by Jez Cajiao
When I released the spell, it latched onto him, and his fingers gripped the bars of the cage even tighter, opening and closing spasmodically, as he gasped and shook like a fresh landed fish. His spell-shrouded body hovered a foot off the deck, his scraggly white hair brushing the top of the cages.
The light show of the magic caused a mass stampede to the back of the cages, all ten feet of them, and as each layer of the spell completed, slowly rising and falling in his body like a magical version of an MRI, tendrils of mana flowed in and out, targeting individual issues and repairing them as they went.
It lasted almost a full minute. The entire time, he gasped and twitched, and I was starting to feel concerned that I’d overdone it, when it finally dissipated, and he dropped to the ground with a gasp.
Silence reigned for what seemed like forever, broken only by the gasps as he got his breath back and slowly raised his hands to stare at them.
He flexed his fingers, tears suddenly flowing down his cheeks as he crouched down, then popped back up.
“They’re fixed!” he whispered, before shouting at the rest of the people in the cages. “Do you see this? He fixed my hands! And my knees, and…” he patted at his crotch and whimpered. “I’m right again, I can feel it…” Others moved around him, his friends stepping forward to examine his hands, observing the way he stretched, his hands moving to his back as though stunned, searching for a pain that had been a part of his life so long, it was no longer even acknowledged. He spun around, pushing others aside as he got to the front of the cage and locked eyes on me.
“You fixed me, you healed all of it! My old body feels like I’m twenty again! I’ll swear to you… I’ll damn well live and die for you for this! You don’t know what you’ve done, but I do! Tell me the Oath Lord, and I’ll swear it right now!” Tears still ran unbidden down his cheeks, but the old helmsman stood straight and tall, practically glowing with health, and I grinned at him.
“I’m glad you like it; it’s one of the advantages of citizenship!” I said, “But don’t worry about the Oath. I’ll ask all that want to join to swear it together soon. For now, does anyone else have any questions?” I looked at them all, searching for the one in coveralls that had asked about leaving. Before I found him, he spoke up, stepping forward.
“Lord, will you do that for all of us, for our families?” he asked, gesturing at the helmsman who now stood surrounded by his friends who were peppering him with quiet questions.
“I’ll help whoever I can of our people, but I’m also going to be training a healer. They’ll be free for all of our people. Nobody will have to pay for healing.”
“My daughter…” he said, closing his eyes and swallowing hard. “My daughter got run over by a cart. She can’t walk; hell, she can’t do anything. She just lays there! Only her head works, Lord. Can you heal her… tell me straight!”
“I don’t know,” I said truthfully, locking eyes with him. “I think so, but I know there’s damage my spells can’t fix. I’m hoping a specialized healer will be able to do all of that, and more. All I can say is I’ll try; I’ll not fill you with false promises.”
“But you’ll try?” he said fiercely. “You’ll do your best for her, and any of our families that we bring?” Others stepped forward, staring at me intently, even as a woman spoke up.
“And what about our friends? Mikas, ‘e fell from a ship in dock, an’ his leg don’t work no more, can’t get work. We all clubbed together to feed ‘im, but you’ll heal ‘im? Fer’ real?” she asked me intently. Others were starting to speak up, and I held my hands up to stop them all as Oracle took flight, landing on the top of the cage and beginning to examine the people.
“Listen to me; I won’t let any of my people be hurt if I can fix it. If it’s magic or potions you need, I’ll damn well do all I can, okay?"
"I can’t guarantee how quickly we’ll get your family free, but I will do my best to make sure it’s soon. The rules of citizenship are simple, aren’t they Oren?” I said, looking to him.
“Aye, Lord! Number one rule is do no be a dick!” he called to the crowd. “We’re all family, all o’ us now as citizens o’ the Great Tower. Just like ye might no like yer brother, but yer wouldna see ‘im hurt, ye all swear to look out fer one another! Those that do be ready to swear the Oath, I’ll ask ye to take a step forward. Those that do no, take a step back!”
