126: Pagan Summoning (Patreon)

“And then he said, ‘I’m not dead’?” Vason said, doing his best Vir impersonation.

Haymi giggled while Tia burst out laughing, spitting her mead all across the table in a very unladylike fashion.

All four of them were too busy laughing to reprimand her—Vir included.

“I wasn’t that shocked,” he said with flushed cheeks. “Besides, if I remember right, you cried like a baby.”

“Did not,” Vason retorted, clearing his throat.

“Oh yes, you did!” Haymi replied, outing him immediately. “Your eyes were all red and puffy when Apramor finally came to.”

“Haymi! Times like these, you gotta back me up!”

But instead of sympathy, all he received was Haymi’s cold smile.

Vason sighed. “Sadists, the lot of you. Warning you, Apramor. Stick around long enough and the women in this party will trample all over you.”

“Oh?” Tia asked, cocking a brow. “Is that right, Vason? Tell me more, why won’t you?”

“I’d rather not, milady-who-spits-mead-on-her-table. Don’t worry, I’ll not breathe a word of this to your brother.”

“Good. You won’t, if you value your head,” Tia said, leveling a death glare at Vason.

All joviality evaporated in an instant, and Vir worried a fight might actually break out.

Then they both burst into laughter and clapped their mugs together, spilling yet more mead on the table.

Vir gave the waiter passing by an apologetic look.

It’d taken Vir two full days to wake after his ordeal in the forest. While his crushed leg had been mostly mended by Haymi’s healing orbs, he still bore a slight limp. He could fight if he absolutely had to, but it’d take another week for him to mend fully. At least, without his efforts to cycle blood and prana through his injured leg. The blood there was sluggish to circulate, so he’d been aiding it with his own prana manipulation efforts.

At this rate, he expected he’d be good as new in just a couple more days. The only problem was...

Vir caught Haymi glancing at him, but she broke her gaze the moment their eyes met.

She knows.

Haymi had treated his burns, after all. It’d be more surprising if she hadn’t found out. But then, why hadn’t the mejai even breathed a word about it?

Vir glanced at Tia, but she’d shown no sign of knowing. Vir doubted she’d have taken the news well, and he didn’t think she was good enough an actor to suppress her feelings so perfectly.  Vason… he wasn’t quite sure about. The man hadn’t given him any looks like Haymi had.

So Haymi’s hiding the truth from them. I'm gonna have to confront her at some point.

The thought drained every drop of merriness right out of him.

To celebrate, Tia had taken them to one of the finest eateries in Avi. Not the fanciest, but according to her, the most delicious. Sadly for his four-legged friend, Bandies weren’t allowed in, so Neel waited alone at the inn.

The party had a longtable to themselves, upon which a bevy of food was arranged. From delectable desserts to mounds of the freshest fruit, rice dishes, stir-fries, barbequed vegetable skewers, and more; the dizzying array was almost as impressive as the banquet the mining company had hosted for them.

But where the variety and quantity might’ve paled to the banquet’s food, the taste was incomparable. Vir had never experienced such a vast range of tastes and textures in his life. Flavors compounded upon one another, and just when he thought it couldn’t get any better, the dishes synergized with each other in a way Vir never knew was possible. This wasn’t merely sustenance—this was art. Taken to its limit and perfectly executed by master chefs.

“Why so glum, Apra?” Tia said. Ever since the Brood Matron battle, she’d taken to shortening his name as a nickname, and the others had followed suit soon after.

“Just thinking that I’m never gonna enjoy regular food like I used to. I mean, after tasting this stuff. It’s unfair. Now I’m gonna have to splurge on expensive food.”

Vason burst out laughing again. “Welcome to our life, friend. Our Tia over there loves herself a good meal. Brought up on only the finest food, y’see? She won’t even touch ‘standard’ fare.”

“Well, sorry. Not my fault my parents spoiled me silly,” the freckled blonde replied, pouting as she stuck a fork into a kebab.

Vir had to admit, the Matron fight was one of the most exciting battles he’d ever fought, and it wasn’t just because of the danger. Fighting in a party was something new to him, and if he was honest with himself, he enjoyed it. Far more than he thought possible.

Wonder how it’d go over if I told Tia who I really am… Vir idly thought. Of course, he wasn’t naïve. Haymi knowing was enough of a risk, even if she seemed to treat him the same. He wasn’t about to take that risk with Tia, knowing how much she hated demons. While he desperately wanted to prove her wrong, he also knew where her feelings came from.

