Little Sasha looked down at the little baby in the crib. It had been a few hours since her mother had brought home a monster. Well, a mamono as her mother corrected her. They both began with the letter m, so it still confused her a bit. Either way, he certainly wasn't what she was imagining when it came to them. She tilted her head in curiosity.
"Are you really one of those mam… mamono?" She asked out loud. The baby was pretty quiet, only gurgling and moving about a bit every now and again. She was thankful. Her mother had told her babies could be pretty loud.
"You've got scales," she pointed to his arms and legs.
"Wings," she pointed again to his little undeveloped wings.
"And claws." His claws were blunt. He blinked and pointed at her, mimicking her motion. "Yet why aren't you a monster? Monsters can't be babies."
Yes her mother had told her that. Her mother was always right. Yet she still had a bit of doubt in her. She watched the baby in case he tried anything. Yet every passing moment that came with it, he was still a little baby. A weak, little baby who couldn't hurt anyone. He hadn't even grown any teeth yet.
Sasha huffed, "You're not a monster. You're not a threat. So that means you could get hurt by people who don't know that." She smiled down at him, "So that means I've got to be strong for you, right?"
She heard laughter behind her and saw her mother coming into the room. She was holding a hanging baby toy that had little elemental jewels of every color. It was a nice little decoration and Sasha couldn't help but place it from a past memory but couldn't remember when.
"You're really getting it, aren't you?" Eliza smiled and ruffled her daughter's hair, "That's the right mindset for a hero."
Sasha giggled and looked up at her mother. She was putting up the little hanging decoration over the crib. As she finished it, she glanced down at the baby. He seemed to find the jewels fascinating as he kept trying to reach up at them and gurgled. A little smile was on the baby's face which made Sasha feel rather happy. Yes, she would protect that smile at all costs.
"This was the same toy I put over your crib," Eliza said, "All those years ago. Seems he likes it as much as you did. You were so cute with your wittle fingers~" She played out her fingers above her daughter, "Always wanting to hold everything."
Sasha blushed in slight embarrassment, "Mom, do you have to talk about that?"
"But it was so cute," Eliza cooed, "How could I forget?"
Sasha harrumphed and crossed her arms, "I am not cute."
"And now you are a liar," Eliza chuckled before she stood still all of a sudden. She quickly looked out the window and scowled, "Chief God, I can't even get one day off from them."
Sasha frowned, "Are you okay, mom?"
Eliza nodded, "Yes, but we're going to be getting some guests." She moved to the door, "Stay here and keep your brother company. Do not let anyone see him, do you understand?"
Sasha nodded, "Yep. I'll protect him like a good big sister." She fist pumped, "They won't get through me."
Eliza smiled, "Good girl." She walked out of the room and closed it behind her.
Sasha nodded to herself. This was her first big test as a big sister. Keeping her brother safe from people was her job after all. She'd get this done easy.
Eliza sensed the energy from quite a while away. Every being gave off a sense of energy. Some more than most. Heroes were trained to sense it. One could easily hide their power if they were skilled enough. The people she felt coming along weren't even trying to hide their energy. They wanted her to know they were approaching. A clear sign of intimidation. She scowled. She never got along with the other heroes in the city. It didn't help that they were clearly in the pocket of the priesthood. More specifically, the Norscrims. Oh if she saw him, she'd have to restrain herself from decking that man in his smug face.
She quickly enough stepped out of the house. Before her was an approaching band of soldiers. Fifty strong they were, decked out in the highest grade armor money could buy. Normal soldiers of course had to worry about protecting themselves. Heroes could wear whatever they wanted due to their strengths and magic shielding. Speaking of which, she noticed two heroes along with the party. A mage decked out in expensive purple robes as well as pure golden sigils running down his right side. An ornate staff was in his hands. The other was a man who wore armored shorts and gloves and the rest was an expensive leather shirt with white ruffles around his neck. His shoes were obviously worth as much as two soldiers' monthly pay checks.
Acel and Pierre. Two notable heroes of Lascetie and royal pains in the ass. If it was just them, she'd be angry. Unfortunately for her, they weren't alone. Coming along in the middle of the formation was none other than High Priest Absolon Norscrim. The man who truly controlled the city. His family was always influential but this man took the cake.
She hid her scowl on a face of indifference. He was obviously trying to intimidate her. She could definitely take the soldiers. Acel and Pierre were strong but not on her level. Add in the Priest, she wasn't so sure. She knew he was hiding his own power. While it may not be impressive, combined with the soldiers he brought, she could possibly lose if she got unlucky.
Noscrim got off his horse and approached. The Heroes behind him kept a small distance. He smiled and waved, "Hail, great hero Eliza."
"Hail, Priest Noscrim." Eliza returned with no mirth, "What brings you to my abode?"
"I simply wished to check up on a local hero," Priest Noscrim said, "It was stated that you seemed strangely distant this time around. You barely interacted with anyone once the mission was over."
Eliza narrowed her eyes. Did the others tattle on her? Did they know? She decided to keep things to her chest, "We lost many good men and women. I did not feel like talking to anyone after such an experience."
"Lives are lost each day," Priest Noscrim said, "It is regrettable but necessary for our continued survival. A hero's job is to protect the realm and in doing so much allow such sacrifices to be made. You've sacrificed many men and women before in previous battles, yet you were never this distant."
Eliza clenched her fist. She knew he was goading her or was he really this oblivious to her own feelings on the matter? "LIfe is precious, Priest Noscrim. It should never be wasted. It has simply caught up to me and I wished to mourn for the good people of our Order who are no longer with us."
