BK1 Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Water dripped from the ends of my soaked raven hair, darkening patches of the pale green fabric of my ballgown. I sat bedraggled, alone, and miserable in the water fountain I found myself in. Rian Thornfax had moments before pushed me over the fountain's edge before leaving me in the dark of night as she returned to the party inside.

"Get out of there", Callan's voice was loud and obnoxious. "You look like a drowned rat."

"A beautiful one though, no?" I laughed, standing on shaky legs wading through the water. I looked to Callan, who offered no hand in support, so I stepped over the fountains stone edge with no assistance.

"You push your luck, sister", he glared at me with defiant eyes. His sword was drawn by his side.

"I was simply telling the truth. Rian is a snivelling coward." I refused to accept the blame here.

"Rian is to be my wife, sister. You have no right!" he roared at me.

"Tough luck for you", I sneered, fed up with this farse. "Your wife-to-be is a terrible person."

"Lynette! Stop your insults at once" Callan stepped towards me, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade. I eyed it suspiciously but unafraid. He wouldn't hurt me. He couldn't, as his sister.

"I pity your inability to see her true self, brother. She is worse than a larval worm," I spat, raising my hands to squeeze water out of my hair.

"Lynette, I said enough!" Callan charged forward, and suddenly pain bloomed from deep within my chest. We both paused, shocked. Slowly I looked down at the cause of my pain and saw his sword protruding from my chest.

"Cal-" I tried to speak, but blood filled my mouth, and my vision began to fade into shapes. The quiet breeze dulled as I felt my strength wane, unable to stand.

"Lynette!" Callan's panicked cry was the last thing I heard before darkness enveloped me.

***

I woke with a startle clutching my chest. The dream this time had been vivid. Raising my hand to my forehead, I wiped the sweat away. I had been bold in my second life, often unafraid to speak harsh words, and often arrogant with the people around me. In retrospect, I should have treated Rian Thornfax with a little more respect than I had, but my words were intentionally spiteful, and she responded in kind. I had been frustrated with my first life, wasting away locked in this manor, and I took out a lot of that frustration in high society parties. I indulged in luxurious goods and alcohol and occasionally partook in illegal gambling. I was a perfect villainess in many eyes.

After reflecting on my third life, I don't believe Callan had intended to kill me that night, but my repetitive actions of disdain towards his future wife with no care for his feelings had pushed his anger too far. It hadn't been the first time I had insulted his wife-to-be, but it was my last.

I often heard his last words calling my name in my dreams. His voice had been afraid, not the voice of someone with an intention to kill. He had always been someone who acted rashly first and worried later.

Sitting up, I glanced down at the new mark on my right hand, the blood sign. Eduard had shown me how to hide my abilities as promised so others couldn't view them when I showed my sign. It was simple enough, a matter of actively concentrating with my mind and requesting the skills to be hidden.

"Sign", I murmured, holding my palm out with the back facing me. The growingly familiar box popped up, its borders edged in red, framing the see-through centre. I had been surprised to learn, when finally viewing it for myself during Eduard's lesson, that I had unknowingly lied to Eduard yesterday. I did, in fact, have a skill hidden. I could only presume it was Vishka's doing when she melded with the blood sign.

Blood Sign

General Information

Name: Lynette Heversham

Age: Twenty-One

Rank: Daughter of Viscount – Talbour

Traits: Beast born Hidden

Occupation: Trainee of Zopan Empire Army

Covenants: Zopan Empire Army Blood bond : Guidance of Vishka Hidden

Progression

Core Innate Grade: 0.02

Core Condensation Grade: 0.02

Affinities: Unknown

Skills

Aether: 0

Combative : 0

Body: 2

Poison Resistance: 10 - (Initiate)

Pain Resistance: 22 - (Apprentice)

Mind: 3

Research: 12 - (Initiate)

Herbology: 57 - (Adept)

Alchemy: 7 - (Novice)

Spirit: 1

Beast Taming: 1 - (Novice) Hidden

General: 1

Social: -2 - (Novice) Hidden

I was surprised at the labelling system, not expecting such a detailed breakdown of skills. Eduard had explained that skills evolved in grade as they levelled. Eight classes ranged from the lowest, Novice, to the highest, Grandmaster. Every time I met a level threshold, it would evolve into the next stage. The first was from Novice to Initiate, which happened when a skill reached level 10. The next was Initiate, then Apprentice, Journeyman, Adept, Expert, Master, and finally Grandmaster. The higher your level, the harder it was to grow, making Masters and Grandmasters in any skill incredibly rare.

