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“Well... That's quite a lot. I'll leave you to it then, find me should you have need of anything. Women, more drink, anything. I mean that. Anything. For example, a lad or lass of an age many would consider--”

“That's enough.” Tyr side, fingered pinched to the bridge of his nose as he felt his mind unraveling under the complexities brought on by technology. How would these people have survived in the age before messaging, when there'd been nothing but a flying postal service? “Stop while you're ahead. I gave my oath to remain at peace during my visit but I'll break it if you finish that sentence. If you've slaves, you'll free them, or I'll do it myself.”

“All here are gainful employees.” Hastur remarked, another exaggerated flourish of his hands. “Progress cannot exist with slavery. And how rich and fat we've grown under a globalized wage-based economy... In any case, I bid you adieu for now. In all but one thing I will serve you, the offer still stands.”

'Become my apprentice.' Hastur had asked, promising Tyr untold power. But Tyr, whatever one wanted to call him, was night incorruptible. He had no real vices, his mind was weak but his root and how he locked onto things so viciously was iron, Hastur would have an easier time trying to corrupt a paladin, Tyr might be frail in many ways but he did not submit to anything or anyone.

Regardless, Hastur couldn't shake the feeling that there was something in the boy communicating 'I know more than you ever will'. Of no consequence, 'Tyr', as people knew him today, would cease to exist within a few months. Not even Hastur could stop the changes now, the youngest awakened primus of all time and most of it through Tyr's own effort.

Let's see what this is all about... Tyr wasn't worried about awakening, or the vast contrivance of progression in a world that constantly confused him. Furrowing his brow and opening the holographic menu, he'd had no idea that this feature had even existed. But it explained why Tiber was constantly scrawling iridescent text in the wee hours of morn into the air with a finger. Very convenient. He'd thought them books from a print lexicanum, but it would explain why the man never seemed to 'take a call', yet gathered information so efficiently from all over the continent.

Maybe Tyr was just an idiot.

No.

Tyr was an idiot. It had nothing to do with his ignorance either, here he was – about to peer into the labyrinthine depths of the female brain put to text. Willingly.

From: Alexis Goldmane-Faeron

To: Tyr Faeron

Subject: ANSWER ME!

Greetings, vile worm.

You mutt. Dog. Disgusting cretin. Do you know how much I hate you? TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH! I'll kill you! I wish we'd never met.

Regards,

Alexis Goldmane, who spits on your name and refuses to hyphenate her own. I can't change my settings so don't even worry about the 'from'!

PS: You're trash, filth on the soles of my shoe found commonly in a cattle pasture. I offer more face to the rotting carcass of a weeks old swine left in the swamp than you. Hang yourself and die, creature.

–

I'm really sorry I said all of that. I'm just so frustrated. Will you please answer me? I miss you so much.

–

I hate you! You are naught but a leech fit for the hot sting of cherried iron! I swear on my family line that I shall stomp your manhood flat, coward! I am the hand that pours the salt on your slug back, slimy wretch!

–

I love and miss you. I just wanted you to know that. Please come back.

–

Just kidding! You're awful! Terrible! Ugly! I am green to the gills at the idea that I've ever laid hands on a man such as you!

–

When you get this, please reply. I really am sorry for what I said, I don't know what came over me in the moment. Are you getting my messages?

With love, patiently awaiting your reply,

Alexis Goldmane-Faeron

–

I hope you die, bastard! I know you're reading my messages! I'm going to cut my hair, I'll shave my head if you don't reply! FUCK YOU! And I'm glad you left, I'm doing much better without you!

Shave her head...?

“...” This cycle of abject psychosis and vitriol, split by earnest apology, continued on for over one hundred messages. Tyr had hundreds from Alex in particular, actually, and they looked to all be in the same vein. He hadn't known just how unstable of a woman she was capable of being, but he didn't blame her. Just a bit impressed at her lack of apparent creativity, he'd thought her more articulate than that – if nothing else. Alex didn't commonly use objectionable language, at least not expressing it vocally.

