“For all that we play at polite society, one must wonder how much effort goes into keeping the truly powerful among us content. Compared to some, we are but toddlers, but it is uncomfortable to speak about - so we refrain”

~Unknown

Aylesbury’s sudden departure was unexpected. That is not to say it was subtle; the wall of rushing air conjured by the frantic beating of colossal duck wings made that impossible. Rather, I was left wondering why I had not been called over, given that Aylesbury had expressed some interest in an introduction. On any other day, I might have lamented the lost opportunity; speaking with someone seemingly touching the upper crusts of Advancement would almost certainly be valuable.

As it was, all I felt was a sort of defeated relief. I hadn’t considered the events of that day a victory, not really, but we’d survived them. It was over. I shuddered to think what might have transpired if not for Lionel’s timely arrival, even as I selfishly lamented that it had not come five minutes sooner.

“Will, can you give me some time alone with your father?” Lionel asked, as if sensing my thoughts. Like me, he was busy brushing freshly disturbed clumps of grass and dirt from his clothing. “We have an important issue to discuss.” At one point, he’d dragged over a collection of the loose logs we often used for outdoor furniture and had sat himself across from us, resting an ankle on his knee.

“I would rather be here to hear it.” If Lionel was going to prod that metaphorical bear anyway, I didn’t want to miss it.

“I know you would, but even so, it is a private matter.” He tried offering me a teasing smile. “Or are you that determined to deny the request of one of your new commanding officers?”

“It is fine,” Tulos said, his voice flat- tired, even. There was a rugged slump to his posture, the brief passage of time since Lionel’s arrival insufficient for him to regain his usual vitality. “Do not steal from my time with him, Lionel. Please.” He didn’t turn towards us to speak, instead lost in the depths of introspection often found in the middle distance.

“Well, I would have to be a scoundrel to deny you.” Lionel spoke as if it were business as usual, like any of the myriad afternoons we’d shared when he’d visited last. It was why his next words rang sharply in my ears, for he allowed a flash of severity to color them. “Are you sure? It will not be something he can unlearn.” Tulos nodded. “He can handle it. My boy is a Slayer now, after all.”

“Ha! I can appreciate the sentiment and will even refrain from correcting you by invoking semantics.” He cupped a hand around his mouth before addressing me in a stage whisper. “Technically, you are not a Slayer just yet.”

It wasn’t quite enough to get a laugh from me, but I exhaled air from my nose which seemed to appease Lionel all the same. Fudge, who was lying alongside Vigil, mimicked the reaction by snorting. With the immediate pressure of a stressful situation behind us my favorite bundle of fur was quick to adapt, doubly so now that Aylesbury and Cortez were specks on the horizon. I sensed his growing ease through the Tamer Bond and tried to urge my own emotions to follow the example. It helped. A little.

Lionel reached over and tapped Tulos on the knee before using his chin to point in the direction of the house. Tina was there, hesitating, flicking her attention between us and the front door and looking increasingly conflicted.

“The baby, I take it? We still have not been introduced.”

“Marco. He is asleep and-” Tulos cut himself off as if just realizing that it was strange for Marco to have slept through the commotion. In his defense, I’d only just come to a similar realization.

“He is still safe and asleep,” Lionel said, reaching up to tap at one of his ears. “I heard him stirring when I arrived, so I sent him a quick lullaby.” Tulos and I, who were both halfway to our feet, relaxed at the news. I turned to call out to Tina.

“Mom! Lionel- the Lieutenant says Marco is fine! We can let him sleep!” She still hesitated a moment longer. Finally, she responded by holding up a single finger before darting into the house.

Fair enough, I thought. In her shoes, I’d probably want to personally double check on the state of my baby as well. When I turned back, Lionel’s face had scrunched up as if he’d been fed a sour lemon.

“What?” “You are aware that your wonderful mother will suspect I cunningly coerced you into referring to me as Lieutenant and bestow much grief upon me in retribution, yes?” His exasperation carried the familiar ring of exaggeration.

“Not really,” I said. “I was just trying to follow your advice.” It was a half-truth and we all knew it.

“You did tell him to get in the habit,” Tulos added with a rumble.

