The Lightbearer's Gift

One week Later

My attack killed most of the nobility within the army, destroying any kind of leadership. This crushed any chance the enemy had of mounting a counter offensive. So demoralized was the enemy that the next morning the remaining nobility surrendered to her as soon as the sun rose. Every member of Wigmore’s ruling family, which were 3 sons, and 1 daughter, was caught in the blast. With a full relinquishment of titles to the baroness’s niece Briannah by the wife of Lord Wigmore gave the baroness complete rule of all her surrounding baronies.

The last son of Cedwain restored his oath to the baroness with the requirement that he marry a woman of her choosing. The child from that marriage will foster with her until he or she reaches a majority. With all the reigning nobility of Blackhall getting caught in the blast we were waiting within her throne room for the remaining heir.

A young woman by the name of Karliah would come and swear her oaths. She expressed that she had disagreed with her father and brothers in going to war and was more than willing to transfer complete rule of the barony to the baroness. To the point of forswearing her own right. Stating so publicly pleased the baroness, so she offered the girl the same deal Cedwain did. To marry a man of her choosing and have the child foster with her until his or her majority.

That means for the first 16 years of their lives they would be under the baroness’s influence, effectively guaranteeing that she would have loyal retainers once they took their seats. The dead lords, viscounts and landed gentry were replaced by her people. Many second and third cousins all got seats to rule.

While I wasn’t needed for this process I decided to watch, I mostly sat to the right of the baroness within her throne room. It didn’t leave my notice that that was the position of a spouse. But I cared little about the stares I got every time some noble came to swear oaths and sign transfer of vassalage paperwork. If I am to rule my own lands someday these will be things I need to know. None could meet my eye; the baroness was using the fear that I inspired to bully everyone into agreeing to her demands.

With an official surrender she couldn’t just have them killed, not even she was above imperial law. Anytime someone gave her problems I just commanded Noire to screech at her loudest volume. That sound could be heard for miles. That was enough to remind them who had the most power on their side and they would fall in line.

I was of course being paid handsomely to basically just sit here and look intimidating. When to threaten, cajole and bully in these kinds of situations were lessons that I was careful to take in.

“Announcing Lady Karliah Blackhall” one of the guards at the door said. A woman in a black mourning dress walked in. With the death of her father and brothers she was technically the reigning baroness. However, the guards were specifically instructed to call them by incorrect titles until oaths were sworn and papers signed.

She was a lovely woman with bright reddish-brown hair and brown eyes. She somehow maintained both a proud and greaves-stricken expression as she walked. She passed the group of onlookers to kneel at the baroness’s dais.

“Karliah it is good to see you in health. We were grieved to hear about the loss of your brothers.” The baroness said.

Karliah responded in practiced fashion, though her eyes kept flicking to me. “My eternal thanks for your concern, Baroness. May I also thank you for the shipment of food and supplies to our city. It has been trying times in this war. We of Blackwall are most pleased to see it end and are fully prepared to swear all oaths and sign all transfers of vassalage at your pleasure My Lady Baroness.”

It was certainly odd, watching this woman humble herself before both the killer of her father and brothers and the woman who instigated them to declare war to begin with. So masterful was her performance I couldn’t even tell if it was genuine. Only the constant flicker of her eyes in my direction gave me insight into her true feelings. Though I couldn’t tell if it was hate or curiosity.

“We are pleased to hear your wish to rejoin your de jure lords. Due to your honorable display, we would be willing to allow you to retain your seat. To solidify this union, I propose a marriage between you, the reigning Baroness, and my cousin Lord Demark Feyrun.”

It was rather uncouth to force a marriage proposal this early in negotiations of surrender. But it’s not as if Kariah had any real choice in the matter. With her barony in shambles this was the only way to maintain her lands.

Karliah did a bow so deep and full of respect one would think that she was bowing to the emperor himself.

“On behalf of Blackhall we are more than willing to accept such a generous offer. Lord Renner’s honor and skill in battle are known through the land and I am grateful that you choose to honor me in this way.” Kariah said.

Lord Renner was the oldest son of General Feyrun, a decently handsome man in his mid-30’s. His wife had died some time ago in childbirth and he was in need of another. The only thing I knew about him was that he was indeed skilled with the blade and his loyalty to his father and by proxy the Baroness was absolute.

The same man stepped out of the crowd dressed in full military regalia. He gave Karliah a formal bow. He was probably 10 years her senior, but such things were common.

“Very good, let us adjourn for the day, please Kariah enjoy our hospitality. I know the journey here had to have been made in haste.”

