“Lord Amu,” Eren said. “I would like to ask for your help. I want to visit the fox clan lands.”
“No.” Amu shook his head and crossed his arms against his chest.
“Are you not going to give me a chance to explain my request?” Eren asked.
“No.” Amu frowned. “The Septum is not the only entity with rules in the Ekho Realm. The Fox Clan is closed to the Immortal Clan. It is treason to allow one of you into our lands.”
“Treason?” Eren gaped. “Don’t you think it is extremely hostile of the fox goddess Anit? We do not refuse the members of your clan to visit our lands.”
“Have you seen one of ours in your lands these last thousand years?” Amu asked, narrowing his gaze at her.
Eren sat back in thought. After a moment, she shook her head, and Cale bit back a chuckle. He would have reminded her that foxes had a strange sense of loyalty. If they believed in a cause, no one could turn them away.
“Why doesn’t the fox clan enter the immortal lands?” Tom asked. “I thought the Ekho Realm was peaceful?”
“It is,” Amu said. “Mostly. We have our prejudices. The fox clan can hold long grudges. The deepest one is tied to the fact that the fox goddess’s son is held hostage in the mortal realm serving a thousand-year sentence for loving a mortal.”
“Babu doesn’t speak to his mother,” Tom said, helping Hera take plates to the sink.
“Just because they are estranged, doesn’t mean he is not a Fox Lord. He is her son. He is young and deserves to be in our ranks living his own life as he chooses. No one should punish him for his choices at his current age. Our fox clan wonders what will happen to him when he is as old as Sunu or Anit.”
“Loving a mortal is not why he is in the mortal realm,” Eren said. “Choosing to bind his soul to a fleeting life is the reason why. What if all Ekhos start doing the same? Do you understand the repercussions? We would have more Ekhos choosing to live here in the mortal realm. Changing fates of mortal lives—”
“Tani has followed the rules the Septum laid out,” Cale said. “He has made no effort to find a way to extend his beloved’s life beyond his natural cycle. He keeps the secrets of the Ekho Realm and bonded mates. You cannot accuse him of a crime he has not committed.”
“He might be innocent of my words, but others would not be so conscious of the rules,” Eren pointed out. “Thankfully, rumors of Tani’s punishment have controlled the Ekho population in the mortal realm better than any threats we ever gave. Even the fox clan has reduced its misdeeds. No one has bonded their soul to a human, except for Tani Ryuzo.”
“I understand your speech, but the fox clan will not forget the trial easily. Why do you want to enter our lands?” Amu asked.
“I cannot find the path the Kara ot used at the vineyard. There are concerns that there is a surge of black weed in the fox clan lands. The Kara ot may have used an unsuspecting fox with permissions from the inter-clan court to cross the Palladium Gates,” Eren said.
She glanced at Cale.
“The black weed is controlled in all the lands I can enter. I have no knowledge or the state of infestation in the fox clan lands. You must help me talk to the fox goddess Anit,” Eren said, her voice filled with urgency. “It will be helpful to know if the fox clan has an outbreak. Or if she has a clue as to who might have brought the black weed to the mortal realm.”
Cale nodded along to Eren’s words.
Eren’s entry into the fox clan would give him the perfect chance to snoop around the Inter Clan Court. Find out the identity of the culprit pretending to be from his Dark Fort. It would get the Sentinel off his back.
“The fox clan is relatively quiet,” Amu said. “I was there a few days ago. Anit did not mention any issues with black weed.”
“She might not mention it to you because you’re never at court,” Cale pointed out.
Amu narrowed his gaze at him.
“What would you know of my sister’s thoughts?” Amu asked.
“I know nothing of what Anit is thinking,” Cale said, reaching for his wine glass. He took a sip and sat back in his chair. “I’m only noting that she might not have mentioned a problem when you were visiting her.”
Amu sighed and shook his head.
“I’m surprised the god of calamity would want to help Eren,” Amu said. “After all she has contributed to Tani’s never-ending pain.”
Eren sighed.
“Lord Amu,” she started.
“I will not take you into the fox clan lands without my sister’s permission,” Amu said. “There are no secrets between us. We are not the immortal clan, Eren. Anit knows what I do and I know what she does for the sake of Tani. I’m not taking you into the fox clan lands.”
“Fine, I don’t have to step into the fox clan lands,” Eren said, lifting her hands in surrender. “Help me find a way to talk to fox goddess Anit then. Court to court. She’s in charge of the fox clan. I’m worried about the corruption of black weed spreading from the Ekho Realm to the mortal realm. Surely, we can meet on discreet terms to discuss an issue affecting our people.”
Amu studied her for a full minute before he shook his head and looked at Cale.
“Is this what you went to discuss with the Septum?” Amu asked. “To get me to convince Anit to talk to her?”
