“Mori,” I said in an attempt to summon my sword. I was back home, now that Suma had finished her talk with Dr. Maxwell, at least for today. “Twilight,” I tried again. I could feel something happening, but it was like I was pushing my spells through a wall of frozen pudding. I knew it could be done, I did it in the alley that time I got attacked, but I hadn’t been able to recreate it since. “Destiny,” I repeated, starting to get frustrated. Performing any kind of summons without the life-or-death factor was practically impossible, and casting a real spell was almost as hard. So far, the most magic I have been able to do on Earth was create a single drop of water and some sparkly glitter, like fairy sneezed or something. Still, that’s better than I could manage a few months ago.
“Mr. Vandal?” The voice of my landlord call from outside my apartment. I walked over and opened the door.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Mr. Vandal, your rent has come due, actually. it was due a long time ago, this is your final notice. You have until the end of the week to pay this month’s rent and last month’s or you will be evicted.” She declared.
“What? How is that possible? I have my rent set to an auto payment with my bank. This isn’t right.” I stated confused.
“Well then you may want to call your bank, because I haven’t received payment in two months.” She stated firmly. “You have seven days Mr. Vandal.” She turned and walked away.
“Wait! Could I pay with something other than my bank?” I asked with an idea.
She stopped, “I don’t do trades sir.”
“Not a trade. Just, could I pay with cash or something? Just until I get my bank sorted out?” I wondered.
“I could accept cash, but you would need to pay a notary public and have a one-time alternate payment contract written up. Just in case whatever you pay with ends up being counterfeit.” She explained. “I have the contracts, you pay the notary, that’s how it works.”
“Deal, I have the money right now if you have the contracts.” I said.
“I’ll need to print them out. I have the notary on retainer, you can pay her when she arrives.” With that, she left and I went back into my apartment. Specifically, I went to a safe I had hidden under my bed. Inside was a few legal documents, a copy of my birth certificate, and twenty-seven gold coins I got from Suma’s world. I put most of them into my bank, but kept a few just in case. I looked up the value of gold per ounce, then weighed each coin. At £1,500 per ounce, and four ounces per coin, just a single coin would cover all my due rent, as well as the next four months. I then opened my phone and pulled my bank statements up. There did seem to be some kind of hold on a few of my last payments. My bank wasn’t open 24 hours a day, so I would just have to call tomorrow. I checked the total amount in my account, and it was just what I expected it to be: £120,000.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Suma’s POV
My talk with Dr. Maxwell ended, but I could not clear my mind. I looked around at all the other recruits, most already asleep in their alcoves, and decided I wanted to stretch my wings for a bit. I quietly left the sleeping roost, and went outside. Flying at night was an abnormal experience for me. Before this, I had only done it on two or three occasions, and definitely never over a military training base. The cool air rushing down my wings felt relaxing, and the full moon provided enough light to find my way. After a while, I noticed someone else flying too. I drew closer and saw it was Lauric Isbala, the Neame with the Black Serpent familiar
“Hello there,” I said as I drifted beside him.
“Greetings,” he said plainly.
“Did you come out to enjoy the cool air as well?” I asked him.
“Yes,” he responded flatly.
“So… is it as nice as you thought?” I asked awkwardly. Honestly, I was terrible at normal conversations, I am always too nervous.
“Madam Suma, please allow me to be clear. I do not dislike you,” he ignored my floundering and stated.
“Well, that is… good. I do not dislike you either.”
“But, we are rivals. Both of us will be competing for the position that has opened up for the Drake Brigade.”
“How did you… listen, about being rivals… I am not even certain I am going to accept the Major’s offer.” I tried to explain.
Lauric sighed, “I cannot say I am surprised.” His voice was irritated, annoyed even.
“And why is that?” I questioned.
“Madam Suma, your sense of reason is… skewed. At least if the company you keep is anything to go by.”
“That is not fair. You do not even know Jake, he is-”
“He is a Viking, is he not?” Lauric interrupted.
“No,” I denied, “no he is not. Despite what the rumors may say.”
“Please do not bother trying to lie to me Madam Suma, I have seen the old rune stills. I know that he is; I know what he is.”
“Things are more complicated that you realize.” I said.
“Perhaps, but is any situation complicated enough to warrant having a Viking familiar? You may as well have the Chaos Dragon himself. What those monsters did, they should all be exterminated.”
“That is not fair. You do not even know Jake. He is a good person, and strong,” I tried to explain.
“Strong indeed. Tell me, how did someone like you manage to dominate the mind of a Viking?” He asked.
“Someone like me? You mean how did a lowly commoner dominate a Viking.” I accused.
“I do not care about your lineage Madam Suma. I meant how did a fifth level mage, who has never had a familiar before, manage to dominate such a creature?”
“I think this conversation is done,” I stated, folded my wings, and dived down and turned back to camp. I had my fill of the cold that night.