Emperor Night

Thanks to Talitha, traversing the forest didn't take nearly as long as Jonathan and Saikhi had anticipated. Locals always knew the best shortcuts. Jonathan's journey through the forest mainly consisted of wading through thick underbrush, swatting bugs and having frequent bouts of s.e.x with his two beautiful companions. Jonathan was starting to feel drained by the whole experience. There was only so much ammunition within him and he was starting to run out.

"I could really go for a Gatorade." He mumbled as they carefully tiptoed their way through another set of thorn bushes.

"What was that Master?" Saikhi asked. She had been walking in front of Jonathan behind Talitha. Making sure the path was clear of slither vines. They didn't want a repeat of what had happened earlier. Jonathan had taken the opportunity to watch his companions' curves move as they walked.

"Oh, it's nothing, how much further do we have to go Talitha?" Jonathan raised his voice so she could hear him.

"About 20 more minutes daddy and please call me Tali or daughter. We are family now." Talitha stopped and placed her hand on a tree trunk next to her. Jonathan had trouble accepting Talitha's request, calling her daughter was a bit odd, especially sinces they looked about the same age. Being called daddy both confused and excited Jonathan. Daddy/daughter roleplay was not a foreign concept but it was definitely not something Jonathan had done before. 'Tali would do for now' he thought. He realised they had stopped moving.

"Is everything ok Talith- Tali?" Jonathan asked as he approached the front of the group. Talitha's eyes were closed, her body deep in trance.

"I think she is communicating with the forest." Saikhi said, wonderment in her voice. "I have only heard rumours about this. I was certain it was a myth." Saikhi retrieved a quill and parchment from Stew's pouch and approached Talitha's entranced body. She began to jot down several lines of observations.

Saikhi was a much better guide to this new world then his tutorial fairy Lily had been. She was always quick to dump much needed exposition when asked. Talking to Lily was more like pulling teeth with a monkey's paw. You never knew what you were going to get but you could be pretty sure that it would hurt. Lily did have her uses though and Jonathan was able to be his complete self with her, so there was that.

"We are being followed." Talitha returned from her trance. Saikhi jittered back in suprised. "Over a dozen armored men and a woman on Forrin-back. They are a day or so behind us."

This was bad. Jonathan had hoped to make a clean escape from Cliffside but it seems that news got out of his departure. It wasn't completely unexpected though. What had been unexpected was that they were able to track them down the forest path.

"How do they know where we are?" Jonathan enquired trying to keep the fear from his voice.

"They have a tracker with them. A Faen." Saikhi gasped at Talitha's news.

"It's not just a tracker. It's THE Tracker." Saikhi emphasised. "He single handedly has killed over 20 Sorcerers, and that is after he started working for the Empire.

"Are you sure?" Jonathan asked, this guy sounded like bad business.

"Certain, no other Faen has ever worked as a tracker for the Inquisition."

Jonathan rubbed the back of his neck, he needed a plan or else his new life might come to an abrupt end. Once they were out of the forest, the mounted and much faster hunting group would gain on them. He should have bought a few of the chicken-like Forrins whilst he was in the Cliffside market but their sale was restricted to nobles and military personnel. Jonathan didn't have time to delve into the seedy underbelly of Cliffside's black market to aquire them.

"Is there somewhere we can hide once we get out of the forest?" Jonathan asked.

"There is a sizable town an hour out from the edge." Saikhi revealed. "I have never been there but I heard it is managed by the Cult of Sisters." Talitha nod in agreement. "Otherwise there is only prairie and rolling hills awaiting us on the other side." Saikhi brain was a well of knowledge.

"Alright, we will head there and lay low, maybe we can find a way to throw them off our trail." Jonathan motioned for the group to keep moving forward. "Ill need to know everything you know about this town and this Cult of Sisters." Jonathan put on a brave face, he had no idea what he was going to do. 'Fake it until you make it Jonno.'

The town of Sidim was in a distinct situation within the Adearathian Empire. The administration and law enforcement of the town is all handled by a group of female monks known as the Cult of Sisters. The cult follows the teachings of the Goddess of Beauty and Protection and according to Saikhi are quite kind to Sorcerers. They see Jonathan's type as lost souls that need to be saved from the curse of Sorcery. So that was at least positive.

The reason the Emperor has allowed the town to stay autonomous has been the matter of some scholarly debate. The most prominent theory being that Marra, the previous Queen of the Adearathian Empire, was born and raised there, so the Emperor harbors a soft spot for Sidim and it's beauty cult. The reason didn't matter much to Jonathan.

What did matter were the catacombs that spralled out beneath the central chapel. It seemed like it would be a reasonable enough place to hide but Jonathan wanted to get the lay of the land before making any concrete decisions. He had asked his companions if the undead "were a thing" in this world. They both replied with a solid "maybe". So perhaps the catacombs might not be the best place to seek refuge.

It wasn't long before the group arrived at the outskirts of Sidim, they ventured down the long cobbled road which carved straight through the middle of the town. The buildings here had a much more conservative color pallet than Cliffside's gaudy array. Whites, blacks and the occasional brown. The people were similarly conservative in their attire, men and women mostly wore clean white and black robes. People smiled at the group as they passed. Jonathan made a mental note not to drink any of the cool-aid here.

"We stand out. It's not going to take an expert tracker to find us here." Jonathan returned an awkward smile as a group of white robed townspeople passed them. "Probably best if we looked the part."

"It looks like there is a market stall over there that is selling Sidim's traditional garb." Saikhi pointed off to the side of the road. As Jonathan's group approached the stall they were intercepted.

"Welcome travellers." The melodic voice originated from behind them. Jonathan turned on the spot, as he placed one hand on the hilt of his dagger. Long flowing golden locks cascaded down against a curvaceous body, hugged only by a thin white gown. Her eyes sparkled blue and her face shone white. The woman's beauty disarmed Jonathan, he relaxed his hand. Talitha kept her hand firmly attached to the handle of her hatchet.

"I am Sala, a priestess-protector of Sidim." The beauty explained. "May I ask what business you have in our fair town?"

"You may not." Talitha hissed. She had taken a defensive stance and looked just about ready to lash out.

"No, no, it's fine." Jonathan raised his arm in front of Talitha. "We are merchants looking to trade and spend a few days resting in your lovely city. My name is Jonn-" Jonathan bit his tongue again, he still could not say his full name. "-Nightmare, this is Saikhi and this is Tali."

"Talitha to you." Talitha added. For some reason she had not taken a liking to Sala and Jonathan couldn't understand why. Hopefully it wasn't jealousy.

"Of course, it is a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you. We are always glad to welcome merchants and those seeking rest. Please keep peaceful whilst you stay in Sidim." Sala clasped her hands together and bowed slightly.

"Uh, sure thing." Jonathan began to blush as he rubbed the back of his neck. Sala had really knocked him off-kilter. Before Jonathan could react Sala placed a soft and gentle kiss upon his lips. Jonathan's eyes widened. Oh shit, this was bad.

"Let our kiss bind the peace." Sala walked off unaffected. What the hell, Jonathan hadn't chanted 'conievo', by all rights she should be mad with l.u.s.t by now. But no, she gracefully walked away from Jonathan without so much as a m.o.a.n. Jonathan stood jaw agape trying to process what just happened.

"Monsterous witch." Talitha hissed under her breath.

"Witch? She's a Sorcerer too?" Jonathan asked in a hushed tone.

"No, her power doesn't come from the forest, it comes from someplace else."