“If you would be so kind, mother, I could use some life mana. Leashing myself was a tiring affair.”
She laughs and places a hand on my arm. She channels enough to get me to a quarter. I shift my form to the attendant. My clothing willed back on, we walked to Maknor.
“You managed such great time getting here. It took me five days going through the forest.”
“Roads are there for a reason, Sara. Granted, running here was rather exhausting. I'll take a short rest before heading back.”
“Sister needs are greater than mine, I understand.”
She laughs, “No, it is because I have your dungeon keys on me. I will return after I pass them onto the guild there. Sara, you clearly need more familiar faces as well, maybe even more so. Perhaps convince the Xavious girl to spend time at your guild hall.”
I titter. Lindur would freak seeing my gloriousness. So very tempting.
-----
“Apologies, mistress for my tardiness.”
She had already been dressed by the other house attendants. They glared at me for my lapse of duty. I shrug and walk to my mistress. She was not yet properly attired.
“What color do you desire today?”
“White, if you would Sara, to match.”
I grew the flower to be ultra violet. Our shared secret. The other attendants do not understand how the flower came to be. We left for the estate's dining room. Seating the mistress I take up a position behind her. Opposite were her cousins, Jeremy and Kalidia, the same age as my mistress. Their parents were at either end. Two fathers. The Xavious viscount younger brother Thomas and a Troll, Kiledo Sdrea, another viscount and owner of the estate. Jerremy was the first to talk.
“I had thought you lost Delores, how did you manage to escape the Bronfkin army.”
“Simply an opportunity to flee arose, I can only thank Sara for getting me back.”
She motions to me but they seem disinterested. Kalidia speaks up.
“An interesting flower you wear. Is that why your attendant was absent?”
Shameful of me, now my mistress must answer for my dereliction.
“She had needs to take care of, Sara would you provide my cousin your flower?”
“As you wish.”
I will the flower white and hand it to her. Another flower grows to replace the one removed.
“She grows them on her head?”
“Sara is a most capable [Attendant].”
“Does that mean you aren't going to the citadel with the two of us?” Jeremy again.
Did Delores want to be a knight?
“I had waffled on the idea but seeing the potential of magic I decided it was worth pursuing it.”
Jeremy scoffs as Kalidea engages.
“Is that why you got an attendant? To help you in Gotsdam?”
You know, this is the first time I heard the institution name.
“I actually had planned to wait till my first year to hire but father was rather aggressive in securing Sara. I believe it has been to my benefit.”
The cousins flick their eyes to me again. I remain stoic as a proper attendant should. They apparently do not consider me all that important. There is no reason to correct them…still irks me though.
-----
Mags is in the back of the smithy sleeping in a hammock. I smile, she made the run to my sister in just one night. Back to me by midday. I feel adventurers return to the dungeon. They chatter about the new herbs. I smile. I increase the density of my aura around my babies. They are well used to it. Uncompellable monsters, I suspect mental mages will avoid my dungeon.
I work on another knife. My sister had requested more knives, apparently divested of them on her capture. I will plop them out of her after she tugs my soul three times. The mithril and an iron sword will join her as well. One to bind to our soul, the other to wear for appearances.
“Exactly how many knives do you need, Sara.”
I look to the pile, a fortune in mithril.
“Can never have too many knives, mom.”
Cecelia smiles at me calling her mom again.
“Certainly they shouldn't all be mithril, sweetie. I fear you will be mugged with such armament.”
I smile at that, bigger bait. She looks annoyed at me.
“You know you will regret it afterwards, Sara.”
It's true. I started shaping some iron instead. She comes up and gives me a side hug. My manifestation has to look up at her again, my face questioning the unbidden hug.
“I'm just glad you are feeling more at ease, Sara.”
-----
“Your tea, my mister.”
I watch the house attendant provide rather sloppily filled cups to Delores and her cousins. Just a few droplets too many but so very vexxing.
“We were thinking of grabbing some exp in the dungeon. Would you like to come with Delores?” Jeremy asks.
Would that be an issue?
I have my own personal instance, I can enter no other.
“I can send Sara for a key, do you want to go this afternoon or tomorrow?”
“We should go now.”
“I aim to finish my tea first, brother.”
He huffs.
“Sara, please go and secure a key for us, wait at the west gate for our arrival.”
“Of course, mistress.”
I nod and excuse myself.
-----
Lindur looks as bored as ever. I approached the receptionist.
“Here to turn in or open a request.”
“I needed to inquire whether my room was still unoccupied.”
