Then we were done. Vessa did not seem entirely pleased.
"Your choices are probably going to be practical, and definitely going to be super-complicated," the ship-woman grumbled. "But your reasoning is fairly sound. Just know that you're definitely taking the slow route to power."
"Really?" I asked. "I thought I had just gained a total of thirty-nine substages in less than…" I trailed off as I tried to remember how long I had been on this ship. "One month? Two months? Along with some other improvements along the way?"
"Well, yes," Vessa replied in exasperation, "but also: you are delaying the majority of your benefits for much later, when your super-fancy progression goals finally come together. I've told you before that most people don't spread themselves out so much. They maximize their gains around one or two ideas, build a foundation that lets them release most of their power from the beginning. For example, a fire mana user would be able to do far more with his fire spells than you could do right now with your thermodynamics wisp, even if you combined it with your fire qi—and he could bring them to bear much quicker."
"Would he keep his advantage in the later stages?" I asked calmly, because we'd had this conversation before.
"No," the gray woman admitted, "but if he tried to kill you right now, you'd have a problem. Or rather you would have, if you couldn't also bring ice magic to bear, or drew on the strength of your body, or burned some essence charms to close the distance and snap his neck. So maybe I have less of a point than I thought I did at the beginning of this argument." She frowned and shook her head. "At the very least though, be aware that another practitioner at your same level will be able to bring out far more power in the same trick you can, faster and cheaper. For now, at least."
"Understood," I replied with a nod. "Thank you Vessa, for always looking out for me."
"You're welcome," she said, sounding uncomfortable now. "Thank you for always looking out for me, too, Jas. And anyway, that covers everything for now. The jotun's source energy in you has already been absorbed, so you don't need to do anything with that but examine your new powers and come find me if you have questions." She looked back at the capsule mounted in the wall. "I need to go ahead and take a look at all the new systems back under my control. And probably take a small nap. But gaining back seven rooms is a large amount of progress. We'll take some time to consolidate our gains. "Also," she added, "I may need to just settle into a capsule here. My sanctuary room is getting farther and farther away from the newly reclaimed areas, and your running back to get me is going to become a dangerous bottleneck sooner or later. Especially if we ever move beyond my more powerful wards."
"Fair enough," I answered. "I guess I can go work on lunch."
CHAPTER SEVEN
The massive living space had a cooking area in it, an oven much like the one activated in Vessa's sanctuary. I activated it and began cooking the wolf and bear meat we had acquired several worlds ago, following my grandmother's directions on what time and temperature to set it on, and for using our scant seasoning ingredients. Recovering the hydroponics chamber was actually a big deal, because now we could grow all kinds of things. That thought reminded me to go collect the flowering Sourceplant we had been watering and move into that room. It would be a better environment for the little plant, and might even help it mature faster.
But Vessa still needs a plant for her space, I thought to myself. Maybe the hydroponic room has a pot I could move the flower into for her? That would help it grow and keep it near her…
I trailed off when I heard Mara chuckle at me from my Soulscape.
Don't mind me, dear, she said warmly. I'm just rooting for you.
She refused to clarify what she meant by that, and we returned to cooking.
I did notice, though, that Nestor had taken well to my Soulscape. He and the two dragon hatchlings had played for a good bit, and then had a meal Grandmother Mara had somehow made for them out of the jotun's source energy.
I didn't know you could cook Source energy, I told her, as I flipped the steaks and returned them to the oven.
You normally can't, the dragon said smugly. Only in special circumstances. And if you are an expert in the shaping techniques of soulcraft.
You have used that word before, I pointed out as I injected Source energy to regulate the temperature the steaks were being cooked at. Grandmother, please tell me what exactly is soulcraft, and how you know it so well.
I was wondering when you would finally ask, Mara said idly. Soulcraft is the practice of using one's soul or spirit. It is a broad craft, and has a variety of applications. Soulsense is actually a branch of it. It is an extremely difficult art to practice, however, since most of its potential is only unlocked when one is powerful enough to develop a part-soul.
