Julia grimaced as the Soul Shard’s energy rippled through her and wished she could hurl. Her reaction to it, a far cry from B humming happily away at the anger and lust that rushed through her.

{{ Ninety-nine thousand bottles of beer on the wall. }}

Not rising to B’s baiting tone, Julia gazed over the platoons’ names etched into the board yesterday. Even those that hadn’t started formation drills had each picked a name. The battalion and a half were well above the numbers Julia had expected; fifty-eight platoons, most with thirty members but a few larger ones, accommodating over sixteen hundred women. Others had opted for a different direction, but none of the survivors seemed inclined to leave their sisters. Some survivors planned to stay and handle day-to-day tasks, and general logistics involved. Scores wanted weapons training, and Torm had already organised experienced guards to help.

I just hope offering them this choice wasn’t a terrible mistake.

Julia looked at the last platoon’s name and knew why they’d selected it. The platoon’s name was short, with the Norse runes spelling out Ván, which Julia knew meant Hope. The Priest count shown in her Profile this morning had been disturbing, and she’d already learnt they were drilling in a platoon of their own.

If they can have hope, so can I.

“Lady Eakcï.”

When Vragi had appeared and spoken almost in the same instant, only Julia’s already meditative state let her still the reaction.

“Vragi,” Julia said, giving him a stern look. “You almost got punched appearing so close like that.”

“We can spar later if you wish. I didn’t know you were here,” replied Vragi, shrugging off her look. “I was going to ensure they’d put down all the platoon names.”

“Some sound like place names more than anything I recognise,” Julia stated, gesturing at the board.

“Yes, hamlets and even a few villages,” said Vragi, as a scroll and grease pen appeared. “The women wish to honour their fallen.”

“I’ll read them off, and you check the list?” Julia asked. When he nodded, she began.

“Eakcï, the books the scrivener had available are in Master Yngvarr’s study,” Sagga called, as Julia came in the kitchen door to find it already overflowing. Sagga had ten women sitting around the kitchen table working on their writing. The pieces of chalk and slate boards in front of them reminding Julia of an old schoolhouse scene, as they copied from the rune guides. As the first of them rose, Julia just motioned for them to stay seated.

“Please don’t let me interrupt,” said Julia. “Thanks, Sagga. When will he have more?”

“He said two weeks at least,” Sagga replied, looking over some copied runes.

“Great, I’ll leave you to your practice,” said Julia with a wave as she quickly slipped back out the door.

The sound of a voice she didn’t recognise followed Julia as she moved away from the kitchen.

“You call her Ladyship by her first name alone.”

“Only because she insists,” admitted Sagga begrudgingly.

The surprised murmurs that earned from the women left Julia with a smile, which broadened further when she found a stack of thick books waiting for her. Unfortunately, her smile didn’t last through the first chapter on the Greek Gods and their precepts.

How can they stand worshipping them?

(( Many peoples endure what they have when they don’t consider themselves worth better. ))

Was that meant as a sly dig?

(( No. Merely truth for many peoples, not just yourself. ))

Thanks, V, glad it’s an age-old issue.

She’d expected the reading to take weeks; however, the advantage of increased intelligence meant Julia finished the fifteen waiting volumes in the afternoon. Three knowledge skills had increased while reading, and Julia rechecked the last notifications she’d received.

[Religious Lore [Ap] (4->5)

Ten Kingdoms History [Ap] (1->2)

Norse Lore [Ap] (7->8)]

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

{{ But it’s just the tip! }}

As B continued with innuendos about the afternoon’s subjects, Julia was already moving on. Analysis of the Knowledge section in her Profile presented her with a massive skill list. After scrolling through it for half a bell, Julia still wasn’t finished with the A’s. With a last glance at ‘Artillery - Living Construct Lore’, Julia swore she wouldn’t indulge her curiosity simply stick with what she needed to learn and finally closed the list.

Though it might be more valuable than the Knowledge Skill on Alpha Centauri Asteroids; pretty sure the Abyss has living constructs used in Siege warfare.

{{ How about Sexual Position Lore? }}

The tone of B’s mental voice brushed the words across the surface of Julia’s mind, drawing a grimace worse than her reaction to the shard.

How about Muzzling Ids Lore?

{{ Just have to put a cock in it. Miss ID-10-T}}

With you, nothing would ever touch the sides.

As B compared Julia’s attitude to enduring kisses from syphilis infected goats, Julia had already turned her focus to the grimoire. The next spell on her list wasn’t a simple one, but it looked useful: Mercury’s Missive. The grimoire’s description said it would record messages across Planes into a scroll or book left in a known location.

