Chapter Three: Normal is Over Rated
The next morning Therum work just before dawn with a smile on his face, 'this should prove to be interesting. If my watch is right Louise should be waking up in 3…2…1…now.' From the open door to Therum's room three sounds could be heard. The first was a loud mechanical beeping sound; the second was a screaming pink haired mage being awakened by the beeps and the third was the unmistakable sound of someone falling out of a bed. Therum walked over to the door to get a better look at the scene unfolding in his sanctuary. Louise was still half asleep trying to catch his motorized alarm clock which was doing a very good job of avoiding her wild grasping. Finally getting fed up with the annoying little device Louise decided to switch to her old fall back, explosions. 'I had best stop her before she destroys my room. The weapons and the books are protected against magic but my poor bed isn't.'
"What is this horrible thing and what unholy magic makes it make such a terrible noise? How do you make this thing shut off?" Having finally caught the annoying device she was frantically smacking it around trying to make it be quiet.
"Give it here Louise it is called an alarm clock and it is not a magical device. It is a piece of technology created on my home world designed to wake people up in the mornings at a specific time. Like I told you before on Earth magic is very rare but the normal people have found ways to recreate and surpass many magical feats with technology. Take that bed you borrowed last night, it does not have feathers or springs or anything like that it is actually a giant piece of something called memory foam. Think of it like a really big sponge. " Taking the clock from his master he pushed the off button on the side of the device quieting it instantly.
"You are telling me that people where you are from purchase things like that to wake them up on purpose, and you think that our nobles are the strange ones." She said in an undertone. "Why did you wake me up so early anyway it is the day of the Void and we don't have any classes today?"
"Well if someone hadn't stolen my bed last night shortly after I dragged it off another freaking planet I would not have needed to wake them up. It's not my fault you didn't inform me of your holidays. It is, however, your fault that you were in my room when my alarm clock went off. I am kinda new here you know so it might take me a while to adjust. No matter what you are awake now so what would you like to do with your day off? I personally would like to spend some time away from this blasted castle."
"Well we could head into Tristainia for the day it is the nation's capital and only a few hours by horse. I need to pick up a few things anyway."
"Shopping with a little princess is not exactly what I had in mind but I admit that I would love to go see the capital. You have a deal master, I will arrange for our transportation at once. Your clothes for the day are laid out on your bed, please be ready to go within in the hour." Pushing Louise out of his room he closed the door behind him muttering about how vengeance would be his.
Emerging from his room just under an hour later Louise was a little confused by the change her familiar had taken. Instead of the strange black clothes that she had become accustomed to seeing on him he was instead wearing a plain white tunic with long brown pants and riding boots. For lack of better words he looked like a minor noble about to go on a hunting trip not a stranger from another world. He even had a leather satchel common among fast traveling palace messengers. 'I knew my renaissance fair costumes would come in handy again.' "Are you ready to go master the sun is high and I smell adventure in the air? We can have lunch in the city if we hurry."
***BREAK***
Out in the castle courtyards Therum started towards the main gate. "Wait you stupid familiar the stables are this way, I am not going to walk the whole way to the capital."
"Please Louise have a little faith in me. I have a much quicker way to travel but I want to get out of sight of the castle first. I guarantee you will not have to walk too far." He had a feeling that she was going to be irate with him by the time their journey was done so the rude address was forgiven.
"Very well Therum I will see what you have planned. One thing I am learning is that you usually know what you're doing."
About a quarter mile down the road when a grove of trees had hidden the two travelers from view Therum signaled Louise to stop for a minute. "This should be far enough away to keep prying eyes away." From his bag Therum pulled out three small objects. Two looked like some kind of strange tiny bowls and the other looked like a toy that a child might play with. Louise was about to question the sanity of her servant when he pulled out his wand from his sleeve and waived it over the objects. The objects grew to many times their original size. Therum handed one of the 'bowls' to Louise. It was nearly the same color as her hair.
"Therum what are these things and what exactly am I supposed to do with this thing?"
"That my dear little master is called a helmet you put it on top of your head and fasten the straps under your chin. The other object is called a motorcycle. It is a machine used for personal transportation by many back on Earth. You can think of it as a sort of self propelled steel horse if that helps. Now get on the seat behind me and hold on tight."
Reluctantly she got on the strange looking machine behind her familiar. "I know how to ride a horse thank you and I have never fallen off of one so please don't treat me like a child." Therum shrugged and turned the key to the ignition. The bike came to life with a healthy rumble causing Louise to shriek and hold tighter to Therum waist. "Do your people know how to make anything quiet?"
