Arkas was a world of vast oceans and tropical islands. Corsairs, elf fugitives and Firemane corpocrats had all left their mark on the planet, yet much of it remained unexplored and unspoilt. This was to the benefit of those who valued secrecy. One such place was the Obsidian Isle. A volcanic island was just the place for the Young Phoenix to go. The chamber was a large, gloomy cave within the heart of the volcano. At the moment, she was pacing, clutching a by now rather worn out piece of paper. She very much looked like a frustrated predator. Or a contained wildfire that really wanted to burst out. She wore a simple, olive green uniform, devoid of ribbons, medals or insignia. Inferno rested on her belt. Her armour lay in the corner. She really missed it right now.
"...they have broken the...uh... sacred covenant with the people....," she muttered to herself. In deference to her physical blindness, the words had been written braille. "And trampled on the law," she sighed in frustration. It all sounded so...fancy, flowery and...so Siobhan and Tegaea. Her jaw tightened.
"Need to work on your delivery, Red. More passion, more energy," an amused voice remarked. Nyssa casually leaned against the wall, a sculpted, muscular arm crossed over her skeletal, durasteel one.
"Shut up. I'm busy," Elpsis growled.
"Not much time left, Red. If you're not ready now, you're never going to be."
Celaena cleared her throat. "Hate to interrupt, boss...but it's pretty dark here. I'm sure the Xio will find it homely, but just because you can see without a light doesn't mean everyone else can. It's going to be awkward if no one can see where they're going."
Elpsis stopped dead in her tracks. "Crap. Get some torches. Should be some in the storage."
"Good, was about to say that you're discriminating against who's not a blind space witch," Natalie added, "very one percenter of you." For a change, she was not wearing sunglasses.
"Grumpy because you had to take your shades off, blondie?" Nyssa asked mockingly. "I can find my way just fine. But if you need help avoiding the lava pools..."
"I have a modest proposal. You take a swim in the lava pool, we use you as a bridge and see if your 'superior genes' protect you from being barbecued."
"Both of you realise that I can, you know, control magma here?" Elpsis growled in irritation. "I'm not in the mood for your bullshit. Cel, go and put up some torches. Make sure everyone gets here. Right...where was I?"
"Being dramatic," Natalie commented. "Oh, thank the heaven, light," she added when the cave was suddenly illuminated by faint torchlight. She checked her datapad. "I've sliced the orbital registers, by the way. For the next couple hours Firemane's going to get a stream of faked data for this region. For everyone who's an ignoramus, this means our movements can't be tracked."
"Thank you, Nat," Elpsis said genuinely. "Nyssa, anything to report before I get back to this? We good on security?"
"Oh, nothing. Got people keeping an eye on the tunnel. All's fine. Well," Nyssa made a needlessly dramatic pause, "I removed the Seekers from the guest list."
"You did what?!" Elpsis snapped irritably. "You need my permission for that."
"If I come to you for every teeny weeny detail, you'll be swamped and we won't get anything done," Nyssa retorted nonchalantly.
"This isn't smal stuff!"
"The Seekers sending a representative to Arkas would be unusual. They'll be missed way easier than the Daughters. Furthermore, their allegiance is to the Queen first, not you."
"Seekers are good people. It's about toppling the slaver scum, not House Kerrigan-Alcori's glorious restoration," Elpsis said with a strong note of bitterness in her voice.
"Girl, you're making a power move. With noble motives, yadda yadda," Nyssa raised her metal hand to forestall an eruption. "People will perceive it as the 'glorious restoration', but you can take ownership of it and make it yours. Siobhan's a non-factor, Tegaea's has-been celebrity trash. But if you don't just want to be bossed around by one of the queens or whichever Firemane bigwig suddenly 'sees the light', you need a base. These people are your base. Call the Seekers later when we have one."
A look of uncertainty crossed Elpsis' scarred features, then she nodded reluctantly. "Fine. We'll bring them in later."
"I want you to win this game, Elpsis. Honestly."
"It's not a game. It's my duty."
The Pureblood shrugged indifferently. "Call it whatever you want."
"My mothers built Firemane - all of this. They didn't tell the oligarchs and profiteers to put innocent people in chains...but they built the machine. And it's up to me to break it...by any means necessary."
"Don't let the cultists know you're not on the Siobhan hype train," Natalie commented.
Elpsis gave her a stern look. "She wasn't my beloved mother. I didn't love her. She didn't love me."
"Just a simple platitude, Red," Nyssa said.
"A lie. I'm not going to pretend. She wanted a lackey, not a daughter. And Tegaea wanted a doll she could pretty up to be as vapid and greedy as her."
"Start playing the game of crowns, and you're going to be doing a lot of lying, girl. Day in, day out," Natalie commented.
Elpsis ground her teeth, and was about to go back to her speech when suddenly the trio heard loud, stomping noises. The noise heralded the arrival of a giant woman who looked like she was made of rock, which was actually true. Compared to the Kar'zun, Celaena looked fragile and almost delicate, which was a very inaccurate description of the Eldorai woman.
Elpsis looked up to give the Kar'zun a nod. "Kar'zakush, glad you could make it. Any problems?" The pronunciation of that name was deceptively simple, but unless one had a mouth made for grinding granite it never came out right.
"No," the Kar'zun rumbled in a voice like the pounding of hammers. "Little volcano," she gave Elpsis a curt nod. "Faithful Torch," she said to Celaena.
The Eldorai raised an eyebrow. "I'm the torch?"
"You're a small flame, but faithful, steady, strong," was all she got out of the stone woman, though her tone was not unkind. "Shadowed Step," she inclined her head to Natalie.
"I like that," the Essionian responded.
"And what's my nickname?" Nyssa demanded, hands on her hips.
"Bloody Knight."
Nyssa frowned, wondering whether she was supposed to be offended. "You mean Red Knight. Or Death Knight - also good."
"No, bloody." It was always very difficult to discern a Kar'zun facial expressions. To outsiders they always looked...stony. But Kar'zakush was giving her the Kar'zun equivalent of a smirk.
Nonchalantly, Kar'zakush tore some obsidian from the cave wall. "Better not eat too much of that, or you'll sedimentary," Nyssa joked. The Kar'zun eyed her, then bit into the rock without comment and began to chew. "Little volcano, I am curious what you have to say," she spoke in her booming voice while staring down at Elpsis.
Elpsis was grateful for the piece of paper in her hands since it kept her from fidgeting. "You're going to hear it soon. Just waiting for a few more folks."
The next to arrive needed no torches or guides. Hailing from the subterranean Underealm, Xioquo were well-adjusted to darkness. They had been born into it, moulded by it. Most had only seen sunlight when they were already women grown, and by then it was nothing to them but blinding. To shield herself from the burning sky of the world above ground, Xalda had worn a wide-brimmed hat. Her features were heavily scarred.
"Sister Alpsis, I greet you!" she declared, speaking Basic with a thick Xio accent. She sounded...earnest. Xalda did everything earnestly, Elpsis thought. She was...odd, but loyal, brave and, as much as Elpsis had trouble wrapping her head around the idea, oddly endearing.
"Nice to see you, too, Xalda." Elpsis abrutly found herself pulled into a tight hug. Xalda planted a kiss on one cheek, then the other. The Xio smelt...nice. A bit awkwardly, Elpsis returned the kisses and the embrace, before stepping back. "Any trouble? Sun not too bad?"
"I endure the trial of the burning sky so it may no longer hide sin from me," Xalda declared fervently. "That...and my lady bought me these," she fished out a pair of sunglasses from her pocket, looking oddly pleased.
"Those aren't bad," Natalie commented.
"Assassin Natalie," Xalda inclined her head slightly. "You have shown my sisters most excellent ways to eradicate the corrupt and stained vermin. We shall remember your name when their mutilated bodies lie before us, and they drown in their own blood."
