Book 3: Chapter 29
Tiffany
Alteer was so accommodating, because I didn’t think he’d let me ride his back like that. He really was about the same size as Zayde, though a little smaller. They flew behind in a V formation, but I could still hear them gossip. They still wondered what we would ‘really’ be like, now that their leader was dust.
None of them today were alive back then, but their former leader told them enough. They had their backs break in the hot humid sun, and were burnt, communal offerings… Humans had them kind of like cattle… like how we treated them before all the regulations.
Regardless, the scaffolding was there, and brick layers were magically at work. They levitated the heavy stone into place, and made sure the masonry was done well. They did vow to make the castle and nothing more… that also meant that they wouldn’t help with establishing the gardens, anoint pools, or make magic spaces once the floors were built.
We landed, and the witches stopped to bow and put their things down. “Those little thieves are back!” Growled Velimier. “Shoo! Go away!” He waved his hand at them, and they ran behind me, hissing like geese.
“Stick thrower!” Some murmured angrily, but not *too* loudly until *after* they were behind their leader. I almost giggled at that.
“We were hungry!” hissed one behind me.
“You stole our maize!” Said another. “How do you expect us to eat if *you* stole our food first!”
“These are my charges.” I said firmly, raising my had to quiet them. “I mean to let them live in the basement until the servant’s quarters are made.” I said this tall and proud. It pissed him off, but I am a leader.
“Brother, I still see father’s work on your throat. Why not just let it happen, hmm?” Said Alteer.
Velimier was angrily silent for a while. In that time, I let them see the basement. It wasn’t damp or flooded… Gulteer did a good job. I could even see the old carvings, worn as they were, had been touched up.
“I want some of you to make this place a temporary home.” I commanded.
About half the females in their little skirts broke off from the main group. I believe that was their job before my take over, since that place was falling apart. They just need to be able to rest down there. The servant’s wing was already in construction. Our castle would have the original towers built.
“Do you all have names?” I asked, petting the tallest of them on the head.
“No…” Said the tallest. His neck was shorter than the others, so I think I’d run with it.
“Then I shall name you…. Galben in Romanian. It means ‘yellow’.” I tried saying it without an accent, in case they can right.
I had the full intention on giving them an education…So I could teach them magic. That means I need to give them simple names, and start small. If they are to be the castle’s ‘gargoyles’, then they will need a lot of support. Then once they’re established, they can teach each other.
He looked Excited. “What can Galben do for the leader?” He asked.
“You all know how to grow crops. The land over there that’s been cut is perfect. Don’t eat the seeds…. Plant them.” I commanded. “I’ll make sure you have rations. Can you cook?” I asked.
“That one knows how to make fire.” He pointed to a skirted female. She looked shy, being about the same size as the rest…. They didn’t have any distinguishing features like mammals. They reminded me more of parrots, since the only way to tell some parrot species’ sex is DNA testing…
“Can this one have a name leader?” Asked the female. I noticed their color was identical as the males. They were so colorful… I wanted to turn some of their feathers into earrings.
“I don’t mind. You can be… Goot, it means ‘neck’.” I said cracking my knuckles. I gave them all easy to pronounce one to three syllable names. They could pronounce them without issue, and each one happily helped their fellow bird-dog.
They giggled and joked with each other, while Alteer spoke with Velimier… I wanted to hear it… but it would be hard to pry…. So, I would be bold. I felt like I had to be anyway…
I got closer, knowing full well they would have known that I was there if I did try ducking behind something.
“We still need the irrigation for plumbing. That should be done next month. Then there’s the energy potions so my crew can do overtime, but I already told you about that. Lady Tiffany, I forwarded the new layout to you and your husband. You have more servants, and we’ll make an additional guest abbey that can house any extra mouths.”
“When’s the first floor going to be finished?” I asked.
“Probably next month as well.” Said Velimier scratching his chin. “If you don’t mind not having mortal convenience, I can get at least a room or two up. You have servants…. I’ll throw in a portal stone. You all will have to set up the elevator though AFTER the building is built.” He said casually.
“…Why-” I got cut off.
“Why don’t I like *Stanley*? In his first life, he was unworthy of you. In this life, it may *technically* be the other way around, but his attitude…. I always hated it. That smug, spoiled attitude. He does not know his place.” He growled.
“Velimier, you are a Lord as much as Zayde… I know it would genuinely anger the master… I was tortured so badly, that I don’t want to remember… Don’t have your pride do that to you.” I said truthfully. I gave him a hug. “And don’t push me away. I know this is what you want.” I chuckled.
He sighed. “I miss you, you know.” He said petting my head. “It feels so wrong to see you as a niece… That you do not know the secrets, likely in fear that you will share them again… Why did you have to be a bleeding heart?” He demanded.
“Because I… I don’t remember doing it, but I know myself well enough to know that I wanted to help. I helped Emerald thinking I was doing good… as old as I was, I was naive to think that a witch not marked by the master was up to Any Good.” I growled. “But I have a second chance…. Why not use this to get to know my mate?” I said looking him in the eyes.
“For your sake… as in the old times… I will at least be cordial.” He said relenting.
“Good. Now please, let me see more of your progress. I thought I was coming home to just ruins.” I admitted.
“Oh, that’s the half of it. The jungle claimed this place… Ironically enough… the humans killed my brother, and your birds killed them in their uprising.” He said with pursed lips. “I still wish at least one priest were here.”
“There very well may be if you attract that kind of attention.” Said Alteer. “Brother, show us the first level, the scaffolding structure, and the roof plans.”
“Alright… Let’s go.” He said summoning his red diamond staff.
----Zayde----
“It’s ready to summon something.” Said mother. She prepped the ritual room like I’d asked… But now I had to basically apply for his immortality in the form of traditional, life threatening combat.
I breathed a little ash out my nose. I did not like this ritual… Since he was mortal, whatever I summoned and collected would have to be on his behalf… He was also still asleep, so that meant that I’d have to keep his limp body from…. Well being eaten while I defeat the monster I summon.
I knew I wanted him to be imposing… I wanted this mortal to be a testament to the master’s blessings… That any could achieve, regardless of bloodline…. Or makeup.
“Are you sure about this?” Asked Casey.
“Yeah, I’ve done this before, but not with hybrids.” I admitted. “First I need to do this.” I reached into his chest, and let my claws poke him. He’d had my blood… so he was my charge… and had the same compatibilities as me…
“Is something wrong?’ She asked coming in the magic circle.
“…. I bet… I bet I could make him like me.” I said thinking out loud… “But now I have *two* charges that I cannot be trampled, eaten, or killed. Shit.”
This was risky… As a mortal he may be physically compatible with a behimoth, but mentally…. I wasn’t sure.
“Sorry…. Please don’t gamble his life.” Casey asked, putting her hand on his cheek. “I know it was messed up how we ended up like this… but I still love him.” She admitted.
“I’ll only summon a 75ft one.” I said making my decision. That’s a *really* good size, more than most of my ‘pack’ of beast magic users coming to Yellow. At that size, he will have rank, and no one would dare be dumb enough to disrespect him. If they did, they’d be disrespecting me anyway. “My apprentice, you shall be glorious. The mental battle you must winis yours alone, but I will make a mighty witch out of you yet.”
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