Chapter 17. Training with the Master
Valera spent the better part of the last hour massaging her aunts back, telling the tale of her and Kench. She was in the Ornament’s chambers, which Valera told her had always been her chambers, but that she had made Finnigan believe where he was staying was, in fact, the Ornament’s chambers. In fact, it was nothing more than the guest chambers for neighboring giants on the rare occasion that they came to visit.
“He is fat and undesirable,” Fei said, speaking of Kench. “I had one of the Regalia disguise themselves as me and spend the first night with Finnigan to make sure he was suitable. He is if you would like to test him. Would you like one of my Regalia to do the same with Kench?” Fei said.
“No, I am attracted to Kench,” she said, ignoring her aunts' offer. Having spent so much time away from her family had made her forget how strange their tendencies were. “I will spend my first night with him as I see fit,” Valera responded.
“Have you already?” Fei asked. Valera didn’t respond, she didn’t have to tell Fei anything. “Oh? How was he? Large? Oh, I’m sure.”
“Aunt, the culture he is from does not allow these questions. Please, do not ask,” Valera said.
“Remember this, once you are initiated into The Regalia you will have no choice but to answer these questions should I choose to ask them,” Fei said. “So, hold your secrets now, for they will not be yours much longer niece. Now, prepare for tomorrow. You will surely not feel ready for the first phase of initiation. You must be stripped of all you have and are to progress within Regalia.”
“Yes, Aunt,” Valera said. “I understand.”
“Of course you understand. And Valera.”
“Yes, Aunt,” Valera said.
“From now on, only call me Ornament,” Fei said.
“Yes, Ornament,” Valera said.
“Tonight, you will begin elementary wand training,” Fei said. “We will start you off as though you are a child. It will be humiliating I am sure, but you will learn to brandish your magic like a proper magician. We will make a formidable witch of you yet. You are dismissed. You will report to Bibs in the servant’s quarters. She will deal with you from now on.”
Valera excused herself and left her aunt in the Ornaments chambers. She made her way deep into the belly of the palace, down an ancient brick stairwell. A tremendous fat woman in a thick apron walked backward from a door, carrying a tray of delicious smelling food, concealed by covered plates, all around a giant steaming cooking pot.
“Oh who might you be?” the woman asked.
“I am Valera, I’m here to become a member of the Regalia.”
“Oh, you think so? It’ll never happen,” the woman said.
“And why is that?” Valera said, face flushing. How dare this woman say what she can and can’t do.
“Because you don’t become a member of the Regalia,” the woman snorted. “You either are Regalia, or you aren’t. It’s not a membership, not something you become.”
“What is your name?” Valera shot, hoping to regain control of the conversation.
“People call me Bibs, nice meeting you. I’m the cook here for the palace,” the woman said. As she waddled closer, Valera could see distinct neck hairs protruding from beneath her triple chin. “You’re Fei’s niece aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Valera said, caught off guard that the cook knew who she was. “But I don’t answer to you!” she snapped. She surprised herself, she didn’t usually behave this way.
The old woman shifted all she held to one hand with surprising coordination then plunged her hand into her apron. She pulled out a wooden spoon and smacked Valera on the side of the head. Valera’s head bounced between the spoon and the stone wall before she fell backward on the stone floor. She pulled her wand out and pointed it at Bibs. The tip of the wooden spoon glowed brightly and blasted a brilliant jet of white light at Valera. It pressed her to the floor and shot her wand out of her hand, skittering down the hallway behind her.
“You’re to stay in the servants quarters, and you’re to learn a spell or two from me. I’m not only the cook, but I make or break all the would be’s that come here,” Bibs said, voice stern. “You’re lucky I know you can’t cast a spell to save your life, pull a wand on one of the Regalia you’ll end up dead. Now, get up, fetch your wand, and follow me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Valera said, scrambling to her feet and fetching her wand.
“The name is Bibs. Please don’t call me ma’am,” Bibs said, walking by Valera. Valera had made a fool of herself, this was the woman she was supposed to report to! “And drink this as we go,” she added as she pointed her spoon at the cook pot on her tray. A cup floated into the pot and withdrew a clear broth. Valera took it and drank deeply, it was hot, but she was hungry. She let it burn as she gulped it down. Finally, she drew the cup from her face and saw Bibs smiling warmly at her.
“Thank you,” Valera said.
“You’re quite welcome. That must have burned,” Bibs said with a chuckle. “Cooking is why I chose not to become a Regalia, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it.” She pointed her wooden spoon at the pot, and the tip of the spoon let off another faint glow. An undulating orb of broth rose gracefully from the pot and landed gently in Valera’s cup. She sipped it carefully, mouth and throat aching from the first cup.
