I leave my ho for a year and I co back to chaos. Amalric murmured as he slowly walked back and forth in front of , talking to himself, And every ti I try to make sense of things I always end up hearing your na, murk.
His entourage spread out a fair distance away, silently watching all of us and scaring away any passers-by. Groupies all of them. Close enough to provide him support and protection, but far enough not to interfere with his speech.
Amalrics eyes glanced at our group, Leave us. Now.
So that is why the others were so far away. Looks like he wanted a private conversation.
I heard the shuffle behind . Looking back, the girls only moved closer to . Even Viter didnt move as much, choosing to shoot a careful look instead.
Please, I said, passing the pouch to Yeva, Do as the Young Master said.
A quiet whisper between us and Irje nodded, pulling Yeva along. A quick glance at Viter and he had done the sa.
Leaving alone with the frowning Amalric.
And now my mothers slaves listen to you instead?
It was Dominas own will. They were either sold or given to so that they can help in my tasks.
They might be yours, but rember that you belong to Kiytl.
I silently bowed in agreent, denying him of a potential continuation of the argunt. Acknowledging that he was my master could likely result in him easily demanding sothing out of on the spot. While specifying that it was his mother that owned could lead to needless posturing. Surrounded by his cohort, Amalric would be unlikely to take kindly to any statents undermining his authority.
Tell , murk. Where did you co from and what have you done to earn my mothers trust? I have heard the rumours in the Manor. It has been less than five tendays since youve arrived and yet you are now a common sight within my mothers eting rooms. He pressed on.
I was bought as a work slave for the washing pits. In her boundless wisdom, Domina has noticed my aptitude in alchemy as I worked there, and then - my skills at math. She had sent to et Virnan Shah himself so he could observe . I conveniently skipped my origin story trying to distract him with the golden bauble on my neck, Having tested my ability, he gave this.
He squinted at the Gestr and I could feel it vibrating in my hand. A string of runes shining through.
Amalric harrumphed but didnt challenge my statent. Whatever that was, it apparently worked as so sort of identification, most likely confirming its authenticity.
Do you know what I think as I look at you?
Young Master?
A hand lashed out with a supernatural speed, aiming for my throat. I barely had the ti to insert a finger around the carotid artery as his hand grabbed my neck like a vice, nearly crushing my windpipe in the process. Bastard ant business. Luckily for , I had secured the blood flow to my brain. In the anti, my throat muscles started to rapidly readjust themselves in order to allow fresh air in again.
I see a liar, He murmured into my face as he lifted from the ground. He wasn`t as tall as his father, but taller than Aikerim and . Do you really think that I would believe so slly farm slave managing to impress the Wise Fox of Kiytl himself? How do you even know what math is.
So say that math is discovered, and not just invented, I made a realistic sound of wheezing, It is all around us, we just have to notice.
And so say nothing but farts into the air. A murk like you discovering anything my Grand-uncle hasnt seen before?
An ant crawling on the ground sees the world differently than a hawk soaring in the skies. I kept croaking my poetic garbage.
Of all the people to pick up on my spectacular rise in the ranks, why did it have to be him? I guess I grew complacent after every other wermage took my knowledge for granted and, most importantly, never bothered to ask uncomfortable questions. And now the lovestruck fool was demanding reasonable answers that I was not prepared to give. Especially to him. Even putting the sneaky snake business aside, Aikerim would be absolutely livid if I divulged my story to him first while keeping her ignorant.
You sing like a bird, Amalric smirked, I wonder how pathetic you will sound when you find out that we have a Gift exactly to weed out the likes of you.
The Orb of Truth? I asked incredulously, holding back my own grin as I saw the look of dismay on his face, Domina has been testing with it since our first eting. Just like you, she had made sure that I would not be here to undermine Kiytl.
Amalric growled and threw to the floor, his foot landing on my chest. And yet you caused havoc yesterday! An important eting had been postponed because you chose to stroll across Samat!
I was out by orders of Domina herself when I was assaulted on the streets. The rest was Domina reacting to being potentially kidnapped or even killed. I coughed.
