He looked at me, unsure whether he should be hopeful or not.
“The spell is going to leave me vulnerable though so I need you to go outside and protect our tent,” I continued.
Bill nodded and stood up. “Do what you can.”
“I will,” I said. “But please, disregard any sounds you may hear coming from the tent. I don’t know what is going to happen, but just...be prepared for anything.”
He gave me a confused look and left the tent. I ensured the tent was closed properly before sitting down next to Lady Sandra. Her heartbeat was weak but still stable from my magic. When the healing magic wore off, I feared she would die quickly.
I bowed my head in silence for a moment before reaching across my mind to Cathy. Did you see the book or did you need to reconnect with my mind first?
I’ll reconnect with your mind, Cathy said. Her presence washed over my body and my head felt temporarily heavy. Let’s see what the spell says.
I focused on the book and read through the spell again. I would first have to create a bond between my soul and Lady Sandra. I would then need to dislodge Cathy’s soul from mine and force it through the bond. This ritual was traditionally performed by Mages with loose morals that had two or three friends to help. Cathy would have to do her share so we were powerful enough to disentangle our souls.
Seems straightforward though, Cathy said, and with both of us, we won’t have any mistakes.
Yeah, you are probably powerful enough to do this spell yourself.
Cathy chuckled. Probably, but I’m not in a hurry to try.
Alright, let’s do this.
I reached out with my magic and felt for Lady Sandra’s soul. The weak flicker from within her was hard to grasp and the bond kept breaking.
Physical contact may help strengthen the bond, Cathy pointed out.
Where should I...uh...
Her hand, dinkus! Hold her hand! Cathy exclaimed.
Right. I grabbed Lady Sandra’s cool hand.
Cathy chuckled. What are you going to do without me?
I don’t know.
I didn’t want to think about it. I had grown accustomed to her being in my mind and the thought of her leaving left me feeling alone and empty. I hid the feeling so Cathy wouldn’t know. I didn’t want to discourage her. I could still feel her excitement to be free of my mind.
Now, lie down beside her, Cathy said.
I lay down on the rough ground beside Lady Sandra and closed my eyes to focus on the bond. With her hand in mine, I was able to form a stronger connection through her body to her soul. I felt Cathy separating from my mind in preparation to be transferred.
I took a couple of deep breaths and focused on my magic as the power built up inside me. Cathy must have done the same things as a dark, unnatural energy pressed down on me. This was the first time I had actually felt Cathy’s magic. Whenever we combined our magic, my magic always shielded me from it. With us separating it, I could feel the true nature of a demon’s magic and why it was feared.
READY? Cathy shouted over the roar of magic in my head.
READY!
I launched my magic at her to force her through the bond. She released her magic and my body lurched upwards as it felt like it was being torn in two. A gasp escaped me as the world turned dark.
*****
In the darkness, the Woman in White floated over me, slowly drifting away. Her long brown hair swirled around her as she reached out and smiled. I stretched out my hand to grab her but my fingertips only grazed hers as she floated further away.
The darkness under me opened and I was pulled into it. I could only look on as the Woman in White left me behind.
*****
I opened my eyes slowly. My breath was shallow and my heart was beating quickly in my chest. The tent surrounding us felt claustrophobic for a second before returning to normal and I sat up slowly. I felt light-headed and grabbed my head with both hands to keep it from splitting open.
Cathy?
The silence should have been reassuring, but it made me panic. I turned towards Lady Sandra and saw that she was sitting up with her head towards her chest.
“Cathy?” I whispered.
She looked up at me. Her eyes were puffy and red from tears. “I’m here, Andy,” she said in a voice close to how she sounded in my head.
My relief was quickly replaced by the sight of the tears. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she answered, wiping her eyes. “I am very happy actually.”
“You have me fooled,” I said sarcastically, trying to get a smile from her.
It worked as she smiled weakly before disappearing again. “When I transferred in,” she explained. “I had to hurry and go through Lady Middleton’s memories for anything that could help us. Before she died, I stumbled across one memory; the memory of her father’s death.” She took a deep breath. “That poor girl. Desroche had Mind Controlled her into torturing and murdering her father. He had done it in a way to make sure she had seen and felt everything.”
I felt my eyes widen in shock. I hadn’t noticed that Desroche had been possessed, but he could have been hiding it. The idea that humanity could be that monstrous without the help of something otherworldly was not an idea I wanted to entertain.
“The guilt and heartbreak she feels...felt...” Cathy shook her head. “I can’t imagine losing anyone I care about.” She looked up and smiled weakly. “But don’t mind my blubbering. I’m still getting used to these human emotions. There is a much wider range than yours. I wonder if that is because she isn’t a socially inept weirdo.”
I smiled. “Well, that didn’t take you long. At least, Lady Sandra may have found peace in the afterlife.”
Cathy nodded thoughtfully.
“Is there anything else you are still getting used to?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Being in control,” she answered with a slight chuckle. “Though it is a little more top heavy than yours.” She grabbed at her chest and shifted things around. “The armour definitely doesn’t help.”
“You’ve been a girl before so you should be fine,” I said.