“My thanks Baroness.” Karliah said.

An hour later

I was in the baroness’s gardens giving Noire a once over. She unfortunately started to grow again and the straps connecting the saddle to the harness across her body needed adjustment. Fortunately, the horse master had this thought in mind, and I only needed to loosen a few buckles. Many of the visiting nobility were watching me in hushed conversations. Noire and I had been the talk of the city for most of the week.

It was strange that none had approached me with some conversation. More than likely this was the baroness’s doing.

I heard footsteps approaching. Turning around to see who I was, I was surprised to see that it was Karliah.

“Hello” I said as I continued my work.

“Greeting My lord” she said.

With a final buckle I finished adjusting the harness.

“What can I do for you, my lady?”

“I simply wanted to see the creature most of the city seemed to be enamored with.” She said,

Noire puffed out her feathers as if showing off. In reality it only made her look more terrifying.

“Noire certainly has been drawing quite a large amount of attention lately.” I said innocently.

“How did you tame an etheric beast; my mages claim that it is impossible.”

“Your human mages claim such a thing is impossible.” I said.

“They also say you only practice human magic so yes it's impossible.” she said. There was none of the grieving daughter and sister performance here.

“Surely your human mages would understand how an elf does magic more than the elf in front of you.” I said reproachfully.

“My apologies I meant no offense.” She said, then continued. “What I really wanted to know was is Noire a unique creature?” It was an innocent question.

But no doubt every mage and noble worth their salt wanted to know the same thing. How do I get my own flying mount? If the process of taming an etheric beast can be repeated. Then the entire world would be after such knowledge.

“Perhaps, perhaps not” I said is a began mounting her.

After I was fully secured on the saddle I continued. “Maybe one day such a creature can be bought.”

I commanded Noire to take off. Leaving Kariah to contemplate my words. In truth I would never offer such power to someone not under my direct control. No amount of coin in the world would compel me to do so. But there was no point in having them think coin couldn’t get them the impossible. In truth I wanted to attract the attention of a certain man and starting that rumor would be the best way for him to come to me.

One month later.

The baroness and I were coming in for a landing on a specially built platform. We were in Blackhall, the last part of her tour of her new lands. It was largely a propaganda campaign for the citizenry. She would send massive shipments of food to the cities to put her name on the lips of every citizen. Then a speech would be held in the city square. She would give a rousing speech condemning the old regime and extolling the virtues of her new rule. It would always begin with me flying her onto the platform, which sent the crowd into a frenzy since Noire had become famous at this point. Then she would give a speech which usually ended with her hosting a massive feast.

I typically wouldn’t have bothered participating but I wanted to learn how people rule. Her speeches were cleverly manufactured with criers in the crowd to get them cheering when she wanted. All this I was watching with rapt attention since if I wanted to fulfill my ambitions I would need to learn. She never failed to get them into a screaming frenzy which usually ended with them cursing the past leadership and praising her kindness and honor. The added drama of Noire and I was only fuel to the fire that became their near sycophantic praise of the baroness.

We landed gently on the platform, and it groaned as Noire’s weight settled. I dismounted first and helped her down, so she maintained her grace. Then her speech began after the cheering audience calmed down.

I watched the baroness, carefully observing her mannerisms, the words she used. When to pause and have the audience calm down and when to whip them into a frenzy. The area was overcast and Blackwall, being the most powerful of their vassals, had to go well to permanently cement the baroness’s rule in the minds of the citizens. The baroness, her generals, Karliah, Benny and all the surviving mages in the barony were on the platform.

I felt a small drop of rain then a few more. The baroness’s eyes flicked a worried glance at the sky in the middle of her speech. Taking the momentary pause, I cast a massive shield covering the tens of thousands of people who were in the audience. As I finished the rain started to pour but not a drop made it through the shield. The baroness halted her speech so the crowd could stare at the shield in wonder.

The other mages stared at me with dumb expressions since they knew it took a stupid amount of power to make a shield this large. I gave her a respectful nod and she continued her speech even as the rain outside the shield became heavier and heavier. I made sure to pretend I needed to use my hand when casting in front of anyone other than Benny. No need to give away an advantage if I didn’t have to.

Finally, the speech ended and since the rain stopped, I reduced the power in the shield until it faded into nothing.

“They will talk about this speech for generations.” Kariah said as gave the baroness a respectful bow in front of the entire citizenry.

“Indeed, such a bold display of power will not soon be forgotten” The baroness responded.

I looked out towards the raving masses all shouting the baroness’s name. I couldn’t help myself from imagining what it would be like if they were chanting mine instead.

