Gods I was nervous. The first a my official capacity as a Saint was ving Redagga to help with military recruitment. But that was small, private, in a little bubble with a lover and someone I had grown to trust. This? This was going to be me stepping out and shouting who and what I was to the world. I would be very publicly known as a Saint in three major nations within days, the rest of Reltris within weeks. Months at most. Blending in was already hard, but once wot out? I could probably fet about bei alone in public ever again.

  Henna had been very kindly quiet about things so far. I’d told her about Vei’Ryn and her pantheon when I told everyone about my pasts, but she left her questions about my goddess unasked. I think she knew something was ing and just had to wait to get her answers. Much like Vei’Ryn, I too found myself attracted to how smart someone was.

  Getting dressed was more of a hassle than normal. Dekarru had a whole outfit to put on, the usual top and pants fotten in favor of something more ceremonial for the visiting dignitaries. A low cut gree and a pair of matg shorts were simple enough, though clearly of high quality materials and very well made. But the robe she wore over it was just ft out extravagant. Green fabric woven in thick threads that made it look like it was formed from vines, blue gems pced throughout it gave the impression of small pools of water, all over ahy brown base yer that looked like it might even smell like rich soil. I didn’t have to ask, this was clearly some form of ritual garb meant to scream out who she was to any who looked her way.

  Simirly she had (without inf me) prepared something for me as well. The shorts a were practically identical to Dekarru’s but my robe was somewhat more uated. Holy it looked kinda like wizard garb from a Ren-Faire. Flowing bck fabric covered in stars with vender ce at the ends of the sleeves. It was quite pretty, don’t get me wrong. But it was also clearly a ‘we’re not sure how to make you look’ kinda thing. I had described Vei’Ryn to Dekarru and I suppose with little to go on, ‘starry sky’ wasn’t the worst choice for a motif.

  I found a kind of odd pleasure in the idea of getting some ritual wear iure. Despite my retly adopted naturalist lifestyle, getting new clothes still sounded like fun. After all, I wouldn’t be able to be naked everywhere. Plus, being who and what I was meant there was a certain minimum level of presentation that would be expected of me, at least by Vei’Ryn’s future worshipers if no one else. So I looked forward to getting some fanew threads in the near future.

  We had a ride to the cil chambers that day, a fact that drove the fact I was important just a little bit deeper into my skull. I had to remind myself to breathe a few times as the car drove along. The quiet in the cab with Henna and Dekarru was almost suffog. But I don’t think any of us knew what to say and Henna had always e across as the type to not speak at all rather than indulge in that most horrible of crimes, small talk. So the trip was quiet and I meditated, repeating my talk with the pantheon in my head to make sure I had things down ahead of time.

  As we neared our destination, I pulled up my hood and secured the robe better around me, hiding my features to all who weren’t right in my face. I like to imagine I looked all mysterious and cool, but I probably looked like a creepy weirdo. Either way I would remain an unknown to outsiders and that was the point. Heading into the actual chambers themselves, we heard quite a lot of chatter in three different nguages. Thankfully I spoke all of them.

  The Elders were all present, aside from Utros Runningbuck of the Streaming Pins and Junren Sailfin of Wavecrest, both of whom were in their perspective regions overseeing local issues. The remaining Elders all had assistants with them this time, taking notes and refilling mugs mostly, and the chatter between them all retty funny to be ho. They were takis on which side would make an ass of themselves first, it was about even, but Yin Softbark of the Ash Lands was betting I would show up and toss things about so badly that her side would do anything signifitly embarrassing. Avarin Bristletongue, Elder of Howling Rod emergenander in chief of Willow Creek’s military, simply smirked and sided with Yin without expnation.

  Durran Owleye of the Eternal Pilrs, Targan the Gray of Bck Sands, Pellu Coralheart of Blue Bounty, and Pagar Stonehide of Red Hand all thought Pitrak would be the oo make a se. Whereas Layanta Streamdancer of Willow Creek, Banda Goat-Heart of Mother’s Teeth, and Farndar Lightstep of Father’s Fingers all bet on Uvtrayl causing a fuss first. Ogaro, oracle of the Blue Father, refused to pick a side but clearly found the entire discussioremely amusing. When they looked up and saw us ing closer, Yin looked at me and must have reized who I was regardless of the ‘disguise’ because she grinned, ughed, and told them all it was too te to ge their bets now.

