The price will be blood. Be it your own, your enemy’s, or your friend’s, the price will ever be blood. But already there is no difference to you. And you were already prepared for that… weren’t you?

Champion.

- Sourceless voice, assumed to be the demon prince Sobotnakoz. Overheard during the Tragedy of the Rock.

“Enough!” Lavina conjured her tiny form of light to make the declaration. Her sword had been tossed to the ground once more and I was in the process of punching Weldon in the face. Her shout was probably intended to make me stop, but I didn’t.

Tiny angels made of things that weren’t solid were far from terrifying, after all.

I did stop after the punch, however. Since there wasn’t really any reason to continue beating the crap out of Weldon when one, I was the most pitifully weak person in Veliki, and two, I was getting tired anyway.

“Hey tiny lamp.” I grinned. “What’s the matter?”

The tiny lamp with wings fluttered right up to my face. “My title is Lavina. You are aware of it, and should use it when addressing me. I object to this method of training!”

“Do you?” I arched my eyebrow perfectly, and slipped my dagger into its scabbard. “Well in that case, let’s stop.”

“I can keep going.” Weldon insisted, only a little out of breath because of course he was.

He had this much easier than I did. While a few hours had needed to be set aside for laying the theory out and simplifying it enough for Weldon to understand, the part where we actually practiced Rezan had been much more challenging for me.

It started out as a faithful recreation of what Brynn did to me, only I knew I couldn’t control my dagger to the extent Brynn could control his mithril sword. Since I didn’t have that level of skill, I’d taken to punching Weldon every time he sunk into concentration when I was disarming him instead. I had been surprised by how blank to the world Weldon became when he focused inwards, but that just reinforced the importance of focus on the battlefield.

I’d only disarmed him ten times, and struck him two or three times with each disarm at this point. His cheekbones were just beginning to turn blue, and that was with me doing my darndest to hurt him. It put into perspective how weak I really was, and I really, really hated it. But the sword had flashed with indignation each time it hit the ground, which was funny to see.

At least he had the physical strength to easily carry the thing. Rezan did help with that, though scrambling away from Brynn with a sword that size just wasn’t something I could’ve done.

I shook my head at Brynn’s typical Chosen One choice of phrase. “No, the feathery lamp said enough.” I ignored Lavina’s protest. “She has executive authority over you, and was the one to broker the deal, so if she doesn’t consent to my training there’s nothing I can do.”

“But-” Weldon tried to protest.

“This child is using you as a dummy and nothing else!” Lavina proclaimed to her champion. “I can feel her sadistic tendencies even now. You aren’t learning anything, Weldon. All that is happening here is abuse!”

“Lavina, you’re wrong.”

“She’s kind of right, actually.” I said as I wandered over to my other sword and started strapping that to my belt. I caught Weldon looking at me with a shocked expression and shrugged. “I have issues. I've found I like beating people up today. Plus it’s late, and I need to rest for tomorrow.”

Lavina pointed at me victoriously “She even admits to exploiting you!”

Weldon looked both betrayed and confused. “But I thought I was learning things.”

“Good!” I said brightly, as if I was talking to Avien. Lavina flinched at the change of tone. “You were, but the learning is all done. What you need now is an instructor to help you train that extra muscle we talked about.”

Weldon frowned. “But only you can do that here.”

“That’s right. See you when you manage to convince the angel I’m not a venomous snake! ” I waved and walked back into town, leaving the Chosen of the Heavens to discuss things with his angelic guide. The spot we were training in wasn’t that far from Taranath’s estate, so I made a quick trip there to hide my weapons again and went home.

When I reached my street, I stopped and had a good think. There were no lights visible in the Shepards’ house, and it was getting dark. There were lights flickering that I could see from my house. That meant the Shepards were in my home, and I didn’t want to deal with any of that.

I ran through the list of people I liked spending time around, short as it was, and decided that Vycar could do with some jocular conversation. My resolve was short lived because Adjutant was right in front of me when I turned around, looking at me with blank disappointment.

“Amber Shepard.” She said, making my blood flare.

“The wedding hasn’t fucking happened yet, Adjutant.” I snarled at her. She didn’t even blink.

“Garner and Jaskair would like to speak with you regarding some concerns they have had over the past few days.” Adjutant spoke with no intonation. She didn’t even have the decency to sound invested. “Mary also would like to offer you an apology.”

