-So we're putting off leveling?
Till the evening. To give the b's time to adjust. Barbain has the worst of it, not used to having to manage all her senses including a new one of feeling emotions. Her sister will have to do it all over again in five hours. I watch as they practice their illusions. They have bandages under their clothes. I had started training their venom and cut skills. At least they have resist curse above apprentice at this point. Hate for them to be attacked by elves unprepared.
I hear a familiar cadence of step approach, I get a bit misty eyed. Magdeline enters my clinic, she quickly sweeps me into a hug. Her quarter moon eyes glowing green.
“Greetings Mother.”
“O don't you start, little Jam. My you lost a significant amount of weight, I see your scales have come in. But whats this…”
“I… um… ate a spider on my way to the hydra.”
She laughs, I missed her so. I hugged her tightly. She returns it.
“Did you want me to change the color of your ear, dear?”
“Would it be Maxwell blue or your blonde?”
She looks at me sourly at that. I smile and hug her more.
“It's alright for now, a reminder of my hubris.”
She nods.
“Congratulations on being tier three love, but I seem to recall I told you to do it in a dungeon. You poor mom was frightened when she felt your soul.”
“I was in a dungeon, it just wasn't an instance.”
“I haven't heard of a new dungeon being discovered.”
“I'll show it to you, Beatrice, would you watch the clinic while I show mother.”
She nods, I drag mother into my private room. She was bemused that I wasn't leading her out.
“Barbain Blacknell, did you track your niece down against the wishes of your family.”
“I simply ran into her during dungeon week.”
I tug on mother, she looks down at me and I smile. Then I am inside my soul space waiting for her to step through. She does. She sees two Sara instead of one.
“Seems you grew another head after all.”
We could only bark a laugh.
-----
“So now you can bestow this title that's like a trial run.”
I nod.
“Do be careful who you tell this to, many would jump at the chance to tiering.”
Sister chimes in, “Those who have the title are unable to talk about it.”
“Small favors then. Does it include the Livarnna girl?”
I nod.
“Are you alright dear, I heard talk of an infused Pimar priestess saving the lives of cultists yesterday.”
“You blew up a building closest to my guild, of course they would request I render aid.”
“Could have made them walk.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. She just waves me off.
“So do you both have separate names or?”
We shrug, “We both are Sara Maxwell Magdeline, one soul, two minds. It's easy enough to tell us apart, and only one of us is allowed out unless we use an illusion.”
Sister her grabs me, “This Sara is a spider centaur when she sleeps.”
I look annoyed at sister.
-Not like she wouldn't have found out anyways.
“Centuar?”
Best to show her sister.
-I tried but for whatever reason I can't assume it. I think it's because it's distinctly you. Switch?
She disappears for a second, no I simply am in the soul space while she is in our body.
“Where'd the other Sara go?”
“We had to switch to show off her manifestation. She is being shy though.”
I was just mentally adjusting. I give sister a mental raspberry. I hesitate though.
“Come daughter, let me embrace you.”
I appear and she does, my height being slightly above her.
“Oh my, you are most impressive, two daughters for the price of one.”
I cried into her shoulder again, I missed her acceptance of me. My sister hugs her from behind. Her tears were flowing as well.
-----
“So what's your plan now mother.”
“There are more cultist to purge, her majesty has given me a writ to expunge them. They have been actively murdering the Pimar. I fear our neighbor is getting a bit eager and I must move swiftly to bring this cult down before the Bronfkin kingdom decides to declare a casus belli.”
A reason for war. I know nothing of the relative strength of the various nations.
“You will be able to stop it won't you?”
“The war? No.” She looks at me kindly, “I can only remove their excuse, they will still march. Without their excuse our allies will be more willing to lend us aid while theirs are more hesitant. Unfortunately my daughter, the queendom will require your services.”
I don't have a chance to understand. The inquisitor has entered the hall. I enter my clinic with mother dreading the future. She enters after.
“I don't recall you having cat ears before.”
I frown. But I don't bother answering. I've left my hat off.
“Ophelia Griugar, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit.”
“Magdeline, my duty. Should you not be attending yours.”
“A mother's duty is always primary.”
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The tension grows.
