Iru P.O.V.
The book the Claimere gave me is quite something. ‘The Path of the Magi’ by Auter Samuris, I can’t believe I have a copy of a work by the Patriarch. It is a profound read, I guess I’ll need to read it a few more times.
Thankfully, the orgon lights in the room were adjusted to a bright yellow emission. I need to study about magical engineering. One of this life’s goals, become a Magi crafter.
The door of the room opened.
“You are back. Eating went well I assume?”
“Yes, I’m stuffed.” Ikrei slowly walked towards his bed. He crashed on top of it like a haversack.
“The last ten days have been grueling. How are you holding up?”
“Anymore and I don’t know. Feel like my body is hurting everywhere.” Ikrei muttered face down against the sheets.
“You can rest all day tomorrow, we are finally reaching our destination, just a little more.”
Turning to look at me, he asked me. “How does remembering your previous lives work?”
“You want to know about the rite? Nothing much, after going through the process you slowly start to remember your previous iterations. There are several ways to perform the rite, the execution simple, the memory awakening method is fiercely guarded and only the higher ups have the knowhow. The minimum rank to perform it is to be a direct Kotari of the leaders.”
“So, how old are you really?” He asked.
“Don’t ask those type of questions. Imagine if you were a reincarnated ancient elder, many would love to kill you, abduct you or who knows what else. One’s identity through the ages is one of the Andurians most deeply guarded secrets. Keep these questions for the Claimere if you want to know more.”
“Ask her?” Ikrei looked at me with a ‘there’s no way’ kind of face.
“Sorry bookie, I am just curious about everything. My old man taught me many things and many things he did not. The difference between me and you guys is so wide that I feel like an elephant under water.”
“When we get to Malaktaraf we will learn what the eldership has prepared for us. Don’t be too impatient, concentrate on awakening, without that all else is meaningless. You get me?” I patiently expounded.
“Are there other ones that are like me?” He asked.
“There are people who become Andurin for the first time, they go through a grueling process as well. Even worse, since they have no previous memory as an Andurin they have to learn everything from the beginning. Hard, really hard. You my fellow walker, from what I can tell have a very unique training regimen, I haven’t even heard of someone like you before.” I sounded apologetic.
“I am so screwed. My goodness.” He said making a fist towards the ceiling.
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“I will not ask how old the Claimere is then, I heard powerhouses live longer and adding previous lives into the mix, she must be an ancient crone.”
We looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
“When you read the Seachar you may find interesting verses. According to it, in the origin of all things depending on what you need to learn determines whether you are born a male or a female into this life every reincarnation cycle.” I said.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“You are telling me you were a woman once? You are not bisexual or something, right?” Ikrei hurriedly asked wide-eyed.
“No, all male. But who knows about you.” I pointed at him with my index finger.
Ikrei was silent. I guess he was refusing to accept the possibility.
“You rest now. I need to grab some grub; the food here is too good to miss.”
I left the room with book in hand, making my way to the dining hall.
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The great thing about absolute luxury is an always open kitchen policy. I am surely going to miss this. After picking up some vegetables and crabs with spices I noticed Ciel sipping wine alone in a corner of the dining hall. I went over and sat in front of her.
“Yo! Looks like you could use some company.” I proceeded to eat silently after saluting.
This food, my goodness! The Zurian king is living large!
“Ikrei’s training seems to be going well, albeit torturous.” I said.
“Yeah, chicken coop is quite resilient, even if his body betrays him. You are doing a good job as a makeshift healer.” Ciel praised me a little.
“I’ve been working on my healing arts for quite some time now. I am trying to be an all-rounder eventually no matter how long it takes.” I dug in happily into my plate.
After some time, Ciel seemed unwilling to say something. She was being fidgety.
“Iru, what do you think?” Ciel asked me while she poured herself another glass.
“I assume you are referring to the reason you are having mood swings lately, correct?”
She just nodded, drinking the wine.
“You are in a tough position sister. Do you want some truth or do you want some soothing words? Be honest.” I spoke gently.
“Give it to me straight bookie. I’m not that frail.”
“Everything in life is about advantages, timing and a little luck. Krigs is valued by the eldership in a way that we are not. His value is greater than yours, you are shooting to high. The good thing is you are an Andurin, the princess is not. But this situation will repeat itself later on. Krigs will never lack women, ever.”
I let my words simmer and respectfully waited for her words.
“Shooting to high? I think I am within range, not many women can be Augir Battlemasters.”
“True, you are exceptional. But how many can be called a prospective sage at the age of seventeen? If Krigs is an ancient soul, these little mind games and trivialities the princess is playing are worthless. Don’t fall in the same trap.”
“What should I do? Forget it then?”
There was considerable reluctance in her eyes. She wants what she cannot have, unsurprising.
“You need an edge, something that brings you closer to Krigs’ level. Beauty won’t cut it; the princess is already beautiful enough.” She didn’t like my answer, Ciel flinched.
We stayed silent for a while. I kept eating my delicious meal. After about half an hour and several more wine glasses she spoke.
“The Claimere offered to help me.”
Freslia always offers you something you truly want in exchange for something she wants from you. In my case, I’ll be Ikrei’s personal magic technical assistant, a private tutor. I remembered lady Freslia’s words:
“The coop cannot know just yet.”
A devious one is she, the Claimere.
Combing through various scenarios, I pondered, “What can Ciel offer the Claimere? Krigs and I already cover every possible need outside of Ikrei’s master. I am sure, she has other arrangements for him and for us when we arrive at the castle. Regardless, she offered to convince Krigsain to take Ciel as his woman? You have got to be kidding me!”
I stared blankly at Ciel. The blue eyed demon’s thinking is beyond my grasp.
“The Claimere are full of surprises I must say.” I exclaimed.
“An oath, an oath of service maybe.” Ciel spoke hesitantly.
I pondered her words for quite a while before speaking again.
“Tell me everything she said in detail.”
Ciel recounted her conversation with lady Freslia in the cave, word by word.
“That has some very serious implications. Be wary, she implied that she will help you to become Krigsain’s partner, not necessarily his ONLY partner. Make sure it is something you can live with. Remember, the Andurian way is NOT the way of the world.”
“Power creates order and disorder without power you are but a leaf in the wind. Strength is the only path to freedom, book of the seventh precept.” Ciel spoke while drinking some more.
“The rules of the Andurin are not absolute but they are very, very hard to change. They are our cumulative wisdom. Krigsain could one day write his own verses in this life. How many more lives will it take us to do the same? Will you feel the way you do now if Krigs became a midget, a woman all of the sudden? Our considerations are wide and entangled, we are not normal people.”
I was being as forthcoming as possible without harming her self-esteem.
“You are saying that my feelings are shallow Magi of Liria?” Ciel asked with a menacing look.
“Many lives, many loves, I know how hard it is to feel something for someone again. Power is all, are you powerful enough for Krigsain? Whatever the Claimere can offer, it will not be simple, your oath might have to be the highest oath there is. Can you handle that goldilocks?” I enunciated my words carefully with a deadpan look.
“Waiter, please bring us the menu.” Ciel sidestepped the answer.
We ordered an assortment of liquors including Thruskan brew and stayed quietly drinking into the wee hours of the morning.