As promised, Mir̃alai's recovery had been a rapid one. She was quite sore for a few days, her muscles ached from how tightly she strained them during the birth. Luckily though, this pain dissipated before long. While she was recovering, Aym took the primary parental role without question. It warmed her heart to see the way her husband interacted with their children. The look of pure love and admiration in his eyes every time he held them was too sweet. All Mir̃alai had to do while she recovered was feed them, the task certainly wasn't pleasant given the tiny, sharp fangs they'd begun sprouting at their third week, but she managed it well enough. Soon, Mir̃alai was able to do everything she had missed during her pregnancy. She even began venturing out on short crusades.
Baal and Bharadei visited often, much more often than Mir̃alai would have assumed. It seemed the servants were being granted ample freetime. As Aym assumed, Baal quickly took to his role as uncle, and absolutely adored his nieces. During his visits, it was rare to see him without at least one of the girls cradled in his arms. Bharadei was every bit as enthusiastic as her lover, and always joined in his fawning over the kids.
The sun was setting on a cool fall evening, Lydie was napping in her cradle as Mir̃alai fed Merida. Aym had been out for most of the day, catching up on repairs that needed done in the ever-expanding cult grounds. She had just fastened her fleece back on when the door opened. Aym stepped inside, followed closely by Baal and Bharadei.
"Oh…!" Mir̃alai smiled, surprised to see the two. "Back so soon?"
"Yes, Master has scarcely needed me as of late." Baal smiled, sitting down beside the Lamb. He picked up Merida unprompted, to no complaint of the Lamb. She greedily took the moment to stand and stretch her back. Bharadei sat beside her lover and smiled sweetly as she petted the kit's wooly head.
"How have you been, Mir̃a? Still alright?"
"For the most part." She chuckled. "These two can be a handful, especially Merida. Oh, she just hates to be set down. Lydie goes right to sleep." Baal chuckled, bouncing the giggling kit.
"Perhaps you spoiled her, brother." Aym commented with a smirk.
"I cannot help myself, she is too sweet." Baal laughed a little.
"Between you and Aym, she's spoiled rotten." Mir̃alai jested. "I will be putting her down soon, don't get too cozy." She warned. Baal pouted with a rather dramatic sigh.
"If you must."
"Are they still breastfeeding?" Bharadei asked curiously, noting Lydie's teeny fangs.
"Unfortunately." Mir̃alai sighed, "Forneus said I should be able to move them to solids soon, once all their teeth are in."
"Oh, and how is she?" Bharadei asked with a warm smile, "I haven't seen her in a while now."
"She's doing well. She has been so helpful with the girls, she always has the best advice."
"Well, Mama does know best." Baal chuckled. "She raised us on her own, and I'd like to think we turned out well."
"I don't know how she did it, I think I'd go mad if it weren't for Aym and Caxton." Mir̃alai glanced out the window, seeing the sun had just settled beneath the horizon. She looked up at Aym.
"Would you put them in the nursery, hun?" He nodded and lifted Lydie from her cradle. Baal begrudgingly gave up Merida, who squirmed in a feeble protest. While he was taking care of them, Mir̃alai started towards the kitchen. "I'll get us some wine." She smiled, eager for a little relaxation with her company. She pulled a bottle of wine from the rack, and began filling glasses for everyone. As she poured the last, she wasn't surprised to hear Merida begin her nightly wails. She gingerly placed all the glasses onto a wooden tray, and carried it out to the living room. As she handed out the glasses, Bharadei frowned.
"Oh, poor thing."
"She does this every night, as I said, she hates to be set down. I coddled her for a while, but Aym insisted that I let her sleep in her own crib like Lydie does." Mir̃alai said as she settled into the armchair. "She usually doesn't cry long though, I think she's getting used to it." She waved a hand. Sure enough, the crying ceased within minutes and Aym returned. Mir̃alai motioned to the glass she had set out for him and he took it with a nod of thanks before sitting down to Baal's other side. "Have they gone to sleep?"
"Yes, it is lucky that Lydie isn't bothered by her crying. Otherwise, I think it would be near impossible to get them to rest." He chuckled, sipping from his glass. Turning his attention to his brother, he spoke again, "You always visit us as a pair, is it safe to assume things are serious?" Baal blushed and took a rather large drink of his wine in an obvious attempt to avoid the question. Bharadei, who seemed impossible to embarrass, spoke in his place.
