Birgit

  Birgit was ready to run, fearing her admission would cause the big hu to turn violent. Even if the contract spell had worked, this fresh development might well cause it to be void. Clearly, Niles had expected her to provide transportation back and forth from his plane when he’d agreed to it. But instead of coming at her, he staggered back, catching himself on the trunk of the old oak tree. It was hard to tell in the moonlight, but Birgit thought his skin had gone even paler.

  Birgit could only imagine how he had to feel. He had clearly been apprehensive of being trapped here when he’d first arrived, and had only started to relax when she had assured him he could return home at will. How was she supposed to know he could not return on his own? Every other familiar she had ever heard of had that ability. That was one of the primary reasons contracts were needed, to make sure they did not just run off and never return. Even simple elemental spirits could come and go as they wished. That was why they required so much care and attention, to make sure they always wanted to return.

  The summoning spell she cast should only have opened a door to her plane and sent out her offer to anyone on the other side. If she managed to gather enough resources, she could open another door, but without knowing his plane’s magic signature, she had no way to know where to open it. The door should have opened to the plane of the sylphs, not the hu plane. The flaw in the crystal must have shifted the doorway she opened, but it still did not explain how the hu had been pulled through. There was no time to figure this all out now, though. The hu was looking at her. He didn’t look like he was getting ready to attack, but that could change at any moment. And what if he just ran off and ended up telling someone else about this? That would doubtless cause her summoning to be declared a failure. She needed to do something to calm him down.

  “I meant that I cannot send you back right now,” Birgit said, using a soft, soothing voice. “Professor Spinner is very knowledgeable, but she does not know everything. There is a good chance there will be some record of your plane in our library, or if not our library, perhaps one of the many other libraries in Deca, and the elves are said to have libraries that date back thousands of years. You said that your people have legends of my people, so that implies there must have been contact between our planes at one time. I promise I will do everything I can to help you return to your plane, but to do that I will need to continue my studies so that I have access to the academy resources, and for that I will need you to act as my guardian familiar.”

  Niles' eyes narrowed, and he pushed off from the tree, taking a step forward, his body now tense. “Well, isn’t that convenient for you?”

  Birgit took a step back, fighting down the urge to run. “I swear I did not mean for this to happen. You heard Professor Spinner. The crystal was flawed. There is no way to predict how a crystal flaw will impact a spell as complicated as the one I used to summon you.”

  Niles took a deep breath, and his posture relaxed slightly. “So, what do I do in the meantime while I wait for you to figure this out?”

  “You can stay with me," Birgit offered, her mind spinning rapidly through the ramifications of this situation. “As my guardian familiar, no one will question you being around me. They will just assume you return to your home plane at night. I promise to make sure you are well-fed and taken care of. You will need to stick close to me, though, so that people do not become suspicious.”

  “I’m not your pet to be taken care of," Niles grumbled. “And why don’t you want people to know I’m stuck here? Wouldn’t it be better if you got some of your professors working on this, too?”

  Birgit had to think fast to come up with a reason. “If it becomes known what has happened, you may be classified as a monster and taken into custody for study. As long as everyone thinks you are my familiar, you will be allowed your freedom.”

  Niles seemed to accept the answer and relaxed again. “So, what now?”

  Birgit motioned toward her dorm. “Let me show you to my suite. Perhaps after a good night’s sleep, I will have some fresh ideas. If anyone challenges us, please allow me to do the talking.”

  Niles just gave her a grunt she hoped was agreement and started toward the dorm.

  Fortunately, the dorm’s lobby was empty as they entered, and Birgit quickly led Niles across to the stairs that led up to her suite. They almost made it before a voice cut through the silence behind them.

  “Lady Birgit, why are you bringing a gentleman into the dorm at this late hour?" Birgit did not have to turn to recognize the gruff voice of the dorm matron.

  Brigit carefully schooled her expression to make sure she looked calm, and not guilty, before turning. “Mistress Karag, this is my new guardian familiar, Niles. I just formed a contract with him this evening.”

