by Dixon, TJ
“Wait. This tent is easily big enough for both of us. Why don’t you stay here?”
“Thank you but I like to sleep under the stars. They were my first friends, at least that I remember.”
“A girl might envy those stars one day. Goodnight and sleep well.” She says and waves as I leave the tent wondering why a girl would envy the stars. I envy them already of course as they are the symbol of freedom to me as well as friends.
I spend the night talking to one star in particular. My very oldest friend, Hades. The others are respectfully quiet but Hades relieves my tension as she talks to me. I get the feeling one day we will meet and I am sure she feels the same way. Our talk brings back memories and soon there are tears in the corner of my eyes. Eventually I fall asleep.
I am shaken awake and am very grateful to Yu Kii for doing so. This is the first time the sun has failed to wake me. I realise that Yu Kii doesn’t know how to port, so I show her how the same way that Rin first showed me. It’s so simple but if you don’t know it then you would never think of it.
In class Rin and Hermes are waiting and we talk briefly but then the teacher ports in and starts the class. The lesson is wind magic so I am in my element. Yu Kii is stunned by my prowess at wind magic. The lesson is trivial to me but there are some interesting points and Yu Kii learns a lot. I make sure of that!
Rin gets Yu Kii’s lunch and is even more embarrassed than I was when she bows so deeply. We eat together happily and then rest outside. It seems Rin’s mother is up for the idea of hiring Yu Kii so she doesn’t need to worry about finding a job. We port back to class and the afternoon lesson is fire. Not my element but Yu Kii is useless at fire so I manage to help her with the lesson as well as learning some useful techniques.
Our training after lessons mirrors the elements we covered in class again. Hermes is by far the strongest at fire so she helps us all understand a lot of what was covered in class, and how to put it into use. Even with her help though Yu Kii really struggles. Wind magic I help everyone with but it is only Yu Kii who has much to learn. Both Rin and Hermes have covered most of it with me before. They still have a lot of progress to make if they want to excel at it but it isn’t ever going to be their element, and it doesn’t look like it will be Yu Kii’s either.
The next day we cover dimensional magic. At lunch Rin and I look to Hermes but she shakes her head so I get Yu Kii’s lunch. It isn’t exactly expensive but it makes me wonder just how much Hermes is giving to her family and what for. That is the only reason I can think of that can explain her lack of money. If it was just renting a room then Rin would have the same issue. The afternoon looks at dimensional magic again. The second half of the week mirrors the first half and our routine seems to be established again.
Finally it is our day off. I port Yu Kii to Rin’s home because she hasn’t been there before. Hermes is waiting there and Rin arrives right after us. It seems today’s job is to bring back the corpse of some giant lizards and some metal ores that can be found nearby. Thankfully they are nowhere near as dangerous as giant wolves, and much easier to find. It will be even easier with Yu Kii as her sense of earth is much more sensitive than Hermes.
We port to a mountain they are known to live in and enter a cavern. Inside it is more of a labyrinth than the Labyrinth of the Lost Lambs which was fairly simple although vast. This is small winding tunnels that we follow under Yu Kii’s guidance. We find and easily kill the lizards one after the other. Eventually we find the first ore and Hermes extracts it using earth magic. Eventually we have both the other ore and as many lizards as will fit in Rin’s bag. So much for fitting a dragon inside! We are about to leave when Yu Kii holds up a hand to stop us.
“What do you sense?” I ask but she closes her eyes and a hole forms in the earth close to her. A crystal falls out and Rin gasps.
“Is that what I think it is?” Rin asks anxiously picking it up.
“I don’t know what you think it is but it contains the power of the earth. I figured it would be useful.”
“It is! This is an elemental crystal. They are incredibly rare and extremely useful in alchemy. Earth you say?”
“Yes, that’s how I sensed it.” Yu Kii says and Rin looks at Hermes who shakes her shoulders.
“Are there any more nearby?” I ask but Rin laughs before replying.
