Amelia Thornheart-Chapter 138: Amelia-sized Hole

“It is so surprising?” the demon asked, taking a delicate sip from her tea.

“Hello!” Amelia chirped.

Serena said nothing, merely taking time to appraise the woman in front of her. Dressed in a simple Ishaqian garb, with a silk headdress that hid most of the black hair, the demon would easily blend in with the crowds, although their horns—Samino, with the faintest hint of an Ainese twist—would mark them as a foreigner.

Serena’s instincts warned her of the woman’s power. She likely wasn’t a Speaker, but Serena knew she was capable of yellow. She was also an accomplished mage, a rare trait in a warrior who’d reached the third level of aura. Amelia had said herself that the demon was capable of the best Kanaxai glamours she’d seen so far. A fitting combination for a high-ranking Intelligence official. Serena hadn’t had much opportunity to see her true capabilities; the woman had never attended Katalin’s training sessions at the academy.

She’d always kept her at the back of her mind, especially after the woman had deduced Amelia was responsible for the Asclepius transformation through her contacts in the aetherscope network.

She should have known that she would be seeing Sarafina Nakajima again. The demon had arrived at the Asamaywa academy, taking the position of the Head Instructor of Intelligence and Security only a few weeks before their arrival.

“I should have known,” Serena said, taking a seat along with Amelia. “I should have known it wasn’t a coincidence that you were at the academy.” She reached out and poured herself a cup of tea, the strong mint fragrance filling her senses. “I didn’t know at the time”—she threw a quick glare at Aiden—“how much Intelligence had planned ahead. Tell me, Sarafina Nakajima, was approaching Amelia also a part of Intelligence’s plan?”

Sarafina laughed in the small, polite way so indicative of Samino highborn etiquette. “Are you talking about when we had tea in the academy?” After Serena nodded, Sarafina laughed again and said, “Would you believe me that my being here was entirely unplanned and not Intelligence’s original intention?”

“I would not.”

“You would be half-right, Speaker Halen,” Sarafina said, her lips curling. “Truthfully, my appointment at the academy had been planned for over a year. Once my advisory position in Mur ended, I felt it was time to return home and settle down for a while. Little did I know”—Sarafina’s eyes twinkled as she glanced at Amelia—“that a very interesting person would be attending the academy for my first year, and cause all sorts of chaos and problematic happenings.”

“Who’s she talking about?” Amelia whispered. “That person sounds amazing.”

“Oh, I would never imply that Lord-Prospect Thornheart, newly sanctioned saint, would be the cause of chaos,” Sarafina continued, her face breaking out with mirth. “Although I’m told that Greatlord Oshiro to this day can be heard cursing the name of a particular healer who felt it was appropriate to blast half of Asamaywa into good health as a parting gift.”

“Sounds like a good problem to have,” Amelia said with a shrug.

“Not if you’re a demon who values their horns,” Sarafina replied, speaking quietly into her cup. “Practically squeezed his horns into diamonds over it, I’m told.”

“I know the feeling,” Serena muttered. Ignoring Amelia’s pouting and rapidly expanding cheeks, she said to Sarafina, “You said I was half-right?”

“Yes,” the demon replied. “I wasn’t lined up for this position, not originally, anyway. I told a friend about having some tea with Lord-Prospect Thornheart, and they told Intelligence.” Sarafina met Serena’s eyes, saying, “The bighorns preferred someone who was already friendly and on good terms with our chaotic Lord-Prospect for this role, I presume in case something like this”—Sarafina gestured to the disguised safe—“happened. Speaking of, my compliments, Lord-Prospect Thornheart, your Kanaxai wards have improved greatly since you left the academy.”

“Thank you,” Amelia said.

