I wake up with tears in my eyes. I hadn't remembered that memory before. Strange. The other lives were repeated except for Vance and Sancea. I get Vance, by why was Sancea different. I shake my head as I see Mags looking at me annoyed.
“Good morning, mistress.”
“Try the evening, two days after our first stop.”
Shit, I must have pulled too many memories out. Mags grabs a cup and hands it to me. I grimace at the delightful smell. She then puts a pair of silk gloves next to me. I sigh and drink our covenant.
All stats increased by forty temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Competent 4
Gain 4 exp
Strange not as much skill ups as before. My other attention is back and so is my hearing. I set it back to its overwatch position. I bit my thumb and suck an amount I hope is enough for my own skill up. I address Mag after.
“Sorry mistress, I drew too much out of my Soul core and didn't expect to keep me stuck remembering them all at once.”
As much as I hate to admit it, I feel complete again.
“Why wouldn't you assume that?”
“When I first was going through their lives it was a nightly process till it was done, ma'am.”
“I suspect the difference is before you were in the process of eating their souls instead of just remembering.”
That's a terrible thought. I put on the gloves, a perfect fit.
“I am sad that I missed the chance to watch you work on these, ma'am.”
“Have an interest in embroidery, Scratches?”
“Yes, my grandmother taught me. We were waiting for me to get [Embroidery] to evolve so that I could learn enchanted stitching.”
“How far off are you?”
“Four levels, mistress.”
She looks in thought, “When we return, I will teach you some between patients. You are to supply the cloth and thread.”
I nod, “Of course, I am eager to learn ma'am.”
The carriage stops.
“It looks as if we have arrived.”
-----
“I brought you three along because you professed you wanted to help Scratches over here. Well I want a vow from each of you.”
It is rather cramped in the carriage. All five of us were in here.
“Is that necessary, mistress.”
She just waves me off and gives a strong stare at my three friends.
“I, Alicia, She who Preys vow to not betray Scratches.”
“I, Xerc, He who Stomps vow to not betray Scratches.”
“I, Phenolp Krakner, She who Titters vow to not betray Sara Maxwell.”
You have received three vows of loyalty.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Guess it was necessary.
“How long have you known?”
Phenolp smiles, “Since you left blue hair strands in my room.”
Shit, I didn't think I was shedding hair anymore. No longer under an illusion, they would be whatever color they originally were.
“That will not do, Maxwell hair is just too much of a give away. Also your mute from now on Sara, the [Baron] already heard your voice and I get to not hear ma'am and Mistress for a week.” I don't recall telling her that…
“Why can't I just use my illusions, ma'am.”
She gives me an annoyed look. “You think a war camp will permit illusions? Even vanity ones get more scrutiny. Nope. Today onward your my mute Pimar daughter who I had to graft iron bones into named Jam. O and no nobility necklace, you being tier two will separate you further from being Sara.”
At least in the eyes of the baron. Why does she know this?
“But I don't have your hair.”
She just smiles at me.
-----
I'm standing behind Mags. My hair is as blonde and straight as hers. It is incongruent with my soul.
“You say you found this inherited Pimar and adopted her.”
“Yes, my [Baron] Anvar, she even took an infusion from me. I can't believe the hardship she must have gone through, just look at the scars they left her with. It's a pity it was far too late for me to correct, the poor child is mute and I fear she believes she deserves them. Why grafting the bones of the iron horned rabbit to fix her broken body was such grueling work.”
The baron was in our field hospital tent when we arrived. Apparently he was dissatisfied with the healing contingent he had gotten previously. My mother was standing to the side.
“Amazing to find such a high soul inherited alive. How has she taken to her training? I need as many proper healers as possible. I can not believe the insult when Yetna sent a Maxwell here to run this field hospital.”
For as big of a sob story Mags is weaving the baron doesn't seem to give a shit.
“You must understand that by hiring my order to provide aid that we will treat your prisoners and enemy combatants as well.”
“That is all fine, dead peasants are not working peasants. At least with the Maxwell here, we can have geas place on each and every one of them.”
I remain blank to this even as my inner being feels repulsed. I didn't realise mother could do that level of mental magic. Or is grandma here as well?
“Of course, [Baron] Anvar.”
With that he left. I dare not make a sound or move towards my mother. As much as I so dearly want to. Too many eyes.
-----
We never saw any prisoners. Plenty of the baron's forces. I healed silently with mother and Mags. I am mute and thus cannot speak. Whenever a dying soldier came in either mother or Mags took the lead. No one found this strange, I was only a junior afterall.
“Come here, Jam.”
I want to roll my eyes so bad. I approached Mags. She places a hand on my head and pushes more mana into my scalp. My hair isn't metallic, Mags was literally forcing her hair to grow on my head. It itches and annoys my soul.
“A pity you resist it so.”
I give her an annoyed look. She likes to sneak these quips at me to get a rise out of me. I need to just grin and bear it. She hands me a cup. I drink it quickly before mother can see it.
