6.
Eliza was tossing and turning on the bed. Glad to be free from that witch, she didn’t have anything to do. Feeling something in her pocket digging into her side she pulled it out in surprise. It was the journal she was reading on the ship, having forgotten to put it back. Re-reading it, she was once again surprised by how strong Morrigan and his crew was. Using her new knowledge of direct manipulation, Eliza realized how impressive it was to force mana to create complex objects, like tea, out of thin air. Thinking about it, Eliza grew exited over the thought of direct manipulation. ‘If I can use direct manipulation, I can unlock the door and escape!’ This line of thought led to an hour of muffled grunts and curses as she attempted to force mana out of her hands. After failing to produce any results, she fell into a depressed slump. ‘I knew it, I’m worthless with mana. I’ll never be able to claim the throne without power. I’ll have to move to the country and be a farmer!’
When Cindy opened the door a minute later, she found a crying Eliza. “Alright dear, there there. Let’s go down and have some food, yeah?” Eliza shakily nodded. Two minutes later she was seated at a table with a bowl of soup in front of her. Her stomach growled, and she briefly stopped crying when she realized how hungry she was. Not wasting any time, Eliza hastily dug in. A few moments later, she stopped. The large bowl of soup had mysteriously vanished. Into her stomach. ‘No way’ She though, ‘Even the royal kitchens didn’t have food this good’. “Well then,” Cindy sat down across from her with a plate of grilled meat, “I was hoping to have a meal with you, but you already finished.” Eliza looked from Cindy to her bowl, and back to Cindy before thrusting the empty bowl forward. “Seconds please!” Cindy laughed lightly. “That’s fine.” As the two of them were eating, Eliza slower the second time, Cindy asked, “So Eliza, what were you crying about? I hope it wasn’t because of what I did.” Eliza shuddered. That had been a horrifying experience, but no, it wasn’t because of that. “No,” Eliza started slowly. “While I was alone, I was practicing moving my mana. But it just wouldn’t listen to me. Almost like it was—” “Frozen.” A voice interrupted. Eliza turned her head to find Strand and Morrigan standing there. Strand continued, “You remember that seal I put on you to stop you from doing anything stupid, that’s what froze your mana so you wouldn’t try to escape.” Eliza put her spoon down and stood up, shadows covering her face. “StraaaaNNNNDD!!” Eliza started chasing him around the room trying to hit him.
Morrigan casually sat down in Eliza’s chair. How’ve you been Cindy? Sorry I don’t get down here much.” Cindy crossed her arms. “I’ve been doing just fine. And you know why you avoid me.” Morrigan winced. He and Cindy used to be the best of partners, roaming the land and seas thousands of years ago. Treated as divine beings, they lived like kings, basking in the adoration and fear of the people. “Look,” Morrigan attempted. “I know we had our good times, but I was never planning to live like that for the rest of my life.” Cindy snorted. “And look at you now. Forgotten and thrown aside, too scared to return.” Her eyes narrowed. “You might have been unhappy with that life, but that doesn’t mean you get to take that away from me too.” “They would have killed you!” Morrigan threw his hands in the air. “They would have killed us both!” “You don’t know that.” Cindy spat, her blue eyes blazing. “You were too much of a coward to risk anything. Even if you will live forever, what’s the point if you don’t act like you’re alive.” Morrigan sighed. He knew Cindy had a point, but still. ‘She never experienced it. Just standing near it, Judgement…. It would have killed us both, and there was nothing we could do to stop it. Ever since the idea appeared all hope was lost’. “But enough about that. Strand said the girl was a hostage, but who is she?” Morrigan was surprised. “Strand didn’t tell you? Her name is Eliza. She’s the heir for the Roy kingdom.” “Oh?” Cindy’s eyes narrowed. “Strand didn’t mention that. And here I was worried that she was scared too much. I’ll have to keep ‘educating’ her after dinner.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Morrigan winced. Feeling a bit of pity for the poor girl, he spoke up. “That’s alright Cindy, I was planning on taking her somewhere more secure.” Cindy shot him a withering glare. “Are you implying I can’t take care of such a weak girl myself?” “No no!” Morrigan hurriedly spoke up. “I just didn’t want to trouble you is all. Besides, such a nice inn is no place for a hostage. I’ll find her a cold jail cell around somewhere.”
Suitably mollified, Cindy relaxed back in her chair and continued picking at her food. “Well, while you’re here how about I get you a bowl of soup?” Morrigan released the tension he was holding.
“Thanks, Cindy. That would be great.” As he watched her form disappear into the kitchen, he swung around and glared at the comedic duo. Strand was standing loosely with a wide smile while Eliza was basically folded in half panting. “Can’t you two knuckleheads keep it down for five minutes? Go sit down and be quiet!”
“Yes Boss!” Strand saluted and promptly sat.
“But—huff” Eliza wheezed, “It was all his—”
“I. don’t. care.” Morrigan ground his teeth. “Sit.” Grumbling, Eliza plopped down in the nearest chair decidedly unladylike and looked forlornly at her food sitting in front of Morrigan. Morrigan, for his part, ignored her pleading stare and turned to focus on Cindy who had just returned with a steaming bowl of soup. “Thanks Cindy,” Chipperly taking up his spoon, he dug into the meal. Strand and Eliza had resumed arguing, albeit in whispers, Cindy chiming in from time to time, but Morrigan noticed her covert looks. “Cindy, this food is amazing! You’ve gotten much better than last time!”
“Oh, it’s nothing much,” Cindy replied flippantly. Turning away slightly to hide her blush, she continued quieter, “You know, if you came by more often, I would be happy to cook for you.” Morrigan just thanked her and smiled wider, but inside he could feel imaginary sweat rolling down his back. ‘Damn damn damn’ he shuddered imperceptibly ‘I just barely managed to shake her last time. If I spend more time around, she will convince me to do something reckless again. Can’t let her know about the plan, I wouldn’t be able to get rid of her.’ Morrigan calmed down slightly. ‘No, she won’t find out. Eliza doesn’t know how important it is and Strand knows all too well.’ Turning his head, he locked eyes with his second in command. Strand winked and turned to Cindy. “So, Cindy, did Morrigan tell you his plan for world domination yet?”
Morrigan silently promised himself to kill him again.