…Wow, it's been a while hasn't it?
Sorry for the overly long delay everyone, I've been very much caught up in things, school chief among them, but I come to you now!
Well, we all remember what happened last time! I'm not sure who'll have more fun, me or Neb.
Neb: Oh, I most certainly will.
7: We'll see about that.
Now, onto the show!
Journey's Beginning
"What in the name of all that's good is going on here?!"
Neb stomped his way through the Academy, every eye trained on Louise. She was curled up on the ground, rocking back and forth while Siesta was holding down a hog-tied Tabitha. Kirche, who was laughing at the scene she'd stumbled on, answered. "It looks like poor Tabby drank a Love Potion. Louise was the first person she saw, so now Tabitha's been… amorous, to say the least."
Neb growled. "Can you snap her out of it? I have to work you two to the bone along with Louise and Siesta before I'll feel even the slightest bit satisfied."
Kirche shrugged. "I'm no potions expert, I'll tell you that much. I do enough to get by in that class, but Love Potions are pretty advanced."
Neb sighed. "Siesta, I'm going to assume you don't know anything either?"
Siesta shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I'm just a maid, so don't expect me to know anything about mystic potions; just normal poultices are enough for me."
Neb sighed again. "Louise is indisposed, as is Tabitha, so there go our two best sources of knowledge. So... Siesta, why is Louise curled up like that?"
Siesta shrugged. "Well, as Lady Zerbst said, the Love Potion has made Lady Tabitha very amorous. I heard Lady Louise scream for me and I found her being… cuddled for lack of a better word. She's been despondent ever since."
Neb heaved a groan. "Is there anyone here that can help? I'm still wondering how Tabitha drank that potion to begin with."
Siesta spoke again. "I found a shattered wine glass in her room. That's where Lady Louise first found her, too."
Kirche hummed. "Wine? The only wine in the dorms is laid out for the students at the end of the day, and even then, it's only there if asked for. Tabby doesn't drink wine much, even at parties, so why was it there?"
Neb snorted. "I won't be able to pick up a smell either. The bottle fragments would reek of alcohol."
They stood in silence, contemplating, when one of Neb's heads spotted blonde curls hiding behind a wall. Curious, the head snaked around to get a better look, but the curls disappeared.
Neb's eyes narrowed. "Tell me, Kirche, can you just buy Love Potions?"
Kirche blinked. "No… they're very much illegal. In fact, mind altering magic's outlawed in every kingdom. Someone had to have made it, but there's no way the professors would be dumb enough to do it. Osmond takes that rule very seriously."
Neb's heads slowly smiled. "Is there anyone else here that could make it? Say… someone blonde?"
Kirche's eyes narrowed. "Montmorency – she's the only one that could. Her entire family's made up of potion makers, so she could get any chemical or reagent she wanted."
Neb nodded. "Then we have a suspect. Siesta, keep an eye on these two. We'll be back with Ms. Montmorency shortly. Whether bound or not is up to her."
He muttered the last part, but was heard clearly all the same. Kirche shrugged and whistled, Flame galloping up to her a minute later. She took the lead and Neb soon found himself staring at a door far too small for him to fit through.
"Are you sure she's through here?"
Kirche huffed. "This is where she's roomed, yes. I know she's on the third floor at least, so you get stretching."
Neb grunted and did just that, his neck stretching until he could see into every window. Most of the rooms were empty, the wonders of summer, but he found one that was occupied by a whirlwind of activity.
That's the blonde girl from earlier. Maybe this is Montmorency?
He didn't have to wait long. Kirche slammed the door to the room open and all activity ceased. Neb couldn't hear anything, but it looked like they were shouting at each other. He wasn't sure why Kirche was shouting, but a quick test of the window found no wards.
He slowly pushed the window in and he finally heard them.
"-ou even care?! So what if Tabitha's gotten hit by a Love Potion, she'll give you all the black mail of Louise you could ever want!"
"I care about Tabitha; don't you dare tell me otherwise!" Kirche shot right back. "And I care about Louise too. I don't want their reputations dragged through the mud because of something like this!"
Montmorency laughed. "You care about Louise?! That little failure of a mage that got lucky at the summoning ritual? You've been her worst enemy since any of us stepped foot in this Academy and now you decide you'll be all friendly with her? Don't make me laugh! You just want to get in close and ruin her – that's what every attempt at reconciliation between your families has ever been."
Kirche flinched back, pain in her eyes, but she ground out an answer. "I do care… I care more than you'll ever know. I was blinded by my family's past and I made someone innocent of the misdeeds suffer for it. She may not be the most approachable, or the easiest to get along with, but she's more honest than anyone here!"
Neb's head leaned back, surprised at the vehemence in Kirche's voice. Montmorency was too if her face said anything. "…What happened to you, Zerbst? You led all of us in putting her down, but now you turn tail and pretend to be friends with her? You're a hypocrite."
Neb could tell Kirche was considering burning the other girl to ashes, so he stepped in. "Kirche, we'll talk about this later."
Kirche jumped and Montmorency almost put her head in the ceiling. "Where the hell did you-"
She blinked and had all color drain from her face when she saw Neb's grinning head. His throat rumbled with a humorless laugh. "So, Ms. Montmorency, I have a little problem that I think you can help with. See, a friend of my master is quite ill, and I hear you can make miraculous medicines. Would you be so kind as to help?"
Montmorency put on a brave face. "Why should I? You can't pay me to do it, and you have nothing to convince me to do it for free."
Neb grinned, but Kirche spoke. "Montmorency, we're pretty sure you've made a Love Potion; something that's illegal. I may need proof, but Neb here? He doesn't. He'll just wring it out of you, no matter what he must do, while I search your room. We both know you're bad at hiding things when you're in a panic."
Montmorency glanced between Neb and Kirche, gulping at the promise of violence in their eyes, before fear for her life won out. "I can't help!" she protested quickly, hands coming up. "Even if I wanted to, I can't! I need a water spirit's tear to make the cure, but there's nothing even resembling a water spirit anywhere near here!"
Kirche was unmoved. "Monmon, there's long been rumors that your family has a water spirit's lake on their land. After all, your mother provides cures for any mind-altering magic that the crown runs across."
Montmorency hissed. "Where did you hear that?! Mother's every meeting is discreet!"
She clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide, but it was too late. Kirche smirked. "I knew it. All right, Monmon, go get ready. We'll be taking a little visit to your family estate today. Cooperate, and I won't speak of this to the Headmaster… or Guiche."
Montmorency nodded slowly, her face falling as she resigned herself to it. Neb, his work done, slipped out of the room and back down to his body, before padding over to the dorm entrance to wait. A minute later, Montmorency stormed towards the stables, Flame hot on her heels. Kirche walked up to Neb and they started walking back to Louise and the others.
Silence echoed around them, only their steps meeting their ears. After a minute, Neb finally spoke. "I… heard some of the argument. Did you really torment Louise before?"
Kirche sighed. "I did, much to my shame."
She looked up to the sky. "I don't know if Louise told you the story yet, but her family and mine have been rivals for centuries. It started when one of my ancestors seduced a noble that had been engaged to one of the Valliere women. The Valliere's demanded recompense, but my family didn't take well to their 'holier than thou' attitude. So, they refused, and the tensions have simmered ever since."
Neb put a head on her shoulder, weighing her down and leaving her to stumble slightly for a moment. "If it's hard to say, you don't need to. I'm sure you'd much prefer to focus on getting this resolved rather than think on old wounds."
Kirche shrugged herself out from under his head, before smiling up at him, her unhidden eye watery. "No… no, I should get this off my chest. You don't know this story, so you don't have any prejudices. I can finally say what I want."
