Chapter 41: Gathering
Vina observed with fascination as the red threads of blood congealed in the man’s tightly clenched hand. He thrust his palm outward, and thin threads of blood shot out in various angles, seemingly heading outward and away. At the last moment, when they reached their zenith, they arced back, and collided in the center, forming a puddle several feet away from them.
"I’m getting closer, Asharaina," he said proudly, wearing a bold smile on his face.
Vina grinned back at him with pride. "The effect is mesmerizing, Reslyn!" She activated Blood Call, returning the young man’s blood back to his hand when she saw he couldn’t hold it himself. "Do it again. I want to see what happens if we combine our capabilities."
The man looked nervous, but he thrust his hand out once more. This time, Vina used her title ability to compress the blood, feeling the strain of trying to condense someone else’s blood for the first time while they were using an ability. She closed an eye, focused on forcing each thread to solidify. The effect was startling as the shards crashed into each other, sending crystals scattering everywhere. Vina stepped in front of Reslyn, activating her title to contain the fallout, relieved that the crowd had been much further behind them. She heard Reslyn laughing behind her, which put her at ease.
Stepping forward, past the line her guards had set, Reslyn leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Trina said you adapted my ability!"
Riza promptly grabbed him roughly and pulled him a respectful distance away from Vina, issuing a word of warning. Vina held up her hand to signal that everything was okay, understanding Riza's caution. "Congratulations, Reslyn!" she said excitedly, despite her confusion at the man’s words.
"Asharaina, your documents have arrived," Riza declared as she eyed Reslyn. Then she gestured to a man waiting outside of the assembly area who held several large tomes. Vina spotted the grave expression on his face, immediately souring her mood.
Vina nodded slowly as she examined the man from a distance. A part of her understood reluctance to hand over what she had requested. "Okay. It's time." Turning to the crowd, she activated her Commanding Voice, making sure not to order anything of her newly Dedicated. "I have to go, everyone. I have some responsibilities I must attend to. There will be more time in the future for stuff like this."
There was a collective groan, but Vina tried to give them a reassuring smile as her guards ushered her out of the area. Riza kept a careful watch behind her as she moved.
"Hey, what does it mean to adapt an ability?" she whispered to Caja beside her.
“Uhm… Vina, your system is sort of latched onto me.” Caja explained, holding her bracelet up. “I’m not naturally born into it. I’ve never had a class ability do that before.”
Riza leaned in close, adding, "Sometimes Asharaina can teach those of their specialty how to use their class differently than it was designed by Trina. When that happens, it becomes adapted. In this situation, I'm guessing his class ability is no longer just liquid blood and became those crystals we saw."
“I changed his ability?” Vina asked in surprise as undesirable memories began to surface in her mind.
“Yes. You watched him use it, then you saw some way to improve it. When you showed him how to do so. The system records the improvement, Trina approves it, and then the ability becomes theirs permanently.”
Vina almost missed a step. Caja reached out to grab her, but Vina recovered immediately. "I shaped him," she thought, as the realization dawned on her. A mixture of emotions ran through her as she realized she could both help her dedicated and also assume a role she was so desperately avoiding. "But I'm not the shaper," she told herself.
"Vina…?" Caja started to ask after seeing her face.
“I’m fine.” Vina insisted. “Would you two want me to adapt your class abilities?”
Caja shrugged. “I don’t have my blood class yet. I’m still working on it.”
Riza nodded affirmatively. “I’ve seen some of what you can do. I’d like to have more of your capabilities.”
Vina bit her lip in consideration as they approached one of Eilin's aides. A nearby guard took the documents from the man and handed them to Vina, ensuring her protection. She quickly flipped through the pile, looking for a specific item. Not finding it, she turned to the aide, "Where is the record of the formal summons for Adir and Ann to a dinner with myself and Lord Hakim Halos? I requested it yesterday." she asked pointedly.
The aide looked nervous. “There isn’t any such record. None of the head family members made formal summons for either Ann or Adir through official channels.”
Vina pursed her lips knowingly. “Somehow I already suspected that Eilin did not record that in the archives. You can tell Eilin I am disappointed she wasn’t brave enough to personally meet me at her official post yesterday to deliver this news to me herself. Her transgressions against my family continue to accumulate. Ensure she is aware that I would forgive this too if she has a formal letter of protest for this occurrence as well.” She turned to leave, but the aide had one more question for her.
