After her talk with the guard lieutenant, Ember agreed to work 10-20 hours a week with the ability to adjust her schedule to help out with work at the temple. Of course, her work at the temple was an excuse to keep close to Allyana. She also hoped that her connection to the guard would give her valuable information that would help her to predict where the kidnapper might go after Allyana and beat the guard to the chase.

While the city guard hadn't managed to find the kidnapper in the past, now that the knights were getting involved in the investigation there was no guarantee that they wouldn't find the kidnapper. With Justine's watch on Allyana and Ember's activity with the guard, she was closer to stopping the kidnapping. Despite that, she felt nervous. A part of her wondered if she was wrong for leaving Allyana as bait. It would be better to notify Allyana and the Count of her suspicions but she needed to be the one that saved Allyana if she was to get what she needed. She shoved the guilt away and began making her way back to the temple to report to Knight Vantosia.

"You demanded compensation?" Knight Vantosia questioned.

"Was I supposed to work for free?" Ember asked back.

The knight shook his head. "You would think that I wasn't providing you a monthly stipend."

Ember flushed. She must come across as greedy but with the plans she had she wasn't making nearly enough money. Still, it wouldn't do for Knight Vantosia to think she only cared about money, especially when he was offering her a monthly stipend of one silver flat a month, one he had already paid in advance. It was the amount a squire made right before they became a knight. Knights made even more depending on their rank and value. Of course, it was nothing compared to the 10 silver flats Lord Felis had offered Patricia when offering her sponsorship but healers were in a league of their own.

On top of that, she worked out a rate of 1 copper bril a week with the city guard. It was more than most but definitely less than she could have dragged out of the guard. She would've made a lot more working with monster hunters but unbeknownst to the guard she had already agreed to an exclusive contract with Justine.

"Knight Vantosia, the amount I demanded from the guard was drastically less than my value and was only required in order to gain respect."

"And how have you gained respect by demanding money? I would think it quite the opposite."

"The guard looked down on me for my age when I arrived and this attitude would likely linger. Now that I am paid for my work that's a clear sign of my value. Of course, this won't give me automatic respect but it will lay the foundations for people to look past my age and focus instead on my skill."

Knight Vantosia nodded his head. "I can see your point but couldn't that respect have also been earned through your deeds?"

"That's true but that is a much slower process and I don't know how long we'll be staying in Hekral. This was the quickest route to draw attention to the work I will provide."

Knight Van studied her and then gave a short nod. "Fine. I will accept it. Your training schedule will be determined tomorrow." He paused. "There is one more thing. I have a tutor in mind to help you with your magic and I would like to tell them about your abilities, all of them."

Ember stiffened and then relaxed. "Do you trust them to keep the knowledge private?"

He nodded. "I do and I believe they would be best able to guide you in using magic with your weapon."

Ember nodded her head. "Then I will trust your judgment."

Knight Vantosia nodded. "I will see you tomorrow for training. Dismissed."

Ember left the office and felt relieved that Knight Van hadn't assigned her any tasks for the day. However, she got the impression she would be extremely busy starting tomorrow. Still, it was a good thing. The training would make her stronger. She had been strong in her last life but she knew it was a mix of brute strength and her ability to switch skills that kept her going. How much stronger could she get if she actually learned magic and was trained by a knight instead of picking up things as she went?

She grinned at the thought as she made her way to her next target. A few minutes later, Ember was standing in the hall waiting to be allowed to see Patricia. It didn't take the priest warriors long to gain permission and she was guided inside where Patricia waited in her parlor.

Patricia's face immediately brightened at the sight of Ember and Ember couldn't help smiling back at her.

"How have you been?"

Patricia looked to the side. "It's been alright."

"Really?"

Patricia sighed and shook her head.

Ember walked over and sat down next to her friend. "Want to talk about it?"

"It's all overwhelming," Patricia said, her face scrunching up. "Everyone is so nice but sometimes it's too much."

Ember made a guess. "Everyone is always watching you, expecting you to do great things."

Patricia nodded her head frantically.

"Well, there is a solution to that."

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"There is?" Patricia asked, peering at Ember.

"You have to stop caring," Ember said.

The dawning hope on Patricia's face crumbled. "I don't think that's possible for me."

"It is. It just takes practice," Ember said and then held up one finger. "The first thing you need to think about is what is it that you, Patricia, want. Not what does everyone expect of you but what it is that you wish to do."

Patricia bit her lip. "I want to help you."

Ember frowned and then shook her head. "And why do you want to help me?"

"Because you helped me. I would've never become a Seedling if you hadn't helped me. I would still be trapped back there." Patricia looked down at her lap, shuddering at the thought.

Ember hugged Patricia. The girl always made her want to protect her. Like a bird with a broken wing needing to be nurtured back to health. "I'm glad you think highly of me, Patricia, but that doesn't mean your life needs to revolve around me. I helped you so you would be able to do things you want, not so that you will owe me."

"But-"

"Patricia. If someone helps me, yes, I want to show my appreciation but I'm not going to change the course of my life to do whatever they want. I want you to take your time figuring out what it is that you want to do. When you do, then it'll be easier to focus on your goals and move towards them without worrying about what other people expect of you."

