eat. You'll recover.
Lucen took a piece.
He looked down at it.
Lucen: What is this?
Rykaou: Food.
Lucen glanced at Kenzo's bottle.
Lucen: I've been misled once tonight.
Dark laughed.
Lucen pointed at him.
Lucen: You could've warned me.
Dark: You looked confident.
Lucen: I was.
Eiren: We noticed.
Later, Tovan's brother raised his glass from the next table.
Brother: Emperor.
Dark looked over.
Brother: To you. For beating the bastard.
Several others lifted their drinks.
Dark felt his own hand stop around the stem of his glass.
Across the lawn, the musicians continued.
Someone laughed near the doors.
He could still hear Sereon's voice.
The agreement.
The calm with which he had accepted the end of the battle.
Dark lifted his glass a little.
Dark: To everyone getting home.
The man nodded and drank.
Dark set his own down.
Cron looked at him.
Dark rose.
Dark: I'll be back.
He walked toward the outer terrace.
This time, Vorax said nothing.
Dantero found him there after the next song.
He had loosened his collar. A flower had appeared in one fastening of his jacket.
Dark looked at it.
Dantero followed his gaze.
Dantero: Gift.
Dark: From who?
Dantero: Someone with taste.
He leaned beside Dark.
For a moment, they listened to the party.
Then Dantero spoke.
Dantero: You all right?
Dark: Yeah.
Dantero: That was quick.
Dark looked at him.
Dantero: Usually means you didn't check.
Dark rested his hands against the balustrade.
Dantero watched his fingers.
Dantero: Don't break that. I've only just got her to forgive the floor.
Dark loosened his grip.
Dark: I wasn't going to.
Dantero waited.
Dark looked toward the garden.
Dark: He surrendered.
Dantero's expression changed.
Dark: Everyone keeps saying we beat him.
Dantero: I heard.
Dark: You were there.
Dantero: Yes, Dark. I was there.
The sharpness in his voice made Dark turn.
Dantero straightened.
Dantero: I remember who walked away. I remember who didn't. I didn't forget because I hired musicians.
Dark looked down.
Dark: That isn't what I meant.
Dantero: Then tell me what you mean.
For several seconds, Dark listened to the distant square below them.
Dark: He agreed too easily.
Dantero: Nothing about that fight was easy.
Dark: At the end.
Dantero stayed quiet.
Dark: He was still looking at us like there was something left to do. Then he agreed. And now everyone talks like the rest of it's settled.
Dantero looked toward the terrace doors.
Varek stood inside with Shinryu, both holding drinks.
Dantero: Varek doesn't.
Dark: I know.
Dantero: Tier doesn't.
Dark nodded.
Dantero: Neither do I.
Dark looked at him again.
Dantero: I wanted to see people arrive without having to tell them where to attack.
His voice had lowered.
Dantero glanced toward the lawn.
Dantero: I wanted Leona to wear that dress somewhere it wouldn't get covered in blood. I wanted Lucen to complain about a drink. I wanted to find out whether Kenzo would actually come.
Dark followed his gaze.
At the table, Kenzo was listening to Eiren.
Cron said something.
Kenzo laughed.
Dantero: That's what this is.
Dark swallowed.
Dark: Calling it a victory still feels wrong.
Dantero nodded slowly.
Dantero: All right.
Dark frowned.
Dantero: What?
Dark: Thought you'd argue.
Dantero: I've got enough people waiting for that.
He touched Dark's shoulder.
Dantero: I can change a toast. I can't make you sit down.
Dark looked toward the table.
Dantero: But I'd like you to.
He left before Dark answered.
A little later, he stood on the lowest terrace step and tapped his glass with a spoon.
The musicians quieted.
Dantero looked around.
Dantero: Right. A brief speech.
Ilyra lifted her head.
Ilyra: You promised there wouldn't be one.
Dantero: I promised Dark wouldn't have to give one.
