azazele

Arc 8-58

One of the main reasons I decided to tell Miss Alyssa about the estrazi is because of Little Water’s ambition. If the lady lizard has her way, her people will be in an open alliance with the north. Once that happens, if it happens, everyone in Harvest will know about them. It’s not harmful to let a few interested parties know in advance.

But, once again, I underestimated Victorians’...

Arc 8-57 (Little Water)

Little Water and Khan spent many evenings speaking of their people, debating their differences and marveling at their similarities.

One trait of the estrazi that her human had trouble believing was that they didn’t feel fear. An emotion that could paralyze someone in the midst of danger or prevent them from acting in times of need sounded like a failure of nature. It wouldn’t make sen...

Arc 8-56 (Little Water)

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?! Put that down!”

The protests of the barmaid were ignored as Callan tossed aside the tables his audience were seated at, forcing them to their feet. Little Water didn’t know what to make of him pouring unfinished drinks in succession, forming a small puddle. No one spoke out against him; the patrons paying any attention cheered Callan on. They...

Arc 8-55 (Little Water)

Little Water was not thrilled with her lack of progress concerning the second Calamity.

The way she left the warren, absconding with workers and chasing after a human, would mean her death if she returned without results. She didn’t have a plan when she made her decision, merely a refusal to fade into mediocrity. But she wasn’t foolish enough to think that determination would be enoug...

Arc 8-54

Our late lunch is interrupted by Earl telling us that the Stars are ready to depart. We all move to the front to say our goodbyes. I prepare myself for an emotional sight but it’s just…warm. 

Allen and Yulia hug Alana, who enjoys one pair of arms and endures the other. Lancecain exchanges polite farewells while his gaze occasionally looks about. Is he wondering about Little Water...

Arc 8-53

“What the–ha! Is that you, Blood?”

The March of Quest is nearing its end but some have already finished their roles. Despite her impressive display at the refugee camp, I remain steadfast in my decision to send Yulia home. Rather, Alana remains steadfast and I won’t budge on supporting her. It’s time for the snow bunny to return to the land of winter. 

Honestly, I thi...

Arc 8-52

Surprisingly, the royal knights don’t interfere with our hasty retreat in anyway. I know they want to. If they could, my lovely wife wouldn’t be leaving until she gives them what they want. I don’t know who this Butterfly is, but, so far, she’s shown herself to be reasonable. At the very least, she isn't dumb enough to underestimate us. Her caution makes me cautiously optimistic that we...

Arc 8-51

No one likes hearing bad news.

Some people take it a lot better than others.

Dame Elodie is a perfect example of handling a situation with grace. Or, maybe I’m defaulting to calling it grace because she’s an eloquent woman. Really, it’s just control.

Miss Alyssa’s reaction is nowhere close to controlled. Her hands fist before my wife says one word of this apparent bad ...

Arc 8-50

If I thought we drew attention before, it’s nothing compared to that garnered by our procession as we stomp toward the furthest end of the camp. Dame Elodie invited us to walk with her and the other two royal knights at the front of the group; on the surface, it looks like deference but I think it’s a ploy to keep us from speaking with the acolytes.

So, I ignore it.

Kierra seems...

Arc 8-49

The concept of knights is a strange thing.

Of all the subjects a horde of tutors tried to instill in my head, two actually took root. The first is math. It being essential for magic, it’s the one topic I wasn’t allowed to dismiss. Father would check in on my lessons to ensure that I was both present and engaged. 

The one time I skipped out on a math lesson, Father ordered t...

Arc 8-48

True to her word, the snow bunny is fast with her business, exiting the dirt shelter in minutes, Earl proceeding her out of the door while Alana trails behind her, two large woven baskets on her arms. Which is a good thing as the natives are getting restless. 

The crowd has been growing, people trickling in as the news of our presence spreads. They bring discontent, the individual gr...

Arc 8-47

I think of the Tome family as poor, but only in relation to other nobles. Our treasury did not match our title and abilities, but peerage is no guarantee of wealth. My childhood wasn’t rife with luxury but we weren’t destitute; there was never a concern that our home would be taken from us or that we wouldn’t be able to eat through the winter.

The same could be said for the peasants...

Arc 8-46

My clan rarely argues.

Considering the personalities involved, it’s impressive. Or maybe not? Our grouping isn’t a convenient arrangement of political parties whose compatibility was never a concern. We’re together, the four of us, because we fit. We knew each other’s faults going in and we’re all generous enough to give each other leeway. It’s not that we don’t disagree, we...

Arc 8-45

Sometimes, it’s hard to wrap my head around the enormity of my life.

Before my rebirth, there was very little for me to consider. My life was bleak but well-defined; meagre talent, a declining family, and the oppressive ceiling that was the Grimoire’s grudge limited my future. I’ll never wish to go back to those times, but they were simpler. 

My biggest concern was which ...

Arc 8-44 (Robert)

Robert took his own advice and didn’t think of the mysterious convoy throughout the day. It wasn’t hard, as the intense physical and emotional demands of cleaning up the shattered remains of thousands of lives held his mind in the present. After the first attack by the rebels, the crews had become much more security conscious, posting standing guards all around the designated area. Armed gu...

Arc 8-43 (Robert)

Robert’s day started early, before the first rays of dawn.

