Ecdysis

Chapter 37. The Soured Feast

Amanzhan Kiymetl Irada

The first feeling that something was going terribly wrong hit her just as she entered the dining hall.

“Was I wrong about our agreement, mother?” It took all of her willpower to keep her voice calm in front of Matriarch. There were others around. “Did Aikerim empty the Kiymetl coffers just to have a single Feast? So much gold wasted for a Lady that is not even trying to claim a decent husband? Our House will be a laughing stock for centuries.”

“Watch your tongue, daughter,” Nanaya Ayda adjusted her Arksite kaftan, “for it sounds as if you are trying to accuse me of betraying my own family. What we agreed to still holds true — I did not assist Aikerim with gold nor with power. Nor did I instruct others to do so. From my reports, Anaise’s Entrance Feast was funded by Aikerim alone.”

Amanzhan bit her lip. While she did arrive well-dressed for the occasion, Aikerim was flaunting way too much wealth! The Speaker of Kiymetl saw the concerned gazes of other Dominas: this was going to put a lot of strain on other Kiymetl Manors just to keep up.

She glanced at her mother. Unfortunately, Aikerim was smart despite her age. The Matriarch’s kaftan was obviously a gift just for this occasion: Anaise Hilal was the central figure of this Feast but she should never outshine her Matriarch.

“How deep in debt do you think she went just to procure this much Arksite? And who would be willing to give her so much?” Amanzhan looked across the room. The Entrance Feast had all the standard showcases of wealth: gold, gems, and plates laden with exotic food, wine, and spices. But it was the hegemony of a single colour that put the opulence to another level.

Aikerim even decided to add Arksite to clay plates!

“I do not think she has purchased any…” Matriarch murmured. “Her Manor doesn’t trade with Arksite merchants coming from afar, yours do. Think for yourself how long it would have taken her to procure this much. And how likely would it be that you never heard even a rumour about it.”

Amanzhan felt the cold sweat on her back. “You think that she found an Arksite mine?”

This was impossible! She was paying close attention to what lands her sister was trying to buy and she made sure that Aikerim wouldn’t get any. Either by pressuring the sellers, or buying the lands herself.

“No. Not a mine. Something like that would have attracted a lot more attention. I am quite sure that all this was made within the boundaries of her Manor.”

“A fake, then. No wermage could replicate the tears of the sky. Some have tried but their attempts always withered and lost colour quickly. To think that a Spark-less murk…” Amanzhan glanced at Matriarch. “I fear for our House, mother. If this forgery is going to annoy the Goddess, it will not be just Aikerim that will suffer her wrath; she could pull down all of Kiymetl with her. Just give me the word and I will solve this issue.”

Nanaya Kiymetl Ayda lay in a litter, silently observing the beginning of the Feast where Anaise was greeting her family. The Speaker and Matriarch of Kiymetl would be the last to greet and be greeted.

“Why does Sophia Chasya desire him?”

“What do you mean?”

“You heard me, daughter. Your concerns are heard but I know what drives them. So tell me — why does she desire him?”

Amanzhan scoffed. “Desire? What is there to desire? Aikerim didn’t raise her daughter right or Anaise wouldn’t sacrifice her children for some golden-feathered peacock. By the Three Horns, mother — it doesn’t even have Spark. This is like marrying a horse because it keeps winning races!”

Nanaya glared at her. “I know what it looks like, but I also noticed that you have avoided my question. Why?”

“Virnan Shah did manage to annoy her with his help or so they say. If someone used a slave to strike at me, I could see myself retaliating on that slave in turn.”

“Or through that slave? Hmm?”

Amanzhan pursed her lips. “We are talking about a potential blasphemy in our House. Flow takes years to learn and master, it won’t divulge its secrets without effort. Yet Aikerim grew too powerful too fast. As if aided by something unnatural, something foul.”

