The Soul Engine Ch. 47 (Original Fantasy) (Patreon)

A/N: More is revealed.

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“But wait…”

Thayla cuts herself off for a moment when everyone’s eyes suddenly cut to her… but then she gathers herself and stands tall, continuing her thought.

“… If they abandoned you, why are they so insistent on calling you back now? I mean… you’re still a half-orc after all. No offense.”

Snorting derisively, Bula shakes her head.

“I dunno. It’s dumb. They threw me away. I want nothing to do with them.”

Mikael slowly nods, in full agreement with Bula on that part. Sure, they might need reinforcements against Foss Sangrey… but it didn’t sound like these elves were truly an option, right? Whatever reason they were trying to get Bula to return to the Sylian Woods, they had still been the ones to toss her aside in the first place. It was because of them that she’d had to grow up in the Savage Lands under the ‘care’ of her father.

“It’s not so simple as that, I’m afraid.”

Timothal’s grave tone interjects once more, drawing their attention back to him. He looks around at all of them for a moment.

“… The Truth Above All revealed things to me about all of you.”

Mikael blinks at that, while Avina squawks.

“What?! You told us that it didn’t show the specifics to outside observers!”

Holding up a hand to forestall further objections, the Knight-Superior shakes his head.

“Indeed it does not, your highness. However, I also said that it would reveal the Truth. I believe I used the words ‘fundamentally laid bare’ in fact. That doesn’t just mean your personalities and your minds, I’m afraid. No, it goes deeper than that, to the very core of your beings.”

Avina looks deeply unsettled by this revelation. Timothal gives her a knowing look for a second before shaking his head.

“As I said before, under normal circumstances I would not betray this confidence. But it has become clear to me that not only is this situation desperate beyond measure… Bula herself is unaware of what lurks within her.”

Glancing at Bula, Mikael sees that Timothal is right. At least, the red-haired half-orc looks baffled by whatever Thayla’s father is talking about. Focusing back on her, the Knight-Superior gestures southward, in the direction of the Sylian Woods.

“Bula… you are not just half-elf. You’re something far more than that. I do not know what. I cannot say whether it was because of your mother or simply because of the uniqueness of your birth.”

Here, Timothal’s tone turns dry.

“Needless to say, there is a reason your father was able to become leader of his tribe off of the back of a successful raid of the Sylian Woods. I don’t suppose you’ve heard of another happening before or after the one that led to your… conception.”

Bula frowns deeply at that, but after a moment shakes her head.

“No. Orcs aren’t much for book writing and history keeping, but even then… he was it. The only one to ever do it.”

Nodding, the Knight-Superior gives everyone a meaningful look.

“This means that Bula might be the first half-orc, half-elf in centuries… perhaps in all time, given just how dangerous the Sylian Woods truly are. That might be why… well, that might be why I felt what I felt while she was in the Truth Above All. It was only glimpses, mind you, but her connection to the Sylian Woods is… immense. It is not just the place of her birth, no. There’s something much, much more than that.”

The library falls quiet at that. More? What did that mean? But it’s obvious without even having to ask that Timothal Dawnguard doesn’t know. His glimpses at their souls had certainly given him insight that even they themselves might not have, but it still had its limits. Mikael’s brow furrows in consternation, even as Bula scoffs… but then throws a glance in the direction of the Sylian Woods.

For the briefest of moments, Mikael is sure he sees a hint of longing in Bula’s big blue eyes. The half-orc’s expression is open and… wistful. Of course, just as soon as it appears, it’s gone. Her expression closes off again, her face scrunching up in irritation as she scowls furiously. Growling, the warrior crosses her arms over her chest and shakes her head.

“I don’t want anything to do with those damn woods or those damn elves. They threw me away. I didn’t kill my father for them. I killed my father for ME. And I ain’t some mutt to come bounding forward at their call, begging for scraps either!”

As ever, Thayla’s father is surprisingly implacable. In the face of Bula’s obstinance and stubbornness, he doesn’t get frustrated or angry with her. Despite his intensity, now more than ever does Mikael think Timothal Dawnguard is a good man to his core. However, he is also a desperate man, and the leader of a Knightly Order that will soon be riding forth to do battle with an undead army that has them outnumbered and outgunned.

“What was done to you was unconscionable, Bula. You were an infant… you did not deserve to be punished for the crimes of your father. I understand your recalcitrance completely. However… our options are very limited at this point. The Supreme King and his army of undead will wash over a leaderless Zuverian Empire without much resistance if its just the Order of the Rose standing against them.”