He knew exactly. Vir hated the Hiranyan Knights for what they did to Rudvik, Apramor, and Aliscia. Given a chance, he’d gladly end their lives, even knowing they weren’t evil. He’d heard the tales of their great deeds—of lives saved and famine-stricken towns brought back from the brink of destruction. If he’d been one of those people, maybe he’d even have admired those knights.

One thing was for sure, though. People didn’t change. Not easily. Convincing Tia she was wrong about demons was likely to be a doomed endeavor. Vir didn’t even know if she was wrong. Maybe the demons in Matali really were that bad.

His only experience with them was on old man Bakura’s slaving ship. The demons there hadn’t seemed vicious, though he’d spent little time with them.

These thoughts filled Vir’s mind as they wrapped up at the eatery, as well as thoughts of Parai the Ancient. The man hadn’t spoken a word, and yet Vir had learned so much from him. Perhaps it was a quirk of the man’s personality. Or perhaps, as an older incarnation, his personality had washed away? Perhaps that was all he could manage.

The prana cycling technique Vir learned had saved his life, but what else could it do? Unless he suffered a grievous back wound again, as it was, the ability wasn’t very versatile.

If he could adapt the cycling pattern and make it safe, that would change. He’d have yet another defense mechanism. While Toughen helped, its effect was akin to light armor; it wasn’t nearly as effective as magically enhanced armor. And while he could stop his wounds from bleeding, nothing he had accelerated his recovery rate.

Taken to an extreme, he might even close wounds during battle. Such an ability would be incredibly painful, but also incredibly effective. It’d allow him to take risks he’d otherwise dare not consider.

Boosting his vitality wasn’t the only benefit prana circulation could yield. From what he’d seen of Parai, the demon used it to strengthen his attacks as well, and possibly more advanced abilities, too.

The issue was Vir, as always, lacked an instructor. Someone who could guide him safely through the steps to attain those abilities. And until someone like that came along, Vir hesitated to experiment, recalling what happened when he was learning Prana Vision.

Before they left for the Brotherhood Sanctum, Vir packed some food for Neel; the bandy had helped so much in the forest, he’d felt terrible for leaving his friend behind. The least he could do was bring him some treats.

Sure enough, Neel was there to greet them the moment they entered the room, wagging his tail and running circles around their legs with excitement.

“Rejoice, Neel!” Vason said, petting the Bandy. “Your master’s brought back some delicious food!”

“Are you sure he can eat that, though?” Haymi asked. “Wouldn’t want him puking all over the floor, would we?”

“Dunno! Never given him food this fancy. Guess we’ll find out?” Vir replied sheepishly.

“Well, he seems to like it, at least?” Tia said with a yawn, smiling at the Bandy who tore into the food the moment Vir laid it before him.

Filled and sleepy, the rest of the party retired to their beds, while Vir walked to the Executor’s booths with Neel in tow.

“Enter. Balindam booth,” an Executor said soon after Vir arrived in the waiting area.

He entered the booth and shut the door behind him and the Bandy. Neel obediently sat on his haunches in a corner, eyeing the veiled figure with suspicion.

“I’m here to redeem my karma for more information about the Pagan Order. And… a means of transport to get there, if possible.”

While he could’ve ridden Bumpy, Vir was leery of taking the injured Ash’va on long journeys.

Maybe now, with this money I have, I can heal the poor beast. Something to look into.

The Executor paused for a moment, then replied in a deep baritone. “Your actions to date have been exemplary, Acolyte. In fact, your feats have been mentioned in Executor circles. You are not far from Shadow. Your current karma stands at 3,745. This is more than sufficient for the favors you seek.”

Vir nodded. The Brood Matron subjugation had earned him a great deal of karma and coin. With his earnings, his coin purse now held eighty silvers and thirty coppers, and he’d amassed three thousand karma. More wealth than he’d ever owned in his entire life. Enough for a trip to the Pagan Order, and onward to the Ashen Realm by way of Matali. If that was his destination. There were still too many unknowns to know what lay in his future.

“How much to charter an Acira?” he asked.

Though the Executor wore a veil, he could swear the man grinned.

“How very curious that you ask. I’m afraid we will have to defer your request regarding the Pagan Order.”

Vir cocked a brow. “Defer? Why?”

“Because a contract has come in for you. Asking for you. By name. A most lucrative and rare contract, in fact.”

“Sorry, but I’m not really looking to take on any more contracts right now. Just want my information on the Pagan Order.”

“Would you say the same, knowing that this contract comes directly from Lord Reth?”

“Reth? The ruler of the Pagan Order?” Vir couldn’t hide his surprise—why would the Pagan Order, who had no relations with him until now, ask for him by name? How did they even know who he was?