Neb pulled his head back, watching her with it. "Very well. Do you need to sit down?"
Kirche shook her head. "No, I'm ok. Just… thinking on where to start."
She looked back to the sky, face nostalgic. "I came to the Academy at the same time as Louise. As I said, our families had been rivals for so long, I don't even know if my family can recall the name of the groom we pulled away. But, I'd been raised to think of the Vallieres as rivals at best, enemies more likely, and that any chance to put them in their place should be taken – and gladly at that."
Neb sighed. "So that's what Montmorency meant. You did as you were taught, and didn't so much as think of Louise as a person."
Kirche nodded. "On the nose. I didn't know that Louise was a… Void mage – god that sounds weird to say – and reveled in her failures at water, wind and earth. I thought that we shared an element and that I could show her up. I'd even been writing letters to my family, preening at how much better I was than Louise. My family had the gall to praise me for it."
She laughed, the sound hollow. "Then, on the day we started practicing fire spells, Louise exploded again. I was so stunned at her being unable to do anything right that I had a stroke of genius. Cruel, cruel… genius."
Her eyes were watering, but she stopped Neb before he could speak. "I'm okay, just reliving some bad memories. Anyway, when the smoke cleared, I started taunting her with the title 'Zero' since I didn't think she'd get a true runic name. Everyone, and I mean everyone, joined in, but she just looked… broken. We didn't see her for a week after that."
As she had spoken, the two of them had both slowed down, until they had just come to a stop. Neb was laying on the ground now, his heads hanging. "She… tried to end it, didn't she?"
Kirche nodded, blinking back tears as they stubbornly blurred her vision. "She did. I don't know how, and I don't want to know. All I could do was stare in shock when Professor Colbert brought her into class and she had bandages everywhere. I think it clicked then, what I had done. I'd driven someone that I'd never met, never knew, to nearly do the unthinkable. To try to do it. All because of a damn feud where even the great grandchildren of the instigators are nothing but dust."
She sighed, tears finally falling. "I stopped writing to my family after that, only sending responses to their letters. I even stopped tormenting her, but I tease when I'm trying to be friendly and everyone else picked up the slack I'd dropped. But… she was stronger than that. She'd fallen once, but she flew into her studies and didn't let anyone, even me, give her a hard time. Honestly, I thought the banter was a good thing; that we'd been able to bridge the gap. …Sappy isn't it?"
She looked to a contemplative Neb. "I don't really know why… but I fell in love. Something in that spirit spoke to me, made me want to get close to her, and I can honestly say that after seeing her so open and honest after you came, it's love. But… I'll never have her heart. She was raised to think of me as an enemy too, and she always struck me as loyal to her family. Not to mention how terrible an impression I made early on." She gave a single, weak sounding laugh, shaking her head. "She'll probably be courted by some nobleman that wants closer ties to the Vallieres, while I get stuck in the same situation. There are days I've cursed being born a girl."
Neb huffed. "I think you sell yourself short, Kirche. You shouldn't be ashamed of the past, for it's already happened. If I remained ashamed of every crime I committed, I would have long thrown myself to the tide. All we can do is move past them and try to redeem ourselves."
Kirche stared at Neb for a long time before giggling. "I forget how old you are sometimes. You are wise, even if your antics and demeanor say otherwise."
Neb grunted. "It's not age, it's experience. But, as I said Kirche, I think you give yourself far too little credit. You've already started your redemption, before I even arrived. Louise can see it; she's just too stubborn to admit it. Keep going, and I feel she may just surprise you."
Kirche blinked, eyes starting to water all over again. "That… that means more to me than you'll ever know. Thank you, Neb."
Neb chuckled, mind playing with the information.
Louise… what is it about you that pulls these girls to you? Even the great heroes of my home didn't inspire such deep affections, at least, not in so many. I do wonder though… who will you choose?
He shook his head. "Thank you for sharing, Kirche. I'm glad to hear that you've thought on this, but I also want you to realize that the path you seek is already beneath your feet."
He stood back up, stretching a couple of his necks. "Now then, let us hurry to Louise's side and pray that Tabitha hasn't been able to escape her bonds." With a soft chuckle, he leaned one head down to whisper to Kirche. "Not that her aggressive cuddling seems likely to be a threat to more than Louise's sanity."
Almost as though his words had summoned it, a twister ripped to life in the air nearby, with a black and white speck that could only be Siesta flying into the air.
Neb gaped for only a moment before moving.
He took off running, his strides shaking the earth, while Kirche ran towards Louise's last known location. She rounded the corner and took off at a dead sprint, shoulder-checking a flying Tabitha that was trying to envelope a screaming Louise.
Kirche rolled along the ground and pinned Tabitha under her body, sighing as Tabitha mewled in despair. She sighed, looking down at her friend. "We need to get you that cure soon. This is starting to get a bit absurd."
"You think you've got it rough, Kirche?! I'm the one she's been trying to molest for the last two hours!" Louise screamed, face flushed from equal parts exertion, panic, and embarrassment.
Kirche glanced up at her with a smirk. "Oh, hey, you can talk. Listen, we'll be going to get the antidote for this in a few minutes, so get your traveling clothes!"
Louise stared at Kirche as if she'd gone mad. "There's a cure for this? I thought Love Potions had to wear off!"
Kirche shrugged. "Montmorency's the culprit, just so you know, and it just so happens that she knows how to make a cure. Unfortunately, it requires a water spirit's tear as one of the primary ingredients, and we don't have any of those handy in the school. As for the ride there, well, we'll need Neb."
Tabitha unintentionally made Louise hurry along by reaching out to her with a dopey grin. "Louise…"
Dust hung in the air, Louise vanishing and leaving a cloud of dust in her place. Kirche hummed. "That training of Neb's really works. I haven't seen anything move that fast since dad heard we'd be having roast boar."
She shrugged, keeping her hold on Tabitha, before she waved at the returning form of Neb and a disheveled Siesta. "Sorry about Tabitha, Siesta. She's not herself at the moment, but we'll be getting her fixed soon enough."
Siesta nodded, fixing her headband while Neb got a better look at Tabitha. "Wow, she's really out of it. The change is almost disturbing... no, on second thought, it is disturbing. The emotion is just… strange to see on her."
Kirche sighed. "You're telling me. I've known her the longest out of all of us and I've never seen her like this, ever."
Neb grunted, but smiled when he saw Louise. He frowned again when he saw her outfitted in what could only be called a hodgepodge of metal, everything from plates to pans tied to her small form.
Siesta sighed at the getup. "Lady Louise, you don't need to go to such lengths. Sir Neb will hold down Lady Tabitha until she's better."
Louise trembled, the metal clanking. "I don't doubt Neb; I just fear underestimating Tabitha."
Neb grudgingly agreed, the twister that sent Siesta skyward fresh in his mind. "Understood. Kirche, get ready. I'll tie her up with my necks, and after that, track down Montmorency so we can get on our way."
Kirche nodded slowly and Neb took his position. "Louise, stand right in front of me. The moment Kirche lets go, you duck."
Louise didn't have a choice in the matter; Neb was just letting her know as a courtesy. He dragged her in front of him with one head that had wrapped around behind her, before holding her in place. Kirche rolled off of Tabitha and Louise hit the floor as a blue streak flew at her. There was a screech and the sound of constricting flesh before all was silent.
Louise patted down at herself to make sure she hadn't been caught, before she stood up, flailed for balance, and turned to Neb. She fell over laughing at the sight. Neb was there, trying to remain dignified as five of his heads struggled to contain the petite girl in a pretzel-like mess.