Yikes.

The last they'd seen each other, before he'd departed, was not exactly a happy meeting. And then there was the fact that he'd attempted to kill himself in front of her, perhaps he deserved this... Still, they'd recovered quickly and she'd been quite eager to spend time together, leaving him a bit confused on the finer intricacies of the female mind. Tyr would never do something like that, it was all so jarring that he didn't feel hurt in the slightest. A part of him even wanted to laugh... If she knew that, Alex would truly be furious, she was capable of tremendous swings in mood that never ceased to trouble him.

Astrid had sent a few, about twenty, and most of those were simple updates on his financial status. Based on the content of the messages, she'd been assisting Ella alongside Alex in her duties as Tyr's estate manager. They were all boring, invoices and the like, but there were a few...

Well... Images included. Images Tyr decided to save for future review. Alongside a sincere letter of apology for not having defended his honor when Jartor had done what he'd done. Very courtly, as always, with a official documenting surrendering her right to annul their marriage as a show of faith.

Astrid was a 'good' person, if a bit whimsical. Complicated, again, Tyr didn't understand her in the slightest. Alex was clearly unbalanced in the strangest way possible, whereas Astrid was calm and concise with her correspondence. Even more bizarre, in his opinion, were the mind numbingly boring ledgers split by pictures of her naked body, with captions indicating that she was attempting to frustrate him. Perhaps they'd have worked in the past, now he supposed he could just grab anyone present around the pool and have a roll.

He wouldn't, naturally, but knowing something was available at a whim had an adverse effect on demand. 'Normal' women didn't suit him, regardless, Tyr liked them powerful and dominant. Submissiveness wasn't something he looked highly upon, not the posturing of one who wished to raise their station through relations.

There was more, of course. Iscari wrote him entire novels about everything going on. Asked him why he'd done certain things, but had caught on quick that Tyr did not read his messages, making several poignant jokes about his technological prowess. All in good fun, letting Tyr know that he loved him and would always be there for him. They were touching, but very wordy, giving Tyr the distinct impression that Iscari was under a lot of stress lately. Most of it inane rambling about magic split by the comings and goings in Iscari's life.

A good friend would call him immediately, to see if there was anything they could do to help. Knowing this, Tyr still wouldn't do it, and wasn't entirely sure why. Nervousness, perhaps some anxiety in admitting that he'd finally done the thing, confronting weakness and owning up to his so-called mistakes...

Micah was there, attempting to play some sort of game involving X's and O's, before abandoning the attempt at challenge and using his message history to set his day planner. Evidently, Micah was currently dating 6 women at once and hiding it from the others... There was a day planner and calendar included in all the amulets, Tyr wasn't sure why he'd done that. Perhaps he wanted to, as Micah called it, 'flex'. It was impressive, regardless, if not a bit concerning – how all of Micah's girlfriends were aware of one another and in competition to become 'number one'.

In any case...

Sigi, tall and stoic and... Muscular.

Hers were the most shocking of all. It was common sense to put ones own family surname before the matrimonial, and to do otherwise was a show of great respect. People could switch them around as they'd like, but it was rare to see in written communication. Even in a situation where one family was inferior or lawfully subordinate to another, the born family name usually came first in Haran. Even if one married a royal, and had previously been a landed commoner, they'd never be required to 'kneel' in how they listed themselves.

Then again, Tyr had never hyphenated his name at all, he didn't much care for all of that. Technically he was supposed to be Tyr Faeron-Ebonfist-Goldmane-Stalvarg, after the surname for his mother, who was a royal, and the first bonded house. Otherwise some people would have five or six last names. Nobody had seemed offended by the prospect, though, and Jartor had never been anything but Jartor Faeron. Perks of being a primus, Tyr guessed. But few people were bound to have much interest in Harani naming conventions.