She looks at me and sees my ears.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Fuck Mourns, when you escape the queens service and why your hair black instend of gold.”
“A while ago, I went through some changes. About my room?”
Some of which would frighten the dwarf. She scrounges around her drawer, looking for a key. When she finds it she hands it to me.
“Thank you, I will bring it back after I am done.”
I enter the clinic and its private quarters. There is nothing here anymore. I had everything put into my dungeon the day I left. But it's private enough to secure my weaponry. I tug my soul three times. I hear the guild master approach. I shrug, she already knows enough. She enters the room as two swords fall to my feet.
“She who Mourns, are you planning on returning to our clinic?”
Five mithril knives plop on the ground. Is sister distracted? I would have assumed she was capable of making more.
“Apologies but I have employment currently. I just needed some privacy to gather my weapons.”
“The fuck, back to prim and proper. [Attendant] seems to be a downgrade from [Priestess].”
I smile and shrug. Another stack of iron knives appears, a note on top. Seems Cecelia suggested that mithril was a bit much for throwing knives.
“Got enough knives there, Mourns.”
Thirty five iron. I feel better as they go into my various hidden pockets.
“Can never have enough knives, [Guild Master].”
“Why aren't you just entering the dungeon yourself?”
“I had inadvertently set down roots near the east edge of the Queendom. I can't enter my dungeon from so far away.”
“Mourns are you the fuckin’ Bandit's Suicide. Should've known what with the blood tithes.”
I titter at that, “I didn't get to name it, but yes. Sister right now running it while I am here being a personal attendant to Delores Xavious. I hope to return after a month here. How are things?”
“Real bleedin’ peachy. Almost had a revolt after you left, plenty of adventurers had the same idea as ‘Kills Profits Kills Again’.”
“Then you should be glad I am not returning then.”
She huffs, “Mourns don't ever think you are not welcome here. Who else am I going to drink for?”
I titter again, she gives me a look trying to understand the emotions I am putting out.
“Sorry, I had a bit of a thing happen. My blood intake is rather limited to what I physically need now. If you want I can visit tonight to share a glass.”
“You do that, can't have you exploding.”
I titter again.
“Mourns…”
“Apologies, I ate a dryad and my voice gets tinged if I don't control myself better. I must be off [Guild Master]. The mistress has left the estate.”
-----
“You took so long sister, the [Attendant] managed to procure a sword.”
I bowed my head slightly as is proper.
“One should enjoy tea when they can, Jeremy.”
He clearly disagreed.
“Were you able to procure a key, Sara.”
“I did, mistress, do you want a cart for bringing back axen?”
“We aren't peasants in need of a pittance from the adventurer guild, [Attendant].”
“Very well, sir.”
-----
“How come we can't see the field boss?”
Jeremy is annoyed. I stand behind Delores, slightly green. If I burn my blood by making sugars then I should be ready for my drink tonight. The not twins never noticed, Delores only mentally asked me.
“You [Attendant], why is the hydra down?”
“I spent last night feasting on its blood and many of his brethren on the next floor, sir.”
He looks at me annoyed. I'm not good at saying incomprehensible truths. Delores speaks up before Jeremy tries to denounce me.
“Sara only wishes for my safety, clearly she picked an instance that was mostly down. Besides, we are too early to be trying to kill hydras.”
“Speak for yourself, cousin. I would eagerly engage such a beast. [Attendant], how did you lie just now? I was focusing on you and I doubt you could avoid my [Detect Falsehood].”
“The easiest way to avoid that skill is to simply tell the truth, sir.”
Another sour look. I watch the other two head for a goblin pack. I go to follow. Jeremy grabs my shoulder. I look at him.
“I have yet to dismiss you, [Attendant].”
“Forgive me, sir. My mistress has gone ahead and I do not wish to tarry.”
“You are showing a great deal of disobedience to your betters, [Attendant].”
I titter at that. It infuriates him more. If only Kalidia had not opted to come. Doubt Delores would be happy if I did something to her cousin. Neither would sister. I liked him better when he ignored me.
“Truly sir, I do not mean offense.”
A slight bow of my head as I was taught. I need to remember my lessons better. Curt answers. Delores shouts out.
“I thought you came to show off, cousin, not to antagonize my [Attendant].”
He scowls but releases me. He heads off to kill more fake goblins.
-----
“So he accosted you, Mourns. I know you're capable of defending yourself.”
“It would not do to murder the mistress's cousin. Certainly not while she is staying at his house.”