Louise was just as petite, but the irony was lost on her.
Neb's lone unoccupied head grunted. "Montmorency, now! We must get that cure before this demon rips off my heads!"
Louise chuckled and skipped off, the metal on her body clanging together. Siesta sighed as she followed along, but an affectionate smile graced her face, with more emotions than Neb could easily describe in her simple look.
He frowned, not sure what that smile meant.
Did something happen on their mission? I thought everything had gone well, or at least, they didn't say anything. Looks like I may have to pry things out of them, again.
He sighed and stomped after them, Kirche striding beside him as extra insurance while Tabitha continued her valiant struggle in the name of Very Lewd Things.
– – – On the road – – –
Neb sighed for the fifth time that hour. "Montmorency, how much longer to your estate? Tabitha doesn't seem to be tiring any time soon, but I most certainly am."
Montmorency huffed, shifting in her saddle as they cantered along. "We passed into my family's lands an hour ago. We'll be at the lake in ten minutes, so just be patient."
Neb muttered a foul curse that made Louise chuckle. She'd abandoned the metal after Neb had managed to keep his heads for the first hour, and Sylphid had finally joined them a bit farther into the trip. She kept to the back, though with regular glances at Tabitha's still squirming, struggling form. Kirche and Siesta stayed by her for obvious reasons.
Kirche hummed. "Louise, I forgot to ask. How did that trip with your family go? You and Siesta came back all smiles, but you've been reserved ever since. Did something happen?"
Louise sucked in a breath, aware that Neb was listening to them. "Well…"
Siesta answered. "We ran into some… undesirables on the way. We were forced to deal with them, but we were unhurt."
Kirche stared. "So, you two… killed them?"
Louise nodded slowly, knowing the truth was far crueler. "We did… though I'm not proud of it."
Siesta gulped. "It's… hard to think about. We try to keep our eyes forward, Lady Zerbst, if only to sleep soundly."
Kirche didn't know how to respond, so she turned her gaze forward. Louise kept her gaze away from her familiar, but she could feel Neb's eyes drilling into her. There would be a talk later, she just knew it. Or perhaps even a Talk, complete with the capital letter, going on for hours.
Montmorency, ignorant of the conversation from where she was at the front of the procession, yelled back to them. "We're here! Dismount for now though - we'll have to approach on foot."
Neb shrugged. "A water spirit this may be, but I'm not letting this girl go. Should I do so, I fear for my master's purity."
Louise gave him a solid whack with the length of wood she'd brought to help fend off Tabitha, drawing a laugh from the hydra. Montmorency ignored them and continued into the woods they'd entered, everyone else following behind.
Eventually, they started to slosh through a mire of mud and water until they climbed out of the muck and stood before a large, pure blue lake. Montmorency took out a knife, pricked her thumb, and placed the drop of blood on the back of her frog familiar. As it disappeared beneath the surface, she turned to her blackmailers/victims. "The spirit demands a sacrifice of blood for a meeting. But, I cannot guarantee that it will give us a tear, and it will not give it for free should it do so."
Neb growled, but no words were exchanged. The frog returned shortly after it had left and the lake began to bubble, the water rising into the form of a much older and bustier Montmorency with no regard for shame.
Well, there wasn't anything to see so it wasn't that bad.
The water construct stared at them. "Why have you summoned me, daughter of the Montmorencys?"
Montmorency stepped forward. "We have come requesting not but a single tear, milady. Our friend is under the effects of a powerful potion and we cannot wait for the effects to wear off."
The construct was unmoved. "I refuse. The effect will wear off after the moon finishes its cycle three times. Such a use of a piece of myself is a waste."
The construct turned around, already starting to lose its form, before Montmorency tried again. "Please, milady!" she called. "We beseech you for your aid, and we offer ours in return!"
The construct froze, before turning and reforming. "You offer your help? Tell me, what could such as you offer me?"
Neb stepped forward. "We can offer much, spirit."
The construct flew towards Neb, the spirit's voice like thunder. Each word came with a flash of white within its watery form. "Hydra! What is your kind doing here? All of you should be long dead!"
Neb held his ground. "The status of my kind is irrelevant. We have come for your aid, and we are willing to hear the price of that aid. Speak, and we shall answer."
The spirit glared through the water, the lake rolling in anger. "I should drown you here and now, Hydra! Your kind poisoned my waters until the day the Montmorencys arrived and I was bound to them in servitude in exchange for being rid of you!"
Neb's eyes glowed in the shadows. "Kusema maneno yako roho! Mwingine mimi waomba haki ya misaada ambayo roho zote za maji lazima kujibu! Hivyo asema mama yako Shalassa!" (1)
The spirit recoiled as if struck, the construct's eyes widening. "You... you are from the old land. You are not of the pests that once infested this lake, you come from the world we spirits were birthed in!"
Neb narrowed his eyes further. "I will invoke the right, and you cannot refuse. You can get something out of this, but refuse again and I will force my hand."
The spirit glared. "Invoke it and I will fulfill the duty. But I will flood these lands and drown all that lay in them should you do so!"
Neb snorted. "That's why I asked you to state your terms."
The spirit glared again before rounding on Montmorency. "I will give you the tear, but you must seek out the Ring of Andvari! Return it to me and I will consider the debt and insult repaid!"
Montmorency nodded vigorously, nerves apparent. The construct reached towards its eyes and gathered a single drop of water to its fingers. The drop had a soft shine to it, held entirely separate from the rest of the spirit, and it slowly moved the tear over to Montmorency. The moment that it dropped the tear into her vial, the spirit fell back into the water, disappearing completely from view.
Monmorency almost collapsed, but Kirche caught her and escorted her back to the horses. Louise and Siesta followed along, stunned into silence, until Neb flopped forward, panting hard.
Louise was beside him instantly. "Neb, you ok?"
Neb panted a bit before speaking. "I honestly didn't think that would work. I was getting angry at the stonewalling and I just hopped in without thinking. She... was much more intimidating than the water elementals I've slain."
Louise stared at him. "You've... killed elementals? That's possible?"
Siesta put a hand on her shoulder. "Sir Neb's from another world, remember? His rules and our own don't always match up."
Louise nodded slowly. "Oh... right. Well, let's get back to the Academy and get this sorted out."
Neb nodded and got to his feet, somehow still holding on to a giggling Tabitha. The trip back was made in silence and they watched as Montmorency made the cure, Tabitha tied up and weighed down.
Finally, after a long day, the cure was forced down Tabitha's throat and the familiar mask of stoic calm settled onto her face.
Tabitha looked around. "...What happened?"
Louise sighed. "I never thought I'd be happy to hear that emotionless voice again. Alright, who wants to explain?"
Kirche raised her hand, grinning. Now that the actual situation was done with, she could take at least some enjoyment out of embarrassing one of her friends. As she started explaining just what Tabitha had been doing, not to mention what she was trying to do – in great detail – they got to bear witness to a truly rare sight.
With each word, each detail, Tabitha's face grew pinker despite her expression not changing. Finally, as her face seemed to twitch and tremble at the strain of holding herself back, she grabbed a book off of Montmorency's shelf so she could hide her face. Louise walked over and pulled her into a hug, just rubbing her back for comfort.
Kirche wished she could have some way to record the scene, but now they needed to get Montmorency's reason for even making the potion. She knew full well that making it was illegal and she'd face expulsion or worse if she'd been found out.
The reason better be good, too, if only so Neb and Louise would show mercy.
