That…wasn’t what I was expecting. But perhaps it should have been. I decide to be honest.

  “You may be aware of the competition that’s happening between the noble Houses,” I start. Master Mirena nods shortly.

  “Something about the Lost Continent,” she offers a little warily.

  “Colonising it, yes. I’m currently building up the party I will take with me. I won’t deny that part of my purpose in coming here is to recruit crafters to join me – those interested in adventure, and the potential rewards of it, but recognise the risk as well. Nicholas’ recommendation makes me want to invite you personally, but if you’re not interested, I would be very grateful if you could spread the word that I’m looking for crafters to join me. That aside, I am absolutely interested in tattoos for myself and my companions.”

  Master Mirena gazes at me for a long moment, her eyes sharp. Then she inclines her head briefly.

  “Thank you for explaining your purpose, my lord.” Her tone is neutral but thoughtful. Then, without saying any more, she returns to a previous topic. “I believe I have found an enchantment that would suit your desire to have your…companions able to project their thoughts. Though it was designed for a human who had lost the ability to speak, I have had a brief look at the basis of the design and I see no reason for why non-humans wouldn’t be able to use it as well. However, it will require the bearer to be precise in their thoughts so that what comes out is intelligible.”

  “That does sound useful,” I agree. Preciseness of thought…probably most of the Tier twos would be fine. Fenrir might struggle – his thoughts are limited and not particularly precise. Artemis and Orion too. But Bastet would be fine, and the samurans wouldn’t have a problem since they’re used to language already. “Can you give me more details about the enchantments that allow a beast to rest on my skin?”

  “There are several different versions of those, depending on what you’re looking for. What are your requirements?”

  I’ve been thinking about this during my walk so the words come easily out of my mouth as I tick them off on my fingers.

  “If I get the tattoos at all, I want them to be able to enter and leave it of their own volition. I want them able to choose whether they’re in deep sleep or aware. They need to be able to continue to grow even when they’re there.” Otherwise, they’d be better off the way they are now. “And ideally, if they could take a Core with them to use while meditating, that would be great, but I don’t know if that’s possible. And most importantly,” I continue, my demeanour sobering entirely, “I don’t want them to be hurt or obligated at all if our ways part in the future – if they are no longer one of my companions any more. Do you have anything that answers all of those needs?” I ask, a little nervously.

  Master Mirena’s expression has become increasingly contemplative the more I speak. She’s silent and still for a little while before she sighs and tilts her head to one side.

  “Most of those are possible, but only with a different kind of enchantment than most Tamers choose,” she admits. “You’re looking more for an extra dimensional space than the merging of souls that Tamer enchantments usually are.”

  My eyebrows draw together.

  “Merging of souls? That sounds dangerous?”

  “It would be without the enchantment,” Sera Mirena confesses. “But Tamer tattoos are tried and tested – as long as the Tamer follows the instructions of the enchanter, they’re safe enough.” I suppose it’s a bit like airplanes on Earth, then – lots of people died before someone managed to fly, and accidents still happen, but thousands of people fly every day without a problem. “Anyway, this isn’t the same thing.”

  “How is it different?”

  “You wish for your Bonded to have control over elements that would usually be under the control of the Tamer or automatic as part of the enchantment. There can be no merging of souls, therefore – it would be too dangerous. Instead, we can consider a different type of enchantment, specifically one that acts solely upon you.”

  My frown returns.

  “But if it’s meant to contain my companions–”

  “Irrelevant in this context,” the enchanter interrupts. She looks briefly abashed, but I just wave for her to continue and so she does. “Essentially, we need to create a vessel in your skin that is capable of holding one or more of your companions – the key of which is operable by yourself and by those within it.”

  “I think I see,” I agree. “You said that it fulfilled most of my conditions – which doesn’t it?”

  Sera Mirena nods.

  “Since it’s an extra-dimensional space rather than a layer of your soul, your companions would not be able to benefit from the extra Energy that you are unable to absorb. However, they would be able to take Cores in with them and meditate on those.”

