BK1 Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Pain thrived in my skin as black veins littered my body. They pulsed, bringing with them waves of agony as I lay on my bed scrunched in a ball, hoping the tighter I squeezed my arms, the less it would hurt. Wincing, I forced my eyes to open at the sound of my door and footsteps approaching.

"Eduard", I breathed heavily, fighting the spasm of pain that currently struck me. It would come and go but was always worse when the black veins grew, the disease that haunted my body.

"So sweaty," he remarked, glaring down at my pathetic form, the fabric of my ruined nightgown.

"Eduard.." I reached a hand out to grab the bottom of his jacket. "Please.. let me see a doctor", I begged.

"Lynette, we've spoken about this" His voice was quiet, or was it just I couldn't hear over the pain? A cold, wet thing sank into the skin on my forehead. Everything was so blurry, so dizzy. "We can't let you see a doctor, Lynette. There's nothing they can do," he murmured, watching me crumble.

"Please.. just once. Please," I rasped.

"Lynette, stop" he raised his voice slightly, pulling away so my hand dropped, unable to reach anymore. "This is for the best," he said before closing the door, leaving me alone to suffer.

***

Light brushed against my eyes, forcing me to pull awake from my nightmare. I momentarily gazed at the boring white ceiling for a moment whilst my brain caught up to where I was.

"Ah!" I gasped, shooting up in my bed and tucking the covers closer. Quickly looking to my left, I found no one beside me. I was alone. "N-Nate?" I hesitantly called out, then heard the sound of running water in the small en-suite attached.

"Here," he called from behind the closed door, settling my nerves. He hadn't just left then. Contrary to my thoughts, last night, once we entered his room Nate had offered me the bed whilst he opted for the small settee in the dingy room. I had refused to allow him to sleep in such a small space since he was far too tall to have a comfortable night. After some arguing, we agreed to share the bed with no intimacy.

Stretching, I hauled myself up and grabbed the plain white blouse and leather trousers I had been wearing the night before. Pulling them over my undergarments, I rushed, a little worried Nate might finish up in the bathroom. I was comfortable enough to sleep in them alone after Nate's promise and insistence that he wouldn't do anything. It was nice to meet a gentleman for once in my life.

A rare occurrence. Or maybe mortals just didn't interest him. We were exceptionally squishy in comparison. What may cause me grievous harm would only scratch a fully trained summoner.

The latch on the bathroom door clicked as he entered the room, rubbing a towel through his wet honey blond hair.

"Ah-um-Hi," I said, unsure how to approach him. This wasn't a situation I hadn't exactly experienced before.

"Hi," he chuckled, stepping aside ", All yours if you want it."

"I'm fine", I nervously pinched the hem of my shirt, "Thank you, again, for doing this. I know you had no reason to, so thank you."

"It's no problem", he smiled, sitting down on the settee. "To be honest, I'm fairly excited to piss off Eduard. That dude has a real stick up his butt," he grimaced jokingly, making me chuckle.

"Do you know him well then?" I asked, running my hand through my hair since I lacked a brush.

"Well enough, he's got a bit of a reputation with the soldiers for being a stickler for rules."

"That doesn't surprise me", I sighed, sitting down on the bed. "He's always punishing me at home."

"Punishing you?" Nate frowned this time

"Oh, it's nothing that bad!" I quickly raised my hands and shook them. "He just doesn't let me leave the mansion when I've… upset him", I say, trying to choose my words carefully. I don't want to get Nate involved in my cursed life more than necessary.

"I see." Nate silently looked away. I wasn't sure what he was thinking. How could I? "It's Nathaniel Hudson, by the way," he broke the silence, making me cock my head.

"Nathaniel?"

"Nate's my nickname the lads use when we're off-duty. Figured you ought to know if anyone asked you questions. You should probably know who I am, right?"

"Right! That's true," I nodded in agreement "so-may I ask you a question?"

"Sure, what is it?" Nathaniel raised an eyebrow curiously

"What made you… what made you agree to this" I waved around the room, indicating my request to make it seem like we had shared an intimate night. It was a surefire way to create a scandal for any noble. An unmarried woman sleeping with a stranger she met in a mortal commoner Inn was no place for a lady. I suppose some will call me crazy, living up to my crazy cerue nickname, I guess.

"It was simple, really" Nate stood up and moved to sit beside me on the bed, his shoulder touching mine. It was… weirdly comforting. "If there was another way out for you, I figured you would have taken it, approaching a Tavern, and a group of men, summoners, took guts. It was fairly obvious you had no other choice, so" he looked at me with a smile ", I knew I had to help the woman so daringly trying to make her own path."

I blushed "T-thank you."

"Enough with the thank you's", Nate suddenly rubbed the top of my head playfully. "Just use the opportunity to do what you want", he smirked. "Besides, I got something out of this too."