“Before we talk about more important matters,” Sarafina said, placing her cup down, “I should highlight how little I know. I refused the role at first. I wanted to remain as Head Instructor. It wasn’t until they lied to me about what you were doing that I became interested. You see, in a role like this, where I receive information and orders from Centralis, to pass down to your Intelligence Officer”—a quick nod towards Aiden—“it is usual I would be told most of the picture. But this time? They wouldn’t even tell me what you were doing. At first, it was just an intermediary role for an enhanced training mission. That’s what they told me.”

“And you didn’t believe them,” Serena stated.

“No, I didn’t…” Sarafina reclined into her chair, gently tapping the armrest with a finger. “So I poked and prodded, asked a few contacts. Then I found out it was more than just a training mission. I found out that you were here to investigate something or someone. Who or what might that be? Rhaknam? The Ishaqian Council? The Blackhorn?” Sarafina sighed. “So I stuck my horns in a little more, turned over a few more stones. Found out you were here not only to investigate, but to acquire something. At that point, my old superiors took me in and suggested I volunteer for the role, given how much interest I’d shown already.”

“Suggested?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“I see.” Serena gave a slow nod. It made sense that Sarafina would have been forced into the position. A former member of Intelligence on friendly terms with Amelia, and someone with the network to dig into their operations to satisfy her own curiosity. In doing so, the demon had dug her own Amelia-sized hole and was now being made to lie in it.

It’s quite a comfy hole, Serena thought, when you learn to accept it.

“The worst part of it all?” Sarafina asked rhetorically, reaching up and stretching. “Is that not only did I never find out what you’re in the South to find, I’ve also been instructed to tell you not to tell me. Can you believe that? It’s the first time I’ve ever seen or heard of this situation, where the assets on the ground, that’s you and your crew, know more about the mission’s goal than I do! How bizarre!” Sarafina laughed.

“Wouldn’t it be obvious?” Serena asked carefully, flicking her eyes to the safe.

“Oh, black crystal?” Sarafina stifled a yawn. “As troublesome as darkblades and their unnatural weaponry are, it is not something they would hide from me. I’ve been involved in counter-operations against them before. I’m forced to face the reality that the purpose of your mission is something greater, perhaps something more terrible, than mere black crystal.”

She really doesn’t know about the shards, Serena thought. Not unsurprising, considering the secret they held. How many people in the Empire knew of the shards and the fact that one of them was responsible for granting the Empress her demigod status? In hindsight, it had seemed obvious, given the Empress’s title of Shard of Infinity.

What else doesn’t she know? Serena thought. Does she know Amelia is a realm-traveller?

“So now I’m in a particularly frustrating situation,” Sarafina said, raising a finger. “My job is to give you information to aid your search, all without knowing what you’re looking for. How unfair is that?”

“Are you asking me to tell you?” Serena asked, narrowing her eyes.

“No, no.” Sarafina waved a hand. “Whatever you do, don’t tell me.”

“Why not?”

“The one who told me to tell you not to tell me was a Lord Guardian.”

“Oh.”

Nothing further needed to be said. A Lord Guardian’s order was absolute, even when directed at a Greatlord. The number of people in the Empire who had the right of refusal could be counted on one hand. Each Lord Guardian rivalled a Greatlord in power, and could act as judge, jury and executioner as they deemed fit. One’s status as a Cascadian Lord wouldn’t be enough to save them, unless they were one of the four Overlords.

“Putting my suicidal curiosity aside,” Sarafina mused, flicking the air with her finger, “I do have some further information to give to you. It is a little… incomplete. The usual route of communication, through the aetherscope network in the Krummands, is facing problems. Aethergrams do get through, eventually, but they are often delayed.”

“Rhaknam?” Serena asked.

“More or less,” Sarafina replied. “His waking has caused heightened lumina-storm activity. The Krummand installations have no choice but to spool down their scopes to prevent catastrophic damage. Hopefully, the big fish will go back to sleep sooner rather than later.” Sarafina tapped her armchair thrice before continuing, “Hopefully, he won’t have a reason to leave the Shattered Isles.” Sarafina paused and met Serena’s gaze.