The study door opened several bells later to reveal Yngvarr carrying a box overflowing with metal plates similar to those he’d set out last night. When he set the first on his desk, he gave her a smile that matched her own for mischief, though Julia’s smile turned puzzled as Livia peeked into the study as well.

“What are you two up to?” Julia asked, giving them a suspicious look.

“I’ve arranged for a few more elemental sources,” Yngvarr stated dryly. “and Livia wanted to unlock an Affinity.”

“Of course I’ll help,” replied Julia. “B teased me about collecting them all.”

“While B teased about it, that’s no reason not to. I visited a friend this afternoon, and she leant me these energy samples from her collection,” Yngvarr said, tapping the first plate. A swirling miasma of energy bloomed inside a barrier above the disk. Yet, even with it holding the energy in place, dry dirt scented the air, and a feeling of the grave radiated in the room.

“Dust an acceptable starting point?” asked Yngvarr, his tone bemused at the look Julia was giving him.

{{ Dust is low in fat, but you’re already on a fat-free diet. }}

I wonder if I cut you in half if you’d be twice as annoying or not?

{{Meow, meow, hissy pussy. }}

“And you of course want them too?” Julia asked, smiling as she ignored B’s taunting.

“Of course, and if you ever complain about me helping you again, I’ll have good reason to roll my eyes at you as Livia does,” Yngvarr stated.

“Livia, did you have an Affinity in particular you wanted?” asked Julia. Then, as if Julia had signalled surrender, Livia skipped inside, no longer lingering at the doorway.

“Order, Jade Court or Celestial, please,” Livia replied, sitting beside Julia and giving her adorable doe eyes.

“When is your birthday?” Julia asked, remembering the mention that she’d be eleven soon.

“End of this moon,” Livia answered, concern erasing the playfulness from her demeanour. “Will you still be here?”

“I hope so,” Julia responded. “some things aren’t completely in my control.”

“I’d heard Verdandi and Torm talking. They weren’t obvious about it, but I recognised the implications,” Livia said with a nod. “With Usd’ghi looking for you, it’s not safe to stay long.”

“Well, how about I teach you both all of them?” Julia asked before frowning. “Most of them anyway, not the ones for the lower Planes.”

“True, they’re dangerous, but I’d like to know them to ensure I don’t miss a strong Prestige path,” Yngvarr said, his thoughtful tone reminding her of some University Professors.

Julia momentarily frowned before nodding in understanding.

“But only you, not the little miss.”

“Don’t want them, anyway; Wizard isn’t my primary focus,” Livia retorted, giving a head toss that made Julia smile. Then, harmony touching the energy, Julia began, and let her awareness flow to them both.

By the time they finished, Livia had fallen asleep, having bowed out less than halfway through, but had opted for the study’s couch instead of heading to bed. Julia relaxed as Yngvarr placed the last plate back in the box, and a pause in the snuffling noises brought a smile to her lips. A moment later, Livia rolled towards the couch’s back, and the noises resumed.

“Where did you get Infernal?” Yngvarr asked, not moderating his voice. They’d already found their conversation during the night, not having made a dent in Livia’s ability to sleep.

“Reidar gave me this,” Julia said, setting the clothing wrapped bundle down on the desk. She unwrapped it to reveal a reddish-black book that seemed composed of molten rock, with faces pressing against the material.

“An original Infernal Folio,” declared Yngvarr, discomfort clear.

“It’s written in Infernal,” Julia replied, “Touching it makes my skin crawl.” As her fingers brushed the cover’s edge, it tried to fan open. The thin book expanding as thousands of pages tried to press themselves into reality. Only a quick hand on its cover stopped the sulfuric breeze that their motion sent into the room.

“A tongue of treachery,” Yngvarr muttered, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

“Yes and no, lots of conditions are possible in pronouncing any word or phrase. The way you can say their words or accent their runes can completely oppose their meaning. Sarcasm is a requirement.”

Julia stopped as her mind raced off on possibility.

Why did I have that language the moment I saw my Profile? Were they already in Hell? Did he hold on to the Soul of Andre’s father, Nicholas’s and mine, and just played us like cards in a game?

“Choose the words carefully,” advised Yngvarr. The statement broke Julia out of her thoughts, and with quick motions, she covered the book again.

“I opened it to the back. The last page is number is nine thousand, nine hundred, and ninety, and it’s an incomplete guide,” Julia grumbled, incredulously.

Fifteen times the number of the beast. Does the page count mean anything or just a number?

“You’ll have plenty of time to study it,” Yngvarr reassured her. “Your concealment skill needs to be masterfully high even to consider risking it. If the Devils catch you, then you’ll be wishing that Balnérith hadn’t let Naz’rilca cut your arm free from the spike.”