Dark, still near the balustrade, looked over.
A few guests laughed.
Dantero raised his glass.
Dantero: Thank you to Ilyra for the gardens, the food, and the remarkable restraint she's shown while I've improved both.
Ilyra: Rearranged.
Dantero: Improved.
Tier: Obstructed.
Dantero pointed the spoon at him.
Dantero: You're next.
The laughter spread.
Dantero let it settle.
Then his gaze moved across the faces before him.
Dantero: I'm glad you came.
He paused.
Dantero: That's most of the speech, honestly.
His thumb moved along the glass.
Dantero: Some of you crossed a very long way when we needed you. Some stayed afterward. Some went home and had people of your own waiting.
Dark looked at Tovan's brother.
The girl beside him had fallen asleep against his arm.
Dantero: So tonight, eat. Dance badly. Tell the story again. We've got time to listen.
He lifted the glass higher.
Dantero: To everyone here.
People raised their drinks.
Dantero's voice softened.
Dantero: And everyone we wish was.
Kenzo looked down at his glass.
Cron stayed beside him.
Dark lifted his own.
This time, he drank.
After the music resumed, Kenzo came to the balustrade.
He held two small plates.
Dark looked at them.
Kenzo: You left before they brought this out.
He handed one over.
Dark took it.
For a while, they ate without speaking.
Then Kenzo looked toward Dantero, who was being pulled back onto the lawn by the woman he had danced with earlier.
Kenzo: Gilmuar would've made this unbearable.
Dark's mouth shifted.
Dark: He'd have been dancing already.
Kenzo: Badly.
Dark: Confidently.
Kenzo nodded.
Kenzo: Same thing, with him.
They both laughed quietly.
Dark looked down at his plate.
Kenzo watched him.
Kenzo: Stay there.
Dark raised his eyes.
Kenzo: In that part. For a minute.
Dark understood.
He tried.
Kenzo took another bite.
Kenzo: He used to practise arguments before coming to see you.
Dark stared at him.
Dark: What?
Kenzo: Walking around. Talking to himself. Telling you why something was unfair.
Dark: He did that?
Kenzo nodded.
Kenzo: Then you'd say something he hadn't prepared for, and he'd start shouting.
Dark laughed.
Dark: That explains a lot.
Kenzo smiled at the plate.
The expression lasted only a moment.
Then he set it down.
Kenzo: I miss him.
Dark's laughter faded.
Dark: I know.
Kenzo shook his head slightly.
Kenzo: I'm not asking you to do anything about it.
Dark looked at him.
Kenzo's eyes were wet, though his voice remained steady.
Kenzo: I just miss him.
Dark put his plate beside Kenzo's.
He stayed.
They stood together while another song began.
When Kenzo finally moved, he looked toward the table.
Kenzo: Come back with me.
Dark nodded.
Dark: All right.
They returned through the open doors.
Cron moved Dark's chair out with his foot.
Eiren pushed a fresh plate toward the empty space.
Lucen lifted his glass.
Lucen: I've found something safe.
Dark sat.
Dark: What is it?
Lucen: Water.
Kenzo reached for the jug.
Kenzo: Give it here.
Lucen pulled his glass away.
Lucen: No. I'm keeping one thing reliable.
Dark laughed and reached for the food.
Across the room, Tier stood beside one of the musicians, looking at the curved instrument resting across her knees.
Tier: How are the lower strings answering when you're only touching the upper ones?
Musician: They're paired.
Tier: I can see that. There's no physical contact between the pairs.
Musician: There doesn't need to be.
Tier crouched slightly.
Tier: May I?
She considered him.
Musician: Look. Don't adjust.
Tier nodded.
He leaned closer.
A small panel opened beneath his fingertip.
The musician caught his wrist.
Musician: That was adjusting.
Tier: I was opening it.
Musician: With my instrument, those are the same thing.
Akira called from the lawn.