"This one is quiet. It still has the stock exhaust." Without another word he kicked up the kick stand and sent the machine into motion with just a little excess tire spin. Anyone in the area would have heard two voices over the sound of the bike, one female screaming and one male laughing manically. For a dirt road the quality was remarkably good. What should have been a three hour trip by normal horses was going to take the pair less than one.
***BREAK***
Back at the academy Kirche was walking the grounds with her latest beau when her peculiar sixth sense flared up. Normally this sense was just a small tingle in the back of her mind only becoming really noticeable for long periods of time during the breaks between terms when the students went home. Many mages claim to have developed sensitivity to something other than their element, Kirche for whatever reason has developed the ability to know when Louise Vallière is being teased. It is a rather pleasant tingling feeling that accounts for much of the unnecessary teasing that Kirche has give Louise over the last few years. Not a very useful ability as far as magical anomalies go, but it sure does help break up the monotony of particularly boring days. Kirche now knew what she was going to do with her day. She would find the one capable of giving her rival such a thorough teasing, learn their secrets, and turn them upon the interloper. 'I need to lose this chump and find Louise. I wonder where she is today, maybe that maid I saw with them will know.'
***BREAK***
As the walls of the Capital city came into view Therum decided to pull the motorcycle off to the side of the road and came to a stop, much to the relief of one frazzled pinkette mage. "Looks like we are here Louise, and it only took us about half an hour to get here too. You must agree that that was much better than riding horses the whole way." After helping Louise with the straps on her helmet he once again shrunk the three items and returned them to his bag.
"So fast..." Apparently the poor girl was still a little bit out of it.
"Come along master, we have many stores to visit today and I would like to get back to the academy before dinner."
By the time they reached the city gates Louise had regained her senses enough to properly chastise him for not warning her about the motorcycle. "If you ever pull a stunt like that again I will have you flogged. I don't care who you were before, you are my familiar now and I expect to be treated like a proper master. That means if I scream for you to slow down your death machine you do not laugh like some sort of maniac and go faster. Do you understand Therum?"
"Yes master I will never pop a wheelie on my motorcycle again with you on the back. I am sorry." There is not a person in any world that would have believed that apology from a person wearing the smile he currently was. Fortunately Louise is a smart enough girl to know the futility of arguing any further with her precocious servant.
The better part of the morning was spent going around to an assortment of different shops collecting things that Louise would need for the remainder of the school year: quills, parchment, magical reagents and a text book that had wound up on the wrong end of a 'little mistake.' "Why do you mages seem to insist on using quills and ink pots to write with Louise? Would it not be simpler to use a pen?"
"What is a pen exactly? I have never heard of such a device." A look crossed Therum's features that clearly showed a small part of him dying inside.
Reaching into his bag he pulled out several small thin objects, "these are pens Louise. They are writing devices that replaced quills hundreds of year ago on earth. They come in many different styles and colors depending on what type of document you are working on." Selecting a particular one from his handful he put the rest of the pens back in his pouch. "This is an example of one of the older style pens that I know of it is called a fountain pen. Basically it is a lot like a metal tipped quill with an internal ink supply. That way you only have to refill it after several pages of writing not every few words. It also makes things a lot more convenient for taking quick notes."
"Finally something useful from your world that doesn't make loud noises or try to kill me, do you think that I could try this pen of yours out?"
"Sure thing Louise, as a matter of fact if you find us a café in the next ten minutes where we can get some lunch and a good cup of tea you can keep that one."
"In that case I know just the place; I used to go there with my father when he had business in the city."
***BREAK***
True to her word Louise led them to a very posh looking café across from a gigantic building that looked suspiciously like a department store. A rare jolt of fear coursed through the mighty familiar. 'Considering the company I am currently in, I would rather fight a dragon than enter that place. They better have some damn good tea here. Odd why are there several people in armor at this café it doesn't exactly look like a high crime establishment. Especially considering that there only seems to be one other patron.' "Louise is it common for half a dozen armed guards to be canvassing this café," he asked as the pair sat down despite the cold stares the guards were giving them.
"No this is usually a very quiet café, besides those are the royal gunpowder squad so they only interfere with things concerning the queen or the princess." No sooner had she finished her explanation then the only other person seated in the café turned around to inspect the newcomers. The look of shock on Louise's face told Therum that she knew the lavender haired young woman at the other table. It also would seem that the woman in question knew who Louise was, because as soon as she saw them the summoned one of her guards to her side. After a brief conversation just out of Therum's hearing range the blonde haired knight advanced on their table. Being the paranoid type that he is the battle mage familiar discretely armed himself with a couple of throwing knives he kept up his sleeves.