  The troll matron stalked toward them, looking Niles over with a stern glare, and Niles took a step backward, appearing rather intimidated, and no wonder. Mistress Karag was nearly as tall as Niles, maybe even a bit taller if you counted her horns and the tight bun of gray hair atop her head. She was solidly built, and her exposed skin was covered in the tattoos that trolls favored, the dark blue symbols adding a barbaric cast to her only slightly lighter blue skin. She was an imposing figure, and her glare was enough to curdle milk.

  “And just what is he?" the matron finally asked, stopping just a pace away and turning to Birgit.

  “He is a hu man," Birgit answered.

  The matron pursed her lips. “I can see that he is a man, and a big one at that, though I have never heard of a hu before. I trust you will teach him to dress more modestly in the future, and I think it would be best if he were to head back to his home plane here, rather than accompanying you upstairs.”

  “Since he is to be my guardian, I would like to show him my suite so that he is familiar with all the places where I might need him." Birgit countered politely.

  The matron focused her glare on Birgit for a long moment before relenting. “Well, he is your familiar, but see that he does not bother any of the other residents. I am sure you remember all the trouble that nymph caused last year when she ran loose in the boys’ dorm.”

  “I will do my best to make sure no one else even knows that he is here," Birgit promised.

  “Very well, good night to you," Mistress Karag said, dismissing them.

  “Good night," Birgit replied and quickly retreated to the stairs, happy to have passed that hurdle.

  Since Niles was her familiar, Birgit knew he was allowed to be with her anywhere, but she had still worried about the dorm matron’s reaction. Mistress Karag was notoriously strict and almost hostile towards male students, so Birgit had actually been surprised she had not caused more of a fuss.

  “What was she?” Niles whispered as they made their way up the stairs. Birgit was glad he had stayed quiet until they were out of earshot.

  “That was our head dorm matron.” Birgit answered, but then realized what he probably wanted to know. “She is a troll.”

  “She seemed…formidable.”

  “She has little magic, but I would not cross her,” Birgit advised.

  “I take it you’re not supposed to have men in your room?” Niles asked as they reached the second floor and continued up to the third.

  “No, we are not," Birgit confirmed. “But, since you are my familiar, you are allowed to be with me anywhere.”

  They met no one else on their way to Birgit’s suite, and she realized it must have been later than she thought it was. She would need to get to bed soon if she wanted to be fresh for tomorrow. Opening the door to her suite, she led Niles in quickly, wanting to get him out of sight before anyone came along.

  A sultry voice greeted them. “Oh my, what have you brought home for me tonight, sister?"

  Birgit’s sister, Susi, rose from the sleeping mat that covered much of the floor in the suite’s small living room. Moving with the sinuous grace only someone whose lower body was serpentine could manage, Susi slithered closer. It was indeed late, and her sister was dressed only in the light shift she normally slept in. She slithered toward them, heedless of how exposed she was, her eyes roving shamelessly over Niles.

  “This is my new guardian familiar, Niles,” Birgit introduced, stepping forward to halt her sister's advance. “He is a hu man. Niles, this is my half-sister, Susi. She is here as my companion.”

  “I thought you were going to get a sylph,” Susi said, angling around to get a better look at Niles, or perhaps to let him get a better look at her. “Not that I mind the change. He is positively yummy.”

  “Um, I can understand you,” Niles pointed out. “I take it you are half-sisters, with different mothers?”

  He did not seem to be bothered by Susi’s inappropriate attire, but then he was wearing even less.

  “Yes,” Birgit confirmed. “Susi’s mother was our father’s naga consort.”

  “What do you mean by her being here as your companion?" Niles asked.

  “It is a polite way to say ‘maid’,” Susi answered before Birgit could. “Our father was too cheap to hire a real maid, so I got the job.”

  “You know that is a gross exaggeration,” Birgit objected. “You are much more than a maid, and you wanted to come and see the academy.”