“Thanks for that mental image,” Julia said, sighing as the sulfuric scent faded from the room.

“Julia, honestly, getting free from her first before you even consider this is the safest thing you can do,” Yngvarr insisted, his tone empathic. “I know you’re worried about your friends, but don’t you think they’d worry about you as well. If you’re free from the Sigil, you can venture into Hell with far less risk. It’ll be dangerous navigating your way through it without having your Sigil’s discovery hanging over your head.”

“But my friends,” Julia protested.

“They’ll still be there if you get destroyed; you need to ensure your safety first. Do you think they won’t be looking to get free themselves?” asked Yngvarr sternly.

“Fine. I’ll hold off even considering it,” Julia said, raising her hands in defeat. “Would you do one thing for me?”

“What can I help with?” asked Yngvarr.

“Any idea where I can hire someone to search for this expedition’s location?” asked Julia. “I’d like to get her a message if I can, even if I can’t risk going near their base. I think they’d be in the middle line of the continent from memory, past a massive bay and across some islands.”

Yngvarr paused before responding, his expression gaze tightening in contemplation.

“If the similarity of our worlds extends that far north. While I’ve not got contacts in that area, I might know someone who speaks with mountain Dwarves and Elves in the far north. Having ventured that far north, they’ll likely have contacted one of their communities for guides.”

“Thanks, Yngvarr!” Julia exclaimed softly, a heart-felt smile lighting up her face. Only Livia’s endearing noises were prompting her to keep her excitement in check.

“Think nothing of it. There is also the option of getting someone to approach the Church of Vulcan directly to pass a message. What are your plans for tomorrow?” asked Yngvarr, as the boxed up plates vanished from the desk.

Oh yeah, I guess I assumed they’d go: secret mission in the north? What secret mission in the north?

“Since I have some wonderful folks helping me. I’ll go to dawn practice with you and then find something to fight to push my Wizard class higher,” replied Julia, True Sight showing her the Spatial Mana of Yngvarr’s spell dissipating.

“There are always places where danger threatens. If nothing else, humanoid tribes out in the hinterlands or raiding the kingdoms’ borders, particularly around the edges of the Wood Elf Forest,” suggested Yngvarr.

“The land mass from my world east of those mountains was a desert, certainly in the southern section,” remarked Julia, trying to remember North American geography to determine how far north the deserts had extended.

“The Lady of the Forest changed the weather patterns after they came here. She caused the winds to carry moisture over the mountains to allow the forest to grow.”

Talk about climate change.

“Didn’t that leave the lands to the west of the mountains even drier?”

“It might, but Orcs and other humanoids thrive and swarm from it every few human generations. Orcs and goblin kin don’t need fresh water. Not that the lands aren’t harsh even when they don’t have the population to attack en masse, their raids are frequent.”

“I’ll get you to scry locations where I might find Gnarl packs,” said Julia before creating a blanket and pillow. “First things first.”

Julia tucked the pillow under Livia’s head and wrapped her in the blanket. The smile on Julia’s lips broadened as Livia sighed and nuzzled into the blanket’s softness.

“If you’re going hunting tomorrow, I’d suggest working on some utility spells. Learning detection spells will help you understand their limits and what you need to protect against,” Yngvarr advised.

This kid could sleep through a thunderstorm.

Julia nodded, taking the time to stroke Livia’s hair as Yngvarr located a grimoire among those on his shelves.

“So you turn Yngvarr and Livia down, but you’re offering it to me?” Alfarr asked teasingly, his gaze gleaming with amusement.

“Either say yes quickly, or I’ll change my mind.”

“I was just ensuring I understood correctly,” Alfarr retorted, his tone placating. “Fine, agreed.”

“Good, because dawn is nearly here,” Julia said as she felt the Pact between them form. “Even if your husband is taking his time getting ready for practice.”

“Wizards that can Teleport always waiting till the last breath,” Alfarr grumbled good-naturedly, reminding Julia of one of her dad’s constant remarks with mum.

If I go out before you, I’m just going to need to come back and get you.

“How old are you anyway?” Julia asked curiously. “You look in your mid-twenties.”

“Thirty-four winters,” Alfarr said, his light tone edged with concealed emotions.

[Sense Motive [J] (4->5)]

He’s hoping it will work. I hope it does too; they’re good together.

“It won’t have an immediate effect since I’m not pushing in extra Ki to wash trauma or a curse away,” Julia cautioned, giving Alfarr a warning look. “I don’t know if it will affect you the same as Eivor.”

“It will be months before your platoons are ready for battle,” Alfarr replied, clearly unconcerned. “if it buys me a few more years to push my Ki abilities and advance, it’s more time with him.”

“That’s what I figured,” Julia said with a smile.

