‘Wow, that’s shiny!’ Semari shaded her eyes, trying not to be dazzled. The mountains around them were giant spikes of grey all topped with shimmering white, but a gleaming road of polished stone had led them through the winding mountain passes. And ahead of them was Sainted Hirata, the Sacred City. Domes of brass blazed under the sunlight, gleaming with the reflected fire of heaven, set atop shining marble. From this far away, every inch looked divine and pristine, smooth lines set in place by divine craft rather than mortal effort. ‘So, do we think Janaxia’s going to, like, explode or something, as soon as she steps inside? Fwoosh! Kaboom!’

‘I doubt it, I think she’s better now. At least unless she’s gotten infected by holy power again. Hirata is meant to be home to all powers of law and justice, even the weirder ones, so she’s probably going to be OK. Hakara, have you seen her doing anything strange? She seems a bit livelier than before.’

Hakara was looking at the city, eyes wide in amazement. ‘No, I don’t think so. Although her attempts to dispose of that scroll were unsuccessful, so she still has that, and refuses to let anyone else look at it. It would be fascinating to know what it says – no-one has been able to read the Unspeakable Script for millennia! To think of the ancient lore it might contain, the lost secrets it might hold…’ She trailed off. ‘But she has been largely, um, non-demonic. Aside from that incident with the bandits, but they deserved it.’

‘Yeah, they don’t count. Decent reward for them as well.’ Stathis twisted in the saddle, trying to make Semari’s tight grip less uncomfortable. The occasional sparks from her bracer didn’t help, zapping Stathis through her breastplate. ‘Bandits are acceptable targets. She’s got a dead ancestor here though, so that might cause problems. If they’re still a ghost or floating around or something, they may not be too happy about their descendent being whatever the hell Janaxia is, so that might cause problems.’

Semari made a rude noise. ‘Everyone else has ancestors, it’s not fair! I don’t get anything cool. I bet even you’ve got ancestors, Hakara. Someone that did crazy awesome stuff.’

‘My uncle Stavren was a sergeant of arms for Lord Haringjay? He got a good pension from that, some of which he lent to my father to start the pub.’

‘That’s kinda cool, guess? I’ve not got anything!’

‘Well, you might have had Melltgalwr but you didn’t seem interested’, said Stathis.

‘She was a bit crazy. Like, she spent most of her time sleeping, and then blowing stuff up. I know some people get pissy, but that’s a bit nuts! And then she got spiked and went, like, super-crazy. And made you and Janaxia vanish, that was spooky. Where’d you go?’

‘Some weird dark non-space. I couldn’t see a damn thing in there. But don’t complain about not having any ancestors when we might have met your great-great-aunt or distant cousin or something. She might have been able to teach you about lightning powers as well.’

‘True, I guess that flying on the wind thing she did was pretty cool.’ The pressure gripping around Stathis suddenly vanished as Semari let go and jumped off the horse, standing on the head of a nearby statue, some sainted hero staring into eternity with mild disapproval. ‘But she seemed a bit squishy, lost once I grabbed her. Zapped me a bit but it didn’t really do anything.’

‘Yeah, that’s still not really normal though. Hey, Hakara, you know anything about people that can absorb lightning? I mean, without exploding into flames and stuff?’

Hakara started speaking, then stopped and adjusted her terminology into something comprehensible when she noticed the blank looks she was getting. ‘Divine lightning is a potent source of power, but is hard to control, and failure is highly destructive. And the gods themselves frown on such things, it is said. Ronteah of the Shining Judgement, the spear-maiden of the Heavenly Army, bearer of the Blinding Spear, sheds her wrath on those that attempt to harness the power of the heavens to wicked ends.’

‘Hear that Semari? Try not to get blasted by a goddess if she spots you.’

‘Meh, I bet I could take her.’ Semari punched the air.

‘Please don’t say that too loudly, especially around here! There’s lots of priests, and sometimes avatars of the gods themselves show up. Carissia’s complained about how boring the parties are when that happens. Guess it spoils the mood when your boss shows up.’

Hakara returned to her explanation. ‘And the gods are said to dote upon Ronteah, as a precious daughter, although she has few worshippers herself. So it is wise to be polite and mention her name only in affection. She is also said to be rather short-tempered, although was wounded in combat against a demon a few decades ago, and rarely responds to prayers.’