  The Pitrak envoy had a face I reized. Posters with the Prime Minister had been up iown at one point when he was running for the office years ago. Before that he was Minister of Education and had spent his five years in that position fighting for better funding to public schools and barely getting anywhere. I remember being both happy and angry that he won and immediately pushed through measures that made public schooling both better and mandatory. It was during my training in the army, a bit too te to help me. But maybe it would keep stories like mine—like Lietri’s, less on iure.

  He was talking about his worries with a woman sittio him, squeezing his hand. His wife if I had to guess. He wahis to go well, wahe war to end, wanted Pitrak’s people to stop dying for the Empire’s greed. He waheir children to grow up in a time of peace. He was also worried this might turn out to be a mistake. She reassured him that he wouldn't be doing it if it wasn’t what he thought was for the best. His assistant handed him a stack of papers, a list of things they khe Pitrak Senate would likely fight him on and a list of things they would probably accept. He really did e prepared.

  I also noticed something I’d heard about but never personally firmed. He had hearing aids. Simple aricraft bits that looped around his ears and into the ear als to amplify sounds for him. He was half deaf from some childhood illness, or so the rumors said. It seems there was some truth to that. I felt a small spike of kinship, someone else needing artificial assistao do things most people took franted.

  Oher side were a few assistants that hopped up immediately upon Henna walking over to them, relief clear on their faces. They had been discussing how to virak to use the same ‘spin’ on the issues that Uvtrayl was using. Worried about possibly flig stories causing problems down the road. But that talk all died the moment eyes hit Henna. One woman had been looking a bit green before she rushed over to che the general.

  She spoke in a nguage I didn’t uand, Vatri, the traditional nguage of Uvtrayl’s people I assumed. Henna chuckled and patted the woman’s shoulder while responding in Oteva. “hey didn’t abdud brainwash me. I just went to visit a friend. Now, how are things looking?”

  The woman, El, sighed and nodded her head slowly, switg to Oteva as well. “Looking good. The Prime Minister actually came to greet us against the warnings of his guards. I think he’s really in this for long term pead cooperation, not just some political gain.”

  I spoke up while making sure to keep my face as hidden as I could in the robe’s hood. “The man’s a teacher at heart. If you believe his speeches while running for office, he only got into politics because education in Pitrak was not taken seriously and he wao ge that.”

  El narrowed her eyes at me. “The Republic of Pitrak has some of the most storied and advanced are and academistitutions in the world and has for turies. How you say education wasn’t taken seriously there?”

  “Public education. Teag kids their letters and numbers. Yeah Pitrak has always been a world leader for the schorly, but they also had the lowest literacy rate of all major nations for a long time. The nobles and other rich folks got the best education possible, everyone else was ignored.” My correade the woman stare closer at me and lean in.

  Henna lightly swatted her on the head. “Manners El, use them. Go sit down, things will get started soon enough.”

  Everyoo their various seats around the now somewhat crowded table, I found myself between Dekarru and Avarin trying to look inspicuous. Which, sidering my garb, ractically impossible. Everyoook a few long moments to stare at me. Thank Vei’Ryn that didn’t st, Layanta called the meeting start and got the iations going. Curiosity over the hooded stranger wasn’t nearly as strong as the desire to make this work.

  As I uood it, the start of this was going to be the two sides stating their iions and desires as to the oute of this and likely future meetings. Pitrak’s Prime Miood when Layanta gave him the floor. I read nerves in his body nguage, not surprising sidering that he didn’t expect there to be a meeting like this for some days at least, more likely weeks. The timing of the two envoys’ arrivals was holy somewhat suspect. But we were going to take as much advantage of it as we could anyway.

  The leader of Pitrak cleared his throat and took a breath. “I am Miratan Carvat, elected Prime Minister of the Republic of Pitrak. I have e here today in the hope of not only peace between my people and the nation of Uvtrayl, but also in the hope for the possibility of a formal alliance.”

  The body nguage of some of the Uvtrayl envoy was telling, they did not like the idea. He could see it as well, his posture slumping ever so slightly.

  He tinued, “I know that this war has been ugly and brutal. A disgusting mark of violend death that exists between us. But we had no choice, the hunger of the Empire was a whip driving us to a their name. A yoke upon our necks and s holding us to a course of a none in my nation wanted, but her were powerful enough to fight it.” He took a long look at Henhy a written across his features. “I mean no offense, but you seem old enough to well remember the colr the Hegemony pced around the throat of your own people. That svery of a nation still exists for Pitrak, the Empire tugging our s and shing us in so many ways when we do not do as they ‘request’. I ot undo the damage doo your people, I back those who have died. But with your help I stop this violence, we ensure our children know peace.

