Nathan Free, Natalie Bound Chapter 166: Elica

It was quieter. The ga room was not the right place for this conversation. Elica had said she wanted sowhere very private. And interesting. So I had brought us back to Nurvedvu. Not the main city, just the field outside of it, where the magic embedded there would let everyone fly about. The girls and I bobbed on the breeze, coasting about slowly, stars above, dark below. "I will deny ever saying this," Larianne said, "but it's too dark out here. Flying at night is dangerous. If you can't see the ground, you can't know if you're about to hit it, or how fast, or at what angle. We should have so kind of light." I shrugged, and channeled void until my skin started to glow. Vancy let out a 'whoa' of wonder and flew closer to poke my cheek with her finger. "Vancy." "Sorry!" Elica stared out at the glowing golden sands on the other side of The Wall. "I just wanted to be an earl, that's all," she said. "To be important." Vancy swooped back to clasp Elica on the shoulder. "You're important to us!" "You know what I an," Elica said dismissively. The far-off golden glow reflected in her eyes. The nearby white glow from my skin glinted in her hair. "But I was never going to get the chance. My grandparents were count and countess of Vizet. They never approved of who my mother married, and they approved of even less." Vancy drifted closer again. "Wait, they were c-" "Shh," I said. "She's gonna tell the story." "Right. Sorry." Elica rolled onto her back, staring up at the stars above now. Her hair dangled downward, wafting. "They said they'd never pass the county down to my parents, or to . Just to spite my father. They would rather end the succession and return the land and title to the earl to pass off to one of the other cadet houses, even a minor house. So I was the granddaughter of the count, and I would never even be so much as a baronet. But for the anti, I was a da at least. The realm, you know how it is." We all nodded. We had all been born as, at the very least, a da of the realm. "My parents took a vacation," she said, without looking to any of us. "Right when things were really bad. The big city, hah, to go visit the main family. I was rather young, nine years old. We were at an art gallery, attending a showing that was supposed to patch relations between Brunbling and Eyellon. I curtsied to our Lord Protector, and I mortgaged my future." "What?" I said. I glanced from her, to the other baffled faces around , and then back. She sighed. "Brunbling has a rule. No, rather, a policy, started about ten years back. Anyone can beco an earl. You need to be a titled noble and you need to be willing to take a portion of the liability for the common fund. Nobody talks about it much." Larianne was staring, eyes bugging out. "Wait, you jumped from a non-inheriting da to an earl? Just like that?" I was just as startled. An earl is not a small post. My father, the duke, has four earldoms dividing his land, each with twelve to twenty counties subdividing it. After that, barons, lords, and landowners. Most of the other duchies had similar breakdowns. But my tutors never ntioned anything about Brunbling earls being different... but if the policy was as recent as she said, I might just have never heard about it back when I was studying. As she said, they didn't talk about it much. I can understand why they would not publicize that they were watering down their highest titles, selling them off even to children who were not sure what they were doing. "Yes," Elica said. She sounded very lonely when she said it, staring up at the stars. It was hard to tell if we were staying in place, there was almost nothing to compare our position. We could see ourselves in relation to each other, and we could see the golden-glowing horizon. We could tell that the air was not noticeably thinner, nor could we see the ground from the glow my body put off. She reached up and stroked a locket around her neck. "Just like that. I was sworn in. Most parents would never have allowed their child to make such a decision. Mine never hesitated. Brunbling isn't like the rest of the Houses. adowtam. Ebonder. They've got money. Power and respect and resources. Greifir? They've got armies and churches and relics and cities... Wanfarrun is not a wealthy land. No industry, no comrce, and only subsistence agriculture. If you could sell cold weather and fieldstone, we'd be too rich." Also, gross mismanagent, embezzlent, bickering and black markets. But I'm not going to interrupt her story to remind everyone that Wanfarrun was doing just fine until the Brunblings declared that they were the only ones allowed to sell crop seed in the duchy. They ruined their own soil composition and pollen diversity for the sake of a single generation of prosperity. "So when we went back ho, I was an unlanded earl and my mother was the dowager-regent, my father the consort-regent. And all three of us outranked my grandparents. They were able to take the county within a week, it took a few signatures and a trip to the nearest court. Once everything was squared away, we moved into our manor house. My father had the old count and countess stripped of their titles and flogged," she said, distant and unaffected. Vancy and Larianne and I shared a startled and revolted look. We each, in turn, mouthed the word. Flogged? I did not know there was a single duchy of the kingdom that this was still legal. Floggings were sothing that we did away with centuries ago, like chattel slavery, debtor's prisons, and blue laws. And to do that, to their child's grandparents? Their own parents, or parents-in-law. None of us really seed to believe what we were hearing but Elica was not stopping to respond to our surprise. "Most of the money went to keeping up appearances," she said. "Parties with the other earls, latest fashions. Gilded carriages, finest foods. Wizards to boost crop growth. And, bidding on the Wards Project. It's our version of the Tumnassed Wall over there. We use magic instead of stone, building scripted wards. My parents actually went broke twice. My mother managed to earn the money back. She wagered my birthright in a ga of cards. Wagered twice, won twice. She's a terrific gambler," Elica said