Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening/Night(whichever one it is in your part of the world),
Hi! I'm here to leave a quick review!!
First Impression: Hmm it seems we've got ourselves a genuinely sweeter chapter for a change. The one with Hasda was one of those two but it ended a bit quickly and with that throne chapter I was thinking we'd drive straight back into all of these little duties that had popped. It is good to see a lit bit of rest happening instead.
Anyway let's get right to it,
We sat in the inner chambers of Malia’s Nebesan temple, Malia soaking in a tub of healing water. It had been ages since I last visited, since we mostly held conference by the fountain of Maas Pirene. Standing torches guttered with flickering flame, painting shadow murals with the evening sunlight on the marbled walls. The timid priestesses had followed us all the way back from Seppo’s temple and now kneeled next to Malia, changing the towels on her forehead and laving her wounds.
I sat on a lumpy pile of cushions out of splash range. It was nice to take a break, even if I’d be heading out soon. I’d sent word to Hasda that he should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, but to enjoy Nebesa until then. Who knew when our next respite would come?
“So, what are my categories?” Malia asked. A towel covered her eyes, her snakes flicking their tongues in the steam rising off the cloth.
I sighed. “I’m not sure there’s ‘good’ news this time.”
Okay...well I suppose here comes potentially a genuine rest, the last two even though they are sort of bridging the gap between an intense fighting situations and what I'm sure will be more intense things to come were still done with everyone on the move and seeing even more mysteries. It does seem that this on the other hand will be a genuine sit down discussion of some sort.
“Ooh, I love those.” She smiled and sank deeper into the bath. “Chronological order, then.”
Settling back on the cushions, I recounted everything that’d happened after she left. Her lips twitched when I mentioned the hydra eggs, but what really got her attention was Phemonoe’s terrifying vision.
“She wouldn’t tell you what it was?” she said.
I shook my head, then grunted at the stupid towel and said, “No. But whatever it was, it must have been terrible.”
Malia hummed and drummed the rim of the tub with her fingers. “Will you take her to the astral plane again? It might help her stabilize these new abilities of hers.”
“I could try, after we handle the Sea Mother.” I poked her arm. “And by ‘we,’ I mean Hasda and I. You need to rest until you’re fully healed.”
She pushed the edge of the towel up and gave me a look. “When was the last time that worked?”
Well...that much I'm sure will surprise absolutely nobody, not to mention even if she does somehow manage to be convinced to stay behind by the end of this conversation, there is no chance I'm going to actually believe she's not going to try and follow in some way or the other anyway.
“I love you, and I’m serious.” I folded my arms and laid further back on the cushions. “The Sea Mother is going to be trouble enough, but then we have the Paedens making moves on our western borders now, and they still haven’t given up on Aenea. I can’t fight all these fronts by myself.”
“I didn’t hear enough flattery in that statement to convince me.” Smiling, she let the towel cover her eyes again and sat back.
I grunted. “I suppose you could find a way for the Second Trial to be certified, despite the Arbiter never arriving.”
She flicked a hand dismissively. “Child’s play. Your testimony should be enough, and with Kydon contesting the Paedens’ dispute over our western border, Seppo shouldn’t have a problem approving it.”
“Perhaps.” I glanced at the priestesses. “Aren’t those Phemonoe’s?”
Well Malia has a knack of making things sound so much easier than they appear at first although I'm going to safely assume, this isn't going to be nearly as simple just right off the bat like that. There will probably be at least one complication, although given the magnitude of every other problem surrounding them I wouldn't be too surprised if that particular one had a slightly less chaotic ending.
“Were,” Malia said, emphasizing the word. “They were blessed with attending my person, and now belong to my temple. They know, of course, not to let anything discussed here slip beyond these walls, lest they find themselves minted among my statue collection.”
They paled even further and failed to hide the trembles in their hands.
I sighed. While her humor could be lost on others, it was sometimes hard to spot when she was joking. And, since she hadn’t had mortal priestesses inhabiting her Nebesan temple in…well, a really long time, I could understand these two’s hesitation. I gave them a thin-lipped smile. “She’s teasing, and doing a horrible job of it. Phemonoe’s attendants have always been above repute.”
“Don’t give away all my secrets,” Malia said, frowning. “I haven’t finished having my fun.”