It put into perspective my Herbology. It was Adept, the fifth stage out of eight. No wonder General Saika had been so eager to get me to sign a blood contract. He hadn't been kidding that reaching Adept took years. It was strange for someone my age to have such a high skill.

I sighed. Vishka's melding had pulled my past lives experience into my blood sign. I couldn't think of any other explanation. I hadn't read one book on Herbology in this life so far. There was nothing else it could be. It would somewhat explain my pain resistance, which was probably Garrets doing, putting up with his beatings for so long. I shivered thinking about those days.

The poison resistance could likely be from the horrendous food I'd been eating growing up in this manor. However, I'm pretty sure I possibly inhaled some toxic fumes once or twice when trying alchemy in my study in Garret's manor. The fact I only had a Novice level in that skill despite my years of attempts to find a cure proved how difficult it was to learn without guidance.

My research skill must be attributed to my Herbology from the many books I read, trying to find new herbs to help with my disease.

Beast taming though? That was an enigma, along with Beast Born. Vishka hid the skill, so it shouldn't be something I share with anyone. Although I knew I had always had an understanding of Kreshna's, Callan and Eduard had always been embarrassed by that. Maybe this was why?

A soft knock on my door made me quickly close the blood sign.

"My Lady? Are you awake?" Freda's voice hesitantly called, opening the door a crack.

"Come in, Freda", I replied, surprised she was even asking. Freda had never held back from walking in without approval before.

Her small frame stepped inside, holding the usual water basin.

"I have brought your morning water, My Lady" She gently placed it on my desk.

"Thank you," I said apprehensively at her attitude. It was weird. When she remained standing nearby, It only felt stranger. Why hadn't she left yet?

"Um", she coughed into her hand awkwardly. "Is there anything I may help you with?" she asked, raising my surprise further.

"No…" I said, a little dumbfounded. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Very well", she nodded her head "One moment, My Lady" She dipped out the door before quickly returning. This time, she held something wrapped in blue paper tied neatly with a dark blue ribbon.

"This is for you, My Lady, from Lord Eduard" She placed it beside the water basin on my desk.

I started at the parcel, shocked.

"Eduard?" I asked, still unsure if I had heard correctly.

"Yes, My Lady, for your… trip" She looked down, biting her cheek. "I have been informed that you are leaving" She shuffled on her feet as I stood from the bed my night dress floating against my ankles.

"Yes, I will be leaving today to travel to the capital with the Army," I said, my fingers glancing across the paper of the parcel. I could feel the shape of two boxes layered atop one another.

"I just…" she paused. "I wanted to wish you a safe trip, My Lady."

I turned to face Freda as she struggled to look at me directly. "Thank you, Freda."

"Breakfast will be served in an hour" She dipped in a curtsey before leaving the room awkwardly to continue her duties.

I watched the door she closed for a moment, still unsure of our interaction. However, my attention was quickly drawn back to the parcel.

Why had Eduard given me something? He didn't even bother buying me anything for any of my birthdays. Instead, he would just give me coins, so I could purchase something myself. That way, he didn't have to put any effort into the action.

Carefully I untied the ribbon releasing the delicate paper folded around the two boxes. The first box was small than the bottom. Opening its lid, I sucked in my breath, unsure of what to expect.

Inside I found a neatly folded light blue cotton shirt. I lifted it, the texture of the cloth thick and well-made. The stitching was tight, the sleeves cuffed at the wrists with silver thread, and a delicate stitched pattern of water lilies trimmed the neckline in the same silver as the cuffs. It was beautiful.

Beneath the shirt was a crinkle of paper left in the box. I pulled it out to find a second item. A pair of cotton canvas trousers in a deep black was hidden underneath. I held them against my waist and found their length reached my ankles, just like my night dress. The waist was a little wide, but they had loopholes for a belt. They shared the same silver threaded pattern of water lilies along the seam of a pocket on the right leg. They, like the shirt, were clearly of high quality, the choice of material cooling in the summer heat.

A little afraid of what the second bigger box held, I gingerly lifted the lid. My eyes widening, I tugged out a tightly packed pair of boots. They were black like the trousers, the leather sturdy and cured with a crafted hand. Laces threaded up the centre of both, allowing an easier fit around my legs as they were knee-high boots. The soles were etched with grip and made for trekking undergrowth, not the dirt-trodden streets of a town.

I put down the items on my bed and stood back, inspecting them.

Why had Eduard gifted me with such expensive clothing? This kind of finery was beyond the scraggy burgundy shirt I had pulled out last night and more akin to something I may expect Rian Thornfax to wear. Not a disdained adopted daughter such as myself. I bought the only nice things I owned with Roger Heversham's money. Nobody ever gifted me such things.

What was he doing?