“So I did,” Lionel replied in defeat. “Well, then I had best prepare to accept the consequences of my actions. Since I am sure Tina will want an explanation, let us temporarily refrain from addressing my concerns regarding you, Tulos.” A brief lull settled over the three of us as we waited, leaving me alone with thoughts of the future, thoughts I lacked the energy or inclination to give the attention they were due.

“Is Bella going to be okay?” She might have been an annoying, dangerously perceptive child, but even so… I’d grown attached to the kid. I didn’t regret the choices I made, not really, but it was hard not to worry about her.

“It depends on her,” Lionel said after trying - and failing - to exchange a quick look with Tulos, who was still enamored with the horizon. “Aylesbury spoke truthfully; closer to Sentro- The Capital, most people view service to The Crown as an honor. Even here, I suspect it is only when a parent is forced to confront the prospect of their child having a desirable Core Skill that they question their stance on the matter.” Tulos nodded his reluctant agreement to Lionel words.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“It is true,” he said.

“That does not really answer my question,” I said.

“No, it does not,” Lional agreed. “And I can not answer it, not with any real accuracy. I can tell you that her Build will be nurtured towards a purpose and, to that end, she will have access to some of the best education and resources a person could ever ask for. If she can adapt, she will do well.” “What if she can not?”

“That is when things get complicated.” It was Tulos who answered, and I knew he was talking from experience.

“Right…” It didn’t help. I still felt a pang of worry-guilt. “Is it always so… violent?”

“No,” Lionel answered immediately, wearing a frown he did not bother schooling. “That was all Rosita.” Even without Bella’s Skill, I got an inkling there were complexities to the situation Lionel was unable, or unwilling, to share.

Rosita’s apparent position of prominence among The Crown did not reflect positively on them. Even so, I was willing to reserve judgment until I had a clearer understanding of the situation. Rosita herself would not be granted the same leniency, not that my condemnation meant anything to her.

It’d be weird as shit if it did. Simply conjuring the memory of Rosita’s presence was enough to rouse my bubbling loathing. While I held no delusions of successfully storming The Capital and rampaging through a legion of guards to slug her in the face so hard that she shot through a wall and left a Rosita-shaped hole, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t entertain the fantasy.

When Tina reemerged from the house, a swaddled Marco was in her arms, still sound asleep. She clutched him close to her chest, her posture looking more protective than affectionate. Vigil still lay curled up nearby, and Lionel had placed a chunk of log near him for Tina to sit on in preparation for her joining us.

“How is Vigil doing?” I asked when she sat down. The question had been gnawing at me. I wanted to try and comfort the big lug, but I also wanted Tina’s insights first.

Tina rested her free hand on Vigil’s side, causing the sleeping dog to kick slightly at the contact.

“He will be okay,” she said softly. “We both will be. Master Aylesbury helped us.” Lionel perked up at that revelation.

“What did he do?” He asked, leaning forward slightly.

“Honestly? I am not entirely sure. It was like… When I told him about what happened to us, he wrote it down, see? The more he wrote, the further away it all felt.” She smiled softly at the recent memory. “It was good to see him again.”

“I do not envy who he decides to deliver that to,” Lional said warily. Seeing my confused expression, he continued. “Aylesbury is a courier, remember? This is merely a hypothesis, but I would wager he packaged up your mother’s experience in a letter so that it could be delivered.”

Well, fuck. Based on what I knew about Skills, it seemed like as reasonable a guess as any. Probably.

“Wow…”

“Wow indeed,” Lionel said. “Let this be a lesson. Always be respectful to couriers bearing the markings of Drake’s Deliveries. You have just seen a fraction of what their patron is capable of.” In response, I just nodded dumbly, trying not to extrapolate what else Aylesbury might be able to use his Skills to accomplish.

“Speaking of lessons, could someone please tell me what I missed while I was- When I could not- Could someone please tell me what I missed?” Tina looked over the three of us, her eyes lingering on Tulos. “Why are there cuts in your clothes, love?”

“It might be best if we start at the beginning,” Lionel chimed in before Tulos had a chance to answer. No one objected.

***

Between Tina, Tulos and I we recounted the events that transpired before Rosita decided to make an example. Tina confirmed that Lianda’s accusations, while not entirely accurate, did touch upon a kernel of truth. It had been unspoken, but she and Tulos had hoped the presence of Bella’s family would distract from their preparations.