“Amu, you and I, have been at this for years. You will know not to take what I say next lightly,” Cale said.
Amu nodded and extended his right hand in invitation.
“There is something off,” Cale said, staring into his wine glass. “The black weed at the Arturo Vineyard was too large. The culprit who brought it to the vineyard knew Tani would need to get his cuffs removed to cleanse it. The corruption was one part of his or her goal. The second goal was the anticipation of what happens to Tani after I return his cuffs on him. Tani should have been down for months, almost a year after I returned the cuffs on him.”
Amu sat up.
“True,” Amu said. “The pain is usually too much. It takes him too long to recover. Which makes me wonder, how is he up?”
“His beloved is stronger than we thought,” Cale said. “Something about burning Tani’s pain away. Artri House has its secrets. Dante’s resourcefulness changes the field. We now have a chance to uncover a hidden game. Anit is crucial to Eren’s answers.”
‘And mine,’ Cale thought.
“She heads the Inter Court Clan,” Amu said.
“Yes.” Cale nodded in agreement. “Besides, Kara ot is not an easy matter. All Ekho agree it should never be allowed to grow unchecked in the Mortal Realm.”
“I’ll make a formal request to see Anit through the inter-clan court,” Amu said. “I have an appeal made by a minor fox that needs attention. I was going to ask her to meet me here to discuss it.”
Eren sucked in air, waiting.
“I’m not promising she will want to talk to you, Eren,” Amu continued. “However, I’ll make your case.”
“She comes here?” Eren asked, surprised.
“Yes,” Hera said, leaning over Cale for the platter holding the kebabs.
The platter was now empty. All the skewers were eaten.
Cale got up and took the platter for her. She smiled and patted his shoulder in thanks. Cale took the platter to the sink and washed it.
“She walks around the fortress,” Hera said to Eren, as she collected the blue placemats from the dining table. “Does her best to look mortal, but there is no hiding she is other. Regal, too beautiful thanks to the red hair, and her green eyes with slits like a fox. They call her the ghost of the fortress. She’s become a beloved myth.”
Cale returned to the table to get his wine glass. He drank the last of it, leaning on the edge of the table as he watched Hera finish wiping the table.
“She scares all the ladies on the third floor when she wanders into their bathrooms,” Tom said. “Uncle Amu, talk to her, please. Tell her to stop perpetuating the ghost of the fortress myth.”
Amu chuckled and winked at Eren.
“It’s work to keep a balance in our home,” Amu said. “Tom, you can blame the ghost of the fortress for the blooming elder bushes.”
“Great idea,” Tom said, with a sigh.
“I’ll visit Anit,” Amu said, pushing his chair back, he rose with a negligent roll of his shoulders. “It might take a few days. I’ll get back to you with her decision.”
“Thank you,” Eren said, giving him a formal nod.
“You’re welcome to stay,” Amu said. “Hera, show her where she can rest.”
“I will,” Hera said, taking the placemats to the kitchen counter.
“What about the tour Dante requested?” Tom asked.
Amu paused and looked up at the ceiling.
“Tani built it, he can be a great guide too,” Amu said, after a moment. “I could never interfere with their meeting. No matter what I did, they always got to spend their time together. Call Dante and grant him permission.”
Cale smiled in triumph and took his wine glass to the sink.
“Cale,” Amu said.
“Yes,” Cale said when he turned and found Amu watching him.
“Whatever you’re hiding from me, I hope it won’t hurt him,” Amu said. “Elderwood is open to you, only if you protect him.”
“I know,” Cale said.
Amu nodded and left the kitchen.
Cale placed his glass on the rack. When he turned to wipe his hands on the kitchen cloth, he found Hera standing next to him. She watched him with expectation.
“What is this vibe?” Hera asked. “You, Uncle Amu…Babu. Why is he looking so lost in thought? Is something going to happen to him?”
“No,” Cale said.
“Liar,” Hera said, looking into his dark eyes, unflinching. “Don’t answer so quickly when you’re lying, Cale. Tell me why you’re all in a state of finality.”
“It’s hard to explain,” Cale said, shrugging his shoulders. He rolled the sleeves of his shirt down and cuffed them. “Besides, it’s not my story to tell, dear Hera. Babu will tell you when he’s ready.”
Hera sighed and leaned on the kitchen sink counter. “Is it bad?”
Cale looked to Eren who was drinking water and sighed.
“It depends on perspective,” Cale said, then leaned in and brushed a kiss on Hera’s right cheek. “Don’t worry. Tani will always make sure you, Tom, and Deniz are taken care of.”
“Who will take care of Babu?” Hera asked.
“I’m hoping Dante will take up the job,” Cale said with a charming grin.
*****
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