  “The first step of that is this, I offer a formal apology to Uvtrayl and her people. We were cowards. Too weak, too afraid to face our own torment. As a result, many have died that should still be with us today. For that, I ot express my regret and sorrow enough.” He bowed to the Uvtrayl envoy and took his seat, staring at his hands for fear of seeing disapproval on their faces.

  Henna’s face was a stony mask, ion showed through at all. But her eyes? Pools of hope aement, eager to see this work and fighting a smile over her optimism. When Layanta gave Henna the floor, I could see the general’s urge to rush over and hug the man being pushed down. She stood, straightened her uniform, and spoke.

  “I am General Henius, of Uvtrayl Military Intelligence. I uand I am not what one might expect for peace talks, but I had inally e here to discuss a military alliah the nation of Willow Creek. That being said, I too am dedicated to the cause of pead personally optimisti the prospect of an alliaween our nations.” She offered a small bow of her head to the Prime Minister when he raised his own at her words.

  The general took a breath before tinuing. “You are right. I remember being uhe Hegemony’s boot. I remember their secret police rooting out a dozen people every month in the capital to execute for treason. Most of them i people who just asked the wrong question at work, the rest were those who were tired of living with a k their throats. The Hegemony were brutal, bloody rulers. Far more violent and direct than the Empire, but I uand they are just as oppressive in their own ways. For my opinion, I do not think you cowards f to survive. Were it not for the civil war in Sin Otev, Uvtrayl would have been uo have gai’s freedom at all.

  “A freedom I am afraid we were terrified of losing, terrified to the point of foolishness. You apologized for your people’s part in the flict between us. Then it is only right that I formally apologize on behalf of my nation fing things to violence. We fired the first shots, there is no dispute in this, and for that I am as filled with regret and sorrow as you, Prime Minister. I could make any number of excuses, even cim truthfully that we were trying to build enough power to protect ourselves should the Hegemony turn its gaze upon us again, but excuses will n back our dead, nor yours.

  “If I may be frank, Prime Minister Carvat. I believe that we need one aherefor I io propose an alliance of nations, not only between Uvtrayl and Pitrak, but with Willow Creek as well. Together the three of us will be strong enough not only to protect our people, but to potentially disce aggression against us in the first pce.”

  Carvat sat up straight at the mention of Willow Creek being involved in the alliance. He had e here with the i of simply asking them to be a go-between for Pitrak and Uvtrayl after all. fusion and hope pyed across his features pinly, my skills were not o read him in that moment. He g Layanta questioningly.

  The Elder of Willow Creek owards the man. “Yes, we also believe an alliaween our nations to be wise at this time. We have reason to believe it will be needed soon.” Carvat leaned forward, his elbows oable and his head in his hands. Relief poured from him.

  Henuro her seat with the slightest grin on her lips for just a moment. “On that we agree.”

  Carvat sat ba his seat and exhaled slowly. “I am more than ameo this proposed alliance.”

  At this point things got very b. Important, but b. Lots of talk of territory, releasing prisoners, possible reparations, details over specific w of the formal treaty, the possibility of granting multi-nation citizenships for ease of travel and trade between involved nations, discussing possible smaller indepe or vassal nations to try and bring in to the allian the future. Four hours of dry but necessary politig before a break for lund to stretch s.

  Dekarru had pulled strings and made Weren in charge of the meal and everyone was grateful for it. I kept meaning to ask her about her Csses, apparently they both added to her ary skills thus her incredible mastery over the realm of cooking. The envoys from both nations all clearly ehe food and I could damned near feel the mood rising through lunch.

  Once we got back to the table, we had a new guest join in. Mary, in a more subdued red robe that spoke more of serioushan her barely-there dress.

  “Ahh mortals! So good to see us all getting along and being friends.” She cpped her hands and grinned as she stepped toward the table. Her body rippled like a pond with a stohrown into it, a glow p from her eyes as she looked between the envoys. A show, a means to let people knoower had ehe room and would require respect.

  “Mary.” Dekarru spoke up, a small nod of greeting. “To our esteemed guests, may I introduce the Fae Lord of Willow Creek and the surrounding nds. Currently known as Mary.”