"EFPs - explosively formed penetrators," Natalie explained when Elpsis stared vaguely in her direction, shrugging. "Fun for the whole family."
It was not long before the next arrivals were escorted into the cave. "It's, uh, quite hot, isn't it?" Zhaleh Jai Bijana said awkwardly. "No such heat in my homeland. I'm still not really used to it."
"I am," Mel said bluntly. "On Tephrike I toiled for years in such heat."
"Oh, I am sorry," the Zaldrani said apologetically. "The commander said you grew up in the...Dominion. I am sorry for the injustice it..."
"You didn't inflict them, so what are you sorry about?" the Mirialan clone cut her off, and sauntered into the cave. She wore simple spacer clothes - pants, vest and combat boots. "Elpsis," she gave the human a nod. "The Advocates send their regards. Unofficially, of course. You lot have made sure no one can trace us?" she asked a bit brusquely.
"Taken care of," Elpsis said firmly. "Natalie did some slicing. Firemane's getting fake data."
"Well, goodie, and hello everyone. Xalda, the eggheads told me to tell that you lot are going to get the cloned organs in two weeks. Took a bit longer than we thought because we had to make sure Xio bodies don't reject the transplants."
Xalda gave her a polite nod. "I thank you."
Zhaleh meanwhile gave everyone a friendly wave. "The Zaldrani clans send their greetings, and wish you good tidings. I was chosen to...represent them. I can speak for them...but I, uh, cannot decide their course unilaterally. We will reach a consensus once we've heard what the course of this council is."
Elpsis gave her an encouraging nod. "That's fine, Zhaleh. How are your people doing?"
"More sky people come with big machines. They take more fish than Mother Nanshe can birth, and they leave poison in the seas and in the land of the Snow Mother. Recruiters come, offering us baubles, but we turn them away. Their poison makes people sick."
"Sounds like Vaderites," Mel commented.
"Or Eldorai," Kar'zakush said in between chewing on some obsidian. "No offence," she added, glancing in the direction of Celaena, who shrugged, and spat. "Screw the Matriarchy."
Elpsis' jaw set harder. Her teeth ground. "Bastards, we're here to put a stop to this. All of it." Beneath the forced chill, her fire burned hot.
"Welcome to colonialism," Natalie commented caustically. "The next step will be deporting you lot to isolated locations where you're dependent on foreign 'aid'. Once your people have been depleted by starvation, they'll seize your young and send them to 'boarding schools' to brainwash them. Then one day say how sorry they are, but you should still keep your mouth shut."
Zhaleh looked troubled, then resolved, balling her callused hands into fists. "We won't let that happen. We shalll fight, for our people and the Snow Mother's land," she said fervently, "even if we have to do it alone."
"The Daughters shall wage this struggle with you," Xalda declared.
"And I'll be there with you," Elpsis said firmly.
Siobhan was gone, Tegaea had succumbed to hedony, sloth and cowardice. The sins of the mothers passed on to the daughter.
She would not,
and could not,
shirk the responsibility.
Elpsis sensed additional presences approaching. The auras of Hazani Jai Bysara and another woman were visible to her through the cave walls. To her surprise, she sensed a calm and ease about Hazani that the Qadiri did not usually have.
"Excuse me," she muttered, walking over to greet the new arrivals. She could hear laughter coming from Hazani, but when the Qadiri warrior caught sight of her all levity vanished from her. Her aura reminded Elpsis of a simmering fire, a tamped down fury ready to be unleashed.
"Elpsis," Hazani said stoically in greeting. Her Basic had a slight Zandri accent that privately Elpsis hopes she never lost because it was really cute, and felt like a caress for her ears. Not that she'd ever tell her that.
"Hazani," she responded just as simply.
"My Lady, I am Varkasa Jai Nasal of the Cataphracts of the Ascending Phoenix. I greet you and pledge to follow in honour and justice your wise commands," the tall, broad-shouldered Qadiri warrior woman who had accompanied Hazani spoke, sweeping off her plumed hat in a flourishing bow. Her hair was short, and there were white dots on her dark skinned face that were of spiritual significance.
"Err...yes," Elpsis said awkwardly.
"My lady greets you and bids you take council with her as one of her high retainers," Nyssa stepped in confidently, having suddenly appeared at Elpsis' side.
"Yes...I do...? I...bid you to rise."
Finally, there was a slight cough and the final member of the conspiracy walked forward. She was heavily tanned, with a skin down the side of her face, and a very upright pose, thin and lean to the point of being unusual. She wore a modern general's uniform, but without any flummery, with a rank insignia on it. The warleader had a cold, ironclad presence, as cold and precise as a rapier. Agile yet strong. She gave a salute, but no bow. Instead she looked Elpsis directly in the eyes and said, "I am Jazira Zahbara Jai Ghazana. I have come as bid to represent my people as emissary to the heir of the Lady of Suqua."
"Thank you. Welcome, Jazira." Elpsis gestured the trio to follow her inside, feeling beads of sweat forming on her neck and the palm of her flesh hand.
Clutching the speech, Elpsis cleared her throat. "Ahem. Thank you for coming here. I value each of your contributions now and...in the past," she said awkwardly. There was a stammer in her voice. "Together we have created a worthy legacy which has been tainted by the encroachments of...." She faltered, eyes gazing upon her audience. Their auras were unimpressed, expectant. This wasn't her. She was no Siobhan. She felt the presence of her armour, Force imbued as it was, behind her.
"Fuck this," she snarled, and the paper went up in flames. "It's a shit speech, I'm shit at giving speeches and you didn't come here to listen to one. We're here for one reason: it's time for Firemane to end." She slipped on her cuirass. It felt like getting a part of herself back. She felt the wildfire surge through her body, and welcomed it like an old friend.
"My mothers built it...and it did some good. Now it's just a tool for evil. We must burn it to the ground. All of it." Then her greaves. "Or they're going to enslave all free people on Tygara and Arkas and poison both planets. There won't be any free Qadiri, Vash, Xio, Eldorai or Kar'zun, just slaves and collab scum."
Finally her gauntlets. Her white eyes flared with fury. "I'm going to kill the board; I'm going to kill the profiteers; I'm going to kill the high command. But I need your help. I can walk into headquarters and burn the bosses, but they'd just be replaced. We need to tear down the whole system. Make no mistake, this is going to be difficult, this is going to be bloody...but it's necessary. You in?"
Silence descended upon the congregation. Natalie leaned against the wall, and just gave a little smirk. Nyssa...started clapping. Elpsis wasn't sure whether in approval or mockery. "We're going to smash so many people and immortalise our names. They'll write songs about us," the Pureblood declared.
"Hopefully smash lots of monkeighs," Celaena said, giving a little nod.
Kar'zakush's expression was impassive. She gave a small nod. Hazani looked fractionally impressed and gave a silent nod. Mel looked around, and frowned. Of the guests, she was the first to speak. "Let's say for a moment that this doesn't go all pear-shaped, we don't end up on the wrong side of a firing squad and our people don't end up enslaved," she started. "What comes after? What's your end goal?"
"I'm no politician, I want justice," Elpsis said firmly. "Firemane must be dismantled, and those who suffered under it must have justice. I'll set up a war council of those who contributed to the struggle to manage its assets. The oligarchs' wealth must be redistributed among those they hurt. Land grants for all veterans. And I want the people of Tygara and Arkas to live self-determined lives, free from foreign tyrants."
"And native ones?" Hazani interjected. "I have no intention of replacing the sky people's tyranny with that of the snake Semiramis. Or of bowing to the Eldorai - they would chain us as eagerly as the humans if given the chance."
"Nor do I. I'm no one's stooge, Hazani."
"And if the free people of Arkas want nothing to do with the 'noble and reformed' House Kerrigan," Mel actually made irreverent air quotes because it was a Mel thing to do, "go their own way and set up their own confederation, you won't go on a big campaign to get your lost subjects back?"