From: Sigi Faeron-Mornstone

To: Tyr Faeron

Subject: Status Update

Hi Tyr,

Today was a great day! I successfully managed to re-design Micah's braces so he can walk among us, it was a great triumph and I... I'm so proud of myself, I know I shouldn't be saying that but I am! This is just the beginning, a working self-ambulating prototype, with a lot of room for improvement!

[Attachment (1)]

Smart, right? We should work on these together, Valkan himself said that you've come a long way in runeforging. I could use your help. :)

He is still confident that you'll ensure that his legs work one day, and I know that you're working on a solution. We heard about your exploits in the republic, and it is with great pride that I congratulate you on your promotion to gold rank. It is an astonishing achievement, especially at your age, and I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. But knowing you, you almost assuredly took it for granted and did no such thing. Though, I am confident you are enjoying that shiny new badge in your own way.

I think you would be happier if you took some time to slow down and appreciate things around you, but that's your prerogative. Take care of yourself, you're the only 'you' around, after all.

Students in the halls mention you often, saying you'll be the next Kael Emberwind. I think you'll be even better. Much better, and so will I. You did a good thing, a heroic thing, and I really am proud of you.

Micah says hello, by the way! He requires me to put the exclamation, so as to communicate his enthusiasm. He is very strange, and routinely irritates me, somehow he's managed to get his hands on a brassiere of mine and refuses to return it...

Alex won't stop waxing on about how you won't reply to her. Would you do that for me? I know that you're busy, but I'd appreciate not having to listen to her go off about it every morning. She is very possessive, and I never expected that out of her, honestly. She was always so brutal with her words before, but now she's a scorned girl. Sorry, I don't mean to insult. Please don't tell her I said that, I love her just as much as Astrid and I don't wish to upset her.

I'm sure you'll do the right thing. I want to apologize for how I've treated you all these years. I always wanted to marry you, unlike the others. When I first met you, I saw exactly what I wanted in a man and I was happy to do it. I just wanted you to know that, even now, I do not regret my decision. Forced or not, I am glad it was you. If it was my fault that you left, I am sorry. Come back, please, but only when you're ready – weeks, months, or years, I'll be here – Mornstone women age well.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Looking forward to hearing of further exploits,

Sigi Faeron-Mornstone

–

Dear husband,

I want to ask you a favor. Astrid seems to be growing rather blue of late at the idea that she was not good enough, or that she's offended you. Ridiculous, right? I can think of no better wife than her, except for myself of course :) You know as well as I do that she was forced into an arranged marriage, and I can't stand to see her like this. You have a responsibility to ensure she doesn't feel like a burden.

Furthermore, I do not have the time necessary to 'teach her how to cook'. She thinks that if she learns to, that you'll come back. We know how much you like your eating. Just think about it, okay? Regardless of what you do, you have my full support and faith.

As for the others... They are doing well. Alex has really started to stand out at the academy, and doesn't talk about you much anymore. We are all very proud of her. As for Tythas, it is my regret to inform you that has begun laying with your business partner, Ella. I'm only telling you this because it's a potential conflict of interest in business. Tythas claims he'll behave, but I'd like to defer to you to make the ultimate decision as the patriarch of our bonded houses.

Does this make me a bad friend? I hope not. I respect Tythas, and we're all adults here, but he is still a knight in your employ, isn't he? In any case, I know you'll handle it the way you want to. Things are going well at the academy and I enjoy my time here, but soon I'll be off on grand adventurers, same as you. :)

Consider bringing me along, your life would be easier if you allowed me to do the pointing.

PS: Alexis has won the Skylark Red Ribbon for breaking several records as a rookie striker (in blitzball, of course). It's a huge achievement. Also, Astrid and Alex both have been helping managing your estate and are spending a lot of time working on that. I know it's our money, but you should thank them and show some appreciation. They deserve it.

