Lia was as furious as I expected when I came to, gripping my hand tightly, whilst I was in bed, body covered in bandages almost completely.
The lord, a doctor, the maid, and several others I was too tired to recognise were also present. Thankfully magic wasn't angry with me this time, and I asked it to flow into me and heal my wounds, I sat up and ripped bandages from my head and torso, the wounds lasting barely long enough for them to see the hastened stitching together of tissue.
When it had mostly finished, I told Lia I was fine, which proved foolish as she slapped me and yelled that if I ever tried to put myself in that kind of condition again, she would kill whoever it was before I had the chance, making the now conscious maid incredibly nervous.
I told the maid to relax, that if Lia intended to kill her, she would be dead, then promised I would not try the severance spell until I had perfected it. Then I turned to the Lord and asked what he intended to do, a divine agent had attempted to assassinate an official guest in the manor, I wasn't looking to put him on the spot, but I needed to know his stance.
I began ripping off the remaining bandages as I asked, until the sound of gasping stopped me, and I remembered there were others in the room. Lia was shaking her head, and I conjured a screen on all sides to conceal myself.
Almick threw some clothes over the top and asked me to be more aware of myself, then stated that it would be prudent to first hear the actual statement of the maid before he decided.
Freshly dressed, I dispelled the screens, and we asked the maid to recount events. She told us that she fell down the stairs of the cellar about three weeks prior, roughly the same time the Flori attacked Haslon, then as she grew cold, a god offered her a second chance if she was willing to act as a vessel to take the wife of one who angered them. She broke down in tears, pleading that she only done so to be with her child, which made me laugh and unnerve everyone as I stood.
I walked towards her and told her I was recently asked to imagine seeing harm come to my child and the rather profound reaction I had to the idea. I added that besides that, taking a life, I just saved would render my actions pointless, then I helped her to her feet and, with the same demonic smile Lia employed against the guard captain, told her that if she sided with them again, I would destroy her without hesitation, stretching the threat to anyone.
Lia took the chance to let out a sigh of relief, as did everyone else, making me ask if everyone thought I was going to kill her. The room erupted into nervous laughter, and I bowed in apology to the maid for scaring her. Everyone was more confused than anything now, the maid was freed from restraints, and no one seemed to know what do, except the doctor who apparently bandaged me.
Circling like a buzzard, he asked if I was some manner of immortal, to which I could only say "I really hope not, but it seems like my kind of luck." I then explained to him the inorganic chest piece was merely a stopgap whilst my body healed naturally and shrunk gradually as tissue repaired.
The doctors interview was interrupted when Almick asked me if on the subject, I might be so kind as to apologise for exposing myself to his wife and children after regaining consciousness, which flustered me as I began to notice everyone in the room.
Elshia simply said it was nothing the mother of two boys hadn't seen before, but she'd rather her daughter not see a man half naked, which had me bowing in apology again despite being fully aware that she was more concerned with her seeing the grievous, albeit fascinating wound.
With that the guards were instructed to take all but Elshia and the children and leave us be, no one was to breath a word of what happened or leave the manor until after an official announcement was made.
The room to ourselves, Almick informed us that there were already guests at the manor, nobles from other towns present for ceremony he called the gifting. Continuing, he admitted this is something him and his cousin had been planning for some years now, a way of introducing me to allies, in particular those who have grown suspicious of the church.
I tried to refuse but your mother insisted I allow it to happen, that this was more than just my vendetta and anyone who wished to had the right to participate. I was forced to begrudgingly relent, though only after Almick acknowledged the fact that the truth of the matter was allies amounted to them defending themselves from monsters, providing us assistance where possible and as loathed as he was to admit it, any actual conflict would likely fall upon us, the only two with the potential to win or even survive.
