Discipline

Location: Fort Nora / Courtyard

Time: Y1503 / 24th day of the Harvest Moon / Noon

The situation was bad for the survivors of Leonora's warband. Food was scarce, and hunger was clouding the judgement of those strong enough to move around.

Today, everyone was asked to gather in the courtyard of the ruined fort. About seventy people were waiting for their leader to speak.

*whisper* "What is going on, now?" (Lowlife A)

*whisper* "Someone pissed off our leader." (Lowlife B)

*whisper* "He is leader of no one." (Lowlife C)

A thin Dark Skin man climber a flight of wooden stairs to a platform. There, standing on a chair, was a man, trembling like a leaf. His head covered by a sack and he had a rope tied around his neck, the other end tied to partially destroyed stone arch over his head.

"My men! The situation is difficult, and your comrade just failed you! He was found stealing your food! A quick search revealed that he has been taking your food for a while! That's what was found in his bed roll!" (Leader Yordien)

**boooo** (Hungry Thugs)

The leader unloaded a sack containing some vegetables on the platform, resulting in predictable booing from the audience. The hungry deserters were extremely susceptible when it came to food. Whether the accusations were true or not, it didn't matter. Nobody had the strength to think clearly.

"As your leader, I wish you to know that the crime of stealing food will never go unpunished. The price is death! His meat will sustain us for a whole day!" (Yordien)

**cheers** (Hungry Thugs)

The leader kicked the chair keeping the captive standing.

The captive fell, and a strong whiplash could be felt as the force of the fall straightened the rope. The men hopelessly kicked the air for a few long seconds before coming to a stop.

"Now, get back to work! Cultivates our fields and conserve strength, while patrolling our surroundings! Times are hard, but I promise you that if you follow my guidance, we will come out of this alive!" (Yordien)

**cheers** (Hungry Thugs)

The demoralized and hungry thugs slowly walked away from the courtyard, resuming their duties. Whatever their leader really believed in the words he was saying, nobody knew, but the leader at least managed to stave off any chances of mutiny. At least for today.

Liara's Bracers of Minor Prince Slaying

Location: Alba / Tower of Gifts / Liara's Chamber

Time: Y1503 / 25th day of the Wither Moon / Morning

POV: Liara

I glean at the bracers sitting on the table. From the outside, they just look like unremarkable leather arm protections. In reality, they are laced with two anti-prince enchantments.

Mother wanted to take look at my work, before letting Feldris use them, so I'm just waiting.

*walks in circles* (Liara)

Just. Waiting.

[Can you stop walking? You are making us uneasy. ] (Doctor Me)

It's been an hour since I sent for Mother!

Maybe I should go and call her myself.

[Don't. Mother is the Head Healer. She has many duties, and we are in no rush. The bracers can wait.] (Doctor Me)

I just want to know if my artifacts are safe!

[I have doubts as well. It sounded good on paper, but activating them really put a toll on the body.] (Gamer Me)

[It is you who forced me to design that enchantment without understanding many of the fundamentals of enchanting itself! That's the best we can do without additional research!] (Science Me)

[Nobody blames you, Science Me. Serina is going to check our work. Worst case Feldris won't get to smack the prince. Everything will be fine.] (Doctor Me)

I wonder about that.

What if Mother says I can't give them to Feldris?

What if she loses confidence in me?

What if she keeps me from doing stuffs in fear that I get someone's hurt?

This whole thing has been a mistake!!! I never~

[Whoa! Calm down!] (Gamer Me)

[Liara, what you are experiencing is called performance anxiety. You really care about what Mother thinks of you. That makes you afraid of her reaction.] (Doctor Me)

[Yes. You are over-thinking stuffs. Take a deep breath.] (Explorer Me)

*exhale* (Liara)

It didn't help much.

*knock* *knock* "Liara, may we enter?" (Serina)

Finally! Mother is here!

"Come in!" (Liara)

Uhm... That's a lot of people. Meridia and Faber came as well. And they look tired.

"Many blessing, Liara." (Meridia)

"There you are again, little girl. I heard you made some new artifacts, so I came to check how your training is going!" (Master Arteficer Faber)

"Training? But you haven't taught anything to me!" (Liara)

"Haven't I?" *grin* (Faber)

Mother come closer to me, she kneels and take my hands. She looks relieved?

"I'm happy you sent a sister to call for me, Liara." *hug* (Serina)

Oh. She was afraid I'd sneak the bracers to Feldris without telling her.