He paled briefly as he quickly took his foot away from my body.
I chose not to move, continuing my play of a fragile murk. Less hassle that way. He put himself in this position and I let him simr in it as I recovered my breathing. The ssage was clear to both of us, his mother wouldnt take it lightly if he continued this interrogation. Not only that, but by staying down I prevented him from feeling challenged and thus retaliating out of spite. And now reason wouldnt let him take that path. He could either help get up and apologize or
Consider yourself lucky, He spat, stepping away from , Do not speak about this to anyone, but know that I will be watching you. And I will make sure to keep my Manor safe from your kind.
Or he would withdraw and leave alone. Just like that.
I slowly sat up from my lying position. Amalric group have disappeared and I was alone on the pathway with only so faraway gawkers. Curious about what was going on but unwilling to co closer and intrude on the Young Master performing local justice.
It was a good thing that I told the girls and Viter to head ho. It would have been much harder to handle this if they tried to intervene, or he would try to get at through them. The question is why did he bother to seek out now? He could have easily found yesterday if he looked. This ans he decided to look for today. But why?
I started to carefully dust myself off and fix my hair. Apart from rowdy Young Masters, I had horny Big Cougars to worry about. And I knew that she would raise a fuss if I ca ho looking beat up. Most likely demand to seduce so other wermage or sothing.
An unconscious shudder ran down my spine as I imagined Irje telling to seduce Amalric himself.
Are you alright? A soft lodious voice interrupted my nightmare.
I jolted only to jump up and try to dust myself off as quickly as possible. Lady Shahin Esca! It is nice to et you, er May the warmth never leave your house!
Amalric, you horny bastard! How gullible can you get? Keeping my Manor safe my ass!
And may the warmth never leave your breath, The eyes crinkled with a hidden smile, You know of our customs, do you hail from Yusuf yourself?
Ive never been farther than a tenday walk away from Samat. But I rembered the greeting my mistress used when she t you for the first ti. I spoke as I carefully picked my words.
She obviously knew her way around conversations, or she would not be an envoy, especially with such a small escort. Shahin was most likely the one who pointed Amalric in my direction. I quickly tried to rember how much I managed to say in front of him. And calculate how likely that she had heard everything.
A sharp mind in a boy so young, She slowly spoke as her hand moved out to fix my ruffled hair. Her skin surprisingly hot to touch. Do not worry, child, I will not harm you.
Her other hand was held open in front of . So exotic sweet in her palm.
I quickly glanced around as if to make sure no one was looking. Thankfully for , I could see so onlookers still paying attention to us. My hand quickly grabbed the snack and threw it in my mouth.
Mmmh. So roasted nuts pressed with honey. No traces of poisons either. Not that it would affect anymore, but I would have hated to have the taste ruined. Besides, you dont say no to offered food. Thats Blasphemy. The Gods of Food will strike you down.
Thank you for your generosity, I spoke with my mouth full.
She chuckled, Do not mind it, I just do not want to see unnecessary pain. And please forgive Amalric Karim, it is just the custom of these lands. The harsh life makes them grow fearful and they would prefer to be safe rather than to venture out and get hurt.
Uh-huh, lady, your gifts are sweet but your tongue is insidious. I guess I looked gullible enough with my mouth full of food. That didnt an I would stop playing the cards which were dealt to .
Rest assured, my Domina has been benevolent to . I happily nodded as I finished masticating. The sweet was extrely chewy.
That is good to know, She nodded without missing a beat, It is always a blessing to have an honest master. One should pray to the Gods that they stay that way.
I glanced at her and she sighed, It is always a worry if one in the family acts improperly. One would always wonder if that is just an unlucky occasion or a sign or sothing else. Who knows from where the wind would bring the sand next day.
Her warm hand patted , as she kept slowly talking with a very soothing voice, But you should be fine in her hands. I can see that she values talent, and I promise you that she will keep you safe as long as you are useful to her. No matter what her family might say or do. But if there is doubt in your heart, my ears will always listen to your pleas. Find in my quarters then.