‘I’ll have to ask Carissia about her, the next time she shows up. She’s probably worshipped Ronteah at some point, she seems to have worked through most of the damn pantheon. Anyway, Semari, please be polite about the gods. Don’t threaten to rip their arms off or anything!’

Semari stuck her tongue out, before dropping back down to the ground. ‘So why the hell are we here, anyway? Place is full of priests and stuff, they’re going to blast anything they find, pewpew!’

‘Carissia mentioned there might be something here. And I should write home at some point and make it seem like I was going to visit.’

‘Aren’t you worried about getting caught? I thought you were, like, exiled or something?’

‘What? No, were on earth did you get that idea?’

Semari shrugged. ‘Hey, you’re an heir, travelling around and fighting monsters and stuff. That’s normally because an evil advisor’s taken over, and you’ve got to gather allies and stuff to defeat them. Then we get to head back and defeat them, and you pay us all for a cushy retirement. And there’s your friend to help out, still.’

‘Semari, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it’s almost completely made up. And why would I pay for your retirement?’

‘I’m going to go find Parth and Janaxia.’ Apparently Semari was done talking, racing ahead, leaping between statues. Although they were weathered, someone must have been looking after them, as they were clean of moss and dirt, and a few had even been painted recently enough to have some colour. Using them as stepping-stones was probably a crime, if not a minor blasphemy, but it was easiest to let Semari do what she wanted, and there wasn’t anyone around to call them on it. Although Stathis did glance upwards, in case stormclouds were starting to gather, threatening to blast Semari for her sins. The sky remained resolutely blue and clear.

They rode ahead in companionable silence, soon catching up with the others, stopped on a low rise overlooking the city. From here, it was less blinding, making it easier to pick out individual buildings – within the shining walls were countless temples, marked out with gleaming roofs, but even the normal buildings were large and well-made. In the centre was an inner compound, surrounded by its own high walls and with only a single entrance, at least that could be seen from here. From where they were standing, a long white ribbon of road connected them to their destination, winding through a few farming villages, marked out by neat patches of fields. Dark specks moved amongst the fields, farmers going about their business.

Janaxia approached, her horse rubbing itself against Stathis’, before Semari approached. ‘Horse-naxia, I found you a carrot.’ She ducked a nuzzle and a lick from Janaxia’s steed, before feeding it the carrot. Janaxia pretended not to notice as she spoke.

‘We have made good time, despite that… unpleasantness with the bandits and their beasts. And you say that you have arranged accommodation? Not a brothel again, one hopes?’

‘Hey, that was Semari, not me! And no, my order has a place here. I know the local chapter master, so it should be OK.’

‘The Order of the Sun? I do hope it won’t be a bunch of drunken oafs. Your order really does not show itself to advantage, I have to say. While you are somewhat admirable, at least when you make an effort, your compatriot Larrik was rather a nuisance, and rude to boot, despite his sudden change of heart.’

‘It shouldn’t be too bad. And it’ll be better than an inn or bedding down with a load of pilgrims. Anyway, don’t you have an ancestor to visit as well? Are they like Kinnevar?’

‘Shimura the Devil-Slayer, sainted after her death fighting Balephrax the Corruptor. Her bones are a relic of the Order of Yarruth. I am given to understand she is truly beyond the mortal realm, but I have bought some gifts to lay at her tomb.’

‘Sounds good. You sure she’s not going to show up? She doesn’t sound like the sort of person that might approve entirely of you.’

Janaxia’s cheeks puffed indignantly. ‘I don’t know what you mean! Do I not bring peace and justice, defeating monsters and brigands?’

‘Yes, but… Well, I know those bandits had it coming, but please don’t do anything like that again, OK? Although maybe tone down the reds and blacks while we’re here? Some of the clergy tend to get twitchy about things like that. Probably flashbacks from dealing with too many evil cults or something, but maybe blues would suit you. And be a bit of a change.’ Stathis pointed at the choker around Janaxia’s neck, now part of her regular ensemble, despite Semari’s occasional attempts to yank her around by the chain. ‘It would go well with the gold, I think. And it would be nice to see you in something different.’

