As soon as U'sari was out of earshot, I’liara’s disapproving gaze fell on O’rana. Sliding back down into her chair, the girl’s smile faded, and she picked at her food, avoiding eye contact.

“O’rana, why must you always cause problems? Why do you like to pick on U’sari so?”

O’rana shrugged and pushed a pea around her plate with her finger. With a disappointed sigh, the old woman shook her head, returning to her own meal. Kicking O’rana under the table, A’nallia gestured toward I'liara, pushing her to say something.

“Ugh, fine, I’m sorry.” She stubbornly crossed her arms and pouted. “I like to pick on people because everyone in this house is so boring. I’m just trying to liven up the place. We don’t have to be serious all of the time, you know?”

“You are right, we don’t have to be serious all of the time. But we don’t need to be mean either.” I’liara didn’t take her eyes off her food, delicately cutting a piece of potato. “You know U’sari is uncertain in her magic. What you said could have been a compliment, but your tone turned it into an insult. We are all we have in this world and we should take care of each other.”

Those words hit hard and O’rana winced, clearly ashamed. “Yes, Nana Ara. I will be more careful next time.” 

“Good.”

From the far side of the table, E’ferina snorted, then dropped her fork onto her empty plate and pushed her chair back. “Perhaps, instead, some of us shouldn’t be so sensitive about our lack of magic. There is a reason we serve a demon lord and not the Imperium.”

Once a battle witch, assisting Imperium soldiers with monster hunting in various villages across the continent, E’ferina claimed she’d been sold at auction because she had offended another, more powerful Tower witch, and was no longer welcome among her peers. She was a blunt, arrogant woman, so A’nallia had no doubt that at least part of her story was true.

Still, despite being at odds with those witches and ending up here, E’ferina embraced Imperium law and believed their methods of branding and isolation were crucial to keeping people safe and maintaining peace in Taryn’nati. Witches were powerful but dangerous, and magic was to be feared and controlled. A’nallia didn’t understand how someone could feel that way about themselves, or about their own kind. It surprised her that this thirty-something-year-old woman was so close-minded, but she had known many with similar beliefs when she lived in the Tower. It was best to just avoid the woman whenever she could, which turned out to be easy since she spent much of her time watching the perimeter or hunting monsters in the thick forest surrounding the property.

E’ferina stood but hesitated before leaving. “Well, there is a reason you serve a demon lord and not the Imperium. I’m going to do a night patrol, if you need me.”

Always ending on an arrogant note, she walked out the back to the outdoor kitchen. There was some shuffling, and only a moment later, she stuck her head back in, smirking at the five servants left sitting at the table.

“He’s home.”

At those two words, Maren and I’liara immediately began to clear the table while O’rana and O’raena ran to the pantry to begin preparing a small meal for their master. He was supposed to be gone another three days and had not sent word he would be returning early, so nothing was ready for his arrival.

A’nallia wondered if he was a strict master and everyone was rushing because they worried he would be angry. He didn’t seem like someone who was easily angered, but the way they scurried to serve him suggested the opposite.

Or perhaps they really do respect him and want to serve him well?

She hadn’t been in the house long enough to know, and for most of that time he had been away. She had asked questions but received few answers.

I probably should be doing something to help, but I don’t know what... I would most likely just be in the way if I tried.

No one gave her any commands, or paid her any mind at all, so she quietly left the kitchen to the main hall, ready to go hide up in her room.

“I’liara.”

Her master’s voice was soft as he entered the front door, but I’liara heard him and hurried to his side.

“Yes, sir? You are home earlier than expected. The girls are preparing some food for you and-”

He waved her silent, coughing as he dropped his travel satchel to the floor. I’liara reached to pick it up and he headed through the main hall toward his study and bedchamber.

“Just tea.”

“Yes, sir. I will call for A’ldissa and have her bring it straight away.”

He pointed to A’nallia, standing frozen at the bottom of the main stairs, caught by his sudden entrance.

“Send A’nallia.”

“Yes, sir.”