Perversions of the Flesh

Chapter 177: A Plan for the Future

Ann, besides her first meeting with Orlana, hadn’t felt nervous around the Queen. Now? Now she was nervous. Their meeting wasn’t held in the room with Kremdol, still resting in his comatose state, but in a war room. Papers, notes, missives, a massive map, all were strewn around the large table in utter chaos. Orlana had cleared the room when she heard they were coming and currently glowered over the plans in the works. She still wore full armour. Ann wondered if she’d even taken the time to bathe. Lucia didn’t seem to show any signs of discomfort, so she probably had.

“Simpering fools,” Orlana growled to no one. “Our kingdom attacked. Its leader incapacitated by an assassin, and they want tae grumble about the economy, and if it makes sense tae fight. Na droch dhaoine sin.”

“Not goin’ well?” Kat asked, keeping her tone casual. “Ye knew this’d be a massive undertakin’. It’s why we haven’t already taken the fight tae the bastards.”

Orlana put her face in her palms, stifling a scream. Ann flinched, but when she lifted her face, the Queen was composed.

“Feck, I know, love. I know, but I wish I could move the mountains tae get tae ‘em. Rip their heads from their bodies an’ stuff ‘em back where they belong.”

“We’ll get there,” Kat said, placing a hand on her mother’s pauldron. “Gotta worry about the prep work.”

“So much prep work,” Orlana slumped. “This was always what Kremdol was better at. Gettin’ people on board wit’ me plans. Getting shite behind the scenes workin’. They took that away from me.”

“We will find a way,” Bren said firmly. “Mourn. It is your right. We will continue to search for either healing or a way to bring him back. This, I promise you.”

Orlana gave him an exhausted look, but nodded. “Sorry, ye don’t know how many times I’ve heard that these past few days. I know ye mean well, an’ truly mean it. Just… the mask slips when it’s family. I’m so exhausted.”

“How long has it been since you slept?” Ann asked.

“Dinnae, days? Fell asleep next tae Kremdol… I don’t even know when that was. It’s been meetin’s an’ council after council since.”

“Not good,” Ann approached the Queen and gave her a good once over. “Yeah, you need to sleep. Really sleep.” To her shock, Orlana’s lower lip trembled.

“I can’t. Feck, not after the last time. I keep relivin’ it. Seein’ him shot. His blood all o’er the stage. Kat’s eye. They haunt me when I try. On the back o’ me eyelids whenever they’re closed. I can’t rest. Not until this atrocity is avenged.”

“Yeah, you need to get someone to help you with that,” Rosalyn butted in. “There’re plenty of ways to get you to sleep and probably have a dreamless sleep. A lot of them drugs, right Bren? Yeah, so there’s gotta be some people with magic for sleep, too. Probably a good idea to get them to use that on you. Gotta keep rested if a war is gonna happen.”

Orlana gave her a strange look. “Your eyes changed. Ye didn’t tell me ye could do tha’.”

“Yeah! Happened last night. Still getting used to them. It really really hurt and being blind while they regrew wasn’t fun, also I have a friend in my head now, but we don’t really know if she’s a friend but she says she is so I’m going with that until she proves otherwise, cause that’s just the nicer thing to do, but you really do need to sleep.”

“So… pardon, sheep?”

“Not sure yet! Could be sheep, goat, any type of mammal with these eyes. The thing in my head is a kinda advanced Vulhardrin Ann calls a satyr, who really didn’t like clothes. Says they were from mythology back when she was a normal person, so I think I’ll just get closer to that? Hope my wool stays white. Kinda like the colour and my skin like that. Aw, Ann, will I have to stop wearing clothes?”

Orlana blinked, stunned, trying to process Rosalyn’s rambling as Ann cackled and reassured Rosalyn that she, in fact, could keep her clothes.

“Different feckin’ worlds. Even so close tae each other. Ye live in a different reality where clothes’re your worry.”

