Chapter 10 – Side Story: The Summoning

Motes of dust float through rays of sunlight. A breath of cool air brings frost onto every surface it touches as a large summoning circle softly glows. Surrounding the circle were several thickly robed mages and priests of varying faiths.

At the center of the group stands a priestess, cloaked in white and blue. Her ice eyes nearly glowing beneath her light-green hair. “Oh Goddess Sette, please hear our cry for help. I, your loyal Saint, Linette Aseria, do beseech thee for a boon. Please, deliver to us, a hero worthy of our cause. A hero that will lead us to victory against the darkness that gathers in faraway lands.”

[https://i.imgur.com/wKXAThs.png]

Linette slams her staff down onto the ground with a clunk. For a brief moment nothing happens. The priests glance sideways at each other, before suddenly a blinding flash of white floods the room. Once their eyes readjust, a tall man with black hair and blue eyes stands there. Naked in his newly formed body, save for a silk loincloth.

His right breast to arm has a soft golden sheen to it, as if it radiates holy energy. The rest of him was just a regular, well-toned human. Without missing a beat, she turns her head to one side with a dark red blush. “Priests. Robes!”

The man is quickly made decent, but all the while his blue eyes never left Linette's face. She’s notices this thousand yard stare and takes it as some sort of romantic interest. She never ceases blushing, turning even redder as she speaks, “Sir Hero, you have been summoned in our time of need to face the Darkness that gathers. Please accept our humble request to defeat the Demon King and the menace that is his kind.”

A few moments pass before the man speaks up. “Yeah, sure, whatever,” he says calmly. “Your Goddess sort-of filled me in.” The priests around look taken aback at his casual commentary of the Goddess. Yet none dare speak, as it is true the man has just come from their god.

One short priest finally speaks, his voice echoes throughout the room. “Please show some respect for Sette." The man blinks a few times before a look of understanding comes across his face. He simply nods to the request.

Another person finally speaks. A scribe hiding off to the side. “Hero, what is your name, so that we might make a record of your deeds?”

The handsome man smiles wryly, “Rolland. I have no surname here, so please bestow me one if it is required.”

The saint nods, “Aldera. Rolland Aldera sounds nice. Aldera means Old Time. So that you may bring back our more joyous days.” Rolland merely smirks at that. So much confidence on display for everyone here!

“If you would please place your hand on this crystal ball,” another priest says, “So that we might see your traits.”

“Of course,” Rolland says before putting his hand on it. As the priest and Rolland both look at seemingly nothing, Linette swiftly steps up. She takes the opportunity to put her hand right onto of Rolland’s.

“My,” she says, blurting over the priest well before he can speak, “He is most definitely the hero. Though Rolland will need training. The palace grounds may not suffice... Hero Rolland, as soon as you are adjusted, please dress properly. King Naryn desires an audience with you. I am aware this is all such a rush, but there is cause for haste. After this audience we must move you to a temple. For training.”

Rolland simply nods, apparently still staring at his status screen. The priest who brought the ball over, thus far completely trampled by Linette, tries to stay relevant. “Sir, if you focus on the concept of ‘information about self’ or ‘my spirit’ or ‘status’ – you will have this appear in your mind’s eye. You can interact with it through intent. It displays all your traits, skills, and needs. The Goddess is constantly tweaking things, so if you find something has changed, do not be alarmed. No one can see it unless you permit them or they have a crystal here."

Linette stares daggers at the priest, and deflects the conversation once again. “This can be discussed later. Please, have an escort take him to his bedchambers in the eastern wing.”

Two guards casually approach from the sides of the room and gesture for Rolland to follow. Not long after the doors shut, the priest from earlier speaks up in protest.

“Saint Linette. Is it appropriate for you to house him in the same wing as yourself?! You are a saint! The eastern wing, during your stay here, is purely for you and your attendants! Furthermore, it is improper to speak over me like that!”

Linette scowls at him with annoyance. “I speak the truth of the Goddess. Of which, might I remind you, the man just came from our Goddess' presence. Did he not? Did you not see his arm? Does that not make him a saint as well?”

“I… well I suppose so, but…” The priests looked at each other and the mages shrugged.