“What are we doing?” Valera asked.
“Giving food to Regalia,” Bibs panted as they walked through the corridor. “They are busy, usually more out of the palace than in. Missions, infiltration, information extraction, the works,” Bibs said casually.
“All Regalia do this?” Valera asked.
“No, some are bodyguards, others are assassins, it depends on your skill set. You aunt was the most skilled assassin we’ve ever seen here at the palace. Terrifyingly fast, immensely powerful, and ruthless. It’s dangerous, it’s rough, and it’s hard work. You can’t get fat like me, you have to be fit, and powerful. If you share any blood with the Ornament, you’ve got quite a punch in that little frame of yours. Set the plates on the trays attached to the doors.”
Valera looked down the hall, each door had a small copper mug resting on a tray. Behind each tray was a small slide through which the Regalia could reach to get their food. Valera grabbed several plates and quickly moved up the hallway, placing them on the small trays. Bibs lumbered behind her, ladling a cup of broth into each mug. Valera turned to grab more plates and found that the tray had refilled itself. She worked alongside Bibs for several minutes distributing the plates of food.
A slide was open, and inside Valera could see what appeared to be the lower body of a woman, but covered in scales. She walked past the window, and Bibs caught her eye. “This is the non-magician infiltration wing. She’s a magician who’s turned herself into a mermaid. Don’t let the yeti doors fright…” Bibs stopped as Valera let out a scream. Through an open panel, a large furry hand shot out, grabbing Valera by the wrist. It pulled with a grip like a vice, slowly bringing Valera’s hand into the room through the panel.
“Get it off!” she howled. She looked at Bibs, who was laughing uncontrollably.
The thick furry hands grabbed the plate, and pulled it from Valera’s grip, then released her. She fell onto her hindquarters, panting and clambering away from the door. Bibs continued to laugh so hard that she went into a fit of coughing, which turned into gagging. The fat woman slumped to her hindquarters, dropping her tray and its contents to the floor. Pointing at Valera, laughter bringing on coughing, and coughing making her gag, the old fat woman began to turn a shade of purple that concerned Valera.
“Cowardice is not funny,” said a cold voice. Valera looked up and saw her aunts' personal bodyguard glaring down at the two of them.
“Did you see her Jade? I thought she was going to pee!” Bibs said between laughs.
“I saw nothing humorous. I saw a girl who has been gifted an opportunity, prove herself undeserving,” Jade said, staring at Valera.
“No, you didn’t!” barked Bibs, rising to her feet, brandishing her wooden spoon threateningly. “All you saw was a young girl get startled. It happens to everyone! Or maybe you forgot about the salamander in your sheets when you first got here?”
Jade’s lips thinned, then she spat, “Be careful where you point that wand Bibs. I’d hate to think I had to deal with a threat to the Regalia here in the palace.”
Bibs’ face became stern, and the large woman went nose to nose with Jade. She spoke in a hushed whisper that Valera couldn’t hear. Jade flushed, then turned and walked quickly from the hall.
“What did you say?” Valera asked, trying to distract from her cowardice.
“If I’d wanted you to know, I’d have said it louder,” Bibs said. The woman looked around, saw the open slide, then began to chuckle again. She waved her wooden spoon and the spilled mess faded from existence.
“What about the rest of the rooms?” Valera asked.
“They all have food,” Bibs said, looking down the hall.
Valera looked up the hallway, and all the trays had covered plates of food. “How? Valera stammered.
Bibs looked at her, eyebrow-cocking in amusement. “Magic,” she said with a laugh. “Now, this is going to be the longest night of your life. I mean that literally. Let’s get to work.”
Kench rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He knew it would be hard work, but he couldn’t think of any work that was worth doing before the sun was up. Finnigan had made him rise and begin stretching. They had received word late last night that the entire palace was to meet before dawn at the front entrance.
“Come on, it’s time to go,” Finnigan said to Kench. “We have to get there before dawn, and at this rate, we’ll be late.” Kench could hear the annoyance in Finnigan's voice.
Cursing himself for taking a long shower Kench hung his head and said, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” Finnigan said. “If you don’t like something about yourself, change it. Now, let’s go.” The taller magician turned and walked from the room, Kench having to run to keep up. Finnigan had insisted that they both wear their duelist attire for training, so Kench felt at least somewhat in his element.
“What’re we meeting for?” Kench asked.
“I told you last night, I don’t know what this is about,” Finnigan said.
“Then why did you want to dress like duelists?”
