The Forsaken Hero

It wasn’t long before Beatrice brought something a little heavier than refreshments. It was a feast fit for any noble, but R’lissea requested some simple broth for me. It wasn’t as if I minded, as even the tantalizing smells of the cut of savory roast did little to tease my appetite.

As Beatrice and her granddaughter collected dishes after the meal, the old maid frowned at me.

”You hardly touched your stew! No wonder you’re so thin,” she said, poking my arm.

I winced at the bony jab, then stiffened. The starlight emanating from my skin curled around her hand, and Beatrice’s eyes shot wide open. Adaptive Resistance burned in my soul, leaking out of my control. Stars flooded her irises.

”Beatrice?” Rosarie jumped to her feet, staring at her grandmother with wide eyes.

Fyren yanked the old woman away from me, but it was too late—my mana was already swirling around Beatrice, draining from me like water from a damaged waterskin. Disorienting flashes of images—a middle-aged man with a sword, a young woman and child, and finally Rosarie beside a young man in a white dress—made my head throb as I fought to control the mana flow. The feeling was terrible and draining, like I was being violated in some way. Although my mana had always obeyed me, it now felt alien, like it belonged to someone else.

At last, the flow of mana ceased, but not because of anything I’d done. It was the same as the first few visions I had before I learned to control them. Fate had something it wanted to say, independent of any will or desire I had. And, now that it had told its piece, it retreated into my soul. The mana’s flow finally stopped, not due to my efforts but because the vision had ended. It resembled my early, uncontrolled visions with the Eyes of Fate. Fate had a message to convey, separate from my own will or desires, and would hold me captive until it finished. Now that the visions had played out, it retreated into my soul.

Beatrice leaned on her granddaughter, panting heavily. Her eyes had lost their starlit luster and were now glazed over.

”Grandmother, please, say something!” Rosarie cried as Beatrice sank to the ground.

I pushed myself up in my seat, rubbing my horn as the headache slowly receded. Fyren laid a hand on my shoulder, but I pushed it away, unsteadily gaining my feet.

Rosarie glared at me as I stumbled over, her hands balled into fists. ”You did this! And to think I offered to help you!”

The atmosphere plummeted as Fyren and Fable bristled, the latter stalking after me. Rosarie retreated from her grandmother, pale and trembling, bumping against the wall. I laid a hand on Fable’s shoulder, as much for balance as to restrain him, and leaned over Beatrice, examining her soul. After a second, the tension left my shoulders, and I let out a pent-up breath.

”She’s alright,” I said, ”Just stunned, by the look of things. I was the same way the first time I had a vision.”

”Me too,” R’lissea offered. She cast a life spell and nodded. ”No problems with her body, either.”

Rosarie started to protest, but Beatrice suddenly sat up. Her chest heaved at first but rapidly calmed. The wild look in her eyes slowly faded, becoming distant.

”That was unexpected,” The maid said slowly. She placed a hand on her chest as if feeling her racing heart. After a moment, when her breathing slowed, she looked up at all of us. ”Dear gods, what am I doing on the ground? Some maid I am.”

She tried to rise, but Rosarie pushed through and hugged her.

”A-are you alright? I was so scared the demon hurt you” she sniffled.

”Compose yourself, child!” Beatrice snapped. She stood with some effort and patted herself off. Rosarie clung to her, sneaking terrified glances at me through her grandmother’s arms. Beatrice took her by the shoulders and shook her slightly, forcing her to meet her gaze.

”The Oracle didn’t hurt me, but my own folly. Remember: a maid is never to touch a guest without permission. Especially one who’s literally glowing.”

Rosarie sniffled again. ”B-but she–”

”Foolish girl. Listen when your elders instruct you. Besides, I rather think I came out on top of this one. Thank you.” Beatrice offered me a low curtsy, followed by a sly smile. ”I’ve received a gift to make an emperor jealous. It almost feels like robbery.”

I touched my chest, tail flicking in agitation. The feeling was mutual.

The two maids finished collecting the dishes and left, Rosarie casting uncertain looks over her shoulder. While the hostility had been short-lived, it stung all the same.