“It’s settled! Rolland will just have to stay across from me. It is what it is! I’ll be fine, it is only a minor inconvenience,” she chirps happily. Taking her staff, she practically prances off in a hurry to the eastern wing.

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Saint Linette’s Point of View

“Haaaa..” I sigh a breath of stress relief now that I am alone in my quarters. The hero, Rolland, he is perfectly handsome. Exactly my type! Oh how I adore everything about him. “We’re both saints, too,” I giggle. “I mean technically he is a saint, right? That makes it okay, right? To... to... hold hands and... marry?" The last word is practically whispered.

I waltz over to the windows to look out on the day. Such a perfect day. Everything is great and everyone is wonderful. “Today could not have a smudge on it if it tried, absolutely wonderful,” my mind wanders with thoughts of Rolland.

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I pick up a doll on my bed, puppeteering it with her usual little voice, “Didn’t you ask the Goddess that he be handsome and cute? Since the dumb priests won’t let you marry anyone not holy except them! Stupid priests. So, you got what you wished for? Did ya? Did ya?”

“Yes! Yes I did! Someone handsome. Someone fit. Not a dumb priest or priestess. I mean, anyone would have worked for me as long as the Goddess sent them, but heheee~ I can’t wait! I’m going to go on adventures with him. We’re going to go kill demons and fight the demon king and then fall in love along the way and marry and have kids and become parents and then be free to do as we want because no one can stop us!”

I simply run out of breath with my excitement. Then I wiggle my doll while voicing her once more, “But Linette don’t you think it’s wrong to force your dreams and romantic thoughts on a man you just met? What if he doesn’t swing that way?!”

“Ohhh hush you, hush hush shush. It doesn’t matter. We are fated to be together. There is no way anything will get between us. Even orientation. I can fix that with the right methods, heehee~”

“Ohhh clever Linette. Clever! A lobotomy because men are just muscle? Or drugs so he can't complain?”

A knock on her door causes a chill to race up my spine. I jerk around towards it and yelp out, “Who is it?!”

“Madam Linette, Master Rolland is ready and already on his way to see the King of this Kingdom.”

I weightlessly bound towards the door and jerk it open. A few minutes to myself to vent my feelings does wonders! Oh Rolland, I’m going to make you love me.

“Madam, were you once again speaking to yourself with that doll?” A maid says. Felicia, my loyal beast. A house cat with use. Those adorable feline ears and that long black tail! I love that she just waits for me at the door.

“Felicia, you heard nothing. Are we clear?!" I try to intimidate her into compliance. Like all cats though she rarely listens to me entirely.

“Madam, half the staff could hear your swooning.”

Wait, what?! My flush hot as she calls attention to this even more. “H-he didn’t hear me did he?!” I am petrified in place. I could be a statue right now.

“No Madam, he was a hallway over. Though if you do get any louder, he may very well. I merely thought it wise to remind you to have some self control even in private?”

“Oh, shush you. You know I’ve been looking for someone… permanent. This is just the perfect chance. Not some old doddering priest or late-night companion. A really handsome man who I can actually marry!”

“Shall I get the drugs then? If we do it tonight we could be out of the country before the churches or kingdoms realize…”

“NO! Absolutely not. I want him to love me. If I can’t make him, only then will I take it! Until such a time, I will try the hard way.”

“As you say Madam,” the maid sighs at me. Really, I can’t believe they heard me. How… embarrassing.

I make my way to the throne room as swiftly as I can through this castle. I’ve only been here a few times so it takes me a fair moment to find my way without asking for help. There, the doors before me! Rolland is on the other side talking to some oldfart king. Now to shine! Now is my time to show him a softer, beautiful side!

The men in waiting open the doors for me as I pass through as elegantly as possible. Each step softer than a cloud. My back arched and my bosom out. There he is, Rolland! Kneeling, oh so cutely before…

[https://i.imgur.com/qWUZOb5.png]

“Princess?” I practically spit out in disbelief. “W-where is the King?!”