“That would be impossible. They suck a lot of power from nearby so they can’t form close to each other. Neither would have enough energy if the other were close by. Let’s port back now.”
Back at Rin’s home I realise it is only early afternoon. We have a quick lizard meat lunch. In the afternoon we take on a second job. With four of us we will need to get lots of materials to earn our way. The next job is to get some wood from a Tree Ent again. Rin gulps when she hears this. It brings back bad memories for me too. We are much stronger now though and there are four of us so it shouldn’t be too hard this time. It seems one was sighted a long way away but Rin and Hermes still have most of their power left and so do I. Yu Kii used a lot searching for the lizards and fighting them but still has enough left to find the Tree Ent.
We agree in advance that I will fight the Tree Ent alone with everyone else ready to help if needed. It doesn’t take long to find it. Again I target its roots and slash several before it wakes up. Furious it lashes out at me but I just slash the branches it sends my way. I am using my magic so much more efficiently this time that I am able to keep up the attack and soon it is slowed by the damage I am inflicting. It takes a while but eventually it is finished. My power is mostly spent but we port back with the dead Tree Ent.
It is still late afternoon but we have used too much power between us to do another job so we discuss what to do next. Hermes says she has family stuff to take care of but she might meet us later depending how it goes. Rin suggests the Drake but remembering the incident last time I don’t like that idea, and Yu Kii having only done her first job doesn’t want to spend too much. I suggest we wander around town since I haven’t seen much yet and Yu Kii hasn’t seen anything other than the inside of this house. Everyone seems fine with the idea though Rin having grown up here is the least enthusiastic.
The town is smaller than I realised. We reach the market in no time and look round that but afterwards we cover the rest of the town really quickly. With time to spare we port back to the academy and spend the evening resting outside. When it gets dark Rin heads back to her room and Yu Kii goes inside her tent. I look up to the skies and see the stars again. I talk to them for a while before falling asleep.
To my surprise Hermes is not in class. Worried I look at Rin and she looks back equally worried. When lunch comes I ask Rin where Hermes lives but she doesn’t know. In town somewhere, but nothing that can help us find her. We ask the teacher but she says she isn’t allowed to tell us. Rin checks with her mother but she doesn’t know and hasn’t seen her. Worried but without time to look randomly for her we wait for the next lesson to start.
Finally the afternoon lesson is over. We port into town. I take to the skies. Rin and Yu Kii search the town on foot, asking about Hermes. I stretch my sense as far as I can and feel the bustle of the town. I get a sense for Rin and Yu Kii and try to do the same for Hermes. To my surprise I find someone else in the air though. Lucy! I race to where she is but I can’t see her with my eyes.
“Lucy!” I call out but there is no answer. I swirl the wind and dizzy she falls into view. I pick her up before she falls to the ground. “Where did you disappear to?”
“Took you long enough to find me.” She pouts. “You have no idea what that Claire girl put me through.”
“You know where Claire is?”
“No, but she almost cooked me! Me, treated like raw meat!”
“Why did you leave?”
“I didn’t leave. I was kidnapped.”
“By Claire?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“My powers are weak in this form. She is much stronger than I would
expect from a girl her age. Was she in class A?”
“No. She was in class E.”
“She was hiding her powers then. She should have been in class A, and a very special student at that. I doubt you could beat her without kissing that little queen again.”
“That bad? Could she have taken Hermes?”
“Easily. She wouldn’t though. If she was going to take anyone from your little group it would be Rin and her mother. She passed by the chance to take you and Rin’s mother when she captured me, so I doubt she’ll take anyone.”
“Why did she take you?”
“She thought it would be fun to torment and eat a mini human.”
“I hate that girl.”
“Me too. Especially after almost being eaten by her.”
“So why did you stay hidden after I called out to you?”
“I was annoyed at you for not saving me.”
“Sorry. I didn’t realise that you were in trouble.”
“The moment that Hermes goes missing you all look for her, yet after all this time you never looked for me.”
“Do you know where she is?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“At home with her mother.”
“So she’s safe.”
