by Andur
His eyes stick to the wrong place for a few seconds too long and Sola's hand shoots out with two fingers pointed at his eyes. It's over before anyone can react.
Her husband is wriggling to Sola's feet and crying in agony. She grabs the towel on Ivy's shoulder and cleans her two bloody fingers.
Ivy is just standing there, stunned, looking down at the pile of misery who is rolling around in front of her. “He was just looking. Was such an action really required?”
Sola snorts and inspects Ivy with great care. “Servant, listen carefully. I won't repeat myself. It's very easy for a woman to catch a man, the problem lies in keeping the guy away from other vultures and training him properly. Once you allow him to ogle other women right next to you, you may as well let him mount them. He should have at least the decency to ogle with a certain amount of secrecy.”
She places the towel back on Ivy's shoulder. “Once a man undresses other women with his eyes in such an obvious manner, while standing right next to his wife, a certain amount of punishment is needed. And Xander is an Eddin, this is just a scratch to him.”
Ivy nods in admiration like a big secret was revealed to her.
Xander crawls to his knees with tears in his eyes. They look swollen and are bloodshot, but otherwise he seems to be fine. He edges closer to Sola and hugs her around her waist. “I am sorry, dear! I have failed you. Don't be angry, I didn't have any second thoughts, it just happened.”
Sola sighs and pats his head. “Don't worry. I am not mad. Just don't undress other women with your eyes okay? It feels like I am not enough.”
Gods, I hope that I'll never fall this deep... though it's his own fault in a twisted kind of way.
Just in that moment the door to my bedroom opens and Stella exits with two big eggs pressed to each of her cheeks. She is still wearing the wide gown which fits around her formerly pregnant belly. Now it looks more like a bag. “Look, Azir! Aren't they beautiful?” She rushes to my side and holds the eggs out like they are a perfect creation. One of them is light brown with violet spots on it. The other has a darker tone and is spotted with the golden colour of dry corn.
I smile and take one of the eggs from her. “They really are wonderful.” Just imagine how much scrambled egg one could make from one of these! The embryo inside the egg starts frantically knocking onto the shell, probably the creepy thing read my mind! “Am I holding it wrong?”
Stella sighs and takes the egg back. “You just thought something morally wrong!”
Vehemently shaking my head, I deny the accusation. “Totally not! Let me try the other one.” I take the other egg from Stella and nothing happens. “See? The other one is just a coward, that's all.”
“Let me hold it too!” Valeria takes the egg from me, which causes frantic knocking from the inside. Defeated she hands it back and grumbles. “They are way too perceptive at that age.”
Helen and Valda join us while the healers leave immediately. Only Laney stays and edges closer to me. “You know. Having your two bloodlines crossed is a historical event, looking back in history. It didn't happen often and never between two such strong individuals. Can I take some samples once they are old enough?”
“No.” I instinctively shield the egg from her. “My children aren't your toys. You aren't allowed to poke them with your instruments!”
Laney turns to Stella, but doesn't get any support from her. “Ask again when they are older.”
We transport the eggs to the table in the living room, where I already prepared two incubation chambers. This time they are the updated versions and are camouflaged as neat baskets with a glass dome on top. Nonetheless the eggs have to endure the inspection of everyone until the house is finally clean of visitors. It's late at night after all and everyone is tired.
Only Ivy remains for a while longer at the table to inspect the eggs. “Maybe I'll try that too... but just for scientific purposes...” She bows to us and retreats to her own quarters.
“Did... did she just...” I point at the door where she disappeared and turn to Stella. “Can she even do that?”
Stella shrugs her shoulders. “According to my judgement she is fully functional. Don't worry, she'll do a wonderful job as a parent. She started studying psychology and social systems at the university.”
It hits me that I didn't even ask how Stella is feeling. “And you? Everything alright?”
Stella smiles and links arms with me. “Of course. The Eddin fixed me up perfectly. I am back in my top form!” Then she pulls me in front of the two eggs and starts fiddling with the settings. “Now the only thing that's left to do is to decide what we want. Two boys, two girls or one of each?”
“We can choose?” I raise an eyebrow and look at her with a conflicted expression. “I thought that's up to mother nature?”
Stella speechlessly looks at me for some moments. “I thought you studied the book 'How to take care of an egg'? Didn't you read the first chapter 'Laying and deciding'?”
I start fiddling with my fingers and avert my eyes from her gaze. “When I had to take care of the egg it was already laid, so I kind of... skipped that chapter. And when you were pregnant I looked up only the stuff which is important during pregnancy.”
Stella smacks her forehead and sighs. “Okay. An embryo's gender inside the egg isn't decided. The first three weeks are important. During that time they develop the fastest. Forty point three degrees encourage the embryo to develop into a female, thirty eight point nine degrees favour the male gender. Normally women choose their offspring to become female, since girls have a higher chance to inherit the magical bloodline. Though that's only if the father isn't a strong magician.”
She pulls at my cheek. “But since we are both very strong magicians it should be okay to have boys. They'll surely be as strong as you.”