Akira: Tier!
He looked up.
Akira pointed at the musician.
Akira: Listen to her!
Tier looked back.
The musician raised an eyebrow.
He closed the panel.
Tier: Sorry.
She released his wrist.
Musician: Come tomorrow. I'll show you when people aren't waiting to hear it.
Tier stood.
Tier: What time?
Dantero passed behind him.
Dantero: There he is. Finally made a friend without building one.
Tier turned.
Tier: Your collar's crooked.
Dantero reached for it.
Tier smiled and walked away.
Dark saw the exchange from the table.
He shook his head.
Then he realized his glass was empty.
He stood and carried it toward the drinks.
A young woman near the serving table stepped backward as someone squeezed past her. Dark stopped before they collided.
She turned quickly.
Woman: Sorry.
Dark: It's fine.
She moved left.
So did he.
They stopped again.
Her eyes lowered, and a small smile appeared.
Woman: I'll stay here.
Dark: Yeah. Good idea.
He stepped around her.
Then stopped on the wrong side of the jug.
For a moment, he looked at the empty glass in his hand.
She noticed.
Woman: Did you want this?
Dark looked up.
Dark: Please.
She passed it to him carefully.
Her dress was a deep plum color, with long sleeves and fine gold embroidery around the cuffs. The fabric gathered neatly at her waist before falling in soft folds to her ankles. A small pendant rested above the neckline.
Thick brown curls fell over one shoulder and down her back. A gold clasp held a little of her hair away from her face, though several loose strands had escaped around her cheeks.
Dark poured his drink.
Woman: Is that enough?
He looked down.
The glass was nearly full.
Dark: Yeah.
He stopped.
She smiled at him.
For a moment, he forgot to put the jug down.
Her eyes were warm brown beneath dark brows. The lantern beside them caught their color when she lifted her face, and the small smile softened her cheeks.
Dark felt heat rise beneath his collar.
Woman: Do you want me to take it?
Dark: What?
Her gaze moved toward the jug.
Dark: Right. No. I've got it.
He set it down.
A faint movement passed beneath his shirt.
Dark lowered his elbow against his side.
Vorax: I haven't spoken.
The young woman glanced toward his collar.
Dark closed his eyes briefly.
Dark: He does that.
She looked back at him.
Woman: Is he always there?
Dark: Unfortunately.
Vorax: Consistently.
Her laugh was quiet, almost caught behind her lips.
Dark looked at her again.
She noticed and lowered her eyes to the plate in her hands.
One small cake sat in its center.
Dark: Is that good?
Woman: I haven't tried it yet.
Dark: Right.
Another pause.
He took one from the same tray.
Dark: Could find out.
She nodded.
They tasted them at almost the same time.
She glanced at him while chewing, then quickly looked away when he met her eyes.
Dark smiled.
Dark: Good?
Woman: Yes.
Dark: Yeah.
Neither seemed to know what to say next.
For once, he didn't mind.
A portal opened at the terrace's far end.
Dantero lifted his glass toward it.
Dantero: Finally.
A man's voice answered.
Voice: You moved the entrance.
Dantero: Six feet.
Voice: Into a wardrobe.
Dantero looked through the opening.
Dantero: That explains the coats.
A man stepped onto the terrace.
His suit was gold, though the shade deepened almost to bronze beneath the long coat over it. Black gloves covered his hands. Fine fastenings held the cuffs, each aligned so precisely that they looked untouched.
His hair was brushed back, with silver showing at the temples.
A smooth golden mask covered his face.
Two dark oval eyes sat above a simple curved smile.
He carried no visible weapon.
Dantero extended a hand.
Dantero: Anok. You look offensively expensive.
Anok shook it.
Anok: You look as though someone dressed you twice.
Dantero glanced down.
Anok: Your collar was fastened higher. Someone corrected it after you started dancing.
Dantero touched his throat.