“The arcwhale baby?” she said. “The stranding?”

“It’s unlikely to prompt a response, that is, if it doesn’t happen again.” Sarafina’s eyes narrowed. “Strandings like this happen when a dying arcwhale’s sensory organs are interfered with. Normally, an arcwhale sensing the end of its life will return to the Shattered Isles. This one was denied that opportunity. I’ve read your report, Speaker Halen. You’ve spoken to Alaric Voss. He’s experienced that interference first-hand.”

“The Blackhorn,” Serena said.

“Mmm,” hummed Sarafina. “As you know, the Vengeance, as it appears today, is a result of a modernisation effort, retrofitting the ship in line with the Witten-class light-cruiser hull.” After Serena nodded, Sarafina asked, “How much do you know about the development cycle of the Witten?”

“I know the first hull was laid down in eight-twenty,” Serena said. “Twenty-six years ago.”

“Twenty-seven next week,” Sarafina said. “What do you know about the prototypes they built for it?”

“Admittedly, very little,” Serena said, patiently waiting for Sarafina to make her point. She couldn’t help but think that if Nina were here, her sister would be able to detail every bit of research and experimentation that went into designing the modern light cruiser. Hells, there was a decent chance House Halen’s smartest child had her horns in half the military’s advancements in the last few years.

Last Serena knew she was somewhere in the South. Was Nina still there now? Was there a chance, however minuscule, that their paths might cross?

“Before the Witten design was finalised, they made three prototype hulls,” Sarafina said, raising three fingers. “Of those three, one was turned into a museum ship. I believe it’s docked in Noheim. The second is used even today as a training vessel, and the third remained mothballed in Witten.” Sarafina picked up her cup and took a sip. “That was until it disappeared five years ago.”

“The Chameleon,” Serena said, her mind connecting the dots. “The Blackhorn’s flagship. It’s the third Witten prototype.” She hadn’t always been entirely convinced by Menes’ claim that he fired upon the Vengeance because he mistook its blackened hull for the Blackhorn’s Chameleon. But if the pirate flagship was a prototype of the Vengeance’s Witten-based hull, Menes’ argument held more merit.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Yes,” Sarafina replied. “It vanished one night.”

“Does Intelligence know who he is?”

“If the bighorns know, they’re not telling me,” came the reply.

“Whoever he is,” Serena said, “he’s surely responsible for the darkblade activity down here. For that”—she nodded towards the safe—“and the rise in piracy. The corruption runs deep in Ishaq. The lack of Cascadian oversight has made them uncaring and arrogant.” As she talked, Serena felt her tongue take on a note of bitterness as her frustrations came bubbling up. “So arrogant, in fact, that they likely hoped to use that crystal to assassinate a Lord. Sayyid Menes Bastet.”

Serena went on to give Sarafina an overview of the day’s events, this time filling in the holes that Aiden hadn’t been notified of. She spoke of the tensions among the dock workers, how Amelia found the black crystal, and how Secretary Maramba had tried to arrest her. The only thing she brushed over lightly was what happened regarding the Vengeance and its interaction with the black crystal.

“Menes Bastet is popular in Ishaq,” Sarafina murmured. “But as a Cascadian Lord, he cannot hold office on the Council. Even if he’s well-liked, he shouldn’t be a threat to them. Councillor Nasr, you said?” Sarafina took out a small notebook and made a note. “I’ll look into him. Report the issue to the bighorns.”

“May I request that you add a recommendation?” Serena said. “From me.”

“Yes?”

“The Empire is undergoing rapid change, even with the war ended,” Serena said. “Societal, economic, and political. It is my recommendation that Centralis take advantage of the malleable situation and revoke Ishaq’s right as a free city, bringing it back under Cascadian Lordship. The lack of Imperial oversight has turned it into a thorn in the Empire’s side. The connections it has to the so-called Pirate Republic in the Passage should not be allowed to continue.”

