Aura of the Moon - Chapter 25 (Patreon)

“The Inheritance from Reus was taken in order to stop the pack from descending on Castezin and the surrounding area.” Almos confirmed. He was looking over a written report that Ayla had generously written of her own accord. Events as the unfolded from her perspective.

“Correct.” She stood with a stiff posture in his office, her arms folded behind her back. She was staring straight ahead while the Duke sat back in his big chair, a relaxed opposite to her martial pose. He seemed contemplative throughout the whole conversation and reading of the report. Ayla continued, trying to fill the short pause where he was silent.
“I know it's hard to-”

“No. I do believe you fully.” He remarked flatly, looking up at her with a cool stare.

Ayla frowned. “I don't know what to make of this blood of mine. It means at the very least I'm half monster.”

“Half human, as well. No... More than half. Keep that in mind. Our blood is not something we can control or bend. It is who we are, in a small sense, but we are also so much more than just that. You have a mind and a soul so you have the power to decide what you do and where you belong.” He paused again to collect his thoughts for just a moment. Not long enough for interjection.
“As for the Inheritance, it could be useful.”

“Useful, Your Grace? But it's the gift of a monster.” It was not inaccurate to say she hated it. That much was made very clear in her writing. She hoped he would understand, but in a complete turn.

`He actually seems pleased, doesn't he?`

“Some would say that power is power. So what if it is from a monster if it is used for good?”

She gritted her teeth but otherwise hid her disdain. “I don't enjoy hearing that from you. I see things differently. I refused it right up until the point that I had no choice. I was ready to die the moment I did if I became a threat or a burden to others.”

He looked faintly disappointed. “I see. I do understand your viewpoint. So you plan to avoid using it, even for solely good purposes?”

She considered the question. “Now that I have it I have to learn to use it.” It was a pragmatic twist in logic. She hated it, but she also could not find a reason not to use it. It was just the attitude of relishing in the power that made it feel wrong.

Almos was amused by her reasoning. “I agree. Plus, it is not a gift it is an Inheritance. It is not something as simple as a Shape. For all intents and purposes, you accepted both Reus's power and his responsibilities.”

“What?”

He closed his eyes. “It is similar to becoming a Lord. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. Having hundreds of men under you is a powerful thing, but it also means that you have to share some of their burden. That is my view at least. You have, in essence, inherited a title from a God. What burdens that comes with remain to be seen.” Almos began to think out loud.
“In a sense, by telling the pack to return and avoid humans you have already made a better host to that power than Reus. Because you see... All of those 'children' as he called them would have died otherwise, and many more.”

Ayla considered the thought. In her past life the werewolf plague did extreme damage to the Empire in the north, but the eventual result was the extermination of most of them once the problem reached it's peak. She still wished to see that result without the massacre.

“If I simply refuse the gift can I refuse the burden? I ignore my 'responsibilities' and on the next Full Moon call them to get slaughtered. I could repeat that all over until they're all dead.”

Almos was shocked by the offer. The drive she showed and the lack of empathy for any type of 'other.' Even if a werewolf was merely an animal, even to him they were animals. Someone would feel something, typically. In the end he was not opposed but arrived at a different conclusion.

“No. That is the unfortunate thing. Aside from the fact that you may lose it as soon as you completely forsake the responsibilities, the burdens stay with you even when you receive nothing in return. That means you can not quit or rest or simply avoid the responsibility, either. You could renounce it... Perhaps, but then what? I feel as though you have a mind that wants to find use in things like this, even if you hate them.” He looked upon her sympathetically.
“I think... You took a terrible burden upon yourself, from your perspective at least. You did it for the sake of me and my people. For that, I will always be here to offer support. Anything you need.”

Ayla felt uneasy. “Chantelle seems to think I'm suspicious.”

“Oh?” He looked at her curiously.

“She stopped me and grilled me on the mission.”

“That was not something she should have done. I will reprimand her later.”

“Please don't.” Ayla sighed, shaking her head.
“I... Am suspicious, aren't I?”

He held back a laugh. “Well...” He trailed off.

“I know. But, it feels like you already know a lot. How much do you know about me and- and if need be I'm prepared to answer truthfully any questions you may have.” She stood particularly straight as she said that. She was being honest. She was ready to let him know everything.

The Duke smiled at her warmly. “I know that you are faultlessly loyal me to an extent that I am not sure I ever earned. I know that you are a very strong and intriguing Knight. In short, Dame, I know everything that I need to know to offer you the position of Knight-Lieutenant.”

Her eyes widened. “Your Grace?” She was not expecting that after completely losing control during the mission.

“You are going to suggest you are not fit, but as you can see, I already have quite an interesting grouping of individuals at that rank. You would answer only to Myself, Captain Rast, and Sir Eldrich; in that order.”