He never had trouble waking up on time, as he never truly slept. Rather, he drifted through his nightmares, keeping his eyes closed just long enough to see Sebas’ mutilated face and his mentor’s disappointment before they snapped open. At first, he was exhausted, but he learned to take quiet moments throughout the day to com...

Arc 8-42

“So, ya fell on yer woman?”

“Fell isn’t exactly right.” After our argument, I take Rey into the house and sit her at the dining table. The woman has problems, major ones that only start with her willingness to resort to violence. I wouldn’t know where to begin to work on them or even if it’s my place. I do know that good food makes everything a little better, a little easier...

Arc 8-41

“...yeah, no.”

I gape at the pirate, beyond confused at the indifference on her face. What does she mean no? I just offered her a once-in-a-lifetime chance! I offered to sweep away all her troubles at no cost other than her cooperation with something she can’t avoid anyway! What am I missing?

“Why not?!” I demand.

“Eh.” She shrugs. Actually shrugs. “Seems like ...

Arc 8-40

“Hey, there was somethin’ ah wanted to ask ya.”

I look over my shoulder at Rey. We’re behind the estate, where there’s plenty of room and no inteferences. “Go ahead.”

“Maxie said ya talk to monsters. Why ah wanted to meet ya.”

Talk to…ah. “I don’t talk to monsters, though I can see how it’d be misunderstood.”

“Maxie’s no liar.”

I l...

Arc 8-39

“That’s rude.”

What else am I supposed to say? I’m not going to admit to this crazy woman that I’m not human. This pirate, Rey I think, funny coincidence that, strikes me as many things but trustworthy isn’t one of them. She also doesn’t strike me as gullible. Those blue eyes with their strange pupils stare at me with a rare intensity, unwavering. I’m not going to convince...

Arc 8-38

Talia isn’t the only one dedicated to her role. Kierra is just as dedicated, though I’m still trying to figure out what that role exactly is. I know I’m the conqueror, which I take as the primary provider for the clan and the one that determines its direction. Talia is the flower meant to support the house, bringing comfort to the returning conquerors. Alana is a flower that is in the pro...

Arc 8-37

A scant moment before I would have given in to the obvious proposition, there is a demure knock on the door. I breathed in, noting who’s on the other side before I shout, “Enter!”

Talia enters the room, a splotch of white in the corner of my vision as I don’t turn my gaze from Big Bell. There’s a pause as she takes in the situation. Then, “Pardon the interruption. I wanted to ...

Arc 8-36

“How do you get someone to trust you with their deepest secrets in one night without cracking their mind like an egg?”

A creature that just admitted to brainwashing someone has no right to look so cute, especially when smiling smugly. Geneva’s tail whips with amusement as she stands before the desk of the study. It reminds me of when I would endure Father’s surprise quizzes about ...

Arc 8-35 (Ceri)

The first time anyone saw the shifting spectacle that was the Myriad Zone, they were awed, amazed by the power of magic that had permanently altered a corner of the world. It turned adults into children as it resurrected long buried dreams. The joy was infectious, the catalyst for the many taverns, bars, and less reputable establishments that populated the Zone. Those that visited found themsel...

Arc 8-34 (Lucas)

Lucas never thought of himself as a shy man. Communication was important to hunters. You couldn’t be afraid to shout orders when lives were on the line.

Despite that, having a conversation while dozens of suspicious individuals looked on in deafening silence was unnerving. He had to fight the urge to ask for a privacy as he began his pitch. “For generations, the Traditionalists have b...

Arc 8-33 (Lucas)

The destruction of the city had imparted many lessons on those that survived the tragedy.

They learned the meaning of power. Before, the average citizen didn’t bother to differentiate between hunters, as one sword could kill them the same as any other, no matter the supposed skill of its wielder. They didn’t understand the Hall and the casters that paid literal fortunes to pursue mast...

Arc 8-32

I pity the hunters. Or rather, what remains of them.

Yes, they attacked my family, kidnapping one of my lovers and my future in-law. But I’ve enacted my vengeance. I’ve realized that I’m not a fan of inflicting pain. Well, not emotional pain. Eh. Maybe I enjoy a small spectrum of it. There is something immensely satisfying about embarrassing idiots, especially pompous ones with infl...

Arc 8-31

It’s a good thing I can function on much less sleep these days. Between Talia slipping into bed far too late and Kierra waking much too early, I don’t get much of it. Sometimes, powerful senses are a curse. I have control when I’m awake but when I’m asleep, even the faintest whispers of fabric sliding against itself can wake me if my unconscious mind finds it suspect. Something moving n...

Arc 8-30 (Khan)

“It started the night Villarey died.”

Leena, as Khan would come to know was the name of the younger sister, led him to an unused room not far from his own. He stopped by it to retrieve a candle, a mug of water, and a not-very comfortable chair. He offered the chair to her when he came back to find her curled into herself as she crouched on the thin, wooden frame meant to support a mat...

Arc 8-29 (Khan)

Once again, Khan struggled to sleep.

Someone was wailing.

It had only been a few short weeks since Khan had been woken at the insistence of Little Water and he was starting to resent the gesture. Just a little. He appreciated his conversation with her and was comforted that she hadn’t forgotten him.

He didn’t know what they were to each other before but whenever he laid ey...