Or if said person has a part-soul as a teacher, I guessed.
You are quite correct, young rider, Grandmother Mara said in a pleased tone. Then again, I suppose you should be a quick study for the craft. Your people were always the greatest masters of it.
Truly? I asked, startled, and thankful that the meat was already in the oven. I thought it was rare for any of my people to be able to use Source energy at all, let alone develop a part-soul.
I know, my grandmother replied. Your world is a mystery to many, young rider. We have no idea why time passes so slowly there, or how your sages were able to preserve as much knowledge as they did. And Source energy has proven harder and harder for your people to use as time passes. You may very well be the first Earth human to have reached the second stage in any Source since the time of the Anchor Knights. At any rate, the ones who could use Source energy, and even a few of the ones who did not, were able to master soulcraft in a way that shocked all the practitioners and Sourcebeasts across the night sky. I was fortunate to have one such expert as a teacher.
One of my people? I asked, startled. From Earth? Was he one of those riders you spoke of?
Hmm? Those? the old dragon asked in a distracted tone. Oh, no. My own rider was proficient, but I taught her just as much as she taught me. I was actually speaking of my old fool of a husband.
Your what? I asked, before I realized I had actually shouted out loud. I spared a self-conscious glance to see if anyone nearby had heard me shout to myself, then tried asking again. Your what?
I said, my old fool of a husband was my teacher, Mara continued idly, mouth curling in a small, reptilian smile. The silly idiot was an absolute master at his work. I could never get enough of watching him.
Honored grandmother, I began carefully, I mean no disrespect, and feel free to reject my curiosity, but you said your teacher…
Was my husband, yes, dear, the ancient dragon affirmed. I think I see what you are afraid to ask, so I'll go ahead and relieve your fears. Most of the teaching happened long after our relationship began, and was an informal thing. And in the few formal lessons he gave me before that, the ridiculous man was a perfect gentleman. He wasn't some old Earthling lecher, taking advantage of an innocent young dragon-girl. So don't you worry about such things, dear.
I… I trailed off again, wondering if there was a special power I could use to scoop my lower jaw off the floor and somehow reattach it. That was not the source of my concern, honored grandmother.
Oh? the sapphire dragon asked, raising her part-soul's head in curiosity. Well, then, that's a relief. I've grown rather tired of defending him over that, you see. Back then, so many people added all manner of ridiculous rules to the master-student relationship. I'm glad to see that you're more open-minded than most. And really, what were they expecting? That I should divorce him as soon as he tried to teach me again, and then remarry him afterwards?
Forgive me, Grandmother, but I must be more shameless, I finally said. And to the six and a half tea-less English hells with being delicate over the politics between dragon and human lover/teachers, I thought to myself carefully. Did no one give you any trouble over the fact that your husband was an Earthling human, and that you were a dragon
?
That? the powerful spirit asked, looking up from her reminiscing smile. Oh, that. No. Why would they? Wait, she suddenly perked up in comprehension. Ah, I see now. You have never heard of your people having a relationship with Sourcebeasts.
That is correct, Grandmother, I said in a relieved tone. Would you please enlighten me further?
Certainly, she agreed happily. You poor thing. I forgot that this is all so new to you. You've probably been wracking your brain over the fact that we had a daughter. Let me simplify things for you. You do remember that a Sourcebeast can take human form, if they Advance far enough, yes?
I do, I said as I sighed in relief. Thank you, honored grandmother. That explains everything.
I certainly don't see how that could be true, the ancient dragon said primly. Because that was just an example. We have dragon grandchildren, you silly thing! Do you think I'd be addled enough to try and lay my daughter's egg while in human form? Not even my husband was oafish enough to suggest that idea.
I decided that I was going to burn our steaks if I kept trying to understand this issue, and gave up. Fortunately, my venerable grandmother finally decided to explain things adequately.