Hah, well that's another rare cute moment. We have missing those of late, and it is always fun to see mortals tremble like that for a bit before goes ahead and points out that its actually not as bad as it seems. Well this was certainly a nice moment although I do wonder if something about this is going to be important to remember for later.
I rolled my eyes, although Malia couldn’t see it to appreciate the gesture. Slapping my palms on my knees, I pushed to my feet. “Most threats are fairly innocuous. And, unless she becomes woefully attached to you, she’ll send you back to the High Oracle’s service once she’s better. She’s not actually going to keep you as retainers.”
While the shaking didn’t diminish, they did look slightly relieved, although the glances they shot Malia’s snakes made it clear they were afraid to show it in front of her.
Malia stuck her tongue out at me. “You always spoil things. I’m almost regretting my surprise.”
“You wanted my help with an unpetrified Lazuli?”
“Not that.” She pushed the towel all the way up this time, brow furrowed. “Who told you about Lazuli?”
Oh dear, Charax is unravelling everything for poor Malia there. I do love to see these more important topics being slid nicely into these sweeter points. Its probably going to be the last bit of levity we get to see for a while post this given just how much has been built up in the background to be dealt with.
“Phe did, on the way to Seppo.” Grinning, I wiped a bead of sweat off my chin. It was rather steamy in here.
“Everyone’s ruining my fun today.” Pouting, she crossed her arms and sank into the water, up to her nose.
I arched a brow. “So no surprise today?”
“Fine.” She splashed water over the rim sitting up. “Have you felt your war itch lately?”
“No?” Absently I scratched at the side of my neck. I hadn’t felt anything recently, but I’d been in close proximity to an important fight so it wasn’t surprising if I’d missed something more distant.
Her wings slipped out of the water, dripping pools on the floor behind her and flecking the priestesses’ dresses. “Azoria is remarkably resourceful. Did Phemonoe also tell you about the Desert Nomad temples she nurtured?”
Well...it seems we've already skipped to the extra surprises that we're going to be getting, well at the very least it all so far seem simple enough judging by the build up here although given this is Malia, there's probably a lot more things to be worrying about headed our way quite soon.
I shook my head. “Vrixia did.”
“Do you remember the Numaedans?” She examined the backs of her nails, which she’d let grow nearly into claws.
“The horse breeders? What about them?” Not quite nomadic, they were a desert people who lived deep in the heart of the Aenean continent and migrated to the coast to trade with the Aeneans and Carthian seafarers. Woven kite shields, bead-riddled dresses, and equines were their finest wares, although they sometimes brought gemstones and metals as well. But they’d never held close ties to any of our peoples, or the Paedens, for that matter. Where was she going with this?
Fangs glistened as a smile split her lips. “I may have enlisted a couple clans in the Aenean army.”
I blinked. “You’re recruiting?”
Well that's not something I saw coming, although that does sound like the sort of thing that would be fairly obvious as being necessary for a war. I suppose I simply assumed this entire conflict was going to be fought with just the gods and few random celestial minions, I suppose that will not be how this goes.
“Shouldn’t I be?” She gave me an innocent smile and fluttered her eyes. “The Paedens haven’t yet learned to leave well enough alone, and Hasda’s nearly ready to lead. Would you have him be the head of a non-existent force?”
I grunted. “Did you know about Kydon?”
“Not before.” She shook her head, discarding the cooled cloth. The priestesses scrambled to replace it, but she shooed them away. “I’m feeling better now. Go. I’ll call you when I need attendants.”
Faces pale, they gathered up the tools of their ministration and scurried out of the chamber. Their robes fluttered about their ankles in their haste. While technically a breach of etiquette, Malia hadn’t done them any favors, either.
“Don’t look so sour.” She pushed my arm. “I have to find my fun some way if you won’t let me go.”
“We both know you’re going to come, even if you have to physically hold your insides in, no matter how I plead.” I folded my arms at her frown. “And what’s this I hear about you wanting to depetrify Lazuli? You’re in no condition to be gazing or ungazing, for that matter.”
Well its good to know that Charax does indeed know Malia very well there. Although hmm that last he brought up does dampen the mood of the whole thing a tiny bit because that's a point I was not considering when that was brought up earlier. I have a feeling that particular arrangement is going to cause some problems soon.
“I did say I wanted your help with her.” She pouted, splashing water as she sat back a little too quickly.
