Chapter 38

Sweet and savory aromas drifted deliciously upon the air as Gwendolyn moved through the kitchen with all the focus and deftness of a military general.

Pipe smoke mixed in, granting the air a hazy quality from Darius and Cedric smoking their pipes, keeping the midnight vigil along with the rest of the family.

Riley's nose twitched, burning from the sweetly acrid smoke hanging over the living room like its own personal cloud.

No one was asleep; the house was alive.

Riley pressed up against Tobias' legs.

He had been staring at his footlocker for the last ten minutes.

"Talk to me. You've hardly said a word all night," She nudged, causing him to sigh.

" I don't know what to pack," He replied, saying everything and nothing.

"When in doubt, pack warm," Riley suggested in a fit of wisdom.

Tobias chuckled, "Way to be helpful, goon."

"You seem to like that word," She said, keeping up the small talk, not knowing what else to do.

"For the most part, you speak perfect Calarian, but sometimes these strange words pop out. Goon is fun to say," Tobias explained.

Riley cocked her head.

"It's like kumquat that way," she nodded sagely.

"Kem..quat?" Tobias tried the word as if tasting it.

"Tiny orange colored fruit, tropical, fun as hell to say," Riley explained, getting in front of that particular train.

Tobias chuckled again and bent down to pet her ears back, "Language instruction at half past three bells. I suppose this night needs no excuse to get any stranger."

Riley nodded, her ears bobbing with the motion of her head, "I had an even stranger day two weeks ago."

Tobias grinned, then sat down on the bed, "You've been thinking a lot about that, and I've been thinking about the future."

"Oh?" Riley centered herself in his vision.

"You're young in this world, Riley, and where I'm about to go, I might not come back from. That's why the family is up all night, smiling like they've been replaced by some doppelgänger monster, and Da and Granda are smoking as if on fire. It's an honor to be chosen for the Blackblades, make no mistake, but it's an honor that might end me," Tobias sighed and rubbed his face with his hands, stopping when he hit his scar.

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"We're going to make it," Riley proclaimed lamely.

"Do you want it to be we? I can come up with some excuse, find some reason to leave you behind. You'll be safe with the family; maybe I could even set you up with Justinian? What I mean is, this is my fate; it doesn't have to be yours," Tobias looked at her with grim resolve, firm in his convictions.

Riley's ears went crooked. "I..uh…"

Something burned within, stoking a sudden anger, causing her to thump the ground loudly, "You jerk! You're not ditching me that easy!"

Tobias blinked in surprise, "You don't understand what this is, Riley. I'm sure I'll do fine without you."

The words hit Riley like a broadside, flattening her ears and straining her heart, "Like at the arena? You only made it because of my magic."

"Which I don't have now because you don't wish to be bound, which is understandable. I wouldn't want to be bound either, but that doesn't change my point. You can be safe here. Of the recruited, about half won't survive the training, Riley. I don't want that for you," Tobias shot up on his feet as the storm rumbled between them.

"Half?" Riley stammered.

"That's what I've heard," Tobias shrugged, "It's dangerous."

"Then we'll make another compact for training. It's not the same as being bound that way! You're right, I'm new to this world, and it's scary every day. I'm even new to this body, though it doesn't feel like it. It's all wonder and terror up in my brain, but I can help, and I think I need that. I'm going with you, and that's final!" Riley drummed her hindpaw as if fanning the flames of her conviction.

"Everyone ok in there?" Cedric called.

"Yeah, Da, we're fine," Tobias replied testily.

"Are you sure? Who are you talking to?" He pressed.

Tobias rubbed at his temples, "I'm just working things out as I pack."

A pregnant pause hung upon the air, "Ok, be quick about it son, we haven't much time."

"Alright, da." A sad smile crept across Tobias' face as he looked towards Riley.

"Everyone's nervous, everyone's scared, but you've been my ally since I started in this world, and I'm going to be yours if you'll have me. I swear by spirit and by truth my magic to you for the duration of our training!" The words poured out of Riley like a torrent, an unthinking action.

A prompt flared to life.

You have entered into a magical compact and sworn a deep oath. You will now be held by its terms for the duration. It can only be broken by an act of will, and you do so at your own peril…

This compact has been buffeted by your conviction. The strength of this oath has increased.

Tobias' eyes went wide, "You're serious?"

"What else can I do? I won't let you bind me, but I won't let you face this alone, either. I know this isn't safe. It's pretty clear with how everyone is acting, but something inside me tells me this is the right path for me, that sitting on the sidelines isn't what I'm for. That's how we both died the first time, refusing to be passive, and yeah, not helping, I know, but my ends there was my beginning here, for good and all," Riley affirmed.

"Then I accept your oath and share my magic, in spirit and in truth, for the duration of our training. I swear to look after you and treat you as a partner, never as a slave. By Galdor, God of magic, so be it," Tobias intoned.

A new purple box appeared in her vision.

You have created a party and gained a true ally! Your loyalty to Tobias has forged a deep conviction of friendship and trust. Your cooperative actions will now have a greater chance at success.

Your luck has increased.

Pulling at her status screen, Riley could see that Tobias had reappeared, but his portrait had changed. Now wearing his golden torc, he stared out from the window with grim resolve.

"So we face it together, then. Riley, you're a true friend, and if it's not too much, I'd like to ask one more favor," Tobias rose, looking towards the door.

"Name it," Riley said, pressing up against his legs in support.

"Let's introduce you to the family. Having a sapient companion is an edge, and though you aren't bound, you are my companion in the magic. It will ease their fears," Tobias asked.

"You mean after they get over the shock," Riley giggled within. "Well, what are we waiting for?"

Tobias took a deep, centering breath, "Let's go."