Nanaya shook her head. “If Censor had a speck of suspicion about blasphemy, she would have claimed him a long time ago. Directly from Aikerim and my daughter wouldn’t do anything but accept. Worse, Sophia could simply claim such blasphemy, as you just did. That would give her enough leverage to take him. Yet she did not.

“I have no idea what had stopped her from doing so but I do know the price she is willing to offer.” Matriarch waved at the centre of the hall. “You weren’t the only one she tried to bargain with — Aikerim got a Divine Ritual that coincided with Anaise’s Entrance Feast. Then there is your offer; tell me child — what did she offer you?”

Amanzhan palmed her warm belly; she already felt the pangs of need within. “You are already aware of her offer: a powerful child. Something more substantial than a mere murk with some knowledge. Secrets come and go but the blood thickens with time. Just imagine how strong my future daughter could be if I conceive her with someone like Albin Chasya, during the Divine Ritual when the Gods above are blessing us with the Divine Flow!”

“But did she specify that it would be the seed of Albin Chasya? You aren’t the first that has tried to claim him and he is notorious for his refusals despite what his sister might say.”

“You think that the Censor herself would lie on her promises? Sophia Chasya did say that she is uniquely able to guarantee the outcome.”

Nanaya Ayda glared at her. “I think that Censor doesn’t need to lie at all. In fact, she might have fulfilled her end of the bargain already.”

“What do you mean?”

Matriarch sighed. “You already have a guarantee that your next child will be a powerful one. And not just yours — half of Samat is currently fucking the other half! Just on the slim chance that they might carry a child while the Divine Castle is in the sky! Would you dare to argue with the Censor that she is not uniquely able to ask this boon from the Goddess?”

“But that makes it more important that we complete the bargain!”

“You, Amanzhan.” Nanaya Ayda narrowed her eyes. “Not ‘we’. This was a bargain between your Manor and hers, not between our Houses. I didn’t agree to abstain just because you asked me to.”

The orange tail waved at the entire room. “This is no longer a small dispute where your status as firstborn daughter is enough. If you think that Kiymetl should take your path — prove it. Prove it to your fellow Dominas and prove it to me.”

Amanzhan scoffed and waved at her slaves to carry her litter forward.

XXX

“Here she comes,” Anaise whispered beside me.

I looked over to the approaching werfox and nodded slightly to Anaise. The Entrance Feast was a mixture of a birthday celebration, a debutante ball for one person, and political grandstanding. Anaise, with her entourage, sat at the centre of the room and welcomed her extended family, one Domina at a time.

Greetings were exchanged, gifts were given, and token affirmations about mutual relationships were relayed.

Aikerim confessed earlier that most Ladies of the House had much smaller events. Many Manors would usually send a delegate to relay their well-wishes and call it a day. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the Divine Ritual brought all Kiymetl Dominas into the city. And then rumours of the daimon and the newfound magical prowess of Aikerim ensured that most of them would come here in person.

There was also tension between the Aikerim and Amanzhan Manors. All these Dominas had at least some ability to recognise the growing power imbalance and they were here to smell the waters. Like a school of sharks waiting for fresh blood.

There was a lot of pressure on Anaise, but she did her best throughout the event. Her smile switched from benevolent to grateful when it was necessary, the beads of sweat were wiped away with magic when no one was looking, and her growing frustration and exhaustion were well hidden.

I made sure to sit on her tail just in case.

We were all here, playing our own subtle roles to maintain the narrative. Yeva was conversing with Shahin about some glass-related topics, Irje would occasionally perform wermage activities like levitating food from nearby tables or passing servants.

I sat like a peacock most of the time.

They were interested: I could see it in their gazes. But, according to Irje, they didn’t have tits big enough to broach the subject directly with me. That would indicate an admission of my status and a possible display of allegiance to Aikerim’s faction.

Politics.

I was biding my time as well. I was supposed to be this enigmatic daimon after all. It was easier to look bored and uninterested rather than try to domineer every conversation. The importance of the guests was rising with time, and if I were to speak up to a less important Domina while staying silent with one after it would instantly ‘imply’ at what level of power I saw myself.