I blinked, but then frowned. “I don’t care about Mary. She’s unforgivable.”

“And Avien wants to see you.” Adjutant finished.

“For what?” I snapped.

“Nothing that I was informed of. I suspect he simply wants to see you.” There was a note of satisfaction that slipped into her voice there. She thought I wanted to see him as well.

“Cool. I don’t want to see him.” I said dismissively.

“Of course, Amber.” Adjutant only said that because the Heavens pulled my strings around Avien. Everyone thought I wasn’t being honest when I hated him behind his back because of how I acted to his face. Even my parents were fooled. None of what they saw of my relationship with him was genuine.

“When do all these conversations need to happen?” I demanded. “Because I want them to happen never.”

“You do not have any say, unfortunately.” Adjutant informed me. “Perhaps once you reach adulthood.” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m leaving.” I walked around Adjutant, only to find her in front of me again.

“The conversations will happen tonight.” She told me.

I snarled. “Make them happen tonight, bitch.”

The door opened and a young voice came out. “Amber, is that you?”

Like a fucking marionette, I spun and waved enthusiastically. “Hi Avien!” Despite my determination against going home right now, my legs carried me that way. I wasn’t looking at Adjutant, but I felt the smugness radiating off of that monotone bitch’s face. “Adjutant said you were waiting for me. What for?”

“I just wanted to-” His eyes narrowed in shock. “Amber, what happened to your arm?”

I looked at my arm, which had the tiniest gash on it. It was the only cut that Brynn hadn’t healed because he made it after the last batch of healing. Avien was pulling my arm up, without my consent, to more closely inspect it. “Oh, this was just-” Something shifted, and I got to pick the next words. “Part of that secret I told you about.”

Hopefully the Heavens wouldn’t wrench control back and spill the beans if I played along. The last thing I needed was Avien telling Mary that I wanted to run away. Avien knowing about my plan was only the second to last thing that I wanted. Sure, he’d want to come with me, which would defeat the whole purpose, but Mary was capable of arcane compulsion.

Avien looked conflicted. “I don’t want you getting yourself hurt.”

“Oh, silly.” I slapped his cheek very lightly. It was something the Heavens had done a few times to comfort Avien, and boy did I feel sick doing it voluntarily. “It’s just a scratch. A light one too. It’ll heal, and I bet it won’t even scar.”

Wouldn’t want you getting worried about the appearance of your promised wife now, would I?

“I’m very curious about your secret now.” Avien confessed.

“About that,” I said, and I swore I felt something shift Above. “I’m going to need more time.” Whatever was looking down on me from Above shifted back. Apparently those were acceptable words.

“How much more-” Avien’s question was cut off when my dad spoke loudly from inside.

“Is that Amber? Come inside, child.”

I was almost grateful for the interruption, only whatever was about to be talked about did not feel like it was going to be enjoyable. Compared to this fake and sickening interaction, being talked down to by three veterans was almost preferable.

Almost.

Jaskair and Garner were seated at the table, with Jaskair sitting where I was the day before, and Garner in his old spot. Mary was leaning on the kitchen bench, while my mother was nowhere to be seen. All three of them sized me up as I walked in, and I made sure to walk in with a hand covering my superficial scratch.

If Avien made such a big deal about it, then who knew how Mary would react.

“So,” My voice said, flatter than Adjutant, who walked in behind me and promptly faded into the background. “Who first?”

“Where have you been today, Amber?” Jaskair asked tiredly.

Now that I had more than a second to size everyone up in return, I noticed how agitated the two Shepards were. Mary was fidgeting with her walking staff, and Garner’s face had lines on it that weren’t usually there. Had they been demanding my dad tell them where I was?

“I was out.” I said simply. “Keeping myself busy and making friends.”

At about this time, Avien followed me in and sat next to his father.

Garner cleared his throat. “Amber, if you’re lying-”

“I’m not fucking lying.” I snapped, then yelped as a spark of lightning hit me in the neck.

“Language, child.” Mary told me irritably.

I laughed sardonically. “You know what would be great? Some fucking equality. How about every time you hit me with magic, I hit you in return.”

“Punishment for foul language is just.” Mary said.

“You aren’t.” I retorted, then got hit with another spark.

“You will be punished for insulting your betters.” Mary spoke, declaring a rule in a house that she neither lived in or owned.

My blood flared. “Do you seriously think you’re better than me?”