With a single flex of her tail, Shahin easily lifted her torso up and away from , ending the conversation on a rather unusual note. She left as silently as she had arrived, leaving dumbstruck in the middle of the path.
Sohow I expected her to try and kill on the spot if she had a chance. And I didnt think it would have been that hard. Cautiously using Amalric as an example of a wermage's physical strength, I felt I had at least so chance against soone like him. That tail alone would have likely crushed both of us without a second thought.
Despite that, she decided on a soft approach. And she managed to achieve whatever she went out to do. Or she wouldnt have left in such a fashion. The question is, what was she really after?
Or did I misunderstand their thods and they opted out to buy and recruit, instead of removing competition?
I shook my head. Whatever it could be, this was not the ti to think about it. If Shahin really was as benevolent as she sounded - she could wait until my family was secure. And then we would talk business. If that was just a ploy of a snake to lower my guard. Tough luck for her. I was already dancing on the edge of the blade here and leaving myself vulnerable would be plain stupid.
XXX
The reunion at my living quarters was full of relief as I managed to hide the details of the prior altercation. My assurances that everything was fine were t with a begrudging acceptance, which was only placated by my continuous reminders that Amalric still saw as a normal murk. I kept quiet, however, that if I was a normal murk I probably would have had at least a few of my ribs broken. And my nanites hid the marks on my skin.
A slightly forlorn look on Yevas face told that she picked up on what was left unsaid. She chose not to speak about it, letting Irjes content wash over us. Our cougar was perceptive, but it took a murk to understand another murk. No wonder that it was she that reminded to keep hiding in obscurity and bury my pride in it. Not like I had stopped doing that either, no matter how much new knowledge was jamd into my head - old habits died hard.
Irje left us soon after, choosing to resu her usual responsibilities and graciously allowing Yeva to spend so ti with and relax afterwards. To compensate for having all to herself during our trip as well as her having to weather the Young Masters snooping.
Yeva imdiately cuddled into my lap, demanding head pats, snacks that we have bought for her, and stories of our trip.
I let her laugh rrily as I told the story of our toy connoisseur and the ntal damage her shopping trip caused to my psyche. She promised that she will keep safe from evil shopkeepers as I fed her yet another morsel of food.
And then she kissed feverishly as I put the dallion on her neck. It was my promise to her, and I finally let it happen. From now on Yeva was both free and mine, and I was hers. And she made sure to make it obvious: her demands for my touch skyrocketed imdiately after.
I want to hear you play, Yeva murmured as she snuggled into my hug. Her naked skin flush with my own.
Soon, love. I yearn to hear it myself but there are still things I have to do today. But I promise that it will be ready tonight.
Like the Lady of the House? She teased back, her stuck out tongue making it quite obvious.
I groaned, Behave. Or I will spank you like our cougar. Aikerim, however, might visit the alchemy lab soon and I want to have two projects of mine complete before then. And cover up a hole in the wall.
Will you deal with that annoyance too? Yeva asked after she stopped giggling.
Absolutely. I might have ignored him otherwise but I will not stand idly when he dares to threaten you.
A wistful sigh escaped her delicate lips, I wish to say the sa to you one day.
Perhaps you will. Or perhaps we will get to where you wont even need to do that anymore.
Yeva chuckled, You and your dreams of grandeur. Now go while I still let you. Impress Domina and her daughter. And then rush back to my side.
She stretched on our bed, the beads of sweat glistening on her soft skin, For I will be waiting on you here.
XXX
Domina is here to et you,
I pulled a piece of glass from the molten salt bath without acknowledging Viters voice from outside. While my nanites rerouted blood in my neck capillaries. Aikerim was likely to co in without waiting for permission, but I needed to be ready for her imdiate arrival. Not that I would bar her from entering but dealing with soone unaware of the term occupational hazard required so extra precautions.
Wermages could probably scoff at a lot of things deadly to murks but I didnt want to test how hot was too hot even for Aikerim.
Carefully covering the molten saltpetre with a lid, I turned around to see Domina glaring at my guard. To his credit, Viter looked extrely uncomfortable but didnt leave his spot.
