AETHER BEASTS

We stopped at a parking area just before the temple-like structure and disembarked. I decided I needed to act my part. I got out before her, and let my aura wash out from me. The armored men who'd drawn closer froze and I looked their way. A robed man was among them alongside a richly dressed woman who was holding some sort of crystal rod.

I offered a hand to Tilly and rolled my eyes when she smiled down at me with a look of triumph. I really hoped this had been the right decision. Once she was out, I let my malice drop, and the soldiers of guards it seemed more like, began to walk forward again.

I raised a hand to stop them once they were a few feet away.

The woman and robed man stepped out in front. The man was older, and his robes were layered with intricate symbols and embroidery. There was also an odd feeling about him. Like pressure, except it was so weak that I had to focus to truly notice it. Some sort of aura?

The woman on the other hand was far younger and dressed similarly to Tily. Her dress was just a big tiger, and I got a sense of danger from her, though not in the physical sense. Her eyes were faking that look of joy as was her smile. I'd seen the sort before, and it always made me uneasy.

"Lady Mistana." The woman bowed. Mistana? Was that her family name? Most likely.

The robed man followed suit, and there was a tense silence for a long moment as I sized up the both of them. They wanted to move closer but clearly were worried about me.

"I am true, Lady Mistana," Tilly said. Her voice was different. It was more authoritative, smooth, and pompous in that way only nobles spoke. "I'm here to use the teleporter. Please don't fret over my escort. Aiden here is simply doing his job. I encountered a band of brigands on my way here, and my other guards were killed."

"I see," the woman said. "Well, I am Jula, and this is…"

"Mage Brian," the older man said, bowing once more. "A pleasure to meet you. I shall be conducting the array for you. I assume you are headed for the capital?"

"Indeed," Tilly said. "And as soon as possible. I will not dally, not for rest, nor pleasantries."

Jula's eyes tightened at that, but niter mage nor lady refused Tilly. Her family must have been powerful indeed. Once that was out of the way, we were led up the temple and through a day. It turns out, the top was empty of people and was the main structure of the array. The rooms were below, beneathe the earth.

The array would activate, and draw in power using the temple above, then another set of runes would dictate the location and other factors.

"Aneva?" I mentally poked her.

"What?"

"We're here," I said. "What now?"

"Let me handle that," she said. "They'll have to activate it, then I can tap into that well, and take us directly to your shadowy lover."

"Really?"

"Yes, but you might want to consult your… friend," she said. "Unless she wishes to come?"

I glanced at Tilly who was busy nodding along to whatever Jula said. The woman was clearly trying to get into Tilly's good graces and failing. The man also seemed interested and interjected every once in a while. Whenever they stopped closer, I'd let my malice loose. After the second time, they'd learned to keep a distance. So, I was able to get in close, and whisper in her ear.

"We need to talk," I said.

Tilly stopped. "Do you have a room in which I can rest for a little bit beforehand? I find myself wanting a small break."

They were all too happy to oblige her. They took us to a guest suite and had some food and drinks brought it. Jula and Brian wanted to stay, but she dimmed me with a few words. I moved towards the door and put an ear to it. Once I was certain they were gone, I turned to Tilly and opened my mouth, but she quickly pressed a finger to her lips.

Then she waved a glowing hand, and a number of faint lights floated around the room before fading.

"Spy wards," SHe said with a look of distaste on her face. "Common enough. You don't want them listening in I assume?"

I nodded. "We need to talk about the array. I can make it so it directly takes me to my friend, but I don't know if it will be near the capital, or if we'll be sent into danger."

"Ah, I see." She tapped a finger against her bottom lip. "And you want to know if I'll come along or not?"

I nodded, hoping she said no. Of course, from what she'd done before, and her dislike of the prospect of forced marriage, she nodded. "I shall accompany you. We shall find this… acquaintance of yours, then head to the capital."

I decided not to tell her I had other friends, but then again, they probably would have a teleporter in the capital, maybe a really powerful one. A plan was coming together. If Aneva could take me straight to Sandra, then could she do it for the others?

"Yes," she said. "But it depends on the power of the array, and how much energy it gathers. I can sense this array has enough to close the distance between you and your lover, but not the others, especially not your bonded green who —" She stopped herself from saying whore. "Not Zirani. She is the furthest, twice the distance of the blood drinker, but also the most in danger. She needs you if she wished to survive for more than a few weeks or to assimilate this world's energy into her, which could lead to dangerous side affect if not done right. Mixing energies is always a dangerous thing."

"We'll figure that out later," I replied mentally, then refocused on Tilly. "It might be dangerous."

"You'll be there," she said, and her matter-of-fact tone shocked me. She really had a lot of trust for someone she'd only known for a little over a day.

"Fine." I sighed. "Then let's go."