It took another week before things were finally beginning to settle down, trade was back up and slowly wartime was ending. Other than aiding in her propaganda campaign. I spent most of my time finishing up my studies. I had learned 9 more spells but in truth I really didn’t care that much about any of them.

Two spells that could boil and freeze a body of water respectfully. An earthen spell that could create a sinkhole, another that could compact the earth. An interesting water spell that could summon a cloud a few hundred feet in the air and make rain. Two more shadow spells that I couldn’t use. One that could obscure objects, it didn’t make them invisible just simply caused the object to be ignored easier. Another more interesting one was actual invisibility. But again, I couldn’t use it, besides casting or fast movement would break the spell. An advanced version of the candle spell that could summon a flame as large as a bonfire that could last hours. The only truly useful spell is the one I named strengthen.

It was the earth spell on the shield, the etheric knight wore. It took me weeks to figure out what it does, but I finally succeeded. It didn’t actually give someone supernatural strength. It removed the unconscious limitations the body places on muscles to prevent damage. The shield had an imperial seal, so I surrendered it to the baroness for a price.

One benefit was there was no limitation on what I could cast it on. So long as it was an organic creature. As to how it was embedded in the shield and how a non-mage could activate it was beyond me. Either way with this spell active I could sprint faster and jump higher than someone of my strength level could ever achieve. It only lasted a few minutes at a time, but I could simply repair any damage and recast it. As an earth spell it was inefficient, but it was interesting to know regardless.

Benny and I were in my room going over a map of the southern baronies. I was planning to visit a few acquaintances before we headed to the capitol, so I was charting a rough path and estimating the travel time. The baroness planned to leave for the imperial capitol in a few weeks, so I had more than enough time.

A knock at the door interrupted our planning.

“Enter,” Benny said for me.

Niara walked in with a servant I was sure was one of the baroness’s.

“My lord the baroness has invited you for a private dinner at your leisure.” He said.

Benny and I raised an eyebrow.

She had invited me several times to dine with her or spend the night in her quarters. All of which I declined. In truth I was already relegating her as a temporary ally that, after I finished my business in the capitol, would be left permanently in the past. As enjoyable as her company was, if I couldn’t see her as a long-term ally there was no point in me giving her my time since the war had ended.

Last I checked I had 110,513 gelding in my account at the bank. A paltry sum compared to the great fortunes of the most powerful families. They are rumored to be in the tens of millions. Either way I was pleased with what I had earned. 14 new spells with two of them being master level, a flying mount, my name on the lips of everyone in the empire and surprisingly the lessons in ruling that I observed in the baroness.

I had been in constant attendance in her court often at her side or in the gallery.

I had commissioned a map of the world from a map maker within the city. From there I would plan where to go after my business with the elves. I just had to find the right country with an unstable enough government.

But now the baroness was calling on me again before Benny and I went on our small vacation.

“Might as well see what she wants.” Benny said.

I shrugged and agreed. Benny was anxious to leave. Whatever friendship she had with Briannah had broken down. It seemed that Briannah was spending more time with her new betrothed than with Benny. I suppose this was a valuable lesson for her to learn about the nobility. You only had their attention when you were of use.

“Very well, I’ll see her tonight.” I said and signaled them to leave.

“Come, help me pick out something to wear.” I said to benny.

Sometime later I walked into her private dining room, the baroness was already seated and there was no one else but a servant standing off to the side. It was a richly decorated space with a fireplace.

“Baroness, my thanks for the invitation. “I said.

The old man bowed and left the room after I took my seat.

We sat at the opposite end of the table. The baroness was wearing a lovely red dress with many pieces of gold jewelry that complemented her face. I was wearing my usual white and purple closely cut doublet and overcoat. Of course I had my sword equipped, it was one of the most important pieces to my ensemble.

“I almost expected that you would say no. Thrice you have rejected my company.” She said,

From almost nowhere a servant came and filled a glass of wine for each of us then exited. I took a sip. It was the slightly smoky spiced wine that I had been enjoying throughout my stay here. It was strange that that bottle just kept getting replaced without me asking.

“I have been busy teaching my apprentice healing magic, learning the rest of the spells, in the Grimoires. Amongst other things.” I said.

“Yes, I’m sure,” she said, not sounding to buy the obvious deflection.

The first course was brought out by a small army of servants that efficiently set each dish down and left a few minutes later. It was a beautifully decorated plate of roasted fish with a side of some delicate salad.

“So, with the war at an end and our agreement ending in a week, what is next for you?” she asked, taking a delicate bite of her fish.