“No. Her mother was mad at her.”
“Mad enough to stop her going to lessons?”
“Mad enough to kill her.”
“What?! Why?”
“She found out she got promoted to 3D.”
“That’s a reason to kill her? Wait, more importantly, is she still alive now?”
“Yes. She plans to make the execution take a few more days. It really is a terrible way to die.”
“Where does she live?”
“What will you do if I tell you?”
“Save her of course.”
“She is still considered a child. A mother owns their child until they are considered a woman, or if they are a boy until they are sold or married. A child has no rights.”
“Even so, I can’t just let this happen. Even if it means becoming a criminal I will save her.”
“Then there is a way.”
“Tell me.”
“Just promise me that next time you’ll look for me as quickly.”
“I promise.”
“Get the other girls. I’m only saying this once.”
Chapter 10 (Peter)
Rin and Yu Kii are shocked to see Lucy. Yu Kii blurts out, “What is that little girl?”
“Don’t talk to me like that, young one!” Lucy shouts at her with a glare.
“I’m sorry!” Yu Kii apologises and bows deeply, which causes Lucy to laugh.
“Fine. You’re forgiven, but don’t do it again. I’m Lucy, Peter’s pet.” She says and I grimace, whilst holding back my complaint. Rin just about prevents herself laughing and Yu Kii looks completely baffled.
“More importantly she knows where Hermes is, and how we can save her.” I say and bring us all back to reality.
“So she’s in danger. What happened to her?” Rin asks nervously.
“She made her mother mad. Her mother plans to kill her.” Lucy says and Rin’s eyes go wide.
“Then surely saving her is impossible. How could it be otherwise?” Rin asks and Yu Kii frowns.
“Why would making her mother mad be so dangerous? Why can’t we save her?” Yu Kii asks and Rin looks at her strangely.
“You’re not a Contractian, are you?” Rin asks.
“No. How did you know?” Yu Kii asks.
“In Contractia a mother owns her daughter until she is old enough to be considered an adult, or graduates the academy. If her mother chooses to, she can do anything, except sell her. She can even kill Hermes.” Rin explains.
“But that’s barbaric!” Yu Kii exclaims.
“Yeah.” I say in complete agreement. “So how do we save her?”
“A mother owning her daughter is perfectly civilised. Very few mothers would even dream of harming their daughter. What’s barbaric is her mother’s attitude.” Rin says. I still think the whole thing is barbaric, but now is not the time to argue.
“It’s simple. If you kill her mother in a duel then all her possessions including Hermes become yours.” Lucy says but Rin shakes her head.
“That’s impossible. Students can’t duel. It’s not allowed.” Rin protests.
“For most students that is true.” Lucy says with an evil smile. “But there is one student who can do so, at least until they change the rules. The requirements to duel are these three points. Firstly, Law of Contractia 33, the person must have studied at the Academy of Contractia. You all meet this requirement. It does not state you must have graduated. Secondly, Law of Contractia 34, the person must not have been expelled from the Academy of Contractia. Again you all meet this point. Thirdly, Law of The Academy 56, no girl studying at the academy may fight a duel. Well there is one student here who is not a girl studying at the academy. To change the rules you require the queen’s approval. Certainly after this fight the rules will be changed, win or lose, but if you lose you will be dead anyway.”
“I won’t lose.” I say with a confident smile.
“This woman is not going to be an easy kill. She’s a trained killer who could kill a weak foe just by looking at them. Also you must kill, not just defeat her. Have you ever killed a person before?”
“I don’t think so.” I admit.
“Surely you would know?!” Yu Kii asks shocked.
“I don’t have all my memories.” I say shrugging and Yu Kii just leaves her mouth open for a moment.
“Oh. How many of your memories do you have?” She asks quietly.
“Now’s not the time for that. The more we delay the more danger Hermes is in. So how do I make sure she has to accept the challenge?” I ask.
“Issue it in public. That woman likes the Drake so that would be a good place. For a woman to decline a challenge by a mere boy issued in front of a large crowd is unthinkable.”