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All stats increased by forty temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Competent 5
Gain 4 exp
I hand the cup back. I bite my cheek as I wait around for the next infusion of patients, just a bit of bleeding to raise my resist. The sounds of battle are getting closer. I look at Mags in alarm, she just waves me off. She then looks at the direction of the baron's command tent.
“Seems the [Baron] is rallying an advance. I believe the fountain barrier is about to collapse. I'd cover your ears, Jam.”
She places hands over her own, as I clamp my ears to the top of my head and place my hands over them. There was a massive screeching sound. It lasts for a solid minute. Nails on the chalk board except it's everywhere. When it was over I looked around. People were moving around but I couldn't hear them. I lifted my hands from my ears and saw blood. Mags walked over and cycled some mana through my ears.
“There you go Jams, might want to start training [Resist Noise]. Once perception gets too high every sense is a target to be exploited. I'll show you some exercises later.”
I nod at her, because I was mute. I walked over to those who looked to be in pain and helped them. More came in with burst ear drums. It wasn't a difficult fix, but the sheer number of patients was staggering. Apparently it's a last bit of defence for a fountain barrier as it shatters. The defenders are left unscathed while those attacking have to deal with burst eardrums. This was the real reason more healers were called in. It was a long night.
-----
Every once in a while Alicia, Phenolp or Xerc would show with a scrape or two. I always took care of them. No words were said, they knew I couldn't talk.
They would whisper things to Mags. Just status reports on the battle, or on how the baron was ignoring the healing camp. They were my early warning system. I would profess my gratitude. If I could talk. Instead I regenerated someone's leg today.
“Why are you burning all your mana on a leg for? Let the poor sap leave the battlefield and get fixed up elsewhere. If someone dies ‘cause you decided to burn all your mana on one man, how are you going to feel then?”
My ears droop.
“Jam, this is a marathon not a sprint. Keep them alive and move them out. Triage not comprehensive, understood.”
I nod to Mags. It's hard but I get it. That was foolish of me. The baron enters the tent again.
“We have retaken Hilgurd, come we will have dinner at the local administrative estate, Maxwell you are to come as well.”
Mags gives a slight head nod and pushes me forward. We follow the baron out.
-----
The buildings all look intact. The only thing damaged was the fountain. Its mana interface cracked. I looked around trying to see signs of fighting but there was none. I must have had a confused look on my face because Mags spoke up.
“There is little point fighting near buildings. Our [Baron] Anvar has plenty of dirt knights, they would simply use the buildings to crush the defenders.”
“I dare say it showed at least some common sense in the rebellious fools, all the fighting was on the outskirts in their dirt fortifications.”
But why would dirt fortifications be any safer? I can't ask but Mags seems to have heard my question anyway.
“One mage dirt fortification is harder for another mage to gain control of.”
So buildings aren't any mages’ magic so easy to tear down, while a fortification is, so it's harder. We passed Belna's smithy. I hope she is alright. When we get to what used to be my home, I see the gate has been mangled. The door itself is kicked in. Was it the rebellion or the baron's troops that did it.
-----
We are seated at the old dining room table. Food has yet to be brought out.
“So why did you have to fuse iron bones into Jam here?”
“Ah my [Baron], when I first healed her spine her soul image wouldn't keep it. I figure if the child knew her bones were iron she wouldn't keep crippling herself.”
“A rather ingenious ploy, high soul value children are so hard to raise, I hear. They inevitably maim their soul in some bizarre way. Isn't that right Cecelia.”
My mother looks at the baron with a Marie face, “It is as you say.”
He is pleased with her deference. The food arrives and I follow the rules of etiquette. That I am mute makes it easier.
A man in chains is brought in, he is frazzled and beaten. The soldiers leave after escorting the man into the room. The prisoner looks from the right to the left. Taking in each person at the table. His eyes focus on my mother. He shouts at her.
“Where is my sister, Maxwell?!”
My brother Alec strains against the chains he is in. Mags places a hand on my shoulder. I see the mental mana going into me. It is meant to calm me. I'm annoyed but I allow it.
“Yes Cecelia, do tell us what has become of your daughter.”
A trap set by the baron, or just cruelty. Not as if I could ask him.
“I fear she is no longer in my care.”
Her words were chosen carefully. All true. But misleading. The baron's eyes narrow at her.
“But you know where she is?”
My mother just stares at him. I doubt there is an answer she could give that wouldn't trip [Detect Falsehood].
“I am speaking out of turn, I cannot expect a mother to give up her daughter.”
Alec shifts more in his chains. His rage is evident.
“Cecelia, do your duty and place the geas.”
My mother sighs, she gets up and places a hand on Alec's forehead.
“Alec, you are to swear an oath of loyalty to [Baron] Anvar and forswear any rebellion against your lord.”
The mental mana flows into my brother. He struggles in his chains, his wrist chafes and bleeds. After agonizing minutes pass he settles. My mother looks drained. He looks up, his voice monotone.