  “True,” Susi admitted, gliding slowly closer to Niles. “It is far more interesting here than it was back home, and it looks like things are about to get even more engaging. Since he is your guardian, will he be staying the night so that he can protect you?”

  Birgit sighed. “Yes, he will be staying. But this needs to remain secret.”

  “Birgit!” Susi exclaimed, rising almost to the ceiling on her serpentine tail in surprise, but then she settled back down, and her sultry tone returned. “Just what sort of conditions did he require in your contract? And are you going to share?”

  Birgit let out an exasperated breath. “It is not like that. There was an accident. Someone switched one of my crystals for a flawed one. That is why I got Niles instead of a sylph, and he cannot get back to his home plane on his own. So, he will be staying here until I find a way to help him return home. But you cannot tell anyone. They would likely imprison Niles for study and fail me if they found out. We need everyone to believe he is just a regular familiar.”

  Susi glided forward and put a hand on Niles arm. “Oh, you poor dear, trapped here with no way home. If there’s anything I can do to make your stay here more enjoyable, do not hesitate to let me know.”

  Birgit rolled her eyes. Sometimes her sister could be such a flirt. Birgit knew it was really just her way of rebelling against her station. Susi had admitted as much once, telling her that since she was the daughter of a consort and not a Lady like Birgit, she did not have to act like one. Susi liked to flirt, but she had never gone any further than that. Birgit hoped her sister was not giving Niles the wrong idea. With them all sharing a suite for who knows how long, her flirting could be a problem. Birgit did not know what sort of customs and practices hu had around courtship. She would definitely need to speak with her sister, but until then, she would have to keep them separated.

  “Susi, will you see if you can find Niles some clothes that will help him blend in?” Birgit asked. “As you can see, his clothes are rather unconventional and already damaged.”

  “Yes, I can see that,” Susi said, reaching through the hole in his shirt to put her hand on his chest. “What happened?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Somebody shot me with a lightning bolt,” Niles answered, sounding almost like he found it amusing. Or maybe he just enjoyed Susi’s touch.

  “Oh, you poor dear,” Susi said, rubbing her hand across his chest. “Does it hurt?”

  Niles shrugged. “It did, but I’m good now.”

  “It is already quite late. You had best hurry, Susi,” Birgit urged, pulling Susi’s arm to get her away from Niles.

  Susi reluctantly moved away from Niles and gave Birgit a mocking bow. “Yes, my lady, but first I will need to get a feel for Niles’ size.”

  Pulling free of Birgit, Susi glided back to Niles. Shamelessly slithering around him, she admired him from every angle, after which she ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms. She even wrapped her arms around his chest from behind, all the while claiming to be taking measurements. Niles made no move to stop her, but he did not seem completely comfortable with her attention, either.

  When she started to feel her way up his legs, Birgit intervened. “I am sure you have all the measurements you need, Susi. Do not make our guest uncomfortable.”

  Susi sighed dreamily. “Yes, my lady, but are you certain it is safe for me to leave the two of you here unchaperoned? As your companion, it is my responsibility to make sure you are not left alone in the company of handsome young men, after all.”

  “Just hurry and return quickly, then,” Birgit half snarled.

  Susi laughed and threw on a robe before heading out.

  “You have an interesting sister," Niles said once the door closed behind her.

  “She does keep life interesting,” Birgit agreed. “I hope she did not bother you too much.”

  Niles shrugged. “No, it was fine, kind of flattering, actually. But is there someplace I can wash up? I’m surprised your sister could stand being so close to me. I worked out today and hadn’t gotten around to showering before I got yanked here. Is there someplace I can wash up? I must stink.”

  Birgit showed him to the bathroom and had to show him how to operate the enchantments on the lights, sink, bath, and water closet before leaving him to his ablutions. He claimed to have similar plumbing and lighting in his world, but they operated differently and without magic. She was not sure if she believed him or not, but he seemed quite disappointed that she did not have something he called a shower, and he described the device for spraying water in enough detail to convince her he wasn’t just making it up on the spot.