Timothal grimaces at the thought of it, even as Bula grows quiet again.

“… In the end, unless we can find allies, even from the unlikeliest of sources, we are doomed. I believe the Sylian Elves could be those allies… if they could be persuaded to stand by our side as the ancient pacts said they once did a thousand years ago.”

Avina jolts from her own internal thoughts as Timothal mentions the same ancient pacts she’d claimed were myth and legend on the cart ride here. Bula, meanwhile, huffs and looks… uncertain. The half-orc is clearly torn between two impulses. One, to continue to have absolutely nothing to do with the Sylian Woods, ignoring their call and going about her own business. And two… helping him.

Mikael can tell that he’s the only reason she’s even considering it when she tosses him a look, working her jaw around and grumbling to herself. In this moment, Mikael knows he’s the only one who can likely convince Bula to actually go along with Timothal’s crazy plan.

Because it IS a crazy plan. It’s also very clearly one born of pure desperation. With Foss Sangrey’s decapitation strike on the Zuverian Imperial Family a success, the Empire is headless. They have a chance because he didn’t succeed in killing Timothal as well, but the Order of the Rose’s Grandmaster is just one man. If he says that the Order of the Rose by itself will be hard pressed to defend against Ocreatha’s attack, then Mikael believes him.

They need allies. They need reinforcements. And Thayla’s father is beyond desperate if he’s willing to turn to the denizens of the Sylian Woods of all places for such things.

From his place still by her side, Mikael places a hand on Bula’s shoulder. The half-orc stiffens but when she looks at him… she gives him one hundred percent of her attention, staring at him wordlessly but also questioningly… silently asking for his opinion.

“The elves abandoned you, Bula. You owe them nothing. No… you owe them less than nothing. Frankly, what you owe them all is a good punch in the gut and a kick in the teeth.”

Bula perks up at that and Mikael knows he’s speaking her language. Smiling ruefully, Mikael glances around them, at the others.

“But… even if you don’t owe those elves anything… we’re going to need them anyways. This isn’t even about Avina’s vengeance anymore, though we all still owe Foss Sangrey a good hard kick in the teeth as well. This is about Zuveria and just how many innocent people will die if we let that bastard have his way. If we let him invade unopposed, or only opposed by the Order of the Rose… then he’ll win. And I refuse to let that happen.”

Giving Avina a nod that has his Soul Mechanic blushing a little bit, he turns back to Bula and clasps a hand on the nape of her neck, bringing his forehead against hers and lowering his voice to a whisper that only the two of them can hear.

“In fact, this might just be your best opportunity to get some revenge yourself, Bula. I promise I’ll hold them down for you if they make you want to beat them black and blue.”

That perks the half-orc up even further and when they pull apart it’s clear from the look in her eyes that she really likes the idea of bashing some elven faces in. Still, she hesitates for a second longer… before finally letting out a long, drawn out sigh.

With his hand still on her shoulder in a show of silent support, Mikael and Bula turn to face everyone else. Scowling, Bula nevertheless nods her head reluctantly in agreement, even as she grumbles a bit.

“Fine. We’ll go and talk to the fucking elves. No promises though.”

This provokes another rare laugh from the Order of the Rose’s Grandmaster, this time in the form of a chuckle. Shaking his head, Timothal Dawnguard smiles a mirthless smile, one that does not reach his eyes.

“I understand. From my own solitary interaction with the Sylian Elves, I know how isolationist they appear to be. Still, whatever connection you have with the Sylian Woods, Bula… I hope you might be able to leverage it into forcing them to help us.”

Then, even the mirthless smile drops as Timothal straightens up.

“If you cannot… if you fail to gain us allies… then perhaps it would be best if none of you returned at all.”

Wait, what? Mikael glances at the others in the room… only to see Thayla staring at her father with a stricken look of indecision on her face. Meanwhile, Avina huffs.

“Excuse me?”

Shaking his head, Timothal is quick to explain.

“You are the one that Foss Sangrey wants most of all, Princess. From everything you’ve told me, from everything I’ve seen, he intends to capture you at all costs. You must be kept out of his hands… even if Zuveria is to fall. That’s why, even if the Sylian Elves prove to be… intractable, it might be best if you all stay in the Sylian Woods. Or even range further out in either the direction of the Savage Lands or whatever might lie past the Sylian Woods themselves. I will make sure you four are adequately provisioned for the trip either way.”