The Princess! An Elven whore! I see now, she’s got her eyes on him! I see it so clearly! That is why they wanted him summoned here! Oh how clear it is to me now, how she angles herself to him. Her eyes shift to me briefly in recognition of my question. “My father, King Naryn, has left to tend to urgent matters. I am welcoming the Hero Rolland Aldera in his stead, and giving him my blessing and favor of the Kingdom of Nyn.”

Her blessing?! I already gave him a welcome! I hurry up to his side and possessively stand guard over his right shoulder. The Princess and I glare at each other with the intensity of a thousand suns.

Rolland, poor Rolland, is terrified of her. Looking away from us both! He's shaking and sweating. Poor man! He must be so terrified of her.

“Well, he has been welcomed and blessed. We should leave right away. The demons wait for no man,” I interpose in an attempt to pull him away.

“Oh, the war can wait long enough to train the Hero, can it not? He has yet to even have a meal since he arrived, Saint Linette.”

Oh, that wench! He will have a meal! In my bedroom! I’ll get the maids to fetch the grandest feast. I open my mouth to speak, but she continues on.

“Thus, I shall host a grand feast tonight in the Hero’s Honor. He may have the right-hand seat to royalty,” the Princess says with a coy little smirk. That. BITCH. I barely can keep my composure and not create a diplomatic incident.

“Worry not about training him or feeding him, Princess Naryn. He will be fine on the road, learning and eating along the way.” I need to get him away from her!

“Oh? The roads are congested this time of year and you would have to haul training equipment. You need not stress yourself, Saint Linette. I mean this. You will have plenty of time to ‘train’ the Hero whilst you borrow him for the journey.”

Borrow? BORROW?! I do not want your table scraps, Madam!

“Princess, I most certainly will provide Rolland with the best of care. I…” want to kill you, “… am grateful for your support in welcoming him.” For now. Bitch.

The Princess nods, and then turns to Rolland, “Now where were we? Oh, yes. Rise, Sir Rolland, Hero of the world, Hero of Naryn.”

I scream internally as the Princess essentially knights him under her banner.

Rolland just accepts, that poor, innocent man. He has no idea what he has done! I’ll have to educate him about his actions later.

Perhaps Felicia was right, perhaps I do need the drugs! Though not for Rolland and not the type that makes one compliant.

I grit my teeth through the entire meeting, my mind racing on ways to recover from this downhill tumble.

As soon as we both exit the throne room, I look to Rolland with a pleasant as possible smile, “I am sorry if you were overwhelmed by royalty. They can be… difficult. Imagine living a boring life locked away in some castle forever. She just can’t help but be boring.”

Rolland looks to me briefly, perhaps stunned with the revelation of how dull life here would be? “Saint Linette, I have only been here a few hours, but I already feel safe with both of you caring so much for my well-being. I will definitely need you to guide me through this world.”

It’s almost like he knew exactly what to say to calm me. At least somewhat calm me. “T-thank you Sir Rolland.”

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Elsewhere…

Felicia puts down the ale as she sighs. While looking to the other servants, she calmly declares: “Yes it is true, our Lady has found a man she desires permanently. So no, disposing of his body will not be necessary this time.”

Another maid speaks up, “Miss Felicia, can we at least neuter him?”

More chime in, “Or accidentally lock him in the dungeon?” “How about kidnap her and keep her away?” “What about just killing him and blaming demons?”

Felicia slams her mug on the table. “No. We must accept that Saint Linette has found another person she wants to keep. We all knew this day was coming. We have kept her happy and safe. It is time we welcome a man into her collection."

“He wasn't there for her, not once! Where was he when we bathed and dried her body. For years!” another chimes in.

“Where was he when I cart all her dirty clothes away~” adds a fifth with a rather disingenuous smile.

“SHUT UP. We all agreed to stay by her side until she dismisses us! Calm your obsessions and focus on preparing this Rolland person. He must learn manners if he is to become an object of her desire. He must learn to respect the Saint as the Goddess she is to us. If she chooses him, then he must never set eyes on another person without her permission.”

Everyone chimes in support of this statement. “To keep Saint Linette happy, Rolland must remain with her forever and ever!” A collective cheer and drinks all around were clinked.

Felicia took another drink before quietly muttering to herself, “If he hurts her, though, I’ll lobotomize him."