Galen Vesa

“Are the children safe?”

“Yes. As you wished my love, I have brought them to the guild.”

“Good you may leave now.”

Water held her gaze locked on me yet spoke of nothing. Was there remorse in her that I felt? Why? That was my wish and I paid the price gladly.

“Go I want to be alone.”

And they left. All but the new wind. She casually strolled beside me. I had refused her name hence I had no control over her and had to suffer her company. Yet she spoke of nothing but simply strode by my side. A feathered fan pressed against her plump, red lips. As if she were lost in her thoughts.

“Whatever you are plotting, you’ll gain nothing. I am running on fumes.”

Truth to be told, I wasn’t quite sure of that anymore. My dragon heart stopped a while ago when Water consumed all my mana and then even more so. With my inner forest and my new core working at their full power, it would still take at least nine days to pay off the debt I incurred with her. Or so she said.

“That is a curiosity indeed.”

The queen tapped her fan against her lips.

“Are you a God? I had never before met a being that could live without mana.”

Ah, that again.

“No. I just come from a place where we had no mana. Never needed it before. I can live without it.”

Although, I wouldn’t mind some mana right now. Without it I could not move as fast I as wanted… or move at all. My arms were limp and stone cold, just hanging there by my sides. Given this wobbly feeling in my legs I may not be able to walk for much longer. Perhaps I should look for a ditch somewhere around here? A place I could fall into and sleep it off?

“A place without mana… what a lonely world it must be.”

An odd choice of words. Maybe? Who knows? I never thought of such things before.

Oh, that bush by the road seemes inviting. It has long thorns and I think I may wiggle myself under all those fallen leaves. Perhaps no one will look for me there.

I walked off the road.

“That is not the way to the city my love.”

“That I know.”

Now just to find an opening, a place where I can slide under this shrub.

“A god or not, I do not think sleeping in the dirt befits you my love.”

She slapped her fan against her palm raising a torrent of leaves, swirling around us. When they fell and the air cleared, I found myself standing amidst the guild backyard with people screaming and running all around me.

Be well my love, I shall come and claim my reward later.

“Karin?! Mercifull Shamuu what in the world… What have you done?!”

I think I tried to say something but at that moment whatever mana vapor still run through my blood, faded away and I fell on my knees then seconds later my face kissed the earth, my nose cracking the pavement.

Well, at least this time I didn’t have to pretend that I splurged out all my mana. She didn’t joke when she said it would cost me. Healing all those children. Erasing their memories. For two I paid extra so she could snatch them away from death's door.

Although, some were beyond saving even for my queen. Of those, they recovered four chest worth of bones and two coffins. I still made her divide the bones and ashes into urns marked with names and remake the mauled corpses into a presentable state. Let their parents have closure.

A shallow gesture I hoped would calm my Guilt. Even from up here I could sense her disappointment.

Orders were given and People came running then hands I could not see lift me up and carried away. I've been washed and scrubbed at least five times. No wonder with all the blood and… other bodily fluids and parts sprayed all over my frame.

Somebody came and searched for my breath. Tala? Could be. Her fingers forced my outer eyelids open but the third one remained closed and opaque.

She pressed her ear against my chest listening to my heart. I was declared alive and taken somewhere else, still unable to move, just like a toy doll without her batteries. And like a doll, they dressed and groomed my body then stuffed it into a bed.

Without anything else I could do I let my mind sink within me and sat underneath the glowing tree of life, with my back resting against the side of my snoring dragon. Perhaps it was for tge better she had not vitnessed that. Eh. I made a mess. Again.

“That you did, my useless master.”

Cora appeared beside me, dark circles hung beneath her eyes, her pale body ready to crumble into dust.

“Are you getting enough mana? Will you be fine?”

“I can manage. This meat sack, as disgusting and inefficient as it is, provides me with some sustenance as long as I stuff it with enough food.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you are not, my useless master. In the future, please refrain from blatant attempts at ending our life. Even for noble causes.”

She turned on her heels and walked back towards her tree. Before letting it absorb her again, she stopped and looked back at me.

“Your wolf is worried about you. Do you wish me to pass her a message?”

“Tell, her we’ll be fine after some rest. Are the guests giving you any trouble?”

“They behave. They were given the right to roam the premise and so far, made no attempts at escaping or threating anyone.”