Siesta, in a bold move, started the questioning. "Lady Montmorency, what would possess you to create this potion? I may know little of its origins, but I'm well versed in the laws and customs of this land. Were we to report you, it would be a scandal that your family could not recover from – especially with you giving it to a fellow noble."
Montmorency glared at her. "You dare speak out of turn?! I could have you hung!"
Louise appeared before her, staring down the taller girl. "Do not. Threaten. My handmaid." Her voice was quiet, but somehow more frightening for it than had she been screaming. "You have no power over my servants, and a criminal can't very well order anything from prison. Now, answer the question."
Montmorency was suitably cowed, her new found fear of Louise making her miss the blush on Siesta's face. Kirche and Tabitha on the other hand were a bit more observant, and vague stirrings of jealousy took root in their breasts.
Montmorency straightened her cloak, swallowing. "I... I made it to try and get Guiche to stop flirting. He's been going on late-night rendezvous with any floozy that so much as bats an eye at him and barely pays attention to me, his own fiance!"
Kirche tilted her head. "Oh, right... I forgot you guys were promised to each other, what with all the two timing."
Tabitha, face back to normal, shrugged. "...Personality?"
Montmorency rounded on her. "Exactly! He's such a flirt that I have to resort to such extremes just to get even a little attention! And, he has the gall to avoid me until the floozy he was wooing slaps him, then comes crying to me! How can he call himself a noble?!"
She huffed and Louise stared at her, decidedly unimpressed. "You're no batch of flowers yourself. You yell at him even when he's not two timing you, and you always ignore his displays in public. Act like that and it's small wonder he goes elsewhere."
A vein bulged on Montmorency's head. She'd been dragged through the mud and blackmailed in addition to having her carefully laid plan backfire. She would not let this final insult stand.
Her wand appeared in her hand, the light brown wood pointed squarely at Louise. "Louise Françoise de la Valliere, I challenge you to a duel of honor! I will not have my name and reputation dragged through the mud in this farce any longer!"
The room was silent, only the tapping of a curious Neb at the window making any sound. Louise stared uncomprehendingly, stunned by the sheer audacity in Montmorency's challenge.
Tabitha broke the silence. "...Not allowed."
Montmorency held her pose. "This is a challenge between one noble to another, yes, but the duel will take place outside of the Academy. There's no rule that bars that."
Louise glanced to Tabitha and saw her shake her head. If Tabitha had surrendered so easily, it must have been true. Still, she hardly needed to accept. It might be different if it was an actual insult, or if she was accusing Montmorency of something without proof, but here? All Louise would need to do would be to go to the princess, or even the headmaster.
Still, as Siesta had said, Montmorency's family wouldn't be likely to ever recover from the scandal, and Louise wasn't so cruel as to subject them to that. "And what do I gain from this duel? What do you offer as a wager?" she asked. Just beating her down might honestly be the easiest way of handling things.
Montmorency smirked. "Simple, I offer my extensive inventory of reagents and recipes as well as my services for the foreseeable future. I demand that, should I win, this entire farce is forgotten and you grovel before me in humility. Then, you'll fire that handmaid of yours."
Louise's eyes steeled. "A petty duel, but I will accept. Your services will be much appreciated, Montmorency. As the challenged, I lay the time and place: outside the west walls, twenty minutes from now. We will decide further terms there. Don't be late."
Louise spun on her heel and marched out of the room, Siesta following dutifully while Tabitha and Kirche shook off their stupor and ran after them.
Montmorency was about to have her butt handed to her after all, and they couldn't miss that.
When they got outside, they found Louise explaining the situation to Neb, who looked bored.
"Sprite tits," he spat, annoyance clear in his voice. "She's a water mage, right? Unless you're willing to kill her, I don't think you should use any of the magic I've taught you. Make the terms a free-for-all and Derflinger will see you to victory."
Louise groaned. "You think I don't know that? Come on, Neb, I'm not that ignorant anymore!"
Neb chuckled. "At least you admit you were ignorant. You still are, don't get me wrong, but you can think. Now then, go see this duel to the end and we'll call it a day. Tomorrow, I'll start working those two into shape along with the normal lessons."
Louise chuckled and strode away, Siesta again following silently. Neb watched them until they were out of sight, sighing when they were gone. "They've really changed. I didn't notice it with trying to think up preparations for the journey, but they're so much closer."
Kirche nodded. "They had to kill. I had to do that once, when I was traveling, and it changed me. I only had my father for comfort at the time and we're closer than any of my family to this day."
Neb nodded. "Killing never held the same significance for me. I'm a predator, always have been, so taking life was only natural. It wasn't until centuries after I'd started walking the world that I could see why some became so distraught after taking a life."
Tabitha looked to the sky. "...Need to talk, share the burden."
Neb smiled at her, mischief in his eyes. "Noble, but for another time. Come along, let's head for the dueling grounds. I wish to see how she fairs against a mage by her lonesome."
Kirche shrugged. "Montmorency's just a dot class water mage. She can't do much more than the basics."
Neb laughed, his every head shaking in mirth. "Why, Kirche! It is the basics that so often mean the difference between life and death! More than one braggart's learned that the hard way."
– – – Dueling grounds – – –
There were a few other people there when Louise arrived. Neb, Tabitha, and Kirche were expected, but a few of the remaining students must have spotted them leaving and grown curious. Guiche was there too, though he appeared quite nervous from what Louise could see.
Montmorency stood apart from the others, her purple cloak rustling in the slight breeze. She looked quite haughty, all things told, and even looked down her nose at Derflinger, the talkative sword silent for once in his sheathe.
Tabitha, despite being friends with Louise, stepped forward. "...Volunteer as judge."
Montmorency glanced at her. "Bold, but you are friendly with her. Only a neutral party may serve, so I ask Sir Malicorne to act as our judge."
The portly boy stumbled forward, sweat pouring down his face. "M-montmorency, are you sure you-"
"Yes I want to duel her!" She snapped. "Now get this underway so I may destroy her!"
Malicorne gulped but took his place. "D-does the challenged have any preference for weapons?"
Louise shook her head. "I care not. All goes, whether it be magic or fists."
Malicorne looked to Montmorency. "Does the challenger accept these terms?"
Montmorency huffed. "Gladly, I will defeat her no matter the trick she uses. No mage can lose to someone that relies on such things."
Maliconrne muttered something before speaking again. "This is a duel for honor, but the rewards require both duelers to remain alive. Crippling and lethal strikes are forbidden. Are there no other terms or objections to this duel?"
The field was silent.
Malicorne sighed and pulled out a kerchief to wipe his brow. "Very well. When I give the signal, you may start. Remember, you fight only until the other surrenders or cannot fight. Any questions?"
There was silence again and Malicorne relaxed, doubtlessly amazed he was able to keep his voice firm. Louise and Montmorency took their positions, took the customary bows, and held themselves ready.
Neb, being the hydra he is, interrupted. "Wait, Lousie!"
Louise almost leapt out of her skin, rounding on her familiar in a fury. "What?! What could it possibly be?!"
Neb smiled at her. "Blessings are allowed. Have fun."
Louise stared at him before a sinister smile rose on her lips. She turned back to Montmorency and took her stance again, hands gripping Derflinger. Montmorency had her wand by her side, the light wood glinting in the sun.
Malicorne spared them both one last glance before raising his hand. "Ready..."
Louise's eyes narrowed, the only blessing she'd been able to learn thus far on her tongue.
"Begin!"
Montmorency's wand whipped forward. "Aqua Scutum!"
A lance of water materialized and blurred towards Louise, the smaller girl rolling aside and drawing Derflinger with a rasp of steel. Louise crouched and muttered her own spell. "Endurance."
