Beyond?

by Andur

  Stella's tail curls up in a strange manner and she gestures at the mansion. “Of course, have a nice rest.”

  The two groups slowly separate from each other and the students from Nict walk their way. I notice that Stella and Azir head towards a fenced area with another big house inside it. Probably their own home.

  Our servants managed to get their work done in the meantime and are waiting properly at the entrance of the mansion.

  We enter the reception room and Nikita starts talking to Eliot. “Eliot Donocan.” She is holding the golden card in front of her mouth. “This is a test!”

  “This is a test!” Her voice echoes from Eliot's pocket. “So cool!” She can't help it and starts jumping on the spot.

  “So cool!” Eliot pulls his own artefact from his pocket, startled. “Seems to work really well.” His voice immediately answers from Nikita's card.

  Padma claps her hands together and starts talking with a loud and clear voice. “Why don't we all go to sleep, tomorrow is a hard day and the journey was long.” Then she gestures for all of us to be silent and that we are watched.

  Even the non-magician operatives who are playing our servants fall out of their roles and freeze.

  She holds up her golden card and places it on a commode in the luxurious room. A few hand-signs signal us that we have to do the same, then she pulls out her round spectacles from her pocket and puts them on.

  The spectacles are a set of different glasses, which can be exchanged easily by flicking them up and down. Padma may look strange with them, but they are doing their job of letting her see mana.

  The techno-mage starts scanning the room. Then she continues through the mansion and we follow in silence, while she inspects everything. Her inner magic is too weak to become a shaman, hence she became a techno-mage who uses artefacts and devices to overcome her restrictions.

  Finally she settles down in a big living room and takes off the spectacles. There are two big sofas with a table between them and a beautifully ornamented carpet on the floor. Otherwise the room is empty. After rubbing her eyes she finally shares her results with us. “It's safe to speak freely. The whole house is still filled with lingering magic, but I couldn't find any surveillance spells or enchanted objects. They didn't lie when they said that they built the whole thing with magic.”

  “And the ~presents~?” Eliot asks with a doubtful voice.

  “I don't know, but they are glowing with activity, even if you don't use them. They are doing something, though I can't tell what. It's better to not have them around while we are talking about something sensitive. Probably this Azir is their version of a techno-mage.”

  Nikita shakes her head. “That can't be, they said that he is a Zait. The Zait are their mana manipulators. The report said that they are playing the role of front-line bruisers during battles.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “Why not? It doesn't seem like they are forced to learn something which is related to their bloodline magic. That doesn't mean that they aren't all experts at using their clan abilities.”

  Eliot nods. “You are right. I worried much more about Saana. Azir suspects her already. I told you that using our true names could become a problem.”

  Saana gestures for us to be silent. “It is as it is. Using false names could create other problems later on. The ambassador of Nict knows me, because I already played the role of a servant to spy on her. If I run across her with another name... it would be hard to explain.”

  “I don't even understand why they decided to send you, Grandmother. It's a major error by the Great Shaman to handle the situation like that.” Padma grumbles, while cleaning her spectacles.

  Saana shrugs her shoulders. “The war with the northern tribes binds all our resources. The Great Shaman can't afford to send youngsters like you alone on this mission. An old cranky hag like me is the only thing he could give you as an aide.”

  I walk over to Saana, who sat down on the sofa. Placing a hand on her shoulder, I try to comfort her. “You aren't just an aide. In many ways you are the head of our mission. We have to find out if the rumours about Nict's mobilization and their new weapons are true. Our allies from the southern countries seem to be convinced that their information is true.”

  One of the operatives, who are playing our servants, snorts. “Yeah, sure. Even listening to those barbarians is wrong.” Then he shrugs. “As if it would matter. We have our hands full with the northern tribes. If Nict chooses to attack us we are done for. The whole issue is a political game to cause an incident.”

  Saana closes her eyes and sighs. “You are right, but by being here we can influence Nict's decision. One way or the other, our countries have been in a state of cold war for very long. The leaders of our nation started to take that for granted, but with the possibility of a war on two fronts they got cold feet.”

  She pounds her fist onto her knee. “It's of utter importance that Nict doesn't find out about the war and our weakened state. Luckily the war is contained to our northern borders. Furthermore we have to show them that we are capable people and not weaklings. If our presence here demonstrates strength, then their decision regarding us might be influenced in our favour.”

  “If the rumours are true...” I add with a grim expression.

  “If the rumours are true.” Saana confirms. “But our presence fulfils its purpose, even if we only make them hesitate.”

  Eliot leans against the wall next to the entrance. “Wasn't it bad to thwart their listening attempt with the cards then? We could've talked about how powerful we are and fed them some false information.”

  Saana smiles warmly. “That was a good thing to do. They surely suspect that we aren't just what we claim to be. It's a little game between our countries. By not outright destroying their presents and leaving them behind, we sent them a message. Now they know that we aren't stupid and won't trust anything we say in the presence of the cards. It's the old game of testing one's muscles one by one against the opponent.”