Elpsis shrugged. "Goddessspeed."
"Just like that?" Hazani raised a sceptical eyebrow.
"Yes. Long as my cabin's left alone."
This caused some laughter. "Too many Cylixes for my tastes. All those big spiders on our island's are bad enough."
Xalda stepped forward. She looked Elpsis right in the eye. "The Daughters stand with you. If you advance, I shall follow you. If you yield, I shall kill you. If you die, I shall avenge you," she declared fervently, a blazing fire in her eyes. "We shall drown our foes in rivers of blood blood and smite them with such righteous fury they will be too a-feared to rise up again."
Elpsis was momentarily taken aback, then smiled slightly. "Thank you...sister." The two 'sisters' clasped hands. "We're going to destroy them all, and free the oppressed."
"The Cataphracts stand ready to fulfil their vow to Kashara and the Phoenix," Varkasa spoke. An aura of strength surrounded her, resembling a dawn about to break. "But we have to provide for our families and clans. Firemane provided some of our payment. Now they won't any longer, so we will have to seek other means unless you can care for all of us throughout the campaign. What are the rules of engagement?"
Elpsis recognised it for what it was: who can we loot? "The property of a Firemane bigshot is fair game, that of common folk isn't. I'll commanders responsible if they can't keep their soldiers from looting from the people," she said bluntly. "But executives, generals, governors - they all knew what they were doing. We're going to set up an organisation to handle...supply."
"And we've recovered a lot of the family fortune," Natalie added.
Varkasa smiled, a gleam in her eyes. "Then my sisters and brothers shall fight with even greater fervour, knowing that the wicked and righteous shall each reap their just rewards." With a flourish, Varkasa drew her sword from her jewelled scabbard and handed it to Elpsis.
Elpsis took the sword, and examined it. Through the Force, she would perceive the pulsing runes and feel the enchantment that had been woven into the blade. "This is a good sword."
"Forged by the finest bladesmiths of Zeheb and blessed with the Goddess' power. We are a small corps, my lady, but a mighty one and we ride the Iron Yazgid."
"She means power armour," Nyssa whispered to her.
"I...accept your allegiance and pledge not to issue you any orders that would give you dishonour." Elpsis handed the sword back.
"Long have the Sistren yearned to throw off the yoke," Hazani said. There was a pause. "But first...we want proof of your commitment. A grand gesture."
"You want Elpsis to be even more of a drama queen?" Natalie asked dryly before biting into an apple.
"Prove you've broken with them."
"Figure I made my stance on the Board real clear. I quit," Elpsis pointed out bluntly. "Before that I killed their goons in that 'work camp'."
Hazani looked straight at her, never wavering. "They'd take you back. Their golden girl, their sole link to their 'great queen'. Burn your bridges. Soak your hands in their blood. Inscribe your name in Firemane's annals as a traitor to their corrupt cause. Prove that your cause has a chance at winning. Then you shall be worthy."
For a moment there was silence. Then with absolute calm Elpsis said, "Fort Kerrigan. I'm going to take it."
"It's under very heavy guard," Kar'zakush pointed out.
"I don't need an army. I just need to get inside, have the right people at the right place. "Most of the troops are Sepoys. Firemane's not exactly been treating them well - or their kin. And I'm," there was a moment of hesitation before Elpsis continued, "the...Young Phoenix."
"Big gamble, little one," Kar'zakush said, pointing a stony finger at Elpsis.
"Who dares wins," Nyssa opined.
"Win or die...it's what mother said. That enough for you?" Elpsis asked Hazani more than a bit combatively.
"If you succeed I will stand with you in the vanguard."
"There are Daughters among the garrison. They would aid you. If you strike at the corrupted name and wipe away the taint, it will rally all who bear the Karishzar's name," Xalda proclaimed with in Elpsis' opinion unnecessary floweriness.
Zhaleh looked thoughtful. "It's not far from my homeland. It will take time for my people to decide, and we cannot spare many warriors. Not with winter at hand. But, um, we may be able to send scouts. Ease your path into the fortress, slow down Firemane's response. Much has changed, but we know the land well. It has only been a few years since we battled the Xioquo on this very spot. I must speak with the chieftains first though."
Elpsis gave them both a nod. "Thanks. If you can swing it...that would be great."
"Good. Jazira Jai Ghazana," Elpsis turned to the Qadiri general. "I guess it's not secret that I'm not the one with experience leading armies, and directing battles. I can roast Sith, but I'm not so arrogant to think there's not a lot more to warfare. Are you ready to aid our cause?"
Zahbara's features remained impassive, but there was a slight frown. "You've made an impassioned case. I must confer with my superiors in Suqua first. The distance between Suqua and Fort Kerrigan is not a small one."
"Got it. We'll either hear from as winners, or we'll be corpses and then when we won't hear anything anyway. I've never been to Suqua. Frankly, I'm a stranger to you lot. I've got no right to presume you'll march because I snap my finger. But make no mistake, Firemane's a beast. Actually, that's an insult to a beast. Animals only eat when they're hungry and don't turn on if you treat them right. Firemane's never going to be satisfied. They don't care about your culture, your rights. You're numbers on a balance sheet, that's it."
"A word in private, lady?" Zabhara asked suddenly.
Elpsis made a gesture with her hand, indicating an adjacent cave. "Sure."
The Jazira was silent until they had stepped out of earshot. Water dripped from the cave ceiling. "You're not much of a speaker. But you have fire, you have initiative and you have one shot. If you waste it, it's over."
"I know. I'm not afraid of sacrificing myself."
"And your followers? How much experience do you have in sending others to their deaths?"
Elpsis' lips tightened slightly. "Not much," she admitted.
"That is what a warleader does - persuade others to make the charge even though she knows that many of them are going to be slaughtered. Or even most of them. Sometimes you must hold them at gunpoint to keep them from running. It's easy to be brave and noble when you're the one making the sacrifice. Your soldiers cheer you for your heroism. The true test comes when you earn their scorn because the tents are filled with their crying, bleeding and maimed comrades. When your decisions caused their homes to be turned into a wasteland filled with charred corpses. You're going to face that test. Make sure you don't throw their lives away for your pride. Do you understand, lady?"
"Yes...but I have to learn through experience."
"Acknowledging that is a step up from most princess," Zabhara commented.
Elpsis' eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm no princess. My mother handed me nothing for free, and I never asked for anything."
"Most daughters of great women don't want to be their mother's daughter."
"Siobhan wasn't great." Elpsis' voice was a low growl.
"Being great has nothing to do with good. She inspired millions to march, fight and die for her and built her sky-realm upon their deeds. For good? For evil?" Zabhara asked rhetorically, and gave a dismissive shrug. "What matters is that what Firemane's doing now will make many people curse her name...and just as many praise it because they say it wouldn't have happened under her. No matter whether they actually believe it or need to believe it."
The mask of command dropped, and frustration roiled from Elpsis. "And what do you suggest I do? I can't drop her name. It's what rallies people. But I can't pretend to worship someone I can barely stand." Her jaw tightened, realising her mistake. "That was unbecoming of me."
"Yes...but understandable. No Mirza gave me her name, but I've seen many princesses struggle in the shadow of one. So this is my advice to you: you can't shed the name. It's a part of you now. The rest of the world won't ever let you forget it. But you can make it yours. Reforge it like a broken sword."
"Reforge it," Elpsis said quietly, almost in a whisper to herself. "I think I...get what you mean." She took a moment to compose herself, staring intently in Zabhara's general direction. "You know your stuff, and you're not afraid to tell me what I need to hear even if I don't like it."
"I'm too old to worry about a princess' hurt feelings," the Jahira responded bluntly, but there was a hint of mirth in her words.