Now, back to what I was about to tell you. Just as sufficiently powerful Sourcebeasts can take human form once they reach a certain stage of Advancement, humans can take a Sourcebeast's form once they cross a certain threshold. It's a bit harder for your kind, and it certainly takes longer, but my idiot didn't care. He wanted to make a point, she said, sighing wistfully. As soon as he saw that I was willing to become human just to be with him, he became determined to become a dragon, just to be with me. My parents were impressed with how stubborn he was. I imagine his own poor parents were terrified, though. Or maybe they were used to it?
I…ah, I finally said. I apologize. I was unaware such relationships were even possible, let alone that they could produce offspring.
It's fine, dear, Grandmother Mara said dismissively. If you won't ask questions, you'll never learn. I'll go ahead and explain this to you, so that you can just concentrate on not burning the steaks. Practitioners and Sourcebeasts can and have formed relationships in the past, although the Sourcebeast must be on par with a practitioner in terms of sentience. So Nestor would qualify when he gets much older, but those wolves you killed wouldn't quite be able to pull it off, or even be interested in it. Unless they Advanced a good bit more to increase their intelligence. At any rate, the couple must be able to share the same shape for a period of time. So the Sourcebeast must be able to turn human, or the practitioner must be able to transform into a Sourcebeast—which, again is much harder, so it's usually the former that happens. If the two conceive in human form, the offspring is human as well, though they have some bloodline benefits from their Sourcebeast parent that usually makes them stronger or gives them a unique power. If the two conceive while in Sourcebeast form, then the offspring is a Sourcebeast that looks identical to the rest of its kind, save that it can Advance faster, has more spare Source energy for its skills, and, sometimes, can even Draw like a practitioner can, giving them the best of both worlds. Since the old fool was determined to integrate into my family, I conceived in my natural form, and so our daughter was a full-fledged dragon, with practitioner-like talents. She was a tad bit less adventurous than I was, however, and took another dragon as her husband. The lad was a dear, though, so we didn't mind. They conceived as well, making the eggs you found in my Sourcepalace, and that, she said in a final, satisfied tone, is the story of how your brother and sister came about.
I expected to hear Dimali and Topa mew, as they normally did when they heard us talk about them, but when I looked down I realized that they were both napping, on opposite sides of Nestor's furry form. The three slept like little kittens curled up for warmth.
I chuckled, and waited for the steaks to finally finish cooking.
"There they are," Vessa's voice sounded from behind me, as I pulled the meat out of the oven. "I was hoping they'd be ready by now."
I managed to avoid dropping the steaks in surprise.
"Hello Vessa. I take it you're ready for dinner, now?"
"Lunch," she corrected. "This is lunch. Don't make me think I missed out on lunch, Jas."
Properly chastened, I quickly laid out the rest of the meal for the famished little woman, as well as for Nova, who had just started circling as well.
As far as I could tell, they both appreciated my cooking. Vessa did ask for thirds, but I suspected she already would have done that for anything that wasn't a nutrient pouch.
"Hey," Nova spoke up, mostly finished with her portion. "Where did Nestor go again?"
"He is currently still inside my Soulscape, with my grandmother and her daughter's hatchlings," I replied, quietly relieved that we had actual dishware now, even if it was rather decorative.
"The next time we help someone, we really need to see about getting some basic plates, cups, and utensils," I said to Vessa and Nova as I laid down the golden dishware we recovered from Mara's Sourcepalace. "I feel silly over the fact that we didn't ask that tribe we helped for basic dishware."
"They would have thought it weird," Vessa said between bites as she grabbed a piece of steak I hadn't decided to finish yet off my own plate. I thought she looked willing to fight me for it, so I decided to let her have it. "That's why I didn't ask. We had to get everything we could without them asking why we were so short on basic necessities. And with that tribe, dishware was actually something they were short on, and couldn't afford to lose. Besides, we were able to take everything they did give us and either use it for currency, food, or raw materials I could digest for my ship. Besides," she said, holding up her filigreed fork, "this way we get to eat in style."