“Okay? Then how about a boy and a girl? If they are identical twins, then we avoid any possibility of confusion.” I gesture at the two eggs in front of us.
Stella sighs. “You are the only one in the world who would think of something like that.” She bends forward to program the chambers.
“Wait one moment!” I gesture for her to wait. “That one is the girl!” I point at the egg which is spotted golden.
Stella frowns. “Why that one? Is there any difference between the two? They are both cute.”
I nod. “There is a huge difference. That's the one which didn't like me. The girl is your responsibility!” I kind of like this development.
She sighs again and inputs the correct values into the devices. “I have no problem with it since I decided to leave the choice to you, but I think you are making a mistake.”
“How so?” Is my logic faulty? I can't see where I went wrong.
Stella shakes her head and smirks. “Call it motherly instinct. It just feels like the golden one has more temperament.”
I try to think about the implications, but Stella distracts me by unbuttoning her gown while licking her lips and looking at me full of desire. It drops to the ground reveals her in all her naked glory.
“I love you.” She grabs my robe at my chest and pulls me down to kiss me. Her left leg wanders around me and she pulls herself upwards, followed by the right leg.
My hands automatically support her behind while she is folding her arms around my head. Her tongue in my mouth drives me almost crazy and stops me from breathing. Finally she retreats it to take a breath and I use the chance to ask her a question. “And the reason for this sudden proposal is?”
She purses her lips. “Seventy four days! Doesn't that ring any bells? Don't tell me that you didn't mind it at all!”
Oooh... To be honest her temper didn't even allow the thought bedding her. If she broke me while I am without healing magic the outcome could've been bad.
Stella starts grinding her hips against mine and whispers into my ear. “I would like to try a few things from the memory mirror.”
“That's a good idea!” I turn and wobble with her in my arms out of
the room.
76. ~Intermission.~
“The wanderer walks where he pleases and once he finds evil, he'll slay it without fail.”
-Northern Barbarian.
Eastern Plains, Nonai-Steppe
Traveller
So this is the place where my son found his end. Somehow it fits for him to die on this barren land with no worth. He took after his mother and stayed connected to this land despite my teachings. I never managed to make him interested in what lies beyond this green ocean of grass.
His mother and I met each other during one of my many travels. It was on a green plain very much like this one... if it isn't the same.
We developed feelings for each other and before I knew it I had learned the nomads' ways. Those were happy years until she lost her fight against time. I wonder why I always fall for the short lived ones. Love is a cruel game.
The scene in front of me returns me to reality. I watch the destruction and open my senses to the world in order to find out what happened here. Every spell causes a lingering after-effect on the world. Once you are experienced enough, you can read what happened long after the spell was performed.
It's like an energetic fingerprint. Once you reach a certain stage you can even identify the person who is responsible for the spell. Of course only if no magical circuit was used.
The burned area in front of me feels strange. I expected that this was done by an exceptionally strong Anja, but there are almost no disturbances. The spell used was incredibly effective. Either they ignited the air somehow, or they used the sun. I thought that Nict had lost that knowledge.
This scene tells me otherwise. It seems like Nict developed faster than I expected. That's very troublesome. Maybe I have to throw them back again. I already did that twice to hinder the resurface of the technology which caused so much harm. Maybe I was too lax in the recent three hundred years. Someone has to make sacrifices to live the dream of freedom. The fragile balance of the world has to be kept.
I took it upon myself to be the one who guards this balance and it is a cruel, hard role I play.
Upon further inspection I find out that the huge destruction isn't the only strange thing. Here on the site of my son's death I can feel an entirely different magic being used. Someone influenced the world in a way which requires a certain amount of knowledge.
Normal mages achieve the wished effect by brutally bending reality itself to their desires, but not so this one. Here was someone at work who knew what he was doing.
“Your son died here. He decided to fight a magical duel against the one who challenged him and the offender accepted.” The man at my side whispers. He was present when my son died, so the elder chose him to lead me to this place.
“And he accepted?” I frown and concentrate on the still lingering curse in the ashes of my son. Something tore through his entire being and didn't even leave bones behind. My son's followers retrieved his remains after the battle. So I have at least something to say goodbye to.
The man answers promptly. “He did and fought honourably. Your son was losing when he violated the rules and used the shadow dagger.”
My son lost even though he used the dagger, it was my fault to give him the artefact. He was never good at using the artefact and the weapon made him overconfident. I inhale as I recognize the imprint of residual magic. “The opponent was a Zait?”
The man nods. “He called himself Azir Zait.”
“Maybe I should pay a visit to Nict. It has been a long time since I was there.”
Free City States of Nict, Capital
Azir
“Stand straighter, try to smile and get that tired expression off your face.” Stella pulls at my formal black and white robe. She isn't satisfied with my appearance.
I yawn. “Sorry, Stella. It feels like I didn't sleep for two entire nights.”
Stella huffs and pulls me in front of the curtain. A few moments ago Sola and Xander stepped out into the ballroom of the palace and the gathered guests welcomed the union with loud cheers.