I welco you, my Domina, I bowed, And thank you Viter, you have done well. Please leave us.
The wertiger signed in relief and disappeared.
Please forgive him, Aikerim. I didnt want you to walk into the nasty fus and things hotter than they could ever be, I apologized as I took off the product of a forbidden relationship between an apron and coveralls. She wasnt the only one who needed protection in this room.
She smirked, anger nowhere to be seen on her face, I am quite surprised how quickly you have gotten him under your thumb. Perhaps you do know a thing or two on how to rule.
Her brows furrowed imdiately as soon as she glanced at . You have been hurt. Have you been attacked on the streets again? Explain.
I glanced down at the ugly bruise revealed by the open collar of my tunic. This had happened inside the manor. And I have been told not to speak about it.
Speak plainly, or I will consider adding more to your skin. Ive heard enough from Irje to know this isnt from your sadaq. So tell , who dared to raise a hand on my Alchemist? In my own House?
Your own son, or that is what I would have told you if you used the Orb of Truth. Otherwise, I have tripped and fell.
Why was he near you? She instantly pressed on ahead with her questioning.
He sought out, or I should say he found my sadaq while looking for . He has been very concerned about my rise in your household, or so he said. And he demanded to know more.
Aikerim sighed and closed her eyes. Her jaw muscles flexing under her skin, And what have you told him?
By your orders, as little as I could. We were in public after all. You have noticed my skill in alchemy and math, sent to Virnan to confirm, and made sure I didnt lie by using the Orb.
She groaned, and slumped on a nearby chair, uncaring for its cleanliness. Her fingers massaging her temples.
You respond to , and you will be questioned by no one but . Nor shall anyone else dare to discipline you. Or your sadaq. Not my children, nor my husbands. None of the Kiytl, not even my Matriarch mother. I will make sure that all of them will be inford. And I will deal with my son myself.
I shuddered from the way she spoke her last words. Thank you Amalric for your service, your life was short but your gift to will be treasured forever.
Do not abuse my generosity, however. For I will hear every complaint about you myself. And I will not take it lightly if you abuse this gift.
I bowed, Thank you Aikerim, this is already more than what I could hope for. But there is more. As soon as Amalric Karim left lying in the dirt, Aikerim scrunched her nose at my description, I was imdiately approached by Shahin herself. Who was nothing but receptive to my plight. Helping to get up and even giving sweets as well. I have a suspicion that she wasnt there on accident.
I wonder, She murmured as she slowly stroke her tail, her ears back and down as soon as I ntioned the snake. If there is a spell to remake a son? And what is with you and food? You have access to the kitchens for a reason.
I scratched my chin, The only one I know of takes nine mo-, I an twenty-eight tendays. And food is sacred, my Domina. How would I refuse! Especially if she sees as gullible in the process too.
Aikerim barked in a loud laugh, Thank you, Erf, I needed that. Unfortunately, I still love my son to simply get rid of him. Nor do I have the ti and will to make another one right now. So that would have to wait. In the anti, tell of your conversation with her.
Shahin is insidious for sure. She spoke little, mostly planting doubts within my mind as far as I could tell. I quickly relayed the rest of our conversation. I have no idea what her real target was, however. But right now, she could wait for all I care.
Domina sat in silence, her tail still inside her lap, And what about your mind? Do you doubt my rule? she spoke quietly.
No, I shook my head, You are smart, Aikerim. You are guided by reason and not by the fleeting fancy of the day. That makes you predictable to a certain extent. Which clears my doubts about you.
You know, sotis your praises dont really sound like ones.
Because it wasnt. A praise, that is. I simply told you the truth. And like many truths usually are, it is not good nor bad. It just is. And it is our job to understand our strengths and limitations and, in knowing them, avoid a bleaker future.
Strengths and limitations, huh, She slowly murmured, her ears slowly lifting up, Still I would prefer to make sure. Perhaps I should leave the glass-working to you and your family. Let it be the tangible proof of my promise to keep you safe.
