Shadow Slave

Sunny slept like a baby. There were no nightmares haunting his dreams, and when he woke up, his heart felt strangely at peace. He remained motionless for a while, feeling the warmth of Neph's hand resting on the crown of his head. The ketch was moving swiftly across the water, carried by both the wind and the current, and the world around them was dark. It was already night.

'...I overslept.'

Nephis should have woken him up. Had she gotten any rest herself?

Turning his head slightly, Sunny looked up and saw her elegant jawline. She was leaning on the wooden side of the ketch, her eyes closed. Her breathing was slow and deep. She was fast asleep. So... no one was keeping watch.

"Don't be upset with the Lady, my Lord."

Sunny flinched slightly and glanced at the stern of the boat, where Ananke was still sitting, holding lightly to the steering oar. Her dark mantle was of the same color as the night sky, making it hard to discern where its folds ended, and the night began.

"You both needed rest."

Sunny felt very comfortable laying on Neph's lap, but he had to sit up with a reluctant sigh. Rubbing his eyes, he looked at his shadows, which were all but invisible in the darkness. None of them showed any sign of being concerned, so he judged that the old woman had not tried anything strange while they slept.

Even though it would take a few more days for his reserves of essence to be fully replenished, they were not dry anymore. Due to the Shroud of Dusk, he also felt rested and refreshed.

However, he was slightly hungry. Sunny hesitated for a few moments, and then asked:

"Say... you wouldn't happen to have more of those little pies?"

Ananke smiled.

a few left in the box. Eat well, my Lord. I made

that helped keep supplies fresh. Everything inside must have been prepared by Ananke in anticipation of meeting the

pies, as well as more fruit and a couple other simple dishes, all perfectly fresh and preserved.

hesitation, the old

offer you more, my Lord. It is... not easy for me to procure fruit and flour, these days. I

looked at her

you talking about, Grandmother? I once ate nothing but rotten devil meat for an entire month. This is nothing short of

point, he picked up one of the pies and greedily pushed

tilted her

from hunger in

kind of a paradise that she and the other followers

He shrugged.

am not too smart myself, sadly. At least not all

through his mind. Sunny looked at Ananke carefully,

about you, Grandmother? Have you

for a corpse not too long

gently shook her

does not get hungry often.

out the rest of the pies and walked over to the

Otherwise, my teacher will give me a beating once I

Julius would indeed be beside himself if he learned that Sunny stuffed his belly while an elderly woman starved herself nearby... even if that woman

than that, just what kind of fish was she

took one of