You four. Only then does Mikael realize why Thayla looks so… conflicted. The female knight is stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, she’s sworn herself to Mikael’s service. More than that, there’s their relationship to consider even if they haven’t exactly put a name to it. Her place is undeniably at his side.

On the other hand, her father has made it quite clear that he’s leading the Order of the Rose on a suicidal defense of their country. The Knightly Order that Thayla swore her original oaths to will soon be sallying forth out of the Citadel and onto the battlefield… with their father at the helm. And there’s not a doubt in Mikael’s mind that Timothal Dawnguard will be leading from the front either. The Knight-Superior’s disposition won’t allow for anything else.

Thayla is torn between her oath to Mikael and her desire to stay and protect her father and country from Foss Sangrey. And Mikael… Mikael can’t really bring himself to hold her back. But it’s obvious that Thayla’s father won’t take him up on it if he makes it an offer. If he offers to release Thayla from her service, Timothal will likely still send her on with them.

And maybe the father’s desire to see his daughter safe should trump the daughter’s desire to protect her father. But just one glance at both Avina and Bula and Mikael can see that neither are on board with the ‘run away if it all doesn’t pan out’ strategy. And knowing that… well, that makes this next part easy.

“Actually, you only need to provide enough provisions for three of us. Thayla will be staying here, carrying out her own mission.”

Even as both Thayla and her father blink at that, the words feel right to Mikael. So he continues on, holding up a hand to forestall their objections.

“Thayla Dawnguard… as your liege lord, I order you to stay here and protect your father from any further assassination attempts. Foss Sangrey has already tried to kill him once… and I’m sure he will try again. You will stay by his side and guard him with your life. Is that understood?”

“That is-!”

Of course, Timothal tries to speak up before Thayla can anyways, but Mikael cuts him off.

“I’m sorry, Knight-Superior… but this conversation is between me and my Knight. If Thayla truly meant her vow to me, then she will obey without question. Thayla?”

Relief and shame war on Thayla’s face for a moment before the white-haired woman bows her head in acknowledgment.

“As… as you say, Sir Mikael. I will carry out your order to the best of my ability. To my dying breath.”

Mikael gives Thayla a broad smile at that, one that she hesitantly returns. There’s gratitude in her eyes. Her father on the other hand… Mikael turns towards Timothal Dawnguard and does his best to stand tall and straight in the face of the man’s sudden antipathy. He’s not at all happy that Mikael has just ruined his plan for getting his daughter to safety. But at the same time… there’s pride in Timothal’s eyes as he looks to Thayla. After a long moment, he slowly nods.

“… Very well. Far be it from me to stand between a Knight and her Oath. Dame Dawnguard… I accept you as my bodyguard.”

Mikael lets out a sigh of relief at that, before chuckling and drawing Timothal’s attention back to himself with a shrug.

“Besides. We aren’t going to run away, even if the Sylian Elves do turn out to be ‘completely intractable’ as you put it. One way or the other, we’re coming back with or without reinforcements. Right girls?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Avina nods sharply.

“I already said I was done running away. Foss Sangrey is going to pay… even if I have to rip him apart with my own bare hands.”

Bula snorts at Avina’s bloodlust.

“Hah! The little one bears her fangs!”

Then, bearing her own teeth and tusks in a very toothy grin as Avina squawks and blushes at her comment, Bula leans forward, eyes piercing in their excitement.

“But aye. Mikael has the right of it. Wouldn’t miss this fight for the world.”

Looking at all of them for a moment in silence, Timothal Dawnguard finally looks back to his daughter.

“You found fine allies, Thayla. Fine allies indeed.”

Blushing but also beaming, Thayla nods her head in easy agreement.

“Yes, father.”

With that settled, they start talking logistics and provisions. Apparently, one of Foss’ six targets here in the Citadel was the Order of the Rose’s Quartermaster. The now dead man had a dozen apprentices to pick up the slack, but they were all going to be very busy in the upcoming days, so Timothal takes it upon himself to make sure their supplies are being prepared ahead of their departure the next morning.

Meanwhile, as night falls over a very active Citadel, one filled with mourning but also righteous fury, Mikael finds himself with an invitation to Thayla’s room. One last talk before they part ways for the time being. Of course, he has a pretty good idea of how such a talk is liable to go. He still accepts all the same.

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A/N: Next time, Mikael and Thayla say their goodbyes. But its not really goodbye, right? It's only 'so long for now'...

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