No need, Aikerim. Really. I care little for glass as long as it is being made. One of the main reasons why I wanted it is because I needed better glassware for myself. Sotis if you want to make it right you have to do it yourself. I did. And now I am ready to move forward. To bigger things than just so molten sand.
Take a look at this, for example, I picked up the cooled ring of glass, and threw it. Not to Aikerim but into the floor.
She gasped as it hit the wooden floor only to bounce away intact.
Is that what you were talking about? she picked it up from the floor.
Yes, chemically treated glass, soaked in molten saltpetre. Now it is many tis stronger than glass from Esca.
Can they make it?
Not unless they know about sothing only two of us are aware of. Even then, they cant just dunk any piece of glass and get similar results. The glass itself needs to be made properly to obtain the best benefit. However, they can temper their glass in air like one would quench steel blades in oil, but that would only work on simple shapes.
Her tail swished in a familiar and relaxed way. Yet you dont even care about that?
I care that I could have resilient glassware. Soon I will be able to make glass that one could boil liquids in without fear of it shattering from heat. I care that I can have clear glass for other projects. But I do not care who will make it.
Why? Aikerim looked at , Why would you discard it so easily? You know how valuable it is.
Ti. I spread my arms, Yours and mine. They are much more valuable than that glass. You have earned a fortune trading textiles. Yet, you do not grow your own. Because your ti is more valuable than to spend it tilling land and shearing sheep. Just like you, I would prefer to use my ti on sothing greater. And pay soone else to provide with glass instead.
I can see that. However, it only works as long you actually have sothing greater to replace it.
Absolutely, and I already do. I picked up a wrapped object from the table. The product of my nitric acid hunt of yesterday. The one that Anaise had almost blown to smithereens. Forcing to barricade the hole with wooden planks.
I smiled as I heard a loud swish of the tail. Aikerim looked away, her cheeks slightly pink.
This is the reason why I needed that float glass and silver. And other ingredients I have been searching on the markets. I said as I unveiled the glass mirror to her.
It was an experintal piece and wasnt extrely large, just big enough to show her face. But judging by the look of amazent on Aikerims face, it was more than plenty.
Her fingers plucked it from my hand and she quickly lost herself inside the mirror. Her tail swaying with abandon.
I have never seen my face so clear, she murmured as her fingers traced the surface. What a weird feeling
This is why I dont care for re goblets or vases. Think of the soap - how important do you think it is now?
I believe I find it easier to understand your point of view with each thing that you make. Especially with soap. I rember myself coveting it like it was precious. And now I would be anable to give that knowledge away, for a proper price of course, just to free more workers for your current projects.
Aikerim glanced once more into the mirror and pulled out the silver comb, precious and exquisite. And offered it to .
I took it without a single word and started to unravel her large braid, combing her hair free and letting her watch the process. Her ears relaxed and low as she leaned into every stroke of the comb.
Your captive spoke, She said out of the blue.
I glanced down and saw her looking at through the mirror, but said nothing in return. I kept working, allowing her to continue at her own pace.
Long story short, Samat had to offer so concessions in turn.
House of Samat. The rulers of the capital? I wondered why the wersheep were so interested in , but I kept my silence as my fingers run through her hair.
I decided that since they threatened you, they should make it up to you as well. The construction of the estate will begin tomorrow. And you will get your aqueduct.
Thank you, Aikerim, I smiled at her through the mirror.
She said nothing else about it, but I didnt really care. I had other priorities on my mind. I needed my family safe and I needed to wait for Albin to finalize whatever plan he thought of. And I needed Aikerim happy in the anti because I had a feeling she might find it irkso that I was planning behind her back.
I also needed to head out to see Anaise soon, but I had enough ti to finish Aikerims braid.
And then I would be back ho. In the embrace of my sadaq. And with a real guitar in my hands. None of that depressing political bullshit. Let Aikerim tackle that, she was born for these kinds of battles.
I inserted the clasp into her braid to keep it secure and passed the comb back to her.
Keep it. Her hand softly pushed the comb back to , Let your hair grow. When it grows long enough I will comb it for you.
Her words quiet yet extrely loud to my ears, And I will put them into twin braids myself.
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