“Please, Lady Esca. Where are you taking your masterpiece?” he asked, sweat starting to appear on his forehead.
Vina cocked an eyebrow at him in surprise. An aid to the archivist daring to question one of head family members was unheard of. Deep inside, she suspected Eilin had forced her aid to ask why she had requested the transfer documents. Vina gave a scoffing laugh as she walked away without a word.
~~~
Vina looked at herself in the mirror in fascination. She had requested this dress, but she had underestimated what she would be receiving. From just behind her, Caja yawned dramatically. “Why are you wearing that? This isn’t normal for you.”
Adorned in the flowing garment, she felt like a living canvas, her body a medium for the art that adorned her. The dress she wore spoke not only of fashion but of purpose, and as she studied the intricate details, she couldn't help but feel a sense of fascination with the different elements woven into its fabric.
Her fingers gently traced the delicate embroidery that adorned the edges, appreciating the intricate patterns that added a touch of artistic flair without overwhelming the dress's overall elegance. The hues of pale blue and pastel green seemed to blend effortlessly, creating a mesmerizing tapestry that caught the light with every movement she made.
The neckline framed her features with a graceful touch, drawing attention to her collarbones and neck, her red locket from Trina now easily visible. The fabric cascaded down her arms, its softness comforting her skin like a gentle caress. She marveled at how the sleeves seemed to billow with an ethereal quality, as if they were delicate brush strokes on a grand artistic canvas.
Her eyes roamed further down, taking in the flowing silhouette that accentuated her figure while still allowing her freedom of movement. The dress seemed to dance with her, as if it had a life of its own, and she couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship that had gone into creating such a masterpiece.
With a final look of admiration, she tore her gaze away from the mirror, knowing that this dress was so much more than just an outfit. Facing Caja, she finally answered. “I’m certain my family will be summoning me today. Given how our last meeting went, I’ll be making a statement to the entire Family Home and The Halos Brothers by wearing this. Tomorrow the entire city will be discussing today’s events.”
Caja gave her an incredulous look. “What? Why?”
“It’s a long story.” Vina frowned as she slipped her feet into the matching heels, marveling that her feet seemed to fit them perfectly. “I’m the first woman to lead a family in a long time. A dress of this exact style was worn by a leader in the family's history. She negotiated a long lasting peace in the past. By wearing this, I am signaling to everyone that I am adhering to tradition while seeking peace just as she did so long ago.”
“So…?” Caja asked, her tone almost taking on a musical note.
“So, when they pull me into a family meeting, they’ll already be at a negotiating disadvantage. They know my masterpiece is no longer at the amphitheater and will be trying to change that. They’ll want it back. Once they know people have seen me in this dress, their goal will change because the expectation will be that we meet seeking a peaceful resolution. If they attempt to strongarm me into obeying their demands, the people will view them negatively, potentially affecting their guard detail. This dress, as extravagant as it is, places me in a position of power over them this one time,” Vina explained. “I’m certain next time, they’ll have a counter which I will have to counter.”
“You enjoy this don’t you?” Caja asked.
Vina laughed. “What about you? Why are you helping me dress? Shouldn’t you be out enjoying the city with Ulesi now that I’m back?”
Caja went quiet for a second and Vina felt her emotions dip slightly to sadness. “Ulesi and I are no longer in a partnership.”
Vina’s hands suddenly felt awkward. She had no pockets and she didn’t know what to do with them. She clasped them before herself. “I'm sorry, Caja,” she said sadly, “I had no idea.”
"It happens. Ulesi made the choice themselves, and I have no option but to accept it.” Caja let out a deep sigh before she continued. “They've already left Halos with a group of adventurers, making their way back to Randar."
Vina hesitated, “Was… was it from the stress of what Haldo did to them?”
Caja gave her a weak smile. "Oh Vina, if only life were so simple that we could blame all our problems on Haldo and Hakim. I think you do enjoy filling out all this paperwork and subtle manipulation of public opinion."
Vina shook her head. “No. I’m just hurt. They lied to me. They separated me and my sister. They almost got me killed. The entire time they manipulated my emotions. While I was gone, they tried to kill you. And yet, I can’t just kill them. The people here rely on the stability The Family has created to care and provide for them.”