“That’s…” Sarafina paused, looking up from her notebook and meeting Serena’s eyes. “A strong recommendation, Speaker Halen.”

Serena blinked. “It’s the time for strong measures, Sarafina Nakajima.”

“I’ll pass it on,” Sarafina replied, closing the notebook and pocketing it. “However, don’t be surprised if nothing comes from it. Ishaq’s connected to Kraken Kur and the rest of the Far East by the Southern Passage. If Ishaq’s brought under direct Imperial control, the Ainese Greatlords would see it as an attempt to limit their trade. It would give them the excuse they need.”

“To do what?” Serena asked.

“To rebel. The majority of their rhetoric is regarding what they call ‘expansionist Imperial control’.” Sarafina gave a light shrug. “Taking Ishaq into the Empress’ arms would be the perfect excuse to fire the first shot.”

“That would be foolish,” Serena said.

“Fools have never had an issue taking foolish action,” Sarafina pointed out. “During your time in the Passage, there have been tariffs flying back and forth back home. Business is strained, and neither the Ainese nor the Samino are backing down. Greatlord Oshiro is meeting with the other Samino Greatlords to try and stop things from escalating, according to the papers.”

Serena almost couldn’t believe her ears. “Tariffs?” she asked. “Over what?”

“Any excuse they can find,” Sarafina replied, smiling slightly. “In this particular case, the Ainese called for tariffs first, citing Highlord Corvus’ appointment as the Cascadian Governor of the Asamaywa Station. He’s famously pro-union, and so the Ainese have taken it as a sign that their travel and trade via rail are going to be squeezed.”

Serena couldn’t believe her ears. “They gave the Dragon Asamaywa Station?”

“You look as if you would disagree with such an appointment,” Sarafina mused.

“You would be correct.”

Sarafina took out her notebook again. “Would you like to make another recommendation?” The demon’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

“...No, thank you.”

“Who knows, Speaker Halen,” Sarafina said, “the way you’re going, there might come a day when such a statement from you wouldn’t be a recommendation, but an order.” The demon leaned in slightly. “I heard you made commodore. Everyone was talking about it at the academy before I left. My compliments.” She tilted her head and tapped her horns. “Quite the achievement.”

“...Thank you,” Serena said. She still had a few months to go before it was made official, but the promotion was locked in, provided she didn’t do anything to cause its revocation.

“Stepping away from our home affairs,” Sarafina said, pouring herself some more tea, “and returning to the trouble in Ishaq’s skies. The Blackhorn seems to have somehow come into possession of modern aetheric-warfare technology. How he managed this, I don’t know, but what matters is that he’s adapted it to the Chameleon and has used it not only to take down an Imperial vessel, but an arcwhale as well.”

“This aetheric-warfare,” Serena began, “what can you tell me about it?” She’d first heard of it from Chesterfield in Shimashina. A darkblade technology that was quickly adapted into the navies of the Known World’s militaries. Rumour had it that it was responsible for blinding Admiral Zhao’s flagship, the Viper, allowing it to be swarmed by spellbound torpedo-equipped light craft.

“It’s quite simple, really,” Sarafina said, gesturing to the safe. “You touch a black crystal and a normal crystal together, and the resulting aetheric waves are redirected using something similar to the reflection plates in an aetherscope. The effect is short-range, no more than a klick or two. It interferes with all aetheric formations, whether organic or artificial. At a distance, mages might find it difficult to stabilise their magic, and warriors might find it difficult to keep their aura going. At closer ranges, it becomes impossible. Too close, and even crystal starts acting up, including the aetheric combustion going on inside a lift engine. A direct blast by the weapon might even cause a detonation.”

“Just like lumina interference,” Serena pointed out.

“Yes, the wavelengths match the deeper readings of the lumina,” Sarafina said.

