07 – Deal with the devil

When all the guests had left Paul and Alfred were alone with the life-sized doll that had formerly housed Tessera.

“Take care of that, would you?” the uncle grumbled, gesturing at the body. Briefly leaving his nephew floundering.

“What? Why?” And then, when the realisation struck that he couldn’t get out of it: “How?”

It was an odd request considering that the old golemmaster could probably learn a lot more from the body than Paul could. And yet Alfred continued behaving as if it wasn’t worth his time, not even turning around as he mumbled the order for his nephew to “Just wrap it up in cloth and store it in a vault.”

It was a good thing uncle never joked. If father had said something like that… Never mind father would never have even considered that course of action. The man was curious to a fault. As for whether Paul would rather follow his uncle or his father… well it was pretty clear that the latter had a lot more fun.

Alfred clapped his hands and before Paul even got halfway to the fallen golem a servant came in and began wrapping it in many layers of cloth. Respect, he thought absent-mindedly, as he sauntered to ‘his’ guest room. The wrapped up golem was carried after him, causing his sleep-addled mind to begin an argument with himself about whether the thing looked like a mummy. He’d never actually seen a mummy, which was why he was unsure.

Servants that had respectfully laid down the not-mummy as Paul collapsed onto his bed, and the next day they followed Paul and helped him bring it to his room.

After Paul came home from his workshop, he locked his door and carefully unwrapped Tessera. He couldn’t properly block the window without severely reducing his vision, but at least the window faced in, towards the courtyard.

Tessera’s body was heavy and awkward, causing Paul to quietly curse to himself as he unwrapped the cloth from it. Finally the moment was there, Paul’s fingers trembled in anticipation as he pulled on Tessera’s trousers. He was about to look at mechanisms that very few others had had the opportunity to see before him.

The fabric was unyielding, tough, unused to being taken off. Paul undid the buttons, which helped a little. Then, when he stuck his fingers underneath the fabric to peel it off, it happened. His middle knuckle scratched at something sharp. There was pain and warmth, nothing too unusual in Paul’s profession. But as he licked the blood of his finger he heard a voice.

::oh:: said the voice, light and amused, ::I hoped it’d be you::

No matter where Paul looked, he could not find the origin of the voice. The voice snickered as Paul’s eyes darted all around his room, chuckled as Paul stood up and frantically dashed from place to place, laughed uproariously as Paul began to tear away clothes, bedsheets and furniture.

::heeheeehe…:: the voice wheezed before starting again ::hahahahahaa……heeehehee……please… please stop… kffffkffkkgh…::

Paul froze.

::I’m sorry:: the voice explained ::It’s only… I’m just… It’s been so long since I gave a fleshling such a good scare. You’re wonderful. Sorry:: –the voice paused– ::where are my manners? I’m Tessera. Tessera No-Name, fourth of the second council of eight. Pleased to make your acquaintance::

It didn’t sound like Tessera. There was no gravel in the voice. Only the chiming if tiny silver bells.

Paul backed away from Tessera’s body and sat down on the bed. “You sound different,” he stammered.

::That’s because I’m not speaking with my voice box::

“Then how?”

::I’ve connected to your mind::

“You what!?”

Paul’s panic was starting to resurface. To a novice this might seem strange, but Paul knew a little about magic. With the blood and the mind connection Tessera mentioned this was beginning to sound like possession-type magic. And in Ravenna only one fate awaited the possessed…

The voice interrupted his thoughts. ::Don’t worry, I didn’t take enough blood to attempt a forceful takeover::

“You didn’t take enough blood to WHAT…?!” Paul almost-screeched.

::shhhhh:: Tessera’s voice became thick and calming, deepening in tone and flowing over Paul’s mind like honey. ::Someone might hear you. We wouldn’t want that would we?::

“But… You…”

::You don’t even have to speak. I can hear your thoughts just fine:: Tessera’s voice shifted into a smooth and calming whisper.

But surely the law is there for a reason, Paul thought. It’s said to deter possession. Maybe hiding isn’t the best–

::It’s only a minor connection:: Tessera interrupted his thoughts ::I can break it any time. The exorcism with iron and fire won’t hurt me::

Then leave! thought Paul. And there was silence.

After dinner Paul lay on his bed and thought. Perhaps he should still go see a priest. His scalp tingled. Was Tessera still watching him? What would the spirit even want? Why did he hope to connect with Paul specifically? What would a priest even do?

Tessera? Paul thought as he was growing sleepy, deciding on a gamble, Are you still there?

::I’m here, little one::

What do you want from me?

::To help you fight of the Hunns and protect your city::

What can you give me?

::To help you protect your city and fight of the Hunns::

Why?

::I have a grudge against Mahkleb the Locust Lord, because of what he did through the hands of Alexander the Destroyer. Protecting Ravenna will harm him::

That sounded juicy, but Paul had another line of questioning to finish first.

Why me?

::You’ll see:: Tessera laughed musically

How can I trust you? Paul asked. This was the most pressing question.

::Let me teach you a little:: Tessera replied ::and then you’ll be able to see for yourself. I promise::

Nothing dodgy, thought Paul drowsily. “Goodnight,” he mumbled.

::sleep well::

And though he was still dressed and his room was still a mess, sleep claimed Paul almost instantly.