The majority of the two cages separated out; the four men that were obviously planning on robbing me and escaping stayed at the back, as did two others, including one of the men in coveralls. I ignored the assholes, as I’d already written them off as a waste of space, but the other two, I regarded questioningly. The man in coveralls shook his head and spoke up first.
“I’m sorry, Lord, but my family is loyal to the city. My father is a guardsman, and I’d end up at war with him if I helped you. I can’t swear.”
“I understand that and can respect it. Hopefully, there’ll be a way to take care of the issue without it coming to battles between us and them, but…”
“Yer, ‘cos you’ll get dead!” One of the four assholes muttered, just loud enough to hear. Silence fell, growing deeper as I just smiled at the man who’d spoken and saw him blanch.
“Another pack and poor weapon?” I heard Seneschal ask in my mind, and I smiled wider.
“No, I didn’t promise them anything. I just said I’d set them free…”
“Thanks for that vote of confidence.” I said to the man, and turned to the last person in the cage, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
“I can’t swear neither. My family be in the city. I can’t leave them to a ‘maybe.’ If I had them free, I’d join you. I’ve no love for the city, but I can’t risk them; I need to go home. Sorry.”
I nodded and smiled at him regretfully.
“That’s okay, I understand. I’ll not be able to get you to the city, you understand, but I’ll make sure I drop you both within a few days’ walk of it, and I’ll give you supplies to make it the rest of the way on foot, good enough?” The relief on both men’s faces was clear, and Oren stepped forward at my nod to unlock the cages. Once the majority of the people had filed out, one of the four assholes tried to leave, and Bob stepped in, one claw-tipped hand gripping him by the throat and stopping the exodus.
“Ah, ah!” I said, smiling at him and shaking my head, as though reprimanding a naughty toddler. “You didn’t want to swear the Oath, and I don’t trust you, so you get to stay right there with your friends.” Bob shoved him back, hard. He tripped over the bars on the floor and fell into his friends, who glared at me, but they didn’t say anything until I spoke to the other two that had refused fealty. “You’ve been honest with me, and as long as you promise you’ll do no harm, and stay in the areas I ask, you can come out.”
They both hurried forward, glad to be free of the cage, but the other four immediately started to swear and argue that they should be allowed out as well.
“Iff’n yer let us out, yer lordship, maybe we’ll come to a deal. Just give us some time, eh? We got families back in the city, same as them, that’s all…” said the smallest one, lopsided grin and rotten teeth showing in what he clearly thought was a winning way.
“And maybe you’ll try and rob me blind and murder my people. Fuck no.” I said, and as his face went red with anger and he started to swear at me, Bob moved in. My skeletal minion ducked down so his face was level with his opponent’s and hissed, his mouth wide, fangs and teeth grazing the skin as the men jumped backward in fear.
“Oh, and I don’t recommend pissing Bob off…” I said to them as I turned away. “He’ll eat your fucking face next time.”
Oren led the group down to the parade ground from the ship, telling the other two to stand to one side before calling out to Barrett. They held a quick muttered conversation, and then Barrett was racing away and summoning people.
As we waited, more and more people appeared, until at last Seneschal spoke up in my mind.
“This
is almost all of them, Jax, there are two more on the stairs a level below, and Cai is two floors below that. Once he arrives, that will be the entire population of the Tower.”
“Thanks, dude.”
“Just be a wee minute, my lord!” Oren said grinning at me, and I tried not to shake my head. It took less than five minutes before the next two arrived, and I realized the former slaves and crew of Oren’s ship had spread themselves about in the new group of volunteers. When I raised an eyebrow at Oren, he grinned back at me.
“Well, it be like this, Lord; the oath ye swore to us were a lot more…simple. We felt we should be th’ same as everyone else, no favorites! Plus, it do mean they can all see that we’re th’ same.”
“Thank you, Oren.” I said quietly and I moved up to stand at the top of the gangplank where they could all see me. It had crossed my mind that I’d bound the new recruits from the village with a more formal oath, but not with the first people, I hadn’t really known how to broach the subject without sounding like an ass, though.