“Sara Maxwell Magdeline, you are to be conscripted into the queen's army.”
I quirked my eyebrow up. Doing my best to be incredulous.
“Isn't Sara a tad young to be sent to war.”
“You have no say in the matter, Magdeline. Your daughter has stirred up a hornets nest of merchants, adventures and cultists that you are supposed to be out slaying. Quite frankly I am doing you a favor by removing her from the capital. You are coming with me, Sara.”
I look at my mother scared. She bends down and looks me in the eye.
“I'm sorry Sara, I will ensure your duties will be of the healing kind. Keep your head down.”
“I volunteer to serve with Sara.”
“I do too.”
“Students are exempt.”
But those not yet are pressed into war.
“I'll go, a moment to talk to my loved ones, Lady Ophelia.”
She nods and allows me into my private quarters. Mother casts a cover spell.
“She is not wrong about you being in less danger, dear.”
“It's going to be a bleeding war front.” Barbain protests.
“I am going to quit school. That will allow me to go to the war front with my mistress.”
I hate this, hate what I am about to do.
“You both are to complete your education.”
A command issued, not a slip up, not inadvertant. My will. A finality. A line crossed. I tear up as their souls struggle against my will. But they have given too much to me. They both respond at the same time. My sister gives our soul a reassuring squeeze.
“As you wish, mistress.”
My mother gives me a sad look. I hugged her first.
“Make sure to tell them to review their memories after midday. They are still adjusting.”
She nods and grips me tightly.
“You will be alright, priestesses are capture targets. Recognized healers are a precious commodity. Work on your [Resist Life], dear."
I nod and turn and hug my [Supplicant]s. Damn it. I can't help but think it now.
-Acceptance.
Acceptance.
“Sorry I took this choice away. I'll come back. I swear it.”
-----
“Where the hell did they find a priestess so young. Can't be more than fourteen.”
“Ten, sir.”
The grey orc eyes me. Sees no lie. He looks at his various papers. He writes something down and hands it to an aide. They hustle out.
“I will be assigning you a knight to deliver you to fortress Jitninar. You will perform clinic duties for the new recruits.”
A man enters with a trim red beard and blonde hair. His skin is peach colored.
“Sir Timotran, you are to be Sara Maxwell Magdeline's sword and shield. See that she comes to no harm.”
“That sounds like more than an escort.”
The orc looks at me annoyed, “I will excuse your insubordination [Priestess] as you are both new and ten. You are not to speak unless spoken to, the queendom deems you a precious enough resource to assign you a knight. I don't understand it but I follow orders, as you are to be expected to as well, have I made myself clear.”
“Sir, yes sir.”
Off to a great start…
-----
No carriage just a walk down the road with my knight. He looks to be in his thirties. Probably hates playing babysitter. I caused a wound on my arm with life.
You have gained the skill [Resist Life] Basic 1
Resist Life - the ability to resist life magic
Basic - don't worry, sister will still be able to fix your ears
Mental Fortitude raised to 249
“Is there a reason you are injuring yourself?”
“[High Priestess] orders, sir knight.”
He doesn't ask further. We continue further down the road. When he stops for the night he pulls out a cover trinket. He leaves me in it as he goes off to find game. He comes back with two horned rabbits. They have already been bled. I sigh.
“You seem displeased, priestess.”
“I have special dietary needs.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“I require blood for sustenance.”
I drink from my bloodskin. He wrinkles his nose. Must have high perception values.
“And meat will not do.”
“It will not, if you do not bleed what game you find, that will be enough for me.”
He simply stares at me. I shrug and empty my blood skin. He snatches it from me. I look at him annoyed as he takes a better smell.
“It seems ill advised to send a child who requires such to a fortress. What will you do if we come under siege?”
“Any blood will do.”
As tempting as it is to flash my fangs, I simply say it with my eyes downcast. This man will be my guardian, I should not antagonize him. Even as he antagonizes me. He hasn't returned the blood skin.
“I see.”
I light the fire for him. My attempt to at least be somewhat helpful. He eats in silence. I watch the fire.
“Do you not plan to sleep?”
Doesn't look like he plans to either.
“I assume the next town is a day's walk. I can hold out till then.”
“I do not know why you wish to mislead me.”