“Nah, not really,” Rosalyn shrugged. “Bad things happen all the time. It’s just all this war and vengeance stuff is both too far away and too much for me to worry about, so I’m just not. I shoot lightning and, apparently, talk to the God of the Winds. When it comes to the fight, you’ve got me, but until then I can’t really contribute much to the planning or prep.”

“That’s… fair.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t worry, though, cause holy crap do I. Just not about this stuff,” Rosalyn gestured to the table. “I’m worried about Kat: losing her eye’s not good. Worried about the three of us with Warped in our heads, worried about how much more I’m going to go through, worried about people knowing who I am, but since he’s hurt I won’t hold it against Kremdol. Worried about my parents, even with the mercenaries there. It’s a lot! Some things just have to wait in line, I guess. I can only be so overwhelmed before I just shut down. Oh, and figuring out how Warped work and maybe how to kill them better. And Ann’s whole changes, and now I’ve got my own body to study, which will be super interesting. Need to check Kat’s scales again, now that they’re coming in on her face. I’m rambling. Just a lot of stuff!”

“Ye’re right,” Orlana said with a heavy sigh. “Gotta take things one step at a time, while coordinatin’ a million. Thank the Gods that Junia’s helpin’.”

“No word from Somnal?” Kat asked.

“Just got word, actually. He’s safe. Shaken, but safe. The academies in Indelholm provided security for him as soon as they heard the news. Says he’ll come visit as soon as he can, but is understandably worried about movin’ around too much.”

“That’s good. Glad it got through his usual hyper-focus,” Kat said with relief. “Not like he’d be great fer administration or any o’ that shite.”

“No, he wouldn’t. Not even logistics,” Orlana said, rubbing her temples. “He’s best where he is. Workin’ on advancements. Maybe he can help wit’ the war effort that way, though he’s got his eye on the larger scope.” 

“She’s focusin’ on stuff fer us, but Wendyl probably wouldn’t be adverse tae helpin’, either. Don’t force ‘er, though. Can’t be losin’ ‘er cause she hates authority. Shite, almost as much as I do.”

“Handle wit’ respect, incentivise, got it. So, Kat and friends. What’re ye plannin’ on doin’ in the meantime? Bein’ realistic, there’s at least a year afore we can get all this shite movin’, an’ then figurin’ out how tae get an army through the Seeds is the next struggle. They won’t take kindly tae us marchin’ a horde through, even if we clear ‘em first.”

“Well, I have the divine quest I just announced to the world, so I figure we’d go work on that. I need to get back to clearing Seeds, interacting with the cores, and seeing if there’s anything we can learn from them,” Ann explained. “Orenous still hasn’t updated me on what She’s looking into, but I have a feeling we’ll find out soon. Once Rosalyn gets her glasses, we’ll probably be ready to set out.”

“I hope ye find a good warrior tae help ye,” Orlana said.

It took Ann a second. Once what she’d just said clicked, Ann stared at the Queen. “What?”

“I said what I said,” Orlana declared. “Kat will be stayin’ here. I will not have ony more o’ me family rushin’ off intae danger, gettin’ themselves killed.”

“Ma, that’s not what we’d agreed. Ye said I was fine as a Merc.”

“That was before the last week,” Orlana said coldly. “Ye will remain in Korvas, under guard, until I deem it safe. Junia is under similar orders. Only exception is under heavy guard, which ye regularly refuse, an’ only for sanctioned diplomatic missions.”

“I can’t just leave Ann to tackle this on her own!”

“Ye can, an’ ye will. Me mind is made up, ye will not sway it.”

“This is feckin’ stupid!” Kat shouted. “I’m part o’ this team! Illdall himself approves o’ this!”

“And He’ll understand when I want tae keep me blood safe. Ann will continue on in her quest, without ye. Don’t fight me on this, Katlyn.” The queen looked pained as she said those words. She’d known this was coming. How long had she been waiting for this confrontation? Dreading it?