Dantero: That's called observation. We all do it.
Anok inclined his head toward the flower attached to his jacket.
Anok: She put that there before you loosened it again.
Dantero's hand stopped.
Anok: You left the flower because you liked her. You changed the collar because you didn't like being told.
Ilyra, standing beside the receiving circle, smiled into her drink.
Dantero looked at her.
Dantero: Don't encourage him.
Anok turned toward her.
Anok: Ilyra. Thank you for having us.
Ilyra offered her hand.
Ilyra: You're very welcome.
He took it briefly.
Ilyra: Was the journey difficult?
Anok: Only the furniture.
Across the terrace, Tier rose.
His chair moved sharply enough that Akira caught its back.
Akira: Tier?
He was already approaching.
A small display opened above his wrist.
Its pale lettering vanished.
A simple curved smile appeared in its place.
Tier stopped walking.
Dantero looked down.
Dantero: That was quick.
Tier touched the edge of the display.
It closed.
Then opened again.
The smile remained.
Tier lifted his head.
Tier: You came through less than five seconds ago.
Anok: Four.
Tier: This isn't on the local network.
Anok: I know.
Tier: The receiver is isolated.
Anok: I know that too.
Tier looked at the display again.
Anok waited.
Tier: The maintenance check.
Anok said nothing.
Tier's eyes narrowed.
Tier: No. That would have left a second request.
He turned his wrist.
The smile rotated with it.
Tier: You didn't send a command.
Anok: Go on.
Tier's fingers stopped above the display.
Tier: You changed the answer to one I was already expecting.
Anok: Which answer?
Tier looked toward the portal.
Then at Dantero.
Tier: The arrival verification.
Anok nodded.
Tier: It confirmed your identity before I opened the display.
Anok: And you allowed a confirmed guest's equipment to identify itself.
Tier: Only within a restricted channel.
Anok: You assumed equipment would describe itself honestly.
Tier stared at him.
Dantero looked between them.
Dantero: I understood enough of that to feel unsafe.
Tier closed his hand.
The display disappeared.
Tier: How long did you need?
Anok: To enter it, or to find the mistake?
Tier: Both.
Anok: Entering it took less time than your chair took to reach Akira's hand.
Akira glanced down at the chair she was still holding.
Tier: And the mistake?
Anok: You told me where it was when you looked at Dantero's portal instead of your receiver.
Tier went quiet.
Anok stepped closer.
Anok: You've improved the receiver. You trust it now. The portal still irritates you.
Dantero: Oi.
Anok: So I started with the part you trusted least. You'd have inspected everything you trusted most.
Tier let out a slow breath.
Then he smiled.
Tier: I want to show you something.
Akira lifted one hand.
Akira: Tomorrow.
Tier turned.
Akira: You can show him tomorrow.
Anok looked toward the tables.
Anok: She's right.
Tier looked back at him.
Anok: You haven't finished the evening you came here for.
For a second, Tier seemed ready to explain why the two things could happen together.
Then he nodded.
Tier: Tomorrow.
Anok rested a hand against his shoulder.
Anok: I'll make time.
The next man stepped through the portal in a dark green jacket and black trousers.
He looked around the terrace, then toward the lawn below it.
Dantero caught his sleeve.
Dantero: Sukiru. Stairs.
Sukiru looked down at the hand.
Sukiru: I've just arrived.
Dantero: And I'd like you to remain at that height.
Sukiru: You sent me an invitation, not landing instructions.
Dantero pointed toward the terrace steps.
Sukiru followed the gesture.
Sukiru: Fine.
He took one step.
A server passing the receiving circle caught her heel against the edge of a folded carpet.
Her tray tilted.
Sukiru's foot moved beneath it.
The tray stopped level on the tip of his shoe.
Not one glass left its place.
He caught the server's forearm with his hand while she found her balance.
Sukiru: You all right?
Server: Yes. Sorry.
