Book 3: Chapter 37
Zayde
With the negotiation suggestion, we had a bit of a recess so the local priests could be contacted. I took this time to check on my apprentice. He could control himself because I held his hand during this process, but unlike me, he needed that.
Unlike me, he didn’t get to learn how to use his magic, and now that he has no mortal blood, his instincts run the risk of overpowering him.
I just had a hunch that he needed me today anyway. He’d done the biggest hurtle of hearts and souls, now he needs to adjust. I doubt his body will be at equilibrium.
Servants offered me a cup of wine as I walked outside the meeting room. I loved the teleportation pads father made for his castle, as it only took a second to get to them. Micael was in his private chambers with his girlfriend, but I could hear the seriousness of their conversation.
“Just call Lord Zayde.” She said soothingly. He growled at her.
“He’ll think less of me.” He retorted. “Sorry I scare you. I smell it.”
She sighed. “… I don’t get it Micael... Like when I have questions Lord Atto *calls* when I text him… Your Lord Zayde’s responsibility. If you feel like you need help, you should ask before you hurt someone.”
I knocked. “I’m coming to check on you.” I said remembering the days when I had my daughters. They’d always be so embarrassed once they were teenagers. I suppose having an apprentice is no different.
“He keeps trying to shift.” She blurted, but he looked offended.
“That’s normal.” I half lied, because by now it shouldn’t be an issue. He already went through the soul journey part…. I put my hand on his forehead, and he snapped at me, trying to bite my hand. “You little shit.” I grabbed his hair, making him sit still so I could check… also I didn’t want to get bit. It would just make me pissed off. “Your blood balance is off. You’re more demon than witch.” I growled.
“Sorry.” He mumbled. “Is it bad?”
I let him go, as the only thing hurt was his pride.
“You’re still learning your limits, and right now your hormones are making you go through a kind of puberty to balance your body with your mind…. You’ll get a little taller, but more importantly, you should accompany me to subdue your beast. I’m your superior. It’ll be easier to contain around your elders.” I said firmly.
“I don’t know the culture or the language you all speak… I don’t know magic other than being a monster… What could I contribute? I still don’t even know why you’re helping me.” He said as his voice dipped an octave. “What the hell?”
“Well for starters I swore to, but also with you as my lesser, you’ll be the only other behimoth coming to Yellow. You are much too green for anything now, but soon you will be my second. You must have forgotten what I told you.” I said motioning him to come. “Now follow me.” I said firmly.
He could sit next to me while I made my phone call. No one gave two shits that I brought him, as they understood. Typically, only we leaders attend this boring, longwinded meeting sessions, but they took one look at him and knew he was bad off.
Currently, his skin tone was gray, not flesh. His blood is black now, and that’s part of it, the other part is that one does get a little paler like vampires do to this process.
A part of us *is* the creature we take; it’s why we can’t shift into multiple things. The form is as much of me as it is a spell... My body, blood, and personality are altered permanently, though, I knew what I was doing. He’s learning as he goes.
Gulteer slid me his phone, as Father Parez was on the other end already. I didn’t know if Tiffany was done yet, but in case, even if this went sour, it would buy time.
“This is Father Mario Parez. My the light shield.” He said firmly. I could hear the age, and slight holy aura in his voice… I knew he was strong, as his greeting reminded me of a cantrip.
“I am Zayde Bartholomew Yoltier, grandson of the Dark King. May the night cloak.” He had his protection; I had mine. I wasn’t going to allow his nonsense to attack us from the other end of this call.
“State your business demon.” He said almost angrily. I must have offended him, but he started it.
“I lead my dark witches of Yellow Diamond, and you lead your light paladins. I call in an attempt for peace. We are hundreds of miles from any mortals. Surely you see this crusade is not warranted.” I said firmly.
He was silent. “You are connected with the Adversary. Should you reside in my presence, I will cut you down.”