Coming up to their table, the blonde knight addressed Louise. "I am Agnes leader of her majesties gunpowder soldiers, are you Louise Francois le Blanc de la Vallière?" Louise nodded in the affirmative. "Good, Lady Henrietta de Tristain has extended an invite to your party to join her for lunch. Please come with me." Shrugging Therum got to his feet and fell in line behind the attractive yet high strung blonde woman. "As a first and only warning sir if you try anything with those concealed weapons of yours I will kill you without hesitation."
'She saw that did she? This woman could be the first serious warrior I've met since coming to this insane excuse for a planet. Well if the purple headed beauty over there is royalty of some sort that definitely explains the abundance of guards around this place.'
When the party was just a few feet from the table its sole occupant practically leapt from her seat to engulf the smaller pinkette in a friendly hug. "Oh Louise Francois it is you, I have missed you dearly. And look at this I seem to have interrupted your lunch with your lover I am so sorry." Therum had to fight back a laugh with only mild success. Louise turned near as red as Kirche's hair.
"He is not my lover! He is my increasingly bothersome familiar and nothing more."
"Come, come Louise I thought that we were past this. You and I both know there if more between us than a simple familiar bond. Why don't you at least introduce me to this young lady before you go belittling our relationship?" Using a little more flare than absolutely necessary, Therum gave a bow before introducing himself. "I am Therum Magnus familiar to Miss Vallière and friend to Louise." The sputtering rage and embarrassment Louise was fighting was thoroughly ignored. "I will confirm however, that as she said Louise and I are not currently in a romantic or physical relationship." He planted a small kiss on the princesses' hand.
"A pleasure to meet you fine sir if Louise trusts you then I am sure that you are a fine nobleman of good standing. Please have a seat I was just ordering a light lunch when you two entered."
"Thank you for your invitation Miss Henrietta good tea is always enhanced by good company." Feeling a mild pain in his ribs Therum looked over to see a highly irritated Louise.
"You do not address her majesty by her first name in such a casual manner. You should call her Your Majesty or at least Princess out of respect."
"Louise please you don't need to be so formal with me. We are old friends after all I do not want you to treat me differently simply because a couple of years have passed since our last visit. If Sir Therum would like to call me Henrietta then he may, especially in this informal setting. That is why I came out shopping today instead of having the palace servants do it for me, so that the people can interact with me in a comfortable setting."
"Wise words indeed, but I must stop you and make a correction. I am not a noble or even one of your subjects. I was summoned by Louise here during her familiar ritual from a far away land. Where I come from my people overthrew an oppressive monarchy centuries ago so my courtly demeanor may be a little rough. Feel free to point out any mistakes I make in formalities I will try to fix the ones that do not go against my principles."
"My Louise you sure have called an interesting sort of familiar haven't you. I would expect nothing less from you my friend. As to you good sir, if you are a friend of my dear Louise then you do not have to worry about being formal with me either."
"Please your majesty you praise me too much I really don't deserve it. I was just fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a royal playmate. As for him," she gestures with her thumb, "I sometimes believe he is more trouble than he is worth."
Right around this time the tea showed up and the main topic of conversation tuned the two girls out, tea is not to be wasted in the name of gossip. Pouring a cup for himself and then a second he politely excused himself from the table. Taking the two cups with him he walked over to the knight captain from earlier and offered her one while sipping on his own. At first he was just eyes suspiciously by the blonde knight but seeing as how she had watched him fix both cups and did not detect any hostile intent from the stranger be took the second cup from him. "Hope you don't mind cream and honey. I don't think that those two even know that I left the table."
Agnes took a moment to regard the strange man. 'He speaks as if he is the equal of a noble but claims not to be of such lineage. He said that he is the familiar to the Vallière girl but act as if he is nothing more than an older classmate and talks to the princess as if she were just another girl. The most troubling thing by far is his body language it does not match up with his actions at all. He acts like such a gentle person but to a trained eye he is one wrong move away from a fight. If he is that well trained I don't know that I could win against him. I am going to have to watch him closely around the princess.' "That may be true, from what I know those girls once were very close to each other and the princess has not had any close contact with anyone outside the castle in a long time. This is good for both of them." She took a sip of her own tea. 'Damn the nobility has good tea, but that one pot would cost me two days wage.'
"I agree completely Knight Agnes, I am just worried about their good mood and our relative proximity to a rather large and expensive looking store. Mark my words as the hired help this will not end well for us."