"Yes, I'd like to think so." The wolf chuckled and sipped her wine. "It really was quite casual for a while. Honestly, I hadn't expected it to go anywhere seeing as the whole thing started as a simple attempt to cheer him up. But, it seems Baal is fond of me, I can't seem to shake him off." She teased with a nudge to Baal's arm. He rolled his eyes, but clearly didn't mind as he was smirking behind his glass. "So, I suppose I'm stuck with him now." Mir̃alai laughed and drank from her glass.
"You know, tomorrow Atti and Aurelia are watching the girls. We could go on a crusade together. I think it'd be fun."
"I see no reason why not." Baal shrugged a bit, "I have three days before I must return."
"Wonderful, we can leave after my sermon." Mir̃alai nodded, setting her empty glass aside. "Oh, Bharadei, are you allowed to fight? I know you used to, but Nykka disapproves of violence."
"Oh, I can fight." She waved a hand, "Those vows were hers alone to take, she expects me to defend myself on crusades however I see fit." The Lamb stood to collect the empty glasses.
"Good. Well, we should get our rest then. I'm sure Caxton won't mind lending you two his spare room." She smiled at the couple as they rose from the couch to bid Mir̃alai and Aym goodnight.
The following morning was a busy one. Mir̃alai hadn't slept well once again due to having to get up and feed the girls twice in the night. Therefore, she and Aym both woke up late. The two hurriedly got ready, changed the girls, gathered their essentials into a bag, and rushed out to drop them off at Aurelia's cabin. After dropping them off, she returned to her temple to perform a short sermon. She had been determined to keep up on her duties despite motherhood, and refused to skip it regardless of how late in the morning it had been. Once her sermon was finished, she was finally free to go on the crusade. The four converged outside of the temple, and Mir̃alai led them beyond the gates and into the Silk Cradle.
"I haven't been here in a while." Bharadei commented as they stepped through the veil and into the shadowy, web-ridden landscape.
"I haven't either, it's normally more trouble than it's worth." Mir̃alai admitted, preemptively arming herself with a sword. "I only come here when we need silk. But, seeing as there are four of us, I think it would be more interesting than Dark Wood, or Anura."
"Right you are." Aym chuckled a bit, twirling his staff. The two brothers had taken it upon themselves to head the group. A small, prideful part of Mir̃alai objected to this, but she did not argue. Bhardei seemed to be enthralled by the world around them, and it was then that Mir̃alai wondered if this had been a good idea after all. She had forgotten about the wolf's deep ties to the Silk Cradle.
"We can go somewhere else if you'd prefer, Bharadei…" She offered softly. Bharadei shook her head and gave her an assuring smile.
"It does not bother me, Mir̃a. Thank you for your concern though. No, I am quite used to fighting here. I may have been devoted to Shamura, but that did not earn me the forgiveness of the monsters here. They attacked me as they did everyone. I've been in plenty of fights here."
"Very well." Mir̃alai nodded, "You do have a weapon?"
"Of course…!" The wolf laughed a bit and flicked her wrist. A shining, silver throwing knife dropped out of her sleeve, the handle landing neatly in the palm of her hand. She flipped it once in the air before catching it with an adept hand. "I keep these on me at all times, just to be safe." Mir̃alai was about to comment on the cleverness of this, when a noise interrupted her. The group as a whole had heard it, all stopped to locate the source of the scurrying sound. Without warning, Bharadei threw her knife up into the canopy of trees above them. A massive, blue spider landed with a splat on the ground just ahead of them, the blade sticking out from its head. The wolf stepped past Aym and Baal to yank her knife free from its head. Mir̃alai was very impressed. Of course, it was a low-tier enemy. Any one of them could have taken it out in a single hit, that isn't what impressed her. It was the accuracy of the throw, and the instincts that piqued her interest. It seemed obvious now that the spider was above them, yet she and the twins were all expecting it to appear out of the treeline, not over their heads. Aym had been thinking the same, he looked back at Mir̃alai with raised brows. To which she replied with a small nod and a grin. Once they continued walking, Baal spoke.