“I intend to travel to the capitol of course. See the sights perhaps. Maybe I will have a chance to see an airship.” I said all was true but that had nothing to do with my real intent.

She replied “There is a decent enough chance, but what will you when elves come calling, your name is spreading faster than the plague. Every noble will either want your power on their side or have you eliminated.”

I cleared my palate with some lemon water and tried the salad. It was fresh and was an excellent pairing with the strong flavors of roasted fish.

“I’m not concerned, if they want my power they will have to pay, and gold will no longer be enough for me.” I said with confidence bordering on arrogance.

“Well, you do not lack confidence. But are you really ready to face the most powerful mages in the empire? To stand against the most powerful men and women. I have been getting nonstop inquiries about you and your loyalties.” She said,

“And now I am too much of a valuable asset you can simply let leave without assurances. Just how many are desperate for my attention? And how many are you blocking from reaching me. It must be quite a bit of pressure.”

There was a twitch in her eyes that was enough to tell me that I was close to the mark. This was largely expected as soon as people realized the potential of Noire and the extent of my abilities this was bound to happen. I decided to change the course of the conversation.

“Tell me Baroness, what have you managed to learn about me? I’m sure you have managed to piece together the truth behind the endless speculation.”

I had to know if she had figured out that I am a unique mage. If I thought back to all I had done that would be the conclusion I would have made. While I could have certainly handled certain situations better, I don’t regret anything. The past was the past and I had to move on.

“I have spent quite a bit of coin piecing together who and what you are. Using that information as well as my own intuition I have deduced that you are a unique mage. The exact nature of your abilities are still unknown but. I can assume three things with a reasonable amount of confidence.” She said,

“And those are.”

“One: your lack of memory is genuine, two: Your advanced healing ability comes from your unique nature. Three: Benny’s magical prowess as well as turning a regular Arlette into an etheric beast are also a result of your unique abilities.”

It wasn’t unexpected that she would figure out the healing and that Noire was created by me. But how did she deduce I enhanced Benny.

“Why would you assume Benny is simply not extremely talented.” I asked.

“That is why I believe your lack of memory is largely genuine. A mage with the raw power Benny has at her age would have been causing constant accidents every time she had a burst of emotion until she learned to control it. Yet according to Briannah, she had only one as a child. Anyone who saw a child with high etheric potential would know this. This is true for humans as well as elves. So, your childhood would also be filled with accidents. Knowing this, telling Benny to lie about her frequency of accidents would have been your first prerogative.” She finished with a satisfied smile on her face.

Thinking back to myself the first time I had strong emotion, I projected light from my hands. If I had a normal childhood in this world, it would be filled with things like that. None of the books I read on mages ever mentioned this. Though I should have guessed as much. It was a simple deduction to make. My ignorance about the world led me to leave such an obvious thing in the open.

“And how exactly do I do this miracle?” I asked. I wanted to know if she knew the price.

“That’s where we are unsure. Perhaps you simply transfer power to them at a touch the same way you do healing. Though this is just a guess, all things have a price and we have yet to figure out what that is.” She said,

She had a self-satisfied expression that I didn’t like, but I had to admit she did an excellent job at finding out the truth from such little information. In the end I wasn’t too concerned that I had a slip up with Benny. With the power I now wielded there was nothing anyone could do to threaten me. There was one thing that interested me about her explanation.

“Who is ‘we’?” I asked.

She smiled as she expected the question then she answered. “Myself, Denerif Mason, Archduke Halloway and Dutchess Shorecast.”

“Ah, that's where the pressure comes from.” I said.

She gave me a warm smile, an unvoiced admittance.

Thinking back to the war we had just finished. The massive amount of coin, resources, and planning that went into ensuring victory. My mind flicked back to the southern baronies. Archduke Halloway controlled much of the south, including Vernon, Suncrest, Ruben and a few others. Shorecast was a small Dutchy but what it lacked in size it made up for with being the trading point for most goods that came from Silia, the eastern continent. Then there was Denerif Mason the wealthiest man in the kingdom and the man who owns the very bank my fortune was held in.

Now this alliance would control the entire southern provinces of the empire, trade with Braken and the east and now trade across the lake. Wait a moment, baron Vernon wouldn’t fall in line so easily. He guards his trade routes jealousy, hell he probably would rather burn down his own barony than be a puppet to this alliance.

Allyssia didn’t seem to care that he was more than likely assassinated. In fact, she seemed pleased that no one suspected foul play. None but me. Few really knew the extent of my healing abilities so why would anyone suspect foul play? The man was famous for his drinking and eating. Then there was the mysterious meeting with Baroness Rubens daughter the first time I arrived in Vernon. Is it possible that everything including the war with Suncrest was something of a plan?