Given my own selfish choices that day, I couldn’t bring myself to judge them for it. They jeopardized a friendship for my sake. I didn’t ask, but somehow knew they’d make the same choice again in a heartbeat, if they had to.

When he took Marco inside, Tulos checked the Mirrorscroll and saw that Lionel had sent a warning. We’d fallen out of the habit of checking it every day, which was a mistake in hindsight. Along with the warning came confirmation that The Slayers were sending someone; a deliberately coy choice of words since Lionel admitted that he’d always intended to come personally.

“And that is the last thing I remember before…” Tina trailed off, not needing to finish the sentiment. “What happened next?”

A pregnant pause settled over everyone. Lionel and I shifted our attention to Tulos, but he hesitated. The air he’d gathered to speak instead escaped his lips in a deep sigh. In my peripherals, I caught the sight of Tina starting to shift uncomfortably in her seat.

“What happened?” She repeated, and something about the fragile concern in her voice was enough to break through to Tulos.

“I…” He started, and I saw him clench his fist as if wrestling with words. I knew the feeling. When things were left unsaid, it was easier to pretend they didn’t exist.

“Do you need help, dad?” I asked, but he just shook his head.

“No. It is fine. I will take responsibility.” Tulos breathed deeply, such that I saw his torso visibly expand. Again, he sighed, but that time it was not a sigh of defeat. Rather, it was as if his lungs were the bellows stoking his resolve. “I used my Core Skill. I tried to make Rosita stop. I failed.”

Tina gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand.

“Love, you…” I couldn’t read the complex mix of emotions making their way across my mother’s features. Shock was there, at least, but everything else was beyond me.

“There is more to it than that,” Lionel said flatly. “Not that I take joy in interrupting the emotional moment.” When he next addressed Tulos, it was without his usual mirth. “Have you checked your messages from The System yet?”

Tulos shook his head in the negative.

“Last chance, Tulos. We can still handle this matter privately.”

“Lionel, you-”

“Apologies, Tina, but I am willing to be tactless for the sake of preserving my friend’s life.” Tina bristled but didn’t otherwise snap back at him. Neither did Tulos, who was hunched over, resting his chin on fists and his elbows on his knees.

“They can stay,” Tulos repeated, though he glared at Lionel while doing so. “I broke through the bottleneck of Weapons [Axe]. I can Advance to the Second Tier.” When the intensity of Lionel’s attention did not relent, he continued. “More than that though… I suspect my Skill has altered.”

Lionel nodded.

“I had assumed as much. Core Skill or not, the restrictions on your use of the Skill were not just born of your own convictions. And yes, before you ask, I pulled some strings to check your records. I wanted to be sure everything was above board, as far as these things go.”

Despite the gaps in my comprehension, I was able to piece together enough to be suitably shocked by the exchange. I also saw that Tulos loathed having to give voice to the reality of the situation. Tina stood and rushed over to Tulos’ side, leaning down to give him a kiss on the top of his head. Even though Tulos was sitting, she did not have far to lean. She whispered something into his ear, but I did not hear it, nor did I care to. The words were not for me.

“Little good it did,” Tulos muttered. Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Given what he jeopardized to even make the attempt, I could empathize; I’d be mad too.

“Regrets are a heavy burden, Tulos, even for one as strong as you,” Lionel cautioned. “Instead, consider the future. Your choice, unfortunately, carries consequences.”

Tina rounded on Lionel.

“Why must you bring this up now?!” She reminded me of Lianda in that moment, full of frustrations that needed an outlet. It was Lionel’s turn to draw that ire, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was by his design.

“Tulos is in violation of his agreement with The Crown,” Lionel continued, visibly unabashed. “They will seek reparations when it is discovered, and given Rosita’s presence here at the time, I do not doubt she suspects the truth.” He did not waver beneath Tina’s scowl.

“Lionel. Stop,” Tulos said, mustering what fire he could. He guided Tina to his side so that he could give the Slayer Lieutenant his full attention. “You speak of burdens, do not add to mine, not today. Let me enjoy this time with my son.”

Tina grew suddenly rigid. I’d thought it strange she hadn’t immediately asked about Lionel’s plans for me. Evidently, she’d allowed herself to avoid the issue, willingly or not, right up until Tulos’ words came like a crack of thunder to shatter that illusion. An explanation would be forthright.

This is going to suck.