Arc 8-128
It doesn’t take long for the not-foreman to get comfortable ordering me about. He’s a practical man, too practical to let ceremony and a healthy dose of fear get in the way of getting things done. There are a dozen of us equipped with shovels. Alana and I easily outpace the other ten—so much so that the foreman has the others retire their shovels.
By the time the sun reaches its zenith, three of the foundations are complete. I expect to be done with the menial work, but there’s something to be said for precision. I could have tossed dirt at the speed of a sprinting horse, but foundations need only be so deep. Controlling my strength is an effort that leaves me grateful for the lunch break.
I drop to the dirt like everyone else, but I don’t indulge in their plain rations. Alana sits across from me as she unwraps the sandwiches packed by the succubi. It’s simple fare, but the preparation is of the highest quality and the ingredients are fresh. In a city one step ahead of a food crisis, it might as well be a king’s feast, though it’s understated enough that we don’t draw attention.
Or so I think, until someone wanders over. My eyes flick over the woman, searching for a threat, but there’s nothing but sweat and dirt. Dark hair is tied back from her face with a mangy scarf, but her smile is bright and refreshing. It doesn’t dim in the slightest as she stops under my glare, looking down on us as she waves. “Heya.”
“Hello,” I drawl, wondering where this strange encounter is going.
She takes my greeting as an invitation, dropping down beside us. Alana glares at her, but I stare in wonder at the woman’s audacity. Is this that special kind of person that pokes bears and pets lions?
“There’s been a lot of talk about you, my lady. Your ladyship? Never understood the difference between those.”
“Your ladyship is a general term of respect,” I answer, foregoing my sandwich as I prop my head up on a palm. “My lady implies subordination. As in, you work for me or see yourself as my person.”
Her smile widens. “My lady then.”
“That’s not a popular choice around here.”
“More popular than you think.”
Alana removes the lips pressed against my backside by clearing her throat, forcing the stranger’s attention onto her. “Who are you and what do you want?” she asks bluntly.
“Me? I’m no one yet. Rather not introduce myself like this. As for what I want, eh. Just to meet the woman who’s making it all possible.” She slowly claps. “Big fan of your work, my lady.”
“…is this a joke?” Alana asks, her low voice carrying a dangerous tone.
“Whoa, no. I mean it, seriously.” No Name holds up her hands, her smile going strong despite being threatened. “Do you know what my options were before all this? Let me tell you, it was crap and more crap. Now? Well, I can be one of the people with power. Real power, both when it comes to running things and slinging around spells. I always said I could make it big if I ever got the chance, but the game was rigged from the beginning. Then a gloriously violent violet god flipped the table and sent the pieces scattering.”
“You’re…” Alana glances at me, as if searching for a sign that this strange woman is part of some elaborate joke I’ve set up. I’m sure she sees nothing but my own confusion mirroring hers. “You’re happy the city was destroyed?”
“Sure. Much as I can be. Do I wish there was a better way to go about it? Of course. I’m not crazy. But if the change’s got to be violent, I’m just glad I got the warning to tie myself down and crawl under a rock to weather the storm, yeah? Actually, a friend and I watched it from the edge of the Hall. Some guy was selling honey-glazed fruit sticks and all. Was a good time—minus the blood and death—but we were far enough away not to think about it.”
Ah. I get it. She’s insane.
“Anyway, just came by to speak to the lady in charge and let her know that not everyone’s against her and her way of doing things.”
“And you’re the leader of these supporters?” Alana asks dubiously.
“Leader? Bah! As if anyone could lead those bastards. Nope, we’re just a group of like-minded individuals who appreciate our idol of opportunities. A bunch of stray dogs that’ll band together to defend our trash can but will fight each other for scraps too. I’d never want to be the leader of those mutts, but, saints hoping, I’ll be a leader of something someday, eh? Somebody who won’t need to introduce herself.”
I finally find my voice. “Quite a goal.”
She laughs, a happy sound that invites anyone listening to share in the joke. “That’s the least of my dreams, my lady.”
“What’s the biggest then?”
“Living forever.”
A snort escapes me before I can stop it. “That is a big dream. Dare I ask what’s second on the list?”
“Hm. They’re quite close, but… I’d say marrying you.”
I gape at her while Alana starts glaring for a new reason. “Wha—”
“Too soon?” No Name flashes a lopsided grin. “You did ask, though.”
“I did.” A deep breath settles me. Really, why am I getting flustered? Maybe it’s because I expect everyone in the city to hate my guts, and her forward flirtations have extra power. “You should give up on that one.”
“Ehh? Don’t got room in the estate for one more? Promise I don’t take up that much space.”
“More that you have no idea what you’re asking for. You’re putting your head in the mouth of a dragon.”
“I’m pretty sure I know exactly what I’m getting into,” she drawls, twirling her finger in a circle, gesturing to the destroyed city that’s united us. “But we can stop talking about it. It’s a dream, you know? They’re supposed to be grand and supposedly impossible.”
“Supposedly?”
“Everything’s impossible until someone makes it happen.”
She flashes another smile and winks before walking away, her gait a casual stroll that belies the whirlwind she can stir with her casual words. Watching her leave, the shock fades and the humor creeps in. Alana elbows me as I bend over, giggling.
“What?” I ask her.
“Don’t tell me you’re impressed by… that.”
“No need to be mean.”
She elbows me again, harder, not that it makes a difference. “You know I didn’t mean it like that. She’s obviously trouble.”
“Mm, definitely. Think the fighting knocked something loose in her head?”
“According to her, she was too far away to be affected by the battle. Maybe when she was a child.” Alana shakes her head. “And apparently, there is an entire group like her.”
“My supporters.” Having any supporters at all is a welcome surprise, but they aren’t exactly respectable. It seems wanton displays of power attract amoral opportunists—who’d have thought? They’re as welcome as anyone else; just because they support me doesn’t mean I support them, but as long as they follow the rules, I won’t stand in their way. “You think they all want to marry me?”
Her elbow turns into a fist.
“It’s not like I’m going to say yes.” There are only so many hours in the day. “Here.” I shove a bite of sandwich in her mouth. “Stop thinking about my crazy admirers. We’ve still got a lot of dirt to move.”
She side-eyes me as she chews.