It was several days before Delmus found himself in Mendera City and with some time to spare. He'd been to the academy on Leviathan and been told that Mistress Sventa had gone home for the day. He quite liked Mistress Sventa, the name conjured up meanings the student had definitely never intended. She still lived in Kittara's old house and Delmus hadn't been there for..... well it was a long time. No one actually knocked on doors in Mendera City, not unless they wanted to be arrested and beaten by the mercs who policed the holy city. He stood in the street outside and asked Chlo to see if Sventa would see him.
"She said yes."
Chlo moved his reality to the walled garden at the rear of the house. Sventa was feeding the creatures who inhabited the large ornamental pond that filled a third of the garden.
"They make ideal pets for me," she said, "if I forget to feed them for days, they don't die."
The pond was new, as were many alterations to the house. But enough remained the same to remind Delmus of Kittara. He could almost hear her having one of her rants about the clerics, who made up the bulk of the population of the holy city, Mendera City.
"Have you time to eat with me ?" She asked.
"Just as long as we don't have to hunt and kill it first."
She was grinning at him. She was beautiful, even the pure white hair and talons didn't diminish that. At first the wings had put him off a little, but he'd grown used to waking up with them wrapped around him. Memories of Luri had killed their relationship, they were both on the rebound from Luri, in one way or another.
"I'm civilised now, I use spoons and even plates these days."
The meal was excellent, but they both knew they wouldn't be sharing a bed that night, those times were well and truly over.
"I need your help to find someone."
"I know, Chlo pre-warned me about who you wanted to see."
He'd let some of the alcohol work on his system, he felt mellow and relaxed. Normally he'd have resented Chlo telling people his business, but now he didn't mind.
"Will you take me to her ?" He asked.
Her talons were tapping on the table, glinting in the low lights around the kitchen. Not a sign that she was annoyed, but that she was considering something very seriously.
"I have never been there, but I know where she sleeps. Taking you there, disturbing her.... it may mean your death."
"But I know Luri, we were lovers for longer than many galaxies exist, far longer."
"This isn't Luri Delmus. Now she's Lurisiana-Goran, a deity and a powerful one too. Some of the old Luri will still be in her, but she won't appreciated being disturbed."
Feelings were surfacing, feelings that were probably inappropriate for an immortal warrior.
"I don't want to see her, I need to see her, for many reasons. Will you take me ?"
"Yes, but we can't leave from this reality. We'll need to go to the first rift and from there we'll move to the reality where Luri sleeps. The entire journey will be dangerous, for both of us."