"You'd be great on my team. With all this...," Elpsis made a sweeping gesture with her metal hand, as if trying to encompass the whole cave. "I need people who help keep me...grounded. People with experience in command. I'm not the person to lead Tygara...but it deserves better than corpos squeezing it dry. Or queens crying crocodile tears while they don't lift a finger."
"Remember, you can't do everything alone. Some will join you on the basis of your name, others for your cause. Many will be hesitant because they risk destruction, one way or another. Revolution can be far more threatening than appeasement. Just a few years ago my people thought gunpowder were the most powerful weapons available. Now we have an overmistress who rain down destruction from the sky - a power thought reserved to the Goddess. That's frightening. Nonetheless, you'll have to win them over. What you have here is a start. But even if everyone in this cave joins you, you win the whole Fort Kerrigan garrison, and I mobilise every warrior in Suqua, it won't be enough. Think carefully about which banner you raise and what tone you use. Fire needs fuel to burnt bright."
"I have to start small. I know I can't bring them down with just the people here or even those at the Fort. But it's a start. And if the Queens and Generals continue to sit on their asses maybe they're not worth saving. But if they do join me, make the fire burn brighter, then I will make that inferno burn even the Arx's boardroom. But not as their minion, not as their subordinate. I will be the leader of my own destiny now, and if they choose to follow they will need to contend with that. I'm done playing second fiddle, to my mothers, to officers, to society."
"Yet you still want me to lead the army?"
"I can't do everything, and I've never done that before!" Elpsis exclaimed. "So I leave operational matters to you, but I am in charge of what we do, big picture. Clear?"
"Quite," Zabhara suppressed a chuckle. "You will hear from me after Fort Kerrigan, one way or another."
Elpsis gave her a curt nod. "Let's get back."
As Elpsis returned she saw Nyssa talking to Xalda and Varkasa. "...so when we saw that we lit the houses on fire to encourage them to come out! They were suddenly real eager to give us information and presents in exchange for not being set on fire. Oh, hey, Red. You get things settled?"
Xalda did not look impressed by whatever the tale was. "It is dishonourable to attack the common people and extort them like that."
"Is it? Way I see it they were helping the enemy."
Varkasa nodded. "You did put the fires out though once they had provided what was needed?"
Nyssa lit a cigarra. "Sure! Eventually. That's the problem with fires, they grow. Isn't that right, Red?"
"Yes. And if you do that now, I'll burn you alive."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Right, we're almost done here. You've all got places to be and I don't want to take the chance that Firemane wisens up about what's going on. Kar'zakush, Mel, what's your decision?"
"I must deliberate with my comrades before giving the Granite Guard's assent," the Kar'zun grunted. "But I will go with you to Fort Kerrigan."
"It's no secret we Unchained have no love for Firemane," Mel spoke. "Way I see it, it's only a matter of time before the corpos decide to subjugate our little commune when elves aren't enough for them. But fact is, we don't have many people or weapons and we've got our own battle fight."
"Tephrike," Elpsis muttered.
"Yeah. We went through hell there, we're still recovering. Long story cut short, if you light the flame, we'll help. But we're not going to charge in rashly. For now, the best we can offer is medical aid - not enough for an army, but something - and some volunteers."
"Volunteers, huh?"
"Not sanctioned by us at all. We sent them a stern letter and everything."
"Of course. Thank you both...for your help and your honesty. Unless there's anything else, we're done here."
Natalie stepped forward, suitcase in hand. "Before you all go off to sunbathe or whatever it is you want to do, I've got a little something." She opened up the suitcase. When the group congregated around it, they would see it contained several comm devices. "I won't bore you with the tech details because, let's be real, Nyssa wouldn't understand them anyway and I want to spare her the embarrassment."
"Fuck off," Nyssa growled. Xalda laughed.
Catching the stern look Elpsis shot her, Natalie continued nonchalantly. "But suffice to say calls with any of these can't be intercepted or blocked by anyone. Firemane included. But before you get all excited, know that they're synched together. You call anyone in the chain, but no one outside of it. Got it? Swell."
The Essionian handed out devices, and the group began to disperse. Elpsis remained in the cave. Her shoulders slumped and she ran her flesh hand through her long red hair.
Alone save for Celaena. Who was helping herself to a pineapple. "These are good, boss. Should have one," she declared.
"Maybe later. Not hungry."
"You know I'm a bit insulted. You didn't ask me if my people had a legion handy for you."
"They do?" Elpsis asked distractedly, then frowned. "You're joking."
"Oh, we hate the monkeigh jerks - no offence meant. Left us to die on Kaeshana because we couldn't pay them through the nose, evacuated some of us when the Imps came along, and expect us to kiss their boots for the rest of our lives. But you know the drill. There's the void and Firemane patrols between Arkas and Tygara."
"I get it. You don't have to justify yourself to me, Celaena. You're here...and that's more than what I'm getting from the royalists."
"Too busy being pompous shits," the Eldorai spat. "I'll say, we've got bigshots who've forgotten we were the muck the monkeighs and their lackey queen left to die on Kaeshana."
"Sounds like we need to cut some throats," Elpsis stated.
"We do," the Eldorai said darkly. "But it's something we have to do ourselves. Got it?"
"Sure."
Celaena chewed on her fruit. "For the record, I'm all for it. The royalists - don't trust them. Their queen's a weakling, and the rest of the aristo scum's just looking for a chance to go back to the 'good old days'."
Elpsis gave her a curt nod. "I won't."
Celaena took her leave, and for a few moments Elpsis was truly alone with her thoughts. Elpsis Kerrigan, head of House Kerrigan by virtue of the fact that all the other candidates were in coma, dead or useless. Now would-be warlord and rebel leader.
It all sounded like an absurd joke. She laughed so loudly that she burst into a coughing fit, and failed to hear Xalda's soft footsteps. "Are you alright?" the Xioquo spoke hastily, her tone laced with concern. She gave Elpsis' back a slap.
"No...no, I'm fine," Elpsis coughed some more, slowly recovering. Her throat itched. "Just...uh, doesn't matter. Thought you'd left."
"I shall soon. I wish to speak with you."
"Uh...alright. This is about our glorious rebellion?"
"No. Well, in a manner of speaking. Are Livia and Adril safe?"
Elpsis was about to ask why Xalda wanted to know that, then the words died on her tongue. The Xio considered her family and was devoted to Siobhan's memory, so it stood to reason she'd care about the little sisters. So she just nodded. "They're in Yarkul. Somewhere safe and far away from contact with Firemane. Alisa's watching over them."
Xalda listened attentively. "That is good. What is to be done with them if the worst come to pass?"
"Nat's assigned people to smuggle them out. I won't let the board raise them as their propaganda dolls. Not ever. Even if they hate me for forcing them out of the gilded cage," Elpsis said hotly.
Then she felt Xalda lay a hand on her shoulder. "If you fall and I survive, I shall protect them. This I swear by the spirits and my ancestors."
"I know." A sigh. "What about Sidhe?"
"There is a plan for her to escape should the tyrants prevail. But...," Xalda paused, looking a bit unhappy, "she will not leave now. She was cross with me when I suggested it." When she laughed, it was without mirth.
"She's something."
"That she is." Xalda looked at Elpsis intently. "You should have a Sidhe. Not her, of course," she added quickly and firmly!
Elpsis suppressed a chuckle. "Of course." And then, what the hell, she hugged. Xalda looked stunned, then smiled slightly and pulld her close. "Anyway, off you go. Don't want to keep your girl waiting. Take care."
"You as well." And then it was just her for good. She made her way out not long after.
Standing at the exit of the cave, Elpsis watched as the sun set and felt the wind brush against her skin, roar against her ears and tousle her hair. The die had been cast. Now all that was left was to see things through, no matter the cost. It was, in a way, liberating. No queens, no overbeatring matriarchs, no generals to take orders from. Just herself and the duty she needed to fulfil. A duty she had chosen for herself.