[Well, I did suggest we do just that.] (Gamer Me)

[Shhhh... Don't ruin the moment!] (Bookworm Me)

"Of course I called for you, Mother. I don't want Feldris to be hurt." (Liara)

"Are those the artifacts you made?" (Meridia)

"Yes." (Liara)

Meridia goes near the table and grabs a bracer laying there. Weird... She is supposed to be blind. Grabbing stuff shouldn't be this easy for her.

[It's faint, but with our magic sight I can see she is keeping a spell up at all times. I guess that spell has something to do with compensating for her blindness.] (Science Me)

Really? I thought that was just her residual magic or something like that.

(Meridia)

Faber grabs the other bracer and uses a spell to look inside my enchantment as well.

(Faber)

The two spent long minutes looking inside my artifacts.

Once they were satisfied, they exchanged artifacts and performed their analysis spell again. A few minutes after that they were done.

The wait is killing me! Say something!

*hold hands* "Everything is alright, Liara. Relax." *smile* (Serina)

Mother noticed I was uneasy and tries to soothe me.

This works a lot better than taking a deep breath.

Well, there is nothing to do but to wait for them to form their judgement.

"... The enchantment on this bracer weaves a barrier of some kind. Is that correct?" (Faber)

[That's . Thank you very much!] (Gamer Me)

"Yes. I am still struggling with the shapes. I had to tone it down a lot to allow someone with Feldris' aptitude to activate it. It's just a weak, small round barrier that projects in front of the forearm of the wearer." (Liara)

Faber channels a tiny amount of aether inside the bracer. He increases power little by little.

(Liara's Bracer of Minor Round Shield)

At first nothing happens,then, as power increases, the enchantments inside the bracer activate one after the other.

The outline of the shield appears into existence. A thin thread of golden light in the shape of a circle, about half meter wide, ten centimetres from the bracer itself.

Next, a grid like pattern of threads form up, filling the circle.

Finally, a semi transparent sheet enveloped in the same golden light forms over the surface of the shield, like water spreading on a surface.

Faber moves it around.

It's solid and stays at a fixed distance from the bracer, like I just said.

"... The barrier itself is nothing special. Still, you did well in making this work with so little magic. One in five soldiers should be able to activate this." (Faber)

"The enchantment is delicate. If you try to pour any more aether than that or if has to bear too strong an impact, the magic channels would just fail and the shield would vanish. It's the best I can do, right now." (Liara)

"I wouldn't recommand it as a standard issue equipment, but at least is useful enough and safe. You can give it to your friend." (Meridia)

"Thanks!" *smile* (Liara)

"Old your horses little girl." (Faber)

"That bracer is fine. But this~ (Meridia)

"We don't understand what this enchantment does. Can you explain it for us?" (Faber)

Mother's jaw drops.

Well, I can understand her reaction. Those two are respectively the former best enchantress and the best Master Arteficer in the continent. For them to be unable to understand what I engraved is a bit of a shock.

But it can't be helped.

[Indeed. The essence of enchanting is to engrave a thought in the form of magic channels inside an object.] (Science Me)

[That enchantment engraved inside the second bracer meddles with the metabolic pathways inside the cells themselves. Nor Meridia, nor Faber have any idea what a cell is or what the chemical reactions involved are. The thought engraved in there might as well be alien to them.] (Doctor Me)

Uhm... Just like thoughts back then...

How on earth I'm going to explain this to them?

[Leave it to me. Just say what I say.] (Bookworm Me)

"By looking inside the body, I discovered that muscles produce bad stuff when overexerted. That enchantment makes the heart beat faster and get rid of the bad stuff, making the wearer stronger." (Liara)

"..." (Serina)

"Alright. Let me try it." (Meridia)

[STOP HER! Meridia's body is too weak! Her heart might fail!] (Doctor Me)

"NO!!!" (Liara)

I run toward Meridia and take the bracer from her.

"Liara! Is everything alright?!?" (Serina)

*pant* "Your body cannot handle this enchantment. It takes too great a toll. Neither you nor Faber can safely activate this. And for someone like me who has weak muscles to begin with it doesn't work well either." (Liara)

Mother put her hands on my shoulders and holds me firmly.

Did I manage to make her angry???

"And you planned to give this to Feldris?" (Serina)

"He... He'll be fine! His muscles and heart are stronger! He just has to~ (Liara)

"He has to?~ (Serina)

*look away* "Not overdo it?" (Liara)

I realize what this might sound to them.

I close my eyes, fearing Mother reaction.

What was I thinking? Feldris is not the type to hold back. He is reckless at times! What if~

*hug* (Serina)

*cry* (Liara)

Mother hugs me tightly. The accumulated stress vanish. I cry.

