I explained to the mercenaries that there was an issue with Kaede, but it seems they were already aware. Of course, with me taking a while with Kiku, Aria had already brought them up to speed.

So, I decided to bring forwards making some new explosives. Whilst I was shopping with Kiku I also bought some putty like substance called Hezzarine from an alchemist. It's used as tough waterproof grout for bricks normally, but my explosives sense highlighted it might be usable a basic base for HDX or something similar.

Such a thing wouldn't be too practicable in combat, but it could be used as a fixed explosive. I wonder how handy that would be, but better prepared than not, right? So, no harm in making it.

Kiku was, as she expected, swept away by the other girls to the back room, chittering in distress, where Seria had purchased a new staff table for Violet. I'd rather not imagine what she's going through, but let’s hope they go easy on the tools and spotlights.

So, I'm back in the bedroom, working with my alchemy supplies again. Fortunately, Rishya left her bag up here. Kaede is still laid out on the bed.

I'm not so much of a lout to take advantage of being alone with an unconscious doll though. Hug pillows aren't meant to be used that way. Uh... not that I'd use her as a hug pillow...

Besides, as per usual, this work is taking much of my attention.

As I watch the solution bubble, the door opens. I briefly peer back and see Kali wandering in, hands behind her head casually and whistling to herself.

"You're done already?" I ask, still focused on mixing.

"Hmmm... grilling swordsgirl not interest much to Kali isn't. Has many torturers." Kali grins.

Too many cooks spoil the broth, is it?

"Ah! I came at the time rightly! This be creation of fire in a bottle!?" She bounces over to me. "Can I be watching!?"

I blink in some surprise.

"Sure. Don't expect me to explain it all, though." I say.

"Is fine! Adds mystery. Perhaps in days ahead sense will come."

I continue to work, and she peers over my shoulder, apparently enthralled by the bubbles moving through the apparatus, and following them intently like a cat chasing a laser pointer.

She's a funny girl.

"How was the arena?" I query.

She grins, clapping her still gauntlet covered hands together in a clang.

"Ah! Muchly fun, Aniki! Third prize was my bounty!" She says.

"Third? Who did you lose to?" I ask in surprise.

She looks wistful, and puts her hand back behind her head, seemingly embarrassed.

"Ah... explaining toughness... Kali idiot, notice not traps, fell in water on semi-final. Haha, silly tortoise. Kali bad habit, never check sides... mother always punish in training. But anyway, disqualified. Much silly dumbness. Some regret, but fun still. Win them all cannot."

Oh? So, it was some kind of restricted size arena over water?

Bad imagination. Kali doing Gate of Bootylon is not what happened. Well... her clothes aren't far off a swimsuit though.

"Ahem, so, your martial art..." I change the subject to get my mind off girls wrestling in swimsuits.

"Meenaora?" Kali cocks her head.

"Yes, that. What does it involve?" I ask.

“Punching people.” She says, deadpan.

I blink at her and she snorts in laughter. I roll my eyes and snicker. I suppose I did ask for that one.

"Ahahaha… Mmm... well… speaking of this is..." she hesitates, finger to her chin.

"Oh, if it's a secret, then..." I say.

"Ah, mmm that not is... It just be... ah right! Silly Kali! I will speak about this in Saskar, Elijah. The words do not exist in Jezzathan. Is that ok?"

I guess she switched mid-sentence. I nod and she smiles.

"Ahem! My people, the S'tavi, long ago worshipped the Meenaora, the Bird of the Firikan Wastes. It is a very weird bird. It has powerful feet like Megarum, but it is twice the size, with claws as sharp as diamond. It preys on Basilisks and Giant Fork Scorpions, overwhelming them with agile attacks from its beak and talons. It also forages for Fire Berries, and stores them in its stomach by swallowing them whole. It then coughs them up to attack with what our ancestors thought was a flaming breath."

Wow... I imagine this as a kung-fu emu with a fire breath. Scary.

"So, the martial art is based on observing Meenaora?" I conclude.

"That... yes... but it is also a spiritual path. A way of living."

That's fairly standard for martial arts. But it must be quite a harsh path in this case, considering how slender and perfectly toned Kali is.

"Of course, humans cannot copy the birds in eating Fire Berries. Very painful, sets fire to innards, might kill you." She looks whimsical.

"So… you fill in that gap with... magic?" I postulate, whilst stopping the heat on one of the bottles.

"Yes. We can attune to the Wind and Fire spirits to achieve the Kasra, the six points of enlightenment. This, from what I have seen, is very different to how Eastern mages assemble magic. Rather than take a spirit inside, form a bond, and use mathematical form and gesture to invoke power, S'tavi arts make you mimic a spirit. Do so well enough, and you can use your own Vi-Kasra, your life, to create similar magical outbursts."

She stops, and drinks a glass of water she pours from a pitcher we have in the room, sitting on the empty bed whilst stretching.

When she does that, it strains her modest chest against her body bandages. It's pretty distracting.

"Much explaining. Kali not teacher so gaps many; but jist there, correctness?" She apparently switches her language back.

"Hmm... that's very interesting, Kali. Thanks for..."

I suddenly feel a danger spike.

Kali leaps up in shock to rush towards me, but stops. And it's quickly apparent why. A wakizashi is to my throat.

"Stop. This one will die if you come closer, yes?"

Um... I don't understand. What? Why is Kaede threatening to kill me?