The dining hall was a cavernous expanse carved directly into the stone walls. Unlike the intimate dining room they had shared with Vex, this area felt more like a barracks cafeteria.
Long rows of wide stone tables stretched across the hall, buzzing with the raucous chatter of exhausted cultists.
“I didn't realize there were this many people here,” Yona murmured, her eyes instinctively scanning the room for all entrances and exits.
“There he is!” Alexander exclaimed gleefully, pointing toward an old man hunched awkwardly over a table with about fifteen other people.
“Are you ready for that healing?” Alexander asked, rubbing his hands together as he approached.
The man turned to look at him, but as his gaze shifted to Siurad and Yona, a deep scowl formed on his already wrinkled face.
“Keep that brute and his lackey away from me.”
Yona turned her head slowly. Small shards of frost began to form at her fingertips, and a vein twitched dangerously at her temple.
“Did he just call me…me…a lackey?”
Siurad chuckled. “Someone has to be second fiddle.”
Yona didn't even bother looking his way. She just kicked him, hard in the shin. Siurad went down in a heavy heap.
“Why?!” he cried, heavily exaggerating his distress.
“My companions are very sorry for whatever they did to you,” Alexander said smoothly, stepping between them. “They were stressed and not in their right minds, believing I had been abducted against my will.”
The old man looked at the wailing Siurad, then at Yona, who was currently staring daggers through his soul. He looked back at Alexander, his expression completely deadpan.
“Do they have a right mind?”
“Look,” Siurad said, instantly dropping the charade and climbing to his feet. “I'm sorry I grabbed you. I apologize if you felt I was too rough.”
“If? You lifted me six feet off the ground!”
“Sometimes I can be... excessive. I forget my own strength. I'm truly sorry, though.” Siurad tried to put on his best, most apologetic puppy-dog face. It just made him look deranged.
“There is something really wrong with that one,” the old man whispered to the person sitting next to him.
Seeing the situation becoming more awkward by the second, Alexander approached the man and gently placed a hand on his back.
“Tell me, where is the pain the worst?” A soft, golden light radiated from his palms, producing a warm, low buzzing sensation in the air.
“Lower back,” the old man grunted.
“You may feel some heat. This is perfectly normal. However, do tell me if it feels more intense than a warm bath.”
“Just get on with it, I've been—” The man stopped talking as the heat rushed into his muscles. After a brief, slightly uncomfortable surge, he could instantly feel the lingering pain vanishing. “By Pero... This is incredible.”
The old man caught himself mid-swear, glancing nervously around the room.
A single tear welled up in the corner of his eye as he sat at the table and Alexander patiently worked the golden light up and down his spine. The display of genuine, painless healing magic was starting to draw attention. Slowly, other initiates who were injured, exhausted, or otherwise unwell began to congregate toward their section of the hall.
As the crowd grew, two familiar faces made their way through the mess. Gresha and Almere wove through the increasingly jumbled mass of bodies, coming to a stop a few feet away.
“Priest, Tiny, Tricia,” Almere said with a curt nod.
Yona’s eye twitched slightly at the incorrect name, but she wisely kept her mouth shut.
Almere turned to face the unordered crowd. ”Listen up!” he roared. “Everyone back up! He's one priest, not a public well. One at a time! Urgent injuries first. And no, Frema, a hangover does not count.”
The room burst into laughter, breaking the lingering tension. The injured slowly began to form a structured line, stepping forward one by one to voice their various issues.
Siurad stepped up beside Almere, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, man, I know I freaked you out a bit earlier with the whole 'Tiny' thing. It was just an act. I'm not really crazy, you know.”
“You are valued by Vex, so you are valued by me,” Almere replied evenly, his eyes scanning the crowd. “You stand here now as a brother in this new Authority. We will not speak of the past.”
“So, Vex... you know him well, I take it?”
Almere looked off into the distant nowhere.
“Many of us here have similar stories. The lost, the abandoned,” he trailed off, looking down at the heavy sword hanging at his waist. “The forsaken. He took us all in, gave us a creed, and a direction. Now, it seems some of that was a lie.”
“You have to know we had nothing to do with that,” Siurad said quietly. “We are just as surprised by all of this as you are.”
‘...DO NOT SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE AUTHORITY VESSEL.’
Shut up, Obi, Siurad thought.
‘...TO SEPARATE IS TO DRAW DIVISION.’
It's kind of fucked up what he did to these people.
“I follow Vex. Do not apologize to me,” Almere said, turning back to Siurad. “There are some more shaken than others. He has been holding meetings.”
“About the transition?”
“About the future. He has offered those who do not wish to stay a clean split. Severance, shall we say.”
’...THEY SHOULD BE GRATEFUL.’
“And you are staying, I take it?” Siurad asked.
“I would be dead, and my family suffering a fate worse than death, if not for Vex,” Almere said firmly. “Gresha saved my sanity. This collective gives me new purpose. The name change makes no difference.”