  Hearing the water running for a bath, Birgit settled into one of the living room chairs. She had been tense from the time she started the summoning ritual, and it felt good to finally relax. What she really wanted was to just go to her bedroom and fall asleep, but she still had matters to attend to. What was she going to do about their sleeping arrangements? She should have her sister sleep in with her, but there really wasn't room. The suite they shared was one of the smallest in the dorm, consisting of a small living room, a small bathroom, and one tiny bedroom. There was barely room for her bed, wardrobe, and dresser. Her bed might be big enough to share with a normal-sized person, but Susi’s lower half was seven paces long. That was why she slept on a mat in the living room.

  Birgit could sleep on the couch in the living room and give Niles her bed, but she just could not bring herself to give up her comfortable mattress. No, Niles would have to sleep on the couch. If they moved the desk and the other two chairs around, they could essentially make the living room into two separate sleeping areas. That would have to do for tonight, anyway.

  Birgit started thinking about all the other things she would have to take care of, only to be startled awake by the sound of Susi returning. She must have been even more tired than she thought.

  “Fortunately, some of the maids here earn extra coin on the side doing laundry for some of the noble gentlemen’s manservants," Susi announced, holding up a small stack of clothes. “We will have to return these by the day after tomorrow at the latest, so you’ll have to get him some clothes of his own before then. Where is he?”

  Birgit yawned. “He was washing up.”

  “Oh, then I will just bring him these,” Susi offered.

  Birgit was too tired to register what her sister said until Susi already had the bathroom door open and was slithering in. “Wait, you…”

  “Ahh! Hey, I’m taking a bath here,” came the startled voice of Niles.

  “I can see that. Would you like me to join you?” Susi purred. “I am just kidding. Here, I brought you some clothes.”

  A moment later, Susi emerged from the bathroom with a huge grin on her face.

  “Susi,” Birgit hissed. “You cannot keep flirting with him like that. What if he thinks you are serious?”

  Susi gave her a sly smile. “Maybe I am.”

  “This is not funny,” Birgit insisted. “We know nothing about the world he came from or its customs.”

  “You almost sound as if you are afraid of him,” Susi accused.

  “I am,” Birgit hissed. “And you should be, too. He took a lightning bolt to his chest and barely even flinched, and you saw how big he is.”

  “Oh, yes, I did indeed,” Susi agreed, acting more impressed than frightened.

  Birgit glared at her sister. “This is serious. He could be very dangerous if he becomes angry, and considering he is trapped here and was already shot by lightning, I am surprised he has not already become violent. On top of that, I do not know how long, or even if, I will be able to get him back to his home plane, so he may be living with us here in this small suite for some time. We must not do anything that will upset him. It is essential that we maintain the ruse that he is just a regular guardian familiar, and I need his full cooperation for that. So, I need you to behave.”

  Susi sighed. “Fine, I will be good.”

  A moment later, Niles emerged from the bathroom. He wore a pair of the loose trousers that were currently in fashion. Made of undyed cotton, they were a few inches too short for him. And that was all he wore. He was naked from the waist up.

  “Only one of the shirts fit,” Niles offered by way of explanation. “I figured I would keep it clean for tomorrow, and I really didn’t want to put my old, sweaty shirt back on after taking a bath. I can put it on, though, if this bothers you.”

  Birgit realized that both she and Susi were staring.

  “Oh, no, it does not bother us at all, does it, Birgit?” Susi said, smiling at her sister.

  “I guess it will have to do for tonight,” Birgit conceded. “You will have to sleep out here on the couch, but we can move the furniture around so that you can have some privacy. I will try to arrange for something better as soon as I can.”

  Niles shrugged, the move drawing Birgit's attention to his muscular torso. “Sure, what do you want me to move?”

  Birgit had never seen a man so casually exposed before. Perhaps she should not leave him alone out here with her sister.