Sincerely,

Sigi Faeron-Mornstone

–

Tyr,

Sorry to bother you. I really don't mean to, but you said we were friends – right? I hope this does not offend. I was wondering if you thought about your mother often? We don't talk much, you and I. We both know why, no need to state the obvious.

Did vengeance give you closure? She was a bright woman, though I only met her once or twice. I think about my parents constantly, and I have a confession to make in good faith. I did not, as I said before, 'want' to marry you out of any pure consideration or love.

I agreed to marry you because I thought maybe... Just maybe, if I brought a primus into this world with their blood – it would please them, to give them something to smile about, wherever they are. I still think it would. And it would give me the resources necessary to, possibly, mount an expedition to my homeland.

Can you think it over? I know how incredibly selfish this request is, but I'd like to be the first to bear a child with you. My body is strong, my genes are ideal, my heritage being what it is. I hope this doesn't sound odd, it does sound odd. We've not touched much beyond violent action or sparring. If you promise to consider it, I promise I'll be any sort of wife you want me to be. You have my solemn oath on that.

Please allow me to return to Trafalgar, to set my people to rest. This is the only undue request I'll ever make of you.

I saw you on the feed today. You looked very gallant. People say that you're saving the republic and I love that, I think it's great. If we'd had a primus like you, well... Things would have turned out differently. I'm sure of it. I was with Micah when you came on the air, he literally fell out of his seat, you looked 'very cool', he said. Try not to get yourself hurt, alright?

By the way, I started playing blitzball as well! Alex was right after all, it really does soothe the spirit, that kind of exercise. I hope you get the chance to watch one of our games. It would mean a lot to us if you were in the stands. She's doing so well, one of the best strikers in a century they say! I'm going to do even better, watch me.

All my faith,

Sigi Faeron-Mornstone

–

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Good Morning Tyr,

I started gardening today! I'm not very good at it, truth be told. Neither thumb is green, I guess, but I enjoy it a lot. Haha. I never knew how connected the earth was, it's amazing! My magic is getting even stronger because of it. Earth and water work in tandem, and through the understanding of both I might be onto something special! Old magic, I don't understand why they don't study this sort of thing anymore, like the speakers and benders of myth!

I'll show you, when you come back. I've done something amazing with it, or at least I think so.

I like watching the squirrels when I'm working. Sometimes I'd like to think that they are cheering me on, which sounds a bit unhinged now that I think about it... They come up to me now, looking for food, so I've started bringing crackers from the kitchen. Killian doesn't seem to mind, he is a good man and tells me to say hello to you every time I see him.

What is your favorite vegetable? Brenn showed me a way to pickle cucumbers in vinegar and I am quite enjoying how they taste. Not brining, as in pickles, it's something different. Apparently they make a salad out of cucumbers in Varia, no lettuce involved. How cool is that?

It's amazing. I'll make you some, one day. If you every come back. But don't rush yourself. I am very proud of you and I know the others are too even if they won't admit it. I keep rambling, saying the same things over and over again, but I know you'll appreciate it.

I like doing this. Writing. Thanks for being there for me, even though you're definitely not reading this. Just kidding. :)

PS: By the way! Some of my products are selling like crazy through your trade networks, we've been very successful! Little things, too, it makes me happy to know so many people want my inventions. Next, I think I'll be working on an improved comms projector, you know, those things people watch sports matches and stuff on? You probably don't, I don't think you've ever had much interest in technology. But I'll have you know that I'm contributing just as much as anyone!

I hope you're doing alright,

Sigi Faeron-Mornstone

–

Tyr,

Thank you for allowing me to write to you. I'm not sure what to say. You must be pretty busy, too engrossed in your tasks to reply. I hope you're reading my messages, but I get it. The academy submitted me to therapy on my first day here. I didn't tell anyone else, and I hope you don't mind if I tell you. Amistad takes a much more comprehensive view on mental health, rather than ignoring it as the Harani might.