Sukiru: Don't worry about it.
She took the tray.
He lowered his leg.
Tier had watched the entire movement.
Tier: Your supporting foot didn't take the impact.
Sukiru looked at him.
Sukiru: It took what it needed.
Tier: Where did the rest go?
Sukiru lifted his heel slightly.
A tiny crease passed through the air beneath it and vanished.
Sukiru: Somewhere empty.
Dantero regarded him.
Dantero: You can do that, but you can't use stairs without an argument?
Sukiru: I can do both.
The third man emerged behind him.
He wore a dark red coat over a black shirt, open at the throat. His hair had been pushed back carelessly. A narrow scar crossed one knuckle, though the hand beneath it looked relaxed.
He started to greet Dantero.
Then he saw the dance floor.
His mouth stayed open.
Dantero waited.
The man looked from one adult woman to another.
Then back again.
Kuna: You said a few people.
Dantero: It is a few people.
Kuna: You lying, beautiful bastard.
He caught Dantero by both shoulders.
Dantero looked down at the hands.
Kuna: I forgive you for the wardrobe.
Dantero: Generous.
Kuna turned toward a woman in a silver evening dress.
She was laughing beside Ilyra.
He took a breath.
Sukiru caught the back of his coat.
Kuna stopped with one foot forward.
Kuna: What?
Sukiru: Close your mouth first.
Kuna did.
Anok handed him a folded cloth.
Kuna looked at it.
Anok tilted the smiling mask toward his chin.
Kuna wiped it.
Dantero shut his eyes.
Dantero: We haven't even fed him.
The woman in silver noticed them.
Woman: Is everything all right?
Kuna straightened so quickly that Sukiru released him.
Kuna: Better now.
She raised an eyebrow.
Kuna glanced at Dantero.
Dantero: Don't look at me. You chose that opening.
Kuna faced her again.
Kuna: I'm Kuna.
Woman: Good evening, Kuna.
Kuna: You look incredible.
Woman: Thank you.
Kuna: Genuinely. I had a much better introduction before I saw you.
Sukiru folded his arms.
Sukiru: He didn't.
Kuna pointed backward without looking.
Kuna: That man isn't with me.
Woman: He's holding your coat.
Kuna turned.
Sukiru still had a handful of it.
Kuna pulled it free.
Kuna: Would you like to dance?
Woman: Perhaps later.
Kuna: I can wait.
Woman: Somewhere else?
Dantero made a sound into his glass.
Kuna placed a hand over his heart.
Kuna: Cruel.
The woman smiled.
Woman: I haven't started.
Kuna went completely still.
Then he turned toward Sukiru.
Kuna: I'm in trouble.
Sukiru: You arrived that way.
A tall woman with silver threaded through her dark hair passed carrying two drinks.
Kuna moved aside immediately.
Kuna: Let me get that for you.
She looked at the glasses.
Woman: I've already got them.
Kuna: I could carry them.
Woman: I'm going three steps.
Kuna: I'm very good at three steps.
She laughed despite herself.
Woman: Enjoy the party.
She continued toward her companion.
Kuna watched her go.
Dantero caught his chin and turned his face back.
Dantero: Eyes here.
Kuna: You're being unreasonable.
Dantero: You've been here a minute and fallen in love twice.
Kuna: Three times.
Sukiru looked at him.
Kuna gestured helplessly toward one of the adult musicians.
Kuna: She smiled at me.
Anok: She was asking you to move away from the instrument case.
Kuna looked down.
He stepped aside.
Kuna: I can do that too.
At the serving table, the young woman beside Dark lowered her head.
Her shoulders shook.
Dark watched her try to hold the laugh in.
Dark: You can laugh.
She shook her head, still smiling.
Woman: He'll hear.
Dark glanced toward Kuna, who was now asking Dantero whether the woman in silver had actually meant later.
Dark: I think he's occupied.
Her laugh escaped.
It was warmer this time.