“And did you worship Peronin?” Siurad asked.
“Worship isn't the correct term.”
“Then what is? You said he saved you. Can you tell me what happened?”
“He helped me with an impossible decision, and then left me to figure out what I wanted to do. No one is here by force,” Almere said firmly. “Now, you tell me, what is the Authority?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I know it was around a very long time ago, and then something happened.”
“How long is long?”
“Thirty-five hundred years ago, give or take a few.”
Almere stared at Siurad. Then, his gaze shifted slowly down to the ring on the large man's finger.
“Are you saying that Vex is that old?”
“I have no idea. Obi knows him well, so I'm assuming so.”
“Is this Obi a god?”
“No, but... maybe? Look, man, I'm not from here. Like, at all. Not a different country, not a different continent, think different dimension. I woke up attached to Obi and we have been best friends ever since.”
‘...YOU ARE TELLING THE STORY INEFFICIENTLY.’
Can you tell it yourself? No? I thought so, Siurad thought back.
The ring pulsed with hot indignation.
“So you really have no idea what's going on,” Almere concluded.
“I know we're rebuilding and searching for information. Though I believe Vex has a lot to share. I mean, it's really just the first day, and this morning we thought someone stole our priest. Wild times.”
“You are a warrior from another dimension?”
“I was a bouncer,” Siurad corrected. “It's like a warrior who only fights drunk people.”
“That sounds like an unfair advantage.”
“You are in a cult, my man.”
Almere let out a loud bark of laughter, slapping a hand on Siurad's massive shoulder. ”I'm glad you are not crazy, Tiny.”
While Siurad was bonding with Almere, Yona had taken to helping Gresha. Never one to sit idle when there were things to organize, or case, she treated everyone and everything within the dining hall as one long, highly efficient to-do list.
“You seem like you've done this before. You come from a big family?” Gresha asked as they worked.
“I guess you could say that. Only three siblings, but I have a lot of cousins. You?”
“No, I was an only child. Since being here, I've learned people are just overgrown babies. They need direction.”
“Tell me about it,” Yona sighed. “Those three would be dead without me. Siurad still forgets how to strap on half of his armor. And don't get me started on the Saint.”
“Men,” Gresha replied, shaking her head. Then, she spun around and yelled across the room, “Hey! If you're not getting healed, get your ass back to your post, Twill! You too, Dale! I swear, those two can't do anything by themselves.”
Yona winked and waved at the two men as they scrambled sheepishly back toward the kitchen.
“So tell me, Yona. How long did it take you to come up with ‘Tricia’?”
“About an hour. Most of it was spent convincing the Saint to play along. He's... cautious.”
“You completely fooled me. You a mercenary?”
“No, not at all. I specialize in liberating overlooked treasures from unappreciative pockets.” Yona eyed a particularly shiny silver spoon as they walked toward a table occupied by a small group.
Gresha snorted. “Interesting choice of words.” She tapped the stone table as they approached. “Teshsari, did you find the sacrificial dagger?”
Teshsari looked down at her bowl, twirling a lock of blonde hair around a pale finger. “Not yet, Gresh. I asked Julia and Almere. No one has seen it.”
Yona interjected. “Thin blade, green gem in the hilt?”
“Yes. Don't tell me you stole it?” Gresha asked, narrowing her eyes.
“No! Just who do you think I am?” Yona said indignantly, her hand drifting casually away from the shiny spoon. “I’ll have you know George pulled it on Siurad yesterday in the commons. Vex told him to take some time off.”
Teshsari smiled brightly. “Wasn't my fault, boss. I've been looking for that thing all day and it wasn't even here.”
“Excellent news,” Gresha said without missing a single beat. “That means you're free to do the five hundred other things I need done. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Teshsari's head hit the table with a loud thud. “Control freak,” she muttered, her voice muffled against the wood.
“I heard that,” Gresha called back, already turning on her heel to march toward the food line.
The food line was a simple station consisting of a wooden, shed-like structure where five workers handed out trays and scooped up rations.
“Did you eat yet? I'm starving,” Gresha said, grabbing a tray.
“Not yet,” Yona replied, looking over her shoulder toward Siurad, who was laughing at something Almere had just said.
Gresha followed her gaze. “It's good to see him laughing like that. Lots of people here look up to Almere. Makes it hard for him to be normal.”
“Ha. Siurad's too dumb to notice important people.”
“It truly is nice, though. It's only been one day, but things around here seem to be heading in a good direction. Vex has been so paranoid lately.”
“Any reason why?” Yona asked, taking a step forward in line.
“A couple of weeks ago, something set off the magical detection runes. Since then, we've had a lot of people coming out to this area. The wildlife usually keeps everyone away unless it's a recruit, but even then, they usually don't make it through unless they're particularly sneaky.”
“Because of the Ursaurus?”