Caja gathered her long, thick white hair up, laid back, and arranged it above her head before stretching out on Vina’s bed, exposing her bracelet. “So instead, you’ll use their own legal system, history, and culture against them to protect your Dedicated.”
Vina gave no response as she watched her first Dedicated lay on her bed. She was certain Caja’s bracelet was on the other arm before. Her memories rushed as she recollected every moment she saw the bracelet on Caja’s wrist, and she had no doubt. The supposedly non-removable bracelet had jumped to Caja’s other arm. Caja herself only stared at the ceiling, breathing slowly. In fact, her breathing was so slow, Vina found herself taking several breaths between Caja’s own.
“Do you really want to know why Ulesi left me?” Caja finally asked, filling the silence.
Vina nodded slowly, knowing Caja could feel her movements with Blood Sense.
“Ulesi left because they think you’re The Shaper reborn, and I’ve apparently dedicated myself to you as if you are a Valchara. Their words, not mine.” Caja closed her eyes. “Oh. Valchara are like Trina in my world.” She held a hand up and made a flicking gesture with three fingers. “Not really, but you get what I mean.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Caja’s words hit Vina like a hammer. Knowing others were spreading rumors like this stung in a manner she had not anticipated. She swallowed hard in an attempt to clear her throat. "I'm really sorry. I don't know what to say. I… I don't know how they could come to that conclusion…" Vina's words trailed off as she felt tears come to her eyes.
"Hey!" Caja said loudly. "Now don't do that. You’ll ruin the makeup they put on you. Ulesi made their choice out of a place of fear. I told them the truth about you, and they didn't believe me. They're missing out on two wonderful people now. And frankly, if they can't recognize the sacrifice we both suffered to save them, then I'm not sure I want to remain in that partnership.” Caja propped herself up so Vina could see her face. “I’m just telling you, so there’s no secrets between us."
Vina could feel the determination in Caja, and she sniffed back her tears. "Are you sure?" she asked.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Caja said firmly. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”
“Yes you are.” Vina nodded as she pressed a finger to her eyes, trying to clear her vision. “Thank you for that. I really appreciate you taking care of everyone while I was gone. It couldn’t have been easy.”
Caja laughed, a sound that was almost musical to Vina's ears. "Goodness no. It wasn't easy. I can fool just about anyone into thinking I am you right until they want to see me move blood around. Then I have to make an excuse and escape every time." Caja laughed . "You need to teach me how you do that."
Vina joined her in laughing, “I’m not sure I can. It’s my title ability,” she admitted.
Caja sighed. “Oh well. I didn’t want to fake being an Asharaina anyway. I honestly don’t know how you manage, and I watched you do it all day today. You have a tenderness that they need. For instance, that young man, how did you know…” Caja didn’t finish her question when she turned her head. Vina had sensed it even before her dedicated and only smiled at Caja's surprise. “You were right. They summoned you.” Caja said in disbelief.
“Can you please get Kallie?” Vina asked as she quickly moved toward her door. “It’s time she returned to Haldo.”
Vina gracefully welcomed her steward, at the door, "Hello, Ellic. They're asking for me, right? I'm already prepared. Can you please send two guards with Caja? She is going to obtain something I prepared for the house assembly." Vina walked confidently toward the main hall, taking deliberate steps, allowing guards, house staff, and attendants to recognize her presence. While she didn't need to answer a summons instantly, she wanted them to know she had anticipated their actions, and that she was ready for them.
Entering the reception area, the expressions on their faces did not disappoint her. Haldo's look of disgust was countered by Hakim's face of intrigue. A part of her had hoped the man bonded with the Aspect of Peace would empathize with the message she wanted to convey. Warmly greeting them before the onlookers, Vina led them to a private room owned by her family, as was the custom for those summoned.
As soon as the door was closed, Haldo couldn't contain himself any longer. "You're a hypocrite, Vina! How dare you wear the Nyches' attire!"
"I've told you before, Lord Haldo, you may call me Lady Esca or Asharaina, but I won't accept anything less from you," Vina responded curtly, taking a seat in the room. She nodded toward Eilin, who sat herself against the wall. "Archivist, I'd like to see the agenda, please." Eilin handed a piece of paper to her, and Vina quickly scanned it. "Oh, I see," she said, feigning surprise. "There's one problem here. Your agenda is out of order." Vina looked up at Haldo and Hakim, who were still standing. "Any items you two wish to discuss that have been officially filed must be addressed in the order in which they are received by the archivist.” Vina said with a growing smile. “I'm sure you don't want me to quote the directive to you."