Lifeweb, surround me, she thought. She felt the ethereal presence of the Burning Lady, looking over her shoulder and once again felt the blazing heat permeate her body. A wildfire you are, but a much needed one. To wash away the vile and decadent, and promote new growth by burning away the old.
"...they have broken the...uh... sacred covenant with the people....," she muttered to herself. In deference to her physical blindness, the words had been written braille. "And trampled on the law," she sighed in frustration. It all sounded so...fancy, flowery and...so Siobhan and Tegaea. Her jaw tightened.
"Need to work on your delivery, Red. More passion, more energy," an amused voice remarked. Nyssa casually leaned against the wall, a sculpted, muscular arm crossed over her skeletal, durasteel one.
"Shut up. I'm busy," Elpsis growled.
"Not much time left, Red. If you're not ready now, you're never going to be."
Celaena cleared her throat. "Hate to interrupt, boss...but it's pretty dark here. I'm sure the Xio will find it homely, but just because you can see without a light doesn't mean everyone else can. It's going to be awkward if no one can see where they're going."
Elpsis stopped dead in her tracks. "Crap. Get some torches. Should be some in the storage."
"Good, was about to say that you're discriminating against who's not a blind space witch," Natalie added, "very one percenter of you." For a change, she was not wearing sunglasses.
"Grumpy because you had to take your shades off, blondie?" Nyssa asked mockingly. "I can find my way just fine. But if you need help avoiding the lava pools..."
"I have a modest proposal. You take a swim in the lava pool, we use you as a bridge and see if your 'superior genes' protect you from being barbecued."
"Both of you realise that I can, you know, control magma here?" Elpsis growled in irritation. "I'm not in the mood for your bullshit. Cel, go and put up some torches. Make sure everyone gets here. Right...where was I?"
"Being dramatic," Natalie commented. "Oh, thank the heaven, light," she added when the cave was suddenly illuminated by faint torchlight. She checked her datapad. "I've sliced the orbital registers, by the way. For the next couple hours Firemane's going to get a stream of faked data for this region. For everyone who's an ignoramus, this means our movements can't be tracked."
"Thank you, Nat," Elpsis said genuinely. "Nyssa, anything to report before I get back to this? We good on security?"
"Oh, nothing. Got people keeping an eye on the tunnel. All's fine. Well," Nyssa made a needlessly dramatic pause, "I removed the Seekers from the guest list."
"You did what?!" Elpsis snapped irritably. "You need my permission for that."
"If I come to you for every teeny weeny detail, you'll be swamped and we won't get anything done," Nyssa retorted nonchalantly.
"This isn't smal stuff!"
"The Seekers sending a representative to Arkas would be unusual. They'll be missed way easier than the Daughters. Furthermore, their allegiance is to the Queen first, not you."
"Seekers are good people. It's about toppling the slaver scum, not House Kerrigan-Alcori's glorious restoration," Elpsis said with a strong note of bitterness in her voice.
"Girl, you're making a power move. With noble motives, yadda yadda," Nyssa raised her metal hand to forestall an eruption. "People will perceive it as the 'glorious restoration', but you can take ownership of it and make it yours. Siobhan's a non-factor, Tegaea's has-been celebrity trash. But if you don't just want to be bossed around by one of the queens or whichever Firemane bigwig suddenly 'sees the light', you need a base. These people are your base. Call the Seekers later when we have one."
A look of uncertainty crossed Elpsis' scarred features, then she nodded reluctantly. "Fine. We'll bring them in later."
"I want you to win this game, Elpsis. Honestly."
"It's not a game. It's my duty."
The Pureblood shrugged indifferently. "Call it whatever you want."
"My mothers built Firemane - all of this. They didn't tell the oligarchs and profiteers to put innocent people in chains...but they built the machine. And it's up to me to break it...by any means necessary."
"Don't let the cultists know you're not on the Siobhan hype train," Natalie commented.
Elpsis gave her a stern look. "She wasn't my beloved mother. I didn't love her. She didn't love me."
"Just a simple platitude, Red," Nyssa said.
"A lie. I'm not going to pretend. She wanted a lackey, not a daughter. And Tegaea wanted a doll she could pretty up to be as vapid and greedy as her."
"Start playing the game of crowns, and you're going to be doing a lot of lying, girl. Day in, day out," Natalie commented.
Elpsis ground her teeth, and was about to go back to her speech when suddenly the trio heard loud, stomping noises. The noise heralded the arrival of a giant woman who looked like she was made of rock, which was actually true. Compared to the Kar'zun, Celaena looked fragile and almost delicate, which was a very inaccurate description of the Eldorai woman.
Elpsis looked up to give the Kar'zun a nod. "Kar'zakush, glad you could make it. Any problems?" The pronunciation of that name was deceptively simple, but unless one had a mouth made for grinding granite it never came out right.
"No," the Kar'zun rumbled in a voice like the pounding of hammers. "Little volcano," she gave Elpsis a curt nod. "Faithful Torch," she said to Celaena.
The Eldorai raised an eyebrow. "I'm the torch?"
"You're a small flame, but faithful, steady, strong," was all she got out of the stone woman, though her tone was not unkind. "Shadowed Step," she inclined her head to Natalie.
"I like that," the Essionian responded.
"And what's my nickname?" Nyssa demanded, hands on her hips.
"Bloody Knight."
Nyssa frowned, wondering whether she was supposed to be offended. "You mean Red Knight. Or Death Knight - also good."
"No, bloody." It was always very difficult to discern a Kar'zun facial expressions. To outsiders they always looked...stony. But Kar'zakush was giving her the Kar'zun equivalent of a smirk.
Nonchalantly, Kar'zakush tore some obsidian from the cave wall. "Better not eat too much of that, or you'll sedimentary," Nyssa joked. The Kar'zun eyed her, then bit into the rock without comment and began to chew. "Little volcano, I am curious what you have to say," she spoke in her booming voice while staring down at Elpsis.
Elpsis was grateful for the piece of paper in her hands since it kept her from fidgeting. "You're going to hear it soon. Just waiting for a few more folks."
The next to arrive needed no torches or guides. Hailing from the subterranean Underealm, Xioquo were well-adjusted to darkness. They had been born into it, moulded by it. Most had only seen sunlight when they were already women grown, and by then it was nothing to them but blinding. To shield herself from the burning sky of the world above ground, Xalda had worn a wide-brimmed hat. Her features were heavily scarred.
"Sister Alpsis, I greet you!" she declared, speaking Basic with a thick Xio accent. She sounded...earnest. Xalda did everything earnestly, Elpsis thought. She was...odd, but loyal, brave and, as much as Elpsis had trouble wrapping her head around the idea, oddly endearing.
"Nice to see you, too, Xalda." Elpsis abrutly found herself pulled into a tight hug. Xalda planted a kiss on one cheek, then the other. The Xio smelt...nice. A bit awkwardly, Elpsis returned the kisses and the embrace, before stepping back. "Any trouble? Sun not too bad?"
"I endure the trial of the burning sky so it may no longer hide sin from me," Xalda declared fervently. "That...and my lady bought me these," she fished out a pair of sunglasses from her pocket, looking oddly pleased.
"Those aren't bad," Natalie commented.
"Assassin Natalie," Xalda inclined her head slightly. "You have shown my sisters most excellent ways to eradicate the corrupt and stained vermin. We shall remember your name when their mutilated bodies lie before us, and they drown in their own blood."
"EFPs - explosively formed penetrators," Natalie explained when Elpsis stared vaguely in her direction, shrugging. "Fun for the whole family."
It was not long before the next arrivals were escorted into the cave. "It's, uh, quite hot, isn't it?" Zhaleh Jai Bijana said awkwardly. "No such heat in my homeland. I'm still not really used to it."