-Should have used an illusion to say it.
Ya well, keeping you transparent takes a fair bit of mana. Besides he is looking right at me, how the hell would I disguise the illusion. Her only answer is a mental shrug.
“All I can say is you won't ever see me sleeping of my own free will.”
He raises an eyebrow, but leaves it at that. He does not sleep either.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 32 unallocated stat points
“One room.”
Gross. We head to the room. I take the chair.
“Wake me if you hear a commotion.”
He lays down and sleeps. In his armor. That has to be uncomfortable. I continue to work on my life resist.
You have gained [Resist Life] Basic 4
Mental Fortitude raised to 264
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 32 unallocated stat points
He rented a carriage on the way out of town. He didn't actually sleep last night. I could tell by his breathing. Doesn't matter. I guess he thinks I am waiting for him to let his guard down so I can flee? Doesn't make sense.
-Neither does our not sleeping.
Wary of each other then. Why the carriage then?
-Could ask him.
No, not after already being told to shut up by one officer. I will keep my head down. Did you think mother intended this?
-Wouldn't be surprised if she sent us off herself.
Me neither. She had a lingering sense of resignation to her feelings. I understand she wants us to be her daughter…but I don't understand what she wants her daughter to be.
-You might be over thinking this.
Perhaps. Sister we need to find a way for us to send things back without a rift.
-Here.
The mage hand book flops into my hand. I pick it up and attempt to will it back. Nothing. My core feels like it's in my chest. I press the book against my sternum. Go back. There is resistance. Then it passes through.
You have gained [Dungeon] Apprentice 3
Gain 2 exp
I am breathing heavily. My soul core has dipped to half. Perhaps practicing with an artifact of that quality was not the best idea. The carriage stops. The door opens.
“Is there something amiss, Priestess? You appear to be in distress.”
“Apologies, sir knight, I simply pushed my mana too far in my practice.”
He studies me more before leaving. My arcane core empties restoring my soul core. At least it is possible.
-We will need to wait for the core to fill.
Agreed, hopefully I can pull a container… should we?
-You aren't protecting them with your hesitation.
Fine.
Level raised to 4
Strength raised to 228
Agility raised to 198
Perception raised to 260
Constitution raised to 228
Presence raised to 290
Mental Fortitude raised to 273
Intelligence raised to 240
Soul raised to 314
You tied your supplicants closer to you
Remaining soul 16
Remaining soul 17
-----
He immediately checked on me after I leveled. Annoying.
The carriage stops again. The knight has opened the door. He provides a hand, obviously wanting me to exit. I obliged him. The view ahead of me was an imposing spire with walls surrounding it. The distance between the walls and spire seemed to be at least a mile. I think I see another set of walls in between the two. Fall back positions. I thought buildings were dirt knight play things but I know little about that branch of magic.
-Or any branch.
The knight brings me to the entrance. We stop before the barrier. We wait as some guards hustle to us. They preform some bizarre salute that I really hope I don't have to do myself. We walk forward and I am escorted to a man who appears rather frazzled.
23 ? Human Baron, Competent Mage
“I asked for help and you brought a child.”
The knight says nothing. The man gave an over the top gesture of exasperation. I simply maintain poise and wait till I am addressed. I do not need to wait long.
“Fine, what is your name.”
“Greetings, I am Sara.”
It crossed my mind to throw out my various aliases.
-But the knight already heard our name.
Ya, playing games would simply draw attention.
“Only Sara?”
I simply keep a Marie face. There is no need to further engage. He looks annoyed again but continues.
“You will be assigned to the latest batch of conscripts. Monitor their well being and keep them in shape for training. You over there have you given her oaths yet?”
“She has yet to request them.”
Was I supposed to…
“Excellent, I will have you reassigned.”
I feel the knight bristle at that.
“I may not have sworn oaths but my orders were to maintain her safety. She will require special considerations.”
The knight produced a scroll. The same one the orc had given him. The baron reads it over. Then looked at me.
“This states that it is highly likely you are concealing your level, tier and skills.”
I just stare at him impassively.
“Exactly what tier and level did they think she is?”
The knight had no answer for him. The man grew exasperated.
“Fine, escort her to the conscripts.”