“That’s what we are,” Finnigan responded, annoyance in his voice again. Kench felt his cheeks flush, embarrassed that he had annoyed Finnigan. He had to say something impressive, something that a duelist would appreciate.
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“Well, whatever it is, we will be able to duel our way out of it,” Kench said. Really? That’s all he could think to say?
“No,” Finnigan said, stopping and rounding on Kench. “We are going to something important enough for us to get called on in the middle of the night. prepared for anything. Second, we have to represent the guild now. I think after yesterday we are going to lose a portion of the support from The Regalia. We may have to stay with them, be we need to remember, we aren’t a part of them, and they aren’t a part of us.”
“Okay,” Kench said. “Sorry.”
“Sorry. For. What?” Finnigan asked, anger not veiled in the least.
“Um,” Kench said, wracking his brain. “I don’t know, you had to explain that.”
“No, I didn’t. I don’t have to say anything to you. I don’t owe you anything. I don’t have to keep you around. The fact is, you’re talented, more so than you seem to know,” Finnigan said. “I had something with Fei, and I might have completely burnt that bridge keeping you here. So don’t apologize, if you do, I’ll hex your tongue to the roof of your mouth,” Finnigan said. Kench felt his face redden. He resolved then and there never to apologize to Finnigan again.
“Thank you,” he said. “For seeing that in me. I’ll do my best.” It was sincere. Kench would do his best not to let Finnigan down. Finnigan nodded, then turned and walked away at a brisk pace. Kench trotted to keep up with the taller man's strides. They rounded a bend then descended a stairway, revealing the entry chamber. The two men descended the rounding flight of stairs and saw a crowd gathered outside the doors.
The crowd was made up entirely of women, all facing the doors as the men came out. Many were dressed as Regalia, but a large portion of them were dressed as servants. At least that’s how it looked to Kench. All the women were facing Kench and Finnigan as the duelists walked through the door. The light outside was dim, and Kench was grateful for that. Having all the women stare at him made Kench uneasy, he’d gotten used to being in front of crowds as La Semana De Los Gladiadores, but they were always much further away than this.
“You are to be in the front as our guests of honor,” a tall Regalia said to Finnigan, bowing low to him.
“Thank you, Jade,” Finnigan said. “Might I ask what this is for?” Finnigan spoke to her as an equal, with respect. He spoke to Kench like a younger sibling.
“We are here to see the initiation of Valera. She will become an official supplicant of the Regalia today,” Jade said, eyes lingering on Finnigan. Finnigan didn’t notice, he had turned and faced the door, waiting to watch for Valera and Fei.
“What will happen during the initiation?” Kench asked, failing at hiding the anxiety he felt.
Jade ignored him. He was about to speak again when a gong sounded, making him jump. He drew his wand, which Finnigan saw from the corner of his eye.
“You’ll want to put that away,” Finnigan said. “While there’s no doubt in my mind that you can beat any of these women at a duel, you should know that they won’t duel back. They’ll fight dirtier than anyone you’ve ever faced.”
Jade looked at Kench with disgust, then focused on the open doors as another gong sounded. After several more gongs, the silent crowd was greeted by the sound of shuffling footsteps. A fat woman Kench hadn’t seen before came through, holding a tremendous wooden spoon. She looked at Jade, who looked back. It was intense, Kench had never seen two faces say so much while not saying anything at all. Jade finally relented, giving a sheepish grin. She tilted her head down, and the fat woman came and stood by her, arms lightly touching.
Next came the ornament, walking gracefully, skin-tight dress revealing every curve of her body. Kench looked away, what would Valera think if she knew he had seen another woman's body in such great detail. Your body was personal! This woman flaunted it like it was a trophy, a prize! Valera would not be pleased with her aunt, what kind of shame would this woman bring on their family?
“Um, maybe we should leave,” Kench said, turning.
“You cannot leave,” Jade said. “It is required that all in the palace attend.”
“Okay, Kench, you might not want to watch,” Finnigan said.
“Why not?” Kench asked. As the last word left his mouth, he could see why. Walking down the staircase inside the palace was Valera, and only Valera. She wore, well, nothing. Her hair was in a tight bun, and her soft skin was exposed for all to see. Her face was clear of emotion, but tired. Kench hadn’t seen her that tired before, and a magician could go weeks without sleep before showing any outward signs of fatigue. How could she have gotten this tired in one night? Wait, how was she this tired? What had gotten into Kench? Why was she naked? He saw the familiar mole on her left hip, the birthmark on her shoulder, her small sloped breasts.