  “I will take care of it,” Susi volunteered, causing Birgit to realize she’d been staring. “You seem exhausted, sister. You should go get some sleep. I am sure you will have much to take care of tomorrow.”

  Birgit allowed Susi to usher her off to her room and began to prepare herself for sleep. She heard muffled voices and furniture being moved around in the other room and hoped she would not regret leaving her sister alone with Niles. Lying down, she felt so exhausted she thought she would drift right off. But the sound of voices in the other room kept her attention. She heard her sisters laugh frequently and thought she heard Niles laughing as well. Was that a good thing?

  Straining to understand what they were saying, Brigit eventually fell asleep without ever succeeding. Dreams featuring Niles plagued her all night. In some of them, he was an angry monster chasing her, but in others, he and her sister were engaging in scandalous behavior, and in one, it was she who ended up caught in his passionate embrace. The alarm on her clock pulled her from her dreams and left her sitting up, panting. Her heart was racing, and she felt like she had barely slept at all.

  The sky outside her window was only beginning to brighten with the first hints of dawn, and she lay back down to let her heart and breathing return to normal. In addition to evening classes, Birgit also had early morning classes some days. Once again, she wondered if the academy planned this as a way to encourage students to strive for higher rank so they would have classes at more convenient times.

  She almost dozed back off, only to sit bolt upright again, remembering she had planned to meet Uma and Hilaria for breakfast before class. Glancing at her clock, she saw it was almost time for them to meet. Normally, Ruby kept her from going back to sleep like that, but looking around, Birgit did not see her little elemental familiar anywhere. That was odd. She almost never returned to her home plane anymore.

  If Birgit did not meet her friends in the lobby, they would come up to get her, and if they came up here and found Niles sleeping on her couch, that would ruin everything. Leaping out of bed, Birgit almost ran out of her room, only realizing at the last moment that she was dressed in only her shift. She quickly ran to her wardrobe and grabbed the first dress she saw. She just about had it on when she heard a startled cry from the other room.

  Birgit rushed to her door, her dress still not completely fastened. Throwing the door open, she was shocked by what she saw. The furniture had been moved, but not to create two separate areas. Instead, it had been moved to create an open space in the middle of the room where Susi’s large, round sleeping mat lay. Niles was lying on the mat, wrapped up in Susi’s coils. Both Niles and her sister were now crying out and struggling.

  “What is going on here?” Birgit shouted over their cries.

  “She was trying to eat me,” Niles gasped, pushing himself free of Susi, scrambling to his feet, and moving as far from her as he could get in the small room. His eyes were wide, and he looked panicked. For a moment, Birgit thought she saw a bloody gash across the pale skin at his throat, only to realize it was Ruby encircling his neck, like she had been yesterday. Had the elemental spent the night like that?

  “What? No!” Susi objected. “I was not trying to hurt you. My snake half just has something of a mind of its own when I sleep. It seeks out the warmest position it can find, and you are very warm.”

  “Why were you even sleeping together?” Birgit demanded.

  “The couch was too short for him to sleep on,” Susi answered, adjusting her shift, which had become quite askew in their struggle. “So, I offered to let him share my sleeping mat. I honestly intended to stay on my side, but you know how I am when I sleep.”

  Birgit did remember more than a few times growing up when she had woken up wrapped in her sister's serpent half. Susi always maintained it was an involuntary response, but Birgit remained skeptical. This was definitely not a great start to their day, but she would have to do her best to salvage it.

  Bowing her head respectfully, Birgit apologized. “Niles, I am so sorry for this unfortunate misunderstanding. I promise to find a better sleeping arrangement for you tonight. Please go ahead and change in the bathroom, and then we can go get some breakfast.”

  Niles looked suspiciously at Susi, but then nodded and retreated to the bathroom.

  “What were you thinking?” Birgit hissed as soon as the door closed.