“That was many years ago,” she admitted. “I’ve forgotten a few things. It doesn’t help that it is a non-magical body too.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“When I had magic I was able to...turn things on and off,” she replied. “Now, not only can I not cast spells, but I have to be 100% Human.”
“Well we could always transfer you back into me at the end of the mission,” I said, trying to conceal my excitement at the idea.
“I’ll think about it,” she said. “I was serious when I said I wanted to help you out more. Lady Sandra was a fully trained warrior and scout and I have...inherited’... all these skills. Call me your personal bodyguard.”
She grinned and I smiled back. We would have to see how this works out. She wouldn’t be much help if she charged head first into every fight and I had to ensure she didn’t die. Time would have to tell on how good this move would be.
“Don’t make me smack you,” Cathy said, pointing at me.
“What did I do?” I asked.
“You’re thinking something negative about me,” she said. “I lived in your head for a long time. I know you better than you know yourself.”
“You’re crazy. I wasn’t thinking about you,” I lied. “Now, we should get you ready because we have to head to Balendar.”
“What do you mean, ‘get me ready’,” she asked.
“Well you don’t sound like Lady Middleton of Davalin,” I answered. “You sound like Cathy, the crazy demon who used to live in my head.”
“All I’m doing is talking,” Cathy said.
“Yeah, but Lady Middleton sounds more... for lack of a better word... girly,” I replied.
Cathy looked shocked. “What’s wrong with my voice?”
“Nothing, it’s unique, and that’s the problem,” I answered. “Do you remember how she sounded? I
t was more high-pitched than yours.”
“How about now?” she mocked in an overly high-pitch voice.
I gave her a look and she laughed. “How about now?” she said in Lady Sandra’s voice.
“Perfect,” I said, shocked. “What did you do?”
“Simply try and mimic her,” she said, continuing the voice.
“Good, do that till we are done,” I said.
“Yes, sir,” she said with a mock salute. “Shall we work on walking too? Let me guess, I walk like a man?”
“Probably,” I replied.
“I’ll have you know I have a very sexy walk and you’ll never get to see it,” she said, turning away and crossing her arms. I gave her a look and she giggled. “It is much more fun to play with you as a separate person.”
“Wonderful,” I said dryly. “Ready for your first acting performance?”
“I was born ready,” she said with exaggerated drama.
Chapter 9
The sun had crept past the highest point and we would need to leave soon to get through the Archanion Field before dark. We needed to get to Thurlborn Peak but there was a place we could stop along the way for the night. The Reed family farm.
Bill sat in quiet contemplation overlooking the field. When Cathy emerged from the tent and adjusted her armour, Bill turned around and rose to his feet. His face remained deadpanned as he approached us. He was probably prepared for any order his Lady would give him, even if it meant marching up the mountain to his doom.
“How are you, my Lady?” he asked.
“Alright,” Cathy answered, looking back at the mountain. “Different, but alright.”
Bill nodded like he knew what she had meant. “Different is the right way to put it.”
“I owe you an apology,” Cathy started sadly. “I owe everyone an apology, but that won’t bring them back. My blind march for revenge has only resulted in more people close to me being killed.”
“You and Ser Wilson were close,” Bill agreed.
“Yes, they... we were,” Cathy stumbled.
I turned my head to give her a look but she ignored me.
“What do we do now, my Lady?” Bill asked.
“We head back to Thurlborn Peak and warn the Lords of the attack,” Cathy answered. “Balendar will be the first place attacked and it is still in chaos.”
“Let us hope the Lords have chosen a new successor,” Bill said. “You know how they can get bogged down by politics.”
“We’ll have to show them the way then,” Cathy replied with determination. “We can’t let Thurlborn Peak and its citizens be brainwashed again.”
“Yes, my Lady,” Bill said happily.
Cathy turned to me. “An...Mage.”
“Kairu,” I reminded her.
“Yes, Kairu,” Cathy said. “I owe you my thanks. Your help ensured that we will live and reach Balendar in time. I may not believe in the ‘positives of magic’ as you put it, but I know your story. We need you to come to Thurlborn Peak and help deal with the Lords.”
“If it means stopping Desroche, I’m in,” I said.
“There’s no way we will be able to make it to Thurlborn by nightfall and I don’t fancy another night in Archanion,” Bill informed.
“The Balendar farm land rests on the border,” I explained. “I know someone who can help.”
Cathy nodded. “We’ll hit Riverwood in the morning and ferry down to Thurlborn by midday.”
“We can check to see if Lord Michaels has returned,” Bill pointed out.
“Exactly,” Cathy nodded. She turned back to me. “Kairu, which way to the farms?”
“We head back down the same path around the Tower’s location,” I answered.
“Bill, lead the way,” Cathy ordered. “We’ll watch for wildlife from behind.”
“Yes, my Lady,” Bill bowed.
Bill started on the path east and I scanned the mountain side to ensure we were protected from behind. I felt a couple weak life signs in the distance, but nothing that would be a threat to us as we escaped. I joined with Cathy who looked excited to simply walk.
“How’d I do?” she whispered.
