Chapter 224: Questioning

Chapter 224: Questioning

Tala watched as the pocket reality collapsed around her.

Great strips of something that distorted the magic, and her natural eyesight, were peeled off and drawn into the pouch that Tala had set upon the throne at the heart of the ether hold.

She would have been concerned, but Pallaun had explained this part to her. At least he did that much.

He said that when the core was destroyed or otherwise overcome, the ether hold would collapse, ejecting the Eskau back into reality.

Though, to be fair, his description had sounded more like the fracturing of a vase than a predator peeling strips off its preys corpse.

Beside her, Tala saw two constructs of magic clashing. One was connected to the pouch, beside which Flow rested so that Tala could continue to feed Kit.

The other seemed to originate from the throne, and was anchored in the very fabric of the world around her.

The conflict was happening in the dimensions of magic, so it was incredibly difficult to see anything but general ideas, but the sense Tala got was of a leopard circling a wounded hare, lunging in to grab what bites she could as the hare became weaker and weaker.

Kit was consuming the hold, and each bit of power gained strengthened Kit and weakened the opponent.

It reminded her of when Kit had been expanded the first time, by Master Jevin, back in Makinaven.

The magics involved had looked like an otherworldly predator, eating some prepared food.

The same features were echoed in the tableau beside her, but Kit was much larger and more powerful, and this bit of food was still kicking.

Tala continued to supply Kit with magic as the flaying continued, all the while making sure to hold very clearly her desire for her sanctum, as it had been built, to remain unchanged.

To her mind, the extra volume gained would add to the height within Kit, and most of the base materials would beconsumed by the same.

I still need to come to grips with that.

-It was pretty obvious that the gunk we put into Kit was going somewhere.-

Thats true enough.

Anything interesting would be placed on the dais for her to examine later.

Well, anything except this sword.

She looked down at the weapon in her hand, Flow resting in its sheath on the throne.

The sword had a similar shape to Flow in its sword form, but it was hard to discern the details.

It was as if the sword reflected no light at all, shrouding its contours and shape.

The very power in the air seemed to be pressing in around the blade, though that was wavering as Kit consumed more and more.

No thats not right. The power isnt pressing in on the blade.

-The power is hardened, staying just out of reach of the weapon.-

That was it.

The ether hold was keeping all power from touching the void sword. Even as it fought and died, it still maintained that working, that effort of will.

We need to pay close attention to what its doing; I have the feeling that were going to need to replicate it.

-Already on that. Can you do something for me? I think it will help.-

A moment later, Tala was rotating the two bloodstars mirroring perception for Alat around the sword, moving them up and down its length, so that Alat could examine every nuance of the magics involved.

-Perfect. Keep that up until we leave here. Im learning some interesting things.-

Throughout that time, Tala, of course, was feeding power to the weapon. When she had begun to lessen that flow, she felt as if her hand was about to be ripped apart and pulled into the weapon, so she maintained the heavy burden.

It clearly wasnt enough to fully utilize the weapon, but a truly massive void-channel, the largest she could maintain, did seem to provide enough magic to be above some minimum threshold.

Yeah, it will let me hold it as it consumes the world.

-Dont be like that. This is a fascinating bit of natural magic. It resembles an artifact, but somehowmore organic?-

I thought artifacts were natural. How does that make sense?

-So did I. This is like seeing hundreds of drawings of trees, then finally seeing the thing itself. Sure, the drawings look really real, really organic, but they are nothing compared to the real thing.-

Soartifacts are constructs?The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

-Or just less complicated than this. Instead of a picture, think of the artifacts as baby trees, with all the features, just that theyre not fully developed yet.-

Huh. I think that makes more sense, as I cant imagine someone making artifacts and then sprinkling them randomly around waning cities.

-Thats fair. I suppose that the artifacts are just manifestations of magic brought into being by the surge of power around those cities.-

Or drawn in, in the case of creatures posing as items.

They both looked towards Kit.

If the leopard and hare metaphor was to be extended, the leopard had just pounced and pinned the hare down. The end was upon them.

The remains of reality fragmented into strips around her, and with a strange twisting sensation, Tala found herself standing firmly back in her core reality. The ether hold entrance was gone.

Flow was now back at her belt, hanging opposite Kit.

She had an instant to see a whole crowd of people gathered around her, but still at a reasonable distance, before the sword in her hand roared to life.

Talas enhanced perception registered the all-consuming blackness expanding outward in a wave.

Oh, the blade isnt void-black because of its materials, its that color because it eats whatever touches itexcept at the handle, but that has a cost.

She was so glad she hadnt been stabbed by this sword.

-Focus, Tala! Aura control, mimic what the hold was doing.- Alat poured the knowledge shed gained through her close examination of the weapon into Talas conscious mind.

Tala quickly sorted the flood of information as she flexed her aura, which she still held in a sphere roughly an arms length from her at the edges.

Now, she distorted it to fully encapsulate the sword, then she pulled it outward in a bubble around the weapon, preventing any magic from entering or exiting the space.

The result was a visible bubble of void, seemingly encapsulating her right hand. There were flickers of movement across the surface of that void as it interacted with, and was rebuffed by, her aura. In those variations, she thought she saw a pair of eyes, blacker than the void, gazing at her for the briefest of moments.