Patricia looked unsure but she nodded.

Ember got the feeling it would take a while before Patricia gained the self-confidence to go after her desires or even figure out what those desires were.

"Look, Patricia, I'm not saying I won't appreciate your help in the future. I'm not going to turn down someone with all your talents. I just want you to also find out what it is that you want."

Patricia brightened a little at her words and nodded. "I'll try."

"Good!"

"Now, I was thinking. You've been cooped up in the temple since we got here. What do you think about getting some fresh air? I earned a bit of money and I heard there is a shop that sells delicious cakes around here."

Patricia grinned. "Okay!"

It took some wrangling, but they finally managed to get permission to go out though they had to take several warrior-priests with them. Ember and Patricia managed to convince them to dress casually so they wouldn't draw attention to themselves. It sort of worked. They went from looking like warrior-priests to personal guards. Still, it was better people thought Patricia was a rich noble than she was the one and only Oracle.

Ember could understand why Patricia felt overwhelmed. Going to the shops helped. The pair hadn't had the opportunity to just explore the city. It was vastly different from the small town of Goros.

They ate cake and had tea, and visited the bookstore where Patricia spent her money grabbing every book that interested her. Ember had to remind her that she was living in the Hekral temple, renowned for its large libraries. After that, Patricia grew even more excited and Ember promised to go with her to the temple library at some point.

By the time they finished, it was early evening and Patricia had a contented smile on her face that Ember had never seen her wear. Ember couldn't help reaching over and hugging her. The girl let out a startled peep before hugging her back. The two shared a smile and stepped into the temple only to be stopped by a loud voice.

"Where have you been?" a woman shouted.

Ember and Patricia turned in surprise to see Bridget standing at the entrance with Allen beside her. Bridget's eyes widened and she stepped back as the two warrior-priests automatically positioned themselves in a protective shield at Bridget's shout. Beside her, Allen rolled his eyes.

"Sorry," Bridget said, giving the priests a cautious look. "I was talking to her." She pointed at Ember.

Ember frowned and took a step forward. "Did we have an appointment?"

"Priest Krindle was looking for you."

The warrior-priests relaxed and settled behind Patricia once more.

"I suppose you have to go?" Patricia asked.

"Maybe."

"Yes, you do," Bridget practically squawked. "We've been waiting for hours."

"Who told you to wait?" Ember said coldly. "I never made plans to meet with Priest Krindle today."

Bridget looked surprised at Ember's tone before straightening her shoulders. "You're the one who wanted to have your curse looked at. You should make yourself available."

Ember narrowed her eyes. "Is that right?"

"Yes, it is," Bridget said in a haughty tone.

Allen patted Bridget's arm. "We should let it go and see Priest Krindle."

"Let's do that," Ember said with a tight smile. She turned to Patricia and said her goodbyes and then she was off to the research facility.

When they arrived, Priest Krindle was there and her face immediately brightened when she saw Ember. "Maiden Ember! I'm so happy that you made it. I heard about your troubles when you registered and that you think it might be tied to your curse?"

Ember nodded. "Yes. I noticed that some of my abilities don't register through the orb though I know they exist."

Ember gave a quick demonstration of her fire and water ability. "The only one that registers is my mapping skill."

"Really?" Allen said, his eyes bright.

Ember gave him a clipped nod.

Priest Krindle looked thoughtful. "Hmm if it is blocking your ability from being assessed then that might explain why the curse is so deeply rooted in you. We certainly have to study it in detail."

"Unfortunately, I don't think that will be possible," Ember said calmly.

The room grew silent.

"Why is that?" Priest Krindle said, biting her lip. "Is there a problem?"

"It has come to my attention that I am causing an inconvenience by not making myself available at all times," Ember said and pointedly looked at Bridget. "Unfortunately, since I am sponsored by Knight Vantosia, my schedule is filled with training and other activities, and making myself available at all times is just not possible."

Priest Krindle looked confused and then turned to Bridget. The woman had gone pale at Ember's words. Dawning realization spread across the priest's face before she turned to Ember.

"It was never my intention to require that. That would be unreasonable," the priest said.

"I thought the same. If it was a mistake then I'm glad you cleared up the confusion but it did make me reconsider my thoughts on the curse," Ember said. "It looks like the price is simply hiding my abilities but it doesn't stop me from using them. In some ways, it's a benefit so I'm satisfied with leaving the curse as it is. Thank you for the time you put into looking at it but I think we should stop here."

"Wait," Priest Krindle said. "We don't know what the side effects might be. There could be other issues."

"I understand," Ember said, "And if issues come up, I will make sure to visit you again. I appreciate the time you put into helping me study my curse. If you need compensation for the previous session, we can discuss it. Shall we make an appointment?"

The group gaped at Ember before Priest Krindle shook her head. "No, that won't be necessary."

Ember smiled. "Thank you. Good luck with your research."

Ember walked out of the office and behind her she could hear Bridget's voice as she fervently tried to explain.