“I, Alec, Lieutenant of a free Hotna army, pledge my allegiance to [Baron] Anvar and forswear any rebellion against my lord.”
“Excellent, now then Cecelia, I must ask again, Where—”
Mags abruptly stands up the chair making a screeching sound that makes me flatten my ears. The baron looks at her annoyed. She walks over to Alec.
“As I said, my order requires me to render aid.”
She cycles both life and mental energy through Alec. I am grateful that I am mute. I hope nothing is showing on my face. Alec speaks again in a monotone voice.
“My lord, the food you just ate has been poisoned."
Anvar's eyes shoot open at that. Huh, I didn't feel anything. Is it because of my Elf liver?
“Mags dear, when were you planning to say something?”
Mags just sighs, “I simply thought you were the one doing the poisoning, I didn't wish to be rude.” More mental magic?
He walks to Mags with a frown and she places a hand on his abdomen. I really wish she let him die. The life mana flows through him. I look at my mother and see she is cycling mana through herself as well. It seems different from what Mags is doing. I say nothing for I am mute.
When Mags finishes her treatment the baron looks paler still.
“Well then, I feel I must retire. I assume you will be returning to Yetna, Mags?”
“Indeed my [Baron], I will be heading out this evening. You only hired me for the barrier shatter after all.”
He nods and leaves. Mother gives a raised eyebrow, but Mags waves her to come along. We leave shortly after. Alec is still in chains in a daze.
-----
I peel my self-inflicted geas off my soul. Finally I can talk again.
“That was awful.”
Mags is just smiling at me, like a cat who ate a canary. My hair is still hers, it annoys me that I don't have bread to regrow my own. We are riding in the carriage with my mother.
“You seemed to be in a rush to leave, mistress.”
“Well, I did just lie to the [Baron] about there being poison."
What. But how? Her smile gets bigger.
“Sound Illusions get around [Detect Falsehood] and I know you saw the life magic I used was different then what your mother did. I simply made sure the [Baron] stomach would have a bit of nausea.”
“I thought you didn't care about noble squabbles."
She shrugs.
“I thank you, [Countess] Magdeline, I would not have been able to resist Anvar compulsion, I can only assume he was going to ask where Sara was.”
Mother be true naming people. The countess looks annoyed.
“Don't you start using that on me Sara, I gave administrations of my lands to others so that I could enjoy a sojourn, calling me by my title will not end well for you.”
She gets a wicked look on her face.
“Cecelia, would you like to hand over your daughter, if she becomes Sara Magdeline, she would fear no [Baron], and she would stop calling me mistress.”
I hug my mother harder, she pats me on my head.
“I fear my daughter's ambitions out strip both of us, my lady, she wishes to claim her own title before she graduates from mage college.”
“Oh, that is rather bold. Pity, I do at least insist that she do away with the Maxwell hair. There will be times those in power will demand that she remove all illusion. Not to mention the various piercing trinkets that exist, and the hair she inadvertently leaves around.”
“You just want to infuse me because you already claimed I was your daughter. I don't know why you can't just maintain my hair as is.”
She boops me on the nose. My jaws snap at empty air, I'm not fast enough to catch her finger.
“If I were to maintain my golden tresses on your head it would be the same as infusing you anyways. So take your lumps and accept my mana already.”
Her arms are open as if offering a hug. I shake my head. I have another idea. I find the memory of my infusions from my mother and grandma Bianca. I place them in my core, allowing the soul mana I had to pull out to waft off me. Mags looks at me with curiosity.
“You've diminished yourself.”
“I've simply stored the memories of my infusions from mother and grandma into my core. My hair won't be Maxwell blue anymore, until I desire it to be so once again.”
I have tears in my eyes. Mother looks like she has questions. I hug mother more, to replace memories of her mana infused ones, and banish the questions she has. Mags is pouting. I smile at her.
“Do not worry mistress, people will assume my dirty blonde streaks are from you.”
“Your peasant blonde would only embarrass me if they were linked to me.”
I give her a big toothy grin, “It is as you say.”
She humphs and turns away. I look to mother.
“What will happen to Alec?”
She gives me a strained smile, “He will likely return to Hotna and live out his life there. If any were to come and try to incite rebellion he would report them to Anvar. I don't think he will be able to remove the geas on his own.”
I just look to the bottom of the carriage, my mood melancholy. There is more to learn though.
“And Tom?”
She shakes her head, “I don't know what has happened to Tom.”
Oh, war sucks. I search for something better.
“What of Grandma Bianca and Grandmother Marie?”
Her smile becomes sadder. My hope is fleeing.
“They are with grandfather right now. Anvar left a great deal of geas on them. Marcene has been spending time trying to remove them. We fear there might be geas set to kill you on sight. The way they ask about you is not natural, always asking where, never on how you are doing.”
I can't even go to see them. Damn it.
“Mistress should have poisoned Anvar for real. Then my grandmothers could be free.”
Mags is done sulking, “There is no guarantee that he is the one who placed the geas.”
I just hug my mom tighter.