“Very impressive,” I whispered back. “A couple of slip-ups though.”
“I’m just rusty,” she said dismissively. “A little more practice and we’ll be ready for the Lords.”
“It’s going to be weird hearing you pretend to be someone else,” I said.
“Yeah, but it is just for other people until we sort this out,” Cathy explained. “I won’t pretend with you though. You’ll always get the truth from me.”
I chuckled. “So I could ask you any question about being a girl and you would answer it?”
“Yes, but if it is anything I feel is too personal, I’m going to have to smack you first,” she smiled.
“How will I know it’s too personal?” I asked.
She smiled wider.
“You’ll smack me,” I answered for her. “Great.”
I checked on Bill, who had moved far enough ahead that he wouldn’t hear anything Cathy and I say to each other, as long as we kept our voices quiet enough.
“Well let’s start small then,” I continued. “How’s walking?”
“Strangely, it is something I missed,” she answered.
“Well, you talked a big game about this sexy walk of yours, but instead you’re doing the stomp,” I pointed out.
“Stomping IS sexy, bitch,” Cathy replied, exaggerating her steps. “Just have to get used to wearing armour again.”
“What’s it like in armour?” I asked.
“Restricting,” she answered bluntly. “Luckily she was in good shape and used to wearing armour. The body kind of moves on its own and I can adjust easily. The chest is going to take some getting used to. Seriously, it screws up the balance pretty good. If I don’t end up face planting into a rock, it will be a miracle.”
I laughed quietly as we approached a section where the path split into two directions. I called up to Bill with the directions and we continued our trek east. I scanned the area quickly with my mind and found a few birds, but nothing that would be threatening to us.
“How are you holding up?” Cathy asked.
“It’s weird not having you in my head anymore,” I replied. “It feels empty.”
“That’s the way it has always been,” Cathy joked. “How else would I have fit in there?”
I gave her a look and she laughed quietly. “You know what I mean,” I said.
“I do. Still going to have some fun at your expense though,” Cathy said.
“Of course,” I said.
“It will just take some time to get used to,” Cathy started. “You can’t spend two cycles together and expect to be normal when split apart. At least we are alive.”
“There was the possibility of us dying?” I asked worried.
“Nah, just playing with you again,” Cathy smiled.
I chuckled and shook my head.
“The question you really should be asking is: ‘How are we going to be different now that we aren’t sharing personalities?’” Cathy pointed out. “You hadn’t even thought of that yet, had you?”
“Nope, but it is a good point,” I responded.
“Well the answer is simple enough,” Cathy started. “We will simply be who we are. It’s safe to assume we have both been changed by this experience. Void, I’ve become sympathetic to mortal interests and want to help others. Sarcastic thanks for that, by the way. And you have become more confident in yourself and powers.”
“Much appreciated, thanks for that,” I said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. I owe you everything.”
“Well,” she said shakily, her cheeks turning red. “It’s no biggie. Why is my face getting hot?”
“You’re blushing,” I answered.
“What does that do?” she asked, placing her hands on her cheeks.
“It lets me know when you’re embarrassed because I complimented you,
” I answered.
“Their getting hotter now,” she said shocked. “Okay, it’s time for you to shut your face and let them cool off awhile.”
“Okay,” I smiled.
The distortion rose over the horizon bringing with it some peace as we furthered ourselves away from our failure. As we drew closer to it, I noticed a bond of magic form between the distortion and Cathy. The bond’s magic was powerful and I could feel the ripples through the Spirit Plane.
Cathy started to look exhausted with every step closer. She had dropped her hands from her face and they dangled lazily by her side as she struggled to keep her eyes open. I grabbed her arm and threw it over my shoulder to help stabilise her before she could fall over.
“Thanks,” she said weakly.
“How are you holding up?” I asked.
“I can feel the Spirit Plane calling me home,” she replied dreamily. “It’s tempting me. It has been so long.”
“But your dream is to live on the Physical Plane,” I countered, trying to snap her out of her daze. “Why would you want to give it up?”
“I don’t,” she replied. “The Spirit Plane is just the home of souls. All souls long to go home, it’s where we belong.”
“Okay, time to get you as far away from here as possible before you decide to become a philosophy teacher,” I said to her, moving faster.
“You’re so funny,” she said overly happily, touching my face with her free hand.
“Not as funny as you at this moment,” I smiled.
We hurried away and as the bond weakened, Cathy regained her strength. Bill hadn’t seen what had happened as he was too busy scanning the field for killer frogs or flying field mice or whatever Archanion would throw at us. Cathy straightened up and was moving on her own before the bond was finally broken.
I performed another scan of the area and picked up a group of wolves in the distance. I was shocked to see the creatures this far out of Balendar, but like for every creature, the call of the Spirit Plane was too much to ignore. These wolves would be vicious and much deadlier than the foxes from our last trip.
Their minds grew excited as they picked up our scent. I counted a pack of six wolves and turned my head towards their energy to catch them coming over a hill in the distance. The energy grew feral at the sight of us and they were approaching us quickly.
The Vacant Throne: The Legend Of Kairu Vol 3 Page 7