/Vivian POV

I am Vivian. Until recently i served as maid at manor of Darkmoon House in Arcae. I was orphan before that. My earliest memories are of life in streets, passing days by begging or stealing to have something to eat. But then one day all that changed, when guards of noble caught me stealing.

I wasnt punished and instead, picked interest of that noble. As i later learned, it was because of my unique color for my race. Most vixus are golden or red with some shades of those colors, but everyone i meet said they never saw white one while young.

Noble that picked me up, was from Darkmoon House and i was trained as maid and cook. After training was complete, i served in manor at Arcae ever since. It was happy life, i had food and roof over head and masters were nice to me. But everything changed again, when war started.

Most nobles in manor and our soldiers in City were called by House to front lines. And only i with some guards, were left to keep manor in order and serve guests of Darkmoon House, should they need lodging or place for meetings. But with time, their visits became more seldom.

I was happy when lady Darkmoon arrived, and even more so, when she said i will be her personal maid from now. But soon i realizen that times have changed. Same night of lady Darkmoon arrival, i was attacked and just in few moments knocked out. When i woke up, it was already over. Lady Darkmoon and her friends toke care of uninvited guests and even rescued me.

For first time i realized just how powerless i am. I didnt wanted to be burden for my lady, but i didnt knew how to fight. Then right next morning i was reminded of my weakness again, when all i could do was watch them fight, what i thought as army. With immpossible odds they fought bravely and won, while all i did was shiver from sight of blood and death.

Right after battle, i became burden again, by slowing them down. The only mount left alive, was carrying most of luggage and rest had to run on their own feet. With growl, i was tossed over shoulder, by man named Lars. And i couldnt help, but feel anger rising inside me, from frustration.

I saw how he lost arm. While facing few men at once, water whip caught him off guard. He still cut it with his sword, but separated part of whip, cut off his arm. There was no scream. He just retreated a bit, stabbed sword into ground, picked some bottle from bag at his side and poured liquid over wound. That made bleeding stop and he charged to battle again.

And now he was carrying me, a single person from our group, without as much as single scratch. While i was angry at myself, we reached departure gate square. After lady Darkmoon showed her House insignia, we reached our portal without incident.

I never saw portals in my life. Only nobles with their attendants and merchants who have special permit, are allowed to use them. It was strange sight. On our side it was raining and behind this 'water surface' of gate, we could see sun shining in large square, even biger than the one we were in. There were more portal gates in our square, but only this one lead to our destination - City of Redwater's Edge.

Using portal was unpleasant, when entered trough that 'water surface', i barely held up what i ate earlier. Once on other side we were greeted by old noble accompanied by soldiers. After he huged Lady Darkmoon i learned that he was her uncle Lord Edwin Darkmoon.

While on the way to manor, i heard them talking and from that learned, that most from House Darkmoon have died in war. I never knew my parents, but i heard from others, that its very painfull to lose someone so close. Lady Darkmoon doesnt look older than me and she already have faced so many hardships. As we walked i learned that eighty percent of Darkmoon forces stationed at Redwater's Edge were sent to war, and all this time her uncle tried to train more. After lady mentioned humans seeking to capture her, Lord Darkmoon reasured that the only human House with power here is Darkmoon. Rest are demi-humans and they will never make deal with Zolmor.

Soon we reached manor and after quick bath and change of clothes departed to meeting of nobles at castle.

During meeting of nobles, i waited outside hall. Left alone i skimed over recent events and felt frustrated again over my powerlessnes. I know maid isnt supposed to be guard, but i dont want to be burden at least. But even if i start training now, it will be years before i can be on par with simple soldier. And during that time, i would be unable to properly perform my duties as maid.

After few hours meeting was over and we headed for communication hall. This time there were fever nobles and i stod at back of my lady and prince together with guards. There they had long discusions with transperent people in center of hall. As Lady Goldmore explained - communication projection of people contacted. After hours of their discusion i had hard time to stay awake and from time to time caught myself dozing off. Suddenly i realized that my Lady was speaking with someone very important, because unlike before there was deadly silence in the hall. In center of hall stod weircat with signs of lion bloodline, and as far as i could tell from 'projection', clothes and air around her screamed of royaly.

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"... im sorry, but for that we would need send our troops to new border. And with discovery of new resourse, we have chaos in our lands and need them all at the moment. King of Zolmor probably choose this timing of war exactly for that reason. You have to offer something really worthwile for us to consider." i heard her saying when focused attention.