I sighed. “Gleaning what we can before we face the Sea Mother would be useful, but we also have to keep in mind your condition and hers. Tamiyat claims to have discarded her, but was the connection truly severed? You’re in no shape to take on the astral plane.” A frown pulled at the corner of my lips as I remembered how far the Sea Mother’s corrosion had spread. “The whole realm is becoming toxic.”
Her eyes flicked open, and she speared me without moving her head. “I’m not the only one with an astral form, you know.”
“Yours is far more developed than mine,” I countered. “I can barely hold its outline on my own. There’s no way I can guarantee that I could sever any communication attempt between Lazuli and the Sea Mother.”
“Are you trying to insult me?”
I scowled. “More than you, me, by refusing to rest properly?”
Oh well that's introducing a problem I didn't even predict, but well there goes one very good reason why this could all end up going to full chaos by going ahead with this plan although it does seem like almost the advantage is going to be somehow worth it here.
We glared at each other for a moment. Pig-headed woman. She was always taunting the world and expecting to get away with impunity. What constituted limit testing for me were just “suggestions” to her, although the fact that she was stubborn enough to insist on accompanying me to the battle meant she was on the mend. But antagonizing the Sea Mother while her injuries remained was foolish, at best. Some things never changed, Malia least of all.
I sighed. “Fine. But I need to escort Phemonoe to Peklo while you’re taking her out.”
Malia raised a brow. “The astral plane wasn’t enough, you need to take her to the depths now, too?”
“This time, it’s her request.” I grunted a laugh, trying and failing to mask the concern in my voice. “She wants to consult the spirits of the Oracles before her.”
Well...I completely forgot that needed to happen, perhaps this one will give us some sort of a hint towards what could possibly be this mysterious new vision that's shaking everyone quite so badly. It crazy enough that I can't even begin to imagine what it might be about.
Shock mingled with awe on her cracked face. “The vision shook her that badly?”
I nodded. “I will see what I can learn while we’re there. Do you know where those spirits might be?”
Malia looked off in the distance, her finger tapping her lips. “It’s been decades since I last went down. You’ll have to ask Thane. Or…” A smile curled her lips, and her eyes lit up.
I scowled. “No.”
“Oh, come on.” She splashed water at me. “You’re going to end up taking the Office back from him eventually. You might as well use the Scythe to guide you in the meantime.”
Well...that particular one I did see coming, it's pretty clear its part of Malia's ultimate plan to get Charax out of retirment for him to get a hold of his own office back once again...although given the confusion going on and the fact that it was quite rightly postponed makes me wonder if in the end this is going to turn out even more chaotic as a result.
“We’ve skipped enough ceremony due to the circumstances.” I folded my arms and wore my best scowl. “I’m not taking the symbol of the Office, any more I am the station itself, until we can transition properly. I’ll just ask Thane about them.”
She slid to the edge of the tub, her elbows slipping over the rim. “You saw the condition he’s in. You think he’s going to be up to guiding you through Peklo, O Great Bedrest Physician?”
I rolled my eyes. “General directions will work fine. I haven’t lost my ability to track souls down just because I’m not the God of Death anymore.”
Well good to know we're at least ending on a sweet moment because I was concerned with the amount of seriousness happening in the middle there. Although it seems at least nothing too terribly new has been unleashed in this chapter so it was a half decent rest.
“Suit yourself.” Her smile was knowing.
“You behave.” I poked her nose. “And don’t let Lazuli out until I get there.”
“I’ll start from the feet.” Her eyes glowed as she said it.
Pity flickered in my mind. As Lazuli lost her petrification, the feeling would return to her exposed skin. Malia had said she would have her fun, and I didn’t envy the minor goddess for her role in alleviating her boredom.
“Be nice, okay?” I said.
Malia just smiled.
Yup that smile is quite potentially the scariest cliffhanger of the story so far...no doubts about that, Lazuli is probably going to pay for every single injury Malia suffered since that fight so long ago, whether Lazuli was responsible for it or not.
Aaaaand that's it for this one.
Overall: Overall, I think its a lovely little rest chapter here. Charax did certainly deserve to have one of those, especially given that things are almost definitely only about to get worse and worse the longer this continues on here.
As always remember to take what you think was helpful and forget the rest.
Stay Safe
Harry
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