Kat’s cheeks flushed with fury as she glared daggers at her mother. “I will not be coddled like a wee babe! This group is mine. I will be wit’ them. Keep ‘em safe. Ye will not keep me from ‘em!”

“I don’t want tae be doin’ this either!” Orlana bellowed back, slamming her fists onto the table. Large cracks in the thick wood radiated from her gauntlets. “Ye think I want tae restrict ye!”

“Ye never had a problem with it before!”

“That was when I could delude meself that ye were as safe as ye could be! Sure ye were fightin’ in Seeds, but I trusted yer ability tae overcome wit’ all yer trainin’! That’s been shattered, Katlyn. I won’t be lyin’ tae meself. I sure as shit will not be lyin’ tae ye. Ye will be remainin’ within the city until we are ready tae march.”

“Fat feckin’ chance. Ye can’t keep me here, Ma. Gods, I know ye’re worried. I’ll stay as long as I can, but I’m not gonna be yer prisoner. Da’ had his ideas fer me. Could he keep me contained? We’re not gonna have the same argument he an’ I did.”

“Nighean mo ghaoil, ye’re gonna up an’ leave me after I just lost him?”

Kat choked back a scream. “Don’t ye dare. Don’t ye dare use his situation like tha’! He’s still alive an’ I will find a feckin’ way tae make sure he gets better. He’s me Godsdamned father! I love ‘im too! Feck, he wouldn’t want tae see us fightin’ like this.”

“He wouldn’t,” Orlana nodded, her fury still smouldering in her blue eyes. Eyes so similar to her daughter’s. “So ye will listen tae me an’ remain. We can make sure Ann’s got plenty o’ support while she goes about her task.”

“Nae, Ma,” Kat said firmly. “I will be joinin’ her. I’m gonna fix all o’ this. Once I do, I’ll burn Bortislav alongside ye.”

“We’ll see about tha’,” Orlana huffed. “This meeting is over. Ye will be kept under watch an’ guard until ye see reason. Yer movement will be restricted tae the palace, an’ any leavin’ will be cleared by me, an’ me alone. Dismissed.”

Kat bellowed her fury at her mother, then turned on her heel and stomped out of the room.

Ann and the rest quickly followed as the Queen fell heavily into her chair. Ann thought she heard quiet sobs as she closed the door.

It was an uncomfortable walk back to Kat’s rooms. Ann felt like she wanted to say something, try to comfort Kat, but couldn’t come up with the right words. She watched the woman’s back flex and relax as she stalked ahead of them. Titanic arms rippled as she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fists. Clattering announced the guards falling in behind them. Ann glared back at them, but their helmets hid their faces. At least they kept a short distance back.

They entered their rooms, and Kat slammed the door behind them. Through it, Ann could hear the guards taking their posts, then silence.

“Kat,” Bren started.

“We’re sneakin’ out,” Kat declared. “Thank feck we got this room sound proofed. Can actually plan fer this shite. Not gonna be easy. Ma’ll have the entire guard on alert fer me tryin’.”

“Not all of them,” Bren said. “I have a few I can trust. I will need to get in contact with them, deliver some instructions. We will need Wendyl for part of this. I will make sure a message is delivered covertly.”

“You sound like you were ready for this,” Ann said, giving Bren a curious glance.

“This is hardly the first time Kat has been grounded,” Bren chuckled. “Sure, this time is far more serious, but we have been friends for far too long. Of course I planned for this.”

“Means we’re gonna need tae have our shite prepped outside the city,” Kat muttered. “Who’s gonna handle that? She’ll have either guard or Inquisition watchin’ all o’ us.”

“We do have friends in the city,” Ann pondered. “Wonder if Kieran from the Brawler’s Guild could help out. Sybil too?”

“Ooh, the pretty fox lady you almost molested then kept watch over us while we had sex in the bathroom? It’d be nice to see her again in better circumstances,” Rosalyn giggled.

“Better,” Lucia scoffed.

“Agree wit’ her,” Kat said. “This might be worse circumstances. Either way, she can probably be trusted, an’ Sybil absolutely can. See if ye can get a message tae them, Bren.”

