Saki
My stunned silence was ignored apparently as The man, apparently Xanari Telis, walked casually over and leaned in. His eyes met mine and he seemed to study me for a moment. Frowning, he asked “There is a temporal mana infrequency in your essence. It’s as if the mana itself is being actively changed and erased before being recreated anew.”
My eyes went wide and I threw up an illusion instantly as terror filled me. What was this man?! He looked at me puzzled.. Then he poked me! “Fascinating, I have seen quite a few illusions up to this point, but yours are clearly on another level..” Trailing off he seemed deep in thought before pulling a small monocle and held it up to look through it at me.
I raised my hand and summoned a ball of fae fire. I was too late…”Ah, not a Foxkin at all. Some kind of mythical beast. Nine tails? Kitsune perhaps? I have heard your kind are tricksters, but you don’t seem that way.”
He put the monocle away as his eyes travelled to the fae fire in my hand. I put it out, but not before he saw it. “Pinkish flame, not orange nor red. Clearly fae magic. You are certainly a fascinating creature. Fae magic in and of itself would not cause the temporal mana infrequency however.”
I didn’t know what to say or do, I just stood there staring at this.. This.. I couldn’t find a word. To describe him. Then Tina kicked him in the back of the leg and slapped him upside the head as he hit the floor with his knees. “Apologise now!” She snapped at him.
Xanari rubbed the back of his head and looked thoroughly chastised. “I am sorry.” He stated simply, then after a moment he continued “Though in all fairness, I was simply stating my observations. It is not my fault this world is so simple!”
He visibly winced as Tina glared at him before sighing and turning to me. “I am sorry for my husband's actions. He is a traveller and a very unique one at that. He doesn’t mean any harm by his words.”
“Did he say something wrong?” Lyran asked in a puzzled tone. “Is it because he mentioned her actual species?”
I froze at that and turned to Lyran. “How.. How long have you known?!” Lyran looked at me confused. “You.. literally grew multiple tails during the lich battle. Actively use illusion magic, are extremely cunning and…” His cheeks went red and he whispered quieter “You do things to me in bed that no book has ever covered on the act.”
I blushed at the last comment. I should be horrified, but Lyran truly had a way with words. It was stupid, geeky, and adorable. “I see, so it wasn’t the perception itself, but the presentation of it?” Xanari asked as he looked over at Tina. Tina just nodded.
“Anyway’s, your friend is healed, is there anything else the Church of Earth can do for you today?” Tina’s voice sounded slightly bored. Like she was trying to show enthusiasm while clearly hating the role she played.
I paused, a large part of me wanted to leave right now. To come back later and figure this out with Tama. But… I was a Royal Advisor… Taking a deep breath, I turned and looked directly at Tina. “You mentioned he is your husband? When did you both get married?”
Tina seemed taken aback by the question, but after a moment a wide smiled crossed her lips. “Oh! The marriage is recent, only about six months or so. But I have known him since he first arrived! I was his orientation!” She giggled and her nekojin tail wagged excitedly.
“Honestly, her orientation was terrible, a lot of drama around her ex. But she eventually helped.” Xanari spoke up and Tina deflated slightly, then suddenly gained a new wave of enthusiasm as if Xanari’s words had somehow increased her happiness.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“He says that, but he sure didn’t mind our first time ever being in the pews at this very church!” Tina said.
“Wait.. in this church?” I asked incredulously. Tine blushed and said nothing, but she pointed to the stand and winked at me.
I took a moment to slowly consider the implications of a blessed priestess getting it on with a traveller in the church she was in charge of caretaking. Then I remembered Tama and decided it wasn’t worth it.
“So,” I said, turning to Xanari, putting on an innocent smile. “Would you like to help the Kingdom of Trissiale in a minor matter?” I purposefully avoided a flirtatious voice and specifically came across as friendly.
Tina giggled “That’s not going to work, also, if you want to be his fourth wife, you're gonna have to try harder than that!”
Lyran’s shock was evident. “Did.. did you say fourth wife?!” The thought alone made him shake as he looked over at me. He seemed to consider it before asking. “Wait, is Tama your first wife?!”
I paused at that question. Tama… my wife?! “No!” I said quickly. It’s.. not that kind of relationship. I finished as I tried to get back on top. “Either way, I..” But Lyran wasn’t having it.
“But, you guys spend almost every waking minute together. You specifically made it a deal breaker that Tama had to be allowed to join us for a fun time. You even went out of your way too..”
I covered his mouth. “ANYWAYS,” I said much louder. Luckily, this time everyone went quiet and looked at me.. Well okay, Xanari did not look at me, he had pulled out some kind of device and was pushing buttons on it rapidly.
Ignoring him I said. “Have you guys heard of a certain problem in the city of late?” I asked leadingly. Tina paled and Xanari looked up and started to ask. “Oh? Do you mean the pla..” Tine punched him in the gut He fell over holding his stomach as tears formed in his eyes.
Tina smiled at us. “He.. he meant play! Yes, there is a play in town!” Her tail lashed nervously and she refused to make eye contact. I frowned, they definitely knew about the plague. Clearly they were told to keep it a secret. I considered telling them who I was, but that seemed risky.
Xanari had recovered and he glared at Tina. “What was that for! Clearly the reason A Royal Advisor is here is to speak directly on the matter and counter measures for the Plague!” He snapped at her.
I froze for the third time since I had been there. How did he know!? Why was everyone just spilling secrets today?! Mine, the cities, Tama’s. This was all too much.
Tina looked horrified. “A.. Royal advisor…” She trailed off before she suddenly took a much too sweet smile. “You of course know I was joking about the.. You know. That is just.. Um.. The church welcomes you!” She finished lamely. She looked like she was about to cry.
I couldn’t help myself, I laughed. It started as a giggle that became stronger until I was rolling on the floor holding my stomach. “Um.. are.. Are you okay?” Tina asked worriedly.
It was Lyran who answered her. “She is fine, she gets like this sometimes. Especially when it comes to Queen Tamaneko.” I looked up at him and smiled as I wiped my eyes.
He held out his arm and helped me up. I smirked at him “You are such a dork you know that?” I said sincerely.
He looked at me shocked, but I just giggled and pulled him into a hug. After a moment I let go. Turning to Xanari and Tina, I took a more serious look. “Look, Queen Tamaneko’s coronation is in two days. We need to handle this plague before then. Do you have any ideas?”
It was a risk, but honestly? I had started taking a lot more of those. They paid off way more than I thought they would. Tina looked at Xanari, who was pushing buttons on his thing again.
After a moment he looked up and asked. “Does this mean I am allowed to deploy the countermeasures I set up to contain and cleanse the plague? Or is that archduke going to tell me no again?”
My eyes narrowed at that. “Archduke? You wouldn’t happen to be referring to Archduke Persip would you?”
Xanari tilted his head at me like I was stupid. “Obviously, he is the only Archduke currently in the city.” He went back to his device. My eye twitched and suddenly had an extra visit to make after making sure Tama was okay.
“Deploy your counter measures.” I said simply before turning to Lyran and taking his hands. “Please stay with them to help.” Even as I spoke I met his eyes and he nodded. I didn’t have time to go over the details, I would have to trust Lyran to handle this for me. It was a risk, but Tama was more important.
With that, I turned and left the church.. After I made sure Tina was okay. She looked relieved when I told her it was fine and to come to me if she had any other issues.
I had to reach Tama, and I had an archduke to confront. My vision shifted purple as I let the void flood me. It seems we had traitors, there was only one way to deal with traitors.