“Ach, we’re all sworn to ye, laddie. It’s nothin’,” he replied, just as quietly. As he finished, Cai came running in and took up his place at the front of the group, a little out of breath. “Oh aye, at last the furry-eared bastard gets here, nothin’ like keeping yer lord waitin’ an’ all!” Oren called out, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Cai stood straight and tall, then slowly and regally raised his right hand…and flipped him the bird. There was silence for several seconds, until people started to snigger, then full-blown laughter rang out.
“Right, then! Repeat after me!” Oren took care to enunciate every word as he read from the notification that appeared before him.
I felt Oracle take control of our shared mana pool, linking to the Tower and reaching out to bind them all as they read aloud:
“I swear to obey Lord Jax and those he places over me; I will serve to the best of my ability, speak no lie to him when the truth is commanded, and treat all other citizens as family.
I will work for the greater good, being a shield to those that need it, a sword to those that deserve it, and a warden to the night.”
“I will stand with my family, helping one another to reach the light, until the hour of my death or my Lord releases me from my Oath.”
“Lastly, I will not be a dick!”
As the last echoes of the chant faded away from the Tower, I held my hands up and replied to them as I had before, having felt Oracle weaving mana through the Oath as they spoke it, knowing they were sealed to me and the Tower now.
“I, Lord Jax, do swear to protect and lead you, to be the shield that protects you and yours from the darkness, and the sword that avenges that which cannot be saved. As the Tower grows in strength, so shall you.” I felt kind of pretentious saying it, but as the cheers rose from them, I knew it was what they expected to hear.
“Now then, for those that don’t know already, this… is Oren,” I gestured to him, and he preened at their attention.
“And that’s Cai!” I pointed at the large cat-man, who quickly jogged over to stand on the opposite side of me to Oren. “Oren’s in charge of the ship, and any others that we get from now on; at least, until he’s dead or I find someone better!” That took the wind out of his sails, and he looked at me askance for a second, before going back to glowering at the new recruits. “Cai, here, is in charge of Tower residents, and will be sorting things like food and lodging. You come to him if you have any issues in those areas. Engineers! Get with Oren; I need this ship up and running as fast as possible! We have some spare parts from Oren’s old ship if we need them. Crew! Talk to Oren as well, as he’s going to need to fill some positions on the ship. If you’re not one of those chosen to help him, go to Cai, he’ll find you a job for now. Also, I wasn’t lying about the Skill Memories or Spellbooks. I have some, and they’ll be given to those that impress me and that I feel are a good match for the skill. Oren and Cai will report to me on your actions and your attitude! Last of all, the Tower is inhabited by three wisps!” I gestured to Oracle, who waved to the crew, getting more than a few grins at the way she was dressed. “This is Oracle. She is the keeper of magic and knowledge for the Tower and is bonded to me! I’d recommend you don’t piss her off, as she might look all pretty and sweet, but she’s got a foul temper! Next is Seneschal; you might see him around, as he’s taken to wearing an armored form covered in a black cape… the dramatic little bastard… and he controls the Tower itself. Last of all is Hephaestus! He creates the Golems and spends a lot of his time guiding them, so if you need his attention, speak to them."
"Doubt they’ll have much to say to you in return; Golems don’t talk too well, after all. Now, there’s one last thing I need to discuss with all of you, and it’s important.” The low murmuring that had built up instantly quieted as Barrett roared at the group.
“Silence!!!”
“Thanks for that, Barrett.” I said, a faint smile on my lips. “I want to talk to you all about religion. I don’t know if you have Gods, Goddesses, or beings that you follow, but here in the Great Tower, we are sworn to Jenae.”
“Jenae is the Goddess of Fire, Exploration, and Hidden Knowledge, and she has granted us boons to help us repair the Tower faster, as well as information, such as advice on how to fight and capture this ship.” I smacked a hand down hard on the railing that ran around the deck. “It’s because of her help that you are all free to live your lives, and she still offers more. In exchange for mana, she will help us as she can, with information.” I saw the looks of uncertainty passing between people and I paused, inspecting them. “What’s up, people? You look like there’s a problem?” I said. It took a few seconds, but Cai finally spoke up.
