Breathe in the Embers

Part 22

“And you’re ruder than I thought you’d be. Not because I know you, mind you, but because I didn’t expect anyone to be quite so rude.” Lithuega replied with a friendly smile, sky blue eyes flashing. She didn’t appreciate being insulted so, but she also got the feeling that this individual was trying to get a reaction out of her. Nothing annoyed a ‘troll’, as Martin called them, quite so much as not caring.

“I prefer the description ‘astute’, but I won’t disagree with your assessment.” the statue replied. The mouth didn’t move at all when she spoke. It was clearly a she also, not just because of the voice, but the statue itself was carved in a way that suggested female. Suggested here having the meaning of ‘belligerently insisted’.

She was over six feet tall and wore armor of the sort that showed up only in bad fantasy since it was obviously designed to be attractive rather than only functional. Greaves followed every curve of the leg and hip. Chainmail over the midriff rather than plate, to emphasize the hips and bust both. The bust was covered with plating once more, exaggerating it due to the thickness of the armor. Gauntlets and arm plating on the same level as the greaves completed the armor, as the head was left bare.

Her hair was done up in a bun, likely so that it would remain an unmoving piece. If the person inside had to control the movement of this concrete shell, remembering to animate the hair would just be annoying. Long lashes, wide unblinking eyes, full lips with a beatific smile upon them. Everything about this screamed ‘modern concept of a warrior angel’. Oh, and a massive pair of feathered wings were folded behind her to top it off.

“Honestly, I feel like calling me the preening peacock is a bit hypocritical.”

The statue glanced down at itself. Lithuega expected a snarl, an angry retort, even a frown. What she got instead was an amused smile. “Well at least your wit is intact then. Very few people notice, or catch on, that this” she gestured at the armor designed to show off all her assets, “is largely designed for show. Unlike with real armor, my own remains equally functional whatever the appearance.”

“What is it anyway?” Lithuega inquired, leaning forward and peering at the substance. It didn’t quite look like concrete, but was clearly not actual stone either.

“Ash, solidified into something along the lines of cement.” the strange woman spoke, confirming Lithuega’s suspicions. “Ash is kind of my thing. Icarus, by the way, a pleasure to meet you.” she extended the hand not currently holding wine. Wine she couldn’t drink in her encasing.

“Nightfire, as you seem to know. Icarus like the guy with wings who flew too close to the sun?”

“Indeed. I told you ash was sort of my thing.”

“An ash angel named Icarus. I can dig it.” Lithuega replied with a chuckle. She had to admit that this hero was most entertaining, even the introduction. She was pretty sure that initial barb had been a test. “Is that done with magic?”

“If you’re looking for a magician, Carcolith, then you’ll want to talk to that gentleman over there.” Icarus pointed to a rather kindly looking older man dressed less ostentatiously than the rest of the crowd. Most seemed to have come up with a formal wear version of their costumes. He was simply in formal wear. Not a hero at all then? “That is Mr. Ludo, an old mentor of mine. I never excelled at magic use, but he is the master of all things arcane. Whereas if you need something broken in half, you can give me a call.” Ash floated up from her outstretched hand, which turned palm up. Then the cloud abruptly condensed, a mace materializing out of thin air, and Lithuega could see amusement dancing across those hollow eyes and smiling lips.

She really did like Icarus.

“Peacock.” she hissed with a grin of her own, making a beeline for Mr. Ludo. It might have been an honest mistake, but Icarus chose that moment to scratch her nose with a middle finger.

Smiling her friendliest smile, Lithuega approached the master magician with only a little extra sultry swing to her hips. She wasn’t here to impress or seduce the man after all. I mean, she wasn’t not here for that either, but work before pleasure. “Mister Ludo, I…”

The most intense pain of her life curled through Lithuega, her vision flashing to angry red as she collapsed. Fortunately no one had handed her wine yet, or the glass would have broken. The absurd thought drifted through the haze of pain as the only coherent thing she could imagine, and she grabbed it like a wooden door in an ocean of ice. Cries of shock sounded all around, as well as a rather cultured and refined curse, and the pain vanished.

A soft, groomed hand reached down, which Lithuega took, lifting her from the swiftly receding tide of agony. “My sincerest apologies. The Mayor must have added you last minute, as no one informed me you’d be here. I could have added an exception to my wards against otherworldly beings.”

Lithuega was not surprised to find herself facing Mister Ludo, her hand in his, when the haze finally cleared. “No problem at all. I haven’t had a shock like that since getting here.”

“Here being Earth, of course.” Mr. Ludo replied with a nod, his eyes knowing in a way that Lithuega found both uncomfortable and encouraging. Knowledge was power after all, especially when it came to Carcoliths. This meant he could in fact help her, and that he was extraordinarily dangerous. “The last Carcolith I met was much more concerned with wanton destruction, though I suppose that comes down to the nature of the contract. I wonder who is hiding behind the woman hiding behind the name Nightfire.”