"It's alright, my sweet Liara. I'm not angry with you." (Serina)

"I agree. Gloria knows how many mistakes I made when I was younger. You did well in calling for us to check on your work before giving it to someone. I am proud of your judgement, Liara." (Meridia)

*sob* (Liara)

I don't deserve them.

"The barrier bracer is safe. You can give it to your friend without reserve." (Meridia)

"Your other artifact is sealed until you can make it work safely. It is a matter of pride for you to find a way to make that work safely, baby enchantress" *grin* (Faber)

Medical Research

Location: Alba / Corridors

Time: Y1503 / 25th day of the Wither Moon / Morning

POV: Liara

[So, are you feeling better?] (Doctor Me)

I'll be alright, Doc.

Mother and the others are too good for the likes of me.

[Nonsense. You say that because you are comparing your current situation with what you experienced in the old world.] (Explorer Me)

[You looked at the lives we had. It's a night and day difference. That's what average should look like.] (Doctor Me)

Maybe. I still feel grateful to have them.

Taking this walk is really helping me relax.

[Of course it helps. Staying closed in your room engraving artifacts does take its toll. Nothing better than a walk and a breath of fresh air to clear your mind.] (Explorer Me)

I was thinking of going to the archives.

[Of course. More working in an enclosed room. Why not?] (Explorer Me)

[Maybe Sistina will be there! I miss her!] (Bookworm Me)

Oh, right. Her.

Well, I guess I don't mind her presence.

Location: Alba / Archives

"There you are, Liara. The princess asked about you every day, you know? She was worried." (Guard Goto)

Really? We barely know each others.

[We are kindred spirits. Of course she misses us!] (Bookworm Me)

"Thanks for telling me, Goto." (Liara)

I enter the archives. I see a light, but not at the table, where I expected Sistina to be. The princess seems to be searching for scrolls in between shelves. I head toward her.

"Hello, Sistina. How are you?" (Liara)

"Ah!" *drop scroll* (Sistina)

Sistina was scared as usual by my approach. And I even tried to make some noise while walking to avoid that. She really is in her own little world when she reads.

"Liara! I thought! Uhm... It's nice to see you." *look away* (Sistina)

"It's nice to see you too. Are you searching for a particular scroll? maybe I can help you." (Liara)

The princess is sitting down with her legs crossed, covered in dust and surrounded by books and scroll. She should take better care of herself.

"I... It's about my sister, Aurora." (Sistina)

They are sisters? They look and act nothing alike!

[Liara. Siblings don't always behave the same way...] (Doctor Me)

[It might be also a matter of speech that they are both princesses. Like the Sisters of Gloria.] (Explorer Me)

"Is something wrong with Aurora?" (Liara)

"Don't... tell her I told you. Her insides are... wounded. And the Head Healer can't do anything about her." (Sistina)

"Mother can't help her? Well, even if I wanted to help, Aurora wouldn't let me. She sent me away when I was supposed to take a look at her." (Liara)

"Aurora... she doesn't want to ask for help. She tries to do everything on her own. But she can't!" (Sistina)

"Look, I can't help her if she doesn't want to. And I don't even know what's wrong about her. And I'm just a healer in training!" (Liara)

"Please! Aurora... was hurt when she was little. She is afraid that if she..." *teary eyes* (Sistina)

Sistina seems almost desperate to help Aurora. And she says her insides were wounded when she was little?

[Almost like someone I know that was abandoned in an alley to die as a child.] (Bookworm me)

...

[That was low. You know Liara hates remembering that.] (Explorer me)

[Was it? Was it really low? We exist only because rescued Liara's soul. asked what our desire was, and all of us agreed that we wanted to keep that from happening again to anyone!] (Bookworm Me)

[ probably had ulterior motives, even if we don't know what those motives are.] (Explorer Me)

[Maybe. It was still OUR desire to help. And we have the chance to makes things right for one girl. Do you really want to pass on that?] (Bookworm Me)

Fine.

I'll try.

But if Aurora still pushes me away after I approach her, that will be it! She'll be on her own! Is that clear?

[Thank you, Liara! You won't regret helping Aurora!] (Bookworm Me)

[... Aurora is the First Princess, after all. If we heal her, she'll owe us.] (Soldier Me)

"Alright, Sistina. I'll try to help." (Liara)

"Thanks!!!" *tears* (Sistina)

"Don't get your hopes up. My best might not me enough. Especially since Mother was unable to do it. I'll need to know everything you know." (Liara)

"Of course! Thank you!" *smile* (Sistina)

Divine Inspiration

Location: Alba / Tower of Gifts / Priestess' Chamber

Time: Y1503 / 25th day of the Wither Moon / Midday

It was lunch time and the Priestess of Alba was heaving a meal in her chamber, when someone knocked at her door.