Priest Noscrim nodded, "Of course. To mourn them is understandable. It is commendable even. I'll be sure to pray for their souls after I return. The Chief God will give them the greatest joys a good follower can ask for in the afterlife."
"I thank you for that," Eliza wasn't sure if she meant that or not. Praying for them was a decent move but she doubted the Chief God would care for the words of a snake. "I thank you for visiting. You may go. I am fine and you have nothing to worry about."
"I worry about the souls of our heroes all the time," Priest Noscrim said, "Yours concerns me the most. You have kept yourself away from the city. A grand city where a hero should live. Why you would want to live… here, is beyond me." He grimaced as he looked around.
Eliza almost growled at that, "I like living out here." She would not live under his shadow.
"And what of your daughter," Priest Noscrim said, "She deserves a proper education. I know quite a few talented scholars that could-"
"I've been doing just fine teaching her on my own," Eliza said. She did have a few maids that visited now and again. She had to in order to raise a baby when on missions. They were needed less and less as Sasha grew up. "The maids come and help when they are needed."
"Maids not chosen by the Ecclesiarchy." Priest Noscrim said. The underlying 'not chosen by me' was quite clear.
"I choose who talks to my daughter," Eliza growled. "I don't need you to do my job for me."
"Temper, temper," Pierre spoke up. He flashed her what he thought was a charming smile. He was quite popular with the lady nobility, "A beauty such as yourself shouldn't growl. Why don't I stay and help ease your anger."
She wanted to tell him to just go jump off a cliff. She would not jump into his bed like he wanted, "I am fine."
"Your temper tells us differently," Acel noted, "We simply wish to ease your burden."
Make her a slave to their whim more like it. Eliza had to keep her cool. She was a loyal member of the Order but even she couldn't stand many of the people in charge or who she had to work with. "That is kind of you to say but that is unnecessary. You have come here for nothing."
"Perhaps," Priest Noscrim sighed and then smiled, "I am glad that is the case. A healthy and happy hero is a blessed one. May I come in? I'd love to see your daughter again. I've heard that she has the potential to be a hero herself."
"Unnecessary," Eliza took a step forward, "Kindly get off my property."
Priest Noscrim bowed his head, "Gladly. However, you are to come to the ball next week. No excuses. Bring your daughter with you."
Eliza wanted to cut his head off. That ball was just an excuse to parade her around like a trophy. On top of getting his hands on a potential hero recruit. She had no choice but to go to the ball but there were things that complicated that. Namely, her new baby. "I will be there."
Priest Noscrim smiled, "Splendid." He walked back to his horse, "See you in a week, fair hero!"
"I'll be waiting for our dance," Pierre leaned forward and blew a kiss. She wanted to gag.
Eliza watched them depart. The soldiers having to walk while the priest and heroes were riding horses. Typical. She sighed and tried to still her heart. Complications after complications. Her life could never be simple.
She walked upstairs and went back into the baby room. Her daughter hugged her immediately and she returned it, "It's okay. They are gone now."
"Good," Sasha pulled back, "The other people are weird."
"Yes they are," Eliza nodded and patted her head, "Just keep that in mind whenever you have to deal with them. That way they can't get in your head."
Eliza inwardly scowled. They would never get their claws on her daughter. Not on her watch. However what to do with Draco. She could not leave a baby on his own in the middle of nowhere. That was a recipe for disaster and pure irresponsibleness. Hmm…. perhaps… perhaps one of the maids could help but she would have to be wary on who to choose. Only one could know.
"My lord," Acel spoke after a few minutes of riding. "Do you believe she is hiding something?"
"Perhaps," Priest Noscrim said, "Perhaps not. She has never liked me very much so this is not new behavior. She could be telling the truth and we have nothing to worry about."
"She had no corruption upon her," Pierre stated, "However, I'd love to give her a thorough examination if that is required."
"If she is corrupted," Priest Noscrim narrowed his eyes, causing Pierre to flinch. "I would have known. I do not need you pushing her away more then necessary. Play your games but don't push your luck."
Pierre nodded and gulped. He was from a minor noble house so while he had power, more so now that he was a hero, he still was under the high nobility. "Understood, sir."
Priest Noscrim then went silent. He mulled over what he had witnessed today. Truthfully yes, she was clean. He had sensed no corruption on her. She was a person who truly hated killing and death in general. It would eventually get to her. Perhaps his instincts were wrong. Yes, it was fine to be wrong sometimes. Only the Chief God was right all the time. Still, he needed to find a way to leash that woman.
Heroes were supposed to be under the employ of the Ecclesiarchy. A rogue hero was not good for the city state's reputation. While she served them, she still snubbed them as much as she could do while still being loyal. This made them look bad but there was nothing he could technically do in this situation. However, her daughter was another story. Ah children. Such ripe minds just waiting to learn the truth. He'd teach this little girl as much as he could. Perhaps Sasha could keep Eliza in line. Yes, that was a good way of going about it. A mother's love was a useful tool. Both one way and the other.
And if he got a powerful future hero out of Sasha, the better for it. It was unfortunate that Sasha was half commoner but she still had noble blood. Which meant he could wipe away the 'stain' on that lineage easily enough. He had the power to do just that without question. The plan was coming to a head. Yes, this could work very easily in his favor.
"I really hope she wears a thin dress," Pierre said with a flushed expression, "That body of hers is to die for."
Priest Noscrim sighed. Heroes. Even the loyal ones were a headache.
