by Dixon, TJ
“I, was told, earlier.” I say and the tears flow even quicker.
“I am sorry for your loss. If you wish to reclaim her you will need to negotiate with Peter of the Wind. If the state of things here are any indication though, I guess you probably can’t afford to do so with money, but you may have something else he considers valuable.”
“He? My sister was beaten by a boy?” I ask incredulously and for a moment the tears stop flying.
“Embarrassing as it is to say this, but he is one of the more powerful students at the academy. Most people think he will reach 2A without any problem. It is less clear whether any of the 2A students can beat him. That the Queen delayed the competition to allow him to enter is perhaps in itself indication that he is not just any boy. Your sister was a talented and brave student. I don’t need to return until midday tomorrow, so if you wish to negotiate with him I can port you to the academy when I leave. I’m staying at the inn.”
“Was it you who told the old lady about this earlier?”
“No, I only just arrived here. Perhaps one of Asuna’s friends got here before me. I assumed I would need to wait until morning, but since you were here and awake I thought it better to tell you sooner. What happened here by the way?”
“Giant scorpion.” I say. Perhaps she is right though. Perhaps it is worth negotiating with this Peter. It isn’t going to bring back the boy that was killed today, or his mother, but if I can get my sister back then I must do so. What can I offer Peter in return? I’ll have to think about it. “I’ll go with you in the morning. Thank you.”
“Are these scorpions common around here?”
“Not in town. They never used to be so bold.” I say. Just what is up with all these monsters appearing where they shouldn’t?
“It seems like that everywhere I go.” She says sighing. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
She leaves and I am left with the task of dealing with the corpses that not long ago were people I knew. Not friends, and not family. I didn’t even know their names, but I spoke with them both. They were alive, and now they are dead.
The people who were here before are not far away. I have them dig two graves side by side, at the outskirts of town. I could use earth magic, but most of the power that I recovered was used earlier. Perhaps I’ll need it again. I stay alert in case we are attacked again, but we aren’t. Once they are buried I ask the Queen to guide their lost souls. I don’t really believe that the Queen actually does anything of the sort, but those left behind are calmed to hear a noble pray to the Queen for their lost friends or family. At least that’s what mother says.
It is almost dawn by the time we return to my home, but when we do return I rest and try to think of something that we can offer. I will need mother’s permission for anything that belongs to the family, but I can at least find out what there is, if anything, he would accept. Then, unless it is something of mine, I have to convince mother. Of course there is nothing I have of sufficient value, but I fear there may not be anything at all.
It is close to midday and I am about to head to the inn when the messenger returns and saves me the trouble. True to her word she ports me to the academy. Not being a student here yet it is my first time at the academy and I am impressed by the size and condition of everything.
“This is the lunch room and it is close to lunch time. There are only two boys at the academy, and only one who openly admits it. He also only has one arm so it should be easy to spot him. There were a couple more boys at the start of the year, but we managed to weed them out. They just didn’t have the same talent that girls do. The other boy I am sure we’ll be rid of soon. Unless someone beats him at the competition though, we’ll have Peter until he graduates. So wait until you see him or your sister. I must be going now.”
“Where do I find you to return home?” I ask quickly.
“You can’t port?” The teacher asks surprised.
“I can, but not that far.” I say.
“You can get help at the town hall, for a fee. I don’t have time to take you back again.” The teacher says and disappears before I have time to say that I have no money. Great! One thing at a time though. No sooner have I thought it than the first students start to port in. I get more than a few funny looks. I am the only one not in uniform, and my clothes although well made, have seen better days. Better decades in fact, because they were made for my grandmother when she was my age.
“Slave, what are you standing there for? Get back behind the counter.” One student says.
“I’m not a slave. I’m a noble.” I say trying to sound dignified but she laughs loudly and draws a lot of attention. Then as everyone is looking my way my sister, a boy with one arm and a few girls port in together. Their attention is of course drawn to me immediately and I see my sister blush for a moment. She whispers something to the boy. He then ports over to me and with his only hand grabs my wrist and ports away with me. We are in a small room and my sister has already ported here ahead of us.
“You are aware that I am a slave?” Asuna says to me sounding very angry.
“Yes, but…” I start to say and suddenly Asuna slaps my left cheek. It hurts really badly, but the shock is worse than the pain. “Why?”
“You knew I was a slave and yet you came here anyway.” Asuna says scowling at me. “I am not your sister anymore. I am nothing more than Peter’s slave. You have no right to even speak to me.”
“That’s enough.” Peter says. “Both of you sit down, and no fighting. I said to sit…” Asuna obeys and feeling dizzy I am glad to sit. Even though I have a chance to talk to Peter I just can’t say anything. I open my mouth a few times but nothing comes out.
“If you’re here to beg for my freedom then you’re wasting your time.” Asuna says glaring at me. Asura was always strict but Asuna was always the kind sister. It is just too much to sit here being glared at and talked down to by my always kind and gentle sister. I fight back tears.