"I am," Mel said bluntly. "On Tephrike I toiled for years in such heat."
"Oh, I am sorry," the Zaldrani said apologetically. "The commander said you grew up in the...Dominion. I am sorry for the injustice it..."
"You didn't inflict them, so what are you sorry about?" the Mirialan clone cut her off, and sauntered into the cave. She wore simple spacer clothes - pants, vest and combat boots. "Elpsis," she gave the human a nod. "The Advocates send their regards. Unofficially, of course. You lot have made sure no one can trace us?" she asked a bit brusquely.
"Taken care of," Elpsis said firmly. "Natalie did some slicing. Firemane's getting fake data."
"Well, goodie, and hello everyone. Xalda, the eggheads told me to tell that you lot are going to get the cloned organs in two weeks. Took a bit longer than we thought because we had to make sure Xio bodies don't reject the transplants."
Xalda gave her a polite nod. "I thank you."
Zhaleh meanwhile gave everyone a friendly wave. "The Zaldrani clans send their greetings, and wish you good tidings. I was chosen to...represent them. I can speak for them...but I, uh, cannot decide their course unilaterally. We will reach a consensus once we've heard what the course of this council is."
Elpsis gave her an encouraging nod. "That's fine, Zhaleh. How are your people doing?"
"More sky people come with big machines. They take more fish than Mother Nanshe can birth, and they leave poison in the seas and in the land of the Snow Mother. Recruiters come, offering us baubles, but we turn them away. Their poison makes people sick."
"Sounds like Vaderites," Mel commented.
"Or Eldorai," Kar'zakush said in between chewing on some obsidian. "No offence," she added, glancing in the direction of Celaena, who shrugged, and spat. "Screw the Matriarchy."
Elpsis' jaw set harder. Her teeth ground. "Bastards, we're here to put a stop to this. All of it." Beneath the forced chill, her fire burned hot.
"Welcome to colonialism," Natalie commented caustically. "The next step will be deporting you lot to isolated locations where you're dependent on foreign 'aid'. Once your people have been depleted by starvation, they'll seize your young and send them to 'boarding schools' to brainwash them. Then one day say how sorry they are, but you should still keep your mouth shut."
Zhaleh looked troubled, then resolved, balling her callused hands into fists. "We won't let that happen. We shalll fight, for our people and the Snow Mother's land," she said fervently, "even if we have to do it alone."
"The Daughters shall wage this struggle with you," Xalda declared.
"And I'll be there with you," Elpsis said firmly.
Siobhan was gone, Tegaea had succumbed to hedony, sloth and cowardice. The sins of the mothers passed on to the daughter.
She would not,
and could not,
shirk the responsibility.
Elpsis sensed additional presences approaching. The auras of Hazani Jai Bysara and another woman were visible to her through the cave walls. To her surprise, she sensed a calm and ease about Hazani that the Qadiri did not usually have.
"Excuse me," she muttered, walking over to greet the new arrivals. She could hear laughter coming from Hazani, but when the Qadiri warrior caught sight of her all levity vanished from her. Her aura reminded Elpsis of a simmering fire, a tamped down fury ready to be unleashed.
"Elpsis," Hazani said stoically in greeting. Her Basic had a slight Zandri accent that privately Elpsis hopes she never lost because it was really cute, and felt like a caress for her ears. Not that she'd ever tell her that.
"Hazani," she responded just as simply.
"My Lady, I am Varkasa Jai Nasal of the Cataphracts of the Ascending Phoenix. I greet you and pledge to follow in honour and justice your wise commands," the tall, broad-shouldered Qadiri warrior woman who had accompanied Hazani spoke, sweeping off her plumed hat in a flourishing bow. Her hair was short, and there were white dots on her dark skinned face that were of spiritual significance.
"Err...yes," Elpsis said awkwardly.
"My lady greets you and bids you take council with her as one of her high retainers," Nyssa stepped in confidently, having suddenly appeared at Elpsis' side.
"Yes...I do...? I...bid you to rise."
Finally, there was a slight cough and the final member of the conspiracy walked forward. She was heavily tanned, with a skin down the side of her face, and a very upright pose, thin and lean to the point of being unusual. She wore a modern general's uniform, but without any flummery, with a rank insignia on it. The warleader had a cold, ironclad presence, as cold and precise as a rapier. Agile yet strong. She gave a salute, but no bow. Instead she looked Elpsis directly in the eyes and said, "I am Jazira Zahbara Jai Ghazana. I have come as bid to represent my people as emissary to the heir of the Lady of Suqua."
"Thank you. Welcome, Jazira." Elpsis gestured the trio to follow her inside, feeling beads of sweat forming on her neck and the palm of her flesh hand.
Clutching the speech, Elpsis cleared her throat. "Ahem. Thank you for coming here. I value each of your contributions now and...in the past," she said awkwardly. There was a stammer in her voice. "Together we have created a worthy legacy which has been tainted by the encroachments of...." She faltered, eyes gazing upon her audience. Their auras were unimpressed, expectant. This wasn't her. She was no Siobhan. She felt the presence of her armour, Force imbued as it was, behind her.
"Fuck this," she snarled, and the paper went up in flames. "It's a shit speech, I'm shit at giving speeches and you didn't come here to listen to one. We're here for one reason: it's time for Firemane to end." She slipped on her cuirass. It felt like getting a part of herself back. She felt the wildfire surge through her body, and welcomed it like an old friend.
"My mothers built it...and it did some good. Now it's just a tool for evil. We must burn it to the ground. All of it." Then her greaves. "Or they're going to enslave all free people on Tygara and Arkas and poison both planets. There won't be any free Qadiri, Vash, Xio, Eldorai or Kar'zun, just slaves and collab scum."
Finally her gauntlets. Her white eyes flared with fury. "I'm going to kill the board; I'm going to kill the profiteers; I'm going to kill the high command. But I need your help. I can walk into headquarters and burn the bosses, but they'd just be replaced. We need to tear down the whole system. Make no mistake, this is going to be difficult, this is going to be bloody...but it's necessary. You in?"
Silence descended upon the congregation. Natalie leaned against the wall, and just gave a little smirk. Nyssa...started clapping. Elpsis wasn't sure whether in approval or mockery. "We're going to smash so many people and immortalise our names. They'll write songs about us," the Pureblood declared.
"Hopefully smash lots of monkeighs," Celaena said, giving a little nod.
Kar'zakush's expression was impassive. She gave a small nod. Hazani looked fractionally impressed and gave a silent nod. Mel looked around, and frowned. Of the guests, she was the first to speak. "Let's say for a moment that this doesn't go all pear-shaped, we don't end up on the wrong side of a firing squad and our people don't end up enslaved," she started. "What comes after? What's your end goal?"
"I'm no politician, I want justice," Elpsis said firmly. "Firemane must be dismantled, and those who suffered under it must have justice. I'll set up a war council of those who contributed to the struggle to manage its assets. The oligarchs' wealth must be redistributed among those they hurt. Land grants for all veterans. And I want the people of Tygara and Arkas to live self-determined lives, free from foreign tyrants."
"And native ones?" Hazani interjected. "I have no intention of replacing the sky people's tyranny with that of the snake Semiramis. Or of bowing to the Eldorai - they would chain us as eagerly as the humans if given the chance."
"Nor do I. I'm no one's stooge, Hazani."
"And if the free people of Arkas want nothing to do with the 'noble and reformed' House Kerrigan," Mel actually made irreverent air quotes because it was a Mel thing to do, "go their own way and set up their own confederation, you won't go on a big campaign to get your lost subjects back?"
Elpsis shrugged. "Goddessspeed."
"Just like that?" Hazani raised a sceptical eyebrow.
"Yes. Long as my cabin's left alone."
This caused some laughter. "Too many Cylixes for my tastes. All those big spiders on our island's are bad enough."
