Chapter 247: No Power in Zeme_Millennial Mage

Chapter 247: No Power in Zeme

 T slid under a thrust of a bloody spear, grabbing onto it with her off hand even as she shed at her opponents legs with Flow, in the form of a ive.

 Such a move would normallyck power, a polearm was designed for use with two hands after all, but her prodigious strength and long practice let the strike hit home with vicious efficiency.

 She wasnt basing her strength off of the ground, nor even off of her grip on her enemys spear, thus, when everything around her suddenly became slick,cking virtually all friction, Flow still bit deeply into Reidhs boot.

 His scales, of course, werent even scratched.

 Even so, the dragonlingughed, stepping back and bowing. Well done, young Eskau Tali. Truly, you are a wonder to spar against.

 The properties of the ground had returned to normal, allowing T to stand with ease before she bowed in turn. Thank you, Eskau Reidh, but I feel you are being too kind. I didnt even scratch you.

 Yes, but you ruined my favorite boots. His eyes were twinkling with mirth.

 Imsorry?

 He waved her off. Even that which is ruined can be restored. He gave her a searching look. But you truly do not understand, do you.

 I suppose I dont.

 He nodded, sinking into a seated position, his tail curling around his legs. Where do I sit on the path of advancement?

 Honored.

 Yes, and yourself?

 Refining, so Yellow-Orange, thats, Mature Elder.

 He smiled. Yes, precisely. You are more than a full step behind me in power.

 Exactly, that is why I couldnt even scratch your scales.

 He shook his head. No, child. That is why even youying a weapon upon me is impressive.

 She hesitated at that. T hadnt thought of it in that light. Well, you were holding back.

 He lifted one hand and waggled it back and forth. In part, yes, but mostly no. I am not fighting below my level of skill, and I am treating your hits as if they would harm me. The only thing that I really could do, which I am not, is to force your aura back to your own body and affect everything with my power.

 Which you could.

 Probably. I also could simply ignore your attacks and overwhelm you, but neither of us would learn or grow from that.

 So?

 So, this is not a test of magical weight, Eskau. It was a test of martial skill, and you are the warrior whonded a hit.

 She felt a smile tug at her lips and responded from her heart. And if it were a test of honor, convincing your opponent of their victory would be the deciding action.

 Reidhughed, seeming genuinely pleased by herment. You have a bit of a tterer in you, eh?

 I try to speak the truth, if the truth is ttering that has more to do with you than me.

 He snorted in response. If you keep at it, I may think you want something from me.

 Another match?

 With a broad, tooth filled smile, he stood. That, young Eskau, I can do.

 Meain had begun leaving T to train with Reidh or De-arg, though the elf stayed nearby when T fought any of the others. This allowed T to train even more, as Meain did have other duties to attend to as well.

 Before her trip to Croi, T would have said that shed mastered the Way of Flowing Blood, but shed been greatly mistaken. Even the short time that shed spent under the tutge of the senior Eskau had caused her to improve by leaps and bounds, though she definitely wasnt leaping or bounding.

 At least all the old masters agree on that: going ballistic is rarely wise in a fight.

 Reidh helped her learn how to move and leverage her strength without having to rely on a sure footing or a sure grip.

 De-arg forced her to perfect her stances, weight distribution, bnce, and movement. The small bear-like man was utterly ruthless in his exploitation of her every w.

 She had yet tond anything close to a solid blow on the small Eskau.

 He would be an utter nightmare to fight if anything important were on the line.

 -Indeed.-

 When the day of sparring was done, and the other Eskau had bid them goodbye, Meain came to sit beside T as she stretched. How are you?

 T shrugged. Ive been better, but Im getting by. She narrowed her eyes, examining the other woman. Why?

 Well, your time here in Croi is more than half through, and Be is almost done negotiating for two other protian weapons.

 T stiffened, then nodded. I see.

 If it helps, they are both based upon your ideas, whether or not he had those thoughts earlier.

 Oh? She was almost afraid to ask.

 Yes. There was a candidate Eskau of our House who wasnot up to snuffbat wise, and his potential Pir was simrly realizing that she didnt really like the politics involved in ever bing a Pir. Theyd passed up three potential raisings, which isnt a good precedent.

 I see.

 So, clever Be bought them out of their rank, securing their protian weapon, and is nearly finished negotiating to trade it with another major House in the city for one of theirs. I dont know how they have one to trade, but it does happen on asion.

 Thats one.

 Yes it is. The secondes from a minor house in this city that has been pursuing majority for nearly five centuries. They only just managed to forge a protian weapon.