“Amber,” Avien cut in before I could deliver my follow up statement which probably would've broken both rules Mary just established, while creating a new one at the same time. “She’s worried about you. She just shows it strangely.”

No. I disagreed. She’s reminding us of her complete and total control over me. But I didn’t actually say that, since that would involve disagreeing with my promised husband.

Instead, I said. “Of course, Avien. Sorry. May I know why you’ve decided to have dinner at our house?”

This is why I hate you, Avien. Forcing me to be fucking polite.

My dad sighed in relief while Garner sharpened his eyes at me. “What were you doing today?”

My voice had that quality it always had when Avien was around. “I told you already, I was out keeping myself busy and making friends.”

I think the Heavens only let me get away with that one because I had already established that my activities today were a secret from Avien. That was something I counted as lucky, but I knew how the Heavens worked. Every time it gave me something, it would take something away.

The only question was what.

“That’s good.” Garner nodded. “Thank you for being honest. We have something to tell you, and I think it would be best if you heard it from your father’s mouth.”

“I’d like to hear it from yours.” I immediately said, quick enough that my dad didn’t finish drawing a breath to speak. My dad gave me a concerned look.

Garner didn’t miss a beat. “We have agreed that these reckless habits of yours cannot be allowed to continue. Your handling of the bow did nothing but invite mortal peril to yourself. Thus, from this day forward you will no longer be allowed to handle weaponry.”

Fire roared within me, but my voice was low and even. “You can’t do that.”

“I cannot.” Garner agreed.

“I can.” Mary said, because they were a perfect fucking team of Chosenness. The fact that Mary was implying she was going to blatantly mind control me again made me flip out.

“You power tri-” My strings were yanked away, only this time the Heavens just made me halt and look at my feet with indignation. It didn’t show in my body, but the sheer humiliation from not even being able to say the words I meant was enough to make me scream. If only I had control over my body.

I needed to leave. Get away and never come back.

Garner probably thought I just didn’t want to act up in front of Avien, so he kept talking. “Instead, you will have a portion of your time dedicated to learning non-combat skills at the School of Paper, which you will develop into a hobby.”

“These are classes which you will attend.” Mary added.

I really wanted to shout something, to point out that my life wasn’t theirs. But my strings weren’t in my hand.

“You scared your future husband on his birthday.” Garner informed me, slapping a hand onto Avien’s shoulder. The sentence made my body sniff, as if I felt fucking guilty or something. Oh no, Avien was sad because I wasn’t at his birthday party. Nevermind the fact that I was nearly eaten by a fucking beithir.

“Surely there can be a better way.” Avien spoke up. I blinked in unison with the being controlling me. The sudden display of independence from his parents gave everyone in the room pause.

“What is it, son?” Garner asked when everyone going quiet made Avien go quiet too.

“Well, I’m fifteen now. Amber is too.” Avien paused, unsure of himself. “The ten and fifth year of one’s life is a time for change, but not restrictions. What was it? Change is constant, and cannot be controlled. Attempting to halt change in one direction is a sure way to make it so.”

“Who are you quoting?” Mary asked her child, using something between her Avien and her Amber voice.

“Sage Antar, mom.”

“Irrelevant.” Mary declared. “Divination has its place amongst those who have not been Chosen. Here in Veliki, the future is divined too regularly and thus changed for any results to be considered useful. His teachings can be considered irrelevant for not only this reason, but because Amber has already been Chosen. This measure is only intended to further that which has already been decided.”

Avien looked hesitantly convinced, unfortunately. And to think he might have actually stood up for me. Mary was tripping so much on her power that she was ignoring the other part of the saying Avien had quoted. Change is constant, and cannot be controlled. Attempting to halt change in one direction is a sure way to make it so. Beware change motivated by spite.

Boy, did I feel like spiting Mary right now.

I want to know why Mary is here. I thought as clearly as I could, and the strings were returned to me. “Why are you here?” I daintily asked Mary.

“My presence here is twofold. First,” Mary tapped her walking stick once, “I am here to ensure you adhere to the itinerary Garner and, your father set out for you.”

Wow. She couldn’t even remember to use my dad’s name. You nearly gave away that you forgot who my dad is, bitch. But that wasn’t what truly stood out to me from that. “So you’re not here to apologise for using magic to compel me?” Adjutant had told me that was expected, and if it was the only victory I took from this, then at least I had that.