“Thank you.”

She pretended not to hear it although her core pulsed a bit warmth somewhere within me after she vanished from my sight.

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Noble cause, huh? There is nothing noble in having blood on your hands. That much I knew even without Guilt gazing into my eyes. She came by and sat beside me, hugging her knees. Her palms were bleeding. I looked at mine, even though they were clean now, I still felt the hot sticky liquid dripping off my hands. I remembered the hot and pungent smell of the jungle. The screams of the man running away from me. His begging. The pain in my knuckles where parts of his skull cut my flesh.

There I was the judge, the jury, and the executioner. Here I did the same. Noble cause? That is but a lie people tell themselves hoping to justify their sin.

I tried to sleep yet sleep avoided me. Days trudged by and nights crawled with constant stream of memories I wished to never relive again. Whether this was part of the purgatory term I was due or a taste of hell awaiting, I never learned because on the ninth day, my mana returned. Taking full price of the wish I made, Water released her hold over my power. An instant later, no longer being drained, my mana swirled and condensed, spreading like a fog all over my inner forest. Then a center formed, just above the tree of life, and everything else began to spin around it. Layer by layer the ball grew, compressing the vapors and gathering liquid mana. With the orb once more the size of a ripe melon, I felt life returning into my limbs. Patting Erta’s side I bid her goodbye and let my mind surface.

Well, I sure have not been in this room before. Seems like an attic. With those slanting walls and, flowers? There were flowers. Again. Really, what is wrong with those people? Jumping from one extreme to the other. It’s never ~let’s leave her alone~ but either kill the wretched elf or douse her with gold and flowers. Speaking of gold, some very expensive looking gifts laid around my bed. I always thought that the world is a weird place, especially me being, well, me but if I get this kind of treatment after my last escapade then there is something fundamentally wrong with this place.

Meds. I need some. Find an alchemist. Gotcha. Will do first thing when I get out to the market. If I can go to the market. Maybe banana me could do some shopping? For cloths? Eh, I would probably need to go wet dream style to get something that would fit my pillows. Let’s leave that for later. Now, hear ye, hear ye, were doing the roll call. Undies? Gone with the wind. No surprise there. Pink gown a size tad too small round my chest? That’s a new one. I better take it off before it will burst. Pillows? Still blocking my view. No change there. Legs? Arms? Somewhat movable. Not too shabby. I can work with that. Upset wolf possibly scolding Fire in her office… Funny I can sense that. Her mana is suddenly getting closer. That damn pervert probably ratted me out.

Anyway, where was I? Getting up, right. Well, body, do your thing.

I stretched because it seemed a proper thing to do. With my bones rattling like fireworks, I slide out of bed and tested if gravity still detested me. Sure, it did not but somehow my legs managed. Must be the balance charms scribbled somewhere on my skull. Now when I think of it, the placement of all those runes… that scarlet witch had one creepy hobby. Perhaps I should…

To add some dramatic flair to my oddly normal morning, Altina burst into my room. Yes, waking up without underwear in unfamiliar places is normal for me. I possibly should facepalm myself at this point but since I tried that once and since it didn’t help anyway, I abstained from repeating the gesture. The wolf on the other hand, boiling with furry, inflated her lungs getting ready for a masterful speech when somebody smacked my side with a whip and the air rang with audibled thwack!

My bad. No one hit me. That were just the stiches exploding under my armpit. Pink gown zero, pillows, hmm, that’s probably a fiftieth time they did something like that. Well, at least now it was easier to breath. I poke my hand into the hole, surveying the damage while Altina just stared with her mouth open.

“Yes? You were saying?”

Or trying to. Either way I guess it bode nothing good for me.

“Rot you! Rot you and your spirits! Why are you always like that?!”

She shouted. How could such an angry wolf stop herself from biting off my head eluded me, but I better start packing. I should probably take whatever I can and leave. I wonder if I can get one of perverts to spirit away those elves. On credit and negotiate some lower instalments this time.

So, what should I tell the wolf now? I’m sorry, I just went and slaughtered about a dozen thugs. Then had a lovely chat with their boss. After I ripped out his heart. Oh, and you know what? The ring I got from Water can keep people alive while they are missing some bits and pieces… It doesn’t sound that good does it?

