“You look different this morning?” Poppy asked Ori as they walked the short corridor between his bedroom and Queen Varma’s workshops. She stared at his face, her gaze searching and concerned, contrasting her usual polite geniality.
“Different how?”
“May haps, you had trouble sleeping? If that was the case and there was something to your suite that wasn’t to your liking-”
“No, it was the opposite actually. It was good to have some time to myself and I slept so deep, it was like, one second it was dusk, the next it was dawn.” Ori yawned.
“Very well, then I can only hope your remaining stay is as restful then.” Poppy smiled. Ori was silent for a moment unsure of whether to agree or not. He had his goals, and so did they, but what was their timescale? Freya’s lifespan of a week, if not shorter, placed a definitive zero on the amount of rest and relaxation Ori would indulge in. His time in this realm was limited and every moment counted. He needed to stay focused on his objectives, balancing the need for rest with the urgency of his mission.
“Actually, planning to hit the books hard, and learn the late Queen’s craft in a few days if possible.” Ori declared.
“Oh my, I would be very interested to see if your ‘hitting the books hard’ method of study can accomplish such a feat more effectively than the elven method.” Poppy said, her sly smile growing.
“You’ve got elven book magic that lets you learn stuff faster?” Ori asked confused.
“Oh, I’m sure some high-elven scholar somewhere has such, I was simply referring to reading books as opposed to hitting them.”
“Ha, and here I was, under the impression handmaidens didn’t make jokes. Silly me.”
“Silly you indeed.” Poppy laughed.
Ori's attention was caught by bright red lips which smiled at him over her shoulder. Her dancer's Grace was evident in the way her long brown hair bounced as it cascaded over her pale skin, dotted with freckles that concentrated over a nose pierced by a silver nose ring. This air of normalcy in contrast to the stuffy formality around him paradoxically enhanced her attractiveness in the same way the girl next door's appeal often lay in her perceived attainability. A raised eyebrow reminded him he was staring.
“Sorry,” Ori chuckled. “What is a handmaiden anyway?” Ori asked, accepting the barb, “You're not just a maid are you? Or is it like you’re the handmaiden? a special title that means secret fixer or spy master all rolled into one?”
Poppy giggled before she considered his question with a slight tilt of her head. “There are Handmaidens known to have been as you say. Though for me, I’m mostly what you see.”
“Just exactly what a secret spymaster would say.” Ori prodded, feeling comfortable enough to do so by her easygoing demeanour. Though on the surface he was joking, something about the fact that she was at the Sovereign rank pushed him to find out more.
“Ha! If you say so.” She laughed giving Ori a dubious glance just short of a full-on eye roll. “Like every heir, Mistress Anoriel as she was known back then, was assigned a handmaiden. We’re often girls of the same age who’d grow up with and become playmates through childhood. While I was always destined to be her servant, taking turns to serve one another through adolescence brought us upright, with a level of mutual respect and trust.” Poppy said as she opened the door to the drafting room, its perpetually dusty, ‘just worked in’ state unchanged since dusk. There was a lot to unpack from Poppy’s reply, but Ori left all the judgment and questions behind.
“Thanks,” Ori said as he walked through the open door. His eyes travelled across the entire room, unsure of where to begin. “Sounds and looks like you treat each other like sisters, more than just a master-servant relationship?” Ori asked.
“That’s right, we know each other's mind quite well I should think.”
“But… actually it doesn’t matter.” Ori began but thought better of it.
“Go on, I suspect I know what you're about to say and I promise not to take offence,”
“Well, it’s that you seem very different?”
“I talk funny you mean?”
“No, she does,” Ori countered.
“She is who she is, a Queen. One who safeguards the hopes and security of billions. It’s a burden and responsibility I wouldn’t wish on anyone. As her bridge between the common and the gentry, I have some allowances in how I talk, whereas Mistress doesn’t. However, well, it’s hard to explain. There's a lot more to her, so much more, her crafts, her song, if you could hear her sing, it’s free and full of yearning, hope and beauty, equal to the highest bards of our race. I would not judge her too harshly on only what you’ve seen as it is merely a glimpse of how special she is.” Poppy said, earnest and oddly defensive, in contrast to her earlier promise.
“I apologise if I offended.”
“I, you didn’t offend me. I guess we didn’t make the finest impressions did we?” She said, growing frustrated.
“Honestly, I’ve had worse.” Ori laughed, though it was strained as intrusive memories of his first true summoning clouded his thoughts. Poppy’s neutral expression, a million miles away from her earlier levity poured cold water upon his remaining attempts to lighten the mood. “Did I say something wrong?”