“Don’t say anything else Asuna.” Peter says quietly but sounding a little angry for some reason. Is it because my sister dared talk without his permission? Is this the kind of boy that my sister must serve? Is that why she is so angry, but why be angry at me? Then Peter looks at me and still quietly, but this time almost sounding kind he says, “Don’t feel you need to rush, but I need to know why you are here.”
I take a few deep breathes and then look Peter in the eyes. “I want to know if there is anything that we can trade for Asuna’s freedom. We aren’t rich, but…”
Peter looks at my sister. I assume he is valuing her with his stare. It really feels humiliating to know that, but to have to sit here politely despite that. “You’re sure you aren’t willing to sign that contract?”
“Only if you order me to, but to do so would be to break my vow.” Asuna says and I am confused.
“What contract? What vow?” I ask. I have no idea what is going on.
“I offered your sister her freedom in exchange for joining my club. She refused because, after losing the battle, she vowed to serve me her whole life.” Peter says and I blink a few times trying to comprehend what he just said.
“You offered Asuna her freedom… and she refused?” I ask incredulously.
“It is a matter of honour.” Asuna says glaring at me. “Something you wouldn’t understand.”
“Enough Asuna.” Peter says very quietly. I get the distinct impression he is very angry at Asuna. She looks down and doesn’t say anything. “When that breeder offered to buy you, you said your family would pay for you if money was what I wanted. Would you agree if your family offered me something in exchange for you?”
“The only thing of sufficient value would be my sister, Hinata. I would rather be a slave myself than pass the burden onto her.” Asuna says and I wander why I didn’t think of that. Perhaps because it is such a scary thought?
“Swapping one slave for another doesn’t help anyone. How about if you both agreed to join my club, and my company? I would get t
wo members, and you would get your freedom.”
“Hinata isn’t even in the academy yet. That would hardly be of sufficient value.”
“I would consider it very valuable. Can either of you think of anything else?” Peter says sounding a little frustrated.
“The only things we have are our land, our honour, ourselves and our people.” Asuna says.
“How much land do you have?” Peter asks.
“Lots, but it’s mostly desert and wasteland. The rivers and lakes all dried up and only our water and earth magic allow our people to survive.”
“Perhaps we can do something about that.” Peter says thoughtfully. “I would like to visit your land, but not during our lunch break. Would it be possible to wait here until this evening, or do you need to get back sooner?”
“I’m basically stranded here, so if you are able to take me back with you this evening that would really help me out.” I say.
“Some people never change.” Asuna says sighing and shaking her head at me. “It would be best if you waited in the other room with Lena until Peter is ready after lessons. Be sure not to cause any trouble.”
“I’m not going to cause trouble.” I say indignantly.
“Have you eaten anything yet?” Peter asks me.
“No.”
“Have lunch with us then. You can wait in the room after lunch.”
“I don’t have any money for lunch.” I say embarrassed.
“Don’t worry.” Peter says.
“You don’t need to treat my sister just because she was too stupid to bring any money.” Asuna says.
“There’s no need to be cruel to… was it Hinata?” Peter says.
“Yes.” I say nodding.
“It’s important to make it clear to Hinata that I’m not her sister anymore.” Asuna says.
“So are you telling me who I can and can’t have lunch with?” Peter asks.
“Of course not!” Asuna protests.
“Or how I can and can’t spend my money?”
“No.” Asuna says shaking her head.
“Now that that is settled we’ll have lunch together.” Peter says. “Asuna, please port us.”
Asuna takes Peter’s hand and mine, and then ports us all back to the room we just came from.
“Hi Peter!” Two identical girls say as we port in.
“Hi Cherry and Sherry.” Peter says with a smile.
“So who’s the new girl?” Cherry asks.
“This is Hinata. She’s Asuna’s little sister. Hinata this is Cherry, and this is Sherry.”
“Hi Hinata!” They both say together.
“Hi.” I say back a little weakly.
“If you haven’t eaten and don’t have any other plans, how about eating together?” Peter suggests.
“Sure.” Cherry says.
“Sounds good.” Sherry says.
“You can pick what you want from these sections Hinata.” Peter says pointing at a huge display of simple but good quality food. I am spoilt for choice, but I don’t want to seem rude by taking too long to choose, so I quickly choose a dish of lovely looking creamy soup and two sweet rolls.
“Is this ok?” I ask Peter showing him my tray of food.
“Of course.” Peter says. “I prefer this soup, but that one is nice too. Those rolls might be a little sweet with that soup though.”
“Hinata likes sweet food.” Asuna says with another sigh.
“What are you eating?” Peter asks.
“If you are feeding Hinata I should go without.” Asuna says.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Peter says. “Choose something you like from these sections. That’s an order.”
“Ok.” Asuna says and picks a roll out.
“Hinata, what do you think your sister would like best here?” Peter asks me.
“Probably one of those meals.” I say pointing at plates with potatoes, meat and mushrooms on.
“Asuna take one of those that Hinata pointed to.” Peter says.
“But they’re more expensive than your meal!” Asuna protests.
“That’s an order.” Peter says with a sigh.