“Where is she now?” I ask.
“At home torturing Hermes.” Lucy says and I grimace.
“Can we really wait for her to just go to the inn on her own? I want to save Hermes now.”
“The only other option is to become criminals, Hermes included. Hermes won’t thank you for that.” Lucy says and I curse, kicking the earth.
“Can Peter win?” Rin asks nervously. “You said she was no easy kill.”
“He can win if he gets lucky. If he gets unlucky he will die.” Lucy says.
“Are you really OK with that?” Rin asks Lucy.
“He’s old enough to make that choice himself. As for me I’d rather he died valiantly than let a friend die because he was a coward.” Lucy says glaring at Rin.
“He’s only twelve!” Rin protests.
“Age is more than the years you have lived.” Lucy replies.
“I’m going to the Drake.” I say determinedly but shaking inside. I don’t plan to lose but I am going up against a professional. Until now my enemies have all been monsters or amateurs like me. “If there is a way to save Hermes then I must do so no matter the risk. If I just fight battles I know I can win and not the ones that matter, then I am just a coward. Besides she came to save me.” At this last point Rin winces. I want to reassure her but if I say any more I think my voice will break.
“You need a judge and a suitable location.” Lucy says pragmatically. “Rin and the young one, go to the arena. Get a teacher there. Silmarion would be perfect. She loves a duel and wouldn’t dream of stopping one that doesn’t break the rules, even if it bends them a little. One more thing Peter. If you’re thinking of freeing Hermes or making a deal with her mother, then forget it. Any deal would not be binding even if put in an official contract. The mother has no right to sell her daughter, she cannot be contracted. Freeing Hermes would make her the property of her mother’s sister and, believe you me, that is one scary lady. She could slay any monster, short of a dragon. She would no
t spare a second before killing Hermes.”
“How did you know I was planning to free her?” I ask surprised she had guessed my thoughts.
“It’s obvious.” Lucy says calmly.
“How was it obvious?” Rin asks surprised.
“You don’t know him very well if a girl like me who only met him recently can read him better than you.” Lucy says haughtily. Rin starts to glare but Lucy then reminds her. “You have a job to do and not much time to do it. It won’t be long before she is in the Drake. All of you go!”
So I am commanded by my ‘pet’ but grateful for it. I port to the Drake with Lucy and walk to the bar. This time everybody moves out of the way immediately, whether because they remember me or see Lucy.
“So what can I get you?” The barman asks but I shake my head. “You need to drink something even if you are a mage. Unless it is about a bounty? No, well, I run a business. Find somewhere else to sit.”
“He is waiting for a friend.” Lucy says. “I will drink in his stead. A cup of hot wine. He’s paying.” I would find it amusing to watch her drink the cup that comes and is as big as she is. Somehow she drinks it like it is nothing and doesn’t even look bloated or affected by the alcohol. It is almost empty when she says quietly. “She’s here. The short old looking woman.”
“That’s…” I say and remember her. I smile. “Hey! Old hag! Yes, you!”
“Little pant pissing boy… You wanted something?”
“Yes. By the Law of Contractia I challenge you to a duel!” I declare loudly.
“We have been through this before…” She says sounding exasperated.
“You know her?” Lucy asks surprised.
“The law only forbids girls studying at the academy from fighting duels.” I say triumphantly.
“Oh really?” The old woman says and her smile reminds me of a snake about to eat its prey. “You have a place and judge ready I assume?”
“The arena in the academy, and a teacher should be waiting.”
“I will be there in five minutes. Prepare to die.” She says and ports away. I port to the arena. Silmarion, Rin and Hermes are waiting. Silmarion is smiling like a maniac and I take a double take to be sure it is her but there is nobody else I know with that silver skin or no eyes. Rin and Yu Kii are shaking a little and force a smile when they see me. To my surprise though, the arena audience is filling fast, and not just with students. There are many women in robes that have clearly already graduated. How did they find out so quickly about this?