I'm not crazy or anything, but what happened to Trafalgar wasn't easy for me. I still have nightmares, I wasn't sure how to make them stop. Astrid tries to help, but she's only one person. She's not cut out for this kind of thing, her emotions... She's just different, but I am happy to call her sister. Iscari told me about your nightmares, too, I hope you don't mind. If you ever need someone to talk to, I am here for you. If anyone knows how you must be feeling, it might be me, maybe we can help one another?

And it does help, believe it or not. I wasn't eating well and getting sick a lot, and I hid it from the others. Without Astrid and the others... Especially you, I think... No, never mind – that must sound so strange to you considering our dynamic. Not everything is about me and I know you have your own demons. Don't try to slay them all on your own, okay? I'm as good an axe as you are, and you know it! I am here for you. :)

I took a lot out on you. I know that. I feel no regret because I know deep down you must have known what I was going through, and that's why you dealt with it and never complained. I am so thankful for that. So grateful for what you've done for me. All of those times I wrestled with you, challenged you, and you were so understanding, never letting me have my way. Keeping me occupied, even if it was a pretty odd method of motivation, it worked. You gave us friends, connected us despite all of our differences, you have a charisma that you don't see in yourself. But I see it. You are a lot like my father in that way, he was much smarter than you, though, and far more reliable.

I've heard them wax on about your intelligence, or lack thereof, but as I stepped back to get a better perspective... I had no idea how much you've been doing for us.

Thank you, Tyr. Truly. From the bottom of my heart.

My therapist says I shouldn't write to you anymore. She says I need closure, so... I'm closing. I don't hate you. I have been rude and brazen in my words, but I will never hate you. I am sorry for not giving you a reason to stay, but I also accept why you didn't. What you went through would make anyone want to run, and you're not a coward for it. I hope you are well, and I know we will meet again, some day. Don't forget us when you make it big, I'm still your wife and if you're gone when I graduate I'm going to come find you myself. :)

That's not a joke, I'm still pretty angry – but like I said, I get it. You belong with us and you need to get back here. I want you to be here, if only out of my ego to make you watch me flourish! Haha. Thanks again, Tyr.

PS: I'm taking 2000 sovereigns from your account to finish these braces. You'll notice I've been attaching invoices to messages regarding my expenditures. Hope you don't mind. But even if you did, I'll tell you to sod off. Just kidding, but I'm not really kidding at all. It's my money and I need it now!

Always waiting for you,

Sigi Faeron

–

I... Damn.

Tyr didn't know how to feel about... All of it. Had there ever been a worse person on the planet? He'd been confronted with, explained and told to look at others and perceive them. He hadn't, not once, made an attempt to be good, despite claims otherwise. That he was trying, but had he been? He'd always seem them as confident, powerful women, independent and unconcerned with him – but that was clearly not the case. They were as human as anyone else.

Alex... He'd made amends with her, and Astrid too, to a certain extent. Both of them seemed okay with it, accepting, and of course he was currently having intercourse with Alex fairly regularly. Which had to mean something, probably. Tyr was good at people, but not with them – he'd come to understand the difference.

One was possessive and mostly only concerned with how she felt. The other was the complete opposite, empathetic and mature enough to understand that they were adults now, with their own agency to do as they pleased. Waiting patiently, independent from any responsibility he had to her, enjoying her life for what it was and confident he'd come back with no need for demanding it. Or threatening to kill him, as it were...

Hot emotion, and plentiful shame was what came of it. He very obviously didn't even know who Sigi was, not at all. There'd been a moment where he'd thought some understanding had come out of their unfortunate fight – in which he'd almost killed her. She'd say things, often rude and uncouth, and yet in these messages she'd been nothing of the sort. Someone just trying to get by after experiencing the worst of all traumas, far worse than Tyr's own. He'd been extremely lucky and privileged in life, she'd lost everything she'd ever known, forced to start again.