"Have you defeated Witness Allocer yet?"
"Hm? Oh, no. Not yet. I admit I've been avoiding it. The Witnesses are such a pain to deal with." Baal shrugged a little.
"We could help you with them if you'd like."
"Well, I have been meaning to get the last eye to Plimbo… Very well, if everyone agrees, I have no issue." Aym shrugged with indifference, and Bharadei looked positively excited at the suggestion. Mir̃alai nodded, and walked forward to pass the three and head the group. "It is decided then." She used her sword to cut down a thick web that blocked their path. With it gone, she was suddenly hit by the strong aroma of smoldering incense. She knew exactly who they were approaching and grinned. Sure enough, they came across a tall, black bird in crimson robes. He sat cross legged atop a mass of luxurious rugs. The surrounding forest was alight with handcrafted stars that dangled delicately from the branches above. He smiled under his hood upon seeing Mir̃alai and reached to his side to lift a deck of tarot cards.
"Ah, fortuitous Lamb, we meet again."
"Good day, Clauneck." She smiled brightly at him. "I have brought friends with me today."
"So I see." He chuckled, "Two servants, ah, but I am mistaken. No, one servant. The other, liberated…" He cooed and turned over a card, it showed two blue hearts opposing each other, Lovers II. "By you, Lamb." He sat up to look at Bharadei, "And I believe we have crossed paths before, Wolf. You, once a warrior, now a servant of the light." He spoke wisely.
"We have indeed." Bharadei smiled. "I am surprised you remember, it was long ago." Clauneck chuckled at this.
"My brothers and I remember all." He looked back at Mir̃alai, "Shall I draw for you, Lamb?" The bird asked as he shuffled his tarot cards with gentle, skilled hands. The Lamb nodded with a smile and sat down across from him. "Let us see what the fates have in store for you today." He said softly as he laid out the first card, it depicted a spider with a shield-shaped symbol on its back. "Mithridatism, fear naught what passes thine lips." Clauneck smiled then laid out the second, liquid encircled by a spherical bottle and a red eye hovering above. "Strength from Within, meditate on your malicious intent." He sat back, hands resting upon his knees. "The fates have spoken, what say you?" Mir̃alai looked between the two cards, and lifted the first. Mithridatism would surely come in handy here. The moment she touched the card, her Doctrine appeared before her. The card pulled itself free of her fingers and landed within its pages. The book disappeared again and Mir̃alai stood. Clauneck nodded and looked on to the group behind her. "All is as it should be. You will find that fate has gifted all with its touch this day."
"Thank you, Clauneck." Mir̃alai said with a small bow. The bird chuckled and bowed in return from his place.
"Your cards have been drawn. The path lays ahead. Go now, seize your fate." He motioned to a clearing in the foliage to his left. With a final wave, she led them onward along the path. Mir̃alai was relieved to know they would all be immune to the venomous attacks they were sure to suffer on this crusade. It was one less thing she needed to worry about. This run-in with Clauneck was lucky indeed, the very next clearing they happened upon was filled with enemies. Two poison spiders, three archers, and two swordsmen. The moment they entered the clearing, a barrier rose behind them, blocking any escape. No matter, Mir̃alai had no plans to run. All four of them went on the attack. Mir̃alai focused her energy on the swordsmen, drawing a blade of her own to strike them. To her left, a spider who had been intent on attacking her was struck dead by one of Bharadei's precisely aimed throwing knives. The wolf moved onto the next, taking it down with ease. Meanwhile, Aym and Baal handled the archers. The small heretics stood no chance as a curse of spiked chains erupted from the ground courtesy of Aym. It skewered the small villain, leaving their body on the ghostly pike while Baal thrusted the spiked end of his staff into the second archer who had been distracted by their fallen comrade. Aym finished the last archer off by summoning a ring of fire that whirled violently into them before they could draw their bow. Mir̃alai beheaded the second swordsmen and looked back at her team with a grin. This was going to be a cake-walk.
On and on they went, fighting their way through the various enemy camps on their way to Shamura's temple. During the crusade, minimal injuries were sustained. The Lamb had received a bite on her arm, but thanks to her drawn tarot card, it did little to hinder her. Baal suffered a blast from a Bomb Scout, but came out of it with only a few scratches from the shrapnel. Mir̃alai was having a much easier go of the Silk Cradle than she ever had in the past thanks to her comrades.