“Your surprise is understandable. So, too, were we surprised when the contract came in. The Tribunal does not lightly commission contracts. In fact, the last one was years ago.”

“What do they want me to do?” Vir asked.

“Assassination. But unfortunately, they will only divulge the details in person. This seems to be a highly sensitive manner. As an organization that values the importance of secrets, the Brotherhood obliged. Of course, you are free to decline this contract…”

Another assassination? Did they know of Vir’s previous exploits? But how could they, unless the Brotherhood blabbed, Vir thought. He doubted very much they had.

“But I’d incur a penalty, won’t I? I won’t be able to take on any new contracts for some time.”

The Executor nodded. “I believe this contract aligns with your interests.”

Vir gave it some thought. Traveling to the Pagan Order would be a great way to learn more about the organization. But the risk was correspondingly high.

Or was it?

Magic didn’t function in the Voidlands, where the Pagan Order was located. But that only impacted mejai, not Talent users. Riyan himself said that Talents worked there, and that made sense to Vir. Ground prana seemed to exist everywhere. The concentration differed, but not nearly as much as air prana.

Which means I’ll have the advantage. With his Talents, only other Talent wielders posed a threat, and with Dance, he could escape if need be.

“Do you think this is a trap?” Vir asked.

The Executor paused. “I presume you possess little knowledge about the Pagan Order, based on your desire to learn about them. We have dealt with their kind many, many times. They have never betrayed us. Not once. As an organization, they are respectful and prompt with their payments. Only demons need fear them.”

Gee, thanks. That really helps.

Vir mulled it over. The contract intrigued him, but walking headlong into the maw of a monster seemed ill-advised. Not without at least some information about them.

He had an abundance of karma. It was time to use it.

“I’ll accept this contract, but only if you answer some of my questions. I’m willing to pay karma for it.”

“Very well. For three hundred karma, we shall answer to the best of our abilities. Though you should be aware.”

“Aware of what?”

“The Pagan Order has already sent an Acira for you, awaiting your favorable reply. Had you not come to us, we would have sought you out. The trip to Balindam will take half a day; they would like you to board immediately.”

“Oh… Huh. Wow.”

— —

“Hello, sister.” Crown Prince Erhan Matali spoke with a cold frustration that tinted his every word. “Enjoying gallivanting in the woods of Rani?”

“Oh, y’know,” Tia spoke into the communications orb, rolling it around on her table as she spoke. “It’s a good time. Risking my life to fight fell Ash Beasts, keeping the world order. Just living the easy life. You should try it sometime.”

“Don’t be coy with me, Tia,” Prince Erhan snapped. “Do you have any idea how hard I work to keep this country from falling apart? The least you could do is lend me a hand from time to time. I’m not even asking for all of your time. Yet you refuse to come home.”

Silence.

“I’d be no good to you, Han, even if I wasn’t in hiding.”

“Hiding? You think that’s what you’re doing? You were supposed to keep a low profile, not create legends! Our relations with Kin’jal hang by a thread. Your mere presence at some of our meetings would go so far.”

“So? What do you want? I don’t think you took time from your busy schedule to berate me,” Tia replied. Her words were harsher than she’d intended. She did feel for Erhan’s plight. The boy worked himself from dawn to well past dusk, barely even stopping for food. His hair had grayed and had already started to fall out, despite his young age.

She knew all these things. She wanted to help… and yet, she’d never been able to bring herself to assume that role. She’d turned her back on her people. She’d chosen a different path.

“I need your help.”

“I’m not coming back.”

“Look, it’s just one thing. I need this. Kin’jal… they’re putting pressure on me. They want Matali support at one of their garrisons. Don’t ask me why, they didn’t say, and I’m in no position to demand answers from them. You know that. Anyway, it’s in southwest Kin’jal, near where you’re at.”

“You want me to play a guard at a Kin’jal garrison. In disguise.”

“It’ll only be for a few days.”

“Sorry, not interested.”

“Tia…”

“Sorry, but I have business in Avi.”

She heard Erhan sigh. “I didn’t want to resort to this. If you don’t go, I’ll have to halt your allowance.”

Tia snorted. “I can provide for myself, thank you very much.”

A pause.

“I can have Rani restrain you and bring you back. Queen Akalpa would be only too happy to oblige.”

“She wouldn’t dare.”

“Do you want to take that bet? I’ll win.”

Tia ground her teeth. He was right, and he knew that she knew.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Consider fast. I need you there in a few days.”

“I said I’d think about it. And Han? I love you, but don’t ever blackmail me again.”

Tia cut the call.