“Yeah, those, and the big-ass bird. Amadeo loves that thing. Says it's ‘a specifically refined avian creature.’ He's eccentric. Means well, highly devoted, just a one-note kind of guy.”
“He’s creepy. I think he wants to do strange things to my priest, and I'm not talking about sacrificing.”
Inside the stall, a rugged, portly man looked up. “What will it be, Gresh?”
“Why, hello there, Dale.” Yona flashed a bright, toothy grin.
He immediately averted his eyes. “Hello,” he said sheepishly.
“Something going on?” Gresha asked, narrowing her eyes at the exchange.
“No, nothing at all. I just remembered you called him out earlier,” Yona said innocently. “I'll have the chicken. Extra meat, if you don't mind.”
“No problem, ma'am,” Dale mumbled, piling her tray high.
Gresha looked between the two of them. “Extra rations are against protocol, Yona.”
“She can have half my ration!” Dale jumped in quickly.
Switching gears, Yona smiled in triumph. “Thank you so much. Speaking of the Ursaurus, we had to take down a pack of three on the way in.”
“Wait, took down meaning what?” Gresha asked.
Yona ran a hand across her throat and made a small gurgling sound.
“How did you manage that? No one here dares it. We're convinced the only reason they don't come around the compound is because of Steve and Julia.”
“My guys are annoying, but we are capable.” A smile of genuine pride beamed across Yona's face.
They made their way over to sit next to Teshsari and the others, Yona's extra ration of chicken drawing looks of envy all the way there.
“So, you and Almere are close. Did you guys come in together or what?” Yona asked, tearing into the food.
“Not quite. I was here before him. He came later, and he was a complete mess. The outfit he was working for messed up big time. To make things right, they offered up Almere as a scapegoat. He was the only surviving member of a raid, so I guess they thought he mucked it up, some kind of an inside job. They offered him up. His wife and two little girls, too.”
Yona's eyes locked on Gresha. With her mouth completely full of chicken, she stopped chewing.
“And thwen whhaggr habbened?” She swallowed hard. “And then what happened?”
“Big fight. He was captured, his kids and wife turned undead. He escaped, whittled their numbers down, but there were too many of them. Vex and I were passing through. Vex... um, he freed them from undeath. The only mercy he knew to give. A few weeks later, Almere tracked us down and wanted to join.”
“That is heartbreaking,” Yona choked out.
“He was a wreck, but we talked it through. Many a sleepless night with that one. He has a heart of gold, though. Funny how it takes a cult to bring it out of people.”
“Well, from what I gather, we ain't a cult anymore. We're the Authority.”
“True. You never know where life is going to take you these days. Never thought I'd be here, that's for sure. I was an apothecary.”
“You don't say? I don't get that from you at all,” Yona said, sizing her up. “Badass mercenary. Soldier. Nine hells, even a priestess at a temple.”
Gresha snorted, loud and obnoxious, drawing stares from all corners of the room.
“Mind your business!” she shouted at the room, making everyone turn away quickly.
“Apothecary work is dangerous. You have to be meticulous,” Gresha explained, turning back. “I ask for three troll toes and an ounce of onion, that's what I need. Or else, instead of herbs, I get an explosion.” She mimed things blowing apart with her hands.
Yona watched Siurad and Almere finally walk toward the food line.Siurad was laughing at something Almere said, completely relaxed, right up until he stepped in front of Dale's serving station.
Siurad froze.
Dale froze, the serving ladle trembling in his grip.
Siurad’s eyes slowly drifted from Dale's terrified face down to the massive iron pot bubbling between them. Large, thick chunks of orange vegetables floated innocently in the brown gravy.
Siurad's face drained of all color.
“Tell me, Yona, have you thought about what your role will be in the Authority?” Gresha asked, completely oblivious to the standoff happening twenty feet away.
“Vex says HR. Haven't thought too much about it, honestly. It's all so new. I just found out the talking ring was actually telling the truth.”
‘...WHY WOULD I LIE TO AN OVERSIZED SQUIRREL?’
Can it, Obi! Yona thought.
“This Obi... he is the Kivuli Vex speaks of?” Gresha asked.
“I think—”
“Oh god,” Siurad's voice carried across the room, thick with horror.
“Oh no,” Yona sighed, immediately covering her eyes with her hands.
“Hell no! Has anyone eaten the stew?!” Siurad roared, taking a massive step back. “There are carrots in the stew! For the love of God, do not eat the carrots!”
“Calm down, Tiny, they're just vegetables!” Almere yelled.
“Fuck that!” Siurad bellowed.
Pop!
With a sudden rush of displaced air, Siurad Void-Stepped directly behind the serving counter. Dale shrieked and dove out of the way as the massive bouncer grabbed the heavy iron stew pot and lifted it high above his head.
“Shit, it's hot!”
A massive crash echoed through the hall. Stew exploded across the stone floor, sending gravy, questionable meat, and thick slices of carrot washing between the tables.
‘...Embarrassing.’