Soul raised to 743

  Lea has collapsed. I'm not doing much better. Ceclia helps me up. I had to heal my throat before thanking her. I look at my notification. Nine days at most. If the lich doesn't demand more from me. I start to walk forward, my stumble caught by Glindinal. Another thanks from me earns her admonishment.

  “You are in no shape to be moving. I am not even sure how you're still conscious. You screamed your voice out.”

  I give a weak smile, “Not the first time.” That gets an even more annoyed vibe from her. “Sorry.”

  “Don't apologize if you're going to keep doing it.” She spits out crossly.

  Mags puts Lea into my bed and then walks over to us. “You have about half an hour before we need to head to the castle. Glindinal, the supplies.”

  The Elf glares at Mags but asks me a question. “How much time have you bought?”

  “Three weeks.” I murmur, she gives me a squeeze and heads out.

  “Cecelia, it might be best if you stay behind and help Barbain level. Along with her two new [Supplicant]s that can buy us time.”

  I look up at Mags. She was with me the whole time. When did she learn about Barbain? Must have been before we reunited. She must have noticed my look.

  “Barbain cleared the hydras for us, to save time. Magicking thirty hydras is a bit much, even for me. She gained a level but held off because you were still unaccounted for. Considering you haven't seized since, she still hasn't spent the points.”

  More soul burn to look forward too. Cecelia heads out as well. Mags sits me at the mirror. More of my hair is silver. She begins tidying up my appearance. “Why did you lie to her?”

  “I fear she would volunteer to become a [Supplicant]. I don't think I would refuse her. I can't stop thinking about making more Vampires. I don't even know why. It's never been a great desire before. Is my soul trying to save me?” I look at Mags searching her face for condemnation. She is instead looking at my brow.

  “Take off the circlet.” My hand shakes but I do. “Do you still desire to make more Vampires?"

  I look at her, eyes searching. “No…”

  A calm smile meets my admission, “I'm just glad it latched onto that and not try to make you do another blood bender.”

  “Blood freely given with feelings of love are far better than that of fear and taking.” I murmur.

  A wry grin grows, “Is it now, dear?”

  “It even cures more of my thirst.”

  “That is good to know.” She places a cup and cuts her hand again. “Just a bit of a pick me up, dear.”

  “Mother.” I look up at her again. She smiles and waits. I drink and feel her warmth.

  -----

  The queen looks at me with nary an emotion on her face. I can't sense any in her either. That I can see her blood is my only proof she isn't an illusion. I kneel and present my knife, hilt first, to her. She had dismissed Mags from the room. Taking over for suppressing my aura.

  “So you have come to swear fealty. A curious lover's revenge charm you have crafted.”

  “I felt one that always pointed to my soul would be a better token of loyalty then one that waited for me to give exp on my slaying.”

  “You're not sure you're capable of dying.”

  I wince, “Not in any normal way.”

  “Say the words. You are incapable of giving them to me privately.” The cold stare watches me. A test. Every courtlier swears their own vow. It is up to the queen to accept it. Mags explained this all to me. If I had telepathy I could even give my vow silently to her. The only thing I had to do was be sincere in my vow.

  “I, Sanguine, pledge to safeguard the people of this Queendom from the predation of the powerful, including the [Queen] and myself.” I could not swear any other oath.

  “To protect the people, even from me.” She laughs. “You are quite bold, [Countess] Sanguine.”

  Is she about to kill me for my temerity? She has a wry grin as I grit my teeth. “‘Cea’, you're just too young. Your next soul day will see the title change. Check your title description if you doubt me.” A notification popped. I can't look at it. Not while she is watching. A bit of smugness leaks out of her facade. “Now, for your fealty, my almost [Countess], is there something you wish to ask of me?”

  “Only that I may leave the capital with this trinket.” I hold up the scale necklace.

  “Seems to be but a trifle for your loyalty.”

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  “I have little time and if I am to survive, I can not part with it.”

  “For you need it to prepare to assimilate a void core.” I nod to her words. “You will die to the Calamity. That won't do.” She says with a bit of boredom, “My attendant will provide you papers for access to the dungeon. You will need to hurry.” I tilt my head in confusion. The queen's aura stops suppressing my own. My eyes grow wide as the lich's illusion appears next to me.

  “Katherine, this is most unexpected.”

  “Only for you, former [Empress]. The one bearing your name is rushing headlong into danger. To stave off your replacing of her memories.” My eyes grow wide at her revelation to the lich.

  “I have been curious when she would run out of pure soul. But why—”

  The aura winks out, replaced once again by Katherine. I'm shaking with fury. All I want to do is ask why. My glare asks for me.

  “Two reasons. I want her to think she has won, and seek to continue to claim you through this foolish way instead of marching her undead army. And two, if she sees you fighting the Calamity, she will have to assist you.”

  “Not so foolish if she floods me with memory.” I seeth.

  “True, but the lich loses herself in the process. Over zealousness and haste are dangerous when it comes to memory. She has to maintain enough of herself to remember why she is doing this. She is just as vulnerable as you are. Even if you were to fail, I will have two incomplete Cea's to deal with.