Damn politics.

“I greet you, young mage. On this fine day, you are taking your first steps into an adult’s life. A path that is riddled with opportunities and turmoil!” Amanzhan smiled sweetly at Anaise. “Actions and consequences, too.”

Anaise nodded in turn. “Thank you, my dear aunt. The road ahead of me is indeed long, but I find myself blessed with trusty guides all around me.”

“Ah yes, ‘guides’.” Amanzhan clapped her hands.

Servants started to move behind her and I sat up straighter, readying myself.

“I know that your mother loves you dearly,” the Speaker of Kiymetl mused as four pairs of burly hands dragged two chests upfront. “Too dearly — just by looking at this room I can see that you are the gem in Aikerim Adal’s eyes!”

She sighed. “But such love comes at a cost. I fear to imagine what cost my younger sister incurred just to make this day memorable for you. Please take this paltry gift as a token of assurance — Kiymetl doesn’t leave its Manors destitute. I certainly did not anticipate this level of opulence but I am sure that my other sisters and aunts will extend a helping hand as well. Perhaps the Manor of your future husband? With this much wealth, you are bound to catch the sight of many young wermages.”

The lids popped open, causing gasps among the crowd. The chests were full of gold and gems. At least they were on top. Anaise smiled through her gritted teeth. The initial gasps were followed by murmurs — Amanzhan made sure to use the luxury she could not outright deny. Now everyone around us was seeing the cost it would hypothetically incur on the entire House rather than our level of prosperity.

Nor could Anaise directly talk about me — implications were fine but Nanaya Ayda set her foot down on public proclamations. Something that Amanzhan Irada was quick to notice.

“I appreciate your concern, aunt. I do, but there is no need to worry — our coffers are as full as ever. But your gift is more than generous; please allow me to repay in kind.”

She made a gesture and two servants walked in carrying two bolts of silk, silencing the murmuring crowd. They were longer and wider than any bolt one could find in the bazaar — the result of new looms. But colour trumped size: one was blue as midnight sky while the other shined as pure gold.

Well, not exactly gold — it merely looked like gold. The spider silk was stronger and more durable. Cheaper to make too — all I had to do was water the bio-printer and wait until it could convert enough sunshine into thread.

“Nonsense, child.” Amanzhan had a great deal of control over her face. “I can hear the worry in your voice. You don’t need to hide it — we are among the family. If it is not the gold you’ve spent then we can assist with the favour your mother had incurred-”

“And what makes you think that any of this was bought?” I barged into the conversation with the grace of an elephant.

Amanzhan hissed, “Who do you think you are to speak when betters are talking?”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “You know exactly who I am. The reason Aikerim Adal’s coffers are full and there are no favours that she accrued is because all these gifts weren’t bought. They were made. Right here in this Manor.”

“You dare to blaspheme that you can make Arksite?”

“You mean the blue stuff all around?” I grinned. “I do. You can bring your truth ball if you want to make sure — I will stand by my statement. Besides, I am the Alchemist of Kiymetl. Making these things is what alchemists do.”

“No one has been able to perform a successful transmutation!”

I spread my arms. “That’s quite unfortunate for them, what else can I say? Why should the failures of others dictate what I can or can not do?”

Amanzhan glared at me, only to glance at Anaise. “Are you going to let him talk over you? You just stepped into adulthood and you are just as quick to give it away? To let others speak for you?”

Anaise smiled. “Isn’t that how it is done?”

Her hand reached out and caressed my hair. “Instead of fiery speeches that bear no substance, I let my deeds speak for me.”

“Your deeds? As far as I can see these are your favours.” Amanzhan shook her head. “Just to think that one of Kiymetl would step so low just to obtain some wealth.”