Eilin nodded in agreement. “She’s correct. I’m required to re-order them.”
"Allow me," Vina said, using a portion of her blood and nails to draw a number beside each line item on the paper. "Here you go, archivist. The first item on your agenda is my plans to conquer another city. Tell me your concerns."
Hakim and Haldo suddenly seemed doubtful as they quietly moved to their own seats. Hakim was the first to speak. "Lady Esca, we believe that war with another city is not in the best interests of the family at this time. We cannot approve hostile actions when creatures and darkness are running rampant. Even if you were to take a third of our forces, it is doubtful you would be successful. It would only result in a significant loss of life. Consider the person you are dressed as today. She would seek peace, not more conflict."
Vina nodded slowly as if considering. "I've already conquered the city in question. I don't require our army's assistance in obtaining or securing it. The document I submitted was not a request for assistance or approval. It was a notification that I am adding to our family's jointly owned lands. Right now, the city sits empty of any citizens, occupied only by refugees I have given temporary shelter to. I have locked it from access to anyone else."
Haldo spoke up. “You’re talking about Valanire aren’t you?”
Vina nodded as she looked toward the man. "That’s correct, Lord Haldo. We sit far to the west, isolated from any conflicts that The Watch or The Stigandorians suffer from The Darkness. I am making the choice to establish another city of our own on the eastern side of this continent to spread our influence and power." Vina looked at Hakim as her tone turned soft. "To help those who are having such a hard time so far away from us."
Vina's attention was suddenly divided when she noticed a window notification appear in her vision:
> System: Trina Ticket Timeout. Trina has not addressed your system error ticket in a reasonable amount of time. Starting auto resolution process.
She knew what this was for. The ticket she had created when she tried to specialize her forage skill had finally timed out. The system was going to try to fix it for her. As Hakim and Haldo continued talking, text began scrolling in her vision:
> System: Illegal skill specialization access violation discovered.
>
> System: Restricted knowledge acquired. Seeking remedy.
>
> System: Remedy Identified: Aspect of Memories
>
> System: Loading recursive_skill_memory_removal_process.
>
> System: Initializing…
>
> System: Executing…
>
> System: Process failed with error: memory access restricted.
>
> System: Process has ended.
Vina's heart pounded in her chest. "It tried to wipe my memories!" she thought.
“Provided lives aren’t lost, I can accept Lady Esca’s frivolous decision to take control of Valanire.” Haldo said, pulling Vina’s attention back to the meeting.
“Thank you, Lord Haldo,” Vina said with a fake smile, trying to keep her voice steady.
Eilin scribbled down notes and said, “That makes the next item on the list Lady Esca’s notification of her removal of her masterpiece from The Halos Family Amphitheater by force. The Halos family disputes The Esca family’s right to do so without advanced notification and requests for the masterpiece in question to be replaced immediately.”
Vina turned her gaze on Eilin, “I request that ‘by force’ be removed from both your notes and their dispute. It’s inflammatory and untrue. No one was injured when I had my masterpiece moved. Just because I have power and wield it toward my goals doesn’t mean everything I do is inherently forceful.”
Hakim looked at Haldo. “You wanted her to play the game.”
Haldo nodded at Eilin. “Strike it. We’re willing to allow for your masterpiece to be moved, provided our people still have access to it. We want to know where it is going. Most of all, we want to make sure it won’t be destroyed.”
Vina was pleased to see them cave so easily on this. She suspected her public display of dress would force them to not fight her on the return of her masterpiece. “I’m taking it to Valanire,” Vina said, giving a short reply because the text started to scroll in her vision again.
> System: Restricted knowledge acquired. Seeking remedy attempt 2…
>
> System: Remedy found: Aspect of Life.
>
> System: Loading life_reduction_process.
>
> System: Initializing…
>
> System: Executing…
>
> System: Process failed with error: Traveler Exemption Rule
>
> System: Process has ended.
Vina blinked at the text, realizing the severity of the situation. "It's trying to kill me," she realized, feeling her heart pound in her chest.