She shook her head. “You get that look my da used to get when he was faking his smile.” Unsure of how to respond not only to her words but the sudden shift in mood, Ori stood, wondering just how badly he fucked up. “That was inappropriate of me to say. I apologise for being so familiar.” Poppy said, her tone becoming formal and distant. “I was given instructions by Mistress Anoriel. She said that Varma’s journals might be the best place to start.” Poppy gestured to four or five, well-warn notebooks to the edge of the furthest shelf. “Would you be lunching here or in the tea room Sir?”
“Here please, and just call me Ori.”
“Very well, unless there is anything else, Ori, I will be just down the hall if you need anything,” Poppy said, before gliding out of the room.
“Fuck’sake.” Ori sighed as he scratched the back of his head. He spent a few silent minutes simply brooding where he stood. He knew he shouldn’t have said it as any topic about the Queen would be sensitive to her handmaiden. By basically saying ‘the Queen talked funny’, upon reflection, it was no surprise that she’d get defensive about it, especially given the likely circumstances of his summoning and her uncertain future.
Beyond that though was a surprising feeling of loss. Had he liked her smile, their chemistry, those brief but pleasant interactions so much that their loss felt like another hole? Was he just lonely and missing Sera? Or was he just overwhelmed?
He exhaled and with surprising effort, tore his mind away from circular thoughts.
“Not like I had time for drama anyway,” Ori spoke into the silence, overwhelmed and somewhat intimidated by the space. He sat on the armchair closest to the bookshelves after taking the pile of journals and began to read.
The first one was incomprehensible. While the words written down were ones he could understand, they were broken up into lines that seemed more like song or poetry, each stanza more esoteric than the last. Suddenly realising it must have been an elven song journal, Ori tossed it back onto the desk as if it was on fire. He had no interest in even the chance of being lobotomised by an elven song in written form.
The next journal seemed to be a continuation from another, and as Ori sorted them into the right order, those three of the four remaining books seemed to be from Harriet's grandmother, Queen Varma, while the last was from another whose name Ori was unfamiliar with.
> ‘Ugh, today was just dreadful. Mother insisted I spend the entire afternoon in her dusty old workshop. I swear, I have all but burned off all my nose hairs due to the fumes from the Aether and reagents. It’s a wonder mother doesn’t reek of the stuff given how ghastly it all is. Also, I mean, really!? Who cares about the proper alignment of an aether-doped crystal or the correct formula for this or that enchantment? It's all so dull.
>
> And then there's the matter of the upcoming Midsummers. Should I not be selecting gowns, practising dance, or not cooped up in a workshop? How am I to catch the eye of the well-liked, and apparently well-endowed Regent of Thornswood?’
>
> A.
Ori laughed in second-hand, scandalised embarrassment. Given the date and references to a mother, Ori suspected that this Arabella, the journal's author, was actually Harriet’s mother, Queen Iris, with Arabella being one of her names of birth. Given the differences in the language and the intimate nature of the journal, Ori was tempted to put it aside as being too private. But before he did so, he did a quick skim read to see if there were any relevant parts.
> ‘Spirits! My mother is a complete witch! Had she started me on the Hercher’s Split Mind technique from the start and Gorren’s Introduction to Enchanting, most of this nonsense would have taken far less time. Months! Months I’ve wasted without the proper foundation. I still hate it, but this Wandsmithing business is far less odious and wasteful than it was before…’
>
> The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
> ‘I’m starting to see some wisdom in my mother's attempts at force-feeding me these lessons though I’d rather die than admit that to her face. From the magic of our song, how and why Queens are named, and even the Library of Fate itself, I now see enchanting parallels across all of fate. Gorren’s book was great, Ghista’s Advance Lectures was even better, though I suspect I would not have appreciated the one without the other.’
“Bingo.”
Ori silently thanked the notes left behind by the young princess and searched the bookshelves for the mentioned books.
Minutes later, two large, printed textbooks and a smaller scroll sat on the desk in front of him. They were:
Gorren’s Introduction to Enchanting,
Advanced Lectures, Enchanting Techniques and Cyclics by Ghista,
Hercher’s Split Mind Technique.
Ori began with the Introduction to Enchanting:
> ‘Forward from the Author: To the dedicated reader,
>
> In this comprehensive volume, "Introduction to Enchanting," I invite you to the complex and intensely rewarding realm of Enchanting. This book aims to provide a foundational understanding of the paracausal and material aspects necessary for becoming a journeyman enchanter as well as providing a platform for future specialisation. As an author and Arch Enchanter myself, my goal is to offer a resource that covers both basic principles and the foundation for advanced techniques.