  Eliot tilts his head. After a while he nods, admitting that showing them our capability isn't a bad thing. Then his face distorts into a lecherous expression. “But did you take a look at their formidable weapons?” He forms cups with both of his hands like holding two really heavy objects. “Those sisters and Louise are playing in another league than you guys. Their points of interest are just at the right height! I might like it here. All those exotic beauties! And their tails! They were much longer than the ones of a Dwemer woman, I wonder what they can do with them.”

  Everyone places a look of contempt on Eliot and I simply have to warn the pervert. Pointing my tail at him I start my speech. “If I were you, I wouldn't try. They all belong to families with prestige, so don't create a diplomatic incident. You won't get away with doing them and running off. Despite that I doubt that you could satisfy them.”

  “You dare to doubt me?! My stamina is legendary. I made all my girls scream up until now.” He places a hand on his chest and looks at me with confidence. “Do you want to try?”

  I cross my arms in front of my chest and grin. “I don't doubt that you have the needed stamina.” My eyes wander between his legs. “But I think that you lack the needed size. Those women surely expect a weapon which is up to their standards.”

  His expression drops and his right hand wanders between his legs. “You are so cruel!”

  Nikita ignores him and goes on. “So what do you guys think of them? Huge monsters, aren't they? I heard stories about them, but now I realize that the real thing is different.”

  “Capable people, we have to watch out what we say in front of them.” I conclude. Nikita is exaggerating, they are people just like us. They only look a little different.

  Padma plays nervously with her spectacles. “I want to take a look at Azir's laboratory. These golden cards are bugging me, I want to take one apart. They are slimmer and smaller than I would expect from their function. Not only that making such a device at all requires high skill, the level of min
iaturisation is beyond my knowledge.”

  Saana chuckles. “I think that except for Azir and the sisters, all of them are normal students. I don't mean that in a bad way, they are exceptional individuals from what I heard. But the others are still kids.”

  I tilt my head and focus Saana. “And the other three are not?”

  The old woman frowns. “I am not sure about the sisters, but at least Azir has killed people in cold blood. You are able to see it in someone's eyes, you know? I bet he could slit your throat and walk away without batting an eyelid.”

  39. ~Secret.~

  “Shamanistic rituals aren't a precise science. Guiding a spell through objects, runes, sound and gestures at the same time takes a lot of experience. The wise magician Shandeley spent a lot of time while researching this method. She came to following conclusion.

  -Learning by having a good theory and proofing it.

  -Learning by trying and understanding.

  -Learning by trying and surviving!

  -Learning by trying, surviving and understanding.

  -Learning by trying, surviving and memorizing.”

  -Papyri magicae.

  Free City States of Nict, Capital

  Azir

  “How boring. They got suspicious and left my presents behind.” I grumble and start the recording once more to listen to it, but I already know that I'll learn nothing new.

  “I still think that spying on them isn't the right thing to do. What if they can prove that your presents are spying tools? It could result in war! Next time inform me of such a dangerous plan!” Stella bickers at my side.

  “Yes, Brother! That was very childish of you! We have a bad relationship with the Dwemer since generations. Don't do anything which could offend them! Our country has enough trouble with the regular attacks by the southern nations. It's only thanks to Lucas Gejene's efforts and negotiations that we currently experience a long period of peace.” Valeria pulls at my ear, while looking over my shoulder.

  We are inside my laboratory and I intended to get some praise for gathering information, but all I get are stiff rebukes. “Well, at least we learned that they aren't just average students and servants, but people who wish to achieve something by coming here.” I turn around to face Valeria. “And please don't speak of Lucas like he is some kind of great hero. He is actually just a worrying father with parental issues.”

  Stella shrugs her shoulders. “It isn't like we didn't know that there is more to them than they want to tell us. You don't just send exchange students to a country which is on bad terms with your own.” She walks off to take a look at the schematics on my chalkboards.

  I snap my fingers and grab a small bag filled with miniature microphones. They are made without the use of any magic, let's see if the Dwemer are able find those. Snapping my finger once again, my little assistant finally arrives. The miniature spider robot looks up at me with a questioning gaze. I gave it the ability to learn and change its own programming when I created it. After I put some serious effort into training it, Spidey became a reliable helper.

  “Deploy those stealthily in the mansion across from ours, don't get caught.” I drop the bag beside the little robot and it scrabbles off with the bag.

  Valeria huffs. “Seriously! You'll get us into trouble if it is caught!”

  I raise my hands. “I don't know of any animated artefacts in my possession. Who on this world could build something like Spidey? We just have to deny his existence.”

  Valeria furrows her eyebrows. “I don't like your little pet, but that's too cruel. Even I realize that Spidey isn't just a mindless machine!”

  A crunching sound pulls my attention and I look at Stella, who is standing in front of my chalkboards. She has a piece of chalk in front of her mouth, while looking absent-mindedly at the schematics.