***BREAK***
"I really hate being right all the time about things like this. I swear between the two of them they must have bought half the freaking store. What do two girls need with twelve new pairs of shoes and half a dozen complete new outfits each? Louise doesn't even wear hats."
"If I recall Mister Magnus you spent an awful long time talking with the stationary clerk and the girl at the watch counter. Maybe you should give them some slack."
"That was different Agnes I was brokering a business deal with the stationary salesman. As for the nice young lady behind the watch desk, it took a while to describe the exact piece I wanted commissioned." This earned him a raised eyebrow form the swordswoman.
"You said you were just a simple familiar when talking to the princess during lunch what could you have needed nearly an hour to discuss with two very specialized merchants?"
Enter the Therum Magnus predatory grin variant 5. "During a conversation with Louise earlier today, before we met you and the princess, I learned that a device I am very used to having available has not been invented here. So, while we were in a store that caters nobles who tend to like spending stupid amounts of money on status symbols, I sold the design and 100 startup units. Here have a free sample." Therum knew that he shouldn't have thrown the pen like a weapon but it was just too good of a chance to pass up, besides with the cap on chances of injury are fairly small.
Catching the missile with practiced ease Agnes regarded it with curiosity. Finding the cap she removes the lid to reveal the platinum plated tip. To her it looked like some sort of bizarre mutation of a fancy quill. "What is it some bizarre writing instrument?"
"That is exactly what it is. It is called a fountain pen and is basically a combination of an ink pot and a quill. I sold them to that merchant for 25 new gold pieces each and lord knows how much he will pass them on to his customers for. I also have a contract for a thousand more if they sell well."
"Are you telling me that you just made 2500 gold pieces in an hour selling novelty writing devices? That is nearly twice my annual salary!"
"Really, I just assumed that since the quills that Louise bought earlier were each a gold piece and that pot of tea was 5G that I was letting them go pretty cheap."
"That café is the most exclusive one in the city. Only the wealthiest of nobility eat there because while the food is wonderful, the prices are outrageous."
"Well in that case please enjoy my gift of Magnus Industries #101 collectable writing utensils; here is the box and certificate of authenticity to go with it. If you want you can sell it but I think that a personalized pen will be hard to pawn off."
"What do you mean personalized there is nothing personal about this thing."
"Are you sure about that Captain I think it is pretty personal."
"I am absolutely sure…" looking at the pen again she watched as a delicate silver script appeared around the cobalt shaft of the pen. To Captain Agnes from Therum Magnus in hopes that your sword will always be sharper than this pen. "How did that happen? That was not there when you threw it at me.
"I don't know maybe you overlooked it the first time or maybe there is a little magic in the air." Leaving one slightly rattled captain behind the humored familiar made to return to his master's side.
"Therum what have you done this time? You only have that look right before or right after you've done something troublesome?" Looking worried she asked, "where are the clothes that The Princess purchased for me today you haven't done something to them have you?"
"Rest assured master I have not done anything to your items they are safely secured in my bag. All I have done is given a small gift to Henrietta's Captain."
"How can you possibly fit all of those bags and boxes into that small bag sir? It does not look near big enough to hold even a small percentage of their bulk," The Princess questioned.
"It's bigger on the inside than it looks," is his only reply.
She looked about to question further until Louise interrupted. "Don't bother Your Majesty that is likely the best answer you are going to get out of that one. I would be more worried about what he has done to Agnes."
Somehow sensing that they were talking about her Agnes joined the group. "You have need of me Your Majesty?"
"Nothing of the sort Agnes, Therum here had just mentioned that he gave you some sort of gift." Knowing what the Princess was referencing she retrieved the small rectangular box from one of her carrying pouches.
"He gave me this when I questioned his business with the stationary salesman." Taking the box from her servant Henrietta and Louise opened it to reveal the pen and the inscription upon it. Louise shot him an ominous look. He pretended not to notice as he wiped a smudge off his glasses.
"I saw these just a few minutes ago they were selling for 100G each. Apparently they are some sort of new sensation among nobles in Gallia. The workmanship in the inscription must have easily doubled the price. Therum where did you get the money for something like this and why give it to a woman you just met?" Of course Louise recognized the device if not that particular one.
"Miss Henrietta if you would look at the certificate under the lining of the box please."
"It says Limited Edition Fountain Pen # 101 a product of Magnus Industries. Isn't that your last name?"
