This is a daily reminder: You have 40 unallocated stat points
You have gained [Two Separate Minds] Intermediate 2
Gain 8 exp
Only seven more to go before I can level again. Back in the clinic. Qorth wanted to ensure she got enough sleep this time. Apparently your reserves recharge faster with a sleeping body. I look at my hand, it's mostly deep purple now. At least I hope it is. It's all ultra violet to me, and I really love it that way. The passive on my ear releases.
You have gained [Body Morphic Magic] Apprentice 8
Gain 8 exp
I flick my life eyes on and look at my abdomen. My elf ovaries had stopped working, paused at making new ovum. I push life mana into both of them, will them to begin anew. To flood my body with hormones necessary to grow. My arcane core is half before I relent. I look hopeful with my green cat eyes. They seem to be dividing cells again. But slowing down. I pour more mana and apply my passives. Foolish to not have them set initially. I look again. I wish I could examine an elf without them trying to kill me. Isabella might know.
-----
You over did it sister, our arcane core is barely filling. She doesn't answer because she is asleep. I didn't notice because I was busy with my pets. They needed attention. I needed their attention. She managed to delay eating grease until the swapover. Didn't stop her from drinking my bloodskin dry though.
“Whats got you so annoyed?”
No more traitor from Gregory. Seems breaking his nose did some good. I should do it again sometime.
“Bit low on the arcane mana, annoyed at myself for overdoing it. Qorth, after the spars, think we can go talk to Isabella?”
“That should be manageable, my Lady.”
“See, I don't get that.”
“Get what?”
“Why Qorth stopped using name riddles on you.”
Probably my soul's influence.
“The moment my Lady claims nobility I intend to be her personal knight. It's best to be in practice now.”
“Are you even going to live long enough for that?”
Qorth winces at that. I feel her indecision rise. I speak up, hopefully to distract her.
“I'll just have to manage it in the next ten years.”
“Feeling rather certain there, think you're the second coming of Magdeline or something?”
Qorth chokes on her grease. No, not up the nose. Sister is still asleep, I can't get a handkerchief.
“Here.”
The once bloody snot filled rag was cleaned. He hands it to Qorth, who clears her nasal passages unceremoniously.
“Thank you, unexpected place of generosity.”
He accepts the handkerchief back, ew, and puts it into his pocket, double ew. He quirks an eyebrow.
“Pure revulsion this time, does it need my blood for you to become disappointed?”
I stick my tongue out at him.
-----
Qorth leads me to the room where I had met the count. He was there with Isabella, Hecnae and the Drakenoid instructor I had yet to get the name for.
“[Priestess] Sara, what brings you to my hall.”
“My lord, I simply wished to discuss a personal issue with Dame Isabella.”
He nods and Isabella approached me.
“You have need of me, [Priestess].”
“I like to discuss the matter we talked about before, is now a good time?”
She thinks on that, “If you are willing, I can meet you at your clinic this evening.”
“I would appreciate that.”
She heads back to the count. Qorth and I started back when the count beckoned to me.
“Sara, have you passed your key yet?”
I almost tripped at the question.
“Thats a rather awkward question to ask, my lord.”
“Ah well, while the rest of the contingent has to wait another three weeks before the [Marques] lets the keys out. I figure yours is available to start training up some of the more promising prospects.”
I take a breath. “Afraid I absorbed the key entirely, I have a nasty skill for it which makes me the key. I doubt the lord wishes to expose that I have been going into the dungeon personally.”
“You are the key. You ate it just to ensure we could never take it back. Is that even possible? Isebella?”
The knight in question quirks a brow towards me.
“Only a confirmation.”
She nods, “From what I have seen of her biology, I can confirm it is possible for the [Priestess] to absorb the key.”
“Can't be helped then, [Priestess] I authorize you to go to the dungeon with Sir Ujan and his hand picked. I prefer to raise our knights in training up as fast as possible.”
There goes my easy pickings for blood.
“At what time will this occur, my lord? Is there a specific number you wish for me to leave up.”
It's the Drakenoid that answers, “All of them. I will collect you after the evening meal.”
“I never caught your name Sir Knight, but there is a reason why I have a key.”
“Ujan. Consider it revoked.”
My anger steadily rises. None of the other knights say anything. Seems Ujan is higher ranked.
-----
I checked my drawer, it should be enough. Isabell knocks on my door.
“Come in.”
The cover trinket activates. Qorth heads into the other room.
“You made changes then?”
“I spent a great deal of mana to restart my ovaries and just wanted you to check on them.”
She scans me with her life eyes. She spends time on my abdomen and then looks at my face. Still peering as if through my nose. I quirk an eyebrow which causes her to laugh.
“Sorry, I was going over your endocrine systems. I think you have done enough on your ovaries but I think your pituitary gland needs work. Much of your body systems will start working again should that be set to right.”
“Thank you, I hadn't realised that, when my reserves free up I will focus on that.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Will you need assistance on that, you very well can't see what you are doing.”
“I think I can manage it.”