"All Houses of Redwater's Edge, Kalidor and Liraka offer monetary pay and part of our lands. If said resourse is found in our lands, we can offer mining rights as well. Please, our House allways had good relationships with yours. We dont even need many troops, just to confirm we are part of Aizerus Alliance." My Lady Darkmoon asked her.

"Very well. I will convince Thalion and with that alone Council desision will be secured. But i will consider you owning me big favor Celina Darkmoon. Once we finish our council meeting and send troops, i will inform their king Astor Rendstor, that Redwater's Edge, Kalidor and Liraka are part of Aizerus Alliance now. Your new ranks of nobility as part of Aizerus Alliance will be discused at our capital Hull at later date. As for you Celina Darkmoon, make haste for capital and once here, you will enroll into Eruanna Academy to get official title of mage and able inherit head position of your House. Also make sure to dismantle all portals connected with old Cities of Raldus kingdom fast. Because from this day forth you will be new border of Aizerus Alliance. Construction of new gates connecting to our Cities and pay for space mage services will be covered from your side. Farewell then, still need to find that snake Thalion and unscheduled Council meeting to organize." said weircat woman and smiled.

"On behalf of all you saved today, i thank you Councilor Bianca Newblood." bowed Lady Darkmoon and sighted with relief.

After projected woman disapeared everyone started to cheer. With exception of Lars. He just silently stod with sad face. On the way there, occasionally i could see his accusing glance directed to lady Darkmoon. I didnt liked those looks, but it wasnt my place to speak.

After few more hours of talks with projections of various people we finaly departed to our manor.

"Lars." my lady started conversation.

"What do you need !" Lars shouted in answer angrily.

"Im sorry. I know you blame me for losing your arm. If i wasnt with you, no one would have attacked. All they wanted was lightning mage ... me. I will make up for it to you."

"How will you make up for it ?! No healing magic can regrow lost limbs. Money ?! Ha ! Now i need to relearn how to even fight, because most of my moves are useless with only one sword !" shouted Lars again then looked at lycan girl walking nearby and grinded his teeth.

"Lars thats going to far. She didnt cut your arm. Besides if you still want to challange me, i will use only one arm as well." meddled into conversation lycan girl before others and i noticed Lars relaxing a bit at the end. Did they have some history betwen them ?

"Oh dont worry Lars. What i plan is inventing artificial mechanical arm. Our body moves because of very very weak lightning signals trough body. And guess who around here is expert of lightning and enchants he he. I will need lots of money to get my House back on its feet and artificial limbs will be our newest servises among others. And you my dear Lars, will have honor of helping me create my first prototype." said lady Darkmoon while glancing with a smile to Lars and i had no idea what she was talking about.

"Great. So now i will be lab rat." said Lars with sarcasm, but i noticed small smile showing up on his face.

After dinner i was seated in front of Lady Darkmoon with only us alone in the room. I feelt a bit nervous, what if she changed her mind and doesnt need me as her personal maid. I dont want to be burden, but for some reason i dont want to leave her side with all my heart. And possibility of being separated even scared me.

"Vivian." after long stare she spoke.

"Yes Lady Darkmoon ? .." i awaited her words with a bit of fear.

"Call me by name. Lady Celina should be fine. I dont like being called Lady Darkmoon. It feels so unnatural."

"Yes Lady Celina." I quickly answered still with anxiety occupying my mind.

"You probably noticed that being with me means danger. And as my personal maid you will be exposed to it in future as well. Thats why i need you to be able defend yourself. I will check now if you have magic gift hidden in you. If not, we will have to get you trained in sword." answered Lady Celina.

"Magic gift ?" i whispered. Yes, if i was mage i could be of help. I dont want to feel powerless like in todays events ever again.

"Yes, but my metod will hurt, so i will ask your permission, if you allow me to check you." She asked while looking directly into my eyes.

"Yes Lady Celina. Plaease check me. I want to be of use." I quickly answered with hope igniting.

Then Lady Celina extended her both arms and placed them on my head. All my hair on body, both tails and head stod up and i started to feel discomfort that changed into pain in head. Pain grew bit by bit, but i endured and waited patiently. When pain finaly stoped i could hear Lady Celina laughing. There was now prince in room as well and i could see his cousin entering.

"Lady Celina do i have magic gift ?" I asked with hope. With her laughter it should be good news right ?

" ... he he ahh. No Vivian. You have zero magic talent ..." she answered after managing to stop laughing for a bit, and all my hopes were shattered.

".. but what you have is something even beter ... He he he .. What you have is Psionic power ! ha ha ha ..." answered Lady Celina and started to laugh again and people entering room looked strangely at her.