3.52. Perspective: Aslishtei (Patreon)

Author's note: This is the second of three short alternate-POV slices.

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Aslishtei basked in the warm glow and bright chatter of a leisteila full of her people. Magic wove between them as she and the representatives from threee other families maintained the Unity spell that strengthened the bonds between them.

For the ritual, she’d taken the east position—not participating directly this time, but still enjoying the beauty of the moment. There was another leisteila planned in a few days; maybe then.

Although, she didn’t mind being one of the spell’s pillars. The role was important, both for the magical skill required and for the need to guard those participating. Each attendee was open to those around them, in a heightened state of acceptance.

There were those who would abuse such a power. There were those who would go to great lengths to yoke the magical abilities of the peltwei to their ambitions. Even now, Little Red watched from high above to see if any dared brave the cold and snow to approach her family’s residence.

Albei was supposed to be a safe place for the peltwei, free from the enslavement so common elsewhere. Ithia’s recent behavior notwithstanding, the land knight typically rewarded hard work and recognized her people’s contributions to the city.

Her people had gotten complacent, Aslishtei thought. In the old days, they would never have allowed something like the North Wind’s murder to happen. It would’ve been inconceivable, and Aslishtei’s heart broke once more at the losses of such a remarkable man and his family.

His surviving grandchildren were among those attending, and the people surrounded them with care, easing their anguish. Everyone in the room felt it; such was the power of the leisteila.

Unity was her people’s strength; the bonds the spell forged meant that all present were family. They would never betray each other, and there would always be refuge as long as one other peltwei lived. No family was free of strife, of course, but the intensity of friction didn’t compare to life outside the peltwei.

Once again, Aslishtei was reminded of the recent murders, as well as the most recent Long Dark and the strife between Albei’s lodges. Among her family and safe from the pressures of the world outside it, she admitted to herself that she’d let her emotions cloud her judgement, rushing her into actions, which in hindsight, were poorly done.

The warmth around her surged offering comfort, but the truth was the truth. In her sorrow and greed, she’d fumbled her handling of the Voorhei Hunter’s Lodge, drastically underestimating their cleverness, resolve, and resources.

The announcement about Honored Ikfael’s boon had shocked her to her core. Every peltwei in the city flocked to her to ask about it, and she’d been forced to visit the grinning hunters’ grandmaster for more information.

How could one boy be so blessed? It was maddening, and only reinforced the necessity of bringing him into the family. What she’d seen of Eight’s meridians indicated an entirely new approach to developing them; none of the records she’d scoured had hinted of anything remotely similar. The closest she’d come was a great-great-uncle who’d been born with a second heart dantian, but the talent hadn’t passed on to any of his children.

At least her children didn’t find Eight too ugly. He’d been—how did they put it? Shiny enough to be interesting.

Aslishtei discovered too late that Voorhei’s hunters responded poorly to pressure. Life in the villages must be nice in that regard, free from the machinations of the various factions. It almost made a peltwei want to see for herself, which... which was an idea worth considering.

Not for Alsishtei herself, of course. She’d not give up city life, even in a rough place like Albei, but it’d be an interesting opportunity for some of the younger folk—opening their horizons to see that the sky covers more than they realize.

Truly, given the benefits of Honored Ikfael’s Boon, Aslishtei probably wasn’t the only one thinking such thoughts. The spring would likely have Voorhei experiencing an influx of new residents, despite the recent murders tarnishing the village’s reputation.

A smart family head would plan for such a thing.