Mary tapped her cane twice as if I hadn’t spoken. “Second, to apologise for the circumstances surrounding your birthday celebration. It shouldn’t have been a surprise.”

I stared at Mary. “And?”

“Ah yes.” The retired war wizard blinked as she remembered something. “There is a word that is intended to go along with apologies. It was… ah. I am sorry.”

“Apology n-” The Heavens tugged on my stings to warn me. They made my eyes dart to Avien, who was looking at me pleadingly. Events were conspiring to force me to accept this clearly meaningless apology. “Considered.” Is what I ended up saying.

“Now, there are some rules that come with the spell I am about to cast.” Mary stood from where she was leaning on the counter, then turned her head to Avien. “What are the consequences of the Geas spell?”

Avien had to think about it, which made me mentally shake my head. “Geas is a long term enchantment spell. The subject will be magically compelled to perform the act outlined during the casting, and to adhere to any rule outlined as well. In the event that they attempt to act in a way contrary to the rules and compulsions, they will find themselves unable to do so.”

I rolled my eyes. He’d missed the part that made Geas memorable.

“Not entirely unable.” Mary nodded, smiling and proud of her son’s incompetence. “They will still be able to act contrary to the spell with major difficulty, but if they should succeed,” She met my eyes. “There will be dire consequences.”

Namely a powerful psychic assault on the subject that would leave lesser men braindead, if not actually dead. Considering I just turned fifteen, as well as the demure way in which I was tangentially Chosen, I didn’t stand a chance of surviving that kind of thing.

“We decided that having the end result of dangerous activities instead displaying themselves to you at the beginning would be adequate to dissuade you from such brashness.” Garner said. “This is for your own good.”

I looked at my dad. He’d been quiet during this entire thing.

Jaskair’s hair was messy from having a hand repeatedly run through it. He didn’t look very roguish right now. “I’m sorry, Amber.”

I looked away. Sometimes I forgot he was as much a prisoner here as I was. The consequences of having any kind of relationship with a Chosen One while being entirely normal.

I closed my eyes and looked up. “Just get it over with.” It was clear they weren’t letting me run away from this.

Mary cleared her throat and began the incantation. Magic rippled over me, which I only noticed thanks to spending the entire day learning to manipulate it. I tried to snatch at it, to mess with Mary’s spell, but the difference between someone like me and an experienced wizard made itself known when the little amount of magic I could reach slipped from my grasp like water from my hands.

Eventually the part of the incantation was reached where Mary laid out the terms. “Amber Jewel will not touch weapons, willingly participate in physical conflict, or seek out situations that would force conflict. Amber Jewel will attend the School of Paper for extracurricular classes as described in the schedule to be agreed upon by Jaskair Jewel and Garner Shepard.”

There was more to the incantation, but it was all boring, magic shaping stuff. I only listened to it with half an ear, but sighed when I realised this Geas was going to be affecting me for an entire year. There were two activation clauses, and consequently two strands of magic used as the ignition costs. It made sense, since Mary was placing two compulsions on me. When the incantation finished and the magic started settling around me, I couldn’t even tell that something was there.

I opened my eyes and looked around. The Shepards were looking immensely satisfied, and my dad looked like he was going to spend the rest of the night in Chooze Your Booze. Avien looked conflicted, but that didn’t win him any points with me.

“Are you happy now?” I asked Mary sweetly, finally moving my hand from my light wound to scratch at an itch further down my wrist.

“Quite.” She waited a moment, running her eyes over me. Eventually Mary nodded in appreciation of her own work and I felt something trigger in the back of my mind.

If the Shepards thought they could stare me down with this, then they had another thing coming to them. Having a Geas cast on me didn’t change my plans, even if the wording pretty effectively meant I could no longer train with Brynn or teach Weldon. That didn’t mean anything to me, I fully intended to continue doing that anyway. If only because of how Torment had been so cavalier about the number of times he had returned from the dead.

The way to get out of this was simple. All I needed to do was convince someone to remove the Geas by throwing myself against its constraints in front of them, or just die and come back. Enchantments didn’t persist after death, since they were woven into both the soul and the body. If one part failed, the other would too.

I think the spell caught onto that. The moment Mary’s magic properly settled, blood dripped from my nose, eyes, and ears, and my scream was muted by a spike of mental pain so intense that I blacked out before I even swayed.

\V/