The forest was growing dark as night fell upon them. They were thrust into a velvety darkness that Bharadei relieved with a torch she had taken from the most recently cleared encampment.
"How far is the temple, Mir̃a?" She asked, brushing dirt off her white robes.
"Not far." She replied as she peered at the map within her mind. "We're near enough, that arch we passed through was the last one. Moments after saying this, they stepped into another enemy camp. This one was a little tougher, a Red Guardian resided over it. Still, they cleared it soon enough. Aym and Baal had focused on the Guardian, their combined skills made quick work of the usually resilient foe. Once cleared, Mir̃alai pointed to a long, stone path she knew would lead them in the right direction.
"There, if we take that path, we'll be in the temple."
"Shall we move on then?" Aym asked, he reached over to brush away a web that had landed on her wool. Mir̃alai nodded with a little smile.
"Yes, I'm sure we'll have no trouble with Allocer." With that, she led them onward along the stone path. They soon entered Shamura's temple, the first room they passed through was the library. An absolutely massive room, with tall stone pillars to support the dome ceiling. The lengthy shelves lined the room, floor to ceiling. Thousands upon thousands of books resided here. Draping curtains of spider silk glistened in the moonlight. They danced as a cool breeze swept in through the broken windows. It was usually here that the Lamb turned back after collecting books to take back home. Tonight though, she moved on, pushing open a set of double doors that led into a long hallway. The passage was so thick with webbing, that Mir̃alai had to cut an opening for them to pass through. At the end of this corridor was another set of tall, double doors. She knew Allocer was on the other side, and took a moment to ready herself before she pushed them open. The Witness spotted them the moment they took their first steps inside. A monstrous, purple spider that more than quadrupled Mir̃alai's own meager stature. It had eleven legs, and eighteen glowing, red eyes. It let out a screeching scream and immediately burst forth a curse. Fireballs, dozens of them, began shooting out of its body in a spiral formation. She could not keep track of her team, she had to put all her focus on her enemy. Mir̃alai rolled into the fray, dodging the attack. She used her sword to land a few good hits into the beast. Her attack coupled with Bharadei, who threw three blades in quick succession. Each landed with a sickening squelch into the Witness' eyes. Sharp chains began to explode from the ground, trailing the spider as it ran after Mir̃alai who had to go on the defensive to avoid it. The chains caught up to the creature, and one landed a hard blow into its abdomen. It screamed and shot up into the sky above where a black portal had ripped open in waiting. In the witness' place, six enemies were summoned. Five of them were spiders, and one was a long centipede. Bharadei ran towards the centipede, reaching down to grab her fallen knives on the way. Mir̃alai began her attack on the spiders along with Baal. Aym summoned fire to go after those enemies who weren't already under attack. Once all six were slain, Allocer made their reappearance. Dropping down from hiding with a boom. Mir̃alai resumed her onslaught, though a poorly judged attack ended when her enemy spit acidic venom in her direction. She was unable to avoid this, and a splash of burning liquid landed upon her arm. She cursed loudly, and jumped back to avoid further damage. Luckily, Mithridatism meant the burn was the worst of it. She would not be poisoned as she normally would have. In her place, Baal and Bharadei went on the offensive. Bharadei blinded four more of Allocer's eyes, and Baal dealt a devastating blow in her wake. He slammed his staff against the Witness with such force, the beast staggered. Unrelenting, Baal thrust his staff through Allocer's abdomen with a powerful shout. The Witness was slain without the chance to summon aid a second time. Relieved that the battle was over, Mir̃alai sighed. Aym had appeared by her side, he took her hand and had her raise her arm so he could look it over.
"It isn't too bad." He said, relief in his tone.
"No, I'm alright, hun." She smiled up at him. Mir̃alai leaned up to kiss his cheek before approaching the Witness. Luckily, not all their eyes were ruined. Unbothered, she shoved a hand into the socket of its largest eye. Closing her fist around the eye, she swiftly ripped it out of the beast's head. Once free of its body, it disappeared to be called upon later when she would give it to Plimbo. She turned back to the group with a nod.