She could feel her muscles and skin harden as the blessing took effect, her grin growing while she dodged another blast of water. "That all you have, Monmon?"
Montmorency snarled. "Only friends can call me that! Now sit still and take your punishment!"
Louise laughed and continued to dance around the streams of water, knowing full well it was all Montmorency could do. Compared to Tabitha's spells, the water was slow and inaccurate, lacking the necessary force to do much more than bruise.
Montmorency was swiftly tiring, her rage growing further as her spells continued to miss. "Fight me coward! Are you such a failure that even honor escapes your mind?"
Louise rolled her eyes, standing still and waiting for once. Montmorency seized the opening and sent a thin beam of water at Louise, aiming straight for the other girl's head. It wouldn't kill her, but it'd win her the match.
Except, Louise just held up a hand and swatted the water away.
Everyone, Neb included, stared at the scene. Even Louise, who'd just performed the feat, stared at her hand.
She turned to Neb. "Uh, Neb? Endurance is only supposed to increase how well your body takes physical damage right? It's not supposed to let me do that."
Neb nodded. "That's... correct. Uh, let's finish this up and then we can talk, ok?"
Louise nodded and charged the still stunned Montmorency. Louise's months of training made themselves known as she crossed the gap in five strides, swinging Derflinger at the long curls Montmorency had long cultivated.
Montmorency stumbled backwards, but the steel blade still sheared a chunk from the mass. While normally Montmorency would deliver justice on anyone that touched her hair, she was too busy stumbling away from the chops and slashes Louise was sending her way.
But, when Louise got too excited and thrust at Montmorency, a blast of water met her wrist and sent Derflinger spinning away. Montmorency thought that would give her the upper hand, but a fist slamming into her side said otherwise.
Kirche blinked at the blow. "When did she learn how to throw a punch? That's frowned on if a girl does it, no matter the country you walk in."
Neb snorted. "It wasn't easy. I had to explain to her that you needed every advantage you could have in a fight and that chivalry had no place on a battlefield. She was... resistant, but I made her see reason."
Kirche nodded and looked back to see Montmorency kneeling on the ground, that one punch driving the air out of her. Louise stood over her, hands up, when Neb yelled at her. "Finish it, Louise! We need to get ready for tomorrow!"
Louise nodded and pulled back her arm, lashing out with a haymaker that cracked against Montmoreny's cheek and sent her to the ground, unconscious.
Silence reigned over the field for a moment before Malicorne found his voice. "T-the winner is the challenged; Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière!"
Neb blinked, what did he say?
Tabitha, sensing his confusion, explained as only she could. "...Complete name, only for formal announcements."
Neb nodded, silently wondering why she needed so many. He ditched the thought when he saw the young fop Guiche run to Montmoreny's side.
Louise stared at him while he examined Montmorency, trying to find what the other girl saw in him. "Do you know why she asked for the duel?"
Guiche shook his head, rubbing the bruise growing on Montmorency's cheek.
Louise sighed. "Then you're a greater fool than I thought. She fought this duel because she's been dying for your attention, but you go about and flirt with any pair of legs you see. I admit, she shares part of the blame for so blatantly ignoring your gestures when in public and criticizing you, but you ran instead of resolving them. You both have a lot of work ahead of you if this relationship is going to work."
She turned and spoke to Malicorne. "When she wakes, tell her to meet us in the Vestri Court tomorrow at dawn. Her wager will be paid then."
Malicorne nodded, and she retrieved Derflinger before walking back to her friends. She ignored everything else until they stood before their dorms once more.
Neb got the first word in. "Congratulations, Louise. You've procured us a valuable teacher and likely saved her from a poor fate while you were at it. You're so generous under that mask of yours."
Louise shook her head. "I did nothing. It's up to them to figure things out, and I believe that having even a fraction of Montmoreny's knowledge will be valuable."
Siesta started toward the door. "I shall prepare a bath, milady. Lady Tabitha, Lady Zerbst, would you like me to prepare one for each of you as well?"
Tabitha and Kirche nodded their agreement, but Kirche had a request. "Go ahead and put them in the same room. Put up a curtain for privacy, but it'll save you some work."
Siesta blushed, but nodded and entered the dorm. Louise flushed as well, but Neb's heads were starting to coil around her again. "Tabitha, Kirche, go on ahead. Neb wants to talk to me."
She didn't see anything further as Neb's coils blocked her sight, his golden eyes trained on her as the heads shifted. He said nothing until the sound of a door closing echoed and he got straight to the point.
"You killed."
Louise sighed, feeling his gaze swirl around her. Derflinger finally decided to talk. "Wait, the little lady actually killed someone? Blood on the hands and everything? Well I'll be a spit roast! I'm proud of you!"
Louise sighed. "Not the time, Derf. We'll be dealing with a lot more trouble in the months to come, so be patient. You'll get your chance to help, I'm sure."
Derflinger cackled before going silent, Louise pulling her gaze to the one unmoving head. "I did not kill in the sense that I touched them. But... I did order his death."
Neb's eyes narrowed. "So Siesta actually did the deed. Still, if you were the one to order it, the blood's on your hands as much as hers."
Louise looked down, feeling the sick loathing she held for such cruelty rise in her gut.
One of Neb's heads brushed her shoulder. "I'm not calling you a monster, Louise. I'm far more a monster than you could ever be, no matter how many you come to kill. All I ask is the truth. What happened?"
Louise kept her eyes down, not looking up even when another of Neb's heads settled onto her shoulder. Instead, she quietly recounted the tale, her desire for someone she truly respected, considered family, to tell her everything was okay.
The reassurance of her friends could only do so much after all.
Neb listened patiently, eyes growing sad as the tale continued. He sighed when she finished. "Honestly, I wish I could have ripped the Count's throat out myself. You at least learned what gambling brings, but that's irrelevant for the moment."
The head on Louise's shoulder rubbed against her cheek, the sleek, cool scales soothing the tears that had unknowingly fallen. "You did the right thing, Louise. He had threatened both your life and Siesta's while daring to harm you. No one, least of all I, would ever tell you it's wrong."
Louise sniffled. "Can... can you tell me how to stop the dreams?"
Neb looked at her and was stunned.
She's... so young. I don't think I ever realized it till just now, but she'd just be setting out from home in Asha. She's so brave, so strong... but there's so little I can do.
He sighed, cursing his powerlessness silently. "I wish I could, Louise. I can't say I ever suffered the dreams myself, but I've seen many in your situation throughout my life. Every last one of them has dealt with it differently, and you must find a way to cope as well. Tell me, is there something you like to do? Something that soothes you?"
Louise nodded slowly. "I... like to sing. I hum during training, as you know."
Neb smiled, every head holding a tenderness that he never knew he had. "That sounds wonderful. If you don't mind, I'd like to join you. I haven't stretched my chords since the Exhibition and I fear I might grow rusty if I don't practice."
Louise smiled and wiped away her tears. "I... also like being around the others. They make me feel a lot better."
Neb chuckled. "Even an amorous Tabitha?"
Louise smirked. "Not as much, no. But, I still like being around them, even if they annoy me from time to time or get a little too snarky for their positions. I'm glad they'll be coming with us."
Neb laughed. "Indeed. Now, I suggest you tell your fellow trainees what happened. I'm sure this show of trust will only benefit you on the road ahead."
Louise shook her head. "I will, but should I warn them about what's going to happen tomorrow?"
Neb's eyes took on a wicked gleam. "No... let's call it... a surprise."
Louise shook her head, already pitying her poor friends as Neb let her go to relax for the night. Her steps carried her to the floor she shared with her friends and she entered the one room that was set aside for bathing.