I let the matter go, and turned my attention to Nova.
"You Drew earlier," I began. "How did it go? What stage of Advancement are you at?"
"Not as well as yours," she said with a small frown. "But I'm at the first substage of silver for mana and almost at the third substage of wailing for essence. And I'm at the fourth substage for my pool stage of qi."
"That's actually really quick, Nova," Vessa said as she swallowed a piece of steak, and reached for the untouched piece on Nova's plate. "Especially considering you just reached the wailing stage a few days ago."
Nova's frown deepened into a scowl as she pulled her plate back protectively.
"I thought it might be quick, too," she replied. "I just wasn't expecting Jasper to close the gap so quickly. And sorry, I've been having a bad attitude about it," she added as she relaxed her frown. "Jas, it's great that you're able to keep up. I’ve just got to make sure I don't get left behind either."
"That won't be a problem, Nova," I said as I gave up and slid my plate over to Vessa. I had eaten enough, and I had been with these two women long enough to recognize the signs of an oncoming food fight. "I saw on Earth just how far you wind up going whenever you give your all for something."
"Thanks, Jas," she said with a smile. "So," she changed the subject. "Um, is Nestor okay inside your Soulscape? And what's this about baby dragons being inside Jasper?"
"There are two newly hatched dragons inside his Soulscape," Vessa mumbled as she chewed up another piece of steak and swallowed it. "Bright stars, I've forgotten how good it felt to eat. But yes, the dragon Mara had two eggs from her daughter, and she needed Jasper's Soulscape to make sure they hatched. They'll probably come out when they get bigger."
"Wait, can they come out?" I asked, still not fully clear on that.
Not right now, dear, Mara said, still watching the small pile of sleeping bodies. But let them grow a little, and it will be safe enough to take them out of the nest, so to speak.
"Anyway," Vessa said after eating a little more. She wiped her face with a napkin—something I had never thought I'd find in a dragon's treasure hoard—and took a drink of water from her fancy new goblet. "Thanks, Jas. That was delicious. What was I saying again? Right," she said, nodding as her
eyes focused. "I've finished connecting to most of the rooms. Having a second drive is really handy, by the way. The power it provides can be used for a lot of things, not just travel. But back to the point: I've finished reactivating the security station. I'll show you guys how to use it, since it also has an interface for my crew to use, but for now, I can access security sensors, anti-boarder weapons, and, best of all, maps. I know for a fact now what's in the nearby rooms," she said with a smile. "I have a sensor room nearby, on the door opposite the one that took you to the Longman… yes," she finished in a firm tone as her gray eyes opened again. "I remember now. It's another emergency backup room, this one designed specifically to give me more data on my surroundings. Recovering it would make me so much less blind…" she added wistfully. "I could regain senses I've probably forgotten I've ever had… I might even be able to see outside my ship-body again… more importantly," she said uncomfortably, "I'll be able to get more data, and from a farther range. That will help me hide better, plan your departures better, even learn more about those hunting me within and outside this ship.…I know you both just had a battle, and I know I said retaking seven rooms is a good bit of progress, especially in a single day," she added uncomfortably. "And I don't want to work you both too hard…"
Especially because Jasper has to guard me from demons while I sleep, I practically heard her think. I decided to speak up.
"It sounds like you want us to retake your sensor room," I said, trying to help her get to the point—and help her see that I wasn't afraid of her request.
"I do," the ship-woman said. "And not just for the reasons above. It turns out that the door leading there doesn't lead to the rest of the ship. It dead-ends shortly after the sensor room, meaning that clearing that section pretty much secures an entire route. Instead of worrying about something coming in through the other two doors in the emergency drive room, we'd be down to just something coming either through the security room or that secret passage, the second of which may not be accessible from the outside anymore. Finally," she added, taking a deep breath. "One of the nearby rooms has a short-range teleport to the outside of my ship."
Anchor Knight Page 10