She looked up at Dark, caught him smiling at her, and immediately grew quieter.
A voice called from beyond the flowers.
Friend: Kaia! Did you get mine?
She turned.
Kaia: You said you didn't want one!
Friend: I changed my mind!
Kaia stared toward the table.
Kaia: Then come here!
The answer was loud enough that Dark laughed.
She faced him quickly.
Her cheeks had colored.
Kaia: She does that all the time.
Dark: I gathered.
Kaia looked at her plate.
Then quietly added:
Kaia: I was getting her one anyway.
Dark moved the tray closer.
Dark: Which?
She pointed.
Kaia: That one. Please.
He placed it beside hers.
Kaia: Thank you.
Dark: Kaia?
She looked up.
Kaia: Yes.
Dark: I'm Dark.
Her lips parted slightly.
Then she smiled.
Kaia: I know.
Dark looked down at his glass.
Dark: Yeah. I keep forgetting that part.
Kaia: It's okay.
She hesitated.
Kaia: I'd rather you told me.
He raised his eyes.
She was looking at her plate again.
For a moment, the music seemed much easier to hear than his own thoughts.
Dark: Nice to meet you.
Kaia glanced up.
Kaia: You too.
A breeze moved across the table.
The folded card beside a tray slid toward the edge.
Both reached.
The card stopped in the air.
Dark felt her magic beneath his.
He loosened his hold.
The card stayed exactly where it was.
Kaia set it back beneath the edge of the tray.
Then she looked at him.
Kaia: Sorry. I didn't realize you were getting it.
Dark barely heard the apology.
The small movement had required almost nothing from her.
What he had felt behind it was another matter.
Kaia noticed his expression.
Kaia: What?
Dark lowered his hand.
Dark: Nothing.
She looked uncertain.
He shook his head.
Dark: Nothing bad.
Her shoulders eased.
Kaia: People look at me like that sometimes.
Dark: Because of your magic?
She nodded.
Kaia: Then they start asking things.
Dark glanced toward Kaelith across the garden.
He looked back.
Dark: I know a few people who do that.
Kaia followed his glance.
Kaia: Is she one?
Dark: Very much.
Kaia smiled.
Dark: You don't have to answer them.
Kaia turned the plate slightly between her hands.
Kaia: I don't really know what to say. I haven't done much with it.
Dark: What do you like doing?
She looked up.
Kaia: With magic?
Dark: With anything.
She seemed to consider the question more carefully than he expected.
Then she looked toward the flowers beside the terrace.
Kaia: Quiet things, mostly.
Dark smiled.
Dark: You picked an interesting party.
A laugh escaped her.
Kaia: My friends wanted me to come.
Dark: Mine too.
She glanced toward the gathering.
Kaia: All of them?
Dark: They took turns.
Her smile widened.
He looked at it for a little too long.
Kaia noticed.
The color returned to her cheeks.
Dark reached for his glass.
Missed it by an inch.
Corrected.
Beneath his collar, Vorax shifted.
Dark: Don't.
Kaia blinked.
Dark looked at her immediately.
Dark: Not you.
A small dark shape lifted beside his collar.
Vorax: He means me.
Kaia pressed her lips together.
Dark looked at the symbiote.
Dark: You're enjoying this.
Vorax: You seem well.
Dark had no useful answer.
Across the terrace, Dantero raised a hand.
Dantero: Dark. Come and say hello before Tier takes Anok apart to see how he works.
Tier: That isn't funny.
Anok: It's a little funny.
Dark glanced toward them.
Kaia stepped aside.
Kaia: You can go.
He looked back.
Dark: I can come back.
She paused.
Kaia: Okay.
He waited a moment.
Dark: If you want.
Her eyes lifted to his.
Kaia: I do.
It was quiet.
He heard it clearly.
Dark nodded.
Dark: Then I will.
At the receiving circle, Anok offered his hand.
