The first stop was the most southern District- Black's. You could tell how different it was by the number of trees and greenery in the area. There were also several old statues of various female deities placed along the roads. The streets were barren, most civilians having opted out of coming out tonight. Most did with a new moon. Outside Mistress' Black menagerie, however, was a very different story.
Mistress Black lived in an older building, with vines climbing up the stone walls. The front had stairs and two statues of nude women on either side. One held a bow and had a moon encrusted on her cloak and the other held a longsword with a flower garland. The area in front of the huge oak doors was crowded with women garbed in cloaks and bows swung over their shoulders like Essmay. They were all holding gauntlets of wine and making merry with each other. Several of them waved to Essmay, while others had a less friendly greeting. I sat straight on Luna, my eyes focused on the door ahead. It wasn't like the Maidens of Black District to give us any trouble, but I did not want to jinx it either.
"Oh am I not excited for this roast," Essmay sighed as the doors to Black's Keep were opened.
"Really because I thought we loved being mocked by crime lords so we can get bribed to enforce their rules but conveniently ignore it when they break them."
Essmay's lips curled up in a smirk, "That's just you," she whispered as we entered the hallway.
Similar to the outside Black's Keep, or so it had been named, had numerous statues of goddesses. Some were beautiful polished wood, others pale ivory. They littered the stone cobbled ground making somewhat of a hallway to Penelope Black's throne. She stood by her elaborately carved onyx seat, a bow swung over one shoulder and wine in hand like the rest of her clan. She had a small stone circlet on her brow with a dark glittering jewel in the center. Her wings were a beautiful glossy black and shone almost blue in the candle-lit hall. The woman herself had mottled brown hair tipped in black. It had been intricately braided, like Essmay's, and fell just above her hips. She had a longsword sheathed in a plain wooden scabbard and was talking with another younger women, I think her name was Aurora, who was Black's right-hand guard. Aurora was a head taller than Ms. Black and had short-cropped silver hair. Unlike Mistress Black, who had striking features, there was nothing terribly attractive about Aurora except for her piercing jade eyes that had always unnerved me.
"Ah! My valiant Hunters are here!" Penelope had finally noticed us and raised her cup in mock salute. Tonight Hunters collecting pay withstood a bombardment of insults and that was only because they held our payments captive until they were satisfied.
The sparsely populated hall a moment ago was soon cramped with all of Black's Maidens. They gave us a wide birth as we dismounted from our giant cats. Essmay and I walked cautiously up toward the dais and stopped just short of the steps.
"A good new moon to you as well," breathed Essmay, who knew she would be receiving the brunt of Penelope's wrath.
Penelope's honey eyes twinkled with amusement. Of all the District leaders, she was one of the most reliable and, in my eyes, one of the best. That would not be stopping her from finding any reason to hawk on her former student.
"My, my, my...." Penelope had walked down to us and started circling with a predatory gaze.
She paused and scrutinized Essmay who clearly was resisting rolling her eyes.
"On the salary we provide you little Essy I expect you would have gotten much bigger, but as is, you're more of a show bird than a Hunter." Essmay gritted her teeth. Her mother had been a show bird, an exotic dancer, which had been a trying reputation to rid herself of.
"Funny you say that. I was just telling Essmay that we should get into that business. Unfortunately, I am not much of a dancer myself," I made light of Penelope's remarks, hopefully softening the blow for Essmay. My best friend gave me a small smile.
"Certainly make more," she commented. Penelope's eyes narrowed. She clearly thought it would be easier to ruffle Essmay's feathers.
"Skyee Silver," she spat the last name with enough venom to take me back. I don't think Black had ever been terribly fond of me, or maybe it was my father whom her hatred was directed.
"I go by Skyee Starborne now." My voice was cool and even, giving no indication of my disgust for the man whose name I used to bore.
"Ah yes. Starborne. Your mother is Vala Starborne if my memory is correct." Of course it was correct. She had been born in Black District.
"I'd think you know your old Maidens by now"
"My Maidens-" the Mistress had to calm herself.
"My Maidens do not go off and marry men. They stay and defend their Keep."
"They do when their District Leader doesn't give them a choice." It was common knowledge my mother had been sold to my father, the old Mr. Silver, to repay a debt owed. For some reason, Penelope was blaming my mother for the transgression. It was at that moment that Essmay gently put her hand on Penelope. It was such a quick motion that unless you were a hair's breadth from them you would not have noticed. Penelope glanced at Essmay, who was giving her a look I could not discern. The mistress of the Black District stopped circling us and gave a surprising burst of a smile. She put her arms out to her sides and looked toward her followers.
"Enough talk of old men. This is a night of celebration for our Hunters! They can finally stop eating the scraps from our feasts!" She hollered and the room roared with laughter. Whatever look Essmay had given Mistress Black had been enough to change her entire demeanor, or at least fake it. The raven winged woman gave me a quick glance, her mouth quirking into something like an apology, but I knew better than that. Mistress Black did not do apologies.