“Ok.” Asuna says sounding sulky, but as she takes it anyone can tell from her expression that she is really looking forward to eating it. The aroma of the meat and the mushroom must have gotten the better of my big sister. Then she hides her emotions again. Cherry and Sherry both choose a piping hot meat and potato broth. Peter pays for Asuna and me, and Cherry and Sherry both pay for theirs.
Peter leads us to a table where the girls he was with earlier are sitting. The food is delicious and everyone seems so friendly, except for my sister who just eats in silence. Everyone, not just me, seems a little uncomfortable about Asuna. Both Cherry and Sherry try to talk to her, but despite answering their questions, Asuna’s attitude makes it clear she doesn’t want to talk.
Hermes tells me about how she was freed from a cruel mother by Peter. How she is now his slave, but that they are truly friends, rather than just a master and slave. Rin explains how she met Peter and how they worked together last year to gather materials for her alchemist mother. Yu Kii tells me about her life as a priestess, and her surprise release as part of a contract between her people and Contractia. Peter isn’t very talkative. I get the impression he has a lot on his mind.
Cherry and Sherry are the most talkative. They tell me lots of stories about the childhood pranks they played on their mother. That their mother tolerated them tells me just how kind she must be. My mother is a good mother, but she is very strict, so I can only imagine her reaction if we had played even one of those pranks on her. Of course it is mostly because we live in such a harsh land and our people’s lives are in our hands every day. I will certainly be punished for leaving our people to come here, but it is a price worth paying.
Cherry and Sherry may have a mischievous streak, but they are clearly kind people. The tales aren’t all about pranks. They tell me about their pet rabbit hound. Leaving her to come to the academy was obviously very hard for them. They used magic before coming to the academy, and I get the impression they are very good at it. They don’t brag, but it feels like everyone else has a great deal of respect for their magical talent.
Then lunch is over. Peter ports me outside what used to be Asuna’s room. He knocks and calls to Lena. She answers the door after a moment and looks really nervous. It must have been quite a shock to Lena when Asuna lost, and for them both to become Peter’s slave.
“Hinata will be waiting with you until classes finish. Please make her welcome.” Peter says to Lena.
“Of course.” Lena says bowing low.
“I’ll see you both later.” Peter says and ports away.
“Come in.” Lena says sounding a bit more relaxed now that Peter is gone.
“Thank you.” I say and enter the room. I shut the door behind me and look around. It is every bit as big as my sisters both described it.
“Hinata.” Lena says in a teary voice, throwing her arms around me.
“Lena.” I say and hug her back. “I am doing my best to free Asuna. I hope to get you both back.”
“Really?” She asks sniffing.
“Yes.”
Chapter 17 (Peter)
They seemed more concerned that Dairon wouldn’t be there at training than that I wouldn’t be. I can understand though. He has simply helped them improve so much. At least it proves that everyone seems to be getting along fine with him. Rin refused to stay behind so I left Jenny in charge. We are in Asuna’s room and Hinata, Rin, Dairon and I are holding onto Asuna. Hinata is just like a mini Asuna, except softer, and much more laid back.
Asuna ports us. We are now in front of a huge house. It reminds me of the noble houses that I have seen before, but it is in very poor condition. Most of the windows are just empty window frames and the door is lying on the ground.
“Hinata wait here. I’ll show my master around town. Once he’s ready to see some of the villages we’ll return and you can port
us.” Asuna says. We walk through the town. It is small and we are through it very quickly. The other homes and buildings are smaller versions of the big house. They were built well, but have fallen into disrepair. The land around the town is truly a wasteland, with not a single plant in sight.
“The land is weeping.” Dairon says. “This was once a beautiful land full of life.”
“How do you know that?” Asuna asks in surprise. “It was beautiful once, but even for an elf that was a very long time ago. Did you see it when it was beautiful?”
“I have never been here before, but I can feel the soul of the land. It is close to death, but it is obvious that it was once great.” Dairon says. “With help it could be great again, but without help it will surely die.”
“Our family have done their best to help the land. That’s why we use earth and water magic.” Asuna says.
“That is probably the only reason the soul of the land is still alive.” Dairon says. “Unfortunately humans cannot sense the soul of the land so you can only treat the symptoms of the curse that is on it.”
“The land is cursed?” Asuna asks surprised. “Can you lift the curse?”
“It is a powerful curse. Like you I can treat the symptoms, but the curse itself is too powerful for me. I could probably heal it for a few years at a time, but no more. Even with my help it will not last more than a century or two without lifting the curse. To see such a great land just a heartbeat away from death is deeply saddening. If the whole tribe were here we could certainly save this land.”
“It takes all our power each day just to keep the land strong enough to support us.” Asuna says. “If you can help the land for a few years at a time, then it seems that you have something my family need much more than they need me. It also seems the land might be of value to you after all. I would suggest a deal to trade some of the land in exchange for healing all of it every few years.”
“What about you?” I ask.
“My family will only part with up to half of our land. Healing the land will be sufficient without having to add my freedom to the deal. If the land were fertile then you could earn lots by taxing the villagers, and as long as you weren’t overly greedy, they would still be much better off than they are now. My family would also be better off.”