  “Stella? Why are you eating chalk?” What's wrong with her? “Calcium deficiency?”

  Stella looks at us and then at the chalk in her hand. “Hahaha. So stupid, I wasn't eating it. Just took a closer look and then I zoned out. Must have broken it.” She points at the chalk-pieces on the ground and puts the chalk back into its place.

  I see, her swallowing must've been my imagination then. Seriously, who in his right mind would eat chalk...

  Free City States of Nict, Capital

  Stella

  Chalk tastes good... why does chalk taste good? Am I sick? He said something about calcium. There is calcium in chalk. What's calcium needed for? My body yearns for calcium? I widen my eyes and walk towards the exit. “I have something important to do, don't play for too long.”

  I rub my temples in order to get my mind working again. Just now I went into complete autopilot mode, not even realizing what I was doing. That happened never before.

  Storming out of Azir's laboratory, I head to the second floor and enter my own personal area. I ignore my experiments and walk directly towards the biggest room with my heavy equipment. I organized a scrying glass for my own personal use. It's the most important device for healers in this day and age, because it enables you to look inside a patient.

  Arriving at my destination, I grab the round glass which is encased in a golden ring. A few fast changes to the scaling activate the glass. I step in front of the mirror next to the entrance and hold the glass over my belly.

  There is the piece of chalk I ate and everything else I munched down over the day. Uwah, disgusting. Luckily I turned off the colours and the image is just black and white.

  Holding the mirror a little lower on my abdomen I find what I was searching for... a small undeveloped embryo. There is even the eggshell starting to form. “Hiii!” I drop the scrying glass, not caring if it gets damaged. Suddenly the world starts spinning and I have to get down to my knees.

  This is bad. Why? I cover my face with both hands and a storm of unwanted feelings rushes over me. I always took the contraceptives and according to the doctor they should be almost a hundred per cent safe. Did I get fucked by the word 'almost'? I crawl over to the chest where I store the pills and count them, just to be sure. When I am done, I munch them together and growl. No mistake. They simply failed to serve their purpose.

  What now? Abortion? I don't want to kill it, magicians are rare enough. “Awawawa... Can't this happen a little later?” I didn't even talk with Azir about our future and children! The issue didn't come up and we deliberately avoided talking about it.

  After several minutes I find the strength to stand up again. I simply have to talk to him about it. It isn't like our relationship could get damaged by something like that. We simply have to talk about it like adult p- p- parents.

  I walk slowly out of my lab and head for the bedroom in the third floor. There I find Azir already in his pyjamas on our big bed, reading a book. Seems like Valeria already went home. I change into my own nightgown and lie down beside him, playing with my fingers. “Azir? I want to talk about something.”

  “Hm.” He just nods, but his attention stays on the book.

  “Why do you love me?” I'll try start this discussion at its core point. He raises his eyebrows and his forehead turns into a mass of wrinkles. I can tell that he is asking himself why I suddenly brought this up.

  He starts talking like trying to walk through a minefield. “Because we've been together since childhood and dating since we were fifteen? Because you are independent, smart and sexy? …because you can change your three sizes?”

  I am a little startled, because he simply threw a series of questions at me. “Those features apply to almost all women at this university.” If you don't count the point with the three sizes.

  He drops the book onto the ground beside the bed. “Is there any point to this discussion? Sure, all the features I attach to you can be found in tons of other women too! If the chain of events was a little different I might have fallen in love with someone else.”

  There goes his unromantic side again! I hate that!

  Suddenly he rolls on top of me and kisses my neck. �
�The answer is simply because it's you. I love you and nobody else.” His hands wander down my spine and to my legs, forcing them apart.

  I sigh and hug him. “I love you because you are giving me the feeling that I am the only one for you. From our time in school till now you were always at my side and never looked at someone else, despite having plenty of options to choose from.”

  He pulls me into his embrace while he continues to caress my neck. “The others weren't as reliable as you. You gave up the goal you worked for, for years, only to be together with me. What else could I want?”

  I stiffen up a little. Yeah... I am reliable... reliable enough to get myself pregnant without having talked about the obvious consequences of sex. “Azir, what do you think of children.”

  Now he is the one who freezes up. “Eeeh... seriously?” He sits up between my legs and pulls me with him into an upright position. “It... It's not... like I... hate children!” He stutters. “It's just that they are noisy and scream. And you have to take care of them for the better part of a decade until you can leave them alone without having to worry.”

  He forces a smile onto his face and I can sense that he is uncomfortable with the issue. “Can't we wait at least until we are done with university and married? This university life is really enjoyable you know? Free of responsibility, while simply being with each other. And it's not like we are in a rush. We are both strong magicians and the country is at peace... if you don't count certain problems. There's plenty of time.”

  From one moment to the next I am afraid of telling him that his reliable fiancee messed up and that his happy go lucky life is coming to an end! There are still a few months before it can be seen. I can work up my courage some other time.

  “Sure. I think so too. There is no need to rush.” What should I do?