‘Hmmm. Maybe it is time to try something novel. Although the clergy do seem remarkably small minded - Carissia has certainly never complained about my clothing.’

‘How often are you wearing them around her? And she switches gods more often than Semari changes clothes. And are you even wearing your clothing much when you meet? Just watch out, I know other clerics that tend to blast first and ask questions later, and you do often look, well, a little vampiric. I’d rather you not get attacked or arrested. Carissia will get strange once she figures out that horns aren’t ornamental, she really doesn’t like demonic stuff.’

Janaxia smiled, caught in a memory. ‘Yes, Carissia is indeed very flexible. I do think your attempts at concern could do with a little more work, but I suppose I am thankful for the attempt, scant though it may be. Anyway, shall we be off?’

Stathis nodded. ‘Yeah, let’s move. Shouldn’t take much longer, be nice to get some proper food, other than Parth’s bricks.’

They made better time than expected, reaching the walls before the sun was started to dip beneath the surrounding mountains. The walls were high and well-made, covered with sculptures showing heroes fighting monsters, all picked out in intricate detail, the entire thing of shining white marble. Smartly-uniformed guards snapped to work as they approached, one taking Stathis’ name, and saluting when she told them she was a Knight of the Sun. She asked for directions to the chapter house and was told that it was simply up the Grand Avenue.

They entered the city itself –a vast, wide street stretched ahead of them, cutting straight through the city. Domed temples, shrines and basilicas were the most obvious buildings, but everything was in equally grand style, mostly of marble, and even those that were of brick had been whitewashed to fit in. They passed a market hall, a glass ceiling covering a bustling area of trade, fruit and vegetables neatly piled up, hawkers selling trade goods.

Prosperous-looking townsfolk went about their business, servants bustling about at someone else’s command. The scent of food from the costermongers was alluring, Semari vanishing and coming back with a wrap, messily devouring it. As they passed a temple, loud hymns rang out, some ancient language falling into harmonious incomprehensibility, as a group of robed worshippers walked past, knocking tambourines together, their leader swinging a scented censor and trailing a cloud of scented smoke.

They rode up the Grand Avenue, Hakara looking stunned and less suspicious than she had of Cormontara, and even Semari stayed on the ground rather than clambering up onto the buildings and statues. The chapterhouse was easy to find – a large, multi-storied square building, built for defence, a golden sun-disc over the main gate. Stathis dismounted, rapping her fist against the heavy wood – just the door was over twice her height, and the building was at least three stories tower, with defensive lookout towers on two of the corners. She knocked again, hearing the sound echo within. Then the door opened, a young man dressed as a servant opening it. He looked at them for a moment, then smoothly bowed.

‘Knight Stathis, the master is expecting you. Shall I escort your companions to their rooms?’

‘Sure, yes please.’

‘Of course.’ He stood aside to let Stathis in, her steps echoing on the marble floor. It was a grand entrance hall, a double stairway curving up to a balcony. Swords and shields hung on the walls, each with a neat little plaque, stating the owner, and their deeds. ‘Do any of you need assistance with your baggage? I shall call for the stablemaster to take your horses.’ He rang a bell.

‘Yes, if you could kindly carry my bags.’ Janaxia dismounted, gesturing at her saddlebags. As she stepped inside, she spoke softly to Stathis. ‘Well, this is rather more impressive than I was expecting. It seems your position may have been useful for once.’

‘Yeah, wasn’t expecting this myself. I’ll catch up with you later though.’ She turned back to the attendant. ‘Where is he?’

‘His study is on the top floor, the third door on the left.’

‘Thanks.’ She turned back to everyone else. ‘Don’t make a mess. If you ask nicely, you can probably get some food. And don’t break anything, please?’

Semari had already wandered off, poking curiously at an impractical-looking double-bladed sword hanging on the wall. Janaxia was more courteous as she nodded, tweaking her clothing to something more symmetrical, touches of lace appearing from her sleeves and around her cleavage. ‘Finally, a place that appears to have some class! My thanks, Stathis, this is most pleasing. Thus far, at least.’

With that slightly ominous pronouncement, she walked off, maintaining a stiff, straight-backed posture, Hakara and Parth following along behind.