  I suppose that’s not such a bad deal, all things considered. The most important conditions are that they can choose when they enter and leave and that it doesn’t hurt them if they want to break our Bond.

  “Would they be able to take other things with them?” I wonder – could this basically be an extra storage space? Sera Mirena abruptly looks uncertain.

  “I am unsure – it’s something I would have to test. Many enchanters have attempted to create an extra storage space, but no one has managed to create one on the skin for objects, just as no one has managed to create a storage bracelet that can hold beings.” She looks frustrated.

  “But they can take Cores in?”

  “Those seem to be the exception to the rule for reasons that we still don’t understand,” the enchanter explains. “Even carcasses or parts of dead beasts follow the rule.”

  “And there would be no harm caused to my companions if we ended up breaking the Bond and they went their own way?”

  “No, because they are not directly connected to the storage space. In fact, you could put in beings who are not connected to you at all, though I wouldn’t suggest doing so because of the damage they could do inside. Please do not consider it a cage in which you can place your enemies,” she warns me. I hadn’t actually thought of that possibility, but I might have done so later so it’s just as well to know in advance that it’s no good.

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  “And it’s safe?” I check with her again.

  “As safe as any enchantment,” she replies with an elegant shrug.

  “What about if it is damaged?”

  Master Mirena nods approvingly at me as if I’ve asked a good question.

  “Minor damage is not a problem. I build into all my designs a safe self-destruct for if the damage becomes too great. In the worst case scenario, your Bonded will be ejected and the tattoo will become inert until it’s repaired – or replaced.

  “It sounds like you’ve taken precautions,” I accept. Looks like I’ll be getting a few tattoos.

  A mixed flicker of sadness and amusement goes through me as I think about what my father would have said about that. But this is a literal whole new world and…needs must. This is a way of protecting my companions – I’m not going to pass it up.

  *****

  By the time I step outside the enchanter’s workshop, we’ve made some decisions about initial tattoos to have put in place, and have made a number of appointments to get them done since each tattoo takes a good bit of time to create. It’ll be expensive, but worth it.

  Outside, I glance upwards – the clouds seem to be clearing. And the bright natural light seems almost a little too much after the more subtle artificial lighting inside. Master Mirena explained that sunlight can cause problems with the ‘paints’ – the reason why the windows are entirely obscured. It seems that I wasn’t off the mark when I considered the workshop as more of a painter’s studio than a tattoo parlour – it seems that tattoos here don’t involve needles at all. Instead, the designs are painted on the skin and then embedded in it with magic.

  Learning so much about what tattoos are capable of has made me eager to have her join us on the expedition, but so far Master Mirena has been carefully noncommittal. However, she has agreed to put the word out among the crafters – combined with the letters I sent to the guilds, hopefully that will be enough to get some applicants.

  Still, even if she hasn’t offered an apprenticeship to any of my companions, she seems open to River, Hunter, and Alyna attending each session and observing the process. I recognise that even that is a concession: magical knowledge is generally kept controlled within families or guilds.

  The Classers in Nicholas’ village were open to sharing their experience, but then it’s better for them to be on the good side of their local lord. Perhaps that’s Master Mirena’s motivation too, but wouldn’t she have less pressure, living in a big city? I do hope that she didn’t feel she was obliged to agree – I’ll need to check with her next time I visit.

  “Where do you wish to go now, my lord?” Bullio asks, both guards looking at me expectantly – Leileh followed us out of the shop when we left.

  “Do you know of a decent leather-worker around here?” I ask them thoughtfully.

  The two guards look at each other uncertainly.

  “Greth’s Bindery is pretty good,” Leileh suggests. “I know we get some equipment from him.”

  “He’s not a Classer, though,” Bullio points out, glancing at me. “Are you looking for a Classer or non-Classer craftsman?”

  “Honestly, I’m not sure,” I admit. “I don’t know which would play better to my strengths.” Enchanted armour sounds great, but if it means that I can’t use Flesh-Shaping with it, then it’s worse than what I currently have. “Perhaps a Classer, though.” After all, just because someone can enchant armour doesn't mean they have to and being able to compare would be helpful.