  “What happened to protecting your court?” I growl.

  A new wry grin appears. “I am, I pick the option that maximizes the chances of defeating the enemy of my people. Your vow was one that was to prevent predation from yourself as well. Did you gain admittance to Gotsdam?”

  I frown at her, my etiquette long forgotten. She speaks of the future even as she has all but guaranteed my lack of one. Or the lack of one for Sara. Would my vow bind Cea as well…or at least the Cea that would inhabit this soul. A third reason. She gives an arched eyebrow.

  “Sorry, my understanding is that one has to succeed at two trials. I missed the master class trials and only did well in the lightning one.”

  She has a rather mischievous look about her now. “Are you certain you failed the other trials?”

  I frown, “Enough so that I never gave my name.” A gripped the bridge of my nose, “I even gave the wrong name for the lightning. It's all a mess. I will have to try again next year.”

  The mischievous smile grows. I don't understand it.

  “Off you go [Countess]. I have more arrangements to make. For what it's worth, I prefer Sara over Cea. Do try to stay dominant.”

  -----

  I stare at the notification.

  You have bestowed the Title Supplicant on Delores Xavious

  It happened when my [Countess-designate] title description updated to say I had sworn fealty. Apparently I was noble enough for the seed to release my blood. I am certain the thrill seeker has already set her title and is preparing to level.

  Soul raised to 747

  Deity raised to 9

  A supplicant has tied themselves further to you

  Remaining Soul 17

  I stumble as I walk down the hall. It didn't take her long. Gregory is there with Mags. He rushes forward to catch me. Seems new supplicants get to learn my divinity the moment my soul touches theirs. Braced in his arms I ask the question.

  “Do you truly wish to be my son?”

  “Its not about being family but having the ability to protect you. I am to be your knight, being so far behind only makes me a set piece.”

  “I don't need someone who is cruel to guard me.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Yes you do, I am to meet violence with violence. Violence is inherently cruel.”

  “But you delight in it.”

  “Not as much as before.” He has a wry grin.

  It causes me to bark out a laugh. I give a toothy grin. “You once told me not many deserve kindness. Do make sure you do, my knight.”

  “I haven't given you my oaths.” His expression grew serious.

  “This is your oath, Sir Gregory.” I hold my finger in his face, a bead of blood forms. “My soul is what you will borrow. What greater burden do you need?”

  You have bestowed the Title Supplicant on Gregory

  Soul raised to 751

  Deity raised to 10

  A supplicant has tied themselves further to you

  Remaining Soul 101

  His eyes widen at the truth. Even as my soul burns. Another notification pops up. I touch his shoulder.

  I'll need you to deliver something to the Sdrae estate before we leave.

  You are now capable of imbuing relics

  -----

  I took another sip from my blood skin. My thirst is ravenous. My two attentions are constantly repairing the damage the void necklace is doing. Replacing the damage is a better word for it. It is their whole world now. Funnily my third attention is able to make them have no distraction by claiming all my senses.

  You have gained [Two Separate Minds 3] Apprentice 1

  Apprentice - Your third attention can share a sense with the others.

  Gain 6 exp

  Touch, share my touch. Now all three can feel the necklace. Wasn't the notification I was hoping for. The carriage bounces a bit. Both me and Glindinal heads hit the ceiling. Our Tibyder puller is going to shatter the carriage before we arrive. I worry about Gregory who sits on top.

  “Another skill gain?”

  I look to the Elf, "[Separate Minds 3], not void.”

  She nods and begins filling a spare blood skin. My reserves are dwindling rapidly but we must get my void resist higher. She cuts her hand to top off the blood skin. Still annoyed about Mags telling her about freely given blood. She notices my frown.

  “Don't be like that. I am happy I can help in all this. I'm not strong enough otherwise. Your rejection of my soul amusingly enough means you must still covet my body.”

  Her boldness causes me to blush but then I chortle. “You're incorrigible.”

  She gets closer to me. “It's how I continue to steal your lips.” She gives me a quick peck to demonstrate.

  “You should consider that my mother out there has the ears of an Elf.”

  She straddles me. My eyes grow wide. “You should consider that Elves have long consummated relationships within the hearing range of their elders. That perhaps there is even a bit of a thrill to it.”

  She doesn't give me a chance to rebut when she claims my lips again. It is far longer than the quick peck from before. She pulls back a moment, either to breathe or just look at me. Her eyes smolder. “You are not going to forget all this are you?” I see the pain and pull her back into an embrace. My chin on her shoulders.

  “I won't let her replace me.”

  “Better not, Sara.” I tremble, wanting to correct her. Not really wanting to correct her. “It's alright, I know you go by another name.” She must have felt my trembling. It only reminds us of how dire my situation is. I feel her tears. They join my own.

  I feel a drop of blood hit the cup. There is fear and trepidation in it. Not yet. Not until she is sure.

  Deity raised to 6