In that fraction of a racing heartbeat, Tala would have sworn that they lookedsmug?

Alat, I think Im seeing things.

What is this about?

It is common practice for the Houses to bet on an Eskaus first ether hold. Your Pillar leveraged himself and his assets past the point of sanity to make a single bet, there was only one taker. Pallaun grinned. The others likely smelled something human about the situation.

Something human?

Pallaun glanced at her then rolled his eyes. Something fishy, something off.

Oh That was pretty insulting.

-Tali would only care because shed want to prove she wasnt like other humans. She wouldnt address it.-

So, Tala didnt. What was the bet? What did he win?

He bet that you would emerge without a scratch on you. And he won He turned and gestured.

The Pillar of the Falling Moon was arguing with a candidate Eskau and potential Pillar from his own house, if the embellishments around their own sigils were any indication.

No. Tala was in disbelief.

Pallaun grinned. Yes.

The Pillar of the Falling Moon ripped a crescent shaped knife from the candidate Eskaus belt and strode over to Be-thric, presenting the protian weapon to the onyx man. Your winnings, Pillar Be-thric.

Thank you, Pillar Mesek.

Let it never be said that the House of the Falling Moon dishonors our agreements.

You are truly above reproach. Be-thric bowed.

The other Pillars and Eskau seemed to have finished paying off their various wagers, and the group began to disperse.

Well, I guess we just earned him another protian weapon?

-Seems like it, yeah.-

Well, thats one more step towards freedom. She didnt like helping Be-thric get more powerful, but she couldnt deny that that was the quickest path back to the human lands. Back home.

Sanguis and Be-thric spoke briefly with Pallaun and Tala, instructing them to head back to the main hold. He was to help her assess the void sword and discuss possibilities.

Be-thric patted Talas head affectionately. You continue to deliver, my Eskau.

Tala was proud of her self-control.

She didnt consider striking him in return.

She didnt even flinch away. Instead, she channeled Talis memories and neuro-pathways. She bowed to the retreating Pillars, directly behind Be-thric. Thank you, Pillar Be-thric.

No bowing, remember? But he patted her head again, clearly pleased.

She nodded. As you wish.

Good, good. Its time we upgraded your gear. Your worth grows every day, my Eskau, and that blade might be just the thing to enhance your weapon.

Pallaun turned, eyebrows climbing. Pillar Be-thric? I will not insult you by asking if you know the dangers, but are you sure?

Be-thric waved the Eskau down. I simply ask that the two of you confer with Thorn and experts on the subject. Don't take any action until we can discuss it.

Pallaun nodded, but he still seemed unconvinced.

After that Be-thric and Sanguis headed towards the City Lords keep, apparently they had business to be about.

Pallaun and Tala turned back towards the House of Bloods hold.

Eskau Pallaun?

Yes, Eskau Tali?

There was a lot that you failed to mention about ether holds.

The large man shrugged without slowing his pace. Tradition and my instructions dictated I remain cryptic.

She grimaced, then shook her head and sighed. Fine. So? Can you tell me more now?

He glanced her way, then shrugged again. Not much to tell. Every ether hold is vastly different. You already know the commonalities.

Breathable air, ground to walk on, at least at the entrance, and a core.

Precisely. Beyond that, they vary extremely. Some have creatures within, some dont. Of those that do, some of the creatures conform to what we know of how living beings should function, others dont. Of those that dont have creatures within them, some are undefended, others have intricate traps, still others have puzzles, and so on.

Still She wanted to ask if they were really infinitely variable, but that isnt something that Tali would ask.

He shook his head. One of the stranger ones Ive overcome was filled with creatures of gas. I could only see them as distortions in the air around me. They couldnt be killed, and I simply had to endure as I searched for the core.

Endure?

Their touch was like steam, or acid, or a chill deeper than the deepest winter. Each was different, and each was intent on forcing their way into my flesh to bring about destruction. He smiled wistfully. That was a challenging hold.

Surely that wasnt entertaining to you?

It wasnt a good fight, no, but it tested my mind. I had to think in new ways and overcome adversity. He shook himself as if invigorated. What is life but the constant struggle to improve oneself? The day you fail to do so, the day you stop, is the day you die, even if it takes years for your heart to stop beating afterwards.

She didnt have an answer to that.

Now, did your dwarf remain in your sanctum or will we need to hunt him down back in the main hold?

He is in the main holds library, seeking advice on what volumes to add to my own.

Pallaun grunted. A wise use of time. I would have killed to have a servant such as he when I first was raised.

The obsidian skinned man turned to her, grabbing her shoulder in a surprising gentle, but still firm, grip.

Treat him well. He will be an asset to you and the House for centuries if properly cultivated in the role of adjunct to an Eskau.

Tala cocked her head, considering. Finally, she nodded. I think youre right. He is too useful to take for granted.

It might be worthwhile, trying to figure out a way to get him to defect, help me get free, and come with me back to the human lands.

-We also need a plan as to how we can kill him if he tries to stop our escape.-

Truthfully, Tala didnt know which would be harder.