She shrugs and heads out. She didn't bring up Ujan.
-Might hamper our mana more but we should do it tonight. No telling when we will get to use our soulspace again.
-----
I set up my training for Qorth while sister comes over to me. Her life eyes are spider web eyes…why do you have different mana eyes than me?
“I don't, my manifestation can express their mana eyes however I want.”
They swap to cat eyes to demonstrate just that. Far be it from me to stifle her creativity. She boops me on the nose. Then she grabs my temples and channels life magic into my head. To restart my pituitary gland. I attach my reserves to our work. Both my primary sources of arcane are close to their regen limit. I sigh.
“Everything alright, my Ladies.”
“Just going to be tight on my arcane for a while.”
At least we have my fire and mental cores. My anvil and hammer pop next to me. I think only the anvil will be necessary. The hammer disappears. I place my strands of hair on the anvil. I create a mold out of mental constructs using three quarters of the core to ensure the shape and strength. I start pouring fire magic through my aura. Not directly touching it, I can greatly increase the heat. The strands begin to melt. I imbue the metal with the color I remember seeing before. It changes. As the strands melt I force the mold in tighter. Once fully molten, I press the key into its shape. I withdraw the heat slowly, my fire core empties as it finally sets. Key done, I smile.
You have gained [Resist Heat 2] Basic 9
Constitution raised to 304
Hey its the 300 minor boon of Constitution
You have gained the skill [Second Wind] Basic 1
Second Wind - a hidden store of stamina, can't spend till you spend the first
Basic - recovery rate is a fraction of current stamina recovery
Constitution raised to 308
“I'll leave it here to cool, should be ready tomorrow evening.”
My sister nods. Busy night. I will have to use my fire and mental cores to heal tomorrow.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 40 unallocated stat points
I had Qorth key the interface for me. I stood next to her while Qorth made the motion. The doors open. Ujan was quick to notice the theater.
“I was under the impression the key was lost [Priestess], there will be consequences for lying to your Lords. Qorth the key. You are on standby [Priestess].”
She hands the key over. They head into the dungeon. I did not follow, nor did Qorth. We returned to the clinic.
“Do you think this is wise, my Lady?”
I shrug, "Probably not, but he never said where I had to wait.”
We did Qorth mental fortitude training in my clinic that night.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 40 unallocated stat points
“For lying to your Lord you are to be confined to your clinic. Your key, confiscated.”
Why do I get the dressing down?
-Ujan an early bird. Besides, it was a group effort.
“As you wish my Lord, I will not leave the clinic until an apology is accepted.”
Ujan looks at me, annoyed at how I phrased it.
“Are you picking up verbal ticks from your aide-de-camp, [Priestess]?”
“If that is all you wish for me, my Lords. I have my imprisonment to attend too.”
He grows more annoyed at me for ignoring him. Ericnae the count intercedes.
“Of course, [Priestess], you are dismissed.”
The yelling that commenced between the two made me smile.
-----
“I don't understand why you made the new key.”
Qorth is annoyed as she sets the tray of cold grease in front of me. She had to go to the mess hall to get food for me. She knows I don't need to eat it.
“To make a fool out of Sir Ujan.”
“How is he a fool, he can enter the dungeon without you.”
“Let me ask you, did I ever need to touch the interface to open the doors Qorth?”
“No…”
“So do you believe the key Sir Ujan took actually works?”
Her usual strong yellow skin begins to pale.
-You really do need to stop torturing the woman.
I take a bite of the grease as I hear the stomping approach. Ujan barges into my clinic, his anger evident that no skill was needed to confirm. I willed my shackles off … just in case.
“Why didn't the key work?”
I take another fork full of grease as I stare at him. He scatters the tray and plate to the floor.
“I asked you a question, [Priestess]. Do not defy me again, or there will be consequences.”
“Sorry, I was waiting for an apology. I won't leave this clinic till one is accepted.”
“I will slap you into irons for this.”
He grabs my robe, lifting me to his eye level. I rear my head back and head butt him. He drops me and falls to the ground. I check his vitals and drag him to one of the patients beds.
“What do you think you're doing…”
Oh right. Qorth still here.
“Sorry, you missed my earlier tirade about people regretting trying to imprison me. You can head back to your barracks, this could go a few ways, most of them with me dead. It was fun while it lasted.”
She grabs me by the shoulders, “Sara, why are you being so fatalistic.”
“I'm tired Qorth, of being pushed around, of my misery. Being passive resulted in me being put in a cell to starve for an entire week. My knight died during that time. Go to the barracks.”
She starts to walk out, then straightens up and walks back to me, angry.
“I know it was part of you that almost made me abandon my duty. As your aide-de-camp I will wait here. If there is a need for communication, I need to be here to facilitate it. You very well can't leave this clinic until you've received your apology.”
I smile, “I suppose I can't.”
-----
-He actually got the marques to show up.
The count is also with him. And a dozen more knights.
-All for little ol us.
“Sara Maxwell Magdeline, why did you assault Sir Ujan?”
“He told me he planned to imprison me, you already know my stance on that.”