*knock* *knock* "The Head Healer, Sister Meridia and the Master Arteficer wishes to see you." (Sister Milgrid)

"... Let them in." (Priestess Mera)

"Many blessings, Priestess." (Head Healer Serina)

[Well, at least someone here respects my authority.] (Priestess Mera)

"What bring you away from your work to interrupt my meal?" (Mera)

Faber took an unimpressive leather arm protection and put it on Mera's desk.

"What is this?" (Mera)

"Why don't you tell us, lass?" *grin* (Faber)

Mera had heard that the Gifted One had been working on an artifact for the last few days. She even arranged for the Lenbor to prepare a piece of armor at Liara's request.

Mera was sure that the artifact in front of her was the result of Liara's work

"Very well. I wish to see the results of your training for myself, after all." (Mera)

(Mera)

For a few long minutes, Mera channelled her analysis spell to peer inside the artifact. Her guests waited patiently, sure of what the answer would be

(Mera)

"..." (Mera)

"You have no idea what that enchantment do, right?" (Meridia)

The priestess was at a loss for words. Liara came up with original spells before, but for the Priestess to be unable to tell even the function of the enchantment engraved in her artifact...

"So.... Do you know, or not, lass?" *grin* (Faber)

The behaviour of the Master Arteficer was getting on Mera's nerves. He was hoping for her to openly admit her failure.

"Fine. I do not understand what this enchantment do! Happy?!? Now, give me the answer!" (Mera)

"Good grief, had you known, that would have hurt my pride as Master Arteficer!" *grin* (Faber)

"... You mean..." (Mera)

"Neither of us understand that enchantment. Liara explained it to us, but it's still a mystery. And I should remind you that I can understand enchantments made by High Elves." (Meridia)

The Priestess was shocked by the revelation.

"What does this means?" (Mera)

"Isn't it obvious? That girl knows something that neither us nor the High Elves knew. It's the only explanation. And she used that knowledge to engrave this artifact in front of you." (Meridia)

"... Gloria ..." (Mera)

"Yes. It's my best guess as well." (Meridia)

There was a strong suspicion that Liara was a gift from Gloria herself. This all but served as final confirmation for that fact in the mind of the Priestess. Liara held the knowledge of a Goddess inside of her.

If the church could somehow make use of that...

"So... Even if you don't know how it works, do you know what does this artifact do?" (Mera)

"It has something to do with clearing poison secreted by muscles and making the heart beat faster. It makes the wearer stronger." (Meridia)

"But it's unsafe. The burden on the wearer is too great." (Faber)

"But Liara realized it herself! And she called me to check it out! She wasn't reckless and she did nothing wrong!" (Serina)

While the arteficers stated cold facts, Serina empathized how Liara didn't mean any harm, and only wanted to help. Not that the Priestess would care. A few sacrifices would be more than acceptable, if there was a purpose behind them.

"So, this artifact was a failure. Can she perfect it? What does the Gifted One needs?" (Mera)

"Time. She is still a baby enchantress." (Faber)

"But in my heart there is no doubt. She will surpass every enchantress that came before her. Even me. With her at our side, her artifacts bolstering our troops and her techniques in the hands of our Magi, our victory is all but certain." (Meridia)

"And the warmth of Gloria will finally embrace all!" *smile* (Serina)

"It sure will, Serina. It sure will." *grin* (Mera)

Sect

Location: Secularia / Forest / Cult of Fertility Settlement

Time: Y1503 / 25th day of the Wither Moon / Afternoon

Near Secularia there was a small forest. A patch of trees no more than three kilometres in size.

The trees there were very old, and towered fifty meters above the ground in places. They had spiritual meaning for the now defunct inhabitants of the town, and after the war, a sect of the Cult of Fertility took residence there, for no one would disturb them.

"How things look on the outside?" (Guru Eidan)

The leader of the sect was a burly Fair Skin man, towering at two meters in height. He wore a pelt of a Shining Fang Wolf on his shoulders, and the exposed skin on his manly torso bore many scars.

While other sects were protective of all life, this one was more lenient in their belief. They were not above hunting or eating animals. Nor they were against killing people, if it served the greater good.

In fact, they put to the torch the local Temple of Gloria, guilty of upsetting with the natural order with their magic. They killed every mage, and every sympathiser to the unnatural belief in Gloria as well, to stem the source of the disturbances from their roots.