  Both Henna and Carvat gave very respectful greetings, their nerves spiking at the idea of being in the presence of a powerful and frequently uable being. Mary ughed. “Oh calm yourselves, we’re all friends here. And like friends, we don’t let our problems bee each others’ problems, do we?”

  Carvat blinked in fusion but nodded in agreement. “Of course.” Only for a sudden look of subdued panic to grace his features moments ter. The rea was slow, too slow. Something was going on there. I paid more attention to him as he closed his mouth and sat back to listen while Mary tinued.

  “Well that’s lovely news, so you all will be ing up the mess you’ve made of my territory then?” The smile on her face was not kind, but the grin of a predator with ered prey.

  Henna cleared her throat. “I take it that our war has caused problems for you? If so, how may we help undo them?”

  “Oh quite simple really. You all work together to clear out all the demons and their s that have sprung up as a result of your bloody flict.”

  Layanta spoke before any others could respond. “We would like to propose joint operations for the military forces of our three nations. Both as a means to clear out a dangerous buildup of demonic forces along all of our borders as well as to try and acclimatize our soldiers to the idea of w together. Something that they may well have to do in the near future.”

  Carvat frowned. “That is a tall order, there is a lot of bad blood on our side towards yours and I imagihe same is true on your end.”

  Henna tapped her finger oable in thought for a few moments, the sound drawing attention. “We’ll have to start public retions campaigns, both of us. Lean heavily on the angle of gaining freedom from the Empire as Uvtrayl gained ours from the Hegemony. We already have some ideas on our side that I think we should work together to expand and refine. But in the meantime, I think we hand pie units and at least get things started on joint exercises.”

  A pause from Carvat and I saw for a moment, his attention was diverted elsewhere. But it returned quickly enough and he nodded. “Agreed. We have more than a few moderate officers and soldiers left, I’m sure we e up with at least a few hundred within a month.”

  Mary ughed happily. “Oh lovely news! That means I won’t have to turirety of my realm into a Wild Hunt and kill everything for a thousand miles!”

  Carvat paled, another pause then he spoke. “Of course not, as friends we will do what we must to help mend this unfortunate rift between us.”

  “Absolutely fantastiow. As friends, I am eager to see hoy you are to meet another friend today.” Mary’s lips spread aeeth bared in a monstrous mockery of a smile as she looked directly at me.

  I sighed. I’d been pnning on stepping in shortly anyway but I didn’t much care for my hand being forced. “Mary, at least try to make your smile look real. That mug of yours will cut a year off of the lifespan of anyone you point it at.”

  The envoys all stared at me with eyes wide, horrified that someone had said something like that to an Arch-Lord, especially a Fae one. Only Henna and the locals mao maintain their posure. I heard El mutter something about not wanting to die yet. Mary paused and gred at me for a few seds befhter erupted from her and she had to magically summon a chair made of vio fall bato.

  I stood as she cackled in amusement and everyone looked equal parts terrified and fused, then pulled my hood back. Gasps erupted from both sides of the table at the sight of me, especially when I turned my eyes towards one envoy or another. “I am Esme Dreamsinger, Saint of The Dreamer.”

  Mary pulled in her ughter just in time to let a deafening silence fall over the room. All eyes were on me and I knew why. As far as I knew, I was the only currently living Saint oris, at the very least the only one on the ti of Setol.

  I took a breath to tio speak as my Goddess and her pantheon had asked. But the door to the waiting room was thrown open and a familiar face stood there staring in wide eyed disbelief at me.

  Henna stood and turo her. “Liv, I couldn’t tell you before. I’m sorry.”

  The woman, an older Uvtrayl officer, ignored Hanna and stared at me with eyes wide, the same look she’d givehe few brief times we’d met. “You… you’re real. I thought, I thought you were just part of my nightmares. I thought—I believed you were my mind punishing me for what I let happen.”

  I was trying to put together what her words meant, but something wasn’t quite clig. “No, I was real. Daisy, my baku friend, has beeing yhtmares for a while now. I hope it’s been helping. She wanted me to che you and see if you’re okay in the real world you know.”

  Henna looked between us both, slowly raising a brow. “Esme, this is Olivia Turanade, High Marshal of Uvtrayl.”

  I suddenly found myself gring at the woman angrily. “And suddenly I don’t seem to care as much about your well-being.”