As expected, two curtains hung from either end of the room, obscuring all save the shadows of her friends while Siesta finished with the tub that wasn't hidden from view.
Siesta turned to her. "Ah, Lady Louise, you're just in time. The water's nice and warm for you and I put in the bath salts already. Shall I leave you to bathe?"
Louise smiled at her. "I'll be fine, Siesta. Go ahead and get yourself cleaned up too; I'm giving you the rest of the night off. Remember, you'll be joining us in the morning."
Siesta giggled before bowing. "Very well, Lady Louise. I bid you good night."
Louise rolled her eyes and hugged Siesta as she walked by, whispers brushing the maids ear. "Neb knows. Go ahead and talk to him, he'll help."
She felt Siesta nod and the maid left, leaving Louise to disrobe and slide into the glorious water. She scrubbed herself clean, using some extra water Siesta had graciously provided to refill the tub, before lounging in the luxurious feeling.
Silence was their only companion outside the lapping of the water until Kirche spoke. "So, what's the menu for tomorrow?"
Louise laughed. "You'll see. Neb wants to keep it a surprise."
Tabitha's voice drifted through the air. "...Surprise?"
Louise chuckled. "Yeah, he wants to make sure you two don't run I guess. You've only been with him when he needed you for my lessons, but he's a real taskmaster."
Kirche's laugh floated in the air. "Well, that's true I guess. Hope he doesn't kill us before we set out on our grand adventure!"
Louise didn't answer, sinking until her nose was under the water.
Tabitha noticed the silence. "...Louise?"
Louise blew some bubbles before surfacing. "Guys... I have something I need to tell you. Do you mind if I check the door first?"
A splash sounded on her right. "...Clear."
Oh, so that's where Tabitha was. Louise shrugged it off and launched into her tale again, neither of them interrupting as she went through her adventure in the capital. When all was said and Louise fell quiet, there were two splashes of water and the sound of rustling fabric, before a towel wrapped Kirche and Tabitha parted the curtains.
Louise ignored the tantalizing sight, instead focusing on the lukewarm water. She didn't move, even as her friends embraced her from behind. Kirche went first. "Louise... I can say that I know what you're going through. I had to kill someone when my father and I were ambushed while traveling once. I was inconsolable for weeks, you know? It took a lot of talking with my father before I came back and even now, I still wake up from nightmares once in a while."
She squeezed tighter, just trying to comfort the smaller girl. "You're no more a monster than I am, and neither is Siesta. We're all just doing what we can to see our friends and family again. That's all there is to it if you ask me."
Louise put a hand on Kirche's arm. "Thanks, Kirche. You're still annoying, but I'm glad we're friends now."
Kirche chuckled, but she let Tabitha go next. Tabitha, her face oddly soft, took the opening. "...Louise, you're not bad. Killing... It's a part of being a noble. It hurts, it's horrible... but, having friends and family helps. So can a goal. I'm glad we're friends now. It's... the best decision I've made in years."
Louise almost fainted right along with Kirche. It was the longest string of words Tabitha had ever spoken to them, and she was rubbing her throat from the disuse. But, Louise still giggled. "I'm flattered. That's the most I've heard you talk about one topic, I think, so I'll take that as proof of how much you care. Thank you, Tabitha; I'm glad we're friends too. I mean, I'd hug you both, but it wouldn't quite be appropriate at the moment."
Kirche laughed and let Louise go, Tabitha separating with a small smile on her face. There was a bath to finish before they got dressed, and they could chat for the rest of the night.
– – – Morning – – –
Louise and Siesta woke up before dawn, as was routine for them. But, rather than start their stretches like usual, they woke both Tabitha and Kirche, having to drag the latter out of her room, before starting.
Kirche and Tabitha weren't entirely prepared for the number of stretches they started with. Even Tabitha, who'd been an undercover agent for her uncle for years, was sore after finishing.
Then they were introduced to true horror when Neb arrived with various practice weapons, practice armor, logs, and other such things.
To make a long story short, they were put through Louise's daily regimen, albeit much lighter to accommodate them. By the end of the day, both could barely even stand.
Oddly, they were not alone in these exercises. Guiche and Montmorency had been forc...volunteered to join them. Well, Montmorency was just there for the potions but Guiche had begged to join so he could, in his own words, 'be a man worthy of his fiance'.
Frankly, Neb was just glad he had fast feet. It wasn't fun chasing the other lot when they were exhausted.
...Neb was perhaps a bit of a sadistic trainer, but he got results. Even if Guiche ran and sparred rather than take part in the other exercises
The process repeated itself day in and day out, even when the Academy grew to be almost completely empty. Only a few other students remained and it was considered prime viewing to watch a hydra whip his students into shape.
But, strange news came to them halfway through the break. During one of their practice sessions, where Kirche was calling for mercy, Neb noticed Raelag's staff shining. At first, he only thought the sun was glinting off of it, but a familiar whisper made him bare his teeth.
"Collector, speak or be crushed once more."
Neb snarled, Malassa's voice echoing through his skulls. "What could it be, Dark One? I am making the young ones ready for the journey ahead, interruptions are less than ideal."
The staff flashed with Malassa's derisive snort. "I don't remember giving you permission to sass me. Do so again and you know what will happen."
Neb growled but held his tongue. Malassa, smug victory flowing from the aura suffusing the staff, continued. "Good boy. Now then, I have additional instructions about the artifacts. As you stand, there are not enough people to retrieve and hold the artifacts, you need one more."
Neb rounded on the staff at last, drawing his trainees' gazes. "You ask me to spread this knowledge further?! This world is in danger beyond reckoning just with these three, another only brings it closer to ruin!"
Malassa's power pulsed from the staff and Neb slammed to the ground. "I'm well aware, hydra. But, it is necessary – for any single mortal to hold more than one is to bring death to them. I believe you are... fond of these babes and do not wish to see them annihilated."
Neb glared at the staff, but had to grudgingly conceded. "Very well... but I choose who to tell!"
Another derisive snort echoed through his mind. "Far be it from me to tell you how to do things. Just remember the price of failure and get on your way!"
The final command roared through Neb's mind before the aura and light vanished, leaving Raelag's Staff inert once more. Louise, feeling Neb's frustration, jogged up to him. "What happened?"
Neb growled. "I must find Sir Colbert. I have been... instructed to add another to our journey."
Kirche, having flopped to the ground, added her two cents. "That sounds great! Having a triangle class fire mage with all kinds of experience would really help!"
Tabitha, lying opposite Kirche, sighed. "...Gone."
Neb's heads snapped to her. "What?! What do you mean he's gone?"
Tabitha gestured to the sky. "...Research trip. Went to Gallia for the summer."
Neb's frustration boiled to the surface and he let out a frustrated screech, making Louise and the others cover there ears. Siesta, seeing just how annoyed he looked at the news, removed the cotton she had taken to wearing in her ears during training. "Sir Neb, are there no others we can bring? I understand that you want to bring people you trust, but it seems we have little choice."
Neb hissed. "Quite right, Siesta. Do you have any suggestions for who we can bring along? Someone I can whip into shape before long?"
Siesta hummed. "Um, the only one I really know is Chef Marteau, but he has his job to worry about. Outside of that, none of the other servants have anything resembling aptitude for what your asking."
Kirche had an idea. "How about... we ask Montmorency?"
Louise objected immediately. "You want us to bring that gossip monger?! The entire continent will know every tidbit by noon!"
Kirche shrugged. "She's bound to render us service and she never stipulated for how long. We can use her poor wording against her, but that doesn't engender much loyalty."