“Hmm,” Serena hummed, her mind deep in thought. When Amelia had tried Speaking Kanaxai in the Passage, the Vengeance had reacted badly, producing an aetheric effect against the Indefatigable that Menes had assured her matched the weapon the Blackhorn’s Chameleon used. If it had the same effect as the deeper layers of the lumina, were black crystal, Kanaxai, and the lumina all somehow linked together?

“You have a question?” Sarafina asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m wondering if the Vengeance could withstand it,” Serena said. “Considering how resistant it is to the lumina in normal operations.”

“Aha,” Sarafina smiled, “that’s an excellent question, and the bighorns have already given me an answer to pass down to you, in the form of half of your new orders.” As Serena felt her posture straighten, Sarafina continued, “Their answer is the wonderfully precise ‘Probably, but possibly not’, which is why you’re ordered to remain in Ishaq for a week while your lift and propulsion engines are lined with the new reflection plates. A transport should be arriving tomorrow with both the equipment and men to undertake the work. I trust Intelligence has your cooperation in this matter? I know how…” Sarafina trailed off, raising her cup to her lips and taking a delicate sip, “how you don’t like others interfering with your ship.”

“Who’s coming down?” she asked.

“Sergeant Major Lange, Engineer Corps,” Sarafina explained. “The same man who installed your new firing tables. I believe you met him in Asamaywa.”

“I remember,” Serena said with a nod. The Vengeance’s new Integrated Ambler Firing Tables had been put through the Heavens and Hells throughout the Passage, their mechanical brains doing their best to adapt to the chaotic weather patterns. It’d taken a while to get used to them, but Thorne had confidently told her he couldn’t ever see them going back to the old ways.

“A week works well for me,” Serena said. It was the perfect amount of time to satisfy her desire to further train the squad, allow Hinako to make her duelling debut, and finish their obligations to Menes—the promise to use Amelia’s magic during the Arcwhale Festival to cure the opium dens littering the darker side of Ishaq. “What about the other half?” Serena asked.

“There, we run into a little trouble. The delays in the Krummand network mean I don’t yet have a firm destination for you. I’ve been told to pass on to you that the thing you are looking for—which, may I remind you, not to tell me anything about—is believed to be deep in the Red Sands.” Sarafina grimaced. “I hope you don’t burn easily, Speaker Halen.”

“I’m expected to traverse the desert?” Serena asked flatly. “The Red Sands?”

“That’s right.”

“Lift engines don’t work over the Southern desert.”

“If you close your eyes, perhaps you might imagine you are walking on a beach?”

“We’re weeks away from the red moonrain.”

“Walking on a beach… in the summer?”

Serena clicked her tongue. “And you don’t have a destination?”

“Not for another week. I’m assuming by the fact that you were sent to Ishaq, rather than Qasim or Killion, that the area of interest is the Salaban Bowl. You are to prepare for a possible”—Sarafina’s eyes took on a note of pity—“extended stay in the Red Sands. Take only aether users, or those you can otherwise protect. Whether you use windrunners or sandskimmers, it is up to your judgment, Speaker Halen. But be warned…” Sarafina’s expression darkened. “There are beasts underneath the deep sands. Creatures that never see moonlight but will lie there, waiting…” The demon trailed off in a whisper as a tense silence descended throughout the room.

“Are you trying to scare us?” Amelia asked suddenly.

“Yes,” the demon admitted shamelessly. “Did it work?”

“Mmm”—Amelia nodded enthusiastically—“but now I’m more curious!”

Sarafina smiled. “In all seriousness, I doubt the native wildlife will pose much threat to a pair of Speakers. I’m sure you can find all the information you need on potential threats in Ishaq. It’s a short journey by ship over the mountains to Hakim or Trekell. Once there, you’ll have to acquire your means of transport.”

“And then what?” Serena asked, crossing her arms. “Just… go out into the desert and hope I bump into what I’m looking for?”

“I was…” Sarafina stopped, pausing for a moment before continuing, “I was informed that you were in possession of a method to aid you in your search. Was that not true?”

“I don’t—” Serena caught herself.