I asked them one last time to reconsider, but they simply told me I wasn't alone any longer, chuckling when I pointed out that Lia scarcely lets me out of her sight, magic is almost never absent and Steward would be within earshot regardless, then sighed and jokingly mused that the opportunity to be alone would be a nice change. With my support, reluctant as it was, Almick informed us he was bringing proceedings forward to that night, as well as the fact the head clergy would also be in attendance, and I was to be on my best behaviour.
I bargained for the right that Lia and I could go in our own dress, not as noble guests or subject of debate, but as ourselves, and for my part I would be on my best behaviour and only act in defence of Lia, and her for me.
When asked why our own clothes, we simply looked at each other and admitted we both felt really out of place in such clothing, which made them feel awful in a way which we took childish joy in.
Lia opted to use the time to lecture me in full, before I kissed her and told her I loved her. Blushing and confused she asked what the gesture was for, and I replied simply that I wanted to. Stopping the lecture in its tracks a welcome side effect, and I returned to the desk and continued writing letters back home, suggesting Lia do the same, but she merely said that everyone could likely guess or was well aware of everything.
She looked at me as I spent a good amount of time trying to figure out if that was a subtle way of telling me not to bother. Finally, she draped her arms over me and apologised, telling me to write my letters, especially one for Storyteller, then a tear fell from me and caught Lia off guard.
She moved around and sat sideways on my lap, asking me what was wrong, I shook my head, trying to find the answer to that question myself. Unable to make sense of it, I wiped my eye and turned Lia to face the desk, holding her tight and resting my chin on her shoulder as I asked magic to move the pen for me.
After writing letters to Storyteller, Lord, and Lia's parents, Lia asked if I was done and another tear fell, I shook my head as I realised the cause and pulled another sheet centre and penned one last letter, this time by hand.
Dear Sister,
I write this letter for reasons I don't honestly know, truth be told, I intended to write you when I had more to say. Are you well? I wonder if my instincts have picked up on something I am not consciously aware of. Apologies
Kind Regards
Unity
Lia arched her neck back to kiss my cheek, asking if I felt better, but all I could say on the matter were criticisms on my writing. Lia suggested a sparring match to clear my head, and I was happy to oblige.
We made our way to the training grounds and requested space which the guards were happy to give so they could observe after rumours of my match against the lord and his sons spread. Lia declared we should give them a show and she would go all out, but I fear the display we put on left them disheartened, feeling inferior.
As a result, we ended up giving a lecture on combat, that whilst short, seemed to leave them feeling more confident. When Farlin arrived and recounted a scolding that lady Elshia was relaying to him with her own elevation however, the guards suddenly saw us as any other children as we began trying to blame the other. On behalf of his Lady, Farlin then suggested we clean ourselves up and prepared for the ceremony to come.
When we were fully prepared the assistant head butler, a man by the name of Karew and Ferlin's right hand man, led us to the guest hall that would be the venue of the ceremony.
Stopping briefly at a parlour room where Lady Elshia scolded us in person, this time for trying to pin blame on the other, despite seeming happy all the while which left me confounded. Lady Elshia then left ahead of us, and we were asked to wait a moment, then without word Karew led us to the hall, opening the doors to a space roughly half the size of the hall we had our wedding reception.
Lia hooked her arm onto mine, warning me that there were a lot of people inside and to lean on her if I felt nervous. Then our escort took a few steps inside and announced us.
We were immediately called to Almick's side and introduced by the lord himself ,before he gestured for us to stand before him and his family, the first thing he did was warn everyone to think twice before bringing us ill will and to pass that message to every corner of Celtas, though to the whispered gossiping he asked me to demonstrate my power, emphasising that I should make this one more impactful than before.
Though he did initially hesitate when I suggested the children leave momentarily, he obliged me. I asked Magic to envelop my hands in fire, then created an obsidian sword from what I now knew as creation, then tried merging the two, but I was quickly forced to erect a heatproof barrier as waves of heat pulsed from the sword as it morphed into a miniature sun unexpectedly, maintaining my composure in the face of the unexpected development I created a ball of solid rock and smashed the two together, quelling the sun and creating what reminded me of artistic renderings of our world in its primordial state under the sole rule of the calamities, as illustrated in a book well known amongst scholars.