I sip from my blood infused with alcohol. The guild master was kind enough to drink a rosè and not that usual swill. I cursed her for it. For old times sake. I doubt the skill up will happen. I sigh, which earns an inquisitive look.
“I haven't progressed much since I set roots near Kargnia. I have to be near sister to gain skills.”
The guild master looks at me annoyed, “Then why are we drinking?”
“Figure you want an excuse.”
“I don't need to cut my hand to drink, Mourns.”
“But you do for me.”
Another sour look, “So what happened after?”
“Ah right, I got a stern lecture and was forbidden from the estate. The mistress refused to terminate my contract. I believe one of the fathers plans to write a letter to the Xavious house demanding my termination.”
“Are you not concerned about getting fired?”
This is a daily reminder: You have 24 unallocated stat points
I titter.
“I believe the uproar in the capital will cause enough distraction for me to be forgotten.”
She quirks an eyebrow at me, a trinket pops out.
“Apologies guild master, I need a moment to scream.”
I proceed to do so.
Level raised to 13
Strength raised to 371
Presence raised to 438
Mental Fortitude raised to 457
Soul raised to 553
You tied your supplicants closer to you
Remaining soul 7
Remaining soul 8
Remaining soul 13
Remaining soul 77
Remaining soul 825
I feel my soul grow. I grow closer to my sister even as a part of the outer layer of my soul heads to my supplicants. The burn is immense. My soul raw from both of our rejections. The screaming was dryad tinged. The guild master had attempted to ask what was wrong, entering my trinket. She is now dazed by my screams. I only pull in a few more shuddering breaths before…
You are now a Tier 4 Tibyder (Vampire Progenitor)
Level reset to 1
Strength raised to 392
Presence raised to 451
Mental Fortitude raised to 463
Soul raised to 555
You tied your supplicants closer to you
Remaining soul 6
Remaining soul 7
Remaining soul 12
Remaining soul 76
Remaining soul 824
My throat was already worn from the first leveling, the second stripped my voice completely. When my silent scream ended, the guild master had already come too.
“The fuck was that, Mourns?”
I heal my throat, “An uproar, if you will excuse me.”
She wasn't ready for it. I left her in her daze. The desire to let me leave had her opening the door for me. I titter as I go.
-----
I stand in front of the Sdrea estate. While exiled from the grounds nothing prevents me from waiting for my mistress at the road. There are numerous runners crossing my view of the estate. They pay me no mind, eager to reach their destination.
-Sister?
Surprising, we healed enough for you to reach me. I can barely hear you though.
-Are you alright? That leveling was harrowing.
I was enjoying a nice bit of wine with Winctal when it happened. I had to use my voice to leave before she could ask questions.
I can feel her mental frown at that. I titter. My sister is so quiet at this distance but I get her emotions clearly. Perhaps emotions are just a purer aspect of our soul. Not sure I am ready for the more negative aspects of our personality. Part of the healing I suppose.
“You didn't say you had crossed the threshold.”
“Good morning, mother. You should get your rest.”
“I was until you woke the capital, again. Why are you out here?”
“I was kicked out of the estate for telling an incomprehensible truth to the lord's son.”
“Is that all?”
“Making the Lord's son feel stupid is apparently unforgivable.”
She laughs at that. There are arguments being made in the estate. I've been noticed and the house is trying to decide if confronting me is better or summoning the guard. The mistress is arguing that it would be best to simply allow me to resume my duties to her. No one pays her any mind. While the argument continues Jeremy decides to take it upon himself to confront me. Mother gives me a wry smile as he exits the estate.
“Greetings [Countess], I fear you should not speak to that one. They show the utmost disrespect to their betters. I wouldn't consider hiring her.”
Mags looks at me then back to Jeremy.
“I'm afraid you have mistaken this interaction. I have no desire to poach her from the Xavious household after I had recommended her myself.”
He looks rather smarmy at that, ready to lay my crimes at my benefactor.
“Then I fear she has betrayed your trust in her ma'am, she told me such a bald face lie and then continued to insist she was speaking the truth.”
“What was it you said, Sara?”
He is confused that she would ask me.
“That I feasted on the hydra's blood and of many of his second floor friends.”
Mags laughs at that, “I can see why he didn't believe you. You really shouldn't tease your peers with the truth, Sara.”
I titter. He made a hasty retreat to the house. Deciding it would be funnier to wait at the guild hall, I sent a mental thought to my mistress.
I might join you, it is becoming insufferable here.