Her speech wasn’t as impactful as she hoped. I could feel the contemplative eyes on me already. Many Dominas in this room took their time to assess Aikerim’s new wealth and some had found my hypothetical demands…adequate.

I knew that the scene I was causing would raise my notoriety among Kiymetl. Just as it would raise it among Esca and Enoch. Both Shahin and Tarhunna were listening to my ‘outburst’. While Anaise’s father was somewhat in the know and was personally assured by Aikerim quietly laying nearby, the lamia was watching in rapt attention, soaking in everything that I managed to divulge.

“All favours that I’ve asked from Aikerim were paid a long time ago. All this,” I spread my hands around, “I gave to her without asking for anything in return. Just because I felt like it. Just because I felt like her Manor deserves greatness. Don’t make me change my mind about Kiymetl as a whole.”

“Or what?” Amanzhan rose from her litter. “You dare to threaten our entire House?”

In the corner of my eye, I could see Matriarch stirring up as well. But I wasn’t done.

“Threaten?” I smiled as I stood up myself. “Oh no, I dare to do something worse. I can leave you alone.”

The Speaker glanced at me frowning. That was expected: of all people in this room, only Aikerim and my sadaq had any idea of what I was trying to convey. For the rest, I would need to use my fingers to explain.

I clasped my hands behind my back, trying to remember the short lecture Albin once gave me about daimonas.

“It has been about a season since I walked into Aikerim’s manor for the first time.” I began as I started to slowly pace in front of Amanzhan. “Despite such a short time, I managed to develop plenty of discoveries. Soaps, pretty dyes…glass…and a plethora of others which are still considered Manoral Secrets. I didn’t discover any of these.”

Shahin glanced at me sharply. While Amanzhan opened her mouth to speak.

“I was ‘born’ knowing these.” My statement shut her up as her eyes started to widen. I wasn’t sure if someone was sneakily checking on my speech with an Orb of Truth, but my statement had been technically correct.

A few weeks ago, Erf died in that shuttle. Erf the Serf.

A few weeks ago, Erf was born in that shuttle. Erf the Navigator.

And just like the fabled daimonas, he was born with knowledge beyond his age.

A coincidence most likely, but I let her and all other Kiymetl ladies around us draw their own conclusions. Just as I once let Shahin do the same.

Speaking about snakes.

“Shahin Esca Yusuf-ja.” I turned around. “Do you remember what I did when you decided to attack me and mine?”

She had enough confidence to roll her eyes at me. “You threatened my entire clan’s well-being.”

I shook my head. “Aikerim Adal threatened your clan, not me. All I had to do was simply do nothing and keep walking through my path in life. That alone was enough to give Aikerim Adal advantage and leverage.”

I turned back to Amanzhan. “I didn’t start dabbling with glass because I had a grudge against Esca. I did it because I was in need of glass. I needed a special type of glass that Esca didn’t provide and were too far for me to teach. So I gave the knowledge to Aikerim. She got new income and potential leverage on a powerful clan from afar, while I got my glass.

“I did it because I have trust in Aikerim Adal. Because she has shown herself as a wise and intelligent ruler, who would use my knowledge carefully without growing drunk with the feeling of power. Prove me otherwise and I will simply move on, and find some other House.”

I ignored the concerned Aikerim and indignant Anaise. “I know that Kiymetl doesn’t need me — you are a powerful House and you will not collapse just because I chose to part ways. But I don’t need you either. The union is not based on necessity but mutual benefit.”

Amanzhan scoffed, “I knew you were fey-touched when you thought yourself on par with me, but you dare to consider yourself on par with all of Kiymetl!? Just because you managed to lead my younger sister astray by dangling some crumbs of knowledge in front of her? Your arrogance is boundless! Continue to speak like that and you might even forfeit your life!”

I smiled and took a bow in the direction of Nanaya Ayda. “Esteemed Matriarch, allow me to ask you for a favour.”