“You’re in a town 521 miles away. You literally have to traverse untamed jungle to get to us. We have no intention of touching the local population, as through the authority of the Realm King, we are allotted a farm plot. So, you’d just harass mostly green, innocent witches that have not laid hands on free humans.”
He muttered to his peers. I could hear them just fine.
“Father Parez, they lie! They’re demons!” Said one.
“Dark witches are the Night’s chosen! Surely you won’t listen to his lies!” Others agreed with his words, but I could hear the bang of a gavel.
“They *are* and much glory would be given to our chapter Brother Julio… but only if they were a threat.” Said Father Parez.
“They’re Dark Witches Father; they are *automatically* a threat!” Said one of his other brethren.
“Killing witches holds little meaning when we would start war with those who keep to themselves Brother Miguel. Many innocent people will die in an all our war with seasoned witches. The Light would not want that.” Father Parez… had common fucking sense.
“As I said, I am attempting to extend an olive branch. We can be neighbors, albeit distant ones.”
“If you can vow you and your kin’s claws off my people… I wouldn’t be against a meeting in person.” he said honestly. “I cannot save the farmed men… but we protect the free.”
“Then I will come in person to blood oath Father Parez.” I said firmly.
“I’m fine with that. If you did it over the phone, I’d only have to take your word for it at face value.” He chuckled.
We said our goodbyes, and I could see how proud my father was.
“I would have just leveled the city… but this is better and worse.” Said grandfather scratching his chin,
“How so?” I asked.
“Your coven is more of a pack of shifters than magicians. Beast magic… is fickle. They will listen to you of course, but will he?” grandfather pointed to Michael.
He bit his hand. “Is this how you do it?” He asked.
“Aye… be careful what you vow.” I warned. “As a human being, the Lord of Light looks over mistakes in small oaths and such, but the master does NOT. Should you break it, you will regret it.”
“Then I vow on my black blood that I will honor Lord Zayde’s commands… and that I will gain control of myself *Before* we leave.” He said as his eyes switched from blue to red. It seemed his inner instincts were roused from his oath, as it is binding.
Should he break it, he won’t have to worry about what the humans will do.
“Velimier has told us by next year the castle will be finished, but we can move in in 6 months’ time. Be ready.” I said patting him on the back. I let him have a taste of my dominance. It made the whites of his eyes black. Then he became normalized.
-----Tiffany-----
With the stones reenergized… I was spent… I laid on the center of the floor, and my demon sat on my chest as a cat.
My little charges slept around me… I didn’t even realize I was asleep, or that the sun was rising. They all cuddled around me, and I was warm. They were basically a makeshift blanket, with Goot and Galben being the closest. Velimier put necklaces on them, so we could tell them apart.
Everyone else got leg bands, so at a glance it would magically show their name above their heads. Since they all look identical, it was needed.
Aptherraam yawned. Tinzaa followed.
[I’m hungry.] he complained. [Can I have one of the-] I cut him off.
“No. Those are my pargeese.” I said making up a name for them on the fly… They had goose necks and parrot heads with dog bodies… Such a strange combination. I thought there would be food left, but it seemed even the bones were gnawed on to the point to were just the skull and antlers were left. Even the antlers were chewed. I’d let them have it as a toy….
[We can eat when we get home.] Said Tinzaa. “Master will have fresh meat anyway.”
“I don’t know if he’s hunting or not.” I said getting up. Goot was first. She bowed. “Can you take them to some prime hunting grounds. Bring enough back for all the workers, and I want you all to cook your meals.” I said to keep my demons and the pargeese busy.
She flew off, and I let them hunt while I gathered my strength… I was awake, so now it was time to make the barrier around the lands as tired as I was.
I sat cross legged where I slept. It was time to do more work. I am to protect my fellow witches when they arrive, and with my strength I will do that well. There is no room for fear, hesitation, or being a kid about this. If I mess up, everyone else will die. That was a lot of pressure, but I wanted to do this myself.
Well… not completely… Velimier sat next to me silently, offering his support.
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