Not a single one of them was within expectation. Alex had been struggling so hard to keep it together, raging to the point of abject madness. Alex had a temper the other women did not, this had never changed, but clearly she'd been pushed to the edge by his toxic behavior. Even if he hadn't 'known', not truly, he was still culpable in doing that to her.

Astrid had been helping him alongside her without reward, and Sigi...

Sigi was a complete stranger.

How little he'd known.

She was so well spoken and articulate in her written messages. Proper. Sincere. But also very insecure, Tyr was observant to that. That much was abundantly obvious, she needed a friend and Tyr was the one she could pour her heart out to, because he was never going to answer her. That gave her the confidence to lower herself, perhaps. She was alone in this world and while Astrid was her sister, Tyr was supposed to care for and protect her all the same. Sigi didn't need physical protection – she needed some salve for her psyche after all that had happened, had. A friend was what she needed, and trust didn't come easy with her.

Watching her whole family die in front of her eyes, and her nation shortly thereafter. It had broken her, and who she was when observed by others, the way she talked, was not who she was inside. Tyr had thought her the simplest of them all, someone strong and unflagging so he'd never thought about how she must've been feeling. And then she'd confronted him more earnestly, he'd brushed it aside as selfish ambition. While it might be part of it, it wasn't nearly that simple.

Sigi had been broken, and remained so, yet through her growth and will to push on she proved herself far stronger in character than Tyr himself. Could he have gotten through that? Was a comparison even necessary? It wasn't a competition.

He was poison.

This was the greatest failure Tyr had ever known. He wasn't a better person, he was just more perceptive nowadays. A clash of his total lack of empathy diluted through the prismatic looking glass of the insane. Everything had always been about him, and it remained so. Because in his mind, he expected them to offer him face regarding his own trauma, but wasn't willing to do the same for them.

That kind of selfishness disgusted him, and yet it was intrinsic to his character.

He was supposed to be an anchor for her, and although he didn't mean to ignore them like this... No, he had ignored them quite willfully, there was no excuse. They'd all called. He'd seen it, and he'd ignored it, thrown his amulet into a corner and went about business that didn't matter. It unnerved him to see her heart given life on a page. To know that he'd spit on that faith and given her none in return. None of them deserved that.

It explained why they'd been so furious with him, the blatant lack of respect. All of these heartfelt messages and he'd not bothered to reply to any. And yet they'd forgiven him, eventually. He didn't deserve that either. There was something so unjust about it all, a realization that they'd had his back but he hadn't done the same.

Why can't I just be normal?

“Are you... Crying?” Rommel asked uncomfortably, Tyr Faeron weeping in full view of others? That was something else. She was dressed as the others were, in a lounging suit made for swimming, showcasing her assets that her own brother had no problem ogling. That was more in line with his character, not lustily but because he knew it bothered her. But all she could feel right now was honest concern, caught in the whiplash of watching Tyr and Hastur spend time together like old friends if not for the constant jibes from the former. “Never thought you'd be capable of that, but why?”

“Leave.” Tyr's voice was full of pain, thick and rich with loathing. “Or I'll wear your skin like a coat, and do with you as I did with Hans.”

“Would you really?” Rommel tested him. Tyr was an alright person in her mind, quiet and observant, until you pressed the right button. Spending time together had shown her how calm he was capable of being, not quite the monster she'd expected. Often marching out of the estate to... Speak to animals, again? Psychotic, perhaps, but she still didn't think he'd wear someone's skin over his own. “To your own sister?”

“No.” Tyr said, wiping his eyes dry and returning to the granite hard expression so alike their shared father. In appearance, father and son were near twins, sans the obvious differences in frame – but Tyr clearly felt in a way most other primus' did not. Softer than he appeared, perhaps, that little broken boy turned mass murderer. “I wouldn't wear your skin. That is unsanitary, and it doesn't fit my aesthetic. I'd just eat you.”

“...?”