wistfully. Larianne reached over and took hold of Elica's hand, gave it a squeeze. We hung there in the chilly breeze, wordless, for a long mont while we all considered the fact that young Elica had watched her parents, as regents controlling her holdings, had put her title and lands on the line for a poker ga, twice. And the way she told this story made suspect that nine-year-old Elica may not have chosen to elevate herself to an earl's position entirely by her own plans. There was probably so pressure and manipulation applied there. I could almost hear so sweet voice saying 'don't you want to help Mommy and Daddy?' ringing in the breeze behind her recitation. And then they sold it off pieceal. Elica had not shown us the capital of her holdings, she had shown us the entirety of her holdings. Just the one city. An earl with less land than most would give to a baron. This helps explain a lot. "I don't hold that against her," Elica said, as if she sensed our discomfort. I could not tell if she was looking at us or not. She was turning so the light was not on her eyes anymore. "I wish she had gone to the tables earlier. We used to have lands, outside of town. We sold them, for dresses that went out of style. I used to sit on a bridge that I owned, and watch the stream run underneath it. Sold it to a Kadot baron, there's a toll house on it now and nobody uses it. Being an aristocrat is really expensive. I never realized how much money it took, my grandparents made it look easy." Probably because they were managing their lands and investnts, and not just selling everything like they expected soone to co and stop them, I thought to myself. It's not been long since I yelled at my parents for keeping at a distance and trying to run my life without understanding . But Elica was just calmly telling us about the way her scumbag parents had systematically looted her future, and I am finding myself so grateful for my upbringing. God I hope I don't find out that Vancy was locked in a kennel and horsewhipped as a child. It's gonna fuck up if I find out my family is the best around and they all have more tragic backstories than I do. My parents sent off to fight their enemies like a child soldier and then cut off when I surrendered myself to stand trial for my cris. But between Elica's unfolding tale, and the traumatic bullshit that I know Larianne has had, I'm starting to feel like I got off easy. "They sold my rights to payouts from the Backing Fund," Elica said absently. "Right at the very end. I'm glad they saved that for last, it was pretty much our only inco. All the tax revenues are just paying off interest now. They threw a great birthday party for when I turned fifteen. They gave themselves a nice villa in Jangale as a present." She huffed a small laugh. "Probably wanted to be well clear of the area once they couldn't order anyone else flogged." More and more of this story was coming clear. "Elica?" I asked tentatively. "Did your parents have a lot of people flogged? Using your authority?" "I don't know about a lot," she answered, smiling. "How many is a lot, really? A dozen, a hundred? Whatever. Probably more than they should have. But, when the money started to run low... well, when you're powerful there's only really two leverages you've got. You can either spend money, or you can punish people. Towards the end there wasn't much money." Oh yeah. It was definitely a lot of people. I am starting to understand why Elica simrs with jealousy against the royal princess. Why she's got so much resentnt for anyone that makes her feel small. Why she makes such an affair out of her aristocratic role. Refusing to unpack her bags or move her discarded clothes to a laundry hamper. Why she's so obsessed with appearances. Everything she ever could have had was traded for the sake of a facade, and it's all she's got left. She can't give up the only thing she has left. Vancy flew over, slowly, and started running her hands through Elica's hair, stroking her scalp. Larianne was still holding her hand, which left the odd one out. Cold and distant Natalie, glowing like the only moon over Hearstwhile, hovering with her friend and unable to reach for them. The only one who's never shown off her ho, never invited anyone to share my story. Even my closest friends in the school, I keep at that distance. I would rather they got to know by reputation or by speculating from my actions. I don't talk about where I ca from. And now Elica is more humble and human to them than I am. Now she's more relatable than I am. In my defense, she's acting like she's half-dazed right now, disassociating, it has definitely affected her to find out that all her debts are coming due. This is her nightmare. And she's not entirely herself right now. Her future traded for a title. Her grandparents traded for a land. Her land traded for luxuries. Her inco traded for independence, her parents traded for promises. Her path in life has been whittled from the sides until she's walking a tightrope over disaster, and today she heard the rope snap. She's feeling the freefall. ? I was dropped into empty space years ago. That's how I learned I can fly. But mixed taphors aside, she does seem to be feeling a little better. "Sucks," I said, sitting cross-legged in the air nearby. "Mind if I discuss solutions? It's okay if not." "Distract ," she said, with a "go-ahead" wave. "First, you could transfer the Dandstons to another House so you'd be out from under that debt," I said. "But, you'd probably have to stop the flogging. Second, you could just refuse to pay. There's several parts of your story that a competent attorney could use to invalidate your debt. Third, trade back your earldom and carry on as a countess. Or-" "Or I could go to the tables like my mother taught ," Elica said blandly. "I do have a rather potent talent, well-developed, and it is potentially a source of great wealth." Right, she could do that, it is a capacity she has that I had not accounted for. "That is an option," I said cautiously, "as long as we phrase it differently. 