 I wonder how many humans died needlessly to their failed attempts. But she kept her face carefully neutral. Oh?

 Yes. Unfortunately for them, they dont really have many warriors who could wield it well, nor the structures or culture in ce to make good use of it. They have devoted their resources towards magical research rather thanbat, after all.

 So, theyll trade it away?

 Oh, no. Theyd never do that.

 T cocked her head to the side as she turned to regard the elf.

 No, Be offered to allow their minor house to join with the House of Blood in a ce of honor, in exchange for the weapon. Its apparently a good one, nearly entirely based upon kic maniption.

 Great I see.

 Meain smiledfortingly. You seemless than pleased at the progress. Your ideas were sound, and you do your duty well.

 That is trulyforting in her eyes, isnt it. It means that I will be abandoned in toiri all the sooner.

 The elfs hand fell on her shoulder. Id thought that was still weighing on you.

 T scoffed. How could it not? He is to leave me behind and go into danger without me.

 Meain sighed. We need to distract you from that. Can I get you experts on holds and pocket dimensions? Books, treatises? Items of power to let you delve more deeply into that hobby?

 That would be a boon, if you are willing, but I have another curiosity that weighs more heavily.

 She cocked an eyebrow. Well, the books are simple enough to get at the very least. What else pulls at your mind?

 T seized the opportunity. What of pr synchronicity between the worlds?

 The elf stiffened slightly, then smiled, shaking her head. Youve been digging into the Doman-Imithe?

 Nothing forbidden, but yes.

 She sighed. The council would not be pleased if they knew.

 At the moment, that doesnt seem like a negative.

 Meain raised an eyebrow, seeming taken aback, but then she shook her head. That is fair, I suppose. I will admit that I dont understand their decision any more than you do, but it isnt ours to question. Even so, that is a hard lesson to learn, especially for the young.

 She hesitated.

 In this I do have some discretion, and what they dont know wont hurt them. She bit the side of her lip in thought. Be, though, if he knew he might

 T thought quickly, then put on her most open, honest face. Ahh, yes, honesty worn as a mask. It would be a wonderful surprise for him upon his return, if I were to be an aid to him in regards to the Doman-Imithe?

 Yes I can see that. She shrugged. He need not know all the specifics of your training, and this is something hes previously expressed interest in having you learn. I see no issue with teaching you the basics, but only the basics, yes?

 That would be wonderful. Thank you, Eskau Meain.

 Just Meain. It seems that I have much to teach you, directly, and using honorifics in such intricate dialogues will be tedious quickly.

 As you wish, Meain.

 Thus, Ts time with Thron was expanded by Meains presence, along with the books she procured for them.

 Each book was only offered for a short time, with specific passages intended, but T was always able to find a moment to flip through so that t could copy it in full. Though, that sometimes required setting the book behind a barrier off to the side and looking through it with one of her mirrored perspectives.

 Thus, while Meain focused on giving her a solid foundation on the Doman-Imithe, T built the scaffold for learning so, so much more.

 A weekter, Be-thric finally secured his two deals, and a celebration rang out through the House of Blood. Their new Pir had almostpleted his regalia and would be departing for his home city soon.

 The first negotiation had culminated in a minor house shedding its own identity and joining with the House of Blood, both gaining and growing in power.

 This was an additional cause for celebration.

 The second had allowed those who might have brought dishonor to the House of Blood to step from their path honorably, and join their fellows as assets, rather than failed, potential leaders.

 It was a truly joyous asion, and the celebrations spilled out into much of Croi, though most were not made aware of all of the exact reason for celebration.

 Only two more protian weapons are needed, t.

 -And preparations are already underway in toiri for a raid on a major House to get the second tost one.-

 We need to act soon. Be-thrics departure might be the best time to flee, but we still need a reason to be allowed out, a way to deal with the cor in one way or another.

 -Yes, otherwise it will end us.-

 They had poured over ideas of how to deal with the cor, but the truth was, she simplycked the power to do anything effective against a half-Hallowed level construct. She had ns, though.

 When she returned to toiri, she was to attend the City Lord, and there were potential paths she could investigate on that front.

 -You seem more hopeful.-

 I think less despairing is more urate. I have nothing I can actually hope will work, but I refuse to believe that I wont find something.

 -That works for me.-

 Their next idea involved talking with Be-thric at length, which T really, really didnt want to do. Blessedly, t had fully prepped Tali, so the n was to turn control over to her for the first time in quite a while and see if she could sway Be-thric in one way or another.

 The celebration was the perfect setting as well, and after a full day of feasting, with a night and another day nned, it was the perfect time.