"That it is and I can assure you that these things come from a lot further than Gallia and that the only ones on the continent are in this store. I gave one to Agnes because she seems like a person who would never say so but likes to get gifts like any other lovely lady." Right on cue the stoic Captain was overcome by a mild yet insuppressible blush. Would you two like one as well? A ruler of her people should be up to date on fashionable writing utensils."
"I would be glad to accept your offer how long will it take you to have one ready?"
"I would say about 5-10 seconds." After a brief bit of rummaging around in his bag he produced a pair of boxes for the two noble girls each matching the prospective owner's hair color."
"There you are ladies enjoy. You can refill them with any color ink you want, but they all come stock with the same color ink as the casing. The instructions are in the box."
***BREAK***
"I am so glad that I got to spend an afternoon with you Louise we really must do this again very soon. Maybe we can make some time next week when I come to the academy for the familiar exhibition."
'I'll have to ask Louise what this whole familiar exhibition is about. Something tells me I'm not going to like it.
Making their way back to the city gates the duo was unaware that they had been followed for the last several streets. "Are you sure that you do not want me to get you a new sword or anything Therum? I still have some of my allowance left over thanks to how much I saved thanks to the princess insisting on paying for everything."
"Thank you for the offer Master, but I assure you that there is not a sword you could buy me that would be an improvement to the one that I already have." 'I will eat my boots if someone can even find a rival for my dear Aurora.'
Their stalker interpreted his words to mean that Louise de la Vallière could not even afford to equip her familiar with a sword that would not embarrass her Familiar. 'Don't worry darling I will spare you from all of her failures even as far as getting you a proper sword.'
***BREAK***
"Do we have to take that motor thingy back to the academy?"
"If you do not want to ride back with me you can always walk back or I could probably send you back with magic if you prefer. That would be quicker and quieter but I can't assure the quality of the landing. There is a small chance you could wind up spattered on one of the castle walls."
"I, I'll just ride back with you. Now that I know about the noise and the speed it shouldn't be too bad this time. Just go a bit slower this time ok? The first time was too rough and fast for my liking."
Therum had to fight back a laugh. "If that is your wish master we can have a nice leisurely ride back. It'll take a bit longer but we should still get back somewhere around dusk. Put your helmet on and we can get going." When Louise was once again seated behind Therum on the motorcycle he took off at a much more casual pace than he had maintained that morning. That said they were still making much better time than anything short of a dragon or a gryphon could ever hope to keep up with.
One such dragon and its two young riders were also on their way back to the Tristain Magical Academy. "I can't believe that that stupid weapon salesman made me take this stupid piece of junk before he would give me a discount on the one that I really wanted. The stupid, old, lecherous thing will be a perfect gift for Louise."
"You suggest one time that someone's chest would be a good place to hide a sword and this is the treatment I get? That's the last time I offer sound tactical advice to you missy." Apparently the sword doesn't like being called old.
"Below," Tabitha Pointed.
The small party had been flying fast to make it back to the castle before dark and had now spotted a strange craft below them moving much faster than any horse ever could. "What do you think that is Tabitha? It looks like there are two people riding it and they are heading for the castle."
"I don't know."
***Break***
"Louise look above us isn't that Tabitha's dragon Sylphid?"
"I think it is but what would it be doing way out here we are still several miles from the castle."
"Maybe it's out hunting, or Tabitha could have needed to go into town for a new book or something I don't think I have ever seen her without one. Maybe I should show her my library sometime. You want to see how fast she can fly? I think I saw a flash of red your friend Kirche could be up there too."
"Do it," was all the confirmation he needed to let his horses sing.
"You had better hold on tight master this might get a little bumpy." Nobody can easily say that Therum Magnus doesn't put on a good show. When he felt Louise's grip tighten around his midsection he dropped the bike a gear while mashing down on the throttle. A good way to quickly accelerate for sure but with the downside of throwing up the front wheel on a well tuned bike. Just like that the two on the iron horse were gone.
***BREAK***
"They're fast," was the triple comment from above.
"Tabitha do you think that Sophie can catch them?"
"We will see."She leaned forward so that the dragon could hear her better, "catch up with them."As an afterthought, "Don't eat them."
Down on the ground when they had finally reached the academy Louise had overcome her fear with mirthful joy. "I got a look as we sped away that was definitely Tabitha and that annoying Zerbst girl. If only I could have seen the look on their face when you did that wheel air thing all of her taunts might have been worth it."
"I am glad you enjoyed the ride back more than the trip to the capital. Now step away from the bike I need to hide it before the others get here." If any magician in Vegas could make a motorcycle disappear as fast as he could they would be the wealthiest people in the city. "Try to act inconspicuous I am going to the kitchen for something to eat."
