Terror Forty-Four - Templar
Terror Forty-Four - Templar
Ah, I say as I slowly turn around.
Theres a man behind us. Hes not very tall, and hes not very big. He doesnt even look all that scary. And yet hes sohow really freaking intimidating. Maybe its the glare, maybe its the persistent feeling that Im being watched...
Yeah, its definitely that.
The mans a Vigilance mage; theres no doubt about it. His magic is wrapped around him like a layer of eyes, watchful and wary.
Im beginning to think sneaking into the academy of the God of Heroes, who also happens to be the God of Vigilance, was maybe not my greatest idea.
Were here to, ah, ask if the people here are hungry, Es says. Foods almost served?
One of the mans bushy white eyebrows perk. Really now, he says. Hes not even bothering to make it sound like a question!
W-what my friend ansI need to salvage thisis that were here, uh, looking for so books for, um, an assignnt.
Yes, of course, he said. Three acolytes. He glances down at our robes. Of three entirely different years and ranks. All working on a single assignnt. One that requires they move into the library used by the priests of Hroe. Three female acolytes, no less, in a year where we have, if I recall correctly, only one.
Ah, I say. Were here to support our older brothers?
No, he says.
No?
No, that story isnt nearly entertaining enough. Try another.
I feel Felix leaning closer to my side. Whats that an? she whispers.
It ans that I want to have a more interesting tale to tell my fellow templars when we share a drink tonight. Your story isnt far-fetched enough for to get a free drink out of it.
So if we tell you a story thats wild enough... youll let us go? I ask.
Oh no, theres no chance of that. I do intend to see the three of you belted for this. I just hoped for a better story to tell.
I can hear Es gulp. Templars can tell when people lie, she says.
We can, the man confirms.
I thought that was a lie, I say. You know, make people think that they can tell the truth from lies so no one bothers lying to them.
He sniffs. Ridiculous.
M-maybe we should tell the truth? Es squeaks.
Sure, I say. I have a plan!
Do go on, the templar says. Hes not wearing any armour. Just a tunic belted to his waist, the sa white material as the sack-like robes we have on. It looks like it might be sothing worn under armour, I guess. The main point is, hes not equipped for a fight.
So, my na is Valeria. Im a princess.
He blinks.
Hes believing it! Im here to steal so of the books that the church stole from others. Like, a whole heap of them.
Three children plan on stealing from the academy... of the God of Heroes? he asks.
Well, yes. I have a dragon.
What.
My nas Valeria Malvada. My moms Luciana Malvada, the Dark Goddess. You know, the person you bunch dont like.
The templar takes a small step back, and that gives the ti to pull one of my butterbutts out from within my robes. I present it to him.
See! A monster.
My little friend darts ahead with a malevolent hiss and jumps towards the templars face.
Hes a trained warrior. Theres no way such a small monster will stop him, and the way he swipes it out of the air proves as much. It does distract him for a couple of precious seconds.
Felix, shove him! I call out while I tug my hood back.
Felix laughs, and a heavy gust of wind almost knocks down as it slams ahead of Felix and rams the templar while hes already bending back and away from my now-dead butterbutt.
I step over to Es, the final cog in my very carefully laid last-second plan. Shes staring at , eyes as wide as saucers and hair a bushy ss. I can see the sparks flickering around. Yo-youre--
I am, I say. And I really need you to zap him. Now!
Es turns towards the templar who is, predictably, starting to stand up. He looks a bit cross with us, and I can see the skin over his fists hardening as if its turning to stone.
Es saves the day.
The crack-bang of her Surprise magic unleashing all at once is like a gunshot going off right next to my head, and even sowhat prepared for it I reel back.
The templar fares a lot worse. All I have to deal with is so ringing in my ears. He got a jolt of electric-blue magic right to the chest. His eyes roll up and he crashes to the floor with a heavy thump I can barely hear.
Well done! I say. Its always nice to praise a friend who has done good work.
Es doesnt seem to appreciate it. She turns to , then points a finger towards my face. You... you lied to !
Huh?
Es drops her hand with a swipe, and I cant help but stare at the way her lips are wobbling. You never told you were... that.
I cross my arms. We dont have ti for this. I never lied to you, I say.
Yes, you did!
No, I didnt, I say. I never said I was Moms daughter, but that shouldnt matter.
Of course it matters! Es says. Are you even a human?
Hey! Felix says. Miss Vals nice.
You knew! Es says. Now shes being angry at Felix. You knew the whole ti, I bet.
That Miss Valerias who she is? Felix asks. Yeah, I knew. She didnt have to tell you about it. Its her business.
Its everyones business! Es says. She... you brought monsters into the city!
I control them. They wont hurt anyone I dont want them to.
Thats worse! Es says.
No, its not. My little friends are nice unless I tell them not to be. Theyre like... trained dogs.
Monsters arent like dogs.
Sure they are, I say.
Ess face goes very red. They are not!
Yes, they are. Theyre nice and cuddly, they can be well-behaved and--
Dogs didnt kill my parents! Es shouts.
I dont know what to say. Felix stays quiet too, and Es just stands there, breathing hard, eyes staring at the floor.
I want to reach out to her, but I dont know what to say. Im sorry would sound so... stupid. What would I say to the person I thought was kind of responsible for... for doing that to Mom?
I think Id be a lot more violent than Es is being right now.
I...
Shut up, Valeria, Es says. She sniffs, and its an ugly gurgly noise, but I cant bla her. She wipes her nose and eyes across the sleeve of her robes. We need to take care of him. Soone could walk in, and we made a lot of noise.
Yeah, Felix says. We can hide him in a closet, I think, with a gag in his mouth and his hands tied, but well have to be fast. People dont stay knocked out for long.
I used a spell for that. We should have so ti, Es says.
Im sorry, I mutter.
Es glares at . I thought you were my friend.
I swallow. You are... I am.
I... I dont believe you.
I dont know what to do for a mont, then its my turn to glare. Look, I didnt choose to be born a monster, alright? But Im happy I am one, because it ans I have a great Mom and... and stuff. I didnt lie to you but... yeah, I should have told you. And... I dont know the monsters that did... that to your parents, but if you want, we can find them and you can do whatever you want to them, okay?
I dont want revenge, Es says.
I... okay, thats okay.
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