Kench began to step forward, but was stopped by Finnigan’s outstretched hand. “Don’t,” Finnigan warned. “This is a sacred tradition to them; if you interfere, they’ll kill us both.”
Kench looked up at Finnigan, who was actively staring at his own feet. Kench felt a surge of gratitude for the man's decency. “Thank you,” he mumbled.
Looking back to Valera, Kench saw a slight blush in her cheeks. She was composing herself, maintaining dignity, though Kench was unsure how. She was being humiliated. “This isn’t right,” he said to Finnigan louder than he meant.
“Be quiet!” Finnigan said sharply. “She made this choice, respect it, put aside your insecurities and watch what happens. Between the two of us, one needs to watch, and I’d prefer it to be you.”
Kench felt himself flush further and focused on Valera. “Okay,” he mumbled.
“Regalia!” Fei said, voice magically augmented. “We have amongst us a new recruit. She is stripped of pride and all former professions, possessions and relationships. She is prepared to undertake affiliation.” The women in the crowd began to murmur quietly.
“She is ready for affiliation?” Jade whispered just loud enough in the large woman's ear for Kench to hear it.
“She is. Her knowledge of alchemy, herbs, potions, brewery, all supersede even my own,” the fat woman responded. Jade’s mouth dropped open as she turned and looked Valera up and down, as though seeing her in a slightly different light.
“Does she know how to use a wand at all though?” Jade asked. “Bibs, surely even you didn’t make time for that!”
Was that the woman's name? Bibs? Kench’s mind began to race. Had this woman been training Valera?
“It’s over a year's worth of training, all in one night!” Bibs whispered excitedly. “Watch!” Bibs grabbed Jade by the hand, and the two women observed the naked Valera.
Kench looked back at Valera, her body was more fit than it had been, leaner, harder. How had he not noticed? The fat on her body was minimal; instead, muscle reflected light in the sunlight. Her breasts were smaller, and her face was thinner as well.
“Before we begin, are there any who would speak against this woman becoming affiliated with the Regalia?” There was a silence, followed by a loud bang.
“Ornament, forgive me! This woman only arrived just yesterday!” a woman's voice said. Kench looked over and saw a tall, gangly woman with short red hair. She was caucasian and spoke with an accent that sounded Irish, well, at least that’s how Kench thought she sounded. He didn’t actually know anyone from Ireland, but this woman's voice reminded him of leprechauns, and that was close enough for Kench. He felt his face flush and his fists ball. Sure, they had no right to make Valera stand nude in front of everyone, but this person took Kench’s beautiful Valera who stood, exposed completely, and say she wasn’t good enough? Kench wouldn’t have it!
He stepped forward in protest, raising his voice, ignoring the disapproving glare from Finnigan. Perhaps luckily for Kench, there was a general outcry of disapproval from the crowd as well, masking his voice among those in attendance
A loud bang cracked through the air, and Kench felt an invisible force drop him to his knees. He reached for his wand but found his arms also immobilized. He looked up and saw Finnigan standing, as well as the Ornament, Bibbs, Jade, and Valera.
“You forget yourself, regalia. Perhaps holding a match for the Far East Martial Federation was too much?” The Ornament said. “Remember, here, in this place, I am your God!” Kench pressed against the spells that bound him but to no avail.
“Yes Ornament,” The Regalia said in unison.
The Ornament turned her gaze onto the red haired woman, then said, “Annie, you are only just affiliated yourself. You do not have the right to object.” The Ornament turned to continue speaking, but was cut off before she could begin.
“I am proud of my affiliation and the work I put in. I came here from my home in Scotland and devoted thirty years of my life to becoming affiliated.” Ah! She was from Scotland. Kench had been mistaken. “I only just got my affiliation last month, it seems a little biased that your niece shows up and has affiliation her first day. And yes, we know she is your niece,” Annie said, glaring at the Ornament.
“You insolent child!” snapped the Ornament, raising her wand to strike at Annie.
Valera coughed, still standing in the nude. She said in a quiet, calm voice “May I ask a question regarding her concerns?” Valera said, eyes at her aunts' feet.
The Ornament looked at her niece, lips snarling with disgust. “You are not yet initiated. Your words are that of an outsider, you will hold your tongue, or lose it. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Ornament,” Valera responded.
“You have forfeited the right to ceremony here,” the ornament said, glaring at the women before her. “You will learn your place, or you will die.”
Kench felt his stomach drop, it dawned on him that he was powerless to help his beloved Valera. She was entirely in the clutches of her aunt. Surely her aunt wouldn’t actually kill Valera? No, Kench decided to himself that there was no way that would happen. She did sound serious though. Kench moved to follow the crowd, but Finnigan put his hand on the man to stop him.
