Chapter 933 932: Home Sweet Home
?The stop at Arx Impius was a swift one, with Belian and Lady Hathor hosting us for an hour or so whilst we discussed the split of materials, which was sort of mind numbing as we drafted up the papers and signed deals with one another, ensuring that we would have our portion shipped to the Capital in a few days, as well as the exchange we did of some of the materials as well.
We 'purchased' some more gemstones and higher quality materials from them in exchange for the lower level materials, as well as the selling of our services, specifically Anput's and my own, with Belian wanting us to create some Wands and Staves for the Demon Clans with the materials we had acquired.
The entire time, Anput was rather distant and quiet, the usually boisterous Jackalkin listening to us closely but not speaking that often, only doing so when she needed to as she gave answers to questions or inputs on what she needed, wanted, or didn't need or want from the Clans.
Belian noticed this change instantly, glancing at us confusedly before shrugging when we just shook our heads, the man keeping away from this as he focused instead on his own woman, who was doing her best to 'fight' us for every pound or every ounce of material that she could, whilst still remaining courtesy enough to relinquish some without issue when she was gently reminded that we had worked to harvest them, therefor we deserved a certain cut.
It was a grueling hour long 'battle' between Anput, Leone, and myself against Lady Hathor and Madam Tabitha, but it was well worth it as we managed to get the exact list written down and completely assured between both parties, an oath and binding signatures ensuring that no one would gyp the other for more profit.
All of this was done over a nice meal consisting of a paste with white wine sauce as well as some grilled chicken, with sides of freshly baked bread and salads; light enough to not send us into a food coma right away, but heavy enough to stave off our hunger for later, when we reached home.
When it was over, we took our contract and returned to the carriage, before resuming our journey as we settled in and waited for enough time to pass, the sun's descent allowing for an easy enough understanding of the time as we silently rode home, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
Jahi and I exchanged glances frequently, trying to understand the Jackalkin still, but after an hour or so had passed, we gave up when she just glanced back at us, her eyes still slipping between being silver and obsidian as she dealt with her desires in her mind, keeping it to herself for now.
It was paining me to see her so clearly struggling with something inside herself and not being able to help, nor being allowed to help; she was currently refusing to let any of us in, and it only pained us all as she continued to keep whatever darkness Cali had reminded her of locked inside her heart, where it began to fester with each passing second.
There was little help we could give her if she wasn't willing to accept any help at all, and that was what was eating away at me as I stared at my mate for a few seconds more, wondering just what was going on inside her mind at the moment that she refused to let out.
Even to the people that should be closest to her, she was adamant about not sharing it, but because of that, there was little we could do without simply irritating and angering her with our pestering, something that we all understood and had to begrudgingly accept as we traveled back home.
Reaching the Capital before the sun had begun to set was nice, the light illuminating Sanctus Ignacia and the city that had been built around its center, the waving roads leading up and into the city bathed in rays of reddish gold as the sun shone down onto the seat of the Empress' dominion.
The dark mountain being bathed in a light reminiscent of flames was suiting, and despite being someone who had always disliked the heat - with even more reason now thanks to how it worked against my Core - I just couldn't help but view this mountain as something sublime and gorgeous, its warmth and power comforting on a spiritual level.
It was one of the places that I associated home with, and seeing it after so long - beneath the sun, which I had been lacking in the last week or so - was almost enough to bring a tear to my eye as we rolled ever closer, heading up the cobbled road and around to the entrance, where the many colorful cloth awnings added to the happiness I felt, seeing the familiar streets, markets and stores together with the familiar style of dress causing my heart to further warm up.
By the time that we had reached the gates leading into the Palace, we were all feeling much better and slightly giddy as we entered the area that only those accepted by the Empress could enter, returning to the place that was important not only to the Empire, but also to us.
The carriage rolled to a stop right in front of the beautiful doors at the front of the Palace, and likely having sensed us drawing closer, there was already a small party of all too familiar faces waiting for us; Mother and the Countess, each holding a baby, while the Empress and two of her wives stood together, alongside their own children.
Lady Fenryas was staring at the carriage with a bored expression, whilst Lady Igna was smiling warmly as she watched the door open; Roman was smiling as well, though Vienna was wearing her neutral expression, standing beside her Mother silently and staring intently at the door, waiting for Leone to exit.
Meanwhile, Dante was leaning on his tower shield, a small smile on his lips as he nodded at us as we exited one by one, the marks of sweat, dirt and more on his gear and his skin making it clear he had just finished training or diving into the Dungeon.
"Welcome back. I trust everything was pleasant over in the Kingdoms?"
The Empress was wearing a knowing smile as she looked down at us, the giant pale skinned woman clearing 'staring' at each of us one by one, her wrapped eyes landing on each of us as a minuscule - but noticeable - pressure weighed on our shoulders, something that was also far too familiar, especially for Leone, who strode forwards and accepted a hug from her Mom.
"Why bother asking if you already know?"
Huffing at the Empress, the Vampire pouted at her before melting into her embrace when her sparking hair was stroked softly, the sea of ash gray locks calming down at the familial caress of both the Empress and Lady Igna.
"'Cause that brat told us it was a powerful Fiend that you were facing off against? Oh, and the letter arrived saying you fought against another two, perhaps? That might just be why..."
"Fen, please... must you be so serious all the time?"
The Demon Wolf just snorted as she crossed her muscular arms and shook her head, her silver eye landing on Jahi as she asked "So? What was it like? Did you cower away or face 'em head on?"
"Did you not just say you received a report?"
"Tell me in your own words, horn head."
The Countess just sighed as she walked forwards and stood between Jahi and Lady Fenryas, while Mother approached me with Lakshmi in her arms, the purple Demoness blinking tiredly as she looked around before her eyes brightened as she saw me.
Taking her from Mother, I listened to the Countess as she gently said "Let's allow them to have a rest, hm? You can drill them later, Lady Fenryas... You all must be tired. Come, I'm sure dinner is close to being prepared. Eat, rest, then talk..."
She looked towards Anput as she said that, the Jackalkin still being rather... obvious with her struggle, her distance and blank expression clear to everyone here, though thankfully no one - namely Lady Fenryas - pressed her, allowing the Jackalkin to just walk inside alongside us and head towards the dining hall, though I could tell that the Demon Wolf was just itching for an excuse to drag my mate away and make her talk.
The further we walked into the Palace, the more people joined us, with the Marquess and the rest of the Empress' wives streaming in at random, alongside Adelina, Nirinia, and Kolia, everyone coming to hear about our time over in the Kingdom.
Each addition to our group only added to the warmth we felt as we entered the dining hall and sat down, with us at the center and everyone else sitting around us, waiting for us to begin our recounting of events.
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