>
> To put it simply, while the mundane and paracausal energies along with their associated affinities bring substance to fate, Enchantments are its engine. Through these hidden inspirations, we have forged a disciplined craft that involves imbuing physical items with these energies in a process that includes several key stages:
>
> Shaping: The creation of the initial physical form of the item to be enchanted.
>
> Infusion: The introduction of catalysts or reagents into the item in preparation for enchantment.
>
> Enchanting: The application of intent via paracausal energies infused into spell language using specific mediums, like spirit ink or exotic metals.
>
> Refinement: The removal of impurities from the item to enhance its magical receptiveness.
>
> Quickening: Activating and stabilising the enchantments within the item by the investiture of paracausal energy and intent.
>
> Naming: The bestowal of a name upon the artefact, which can greatly enhance power and reaffirm purpose.
>
> Bonding: Establishing a connection between the artefact and its user or something greater, further enhancing its abilities and aligning it with the user's essence.
>
> Enchanting requires a deep understanding of both the physical materials and the paracausal elements involved. The skill and proficiency of the enchanter play a crucial role in determining the complexity and power of the enchantments that can be applied. The process is also governed by various limitations and risks, particularly when dealing with higher-level enchantments or more complex items.
>
> We’ll start with an overview of Skill Ranks, detailing the progression from Apprentice to Prime, and the competencies required at each level.
>
> Thereafter, a significant amount of this book will be devoted to the mechanics of enchanting, including shaping, infusion, enchantment application, refinement, and quickening. Each stage is essential, may occur in any order multiple times throughout the enchanting process and requires a thorough understanding of thaumaturgical principles.
>
> This book also addresses the limitations and risks in enchanting, the challenges and dangers of this profession, especially with high-level enchantments and rare materials. Understanding these aspects is crucial for any practitioner.
>
> Item classification, from Mortal to Transcendent, is discussed, providing insight into the power and complexity of potential enchantments. Additionally, the book explores the ethical considerations and personal, professional and societal impacts of enchanting, emphasising the responsibility of enchanters in their craft and your personal development as a crafter.
>
> Lastly, the book looks at advanced topics and future directions in enchanting, keeping you informed of new developments and trends in this evolving field…’
“Rar! Let’s go.” Ori was buzzing. After reading just the first chapter, he felt as if this was exactly what he was looking for. In addition, what little knowledge Freya had on Enchanting and magic, seemed to reinforce his learning forming a strange feedback loop that accelerated comprehension.
He continued reading, heedless of the rise and fall of the sun until a knock on the door brought him out of his fugue state.
----------------------------------------
“Come in!” Ori called. To his surprise, instead of Poppy, Harriet entered in a flowing swirl of fabric. He froze. The harsh light of the drafting room did little to mare her shockingly intense beauty. Ori had previously attributed most of the stress he had felt upon their initial encounter to the very real power disparity between them and his uncertainty. Although there was now a familiarity and promise of hospitality between them, those days did little to stem his racing heart.
“Greetings High Duelist, or would you prefer to be addressed by another title?” Harriet said, she stood just a few paces into the room, her hands together in a pensive clasp as if used to holding a clutch bag or purse Ori realised. His eyes took her in, her wild navy blue hair and large, intensely blue eyes that seemed to shine and darken all at once. She had a stunning face with a slight cleft in her chin. His eyes were drawn to her vast cleavage of pale skin, exposed shoulders draped in olive green layers of overlapping lace and gold filigree, suspended by the thinnest of spaghetti straps. He stood, mouth dry and suddenly embarrassed only then realising how long he’d been staring.
“Ori is fine, and sorry, it was rude of me to stare.”
“On the contrary Ori, it heartens me to know that tales of the effect our visage has on humans are not exaggerated.” Harriet smiled.
Ori decided against prying into that detail and refocused. “And you? Is Queen the best way to address you? Or would you prefer your majesty or your highness?”
“In informal settings like this, please call me Harriet. May I sit down?” she asked.
“Of course. I was half expecting to see Poppy for lunch. Did I upset her even worse than I thought?” Ori asked, sitting back down on the chair towards the desk as Harriet took her place towards the armchair he had used earlier in the day.
“It is not your fault, she told me what you discussed and I felt needed to personally come to smooth things over. She bares you no ill feeling, quite the contrary, she’s upset with herself for reasons hard to articulate without song.”
“Alright,” Ori said, not understanding anything at all. “From what I’ve read so far, words are power and enchanting uses these words, or the roots of them as a kind of lower-level language that’s closer to what the author calls the engines of fate. Meanwhile, from what I understand, elven song is the opposite, it’s like a higher level language used to better convey meaning. Anyway, that’s just my rudimentary understanding as of right now,” Ori stopped himself from babbling any further.