“Romantic,” Alfarr accused the glee in his eyes at odd with his stern tone.

“Don’t tell anyone; you’ll ruin my image,” grumbled Julia.

“I’m so telling Torm.”

Alfarr laughed when Julia poked out her tongue. The sulky pout she added afterwards only earned more laughter.

Master Farhad had set her extra challenges during dawn practice to make up for lost sessions. The five training in the Temples’ square no longer enough to warrant particular attention from any Guard. Though Julia felt gazes weighing on her, and she wondered what the wards were telling the guards. Telepathy’s net had brushed against only cold emptiness from them when she’d attempted to learn what the wards told them.

Pausing under the tree after the practice completed, Julia tried to sense Eivor and Moke through their Bonds. Again, the feel of them came back reassuringly vibrant, some distance to the east, but much further north than previously.

[Allegiance Bond (18->20)]

Any use of them drives the Power.

I should ask Sagga if she wants to catch up with her mum in a dream. Let Eivor know I’m there first, before bringing Snagga in on the call.

“Moðir?” Livia’s enquiring tone drew Julia’s attention, and the concealed eyes she’d added showed her immediately why.

Víðarr moved with the slow care of the blind as he moved alongside a Temple Guard. The beard she’d seen him wearing had been shaved off, leaving his solid jawline visible. His uncovered gaze didn’t show the cataracts Reidar had possessed; instead, the orbs of his eyes were solid white flesh, with no hint of iris or pupil. Features were awash with the marks of Blessing healed flesh, showing the cuts the matted beard had hidden. Healing had reset his broken nose, and not even the faintest of bruises showed. He was dressed in simple robes, with Týr’s emblem on the clasp at his throat. It was the closest Julia had seen any Priest of Týr having to the cloistered look of a Catholic monk, instead of being armoured and ready for battle.

As he came through the gates in front of the Temple of Týr, Livia tilted her head towards him, prompting Julia to approach. Julia heard the guard quietly say her name before she came close enough for them to speak.

“Víðarr, I’m glad you’re recovering,” said Julia, finding it wasn’t even a social white lie. He’d looked a mess when she’d last seen him. Now he was almost himself, though he showed the price paid to help others.

“You sound quite different, Eakcï, or is it still Julia?” asked Víðarr. His tenor was far lighter without the agony in it, though uncertainly lent it a fragile air that hadn’t been present at their prior meetings.

“Either is fine, Víðarr. My new form is a memory of a past life. Livia told me you wished to speak?” questioned Julia, keeping her tone uncertain to give Víðarr the chance to claim it was a mistake. The guard’s eyes going wide made Julia wonder at what rumours she’d hear next.

“No, I don’t wish to impose on your time. I merely wished to apologise and give my thanks,” corrected Víðarr.

“You aren’t imposing,” Julia reassured. “I’m sorry you paid such a terrible price.”

“Others endured far worse and for longer,” Víðarr said, remorse and sincerity weighing his voice. “You will always have my thanks. I’m glad you brought them to freedom. It’s far more than the release I had hoped. I won’t keep you Eakcï, I’ve a ‘Hearing’ to prepare for today, though it’s only a holding boundary dispute. Thank you again, and my apologies for letting my blindness keep you and Livia separated those months after we first met.”

Are they putting him back to work already? Or does he have the same habit as me?

“We had a rough start, but I hope the effect of the runes wears off,” offered Julia, watching his blind gaze moving erratically, flailing for a source of light.

“It won’t, no matter what others might say,” Víðarr replied, his tone unbothered. “It’s a small price. I only had hoped to stay alive long enough for you to warn the High Justice and give them mercy. To balance the scales against what they gained, I’d have gladly given my life.”

“If you grow stronger in the service of Týr would it help you fight off the aftereffects?” asked Julia, as she considered the whites of his eyes that Livia thought weird.

“I don’t serve Týr for myself,” Víðarr stated, a brief motion towards himself, becoming a broader gesture outward. “I serve him because I believe in him and what he brings to the world.”

“Exactly what I’m offering,” Julia remarked, pleased by the apparent difference in his attitude from when they’d initially met. “A chance to protect them from those who’d hurt them.”

“What do you have in mind?” asked Víðarr, curiosity filling his voice.

“You can still channel Blessings, can’t you?” questioned Julia. The barrier she’d seen from the Priestess giving her an idea.

“Týr, for reasons of his own, still hears me,” Víðarr replied. “Even if I feel unworthy of his aid.”

“We’ll speak again then,” Julia said. “I could use your help to protect the women when we’re ready to take the fight to the Gnarls.”

“Whatever I can do to assist them in Týr’s name,” Víðarr stated, his voice having lost its fragile tone.