“I’m special.”

In a bad kind of way, I suppose. I also learned that accidently stepping onto someone while moving at greater speeds results in that someone turning into a cloud of steaming blood and, other bits that in turn make everything else very messy.

“So, either hit me or hug me and let’s move on. I don’t think I have much time left before imperial guards may come looking for me.”

She did neither and just watched me in silence as I scoured the place in search of some clothing. Ah yes, leather pants. You can never go wrong with leather pants. What else do we have here in this chest? A passable silk thongs that may or may not cover something. Why not? A bra? No such luck. Oh, well. I made do with a shredded bedsheet. Not as good as a corset or honest to god bra but still better than nothing. I topped it off with red, knitted pullover then started packing whatever I could into my ring. Best to build a stash before something happens. With my luck, sooner or later something will happen.

“What are you…”

A whole chest full of ungodly uncomfortable shoes vanished inside my ring. I left myself a pair with shortest heels I found but that still amounted to seven inches and the boot ended way above my knees. New priority. Meds then normal shoes.

“Putting stuff away in case I may need it later. Ask Earth if you want to know what and how. They seem to like you.”

“Pestilence and root, no thank you. “

“As the spirits go, she’s a pleasant one to be about. Water’s not bad either, Wind… changed lately. Fire is not to be trifled with. Be wary of her favors.”

Part of her burned in my blood. A presence always raging. Always demanding. A part of everlasting flame that could consume all.

Did the wolf blush? I must be seeing things. But her cheek tufts did puff out for a moment.

“Also, I know it’s probably a bad time but, can I get some of the gold the guild owes me? I’d appreciate that.”

“Enough child! Sit and listen to me! You are going nowhere without my permission and there are no guards looking for you.”

Eh?

“You had done the empire a tremendous favor. These children, you have no idea how deep that scheme went. All those families, the lesser nobles from all around the region, they each had a child taken. Some more than once by the count of bones we did as you were recovering. Sixty lesser families, that may not amount to much on its own, but as a whole, that is enough force to disrupt the entire province. If someone were blackmailing all of them with the same purpose… I submitted a report to his excellency detailing all those finding. Let him hear it from us than his spies. Perhaps his anger may overlook us that way.”

She let herself drop on a cushion by the fireplace and rest her back against the wall. Her face calmed for a moment although somber mood quite quickly replaced that.

“The kidnappers, have you killed them?”

“Yes.”

“Did they suffer?”

My hands began to tremble. What a strange reaction.

“Yes.”

I had to fully extend and retract my nails several times to stop those tremors.

“Child, by law they were dead the moment they even considered kidnapping someone. The empire is strict in that regard. Thee who by force take child of other, shall be executed by hanging. So say the law and to law you should leave such dealings. While you… It is good that the children are safe, but I will not tolerate this kind of behavior from anyone. A warrior deals death promptly and only when it is unavoidable. As long as you remain under my roof, remember that.”

I nod in agreement.

“That will not do. I want Your word, swear it.”

“No. There is no point to it.”

“Karin, do not make me repeat myself. Your word.”

I sighed. Possibly this was the closest one to a true sigh I did so far.

“My word is worthless. So far I’ve been unable to keep the simplest promises. Do not make me take oaths I cannot keep. I do not want to lie to you. I will not make an oath I cannot keep.”

“You did keep the one you gave me!”

Zee stormed into the room. Out of all the people, I did not expect her. Nor did I expect what she did afterwards.

“You had returned my sister to me. My only family in this wretched place.”

She wept, falling on her knees and bending forward until her forehead pressed tightly against the floor.

“Not only that but… she is… she…”

Zee cried. Tears streaming from her swollen eyes. She would both apologize and thank me over and over again whenever her sobs would allow it. Through all the time I had spent here, I had not seen this woman act, well, like a person rather than a pig.

“Zeieree, enough.”

My mouth did it again and as if that weren’t enough my body moved on its own. Kneeling beside the girl, I could tell somebody, or something put my left palm on her shoulder. The lantern spreading odd warmth along my arm.

“Go clean yourself up, you are worrying your sister.”

I smiled. Or at least my body did.

“See I told you, you will do fine.”

The odd one whispered into my ear as time stopped around us.

“Will you trust me now?”