The crowd was in awe, as was Almick and his family, Lia however was well aware I was completely in the dark as to how I was supposed to stop the demonstration, miming the word "globe" over and over to assist. I took her advice and pictured the flames quelling, surface changing to match the globe that Lord possessed and used to educate us about places of import.
When I had finished shaping the miniature world, I asked magic to create a metal frame and stand for it, then made a show out of presenting it to Almick as a gift for his hospitality. The crowd applauded, and I heard Steward's laughter, who then congratulated me on creating my first world, unnecessarily criticising its size and amateurish finishing.
The display was effective, though maybe a little too so. Sensing Lia's disdain for me choosing that moment to experiment, Almick followed by reassuring them that whilst we are most dangerous enemies, we are also compassionate and asked under his power for the maid I released to recount her tale, forgoing the precise details, then for his daughter to reveal how I risked my life to teleport her to safety before the maid arrived, and finished by displaying the daggers I created for young Muchin and telling them of my willingness to guide the next generation of their protectors.
The farcical undertone left a bitter taste in my mouth as he continued, mentioning to the lecture we gave his men, and leading me to ask out loud why we got scolded for training if Almick is making a moment of it now. The crowd's reaction answered my question though, I had been baited into demonstrating my naïve earnestness, making my immaturity clear for all to see and diluting the anxiety my power tends to instil in others.
Shrewd politicians, and carefully discreet, I was learning that Almick and Elshia both possessed instincts very different but every bit as keen as my own. They used those retellings as reasons to supply the boons he had already intended to give us; the sword, not a preordained gift, but a prideful boast of his town's artisans and mercantile factions in exchange for the daggers and time training his troops. The magic book not a way for me to disguise my practice, but to name his mages as peerless scholars worthy of tempering me. The certificate of joint citizenship not a gesture of allegiance, but of gratitude for helping a member of his household. The document of self-sufficiency not a matter of security, but an act to acknowledge "The pride of Haslon" promoting his cousins' domain. The final gift he didn't gift directly, A magic bag he had gifted to us by another relative of his, who is a known collector of rare magical items, as a belated wedding gift.
We were then subject to the gifting ceremony after party, where we entertained many a curious guest with the tale of how two so young were so sure they were meant for each other, with strategic embellishment and deviation, which the lord told us to implement. The church was still active here and publicly admitting I defied the gods, twice no less, would be an unnecessary and complicated affair. (Though listening to their representative in attendance tell me the gods blessed me took a subtle and deceptively powerful elbow from Lia to endure.)
Aisha also made her own decree that Lia was to be regarded as her sister, which I could tell meant a lot to her. Kipis decreed I was his teacher and inspiration, and Muchin spilled the beans on the training session which led to an amusing and public dressing down of the Lord by the Lady. I however felt lost, it didn't feel right for me to be attending something like this with so few familiar faces, I had grown fond of Almick and his family in short order, but I wanted nothing more than to have those who raised me, and those who made Haslon home, with me in that moment.
When the hour grew late and the children were returned home by the family retainers; the women, as was common, retired to a parlour to talk and bond, banter and gripe, gossip and debate. The men migrated to the grounds for duels and friendly competition, demanding to see me wield my new blade as I was begrudgingly forced centre stage against a training dummy.
When I hesitated to swing, men jeered and mocked. (Oblivious to the fact I was merely concerned for collateral damage.) I decided to dash first, grabbing the dummy by what would be the man's throat, I threw it high into the air and followed it before slashing upward and cleaving the doll in half sheathing the blade and grabbing the two halves to stop them drifting and injuring anyone.
When I landed those without the magic sight needed to detect someone using internal or physical augmentation magic with the naked eye, were insisting to themselves I didn't understand I wasn't supposed to use magic, but before I could tell them I didn't, those who did have the sight spoke for me.