Dark took it.
There was no magic beneath the grip.
No foreign mechanism moving through the skin. No altered rhythm in the body behind it.
Anok: Good to meet you properly.
Dark: You too.
Tier stood beside him, unusually attentive.
Dark glanced at the small device now resting in Tier's palm.
Dark: Did he break something?
Tier: No.
Anok: I showed him something he'd left open.
Tier: Which is now closed.
Anok turned toward him.
Anok: Is it?
Tier looked down.
A curved smile appeared on the display.
Dantero laughed.
Tier's expression sharpened.
Tier: You left another route.
Anok: I wanted you to check the repair.
Tier examined the device.
Anok looked back at Dark.
Anok: He'll find it.
Dark: You sound certain.
Anok: I wouldn't have left it there otherwise.
A little farther away, Varek lowered his drink.
Varek: You've reviewed Tier's account of the battle.
The change in subject quieted the small group.
Anok turned.
Anok: Part of it.
Varek: Which part?
Anok: The surrender.
Dark's hand tightened around his glass.
Anok glanced at it.
Then back at Varek.
Anok: Is he still asking the guards questions?
Varek's expression remained level.
Varek: Occasionally.
Anok: About their orders?
Varek: Sometimes.
Anok: Or about whether they remember following them?
Varek did not answer immediately.
Tier lifted his head from the device.
Varek: Explain.
Anok: A question about an order gives him information. A question about remembering it makes the guard inspect his own mind.
Dark thought of Sereon's voice.
The ease with which it could make a completed movement feel real.
Anok: The useful part comes afterward. Does the guard trust himself? Does he ask someone else? Does he repeat the question exactly, or conceal that he was uncertain?
Varek: You think he's testing the staff.
Anok: He's learning how uncertainty travels through your prison.
The music continued behind them.
Tier closed his hand around the device.
Tier: You reached that from the recording?
Anok: I reached it from the question Varek chose not to answer.
Varek watched him.
Anok: He asked someone whether they remembered doing something. That person reported it. You changed a procedure.
Varek: An arrival check.
Anok inclined his head.
Anok: Then he has already made you show him which kind of uncertainty you consider dangerous.
Dark set his glass on the nearest table.
Dark: Why surrender?
Anok looked at him.
Dark: You watched it. Why?
Anok stayed silent for a moment.
Then he asked:
Anok: What did you say before he agreed?
Dark studied the painted smile.
Dark: It's in the recording.
Anok: I know. I'm asking which part you think mattered.
Dark's jaw tightened.
Anok noticed.
Anok: There.
Dark: What?
Anok: You have an answer you don't like.
Varek looked toward Dark.
Dark: He could still fight.
Anok: Yes.
Dark: He knew we'd put him somewhere he couldn't reach anyone.
Anok: You intended to.
Dark held his gaze.
Anok: I'm not telling you your prison has failed. I'm asking you to separate what you wanted the surrender to mean from what he chose it for.
Tier spoke quietly.
Tier: You think imprisonment serves him.
Anok: I think a man who spent that entire battle arranging other people's decisions eventually made one himself. Everyone began examining the restraints immediately afterward.
Varek: As they should.
Anok: Of course. Keep examining them.
He paused.
Anok: But examine the decision too.
Dark: You still haven't answered why.
Anok looked at him for several seconds.
Anok: No. I haven't met him.
Dark frowned.
Anok: A recording tells me which version of himself he presented to you. I want to see what changes when nobody in the room needs him to explain himself.
Varek: You want a visit.
Anok: If you permit it.
Varek considered him.
Anok did not fill the silence.
At last, Varek nodded once.
Varek: We'll discuss it tomorrow.
Anok: Good.
He turned back to Dark.
Anok: You have someone waiting.
Dark looked toward the serving table.
Kaia stood beside her friend now, listening with her plate held close. She glanced toward him, then looked away when their eyes met.