  “Then The Tanned Drake would be best,” Bullio offers decisively. “Their gimmick of ‘every piece of armour is dragon-tested’ is hardly accurate, but they’re still a quality outfit.”

  I see Loran fidgeting out of the corner of my eye and feel a sense of uncertainty coming from his side of the Bond.

  “You have a suggestion?” I prompt, half-turning to face him.

  Loran shuffles his feet and I raise an eyebrow at him. Seeing he’s caught my attention, he lowers his head, his fingers twisting together behind his back.

  “My lord, I…there’s another Master Leatherworker I know. Marin and Hide. He’s…He’s quite new but I think that his designs would suit you well. They’re designed more for hunters than warriors.”

  “Is he a Classer?” I ask.

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “Marin and Hide,” Bullio repeats contemplatively. Then his face twists. “Isn’t that in the eastern quarter?” Loran nods, his eyes still lowered to the ground. “Then his quality is probably poor – if it was better, he’d be able to afford a shop closer to the centre.”

  “He’s an independent,” Loran explains. And it does – from what I’ve learned, most crafters belong to a guild. The organisation offers a good number of benefits, but in return, they give up certain freedoms and have to pay a tithe to the guild. But there are always some who feel the offer isn’t worth the price and who set up shop in opposition. If this leatherworker has chosen to be an independent, it makes sense why he wouldn’t be able to get into the more upmarket areas before he’s built up far more of a reputation.

  “It sounds interesting,” I decide.

  “My lord!” Bullio protests. “The eastern quarter isn’t a fit place for one such as yourself. Your man should have known that before he suggested it.” He sends a disapproving look at Loran.

  The ex-slave’s shoulders hunch as his head lowers more. I put my hand on his shoulder. He jumps a little, but then I feel him relax under my touch.

  “Will we be in danger if we go there?” I ask calmly.

  “Not if we buy some cloaks to conceal our livery,” Leileh offers – Bullio face twists at the suggestion. “Lots of people shop there – and not all are keen on the city lord. They should be too afraid of the consequences to outright attack, but it would be better not to take the risk.”

  “There are thieves all over the place!” Bullio objects.

  “Who are unlikely to target us considering everything,” Leileh points out, gesturing towards the weapons the two guards are carrying openly and the predatory non-humans around us. Bullio seems to accept the point silently, but her gesture has made me consider something else.

  “Won’t everyone be afraid of my companions?” I ask – in fact, I’ve been rather surprised at the relatively calm reactions they’ve received so far. Sure, multiple people have chosen to go the other way, but no one has screamed or run away from, say, the horse-sized leopard. “And if they’re not afraid, won’t they indicate who I am just by their presence?”

  Leileh shakes her head.

  “There are quite a few beast tamers – and Tamers – around here. In fact, I’m surprised we haven’t run across any so far. Thanks to your family’s presence, Azaarde is the number one city in Moriax for beast trading. We just haven’t visited any of the areas where they tend to gather. Anyway, most beast tamers don’t walk around with their beasts visible as you do unless they’re new to the trade.”

  That’s more than a little interesting to know – and explains the lack of reactions. Though, given how sapient I know my companions to be, the idea of ‘beast trading’ makes me almost as uneasy as the thought of slavery. And I’m not the only one. Though my non-human companions don’t say anything, I can feel their discomfort.

  Do you want to go back to the manor? I ask them with concern.

  I’m curious about this leatherworker, River replies firmly. Already, the trip has been full of amazing sights that I never dreamed were possible. And I know that you will never even consider ‘trading’ us.

  Of course not! I assure the samuran firmly.

  I want to go too, Lathani replies next, her tone decisive and her tail tip twitching back and forth with excitement.

  One by one, my companions chime in with their desire to continue our shopping trip.

  “Alright,” I say audibly, returning to the conversation. "Marin and Hide. How do we get there?”

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