  “What was I supposed to do?” Susi hissed back. “He is far too big to sleep on that tiny couch. It was either let him share my mat or send him in to share your bed. Would that have been better?”

  Birgit wanted to be mad at her sister, but she could see her point. There really had not been a good solution. Still, she felt she should reiterate her caution to be careful with Niles. Susi was lucky Niles had not hurt her. Birgit knew how disorienting waking up in the coils of a serpent was. Before she could respond to her half-sibling, though, there was a knock on the door. Was it her friends, or had someone come to find out what all the shouting had been about?

  Birgit was tempted not to answer the door at all, but that might even be worse. Before she could decide what to do, Susi slithered over and opened the door.

  “Good morning, Susi, Birgit,” Hilaria said in her usual cheerful tone as she stepped into the room. Her long dress was the black and gold of her house, the colors pairing well with the gnoll’s tan and black fur. It was a dress she wore often. The Bonepicker barony was little more prosperous than Hazzerbog, and as a fifth child, Hilaria faced financial constraints similar to Birgit’s own. It was part of the reason they had become such good friends.

  “Oh, my goodness, Birgit, are you alright?” Uma asked. She had followed Hilaria in. The tall cyclops was wearing a lovely white and blue dress today. They were not her house colors, but as the daughter of a count, she had a much larger wardrobe than either Hilaria or Birgit. She never flaunted it, though, like some of the other, more wealthy nobles. In fact, Birgit doubted she even knew how scant her friends' wardrobes were.

  Birgit realized she had yet to fully fasten her dress, and her hair had to be a complete mess. “I fear I overslept this morning and only just crawled out of bed.”

  “Oh, you poor dear,” Uma said in a sympathetic tone. “Yesterday’s ordeal must have taxed you so. Were you able to forge a contract with that big hu?”

  “I was,” Birgit answered, hoping fervently Niles would take his time in the bathroom, or at least not come out half-dressed, or worse.

  “Oh, that is so wonderful,” Hilaria congratulated her. “I am sure he will make a wonderful guardian. He was so big, and that lightning bolt Crochel hit him with hardly even seemed to bother him. Are you going to bring him on the crystal hunt this weekend? I cannot wait to see him again. It is so exciting that you got such a unique familiar. You must tell us all about him.”

  “I am planning to bring him on the hunt,” Birgit replied. “I am planning to bring him to class with me today as well. He is very interested in learning more about our world, so I expect he will be with me quite a bit.”

  Uma smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I am so happy for you. It is a good sign that he is so interested, and I hope he is as formidable as he looked. If he is, maybe he can help you achieve the rank you deserve.”

  “Yes,” Hilaria agreed. “Having a guardian familiar like that should make anyone think twice about challenging you to a rank duel. But tell me, is he always going to dress like he did yesterday? I have never seen a man dressed in so little clothing, and he had such an impressive body.”

  “Hilaria,” Uma scolded.

  “What?” Hilaria asked innocently. “Tell me you did not admire those muscles.”

  “He was rather well put together,” Uma admitted, and the two lapsed into giggles.

  Birgit cleared her throat. “I am glad you two find my familiar so entertaining.”

  “I am sorry,” Uma apologized. “But you have to admit he is quite a handsome specimen.”

  Looking at Uma, Birgit realized that aside from her number of eyes, she looked quite similar to Niles. Uma was a shade darker in skin and hair, but not so different to really matter. Uma, of course, had a feminine build, but there were several male cyclopes at the school, and their builds were quite similar to Niles'. Some were even his height, though Brigit could not remember meeting any who were quite as powerfully built as Niles.

  “Yes, yes,” Birgit sighed. “But I still need to finish getting ready for the day. Go ahead and start breakfast without me. I will join you as soon as I can. Maybe I will even bring my new familiar with me.”

  Glancing nervously at the bathroom door, Birgit shooed her two friends out of her suite as they once again lapsed into giggles. Closing the door behind them, she leaned against it and breathed a sigh of relief. She had a feeling this was going to be a long day.