There aren't any big marriage ceremonies in Nict. I guess that's a direct result of the lack of religion. Though it's customary to announce the bond between two people by throwing a big party. The same applies for a child's introduction to society.
Stella presses her lips into two thin lines. “It isn't any different for me. When we finally decided to sleep you moved the entire time and didn't let go of me.”
“But how can I let my love sleep alone when she is that desperate for attention.” I lift her up in a princess carry.
She squeals and whispers. “What are you doing? My robe is getting out of order!”
“I thought I would carry you outside to show everyone that I am fully involved in this?” I ask her inquiringly.
The sides of Stella's mouth curl upwards. “That might be a good idea.”
The announcer calls for us and declares the union of Azir Zait and Stella Gejene, so I step outside in front of the crowd to bath in cheers. After a few moments the congratulations turn quieter and I set Stella down to lead her to the dance floor where Sola and Xander are waiting. It's a tradition that the couple opens the ball with a dance.
After we start dancing the others join in and finally the feeling of being the centre of attention fades away. I start grinning and Stella whispers into my ear. “What's so funny?”
“Ah, nothing. I just imagined you taking part in this event while being pregnant. We would cast gravitation magic on you and then you could simply fl...mmm?” Float around on a leash while I am holding you?
Stella wrapped her tail around my mouth and is now smiling menacingly. “If you say another word tonight I'll throw you out of the house and we are done with each other. I may even sell you to Sola. There have been cases of women taking two men if one of them couldn't produce acceptable heirs.”
I nod. I don't want to have my eyes gouged out.
77. ~Good vs. Evil.~
“What you think of as good is sometimes bad and what you think of as bad may be good.”
-Old wisdom.
Free City States of Nict, Capital
Azir
I am still dancing with Stella when I notice a strange person opening the main door to the ballroom. He speaks to one of the guards who stiffens and points at us. The newcomer is violating the dress code by covering himself with a rugged old cloak and even his face is hidden. Why isn't the guard throwing him out? Is he someone important?
The beggar ignores the guard and heads directly towards me and Stella.
We stop dancing to face the approaching person who is ignoring the troubled voices of the people around him.
“Are you Azir?” The person asks with a deep voice. I still can't recognize his face.
“Ye-”
My answer isn't even finished as a fiery sword flashes forward and embeds itself in my chest. I feel my mana being sucked out of me and the beggar retrieves his sword while the people around us start screaming. Stella jumps forward with a scream, but the beggar waves his hand at her and she is thrown backwards like a toy and impacts the wall ten metres away.
Dropping to my knees I spurt blood and look up into the man's eyes. They shimmer in several different colours as he looks down on me. Then he turns away to face the approaching guards, but they can't stop him as he cuts a path for himself towards Helen. “Stay put! And to your knees! Honour the blood oath to your ancestor!” He calls out and Helen, who was dragged away by Lucas, loses all her strength, kneeling down.
I drop to the ground and try to gather my mana, but there is nothing. That's strange. I've been healed from the manatite poison for a month now. Ah, I have no time to gather mana. Everything is turning dark.
“Azir!” Suddenly Valeria is at my side and presses her hand onto my chest. “H... Heal!”
Mana flows into me and I grab her hand, reaching for the small clock in my pocket. “Sorry. Val... don't... resist.” I forcefully tap into her mana pool and take control of it. Then I pour a
ll of Valeria's mana into the spell, emptying her completely. Her lifeless body drops onto me as the clock in my hand reconfigures the raw power into a huge, spinning magical circle.
The beggar turns around and raises his hand. “No!”
The magical formation spins at an incredible speed under us, but slows down rapidly until it comes to a creeping halt. Time freezes all around me and everything is silent. For a moment the universe is in perfect equilibrium. I keep my hand firmly shut around the clock and pat Valeria's head. “Don't worry. You'll be back.” The circle starts spinning again, this time counter clockwise and with it time is flowing backwards.
The world around me rewinds itself to a previous state and I with it. Only the clock stays in my hand. Valeria opens her eyes and retreats backwards from me. The beggar and Stella return to their previous positions. His sword enters me once again, returning my mana. Then it retreats, closing the wound. The beggar walks backwards away from us and out of the ballroom.
A few moments later I find myself dancing with Stella.
“Is there a problem?” Stella asks while we are dancing.
I purse my lips. “If you call your ancestor killing me and crashing the party a problem, then yes.”
“Ha?” She looks at me dumbfounded.
Smiling, I shrug my shoulder. “Sorry, could you excuse me for a moment? I have to kill someone in a very ugly manner, then we can continue to dance.”
I let go of her and bow. Without waiting for an answer I head towards the entrance of the ballroom where Jeremiah will appear. Gathering mana to prepare myself for the encounter I stop there and wait, watching the main door, while I count the seconds. One moment before the door to the ballroom opens I raise my hand sent a fireball at the door, blasting it apart to reveal... nothing?
The other guests look at me, shocked, but I ignore them and scratch my cheek. Did I get the time wrong? No. I am sure that the clock worked correctly, it just has a problem with the generation of waste-heat. This was a gamble since I didn't test the clock properly, but it works.