Tabitha shook her head. "...Guiche better."
Everyone stared at her, so she cleared her throat. "...Son of general, has idea of stakes. Montmorency's a good idea, but she doesn't like us."
Neb nodded. "That... makes sense. Loathe as I am to admit it, especially since I can't take Osmond as a backup. Very well, I'll go find that miserable fop. At least Verdandi will make for good company."
Neb turned and strode towards the dining hall, calling over his shoulder that they could take a break. As for why he was going to the dining hall, well, Verdandi was always by his master's side and his scent was easy to track.
The servant by the gate was gracious enough to grab Guiche, but Neb found himself staring at both him and Montmorency, one more peeved than the other.
Neb stared at Montmorency. "I do believe I asked for Guiche, and Guiche alone. What are you doing here?"
Montmorency huffed. "We're sorting out our issues. Besides, anything you tell him, you can tell me."
Neb rolled his eyes. "I'm not one for drama, but what I have to say is important enough that you may never speak of it. Should you do so, I am honor and duty-bound to kill you. Still want to hear this?"
Montmorency's eyes wavered, but Guiche's hand found hers and the uncertainty disappeared. "Without a doubt."
Neb almost smiled. "Well, looks like Louise's advice to Guiche is paying off. Very well, come with me. After this, you'll be stuck with us, for good or ill."
He walked back the way he came, Guiche and Monmorency following. It was only after they'd joined Louise and co. that Neb began the tale once more.
After all was said and done, Guiche and Monmorency looked contemplative and shocked respectively.
Guiche went first. "So... it's a journey to save the world?"
Neb nodded. "Yes, but don't get any delusions just yet. This search is for a threat unknown to your people, there will be no accolades."
Guiche hummed again and Montmorency went next. "Why? Why would something like that...Malassa ask us to do something like this? It all seems fake if you ask me.
Louise rolled her eyes. "Normally, I'd agree with you, but I've felt Malassa's presence and she's dead serious. Now, what are your answers? Neb's less than patient with his training as is and we may be adding two fresh faces."
Guiche and Montmorency turned away, their voices bare whispers. They discussed their options for several minutes before turning back to their audience.
Guiche's rose shaped wand appeared in his hand. "Very well! I, Guiche de Gramont, will join you on this noble quest! There can be no higher honor than saving the world, even if none but my fiance and compatriots know of the deed."
Verdandi popped out of the ground, squeaking a similar declaration. Neb chuckled at the silly mole before looking to Montmorency.
The blonde grumbled what sounded like a complaint before giving her answer. "I am honor bound to render you services, and this continues into it. There may be no glory here, but I'm sensible enough to realize when grudges are useless. I will help, as much as a potion maker with barely a spell to her name can."
Neb damn near started dancing. This had gone far better than he'd thought!
Louise almost joined him. "Wonderful! That means you'll have to join our training, as you must realize, but I'm always glad for the extra help."
Guiche posed along with Verdandi. "Of course, it is I after all! What more could you need than a Gramont?"
Montmorency rolled her eyes. "What I need more of is a diamond, not a Gramont."
Guiche gripped his heart in faux shock, making the congregation groan. Neb, smelling an idea amongst the buffoonery, turned to Louise. "Louise, how fast can you saddle six horses? I believe there's some shopping to do!"
Louise just stared at him, but Siesta caught the gleam in his eyes and hid a smile. "Six horses will take us an hour, Sir Neb. A trip to a town large enough to procure all of what I believe you want will take a twelve hour round trip."
Neb smiled at Siesta. "Bless you, Siesta. I'd fear for all of us if you weren't so on top of things."
Siesta curtsied at the praise, a blush across her cheeks. Louise, finally catching on, smiled. "Alright! Come on, people, we have things to do! If you think of anything that may help your training, let Siesta know!"
Louise sped from the field, Siesta helping Kirche and Tabitha back to their feet before beckoning for Guiche and Montmorency. Neb watched them go with a grin that swiftly morphed into a slightly unhinged smirk.
Payback time.
– – – Town – – –
Louise yawned as her friends and new comrades perused the armory. They already had all the actual training weapons back at the Academy, but they needed two new sets of heavy leather armor. That, and Siesta had to get some new knifes and darts while Tabitha and Kirche had to pick out their weapons of choice.
It had been a long day for all involved, but it had been hilarious to see Guiche stare when Siesta's new weapons disappeared into the folds of her dress.
Now, she was leaned against the wall with Siesta beside her, humming whenever she saw one of them approach a weapon. "So, who do you think is going to get what?"
Siesta shook her head. "I don't know. They could choose anything they liked, far as I could guess."
Louise grunted. "Well, thanks for trying so hard."
Siesta rolled her eyes and Louise turned back to the others. It wasn't much longer before they'd made their purchases and Louise almost sighed at how obvious they were.
Everyone had a sword. Everyone. Sure, Tabitha got a spear to compensate for her height and Kirche had grabbed an axe 'for the irony' but only Monmorency grabbed an extra weapon besides those two, a simple arming sword.
Siesta giggled. "Oh, they have no idea what's going to happen, do they?'
Louise shook her head. "No, no they don't."
Their comrades were blissfully ignorant of this conversation, each reveling in the thought of going on an adventure the entire ride back to the Academy. That is... until they saw Neb with all the training gear out and a whip in every maw.
He smiled at their horrified faces. "Terribly sorry for this, but we are on a beyond tight schedule. I will literally have to whip you into shape if we're going to do this, so please don't think ill of me. I've already lost several limbs to my diminutive master as is."
Louise blew off his shoulder for that remark and the others finally realized what they'd signed up for.
Let's take a moment to pity them, for Neb would not.
– – – End of summer, Vestri Court – – –
Steel rang against steel that evening, the two opponents fighting ferociously. Any experienced fighter could point out a thousand flaws in each, but for a bare three months of training they were excellent.
The blond scraped his sword down the length of his opponent's blade, knocking their blow aside and rushing into their reach. A block of ice rose to meet him, but he leapt away and took his hard earned stance once again.
"Enough, we're done for tonight!"
The fighters froze before relaxing, weapons put away and bows exchanged shortly thereafter. They turned to the applause of their audience and bowed again before their instructor padded forward.
Neb smiled at them. "Well done, Guiche, Tabitha. Gucihe, you did well to infiltrate her guard and it was only her ice that saved her. Keep it up."
Guiche smirked and puffed out his chest, Neb rolled his eyes at the preening. "Guiche, remember what I said?"
Guche deflated. "Right... sorry."
Neb snorted before speaking to Tabitha. "Tabitha, you did great as well. You kept him at your pace for the majority of the fight, but you need to be a bit more aggressive. Spears are great at defense, but they'll be useless if the fight drags on too long."
Tabitha nodded, sweat rolling down her face. It was better when she first started out, especially since she couldn't even thrust the thing right at first.
Neb turned to the others. "Alright, now that all the spars are done and I've dispensed my wisdom, what's left?"
Montmorency's hand shot up. "Everything's done. Our supper's almost ready too."
Neb laughed. "Good! I knew getting Siesta to teach you spoiled brats how to cook was a good idea! Now then, Louise, would you do the honors?"
Louise stepped forward, the months of training she'd been through showing in her confident gaze and greater stature. ...In other words, the training and the diet that went along with it had made her grow another three inches. Still small, but she could put Tabitha's forehead at eye level now.
Louise looked around. "Alright, that's all for today! Tomorrow, we set out on our journey, so let's have a feast tonight!"