"Can I come with you? I got so wrapped up in spending time with the princess that I forgot we missed dinner."
"It's fine by me Louise but you had best treat the cooks with respect. They are my friends. You also can't complain about what they have to offer. I usually have leftovers from whatever the staff and students are served. It wouldn't be polite to demand they make us something special."
They hadn't made it ten feet before their path was cut off by a massive case of dragon in the way. "Darling there you are where have you been all day? I looked all over the city for you after that maid told me you two Left the castle early this morning. It took me nearly an hour to convince Tabitha to help me look. None of that matters now though because I finally found you!" The flying tackle Therum got hit by would have made any professional wrestler proud to witness.
"Zerbst stop assaulting my familiar like that! What is the meaning of you stalking us! Where I go, and who I take with me, is none of your business."
Lifting the busty girl off of him as is she weighed little more than a feather the familiar took to brushing the dust off his clothes. "We spent the afternoon shopping with Princess Henrietta and Knight Captain Agnes. Louise bought many clothes and I commissioned a custom watch using the proceeds from a successful business deal. Is that enough information to satisfy you?"
"That is why I love you Darling you can make these impossible situations work to your advantage. You can even sway royalty to your side. You can make me work to your advantage any time you want. Louise can come too if you are in to that kind of thing. I have plenty of passion to share. Oh that reminds me I got you something while we were in the city. Since Louise can't seem to meet your needs properly I got you the finest sword in the city." Retrieving a monstrous golden sword from its resting place on the dragon's back Kirche presented the blade to her latest crush.
Taking the sword to humor the girl Therum unsheathe it and took a few practice swings to get a feel for the weapon. Returning the blade to its scabbard he leaned against the weapon as if it were a cane.
Without taking her eyes off of Therum during his display Kirche tossed the second sword in the general direction of Louise. "You can have that one Vallière. The salesman would not let me have the nicer one without taking that piece of junk too. Maybe you can learn to use it since you obviously can't use magic."
"What do you think girls does it make me look like a wealthy noble?" Kirche and Louise both sounded an affirmative, though the latter was a bit more subdued, and Tabitha gave a small nod from behind her book. "Good then it is not a completely worthless paper weight."
Obviously that is not the response Kirche expected. "The salesman told me that that was the finest sword in the shop."
"It is a very well crafted item no doubt but I have clubs that would be more effective weapons. It's too heavy to use in long term combat, the blade is gold plated so it will never hold an edge, and the balance is several different hinds of wrong. I would promise to wear it if I should ever need to look pompous and rich but otherwise I have no use for it. I already have the finest sword in existence."
"You do have a good eye for blades Partner but I must disagree you have at best the second greatest sword in existence. This girl here now has the greatest sword in existence."
Louise yelped and dropped the sword in her arms, "Did that sword just talk?"
"I think that it did indeed little master." Therum walked over and picked up the poor sword. Performing the same maneuvers as before handing the blade back to Louise, he gave a nod of approval. "Not exactly my style but I can agree with you sir sword you are indeed a fine blade."
"The name's Derflinger Partner. It has been a long time since I was handled with the skill you just showed, you sure you aren't looking for another sword. I would much rather be a backup weapon for a true swordsman than be wielded by these girls who keep dropping me all over the place."
"Sorry mate I already have more than enough swords as it is I'm actually about to give one back." Turning to Kirche," I appreciate the offer Kirche, but I am happy with Aurora as my sword I cannot accept this gift."
"What am I supposed to do with a sword I can't return it and as a proper noble I have no use for one?" Therum had a feeling that the last part was a jibe at Louise.
"Not to be rude but I really don't care if you throw it in a lake. Maybe a water spirit will enchant it to be worth using and lob it at a passing king or something. Now if you will excuse me I am off to find some supper. Goodnight Tabitha talking with you has been a pleasure as always." Between the darkness and her book Tabitha was grateful nobody could see the small blush on her cheeks. Kirche walked back to her room in quiet reflection. No man had resisted her advances like this before…
***BREAK***
"Good evening Siesta et all how have you been today? This is my little master Louise le blanch de la Vallière. Louise this is the mangy lot that prepares that slop you eat on a daily basis."
"What are you calling slop?" Therum found himself in a headlock courtesy of Marteau the head chef. "You practically worship my cooking with how much of my food you have eaten."
"That is because you never let me cook for myself. Any time I come within fifty feet of this place I get dragged in here to be your food taster." Therum may have hit a nerve.