“Does Archduke Halloway have a connection with Baroness Ruben.” I asked.

The baroness smiled; it was vicious.

“She is his eldest niece.”

I voiced my thoughts. “And now the entirety of the southern Baronies are now under the firm rule of the Rubens. Everything was planned, wasn’t it? the war with Vernon and Suncrest. The Baronesses surprise visit. Baron Vernon’s death it was odd that no one seemed to suspect that his death was due to foul play, no one except me. The elf who kept the extent of my healing abilities a secret.”

That is why no one believed it. Reversed much of internal damage caused by excessive drinking and a poor diet but who else other than me would know that. The question now was why she is revealing this to me.

“Indeed, it was quite the task in the end. But now we control everything south of the Great Stormveil sea.”

“Why have you decided to reveal this information to me? I would have likely gone on my way in a few weeks never knowing the extent of your machinations.” I said, testing the waters. It was obvious why this cabal was revealing it to me. I just wanted to hear her say it.

“Come now Moon, everyone is wondering if Noire is a one off. Only we know she isn’t. You want magic Ruben and Halloway has one of the largest collections of Grimoires on the continent. You want to learn enchanting. Dutchess Shorecast has no less than 8 family members in prominent positions within the enchantment academy. Your admittance there regardless of you being an elf would be a simple process. Finally, there is your unique abilities, I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface of what you can actually do but Denerif Mason could provide the resources needed to explore your abilities to the fullest. Many would see you as a threat Moon, and you will need more than coin and magical power to defend against it.”

She finished, the entire time I had an expression of rapt attention as if her words were music to my ears. Inside I was seething.

“And what would you ask in exchange for such a generous offer?” I said feigning that I was open to the idea.

“It is a simple thing really. Once you determine a method of creating more creatures like Noire that others can ride. It would remain exclusive to us. And your ability to increase the power of mages would remain hidden only to be used to strengthen mages among our alliance. In return you would have a seat at our table and the protection of some of the most powerful people in the empire.”

‘What fucking hubris she has.’ I thought to myself.

They would dictate where and how my abilities would be used. They would determine who I strengthen with my abilities. THEY would choose who was able to receive flying mounts. No, I would never offer such power to others. It would be in command, me, and me alone, no one else would have a say in the matter. They don’t want an alliance with me; they want control. Oh, she played me quite the fool. Never expected she actually knew Denerif Mason. Hell, she probably knows more about my assassination. From the beginning.

Is that why she was so recalcitrant with information? To gauge how much I would be willing to bargain. My sudden decision to simply abandon the pursuit of alliance must have spurred this group into action. Oh, it sounded like a good deal on the surface, but I heard the threat beneath her honeyed words.

‘You would need more than coin and magical power to defend yourself.’ Defend myself from who? this group or others likely both.

“In return you would have a seat at our table and the protection of some of the most powerful people in the empire.” Please. As if she understood the extent of my abilities.

No, I won’t burst their bubble just yet. Let them delude themselves into thinking I need them. Let them play their game. I will take what I want from them. And when they are no longer of use to me. I will throw them away like a piece of garbage.

“Well, that is certainly a generous offer. But I would need to meet these people face to face and determine if this alliance can truly work for me.” I said, pretending to truly consider the idea.

“Oh, all can be arranged in a few months. Princess Morianne is returning from the east for her name day celebration. Everyone who is anyone will be attending. There is even a rumor that she will finally choose a husband.”

I couldn’t care less but there was one final question I wanted to know.

“Since you are much closer to Denerif Mason than you originally led me to believe. You have to have learned something about my attempted assassination by now.” I asked.

She smiled and said. “Oh yes, we know at least two elven matriarchs are involved though their identities remain unknown. There is also an unnamed noble involved whose identity is even more unknown.”

“Not Vernon’s wife then?” I presumed.

“No, she was quite happy that you simply abandoned the barony. It made taking control easier. Why assassinate when you already left of your own accord, it would just be a waste of coin.”

That made sense I suppose. Though it doesn’t mean that it’s true. I would determine for myself in time. And when I do who really tried to kill me, I would leave nothing but ashes.

The next course was brought out. It was some kind of pasta with thick noodles in a creamy sauce. The baroness had a satisfied expression on her face. As if she had been victorious.

Let her believe her ploy had worked. That my smiles were genuine. That my words were true. Let her bask in the glow of victory and the bright future she sees for herself. Let her believe that all her cards are in order then watch her lose them all.