"What do you mean?" I asked

"I know a thing or two about being pressured into something you don't want", he sighed. "My mother is very demanding, insistent I get married myself" he looked at me sadly ", but I have the luxury of denying that request, unlike you. As soon as she hears of this, it will keep her at bay for a while. If she finds out, I held some interest in a woman for once; she will be ecstatic."

"You don't want to get married?" I asked curiously

"No", he laughed ", not to a woman."

"Huh?" my mouth scrunched, slightly confused, awaiting his answer, but Nate only looked at me pointedly. My mind blanked on his meaning for a moment, "Oh!" the penny dropped.

"So you…"

"Yes", he laughed again at the surprise on my face, leaning back on his hands. "I have no interest in any women, so you were always going to be completely safe with me" he winked, making me blush again. "You picked wisely, little cherub."

"I think I was just lucky for once" I smiled, pulling my legs up to hug them. This was the first time in a long while that my heart and stomach felt settled around someone. It was nice not being afraid.

That calmness immediately vanished as the box appeared.

Vishka's guidance system

Quest Update

Congratulations! You have successfully completed a scandal that has

Lowered your reputation

WARNING

Be wary of the fallout, and stay low for a while to let tempers subside

I stilled reading Vishka's latest message and warning. Did that mean the news of where I was and what had happened had already reached the mansion? It might be possible. Most of the mortal commoners knew who I was. I had caused enough public scenes in my childhood, and my distinct Dramorian features stood out, so it was obvious who I was to most locals. I guess Freda wasn't successful in biding my time this morning. I knew the news would reach them fast with Father's surveillance in Talbour but not this fast. Damn, it.

"I should go, it's already morning, and I probably should leave before I'm found here" I stood, grabbing my black cloak.

"You in a rush to be somewhere?" Nate asked, also grabbing his red cloak to wrap around his shoulders. It covered the pristine black leather brigand armour he had already put on before I awoke, hiding the well-toned arms that were obvious in his tight undershirt.

"Yes, actually, I've no doubt my family has probably heard the news of this by now, and it's probably best neither of us is here" I didn't hesitate to grab his wrist to lead him towards the door.

"Woah, calm down. I doubt they know already."

"Not worth the risk of getting caught here if they do," I said, opening the door. "My father has connections everywhere in Talbour."

"You really think they know you're here already?"

"Yes, I really do", I sighed. "I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you this. Truly, thank you."

"Seriously, what did I just say? Stop thanking me" he removed his hand from my grip and instead placed it around my shoulders as we descended the stairs.

"Sorry", I smiled, making him shake his head warmly.

"It's fine. By the sound of the tower bell, I should probably get going anyway, Summoner duties and all that" he held out his hand for me at the last step, and I gladly took it, allowing him to lead me through the Tavern. A few grey-cloaked soldiers were gathered around the bare tables looking worse for wear, but they watched us curiously and whispered.

"Right, you must have a lot to do?"

"You would be surprised, Miss Lynette" he spoke my name loudly enough for the people whispering to hear, playing the scene well. "So this will be farewell," he said, stilling my hand in his.

Slowly I released him, straightening myself. "Right, of course. You probably have to report in or something", I mumbled, feeling a little silly. He's a summoner. He won't be worried about getting caught by Eduard or Callan like me.

"Something like that", he mused. "Stay safe, Miss Lynette. May we meet again" he dipped his head and back in a showman bow, causing a few people to look our way again.

"Stop it", I whispered, motioning for him to stop drawing attention to my embarrassment. "Stay safe, Nate", I smiled, feeling a pang in my chest.

It wasn't often I met someone who didn't treat me with displeasure.

"May we meet again" he held the door for me and watched as I shyly curtsied to my new friend.

"May we meet again" I repeated his farewell before turning and leaving the Tavern behind.

The pang in my chest numbed the moment I did so.

I already missed the feeling of calm he gave me. I had never met someone so kind. It hurt, to leave it behind, but there was no choice if Vishka's warning was anything to go by.

I have to stay out of sight for a while. Not easy during a festival.

***

The morning streets of Talbour were full of people, many straggling still nursing hangovers, others setting up their morning stalls. Walking on foot, I led my Kreshna through the crowd by the rope tied to his horns.

Hiding in plain sight, that was my plan.

It was sort of working. Now and then, I spotted some of the guards from the Heversham mansion. They were alert, restless almost as they pushed their way through the crowd, clearly searching for something. I made sure to stick to the edges of the main street so I could dip into the alleys when I spotted them, using the Kreshna to block my view. It had been successful so far.

Given the way they looked flustered, the Viscount must have heard of my scandal already; there's no way they would be that stressed unless he had given them explicit orders to find me. Too bad for them. I didn't plan on being found for a while.