"Nobody uses my kitchen without my permission."
"Well seeing as it is late and it would seem that you have cleaned up everything for the night may I use your kitchen to fix a small meal for my little master and myself? Our business kept up out later than expected."
"I don't suppose that you could do any harm boy have at it. But only if you fix a plate for Siesta and me too we have not had our supper yet."
"It would be my pleasure. Now go somewhere else for a little while I won't have you stealing all my secrets."
***BREAK***
"Tuck in kids before it gets cold."
"What in the name of the founder is this mess lad?"
"It is called spaghetti and meat balls with garlic butter bread. It's a simple peasant's dish from a place called Italy. I hope it tastes alright; the kitchen did not have some of the spices I needed so I had to improvise a little."
"How do you eat it?" Apparently these people had never seen anything like the long noodles before.
"Like this," demonstrating proper pasta twirling technique Therum dived into his plate. The others were short to follow. Some caused slightly greater messed than others.
"You must give me the recipe to this dish Therum, it is wonderful." Marteau was becoming more and more fond of the strange young man who walked with the nobility but wasn't afraid to work like a commoner.
"Sure thing my friend I'll teach it to you tomorrow, but tonight I am going to sleep."
"Please leave the dishes to me Therum it is the least that I can do for all that you have done."
"Thank you Siesta that is very kind of you. Louise I am going to bed now I will set your clothes out and wake you at dawn."
***BREAK***
The silence of the early morning is broken by the ringing of a small bell, followed by the crack of a bolt of lightning effectively silencing the infernal sound. 'Why did I have to be summoned by a morning person? I hate mornings. I have to get up in time to get not only myself ready but her too.' Choosing an outfit from one of his chests similar to the all black one from his first day, he cast a number of cleaning spells on himself and went to wake the mageling. 'They're not near as refreshing as a good shower but if it lets me sleep an extra twenty minutes I'll live.'
"Louise time to get up sweetheart, you don't want to be late today do you?" 'I probably didn't need to shake her that hard but if I have to suffer through the early hours so does she.'
"Wah stop shaking me! Wait did you just call me sweetheart? That is not how you should address your master!"
"You did call me mother the first time I had to wake you up; I just figured I would return the favor. Now move your butt missy I have things to do today myself and I don't want to be blamed if you fall back asleep. Your clothes are laid out on the desk. I'll see you at lunch if everything goes well."
Louise sighed, 'One of us is going to kill the other one of these days. I'm just not sure who.'
***BREAK***
'I wonder where the hell the head master's office is. Siesta never showed me where it is and I really don't want to have to search this whole stupid castle all day. Maybe breakfast is still going on and I can get directions from there.'
"Of course, you spend twenty extra minutes lost in a corridor and they clear away everything on you. Just once I would like something helpful to randomly happen to me."
"Mister Magnus is that you? I have been looking for you all morning the Headmaster and I would like to talk to you for a few minutes."
Fortunately for the sake of his reputation Professor Colbert did not see the face palm Therum gave himself. 'When I die I am going to find who or whatever I pissed off up there and either apologize, or kick them in the teeth.' "What a coincidence I was hoping that I might be able to have a few words with the headmaster myself I had wanted to catch him at breakfast but I guess I am a bit late."
"Excellent if you will follow me please he is waiting in his office now." Professor Colbert proceeded to lead Therum back to the same Corridor that he had spent the morning trying to find his way out of. 'Kick, definitely kick.'
As Colbert said there were two people in the Headmaster's office when they entered an old white haired man that must have been the man Therum was looking for and a very attractive green haired woman. Judging by her age she was either a young professor or the old man's secretary. 'Damn do these people have something against brown hair or something? I'm going to have to start changing it to spiky blonde when I use magic or something. Maybe change the eye color while I'm at it.'
"Ah there you are Colbert I was beginning to worry that you might not find him, but it seems that my worries were for naught. Miss Longueville you may have the rest of the afternoon off." Shrugging the secretary finished up the document she was working on and left without a word. She did slow down long enough to give the younger man a once over on her way out though. Needless to say the act did not go unnoticed by the one being examined. He winked at her as she walked by.
"Mister Colbert here tells me that you wanted to talk with me Sir."
"Indeed I did Mister Magnus but you don't need to be so formal with me. Please call me Old Osmond everyone else does, even the students. This meeting is mostly for me to get to know a newcomer to my academy. It is a very rare thing to have a human summoned as a familiar. As a matter of fact to my knowledge there is only one other recorded occurrence in our history."