"Lord Haldo," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, "I assure you, it won't be destroyed. The masterpiece serves as a unique way for people to gain blood classes without engaging in undesirable activities. It provides an alternative to dangerous combat or tedious methods to gain experience and select a class. In Valanire, it will be preserved and accessible to the public, albeit temporarily in a more limited manner."
Hakim narrowed his eyes, but Vina sensed the pride in his vibrance. His next words locked in their agreement to move the masterpiece by the mere fact of choosing to move to the next item on the agenda, and she knew he understood that. "Moving on, you’re requesting a relocation incentive for our citizens and have allowed for open signups to move to the new city. Are you taking people from Halos?" he said pointedly.
"Not forcefully, not yet, and not all at once,” Vina clarified. "We must ensure that the city can sustain its population before we send more people. My idea is to identify individuals with the necessary skills, such as farming and animal husbandry, to establish the resources required to provide for our people. The signup document requests a list of skills so we can select the appropriate people and their families to seed Valanire’s development.”
“By appropriate people, you mean your people," Hakim added, emphasizing the point. “Without moving on, your next request is to approve the establishment of your own house within Valanire, collect funds from the population, and operate independently from us. Are you our family or their asharaina?"
Vina's eyebrows furrowed at the accusation of her partiality. The reality was far more bleak, however. She needed a safe place to reside once her binding quest made it impossible for her to move around. Valanire was the most spacious option. She simply could not accept being trapped within a Refuge of Trina. “When you exposed our people to my masterpiece, you knew they would become my dedicated. Now they are both our people and my people. That is a consequence of your decision, but I bear the burden. Right now, my people are under attack, and, as a result, our people are under attack too. Some of us can no longer remain safe within Halos.”
Haldo frowned in response. "I would have known about this. The aspect of retribution has not been invoked at any significantly increased rate. Petty crimes still happen but it is an exaggeration to claim blood classes are being persecuted within Halos."
“Well, someone made a grave mistake," Vina said with a hint of frustration. "That's because crimes against my people are going unpunished by the aspect of retribution. An Assassin was hired to kill me, but they failed and attacked one of my Dedicated instead. Riza intervened and captured the assailant." Her eyes flicked back to the notification window, where the text continued to move. "I imagine she's waiting outside now. Should I bring her in?"
> System: Restricted knowledge acquired. Seeking remedy attempt 3…
Vina began to sweat despite the light dress she wore. That single line felt ominous when nothing else immediately followed. She sensed a similar tension rising within Haldo, but eventually, he nodded in agreement. Sensing an opportunity, Vina swiftly left the room to fetch Kallie. The woman now appeared quite subdued, and Vina couldn't blame her. Their night together had been enlightening for Vina and a grueling experience for Kallie. But Vina had little regret for the lifetime scars the woman would bear.
Hakim was taken aback when Vina walked back into the room with her would-be assassin, now wearing a sleeveless dress. "What did you do to her?" he asked in shock as his eyes scanned her arms.
Vina looked at Haldo as she spoke, "I made an example of her. Kallie has voluntarily taken a limited vow of silence in exchange for the runes I placed on her to remain deactivated. She may answer any questions you have, as long as they are not directly related to me, my family, or my abilities."
Hakim got up and gently held Kallie's wrist, inspecting the network of scarred runes that ran along her arms. "Are you in pain?" he asked with concern.
"No. I’ve been restored," she replied in a haunted manner, her words vague enough to not betray her method of healing.
Once again, Vina saw the text start to move in her vision.
> System: Remedy found: Promise Exploit
>
> System: Loading forced_promise_process
>
> System: Initializing…
>
> System: Executing…
Subsequently, three more windows appeared, seemingly normal:
You have sworn to Trina that you do not exist. Continuing to exist will result in your death.
System has accepted your promise on behalf of Trina.
You have broken your promise to Trina, and she has been notified. The consequences of breaking your promise will now commence.
Closing her eyes, Vina braced herself as the woman who had been hired to kill her spoke to the man in the room who hired her. She knew Trina's wrath would soon be upon her much like the man who had collapsed beside her carriage. The irony was not lost in Vina. There was a comedy that her death would not be because of some grand scheme, overpowering enemy, or assassin in the night. The cause of her death would simply be because she had tried to specialize in Foraging.