It was impossible to deny that they would be excellent for the march, especially the boots. I was a little reluctant to think of what I would do if I got them ruined during the trip. But, it was likely to happen. Surely he must know that? For such expensive clothes to be wasted that way…

Shaking off this weird morning, I continued my routine, splashing my face with warm water. Yet another surprise I hadn't expected from Freda, the water was always cold, every life.

Stripping out of my nightgown, I lighted touched the scar on my chest, the spot where Callan had stabbed me in my second life. It was an angry red line a little jagged from his shaky arm. The blade had cut a little further down after the initial impact.

I had grown used to it in my third life, my excuse being It was a childhood scar from before I was adopted when Garret had seen it. He couldn't exactly fact-check that, as no maid ever helped me change in the Heversham household since I arrived as a young girl. A solid lie I could explain away as having no memories of the incident in which I got it. I didn't have any memories of before I was adopted.

Rubbing my neck, I removed the strip of ripped cloth I had used to sleep in. I didn't think leaving it uncovered at any time was wise. Anyone could enter my room when I'm sleeping and see the scar around my neck from my most recent death. I had no lie for that, not one that could be explained as it didn't exist a mere two days ago. Everyone had seen my neck daily, unlike my chest, which was always covered by garments. So I had to be very careful.

Conflicted, I eventually put on the clothes Eduard had gifted me. They were soft on my skin, comfortable, and a perfect fit, loose but not baggy. Grabbing a leather belt from my drawers, I added it to the trousers and tightened the laces on my knee-high boots.

Picking up the clothes I had gotten out last night, I put them in the rucksack I had prepared as spares. The woollen trousers would be useful if it got colder than planned. One of the maids had brought me a water skin last night, so I made sure to tie that tightly to the side of the bag for easy access. After that, all I needed was food rations, which I would get from the kitchens before we left. There was always a supply of dried meat and rice I could use, maybe some cheeses and bread, but they wouldn't last for long.

Hauling my rucksack over my shoulder and grabbing my black cloak with my free hand, I left my room for morning breakfast.

***

Kara's pout and tear-filled eyes obstructed my vision as she clung to my shoulders fiercely. She blocked my path in the hallway towards the dining room, the anger and sadness of her quivering lip making me tense.

"How could you" she trembled in her grip.

"Kara", I reached for one of her hands on my shoulders, but as I did so, she tightened her fingers, digging in.

"How could you, Lynette! How could you leave me!" her voice was loud and piercing

"I'm doing this for me, Kara. Please understand," I spoke calmly, hoping to calm her in turn. I had been nervous about what Kara's reaction might be. She had been happy for me when I left to marry Garret in my third life but had still made a fuss. Now that I was leaving for the Army, and not for marriage, I wasn't sure what she would react like this time.

"No!" she protested. "No", her voice quietened as tears began to fall. "Wh-what I-if" she couldn't finish her sentence as she began to hic with tears, but I knew what she was going to say.

What if I die?

"Kara", I cupped her chin and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Everything will be okay. I promise" I lifted her head to make sure she looked at me as she sniffled.

"You can't know that", she whispered, unconvinced. There was something I could tell her to convince her, but the thought made me uncomfortable.

"Eduard and Callan will be with me. They will keep me safe" I smiled through the lie, like heck, they would.

"R-right", she loosened her grip on my shoulders and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. "yes, our brothers will keep you safe" She seemed to cling to the idea as I'd hoped.

However, her tears quickly turned into a scowl. "I can't believe you did that to Garret."

"What did I do to him exactly?" I narrowed my eyes. Kara sadly was so spoiled she often only ever thought of romance.

"He wanted to marry you, Lynette! He must be heart-broken" She glumly sighed for him.

"Kara, I will not marry a man I have no love for" I bit my cheek holding back what I wanted to say. She wouldn't understand. None of them would.

Kara covered her mouth in shock. "You don't? But at Sarah Gangleys, you danced together so well I thought you were smitten" Her expression showed she was genuinely surprised at my statement.

"I don't. I am instead doing what I want to do," I sighed, pulling her close. "Please understand that."

"Alright", she mumbled against my chest, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Just come back", she whispered as I hugged her back.

"I will", I promised.

We stood together for some time. I think she may know I probably wouldn't be coming back, not to this manor.

Breaking apart, Kara took my hand in hers and walked beside me to the dining room. I gave it a slight squeeze before we separated to sit at the table laid out for five. She chose to sit beside me this morning rather than her usual spot beside Roger. It was nice.

It wasn't long before Roger arrived with Callan and Eduard. Roger greeted Kara with a smile ignoring me, before sitting at the head of the table.