Her friends, though Montmorency and Guiche were more acquaintances, cheered and rushed towards the big pot of stew with a variety of sides sitting by. Neb and Louise watched them go, Neb smiling at her. "Look how far you've come. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think we'd be doing something like this so soon, let alone with you taking the lead so easily."
Louise smiled back, gesturing for one of his heads to come down to her. When one did, she pulled him into a hug, carefully avoiding his spines. "Thank you, Neb. I... I don't think I'd be here if not for you."
Neb felt a laugh rumble in his throat, his other heads wrapping her in an embrace as well. "Don't be so hard on yourself, I'm proud to have seen you come as far as you have. We still have a long way to go, but I'm glad to see it through at your side."
Louise nuzzled his scales, smiling into his golden eyes. "I'd have it no other way. To think, mere months ago I was ready to give up. Now, I have friends, a purpose, and a familiar that I can honestly call family."
Neb didn't answer, a sniffle escaping his snout. Louise chuckled. "Neb... are you crying?"
Neb nodded. "I am, that speech... it was so moving. I'm not so proud as to hold back tears."
Louise laughed and pulled away, her face radiant. "No need to cry. We have friends to face what comes for us, and we have each other too. Come on, let's go eat before everything gets cold. I'd like to have my last night on a bed be a happy one."
Neb laughed too and they joined the party, laughs and conversation bouncing off the Academy walls well after the sun had set and the stars appeared in the black silk.
– – – Academy Gates, Morning – – –
They gathered by the gates well before dawn, familiars and masters alike checking their things. Neb, being the largest and most durable of them, had volunteered to take on the burden of weaponry and camping supplies while other, smaller items were divided among the horses and other familiars.
It was nice, having three large familiars. Their horses could go for much longer without all the extra weight holding them down, and it matched up with the familiar's stamina rather well.
Louise looked over her own gear one more time. Several sets of clothes, Derflinger, a spear and an axe, Raelag's staff, some dried snacks, a flask, and so on. Her most uncomfortable change were the riding pants that everyone had on, a life of wearing skirts making the pants feel constrictive.
She looked around and nodded at what she saw. Everyone looked ready to go, and it was all thanks to Siesta and those lessons she gave on organization. Even Kirche had all her stuff in order for once.
Neb's voice called over the rustle and whispers. "Alright, I'm assuming everyone's ready?"
Louise noted everyone lean away from him unconsciously, winces crossing their faces. She shared a hidden smirk with Siesta before Neb spoke again. "Alright, good. Now then, as you know, our first destination is the Fire Mountains of Germainia. We are seeking the Mountain Cleaver that has been transported to this world from my own. Once it is found, it will remain in our care until such a point that the other artifacts are found and sealed away. After that, we may return to our lives."
Guiche's hand shot into the air. "Just as a reminder, why can we not leave the artifacts with someone we trust?"
Neb sighed. "Because, many of the artifacts earn their names for a good reason. And even then they hold the power of gods in them and the world cannot hope to match that power. To have it fall into evil hands will spell the end of the world as you know it."
He looked to each member of the party, staring each in the eye. "This will be a long journey. I cannot say when it will end, but we will doubtlessly not return to our homes for some time. Optimistically, we'll be on the road for a few months, but it's more realistic to expect us to search for years."
He was met with nods and he felt pride swell in his chest. "I didn't want to sugarcoat it. But, I believe that all of you are up to this task and ready for this journey. Let us go and see this world. Let us see that which makes it beautiful and terrible in our search, and when we return, seek to fix what we can. What say you all?"
Louise gave a cheer right alongside the others, but couldn't stop her mouth. "You sound like a proud parent Neb! What are we, your clutch?"
One of Neb's heads drooped, the others showing clear exasperation in their eyes. "Alright, anyone else want to get the jokes off their chests before we leave?"
He was then drowned by horrible puns and jokes. They held a small funeral before leaving – for his sanity, if nothing else.
He was beyond annoyed when everyone finally stopped cracking themselves up. "Alright, that's done! Now then, Kirche, lead the way!"
Kirche saluted. "Yes sir! Follow me my fellow travelers, today we make for Germainia!"
She pulled on the reins of her horse and their procession took off down the road, the first steps of their journey fading into the dirt long before the sun rose.
– – – Hours Later – – –
The sun was high in the sky when a carriage bearing a scarlet and gold seal with a manticore centerpiece rolled down the road to the Academy. The guards, knowing the seal by heart, opened the gates immediately and let the carriage pass.
It came to a stop in the main courtyard, the driver hopping from their seat and opening the door. Four people exited, the first, a tall blonde man with a jewel topped staff. He held out his hand and helped a woman of similar age exit, her stern visage fixed straight ahead. After her came a younger woman with blonde hair like the man's with spectacles, before one more even younger woman with pink hair matching the first woman exited.
The family gathered themselves before setting off for the central tower, the few students that had either stayed or returned from summer break staring in both trepidation and awe. The family ignored them and entered the tower, a quick spell from the eldest woman floating them to the top in short order.
The woman didn't bother to glance at the nervous man behind the desk that met them at the top, simply marching to the double doors and throwing them open with a crash.
Osmond didn't move, his eyes focused out the window. "Hello, Karin. What can I do for you today?"
The woman didn't speak, her hard eyes glaring at Osmond. Instead, the man walked forward with his daughters. "Hello, Osmond."
Osmond puffed on his pipe. "George, good to see you. Same to Eleanor and Cattleya as well, though I wonder why you're up and about. Now then, why has the entire Valliere household come to greet me this day?"
The woman, Karin, spoke at last. "Where's my daughter, Osmond?"
Osmond finally turned to them. "Daughter? Oh, you mean young Louise? I thought she was allowed to remain here for the next year until the betrothal was authorized."
George sighed. "That was what we originally said. However, we are here to speak with her. It's not everyday you come home to find out your youngest not only summoned a many headed beast but was also knighted."
Osmond puffed his smoke. "That's old news. Where have you been to just be hearing this?"
Karin took a step forward. "That's not your business. My daughter, now."
Osmond's eyes narrowed. "Careful, Karin. Your might and reputation are well earned, but so is mine. Besides, I cannot tell you where your daughter is."
George barely stopped his wife from exploding forward, but Eleanor took the lead. "Why not?! My foolish little sister could barely cast magic and now she's a knight?! There's no way you can't tell us!"
Osmond shrugged, secretly enjoying this. "I can't tell you because I don't know. She and her friends set out on the road many hours ago; they could be anywhere in Tristain by now."
He hid the smirk in his beard as both mother and daughter turned an interesting shade of puce.
Oh, this was going to be fun.
Ch. End
(1) Roughly translate to: Words in your soul! Another I invoke the right of all the assistance that the spirit of water must answer! Thus saith the Shalassa your mother! Not the best, but he's basically invoking the right of assistance that Shalassa placed on all water spirits, though not the elementals in game. (And yes, the right is a product of yours truly.)
Hooowah! That was a fun write! I'm really sorry for the lack of updates everyone, I hope this extra long chapter smooths over any ruffled feathers.
Now, for long over due review responses!
Kiden: He's here! Derflinger is his own thing, not an artifact. Also, I always enjoy having help, it makes my life easier!
OBSERVER01: Hope you enjoy this one too! Tabitha didn't get to really do anything lewd, the wonders of a hydra, but I hope you like what's here!
Meaningless Us3rname: I answered your first question and no Mathilda will not be executed. I have plans for her, but they don't involve Louise liking older women, especially when she only has her mother for a comparison.
Acesnowlightning: Hope you enjoy! Thanks for the praise too, it's always nice to see!
Okay, that's all said and done. Now then, back to my rewrite! Charge!