“Lord Jax, you said the Goddess needs mana, but unless you’re a mage or other spellcaster, you don’t have mana. I’ll help however I can, I swear, but…”
“Ah! No, that’s a mistake right there, my friend. You all have mana; all living creatures have it, I’ve been assured by Jenae. Learning to spellcast gives access to consciously use mana, but it’s like a muscle. You have to learn to use it. The more you use it, the stronger it will grow."
"This apparently is how the first priests came to be; they gave their mana to their Gods so frequently that they learned what to feel for. Once they knew, the Gods granted them spells, healing abilities, and more.” A voice rose from the back in the silence that followed, and I smiled.
“How? How can we give our mana to the Goddess? Tell us how to help you, Lord!” It was the elderly helmsman, and his face was still alight with the joy of being pain free for the first time in years.
“The entire Tower is consecrated to Jenae; all you have to do is pray to her. I’ll show you how, but first, a warning. When you drain your mana to the last, you grow lightheaded and can get headaches. Please, don’t push yourselves that far. I don’t want you to be in pain, but the longer you pray, the more mana Jenae receives. Mana also recovers over time, so if you wanted to, you could pray morning and night to Jenae, but again, you don’t need to do this. I will be, and I ask for your support, but if you have a God, or you don’t wish to, then I understand. If you wish to pray to Jenae, find a space, sit, or stand, however you wish, and close your eyes. Reach out with your mind and call her name quietly. You can speak aloud or inside yourself, but talk to her, tell her whatever you wish, and she will listen. Now, do as I do, please.” I went down on one knee, clasping my hands together and closing my eyes. I heard the shuffling sound of people moving, and then after a few seconds, a low murmur arose from the group, and I felt Jenae’s presence in my mind.
“Eternal!” her voice rang, shocked but pleased.
“Hi Jenae, how’s this?” I asked her, hope filling my mental voice.
“You brought me the entire population of the Tower! I can feel their prayers, their hopes, and dreams. It’s been so long!” I sensed as much as heard the emotion behind her words, and the relief that this action had brought her.
“I didn’t expect them all to pray to you, but I asked them to help me, and I guess they went for it?” I said, and a low chuckle came from Jenae at that.
“You didn’t expect it? You need to ask the people you trust about their lords and the interactions they have with them. To talk to them as equals and to respect them seems to have far greater effects than I suspected. It saddens me, because it shows what the nobility has become, but as long as it plays to our favor, and you try to fix it in word and deed, I’m happy.”
“I’ll do what I can, Jenae, but…”
“Just do what you’re doing, Jax. Follow your heart and keep on going.” The praise from Jenae made me feel ridiculously pleased for a few seconds, but I tamped it down as best I could.
“Sooo, about those Marks of Favor?” I asked, and I received a notification a second later.
Congratulations!
You have led Eighty-Two (82) of your citizens to worship Jenae, Goddess of Fire, Exploration, and Hidden Knowledge. As such, you have received Forty-One (41) Marks of Favor for use in the Constellation of Secrets. Use them wisely!
A second notification popped up as soon as I dismissed the first, and I grinned as I read it.
You have received a lesser boon from Jenae, the Goddess of Fire, Exploration, and Hidden knowledge. This may be used at any time and will include the answer to a single question. This boon is a ‘Lesser’ boon and is limited to use within ten miles of a consecrated place of Worship to Jenae.
“Thank you, Jax. I can feel their mana already; I will let you know when you can use the Constellation, but for now, I suggest you speak to your people. Some are already approaching the threshold and are still praying to me. I do not wish for them to be drained fully.”
I blinked and stood, the sense of Jenae leaving my mind, but I could still feel her all around. I looked at my people, seeing some had risen to their feet, while others still knelt. Some had tears running down their cheeks as their lips moved, communing with their Goddess. A few of the group looked around hesitantly, realizing that I was watching, and quickly went back down on one knee as though to start again, and I spoke up to stop them.