"Quiet. The citizens are still looting what's left of Secularia. The merchant is still in town, and our own have been exchanging loot for tools and food." (Scout Vista)

Vista was a young Dark Skin man in his early twenties. He was short but lean, and he acted as the eyes of the cult outside the forest.

"Should we break in while she sleep and steal back our belongings?" (Cult Member Fairelise)

"No. If she has nothing to do with the Church of Gloria than she is not our enemy. It would only serve to scare other merchants to follow. Leave her be. Secularia will bloom as an abomination free town thanks to our efforts." (Guru Eidan)

"I'll be going, then." (Vista)

The hut where the Guru lived was made from weak entwined twigs as walls, standing on a platform of wooden trunks. There was no door, just an opening in the walls.

The scout left the hut, and found himself many dozen of meters above the ground. The village was built around the strong tall trunks of the old trees.

All around, bridges made from twigs and creepers connected the platforms together.

"Wait! I need to get down too!" (Cult Member Siska)

Vista was standing on a loose platform wired with ropes to a pulley anchored to a strong branch above his head. It was a lift. A female member of the cult hurried across a bridge and stood on the platform.

"You take the other rope." (Vista)

"Alright!" *smile* (Siska)

The two pulled the ropes together in a synchronized fashion, and little by little, the lift descended under the careful watch of bowmen standing guard on the platforms around them.

Soon enough, they touched ground.

"Thanks for the ride, Vista! I'll be watching the cattle! Goodbye!" *giggle* (Siska)

Not caring, the scout headed for the the boundary of the forest. An abomination could arrive at any moment.

Darkness

Location: Roots of the Northern Forests / Hunter's Village of Belkire

Time: Y1503 / 25th day of the Harvest Moon / Dusk

Shining Fang Pelts were a precious commodity, and could be found in abundance in two places in the kingdom by whomever was willing to put up with the dangers.

Shining Fang Hunters were often mercenaries who had enough of hunting men. Services were established to support the hunter themselves, like inns and farms. Over time, a village was established near the roots of the Northern Forests. The hunter's village of Belkire.

"Are you sure they are here?" (Codename Hound)

"Only one way to find out." (Codename Sparrow)

Two figures dressed in dirty grey cloaks that covered their faces walked the only street passing through Belkire, heading toward the inn of the small village.

The inn was a battered wooden building resembling a chalet. It had three floors and a steep roof. It had seen better times.

*thump* *thump* (Hammer)

The sound of an hammer beating nails could be heard. A figure was doing his best to fix the decrepit structure.

"Hey, there! You with the hammer! Are you in need of some pathfinder? Some... Seekers?" *glare* (Codename Hound)

"... Not here. Inside." (Codename Claw)

Eye was her codename, a lifetime ago when she was a member of the most lethal unit of assassins in the Silence. Now she went by the name Teresa, and with her companion, after the failure of their last job, they tried to settle in a quiet place. Somewhere dangerous enough that people wouldn't look for them.

"Rodi, what is this... You!" (Codename Eye)

When she entered the room, she was surprised to find two persons, belonging to another unit of the Silence. It seemed her past was continuing to hunt her. She collimated aether and prepared for battle.

"Stop. We are not here to fight, Eye." (Hound)

Teresa slammed the door behind her, red in face with anger.

*slam* "I'm Teresa, now. And we are done with you! Get out and never come back!" (Eye)

"No one walks away from the Silence. no one walks away from Moria." (Hound)

"Tell me why shouldn't I kill you where you stand?" (Eye)

"You are not the only mage here, sunshine." (Sparrow)

"Moria has a deal for you two. A generous one. You should listen. Furthermore, if we fail to return, the inquisitors might get an interesting tip about some fugitives hiding in a certain village." (Hound)

"You bastards. And why are you keeping quiet, Rodi?!?" (Eye)

"They promise this is the last job. Then we are free." (Claw)

"And you believe them?" (Eye)

"I believe Moria would send the inquisitors for us." (Claw)

A shiver went down Eye's spine. She remembers the suffering those wretched inquisitors inflicted upon her. She remembers the losses she suffered at their hands. Greedy people can be brought. Prideful people can be blinded. Fanatics can't be reasoned with.

Eye resigned herself and steeled her resolve.

"I want your word of honour. And if you fail to free us from our obligations we'll come after you." (Eye)

"Fair enough. I swear upon my honour that that you will be freed after this job." (Hound)

"So, what is it that you need us, for? If it's about the Gifted One, I'll tell you now that is impossible." (Eye)

"Of course not. We gave up on that. Everyone has." (Hound)

*exhale* (Eye)

"We are going to take the Inquisition of Gloria down." (Hound)