”I’m sorry about that,” Elise said, ”The emperor’s aide said Beatrice was one of their most reliable. She’s been serving the Imperial Family since she was young.”

”I’m more worried about whatever caused that,” R’lissea said. ”It’s the second time that’s happened.”

”I can’t control it,” I said quietly. ”It happens whenever someone gets too close.”

”Fyren isn’t bothered by it,” Elise said.

The demon shrugged. ”Divine Mana is naturally repelled by infernal souls. The real problem is what this means going forward. What kind of vision did the servant have?”

”It was hard to tell, but it seemed trivial. I think I saw her husband and daughter, and Rosarie’s marriage.”

”Rosarie isn’t married yet, so that must have been a vision of the future,” Elise said.

”I saw some glimpses of the future, too,” R’lissea added. ”Past and future, I guess that means anything is possible.”

”There is no past and future when it comes to fate, only what is,” I said.

They all exchanged a look.

Fyren rubbed his chin. ”That doesn’t explain why this is happening. Are you certain you do not wish to enter Haven and inquire of Fate? This could prove to be a serious problem.”

I bit my lip, instinctively reaching for Fable. He rubbed his cheek against my grasping palm. Fyren sighed.

”Fine, but know that if anyone gets too close, I’ll be taking preemptive action. I won’t risk you getting hurt because someone hears rumors that they can glimpse fate by touching you.”

Elise pursed her lips. ”That’s a good point. I’ll speak with the maids and ensure they’ll remain silent. We can’t have word of that getting out or they’ll never leave you alone.”

I shared an awkward look with R’lissea.

”It might be too late for that,” the elf admitted. ”It happened before and dragged an entire street into it.”

”Then we’ll have to be careful moving around the city,” Fyren said.

Elise chuckled. ”As if we haven’t already. The church already wants us dead, and

I doubt there’s anyone who would try kidnapping her now that wouldn’t before. Everyone who matters already knew Xiviyah could see the future.”

”Not everyone,” R’lissea said slowly. ”The common people didn’t, and there might be plenty of people stupid and desperate enough to try something.”

”You’re all acting like I’m a child,” I said, pouting. ”I can still take care of myself. And even if someone can get past my wards, Fable’s there, right?”

The wolf let out an enthusiastic bark, making me jump. Elise and R’lissea both giggled, and even Fyren cracked a smile. The tension broke apart as everyone else relaxed. From their perspective, the problem was over. I couldn’t bring myself to let my guard down, though. From Luke to the mysterious starlight, there was too much I had to worry about. And none of it was under my control.

”Oh, Xiviyah, I was going to tell you. Elaine sent a message. She must have had her suspicions that we would be leaving soon, because she asked us to visit her later this evening.”

”I’d...rather not,” I mumbled. I’d had enough of social gatherings for a lifetime.

Elise frowned. ”She requested you personally, though. With how much you’ve done for them, I’m certain it won’t be anything bad, and ignoring an invitation from a ninth-level being is...dangerous, politically speaking.”

”If you don’t want to go, I’m sure she’d understand if we told her you weren’t feeling well,” R’lissea said with a sharp look at Elise.

”It wouldn’t be bad to go,” Fyren said suddenly.

I glanced at him, tail flicking in surprise. Wasn’t he supposed to be the one most concerned with my safety? Surely, leaving the safety of Elise’s private estate would leave me exposed.

”You just want to avoid talking to anyone, don’t you?” Fyren said, giving me a knowing smile. ”But the truth is, there’s nowhere safer than at Elaine’s side. If you’re seen with her, the other nobles will know to stay clear. No one would dare risk acting against you for fear of offending you.”

”It’s just for one night. Getting out and seeing the city might be good for you. It might even be fun,” R’lissea said. ”I remember Elaine saying she had something to give you, too. This might be your only chance.”

Elise clapped her hands, smiling. ”Alright, that settles it. I’ll ask Jonathon to have a carriage ready for us in a few hours.”

I looked around at the others’ faces. They were all smiling or nodding in agreement. It didn’t matter what I said; things had been decided. Amusement oozed through my bond with Fable, and I looked down to see his lip curled smugly.

”Traitors,” I muttered.

It seemed like there was one last battle to fight before we finally left the spire behind.