'Go to the tables' sounds kind of dirty. Am I the only one that can hear it?" Vancy made a face. "It sounded fine when she said it, but coming from you it actually does sound dirty." Larianne was nodding along, the traitor. We fought monsters together, defied death side by side! "Fine," I said. "Anyway, Elica, I think I know how I can help you." It only took a couple of letters to set things up for Elica. She would get her chance. I accidentally created this problem for her, I could give her an opportunity to get out of it. Now I just need to spend a little ti worrying about the fact that it might look really shady that Elica, my roommate, is suddenly broke and in need of funds just after the Freckentop princess that we've both been feuding with has disappeared. It's not like I'm known for consorting with assassins, but everyone knows that the assassins are there and ready for consorting. Never mind, that sounded dirty too. Ugh. First I dance with Yheta for no reason and now everything is an innuendo. I need to get control of myself. Lately that's been a recurring the. I've been needing to take breaks from Souls and Soullessness. Periodically I start getting really invested in what I'm reading, eager to see what's on the next page. And when that happens, I set the book down for a few days, just to make sure I'm still in control. You know the trope of the mad scientist or crazed cultist that pushes discovery too far? Either so new principle or formula, or a big to of forbidden knowledge. And they start cackling and diving in and they lose perspective and they start taking risks, and the next thing you know they're on a rooftop in a storm, about to be broken in half by so monster while they scream "No! You are my creation and you must obey !" Yeah, that's not gonna be . And every ti, the first place they go wrong is that they get excited by the possibilities, and they get emotional, and they get impatient. This makes it really hard to get the information I need quickly, but I'd rather move safely than quickly for this. Especially after I noticed in my status log that I had passed an Intellect challenge that was not announced at the ti. From the tistamp, the Intellect challenge was when I closed the book. So, that's how a video ga tells you that you did the smart thing, right? The other advantage I get here is that every so often I hit so tidbit that gives 1 XP on Belisa's Missing Piece quest, letting know when I'm on the right track. I'm glad I don't have to comb the whole book, just follow the breadcrumbs to the specific information I need. The hard part is the self control. That is where I'm determined to make no mistakes. The obvious danger of necromancy is the death magic. Monsters and plagues and instant death. The hidden danger of necromancy is that it's so fucking easy. It's exactly the kind of easy that tempts people into trying sothing just a little out of their reach, because they're sure they know what they're doing. If there's one challenge that nobody's as prepared for as they think they are, it's "make objectively good choices with no room for error". "Distracted?" Coppor Cseyz asks, leaning into my personal space. The new sorcery teacher. He's still a bit manic. "Yes sir," I said, startled. "I've got a lot going on right now." "Ah," he says. "In that case I've got great news!" "What's that?" I ask. "Well, the great news is that the good news I have for you won't interfere with everything you've got going on right now because it doesn't matter for six more months!" he cheered. He's a very strange little man, always capering. He's also a damn good sorcery teacher, and has been slowly showing more and more benefits to my channeling abilities. It was his idea to channel peacock energy while I was performing for Duke Quoissi Eyellon, and I've been keeping peacock energy on tap whenever I'm attending society events these days. If you're at the gala, you gotta be ready to perform. "That is great news," I said. "Honestly, I don't think I could handle even one single thing more on my plate right now. Anyway, what's the good news that doesn't matter for another six months?" "You've got your appointnt at the Temple of Fire," Coppor said, lacing his fingers together. "I know you've been-" The desk in front of snapped in half with a terrific crack. I blinked, and stared down in front of . I held one half in either hand, jagged splinters marked the jagged break. My fingers and thumbs were pressed into the wood like it was clay, distorting the grain. Like I'd been sitting on a bench holding a graham cracker and soone gave shocking news and I accidentally snapped the cracker. But instead it's an inch-thick board of seasoned oak that I just snapped by accident. Splinters sift down in the air between us. He's staring at . Most of the other students are staring at . I sit there self-consciously, and taphysically I think I'm staring at too. We're not supposed to do big violent acts in the classroom proper, we've got a target range for a reason and it is very bad form to break things up in the main lecture hall. "Hah hah," I said. "Ah, I forgot I was channeling that one." "Which one was it?" he asked. "Thunderbeast," I replied. "Keep working on control," he said, sidling away. "Fire temple. Springhigh. Next year." As soon as I was not the center of all attention I fistpumped very quietly and mouthed a very big 'YES!' just for myself. After all these fucking years I've finally got a due date for my fire affinity! It's not the only temple I could visit to boost up my affinities. It's just the only one I really care about. Fire. The untad elent! Giver of warmth, destroyer of forests! Sure, I could go try so of the others... but it would be a letdown. I know where to find the coral temple and the tin temple, but if I went there I would know that what I really want is fire. And I've got a date. An appointnt. Springhigh. I was going to finish mastering fire. Anticipation started bubbling inside of , fizzing in between my lungs. I felt my cheeks heating up and shivers hit my shoulder blades. Either I was ecstatically excited or I've caught sothing terminal. Is there any feeling in the world quite as aweso as 'it's finally gonna happen'? Speaking of which... I hopped up and headed for the targeting range. I'm going to need more control over thunderbeast essence before I bring it out against Suthie Vanderbolt and the Stutin Institute camogie team.