Anok: Go back.
Dark faced him again.
Dark: How did you know?
The golden mask tilted slightly.
Anok: You stopped looking toward the exits.
Dark stayed still.
Anok lifted his glass.
Anok: Enjoy your evening.
Dark returned to the serving table.
Kaia's friend saw him first.
Friend: There he is.
Kaia turned quickly.
Kaia: You don't have to say it like that.
Her friend smiled.
Friend: Like what?
Kaia looked at her.
Friend: Fine. I'm going.
She took the extra cake.
Kaia: That's mine.
Her friend stopped.
Looked at the plate.
Kaia pointed to the other one.
Kaia: That one's yours.
Friend: You're very protective of cake tonight.
Kaia's face warmed.
Kaia: Go away.
Her friend laughed and left.
Dark watched her go.
Kaia looked at him.
Kaia: Don't.
Dark: I didn't say anything.
Kaia: You were smiling.
Dark: Am I not allowed?
She tried to maintain the look.
Failed.
Then she looked down, smiling too.
Dark rested his glass beside her plate.
Dark: Sorry I took so long.
Kaia: It wasn't long.
Across the garden, Kuna stood as the previous song ended.
The woman in silver noticed him approaching.
Woman: You remembered.
Kuna: I've thought about nothing else.
Sukiru, passing behind him, spoke without stopping.
Sukiru: That's unfortunately true.
She held out her hand.
Kuna stared at it for a fraction too long.
Woman: Have you changed your mind?
Kuna took it.
Kuna: Absolutely not.
She led him toward the lawn.
Woman: Can you actually dance?
Kuna: I can learn anything you ask.
Woman: Start with the steps.
Dantero watched them go.
Dantero: There. A miracle.
Anok: Give him time.
Kaia laughed softly.
Dark looked at her.
Kaia: He looks so happy.
Dark: He looks terrified.
She studied Kuna's expression.
Kaia: Both.
Dark smiled.
The music shifted into a slower piece.
Kaia looked toward the dancing, then quickly returned her attention to her plate.
Dark noticed.
Dark: We could sit down.
She looked up.
He nodded toward a bench beside the flowers.
Dark: It's quieter over there.
Her shoulders eased.
Kaia: Okay.
He waited while she lifted her plate.
They walked beside each other, close enough that one of her curls brushed his sleeve when she turned to avoid a passing guest.
At the bench, she gathered the folds of her dress before sitting.
Dark took the other end.
For a while, they watched the party.
Neither tried to fill every second.
Kaia broke her remaining cake in half.
She held a piece toward him.
Kaia: Do you want some?
Dark: You fought for that one.
She smiled.
Kaia: You can have some.
He accepted it.
Dark: Thanks.
A cheer rose from the lawn.
Kuna had completed a turn without stepping on his partner.
He looked so pleased that she laughed.
Then she said something.
His expression changed completely.
Kaia leaned slightly forward.
Kaia: What did she say?
Dark listened.
Dark: That her husband taught her.
Kaia covered her mouth.
Dark lowered his head, laughing.
On the lawn, Kuna looked toward Dantero with open betrayal.
Dantero raised both hands.
Dantero: You never asked!
Kaia's laughter grew louder.
She caught herself when someone nearby glanced over, then pressed her lips together and looked down.
Dark turned toward her.
Dark: You don't have to stop.
She glanced at him.
The smile was still there.
Kaia: I'm being loud.
Dark: I noticed bu-
She gave him a small, wounded look.
Dark looked at her.
Dark: What..?
Kaia: You're mean.
Dark: You told your friend to go away over cake.
Kaia: She deserved it.
He laughed.
She watched him for a moment.
Then she laughed again, quietly this time because she wanted to.
When it settled, she remained a little closer than before.
Dark looked down at the cake in his hand.
Kaia looked toward the music.
Neither moved away.
To Be Continued.
End of Arc 5, Chapter 2.