 Alright. Lets go find the Pir.

 -Lets do this.-

 * * *

 Tali knocked on the door to her Masters suite within the House of Bloods hold.

 Be-thric had retired for a few hours, to enjoy some peace before he was to rejoin the festivities below, and out in the city.

 It felt like ages since shed seen him, though she knew that theyd crossed paths quite a few times earlier that very day.

 +I have been avoiding him, I suppose.+

 -You think? Its a blessing that we dont really need her to be inmand very much, if at all, or there would be so, SO many issues Id have to iron out.-

 +Right, right. I do apologize for that.+

 -No, you dont. Youre not sorry at all for the choices youve made.-

 +thats true enough.+

 A servant of the hold answered the door and stepped back to allow her entry. The dwarven womans somehow deeply thrumming, yet still rtively high-pitched, voice rang out. Announcing, Eskau Tali.

 Be-thrics voice floated through a pair of doors that were thrown wide leading out onto a balcony, My Eskau has torn herself away from the celebration to visit me? Come,e! I am just enjoying a moment of quiet on this auspicious day.

 Tali walked through the lush, if not opulent, entry and sitting room and out those same doors.

 She stopped in wonder as the view captivated her once again.

 This suite of rooms was up, near the top of therge building at the heart of the hold that was a world-fragment, and her Master had been given a truly spectacr view.

 Interestingly, it was a view in the opposite direction of the one shed first beheld upon entering the hold.

 Rather than forests and ins leading towards distant mountains, Tali now beheld hills and dunes of sand leading down to the shore of the sea in the middle-distance.

 As if bought on by the sight, she could suddenly smell the salt in the air and hear the far-off call of seabirds with her enhanced senses.

 From Meains lessons with regard to the Doman-Imithe, Tali knew that those things werent actually there and simply manifested as echoes of the reality that once was.

 The world-fragment ended well before the shore of the sea.

 In the past, when shed looked in this direction, her perspective had been too low to see past the near hills to the water beyond.

 Do you like it? His voice pulled her attention from the vista.

 She turned and bowed without thought, freezing halfway through the motion and straightening. My apologies, Pir Be-thric. I was distracted by the majesty of it all.

 A smile was ying across his lips. It is wonderful, that is true. Sometimes, you are so like a child in how you view the world.

 She felt herself coloring, but he waved a hand catingly.

 I do not mean that as an insult. To the contrary, it is refreshing. I, myself, spent a good deal of time in this hold in my youth, before the death of my parents. It is beautiful, but not truly special to me anymore, and it evokes memories of sadness. He shook his head. But you? Your enjoyment of it brings joy back to me. Thank you for that.

 +Thats interesting. Hes never spoken of his family before.+

 -No, he hasntlets see what else he says.-

 She looked down and nodded. It is my pleasure to serve.

 None of that, none of that, my Eskau. The House is celebrating, and much of that is on your ount. Come! Eat and drink if you wish. He motioned to the food arrayed on the table beside himself.

 She stepped forward and poured herself a ss of water. Iyou never speak of them, you know.

 Hmm?

 Your family, your parents.

 His smile faded slightly. Ahh, that is true enough. They were an odd set, my parents. My mother was a Pir, my father her Eskau. She was the daughter of the founder of the House of Blood, thest of her siblings, as I am thest of mine.

 Tali didnt interrupt, letting him take his time.

 Be-thric took a long drink of what seemed to be wine. Our House is not loved by most other major Houses. We ept all, regardless of race or lineage, and that has allowed us to grow strong quickly, on the scale of such things.

 He huffed augh, then, shaking his head.

 Our enemies sought to bring us down in the same way they would another House: They targeted the founding family. His grin became vicious. But my family was never our true strength. As my aunts and uncles fell to the machinations of our enemies, they were reced, one by one, with stronger Pirs, and our power grew.

 Tali took another drink, hoping he would continue, and he did.

 Nepotism has always been a bane of the strong, and we were no exception. But our opponents, by the very acts they intended to destroy us, forged us into something stronger, tearing out that weakness before it could be rot. My family may be all but gone, but what they stood for, the core of what they are, will live on forever.

 She knew the right response, felt it resonating within herself. For all have Blood, and that unites us. For all have Blood, and that is our strength.

 Indeed. He sighed.