"Does this happen to have something to do with Louise's strange issues with magic? She seems to be unable to use any spell yet still managed to summon someone like me."
"You are quite right in that assumption. The last person to summon a human familiar was our Founder Brimir the creator of our current way of life and the only previously known user of the Void. The runes on your hand are the same as those of the Gandálfr, Brimir's familiar. Or at least some of them are Colbert tells me that you have a second set under the Gandalfr ones. May I take a look at them?"
Therum put his hands out so that the old man can get a closer look. "If these markings are the same as the ones on your founder's familiar then it would stand to reason that Louise would be a Void mage correct?"
"You are very perceptive for such a young man. That is the conclusion that Professor Colbert and I have come to as these are indeed the ones recorded in the histories. These other ones however I have never seen before."
"I am not surprised that you have not seen them before. The ones on my right hand mark me as an honorary member of a very old and powerful family. The ones on my left are my own design and their function is none of your concern at this time."
"If you don't mind my asking do they have anything to do with what you did to the Gramont boy during that duel you two had?"
"Not really, these familiar runes had more of an effect in that situation than anything I did. I'll make a deal with you Professor Colbert. I will tell you exactly how I won that duel if you do a favor for a friend of mine, but you have to keep it a strict secret."
"An intriguing proposition you have, what would this favor be?"
"There is a maid here at the academy named Siesta who I have struck up a friendship with. During one of our conversations, shortly after the duel in question, I came upon some evidence that she might have potential to be a mage. I would like you to enroll her in this academy as a student on a scholarship." Credit must be given to the two men, most nobles would have laughed at such a proposition these two just went quiet.
"Is there anything else we could do for you instead?" Osmond seemed to have paled slightly.
"It is a pretty serious tale gentlemen I am afraid that it would take a favor of this magnitude to get me to share it. If it is a matter of money I will cover her tuition myself."
"That is not the problem Mister Magnus. A messenger of the Queen's named Count Mott came last night and requested Siesta by name to work at his manor. They left early this morning. There was nothing we could do to stop him and no way to get her back."
"If she had not been taken and did prove to be magical would deal have been possible?" Much of the previous calm and left the younger man's voice.
"Well assuming that you could afford to pay at least part of the girl's tuition and find another noble to sponsor her I do not see why not. I have spoken with her many times over the last year and I find her to be a fine young woman."
"Thank you for your time gentlemen I just remembered something very important Louise asked me to take care of and I must get it done before her classes finish for the day. I will look into this Void business in my free time."
As the two older men watched the strange familiar leave they could almost sense his distress. It could have been the lighting in the hall way but for lack of better explanations there seemed to be small sparks of lightning trailing near the young man's slightly clenched fingertips. Colbert had seen enough fighting in his life to recognize the signs the troubled youth was emitting. 'This is going to get worse before it gets better.'
Guiche had the great miss fortune of coming across Therum's path while on the way back to his room. He tried to slip away without being seen but was just a bit too slow. "Hey Guiche, come here for a second I want to talk to you about something."
"I did as you said and apologized to all the girls please don't hurt me." The kid might be a shameless womanizer but Therum hated having people needlessly fear him. He would have to fix that sometime.
"I know you did I just wanted to ask you if you know where Count Mott's manor is. Louise wanted me to deliver him a message from her father that we picked up yesterday in town. I told her I could find it on my own but I have no idea where the place is."
***BREAK***
'I had really hoped that I would never have to use this again but I can't leave that sweet girl at the hands of some depraved old count.' In his hand Therum holds a sword very much like the one he used in the duel against Guiche. The key difference in their appearance lay in the colors of the metal. Where the previous blade was a radiant blue that made the blade look almost liquid, this one is blood red and strongly resembled a raging inferno in the right light. 'Why does magic have to be so completely screwed up? I make something beautiful in Aurora and it spits out Umbra, one sword to be the perfect guard only able to kill in defense and the other only to be used as a tool of death. I hate the way this thing makes me feel but desperate times call for desperate measures. The count has robbed from the wrong man this time.'
A/N There you have it folks, a pretty fluffy chapter in the beginning but now we are finally about to see some action. I was originally not going to have Derflinger in the story at all because of these two swords that Therum already has but the character has too much humor potential to completely write out. That is why I gave him to Louise. I have always intended for her to learn swordplay from Therum at some point. Why not give her a weapon his swords won't turn to scrap after a few bouts. As a side note I am not a writer in any sense of the word. This story is not beta read so if anyone notices any major grammar or prose issues let me know and I will try to fix them.