“We wait, it’s time to train,” he said. “They have their own rituals that we don’t need to be a part of.”
“I have to go with…”
“You have two choices Kench, come with me, or leave the palace altogether. I’m not asking again,” Finnigan interjected. The magician turned and began to walk away. Kench paused for a moment, torn between following his Valera and following Finnigan. Valera looked back, met his eyes, then looked away. What was she doing? Surely she wouldn't want him to walk away. But, there she was, walking away from Kench.
“Alright,” he said. “If anyone can do it, she can.” He jogged to catch up with Finnigan and matched pace with him. Finnigan looked at Kench, eyes narrowing, then nodded and led them both towards the forest.
Raepax landed hard, feet denting into soft Alaskan soil. The magic of his enchantments cushioned the air around him, absorbing the impact, while others enhanced his strength to prevent him from collapsing.
Rage fueled him; Garen would die. Raepax would kill him. The enchantments on the suit he was wearing were self-charging, and when Garen attacked him, they were at only twenty percent power. If they had been at full power Raepax was sure he could have stopped Garen.
He pointed at a nearby boulder, which began to melt into stairs sinking into the snow-flecked soil. The mercenary descended the steps into a dirt-floored tunnel just large enough to hold the man. As he walked the stone behind him reformed, concealing the entrance.
Raepax cursed himself further as he walked. He had chosen a new set of enchantments designed for speed, not power. He should have stayed with the tried, the tested. Instead, he was disgraced. His master, who called herself ‘The Wretch’ had given him explicit instructions to observe the rift, acquire Garen’s trust, then return and report. He had failed.
Musing to himself he entered a poorly lit room. It was lined with old dusty shelves. Under the shelves was a dirty bunk, that was his bed. A package lay on the bed, the masters' operatives had been here while he was out. She would expect a full report. He walked over to a small table at the end of the tiny room. On the table was a small crystal ball on a metal base with a deliberate series of lines concealing the speaker within. Next to the speaker was a little camera pointing upwards.
This fake crystal ball had been given to Raepax by The Wretch as a mockery. A mockery of Raepax and his magic. He sat on a small stool at the workbench, afforded him to work, not to relax. The Wretch had refused to give him a chair as, “A stool isn’t for resting. It’s for work.” The vile creature would get hers. Raepax would come up with an enchantment, or magic of his own to defeat The Wretch!
He reached to the back of the crystal ball and felt a soft button. He pressed it, and the ball began to glow a light blue. A ringing sound emanated from the speaker. It rang several times before it clicked. A face appeared, well more the silhouette of a face. The Wretch.
“My master,” Raepax said.
“Asset, you have failed in your mission,” she chided. Her voice was firm, her speech quick yet deliberate. “You were supposed to earn the trust of the steward Garen, as well as observe the rift itself.”
“Yes master, I did observe the rift as commanded,” he said, hoping for mercy. He dropped to a knee respectfully.
“We had implanted surveillance equipment into your current suit,” she said, ignoring his comment. “The magician who defeated you used magic we have not yet encountered. Your failure to improvise lost critical information as well as a potential lead to the source of the rifts. Do you not understand the importance of intelligence?” she asked.
“I do understand,” Raepax said as a sinking feeling in his gut set on him.
“In case you don’t, let me explain it,” she said, ignoring him. “Intelligence is how we win. It is our single greatest weapon. The entire magical war was started based on intelligence. Intelligence is more powerful than magic, technology, and any other force.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Raepax said, head hanging lower.
“You have sustained damage to your suit, what happened?” she said, changing the subject.
Grateful for the change in subject, Raepax launched into his story, telling her everything. She remained impassive during his tale, asking questions occasionally for clarification.
“Had your suit fully recharged when Garen immobilized you?” she asked.
“No, but I don’t think this suit would have been able to resist his power,” Raepax admitted both to himself and The Wretch.
“Your new outfit should be more on par with Garen, but according to our information, his power may surpass that as well. A direct confrontation may not fare well for you. Instead, you are to find the quarry he assigned and apprehend them,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Raepax said.
“You’ll perform a search using a crystal pendulum. They are probably in a magically hidden area, however the moment they emerge, you will know where they are. Wear your new suit and do not fail again. You must earn Garen’s trust to gain information. Am I clear?” The Wretch vanished without hearing a word from Raepax.
He would find them, and eventually, he’d dispose of both Garen and The Wretch. But first, Gulliver had to die. The steward had beaten Raepax, he had to get even.