Callan didn't hesitate to glower at me, choosing to sit directly opposite before slouching in his seat, disapproval written all over his face. I rolled my eyes at his behaviour, turning away.

Eduard sat beside Roger as he always did, he glanced at the shirt I wore, and I couldn't stop the feeling of my cheeks reddening. His lips half smiled before focusing his attention back on Roger as they continued their conversation.

On queue, the servants immediately brought us all cups of tea and plates of steaming food. Freda approached as my servant, placing a plate on my setting; she smiled.

"It's ham omelette", she whispered before pulling away to stand against the walls with the other servants.

Gingerly I lifted my knife and fork and cut a slice. Surprisingly, the taste was fluffy, cheesy, and edible. For the first time in this manor, I was being served a decent meal.

It must have been obvious as I didn't hesitate to devour it with gluttony.

***

Breakfast had been uneventful, Roger had spoken with both Callan and Eduard privately whilst I enjoyed my meal conversing with Kara. I encouraged her to continue her studies so she could work in the palace someday. She dreamed of meeting the Empress and serving in the royal library.

I made sure to visit the Kitchens when we were done and filled my rucksack with rations, a knife, and a simple metal cup. All vital when camping, I even found a spare flint strike for making a fire the cooks often used. Then, happy I had taken what I needed, I headed to the front of the manor to await Callan and Eduard.

I didn't have to wait long before Callan appeared. He wore a blue cotton shirt similar to mine and darkened brown trousers. The grey cloak of his station in the Army flourished behind him. He had the same black brigand armour on his chest I had seen summoners wearing in the parade. From what I had put together, people wore the same coloured shirt and cloaks of the element they were strongest with. However, a grey cloak was worn with their shirt, the colour of their element for anyone unable to summon an Aether spirit. This was why Callan didn't have a blue cloak, as he couldn't summon an Aether spirit yet. If the shirt and cloak were grey, their station was a foot guard who didn't have cores.

"Tch", Callan frowned as he approached. "Typical"

"Excuse me?" I asked, unperturbed by his attitude.

"You know what", he folded his arms ", I had expected you to do something stupid whilst we were back, but you really know how to throw out expectations."

"What were your expectations exactly?"

"Oh, you know" he smirked "making a fool of yourself, wrecking something, causing a scene, that kind of thing."

"Ah", I acknowledged his words. "well, I'm happy to have surprised you."

"Congratulations", he slowly clapped sarcastically. "I always knew you were a handful, but I didn't know you wanted to be Demonic Beast food."

"I won't be" I closed my hand into a fist, trying to convince myself. "I want to help. I can help."

"With your herbology?" He inquired. "You won't get a chance to use it if you don't survive."

"You almost sound worried that I won't."

"Don't worry. I'm not," he quickly snipped as Eduard arrived beside Roger and Kara.

Like Callan and I, Eduard wore a similar blue shirt, his trousers black fading into the brigand on his chest. Unlike Callan's, his cloak was a royal blue with silver buckles attached to the brigand armour. By his waist hung a Jian safely tucked in its scabbard, a double-edged straight sword, the weapon of choice for the Heversham family. He passed another Jian he was carrying in his hands to Callan, who took it happily.

"Lynette", Roger said, holding one out toward me.

"What's this?" I asked, surprised, hesitant to take it from him.

"Take it", he demanded, seeing my trepidation. "You are representing our household. It would be shameful if you did not leave with a weapon."

"Thank you" I took the Jian, and the sudden weight made my arm drop. I quickly gripped it tighter. Callan snickered at me with a knowing look, his thoughts obvious at my frailty.

Not a good start. I can barely lift the thing.

"Is it heavy?" Kara asked curiously.

"Yes," I said, not wanting to further divulge my weakness. I need to consider strength training.

"I have written a letter to the courts for your release from the blood contract. Eduard will present it when you get to the capital. I expect to see you return with Baron Asher at the next outing" Roger looked at me firmly.

"Callan", he called when I didn't respond and instead glared at him. "You will train Lynette with the Jian on the march. Make sure she can at least defend herself if there is an attack."

"What!"

"What?"

Both Callan and I exclaimed simultaneously.

"Father, I have responsibilities. I can not train her as well", Callan objected, his voice raised at this command.

"Do not argue with me, Callan. Eduard will be preoccupied at the front of the march. You will have plenty of spare time in the evenings after your duties. You could do with the training yourself anyway" Roger stood his ground firmly, fully expecting Callan's objection.

"But", Callan tried to speak, but one look from Eduard and he stopped. "Fine," Callan said sharply instead, turning his anger at the situation towards me.

I wasn't exactly happy about this either, but I couldn't find any reason to say no. I needed all the help I could get.

I had no idea how to use a Jian.