The shift in my tone was obvious to everyone. With just a single motion I let everyone know that it is not the Kiymetl I had an issue with, but Amanzhan Irada herself.

Matriarch shook her head. “This was supposed to be a day of joy, yet all I hear are threats being thrown in both directions. You have a lot of gall to ask for a boon in this situation.”

“Not a boon, but a test of my honesty, Matriarch.” My hand reached out and touched Anaise’s shoulder. “Forgive me, but I could not sit still while your daughter tried to disparage someone dear to me.”

Anaise pinked slightly. Irje grinned and Yeva rolled her eyes so hard I could hear it behind the blindfold.

Aikerim exhaled in relief, she was holding her breath for quite some time, it seemed.

“You wish to be judged by the Orb of Truth? Why?”

“Because your daughter won’t believe a word that will come out of my mouth. And I assure you that no one in this room, myself included, has any desire to see me prove my words.”

Nanaya Kiymetl Ayda watched me silently for some time amidst the susurration of the curious and anxious crowd all around us. Then she took a glance at both her daughters.

Aikerim nodded to her.

“Very well,” Matriarch allowed. “But know that if I see a wisp of a lie, I will respond appropriately. And I do know how.”

I bowed again in quiet acceptance and waited until she brought up the Orb for everyone to see.

“I know many things,” I started another tale, “too numerous to count. So numerous that if I tried to share them all with Aikerim Adal, I would be speaking for a thousand and one nights. But I will not. Because most of that knowledge will be useless, just like the knowledge of how to bake bread is useless to a person who doesn't know how to mill the flour. Everything comes in order.”

“But everything goes to Aikerim?”

I shrugged. “All of Kiymetl uses the numbers that I gave you by now. And the bookkeeping system. Some knowledge is too wasteful to keep it secret. The gain is too small unless the entire system benefits.”

“And why did you use divine runes for your numbers, then?” Amanzhan suddenly demanded.

I gave her a side-glance. “I did not. Either it is a mere coincidence, or it is the runes that borrowed the shapes, instead.”

Nanaya glared at the innocent number one that floated above the Orb and declared my answer as truthful. “That might be your own belief.”

I nodded. “That it is, and there is no way to prove or disprove it at the moment. But I digress.

“There is a vast library of knowledge in my mind and I am eager to spread it. A golden cut is worthless if all it does is sit in your coffers until you are dead. I will continue to spread this knowledge, be it under the roof of Kiymetl or some other House.” I glanced at Shahin. “Perhaps, even Esca.”

Shahin bowed in turn. “This was the purpose of my visit from the beginning. Be assured that Esca would welcome you with the warmth of our fires.”

I nodded. “I am not arrogant, I am prudent. I prefer to have the freedom to work, create, and build a better future rather than waste my time physically explaining to every wermage that I can and I will defend myself. I am more than willing to delegate such tasks to someone else even if it means that they would earn most of the profit.”

I stood silently for a second and then nodded to myself. “I have the knowledge to build and to create. I have the knowledge to kill too.”

I lifted my eyes and looked straight at Nanaya Ayda, the orange-haired Matriarch of a Pillar House. One of the Seven most powerful ladies in the entire Emanai. “I’ve heard that wermages on the brink of death usually find the power within themselves to cast spells beyond their limits? I have something similar.”

“All you are going to cast without Spark is a fart. A smelly one if you are dying,” Amanzhan scoffed. I could see her annoyance at being sidelined but she didn’t dare to constantly interrupt her mother.

I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. She was so close and didn’t even know it.

“Sure, let’s call it a fart.” I snickered, but my mirth disappeared just as quickly.

“But it would be a fart that would kill the entire city of Samat. Murk, wer, wermage…everyone. I am not avoiding violence because I consider myself weak, oh Matriarch of Kiymetl. I avoid violence because I fear misjudging my strength and killing too many.”

I spoke quietly and without bothering to raise my voice. Anaise was right — there was no turning back after that meeting with Matriarch.

So I did act like it.