“What are the duties?”

“Good question.” He stood up and turned to stare out the window at the training ground.
“It is to be ready at a moments notice. As you saw, I have one cheeky Chaplain, one Alchemist working on random projects in my basement and two women that insist on being as close to me at all times as possible to the extent that they pose as maids. Only Eldrich really continues his duties as a Knight, so if you accept the position-”

“I take it to mean that I can basically do whatever I want?” He glanced over his shoulder and nodded at that.
“Then I would like to continue to patrol from morning to night with the same group I started with. Sir Miller and Sir Samson and all of the men.”

He finally laughed. “Most would want to get out of that grueling shift. You know what is interesting, Dame?”

“What is it, Your Grace?”

“With you being added, all of your squads Knights will be people who are only there because they want to be. Isn't that interesting?”

She smiled brightly. “Yes Your Grace.”

The Duke turned from the window, light at his back like a halo. “Then consider yourself promoted, Knight-Lieutenant Ayla-” He paused.
“You are entitled to land and a name.”

“I will take neither at this time as I'm not sure what I would do with either.”

Castezin smirked. “Then forgive the lack of fanfare. Enjoy your promotion, and the festivities tonight.”

“The banquet?”

“All of the Knights and Soldiers are treated to a feast after the night of the Full Moon, as I am sure has already been mentioned. Some volunteer to work on that night, however I will not accept any such request from you. You are required to rest and enjoy the feast and fire.”

“Yes Your Grace.” Ayla bowed her head.
“Is there anything else?”

“That woman... We found that she was Haron Selene, a silenced former Master of the Moon Tower.”

“About that-”

“Before you say anything-” The Duke smiled at her knowingly.
“If a child of that woman were to be found we can assume they would suffer undue scrutiny from the Empire. It would be extremely troublesome.” She opened her mouth to speak, but he interrupted her with a raised hand.
“Fortunately, no such connections were found. The woman is recorded as childless. Do you get what I am saying, Dame?”

Ayla nodded. “I am not even sure why you would bring such a thing up to me, Your Grace.”

He tapped his nose while smiling approvingly at her. “I apologize for rambling on. Of course it has nothing to do with you. But... I trust you should be grasping Shape soon?”

Ayla exhaled as some of the pressure was lifted from her. He knew. Of course he knew. By her best guess the first moment he knew was when he first offered her advice in this office of his about blood. “I have achieved a breakthrough and I'm in the beginning steps of Conceptualization-”

“What Shape do you think that will take?” He asked, seeming genuinely interested. Ayla knew that the Duke was an enthusiast for techniques and weapons, like her.

She continued speaking. “-for three separate Shapes.”

His eyes widened. “Three?”

“As I'm sure you know, There are two Shapes written in my blood and one more that will be formed as a result of the Inheritance.”

He seemed oddly euphoric. The Duke covered his mouth with his hand, looking upon her rather favorably, to say the least. He tried to downplay his interest. Almos cooled his tone.
“This is very promising. Please keep me updated.”

“I will.” Ayla saluted him, then turned to leave.

Before she could exit fully he stopped her with a word. “Dame.”

“Yes, Your Grace?” She stopped and walked back into the room.

Almos rounded his desk to stand in front of her. “What are your plans for tonight?”

“I think I'm going to spend time with Za- Sir Miller-” She corrected herself quickly in order to remain professional. An unintentional contentment that she did not even notice she had washed over her face as she said.
“I want to celebrate with him. I just wish Samson wasn't injured so that he could be there, too.”

The Duke looked away from her. “Of course. That goes without saying. You are good... Friends?”

“Yes. I would hope so, at least. I have trouble discerning that type of thing sometimes, but I would say that Sir Miller and Sir Samson are both very good friends of mine, yes.” She responded cluelessly to his probing question.

“I have to host the banquet in the main hall with the nobles. Do not feel obligated to, but when it becomes late feel free to come in and pretend to give me a missive. I will need an excuse to leave at some point in order to relieve myself of boredom.”

Ayla could not help but chuckle. In some ways he was exactly like Caelin. “I apologize for laughing. I will see what I can do, Your Grace.”

“Not an order. Like I said, only if you want to. I can make other reasons.” He stated, waving her off. She finally left. Chantelle appeared inside once the door closed.

“You called for me, Your Grace?” She bowed deeply.

“I want you to arrange for Jasmine to attend to Sir Ryan Samson's daughter for the night. Have a carriage with proper accommodations bring him and his wife to the Feast.”

“The Feast and not-”

“Just the feast.” He reiterated in a subdued tone.
“Have it remain there to return them as well when the night is done.”

“Yes Your Grace.” Chantelle stared down. After a moment she asked.
“Is Dame Ayla a candidate?”

“Yes.” Almos responded instantly.