“No, your understanding is quite insightful,” Harriet said honestly before she sighed. “Poppy is special, while she appears Silvan, she is actually of mixed Moon Elf and Var'drow heritage. You may even have sensed her void affinity?”
Ori tilted his head in consideration. “Maybe?” He answered, thinking back to their introductions in the library.
“Yes, well, the Var'drow are… different from most High Elves, more fae-like in spirit and while she does well to control these more temperamental aspects of herself normally, something about you is… bringing these aspects of herself to the forefront.”
“Really? I mean, what does that mean exactly? Am I causing her to get sick?”
“No, it’s nothing like that…” She said slowly. “It’s… If I were to be honest with you, something within me is reacting to your presence too.”
Ori’s heart jumped at the declaration. For a long moment, he was unable to think, scattered thoughts a wash with conflicting emotions. It wasn’t until he focused that his cold, hard edge of survival allowed logic to return. Why was she being so nice to him?
Memories of Mel's seduction on the drizzly streets of south London prompted a sick dread to creep all over, one that Ori struggled to repress. His heart hardened and eventually, his reason returned to the same conclusion: she needed something from him, likely his unique affinity, and she was fishing. A large part of him wanted to simply show her his magic and be done with it, but it was too much risk for too little gain. He wanted more information on how they planned to use it so that he could be better prepared in future. He also needed more time. So despite how undeniably attractive the elven queen was, he had promised himself not to play the hero until they explicitly asked.
“Wouldn't it be better if you told me what you were after?" Ori asked, his guard rising, posture turning more cagey as Harriet leaned back sensing the shift in mood, her eyes scrutinised every aspect of his being.
“I can’t, or more accurately, I will not.”
“Why?” Ori said doing nothing to hide his disappointment.
“A better question would be how should we bridge this impasse?" Harriet said smoothly.
“And how would you suggest we do that?”
“Build trust. A mutual repore.”
“And you believe that when we can trust each other, you’ll be able to tell me how I can help you?” Ori confirmed with more than an edge of doubt.
“It is my earnest hope that by such time we’d have already accomplished that much together.” Harriet countered.
“So just to be clear, you know how I could help you, but can’t tell me… for reasons you're unwilling to say?”
“Indeed. I would add that attempting to learn the reason before trust is established would be detrimental to our, relationship.”
“For reasons you are also unwilling to say?”
“Yes, Ori, please understand that I at this moment in time, would rather die than reveal to you your purpose as a summons,” Harriet said, her eyes hard while a flush reddened a cleavage that rose and fell noticeably faster than before.
“So, I don’t ask, you won’t tell. Until we trust each other?”
“At the very least, yes.”
Ori’s posture collapsed as he exhaled feeling suddenly exhausted. “I can’t say here indefinitely, there is someone I need to-”
“I understand, whenever you feel you must leave, you may do so with my blessing.”
Ori shook his head at her fatalism and contemplated whether anything he could say or do could change her course of action. “And Poppy?” Ori asked.
“It’ll be difficult to reassign her as…”
“No, I liked her company, it’s just if there’s a problem with her or something? Is there anything I should do or watch out for?”
“It’s not as if either of you are in danger. The conflict is more of an internal and emotional one than anything else, and I’m not sure whether more exposure to each other would help or hurt. My advice? Just be understanding.”
“Alright,” Ori said after a long moment. “That I can do. Now, about the trust part. How do you see us building it?”
“Well, I suspect you’ll be spending most of your time within these workshops yes?” She asked, Ori nodded. “Well, after my duties, I’ll come and find you here and we can… talk. Discuss our crafts, our histories, anything really. The more we understand each other, I believe the stronger our trust will grow."
The idea of spending time with the devastatingly beautiful elven queen in such an informal setting was both intriguing and daunting. He found it extremely hard to find anything wrong with the arrangement and if Ori was honest, a large part of himself just wanted to enjoy her attention while peeling back the layers of this strange, enigmatic ruler. "That sounds reasonable," he replied cautiously.
Harriet smiled a genuine warmth in her expression. "I'm glad you think so. And Ori, I want you to feel free to ask questions, about our culture, our magic, anything that piques your curiosity. The only off-limits topic, for now, is the reason behind your summoning."
"Fair enough, do you have any questions you want to ask about me?”
“Far too many. But the most pressing question I have right now is, why enchanting? Why learn it here and now, I am the Queen of the Lunaesidhe, very little is beyond my means, even artefacts of a similar or greater value. If I’m not mistaken, there’s more to this than it seems, and if you're willing, I would know the story behind it.”