Shards attract other shards.

“Nevermind,” Serena said, doing her best not to look at Amelia. Shards attract other shards. Amelia, with her soul bonded to one, had been pulled through the layers of reality to the Vengeance’s shard, leading to her and Serena’s fate-bound meeting. Sarafina had been right; Serena did have a method of searching.

She’d heard that metal-detecting, the act of passing a magnet over soil in search of hidden coins or treasure, had become a popular pastime in Centralis. Now it seemed that Amelia would be Serena’s magnet, and that she would be passing her girlfriend over the Red Sands, seeking a reaction to a mysterious, unlocated shard.

“That’s all I know for now,” Sarafina said.

“...It’s enough,” Serena said.

“While you prepare, I’ll also be busy, Speaker Halen. We’ll be investigating this ‘Lady Houk’ and her associates. These things take time, and any operation in Ishaq won’t happen overnight, so try to avoid stirring the nest if you can. I’ll do what I can to pressure the Council into launching a search and rescue mission for the missing Captain Matthews and his crew.” Sarafina took out her notebook for the third time and flipped through it. “And the merchant you requested we look into, a…”

“Charles Hornford,” Serena finished.

“Yes, a Charles Hornford. I’ll see what I can get for you.”

“I’ve found out he was, or still is, sponsored by Greatlord Malin,” Serena said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a few pieces of paper. “There is also this. This is some information I came across recently regarding Hornford’s activities. If you take a look here…” Serena passed over the documents Noburu and Seonmi had inadvertently been handed. “The ledger transactions are innocent enough for a merchant frequenting the Passage, but look at the recipient near the bottom of the page. A name I assume you would recognise, correct?”

“Mmm… oh? Oh.” Sarafina’s eyes widened, and she flicked her gaze to Serena before examining the paper in more detail. “Charles Hornford hired him? To protect Councillor Nasr’s ships? That doesn’t bode well, does it?”

“Given the blatant bribery and corruption I saw in the Andalus fortress,” Serena said, “I have little confidence in the man’s integrity. Given that he hired him, I think Intelligence could spare some time and effort, don’t you think?”

“I agree,” Sarafina muttered. “I didn’t think I’d ever see his name again. I wonder—”

“Ahhh!” Amelia suddenly yelled, throwing her arms in the air. “Stop being mysterious and tell me who it is! I don’t care how top-secret it is. I’m a Lord-Prospect, and this is obviously connected to everything, so I have a right to know! If you don’t tell me, I’m going to go out in Ishaq first thing tomorrow morning and cause more chaos!”

Now that’s a threat, Serena thought, glancing at Sarafina.

The two of them shared a nod. Sarafina passed Amelia the paper.

“I suppose it involves you as well,” Serena said. “Look at the name on the bottom row, third column.” She waited as Amelia found the name and sounded it out quietly. Her girlfriend frowned and looked at her.

“Who the hell is Murakami Takeyoshi?” Amelia asked.

“Who the hells,” Sarafina corrected, her brow furrowing.

Amelia still slips up when it comes to idioms, Serena thought, taking a mental note.

“I mean, who the hells is Murakami Takeyoshi?” Amelia asked again.

“It’s not someone you’ve met,” Serena said, taking the paper. “But you’ve met his men. Fought them, even. A twice-shamed man. Once, when he left the Eastern Navy in disgrace, turning to mercenary work. Then shamed again when he was indicted in the smuggling trade. I wondered where he might have gone.” Seeing Amelia’s eyes slowly widen in realisation, Serena nodded. “That’s right. Murakami Takeyoshi is, or was, the leader of the Crimson Reapers, the smuggling gang we uncovered in Uncle Yulan’s Highguard.”

The same man whose men were smuggling black crystal through the Highguard hotel.

Now connected to and in the employ of Charles Hornford.

The web of intrigue and corruption was growing.

But, no matter how widespread or dense it became.

Serena would burn it down.