Xalda stepped forward. She looked Elpsis right in the eye. "The Daughters stand with you. If you advance, I shall follow you. If you yield, I shall kill you. If you die, I shall avenge you," she declared fervently, a blazing fire in her eyes. "We shall drown our foes in rivers of blood blood and smite them with such righteous fury they will be too a-feared to rise up again."
Elpsis was momentarily taken aback, then smiled slightly. "Thank you...sister." The two 'sisters' clasped hands. "We're going to destroy them all, and free the oppressed."
"The Cataphracts stand ready to fulfil their vow to Kashara and the Phoenix," Varkasa spoke. An aura of strength surrounded her, resembling a dawn about to break. "But we have to provide for our families and clans. Firemane provided some of our payment. Now they won't any longer, so we will have to seek other means unless you can care for all of us throughout the campaign. What are the rules of engagement?"
Elpsis recognised it for what it was: who can we loot? "The property of a Firemane bigshot is fair game, that of common folk isn't. I'll commanders responsible if they can't keep their soldiers from looting from the people," she said bluntly. "But executives, generals, governors - they all knew what they were doing. We're going to set up an organisation to handle...supply."
"And we've recovered a lot of the family fortune," Natalie added.
Varkasa smiled, a gleam in her eyes. "Then my sisters and brothers shall fight with even greater fervour, knowing that the wicked and righteous shall each reap their just rewards." With a flourish, Varkasa drew her sword from her jewelled scabbard and handed it to Elpsis.
Elpsis took the sword, and examined it. Through the Force, she would perceive the pulsing runes and feel the enchantment that had been woven into the blade. "This is a good sword."
"Forged by the finest bladesmiths of Zeheb and blessed with the Goddess' power. We are a small corps, my lady, but a mighty one and we ride the Iron Yazgid."
"She means power armour," Nyssa whispered to her.
"I...accept your allegiance and pledge not to issue you any orders that would give you dishonour." Elpsis handed the sword back.
"Long have the Sistren yearned to throw off the yoke," Hazani said. There was a pause. "But first...we want proof of your commitment. A grand gesture."
"You want Elpsis to be even more of a drama queen?" Natalie asked dryly before biting into an apple.
"Prove you've broken with them."
"Figure I made my stance on the Board real clear. I quit," Elpsis pointed out bluntly. "Before that I killed their goons in that 'work camp'."
Hazani looked straight at her, never wavering. "They'd take you back. Their golden girl, their sole link to their 'great queen'. Burn your bridges. Soak your hands in their blood. Inscribe your name in Firemane's annals as a traitor to their corrupt cause. Prove that your cause has a chance at winning. Then you shall be worthy."
For a moment there was silence. Then with absolute calm Elpsis said, "Fort Kerrigan. I'm going to take it."
"It's under very heavy guard," Kar'zakush pointed out.
"I don't need an army. I just need to get inside, have the right people at the right place. "Most of the troops are Sepoys. Firemane's not exactly been treating them well - or their kin. And I'm," there was a moment of hesitation before Elpsis continued, "the...Young Phoenix."
"Big gamble, little one," Kar'zakush said, pointing a stony finger at Elpsis.
"Who dares wins," Nyssa opined.
"Win or die...it's what mother said. That enough for you?" Elpsis asked Hazani more than a bit combatively.
"If you succeed I will stand with you in the vanguard."
"There are Daughters among the garrison. They would aid you. If you strike at the corrupted name and wipe away the taint, it will rally all who bear the Karishzar's name," Xalda proclaimed with in Elpsis' opinion unnecessary floweriness.
Zhaleh looked thoughtful. "It's not far from my homeland. It will take time for my people to decide, and we cannot spare many warriors. Not with winter at hand. But, um, we may be able to send scouts. Ease your path into the fortress, slow down Firemane's response. Much has changed, but we know the land well. It has only been a few years since we battled the Xioquo on this very spot. I must speak with the chieftains first though."
Elpsis gave them both a nod. "Thanks. If you can swing it...that would be great."
"Good. Jazira Jai Ghazana," Elpsis turned to the Qadiri general. "I guess it's not secret that I'm not the one with experience leading armies, and directing battles. I can roast Sith, but I'm not so arrogant to think there's not a lot more to warfare. Are you ready to aid our cause?"
Zahbara's features remained impassive, but there was a slight frown. "You've made an impassioned case. I must confer with my superiors in Suqua first. The distance between Suqua and Fort Kerrigan is not a small one."
"Got it. We'll either hear from as winners, or we'll be corpses and then when we won't hear anything anyway. I've never been to Suqua. Frankly, I'm a stranger to you lot. I've got no right to presume you'll march because I snap my finger. But make no mistake, Firemane's a beast. Actually, that's an insult to a beast. Animals only eat when they're hungry and don't turn on if you treat them right. Firemane's never going to be satisfied. They don't care about your culture, your rights. You're numbers on a balance sheet, that's it."
"A word in private, lady?" Zabhara asked suddenly.
Elpsis made a gesture with her hand, indicating an adjacent cave. "Sure."
The Jazira was silent until they had stepped out of earshot. Water dripped from the cave ceiling. "You're not much of a speaker. But you have fire, you have initiative and you have one shot. If you waste it, it's over."
"I know. I'm not afraid of sacrificing myself."
"And your followers? How much experience do you have in sending others to their deaths?"
Elpsis' lips tightened slightly. "Not much," she admitted.
"That is what a warleader does - persuade others to make the charge even though she knows that many of them are going to be slaughtered. Or even most of them. Sometimes you must hold them at gunpoint to keep them from running. It's easy to be brave and noble when you're the one making the sacrifice. Your soldiers cheer you for your heroism. The true test comes when you earn their scorn because the tents are filled with their crying, bleeding and maimed comrades. When your decisions caused their homes to be turned into a wasteland filled with charred corpses. You're going to face that test. Make sure you don't throw their lives away for your pride. Do you understand, lady?"
"Yes...but I have to learn through experience."
"Acknowledging that is a step up from most princess," Zabhara commented.
Elpsis' eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm no princess. My mother handed me nothing for free, and I never asked for anything."
"Most daughters of great women don't want to be their mother's daughter."
"Siobhan wasn't great." Elpsis' voice was a low growl.
"Being great has nothing to do with good. She inspired millions to march, fight and die for her and built her sky-realm upon their deeds. For good? For evil?" Zabhara asked rhetorically, and gave a dismissive shrug. "What matters is that what Firemane's doing now will make many people curse her name...and just as many praise it because they say it wouldn't have happened under her. No matter whether they actually believe it or need to believe it."
The mask of command dropped, and frustration roiled from Elpsis. "And what do you suggest I do? I can't drop her name. It's what rallies people. But I can't pretend to worship someone I can barely stand." Her jaw tightened, realising her mistake. "That was unbecoming of me."
"Yes...but understandable. No Mirza gave me her name, but I've seen many princesses struggle in the shadow of one. So this is my advice to you: you can't shed the name. It's a part of you now. The rest of the world won't ever let you forget it. But you can make it yours. Reforge it like a broken sword."
"Reforge it," Elpsis said quietly, almost in a whisper to herself. "I think I...get what you mean." She took a moment to compose herself, staring intently in Zabhara's general direction. "You know your stuff, and you're not afraid to tell me what I need to hear even if I don't like it."
"I'm too old to worry about a princess' hurt feelings," the Jahira responded bluntly, but there was a hint of mirth in her words.
"You'd be great on my team. With all this...," Elpsis made a sweeping gesture with her metal hand, as if trying to encompass the whole cave. "I need people who help keep me...grounded. People with experience in command. I'm not the person to lead Tygara...but it deserves better than corpos squeezing it dry. Or queens crying crocodile tears while they don't lift a finger."