"Shall we begin the journey back?" They nodded in assent, and she led them back through the temple the way they came. If she had come on her own, she'd be able to teleport back to her cult. But, that would mean leaving the others behind. Obviously, she couldn't do that, so they all walked. On the bright side, the path back was virtually clear. There wasn't time for anything meaningful to settle. This meant time for uninterrupted conversation.
"Is that burn bad, Mir̃a?" Bharadei asked, glancing down at the bare, blistering skin on the Lamb's arm.
"I've had worse." She waved a hand dismissively, "Aurelia makes a salve for burns, it will be healed in no time."
"That's good to hear, I was a bit worried."
"I appreciate your concern." She smiled at the wolf, "You did wonderfully, Bharadei. I would not have liked to cross your path while you served Shamura." Mir̃alai chuckled.
"Thank you." She laughed a little, "Yes, I was quite viscous back then. But, Mistress Nykka got that out of me. Of course, I am thankful for it. I live a peaceful life now."
"How is Nykka? I have not seen her in a few weeks now."
"She is…" Bharadei paused for a moment, "She is not well, I'm afraid."
"Is it Narinder again?" Mir̃alai asked with a sigh.
"I believe so… She still will not allow me to accompany her on her visits. Last time I asked to go, she became angry. I haven't asked again."
"Does she still have bruises when she returns?"
"I'm not sure, she has been doing well to hide them, or otherwise heal them if she has. What worries me most, is that I've caught her crying on a few occasions. She refuses to confide in me, and insists she's alright."
"That is worrisome." Mir̃alai frowned. She looked at Baal who was staring ahead determinedly. "Baal…"
"Mir̃alai, I can't." He huffed. "I'm sorry, but I am forbidden to speak about anything in my Domain."
"Aren't you concerned about Nykka?"
"You have no idea." Baal sighed and watched his staff as he twirled it for something to do. "Regardless, I cannot tell you anything."
"He doesn't have to know you were the one that told us." Bharadei assured him with a hopeful expression.
"He will know. Who else would have informed you?"
"Baal, please." Mir̃alai pleaded with her brother-in-law. "I need to know she's okay, and I believe the only way she will speak to me is if I have something to push her with."
"I… don't know much." Baal gave in, resting his staff across his shoulders, behind his neck. He held it with his hands as he addressed the Lamb. "Master often sends me away while she is there. I'm sure it is why I've been given so much time away. But, I know she hates being there. She cries nearly every time she leaves my Master's cathedral. However he was treating her before, it was nothing compared to now. I cannot for the life of me understand why she still comes to see him at all. She is miserable, I can tell by her face that she dreads every visit."
"I want to talk to her again." Mir̃alai decided with a small nod.
"I doubt you'll get anywhere, Mir̃a, but I will not stop you. It pains me to see her in such a state. She is so kind, she does not deserve to be put through it." Bharadei frowned.
"You're right, she doesn't. I will not stop until she confides in me. Even if she sends me away, I will simply return again, and again." She insisted, a new fire lit within her.
Mir̃alai exited the Silk Cradle with her companions in a few short hours. Instead of going back to her Cult as she originally planned, she turned left, heading straight for Nykka's Domain. She passed through the veil of light, and into the dense jungle beyond. The others continued to follow her without question. They trekked along the dirt path, and onto the beach. All was silent, every Follower surely sound asleep in this late hour of night. Along the white beach they went, the temple at the end twinkled under the moonlight ahead of them. Without even a moment's hesitation, she pushed open the white doors, and stepped into the temple. By lucky chance, Nykka was there. The Bishop was sitting upon her throne, bent forward with her face in her hands. She looked up upon hearing their footsteps approaching over the stone floors. She had definitely been in the process of crying, her puffy eyes and sodden cheeks betraying her attempt at a happy greeting.
"O- Oh, hello. Is there something I can help you with?"
"What has he done to you?" Mir̃alai asked, cutting straight to the heart of the problem. Beating around the bush would have been a pointless waste of time. Nykka stood, her expression too tired to feign confusion as she clearly meant to.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean." Mir̃alai said, stopping before the lectern.
