June 11th 2013, 12:11 AM
Elgolian’s car pulled up outside Prudence’s palace, and the four of them got out. The rain had slowed from a storm to a pleasant, damp downpour. Elgolian reached into the tiny umbrella stand that had apparently been fit into his car, came out with a pair of umbrellas, and held them above Catherine, Mercy, and Junia. She wondered what the point was; she was in her armor, and Mercy and Junia were both still wet with blood. They’d have to get the car reupholstered, Catherine thought, wouldn’t they.
“That was the start of the war, wasn’t it?” Catherine asked Junia.
“Only the start.” She shrugged. Was she putting on a brave face? Maybe. “We lost some people, sure, but once we take care of her EMP generator, we’ve won. Steelstorm’s factories made thousands of robots a day, every day, for two decades. Even without Palatine’s royal guard, the army is larger than any three counties’ forces.”
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“If you can take out her generator,” said Mercy.
“We, Mercy. Not me. We.”
Mercy shoved Junia away. “I’ve seen the elephant. Too messy.”
“You had fun,” said Junia.
“Oh, it isn’t dull. But I wouldn’t mind a little dullness next time.”
Catherine pushed the doorbell button with one large metal finger, and the door swung open.
Her heart did not, quite, stop.
Prudence stood with crossed arms. She had two bandoliers of vials over her chest. Behind her and surrounding her was a small army of homunculi; gigantic bone-skinned warriors with fists like bulldozers, the skeletal pyrite-eyed reapers grinning dumbly, spiked things that looked like Greenrose but less humanoid, and a great many more.
She stepped forwards, ignoring Catherine, and hugged Mercy tightly. “Mom…” Mercy said, trying to pull away, and then gave up and hugged back.
“Come in, Mercy. You too, Catherine, and your bodyguard,” Prudence said. “You’ll have sanctuary here.”
“I brought Junia here, mother,” said Mercy. “She’s my guest.”
“Very well, Junia,” said Prudence. “For you as well, for the night, though I want you out of my house come the day. And after that I will have words with Julius.” Her eyes were very dark and very cold, and Mercy shivered in her mother’s arms.