"Remember, you can't do everything alone. Some will join you on the basis of your name, others for your cause. Many will be hesitant because they risk destruction, one way or another. Revolution can be far more threatening than appeasement. Just a few years ago my people thought gunpowder were the most powerful weapons available. Now we have an overmistress who rain down destruction from the sky - a power thought reserved to the Goddess. That's frightening. Nonetheless, you'll have to win them over. What you have here is a start. But even if everyone in this cave joins you, you win the whole Fort Kerrigan garrison, and I mobilise every warrior in Suqua, it won't be enough. Think carefully about which banner you raise and what tone you use. Fire needs fuel to burnt bright."
"I have to start small. I know I can't bring them down with just the people here or even those at the Fort. But it's a start. And if the Queens and Generals continue to sit on their asses maybe they're not worth saving. But if they do join me, make the fire burn brighter, then I will make that inferno burn even the Arx's boardroom. But not as their minion, not as their subordinate. I will be the leader of my own destiny now, and if they choose to follow they will need to contend with that. I'm done playing second fiddle, to my mothers, to officers, to society."
"Yet you still want me to lead the army?"
"I can't do everything, and I've never done that before!" Elpsis exclaimed. "So I leave operational matters to you, but I am in charge of what we do, big picture. Clear?"
"Quite," Zabhara suppressed a chuckle. "You will hear from me after Fort Kerrigan, one way or another."
Elpsis gave her a curt nod. "Let's get back."
As Elpsis returned she saw Nyssa talking to Xalda and Varkasa. "...so when we saw that we lit the houses on fire to encourage them to come out! They were suddenly real eager to give us information and presents in exchange for not being set on fire. Oh, hey, Red. You get things settled?"
Xalda did not look impressed by whatever the tale was. "It is dishonourable to attack the common people and extort them like that."
"Is it? Way I see it they were helping the enemy."
Varkasa nodded. "You did put the fires out though once they had provided what was needed?"
Nyssa lit a cigarra. "Sure! Eventually. That's the problem with fires, they grow. Isn't that right, Red?"
"Yes. And if you do that now, I'll burn you alive."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Right, we're almost done here. You've all got places to be and I don't want to take the chance that Firemane wisens up about what's going on. Kar'zakush, Mel, what's your decision?"
"I must deliberate with my comrades before giving the Granite Guard's assent," the Kar'zun grunted. "But I will go with you to Fort Kerrigan."
"It's no secret we Unchained have no love for Firemane," Mel spoke. "Way I see it, it's only a matter of time before the corpos decide to subjugate our little commune when elves aren't enough for them. But fact is, we don't have many people or weapons and we've got our own battle fight."
"Tephrike," Elpsis muttered.
"Yeah. We went through hell there, we're still recovering. Long story cut short, if you light the flame, we'll help. But we're not going to charge in rashly. For now, the best we can offer is medical aid - not enough for an army, but something - and some volunteers."
"Volunteers, huh?"
"Not sanctioned by us at all. We sent them a stern letter and everything."
"Of course. Thank you both...for your help and your honesty. Unless there's anything else, we're done here."
Natalie stepped forward, suitcase in hand. "Before you all go off to sunbathe or whatever it is you want to do, I've got a little something." She opened up the suitcase. When the group congregated around it, they would see it contained several comm devices. "I won't bore you with the tech details because, let's be real, Nyssa wouldn't understand them anyway and I want to spare her the embarrassment."
"Fuck off," Nyssa growled. Xalda laughed.
Catching the stern look Elpsis shot her, Natalie continued nonchalantly. "But suffice to say calls with any of these can't be intercepted or blocked by anyone. Firemane included. But before you get all excited, know that they're synched together. You call anyone in the chain, but no one outside of it. Got it? Swell."
The Essionian handed out devices, and the group began to disperse. Elpsis remained in the cave. Her shoulders slumped and she ran her flesh hand through her long red hair.
Alone save for Celaena. Who was helping herself to a pineapple. "These are good, boss. Should have one," she declared.
"Maybe later. Not hungry."
"You know I'm a bit insulted. You didn't ask me if my people had a legion handy for you."
"They do?" Elpsis asked distractedly, then frowned. "You're joking."
"Oh, we hate the monkeigh jerks - no offence meant. Left us to die on Kaeshana because we couldn't pay them through the nose, evacuated some of us when the Imps came along, and expect us to kiss their boots for the rest of our lives. But you know the drill. There's the void and Firemane patrols between Arkas and Tygara."
"I get it. You don't have to justify yourself to me, Celaena. You're here...and that's more than what I'm getting from the royalists."
"Too busy being pompous shits," the Eldorai spat. "I'll say, we've got bigshots who've forgotten we were the muck the monkeighs and their lackey queen left to die on Kaeshana."
"Sounds like we need to cut some throats," Elpsis stated.
"We do," the Eldorai said darkly. "But it's something we have to do ourselves. Got it?"
"Sure."
Celaena chewed on her fruit. "For the record, I'm all for it. The royalists - don't trust them. Their queen's a weakling, and the rest of the aristo scum's just looking for a chance to go back to the 'good old days'."
Elpsis gave her a curt nod. "I won't."
Celaena took her leave, and for a few moments Elpsis was truly alone with her thoughts. Elpsis Kerrigan, head of House Kerrigan by virtue of the fact that all the other candidates were in coma, dead or useless. Now would-be warlord and rebel leader.
It all sounded like an absurd joke. She laughed so loudly that she burst into a coughing fit, and failed to hear Xalda's soft footsteps. "Are you alright?" the Xioquo spoke hastily, her tone laced with concern. She gave Elpsis' back a slap.
"No...no, I'm fine," Elpsis coughed some more, slowly recovering. Her throat itched. "Just...uh, doesn't matter. Thought you'd left."
"I shall soon. I wish to speak with you."
"Uh...alright. This is about our glorious rebellion?"
"No. Well, in a manner of speaking. Are Livia and Adril safe?"
Elpsis was about to ask why Xalda wanted to know that, then the words died on her tongue. The Xio considered her family and was devoted to Siobhan's memory, so it stood to reason she'd care about the little sisters. So she just nodded. "They're in Yarkul. Somewhere safe and far away from contact with Firemane. Alisa's watching over them."
Xalda listened attentively. "That is good. What is to be done with them if the worst come to pass?"
"Nat's assigned people to smuggle them out. I won't let the board raise them as their propaganda dolls. Not ever. Even if they hate me for forcing them out of the gilded cage," Elpsis said hotly.
Then she felt Xalda lay a hand on her shoulder. "If you fall and I survive, I shall protect them. This I swear by the spirits and my ancestors."
"I know." A sigh. "What about Sidhe?"
"There is a plan for her to escape should the tyrants prevail. But...," Xalda paused, looking a bit unhappy, "she will not leave now. She was cross with me when I suggested it." When she laughed, it was without mirth.
"She's something."
"That she is." Xalda looked at Elpsis intently. "You should have a Sidhe. Not her, of course," she added quickly and firmly!
Elpsis suppressed a chuckle. "Of course." And then, what the hell, she hugged. Xalda looked stunned, then smiled slightly and pulld her close. "Anyway, off you go. Don't want to keep your girl waiting. Take care."
"You as well." And then it was just her for good. She made her way out not long after.
Standing at the exit of the cave, Elpsis watched as the sun set and felt the wind brush against her skin, roar against her ears and tousle her hair. The die had been cast. Now all that was left was to see things through, no matter the cost. It was, in a way, liberating. No queens, no overbeatring matriarchs, no generals to take orders from. Just herself and the duty she needed to fulfil. A duty she had chosen for herself.
Lifeweb, surround me, she thought. She felt the ethereal presence of the Burning Lady, looking over her shoulder and once again felt the blazing heat permeate her body. A wildfire you are, but a much needed one. To wash away the vile and decadent, and promote new growth by burning away the old.