"I have already told you, Mir̃alai. Narinder has done nothing to me. If this is all you're here for-"
"It is. Nykka, do not lie to me, please. I am worried about you, all of us are worried about you. Bharadei and Baal said they've witnessed you crying after visiting him, and I have just witnessed it myself."
"I am stressed…" Nykka defended herself weakly, "I have been extremely busy."
"Why do you defend him? He is a monster, Nykka, you know that! I know you do!"
"You are blinded by your hatred of him." She sighed.
"You are the one that is blind." Mir̃alai glared, "Baal said you look miserable when you go to his Domain."
"He is mistaken."
"You were mistaken. I know you love him, but you were wrong. He cannot be fixed, Nykka! He is evil!" Mir̃alai yelled, stepping up onto the pulpit. "As long as he has that damned crown, he will continue to be a vile, power hungry beast! You know it to be true! You are not a fool!"
"He is not evil…!" Nykka yelled back, though with a fraction of the furocity. "He is good! He- He has to be." Her voice finally broke, and she dropped into her throne, sobbing into her hands. Bharadei rushed up to her side, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug.
"Please confide in us, Mistress…" The wolf spoke gently, "We can help you if you trust us."
"I… I don't know what to do." She muttered finally, lifting her head as she tried to wipe her teary face. "He has threatened your lives." Nykka looked at Mir̃alai. "Your children's lives. I- I've been trying to stave off his anger, so I can protect you, but I-" Aym approached, apparently roused by the threat on their daughters.
"You should have mentioned this sooner…" She shook her head.
"It does not matter, he is too powerful. The only option I had was to obey. But now, I… I'm afraid." She looked off, hugging her arms over her middle. "I cannot keep letting him treat me thus."
"Does he know?" Mir̃alai asked to the surprise of the others who didn't have as keen of an eye. But Mir̃alai recognized the anxiety, the body language. She was familiar with it, she had lived with such mannerisms for nine months. Nykka tightened her expression and shook her head.
"I cannot tell him… He would kill me, I'm sure of it." Realization dawned on Aym, and with it, a fiery passion.
"I will help you." He said automatically. "I will not let him harm you, Mistress, you have my word." She looked at Aym, her brows furrowed.
"N- No. No, I cannot let you do that, Aym. You would be slaughtered. It is pointless."
"Alone, perhaps." Mir̃alai said gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. "But I will come too, I will aid you. Both of our crowns, against one. We could defeat him, Nykka."
"I will not let you risk your lives for me, I can't do that. Not after I've spent so long trying to protect you."
"I'll go too, Mistress. You know I can fight." Bharadei insisted with an assuring nod.
"Absolutely not." She shook her head. "I can't let you do it, any of you."
"What choice is there? He's sure to kill you eventually, then he'll come for us anyway." The Lamb reasoned. "If we attack him together, as a team, we can defeat him. I'm sure of it. You are powerful. The Red Crown may not be as useful, but both of us? Aym and Bharadei are amazing fighters too. There is not a doubt in my mind. We can do it."
"I-..." She looked off and wiped her eyes again as she thought. "Very well…"
"Thank you." Mir̃alai hugged the Bishop tight. Nykka hugged her in return, squeezing the Lamb close.
"I just need a little time to recover…" Mir̃alai nodded as she let go and took a step back.
"I understand. Call upon us when you're ready, and we will come to your aid."
"I will, thank you." She managed a weak smile. "I think I'll try to get some rest now, if that's alright?"
"Of course." Mir̃alai smiled and turned to leave with the others. The group exited the temple, and walked along the beach to the jungle. When they reached the edge of Nykka's Domain, Bharadei lingered behind.
"I think I will stay behind, she may still need me." The wolf explained.
"Good idea." Mir̃alai sighed, "I'm sure she will… She is so distressed."
"Indeed." Bharadei frowned. Baal approached her and slipped his arms around her in a tight hug. She smiled and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. "You will come with us, won't you?" She asked when it was broken.
"Of course…" He assured her. She nodded and gave him a final squeeze before letting him return to the Mir̃alai and Aym.
"Farewell." The wolf waved to them. They bid their goodbye and walked on through the doorway. The three entered Mir̃alai's grounds, and made their way back to the temple. It was decided that Baal would stay there and sleep in the main room. On the off-chance Nykka was ready for the assault before daybreak.