The display led many to ask me to demonstrate more feats, though the lord squashed those requests, seemingly angry at how they were acting, demanding them to treat me with respect and not as a court entertainer. Several tried to apologise but I waved them away, telling them I'd rather they be curious than cautious, adding that I was certain Almick was merely concerned I'd forget the gracious hospitality I'd experienced up to then in the face of my childishly short temper.
Pulling me to one side, as the others started to pair off and duel. "You weren't speaking, or acting like that before tonight, you managed to show gratuity, discipline, self-awareness, all whilst nurturing my reputation. You learned from the ceremony a lesson I never intended to teach, didn't you?" Almick spoke quietly when we are somewhat out of earshot. I apologised, unsure if I had committed another witless indiscretion, but he stopped and assured me I did no such thing.
Suddenly Lia appeared and all the men stopped what they were doing and bowed to welcome her, before one of them asked if she had need of me, making some reference to Almick and myself playing introvert somewhere. As graceful as ever she returned their bow, stating that I had no need to play introvert since it was a firm fixture of my nature, before explaining that she came to right a wrong and demonstrate her own abilities as I had done in the hall.
Her words caused all the men to look at me uncertainly, but I simply told them when they lose it will be because of the difference in ability not my interference, finishing by assuring them not to worry since I can heal all but instantly fatal wounds without much effort.
A young, arrogant man was the first to step forward, and I could tell he was only stepping forward due to a massive underestimation of his prospective opponent even without Unity. The Lord also sensed that apparently and denied his request, insisting that after being forced to act as a lady she deserves the chance to be herself and spar a true warrior who knows better than to judge based on appearance or gender.
When everyone still seemed unsure I through a stone at her, breaking it against her simple leather other shirt, and letting the crowd see her barely acknowledge it, piquing their curiosity and a man who introduced himself as Zelith, the local guild master accepted the challenge.
I then made my way over to her as they took positions and asked her the real reason she came here, which she answered by eyeing four individuals and telling me that beating them earns her a recipe for an amazing treat she just had in the parlour. I turned and paid my respects to the man, then left to the side.
She danced around her opponent's bringing beauty to a battlefield, and it was that, she beat most the men present, and my healing was demonstrated to cure concussion, unbreak bone and restore their charms. She was celebrated and honoured by the end, but I knew full well the only reason that smile graced her features was earning that recipe. Lia once again began to doze off in public, and I once again carried her to our quarters.
Teasing my sleeping wife that I thought she just liked to be carried by me. I laid her on the bed and made to get the maid to come and dress her for bed, then joined her when the task was completed, "How are you always so warm?" She said half asleep as she nuzzled into me, probably too tired to have realised she was doing it. I hadn't ever seen exhausted Lia meet childish Lia before that night, but it proved worth the wait as every nonsensical syllable apparently made my heart change pace as she rubbed my chest and told it to slow down, which I done my best to rectify, but her soft features and innocent smile made it a hard one to fulfil for some reason.
I was put on a strict no magic break by Lia the next day as we ate breakfast with the Lords family and some guests, she insisted I exerted myself too much recently and needed to recover.
Whilst exaggerated, she wasn't wrong. I was tired and still needed to recuperate, I was hiding it well, but my heart had begun to regrow and necessitated a constant flow of magic to heal and numb. The pain when it first started was so intense I yelped loud enough to scare Lia and whip her into another panic. The Lord also requested we spend the day exploring the town, visiting the cottage he had set aside for us and recommended we register with the guild. A reliable source of income for travellers besides a good place to gather information, and gain access to some areas which are otherwise prohibited.
Before we could leave however, one of the guests enquired about our journeys path and we showed them our map when we had finished eating and gathered at a smaller table where such discussions were easier.
The guests in question were familiar with people in different lands and welcomed the opportunity to help us by offering both introduction and forward word to associates of theirs about our journey and the stops we would be making, promising to see us well treated by merchants and well fed by restaurants in other domains.