“You can't expect insubordination to go unpunished.” The marques intones.
“When was I insubordinate? I feel I have been quite patient.”
“You lied to both me and [Count] Ericnae.” Ujan interrupts.
“What lie was that?”
Ujan grows furious again but he doesn't approach me this time. He must maintain composure in front of his liege.
“You said you were the key and then showed up with the key.”
“Did the key work?”
“What?”
“Did. The. Key. Work?”
“No, of course not. Why do you think I am here, girl?”
The marques grips his face in annoyance. The count is trying his best not to point out the logical flaw.
“Then I must ask again, Sir Ujan, what is my lie?”
“That you absorbed the key, of course.”
I sit down and look at the marques, “I am under Sir Ujan and Count Ericnae orders to not leave the clinic until an apology is accepted. You will not rescind those orders, correct?”
“I will not. In fact you may consider them my orders now, for wasting my time.”
“As you will it, my Lord.”
The marques left with the spare knights. Both the count and Ujan remain. Ujan is the first to speak.
“What the hell happened?”
“I believe you managed to confine the [Priestess] in her clinic until an apology is accepted, Sir Ujan.”
“Fine, [Priestess] your apology.”
I bark a laugh, how is this possible?
“I have done nothing to apologize for, Sir Ujan.”
Before the knight can explode, the count intercedes.
“Come, Sir Ujan, I clearly need to explain something to you before the [Priestess] leaves another indent in your skull.”
They leave. Qorth takes a shuddering breath.
“The hell was that.”
I just smile.
You have gained [Body Morphic Magic] Competent 1
Competent - maintaining Body Morphic passive cost half as much
Intelligence raised to 528
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 40 unallocated stat points
“I apologize, I expect you to be ready this evening, [Priestess].”
“I refuse your apology.”
Ujan stammers, “What? But why?”
“You haven't even said what you're apologizing for, Sir Ujan. I can't very well accept such.”
He storms out while Qorth watches.
“Best go attend your training, Qorth. I'll tug my soul if I need you.”
“You can't actually do that, can you?”
I smile. She then grimaces. Point made, she heads out to train.
-----
“You've gone and truly riled the marshal up, it's grand.”
Gregory came to my clinic after spars.
“Ah, I've always been curious what it would take to meet your approval.”
He laughs at that. Qorth comes in with more cold grease.
“Ah, after he passed me over for the dungeon, I am enjoying the misery of the others. I just can't figure out how you play in all this.”
“Who says I do?”
“All the suck ups that got chosen, of course.”
Of course. I take a bite of grease. It's worse cold.
“Aw, you ain't going to tell me.”
“You will just have to live with not knowing.”
He falls over, play acting dead. I bark a laugh at that. He smiles and heads out.
“Apologies, but I prefer my slop warm.”
I wave him off.
“Seems you're the only one, is cruel to enjoy, talks to.”
“Even assholes need someone to talk to.”
Ujan did not show up that evening.
-----
This is a daily reminder: You have 40 unallocated stat points
“I apologize for accusing you of lying when you were only trying to help me save face.”
Getting closer.
“Afraid that is not what I am seeking an apology for, to be frank it was a nasty game I played on you for the harm you have done to me.”
He grows cross at that, “Then what is this grave injustice I have done.”
“I told you I had a reason for needing my key. You revoked my privileges without hearing it out.”
“I care not for your need for exp.”
I take a swig of my bloodskin emptying it then toss it at him. He catches it, unsure of my point.
“Go ask [Count] Ericnae why?”
He leaves again with my empty bloodskin.
“Is he going to bring that back?”
“He better or he will never get that apology accepted.”
-----
A much paler Sir Ujan came this evening. He places a filled bloodskin on my desk.
“I apologize for removing your only source of food. I give my own blood as an offering to make up for the harm I've done.”
I drink the bloodskin dry, wonderful. My sister and I quiver at the bliss. One that doesn't leave us immediately. The already ashen Drakenoid looks worse still on witnessing it.
“Apology accepted, shall we be off to the dungeon then, Sir Ujan, I like to discuss somethings on the way.”
“Yes, by your leave, [Priestess].”
-----
Qorth and I watch as the eight knights in training take on the groups. Apparently Sir Ujan is rotating his selection, feeling it best to spread the levels. I heal their injuries as they get them. Sir Ujan only steps in every so often for the bigger packs.
I whisper to Qorth, “Say when the density is enough, Qorth. Do remember, no rabbits here.”
I seep my aura over her, she stops it before her usual spot, clearly not wanting to risk her poise. When a third of the packs are dead the knights head out. After they leave the instance I walk to their freshest kills and pull out my five empty tubs. Water wand in hand I fill my containers and put them back in my rift. A pity for all the wasted blood.
-Only for three weeks, raising the knights up is important. There is a war going on, after all.
-----
When I make it back to the clinic, Sir Ujan is there. Two bottles of wine are empty on my desk. He cuts his hand and leaves me a drink. Not a word said. I accept the rest of his apology.