 +Well, rust+

 -This isnt exactly news, T.-

 +I know, but it still makes me want to like him, even while I still hate him irrevocably.+

 -The House of Blood is likely the best means for humanity to connect with the arcane world, if it ever happens.-

 +Yeah.+

 -We could do a lot of good if we stayed and pushed for that connection.-

 +Oh, I am aware.+

 -So?-

 +We break free and try not to harm the House too badly. Im going home.+

 -Thats what I thought.-

 Be-thric seemed toe back to himself. Now, you must havee for a purpose, and I doubt it is to listen to me ramble. I hear that Eskau Meain has taken you under her wing for martial training. Is that bearing fruit?

 It is, yes. She is an excellent teacher and a trying sparring partner.

 As she should be. She was master of my grandfathers guard before we became a major House. Shes almost as old as Paun is rumored to be. He chuckled at that. How Sanguis convinced that old beast to join our House, I may never know.

 So, even Be-thric sees Paun as a beast?

 +Thats interesting. I guess I just assumed hed know more or have a different view.+

 -Well, we could have asked, but that would have required being around the man, more.-

 +Yeah, not worth it.+

 But I am controlling the conversation again. What can I do for you, my Eskau?

 Tali nced towards the servants who waited off to one side.

 Be-thric noticed the nce and dismissed them. A momentter they were alone, Pir and Eskau.

 Is this space private from listening ears?

 The Pir nodded.

 Alright, then. No excuses. She took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I I cannot stomach the idea of you going on the venture without me. The purpose of the trip is for my growth; it will be dangerous, and it will take quite a bit of time.

 He nodded, seeming unsurprised by the topic. I understand how you feel, but the decision is made.

 Is it final, though? The other Pirs are still here. Cant you change their minds? Arent I your Eskau? Cant you insist that Ie with you? Can we trade favors, or otherwise influence them?

 I tried, Tali, I truly did. There areextenuating factors that you arent aware of. Those change how Pirs perceivethe venture and make those opposed staunchly against changing their minds.

 Then tell me, and I will see those factors ovee.

 He sighed. I wish I could. Truly, I do, but it isnt possible.

 +What? He almost sounds genuine.+

 -Yeah. Thats really odd. Does he want to tell her that shes fake?-

 +Probably not. Maybe, its something else?+

 -Could be, I suppose.-

 What could there be that you cant tell me?

 He smiled at that. I obviously cant tell you that.

 Tali grimaced.

 Do you trust me?

 -No.-

 +Only to pursue your own interests.+

 Unequivocally.

 His smile wavered a hair at that, but he maintained it. Then trust this: I have done everything I can to change the councils decision.

 Tali closed her eyes, fighting back frustration. She took several long, deep breaths, letting them out slowly.

 Be-thric, for his part, let her take the time that she needed.

 Finally, Tali opened her eyes and nodded. Very well, the decision stands.

 +And there goes that option I knew we shouldnt have bothered approaching Be-thric.+

 -Hold on a moment. I dont think shes done.-

 Tali did, indeed continue, So, how can we go around the councils decision with the least consequences?

 Be-thric blinked at her a few times, then burst outughing. That! heughed again. That I did not expect. Oh, Tali, you are somehow full of surprises.

 Tali waited for him to finish chuckling, before she squared her shoulders. So? What are our options? I assume that if we simply ignore the decision, we would face censure when returned.

 Censure? At the very least. They might simply execute us both on the spot.

 She frowned. Is that likely?

 No. It really isnt, actually. If we returned, which we should, it would be in triumph, and that would prevent execution from being a serious option.

 So, it is possible, then? We could defy them?

 Could we? Possibly. Paun would likely enforce their ruling, he might even stop the venture all together if he thought we intended such a thing. Meain definitely would.

 Tali bit the side of her lip in thought. Could we keep it from him?

 In theory? Yes. In practice? Unlikely.

 I would rather not advance, if it means you go into danger alone.

 Be-thric leaned forward. Take that from your mind, my Eskau. You will not stagnate, while I can help it. I am going. That is not up for debate, and it seems like you will not being with me.

 Tali grit her teeth in frustration. There is nothing that can be done?

 Nothing.

 With a wave of irritation and frustration, Tali bowed. Very well, then. Good day, Pir.

 Without another word, she turned and departed.

 Be-thric didnt stop her, nor did he respond.

 In her mirrored perspective, Tali saw him lean back, seeming troubled.

 Good. Maybe, hell get this sorted.

 +Well, hopefully that doesnte back to bite us.+

 -It shouldnt, but yeah.-

 Tali barely kept from mming the doors on her way out of the suite. The servants of the hold were waiting in the hallway, and she sent them back in.

 I wille with you, my Master. There is no power on Zeme that can stop me.

 +And on that note, back to me.+

 -Agreed.-

MillionNovel

Chapter 247: No Power in Zeme