“Consider it done,” the man nodded, pulling paper out of somewhere in his clothes. He nabbed a nearby quill and started writing on the table.

“Oh, I’ll go visit Rowena, too,” Ann said. “Feels kinda shitty, but I’ve got a feeling she’ll do just about anything I ask.”

“Ann, she set up a theatre fer ye. She’ll handle somethin’ like this,” Kat pointed out. “Agreed that it feels like takin’ advantage, though.”

“I’ll make an appearance at the temple in exchange. Listen to some people and do the whole representative of Orenous thing. Orlana can’t keep me from doing that. Not without the Temple throwing a fit.”

“True,” Bren nodded from his spot on the floor. “That makes it trading favours.”

“We do still have a couple days we need to wait,” Rosalyn pointed out. “I still need my glasses.”

“I’ll pass off an additional order to Wendyl,” Bren noted. “We will also want some camouflaged material for new tents. If you three are going to continue activities, then we need to be prepared for circumstances where we can’t keep watch.”

“Good point,” Kat nodded. “I’m not slowin’ down in the sack any time soon. Might be good fer you two, too?”

Bren and Lucia looked at each other, then snorted. A surprisingly undignified noise coming from Bren. Still, Ann spotted blushes on those cheeks. They thought they were smooth.

“Can help. Am… least know to guard. Can probably lose.”

“I’ll be usin’ that,” Kat nodded. “Most o’ all, need yer eyes. Keep watch fer people watchin’. Rotations, patterns, habits. Need tae find the best time tae sneak out. Bren, when ye meet wit’ Wendyl, take our gear wit’ ye. Tell the guard somethin’s up with the enchantin’ an’ we need her tae check it. She can pass that off tae Kieran an’ Sybil without issue.”

“Good plan,” Bren nodded. “It will be done. Now, the last point of order. Once we’re out, where are we headed?”

“No clue. Ann, yer stupidly sexy Goddess say anythin’?”

Ann paused. Closing her eyes, she reached out to Orenous. It wasn’t quite prayer, and she probably knew what kind of prayer her perverted patron would like best, but it was all she could do at the moment. In the darkness, she sought contact, a connection, reaching out with her heart and mind. Waheela felt the attempt and slunk further back into her soul, avoiding notice.

A funny feeling washed over her. Like a warm fuzzy blanket. Orenous had heard her. Slowly, she felt the Goddess pull her consciousness away, but something… got in the way? Something cold. Something angry. It grabbed hold of her and yanked.

She was thrown into chaotic waters, splashing and gasping for breath. The next instant, she was burning alive, becoming ash, then the dirt itself. Suddenly, she was ice, high on a mountain, melting in the sun, becoming a cloud.”

Before she could even scream, she was pulled back into the blackness. Orenous’ grip on her soul was tenacious as she was dragged back from wherever she’d been. Ann quaked in fear as her Goddess held her tight, soothing feelings washing over her.

“It is almost time, my child,” Orenous whispered, walking out of the darkness to stand before Ann. It wasn’t any of her mortal forms. She stood as a burning light. A woman on fire but formless at the same time. “I… I felt you leave. Do you know what happened?”

“No,” Ann shivered. “No idea. I saw… things. I was things. I was on fire, then ash, then dirt. Ice, then water, the clouds? It made no sense.”

Orenous’ presence grew confused, then concerned. “More questions. More to investigate. Be warned. Danger is approaching. Something is disturbing the land. Life grows… restless. I have no other way to describe it. I do have a direction for you. A place to start. Go north. There is a town you must visit. It will not be on any map, and is a place even we had a hard time locating. Ten days north. Five days northeast. One day east. Make haste.”

Ann was unceremoniously tossed back into reality. She blinked as she sat there, sweating. Something was in her face. Her hair? It wasn’t that long. She reached up and grabbed a lock, far longer than she had a moment ago.

“What the fuck?”