The Viscount is most definitely furious right now, I've done a lot of disgraceful things growing up from my pent-up emotions, but I hadn't ever done something like this.

For a noblewoman to be caught with a stranger alone for the night was beyond disrespect, and the other nobles of Talbour will likely look down on our family for my actions.

Honestly, though, I was past the point of caring what they thought a lifetime ago, literally. My only concern now was the vegetable market, which was only a few clicks ahead.

Weaving my way through the crowd, the hustle and bustle of vendors shouting over one another soon drowned out most of the conversations I passed. It was incredibly lively here are the vegetable market.

Farmers travelled from the lands outside of the city to sell their goods every 6th day on the day of light when their crops were good.

During the festival, it became even more crowded. Every farmer came for the entire three days of Light, Fire, and Water. They came even if they did not have any crops to sell just to catch up with friends, buy seeds, and exchange trade. It was a lively place to be.

Taking my time so as not to stand out, I glanced at the stalls looking for what I had come for, Jabascus.

If I was going to try to improve my Core, I would likely need it, how much I did not know.

I saw many variations of wheat, carrots, cabbage even a stall of medical herbs, which caught my attention for a while.

I ended up purchasing some dried valerian root, clove, and comfrey. All useful when prepared properly. They were fairly common around Talbour and easy enough for most commoners to find but not so much for me as I didn't have the luxury of wandering the nearby fields to gather them.

Garret's Library hadn't had many subjects to study in my third life, it had mostly been history, politics, or war tactics, but I did find a large collection on herbology. I had spent a lot of time there reading them, hoping to find maybe something that could help with my disease. It was a fruitless effort. There was no mention of anything similar to the black veins that sprout on my skin, slowly draining my vitality every life.

The disease always appeared in my twenty-fifth year. I had found a way to slow its spread from my experimentation with herb powders, but nothing close to a cure. It doesn't make sense to bring me back plagued with this curse.

Eventually, I neared the end of the street, where the crowd was thinner and the stalls bare.

It wasn't here.

What do I do now?! I can't exactly grow some Jabascus. I'm not a farmer. There wouldn't even be enough time. I began to pace back and forth as my anxiety increased. Just what choice did I have? I can't improve my mote core in 2 days. If I go back to the Manor, realistically, Eduard will lock me in my room again away. If that happens, will I even be able to leave to take the recruitment test for the Army before they move on?

"Arghh!" I exclaimed, slumping my head against the Kreshna. "Peta, what am I to do?" I asked it, and with our time together, I found the name Peta suited him.

The Kreshna snorted, a wisp of my hair tickling his nose, and shaking his head, he stomped. When I didn't react, I noticed he did it again, so I finally looked up at him and saw his eyes watching me keenly. He shook his head again, so I gave in and patted his nose, calming him down. "I know it's not easy", I sighed.

"Vishka, should I just try to join now?" I asked hoping for a box to appear, but it did not. It seemed her messages were entirely unpredictable.

"Fine." I frowned unhappily, leading Peta forward again, this time towards the square. I won't be able to avoid the Viscount for long.

Better now than never.

The square was very different from last night. The acrobats were still here performing again with the fire whips. However, at the centre of the square now stood a long table. Behind the table were stationed several Summoners and guards stationed nearby, the Army assessment for new candidates. I gulped, fear growing in the pit of my stomach.

Two lines of young men and a few women had formed at the front of the first table.

The first line had many with clothes either dirty or ripped. Their hands cracked with lines of mud, their bodies thin, the poorest of Talbour. The second line had a mix of people with sturdy but plain clothes and commoners who had better luck in life. They all stood to the back whilst at the front only the finest leathers, silk, and velvet in colours so bright and joyful, they could only be Nobles.

As the line moved, I silently fell into step at the back of the second line pulling my hood up. I was too well dressed for the first. I would stand out. As with the others who rode here with horses, a grey-cloaked soldier offered to take Peta to the water trough they had set up. I thanked him with a nod, afraid to use my voice here. He gave Peta a funny look before shrugging and taking him away.

I leaned slightly to my right to get a better look at the front of the queue. Immediately I recognized some of the nobles that queued ahead. I have no doubt they would recognize me too.

I watched as the line moved; each person would step forward to the first table where two summoners dressed in blue cloaks stood, one for each line. The summoners asked candidates to place their hands on a glass ball. As soon as they did, the ball would glow, and each time the intensity of the glow changed for the Nobles upfront.

However, the first line of poorer commoners often only got very low emittance of light or none at all. It must be a magic core evaluation tool.

After a candidate had been tested with the tool, they moved along the table to a Summoner dressed in a green cloak. There were about four green cloaks, so that part of the test seemed to move fairly quickly as four candidates were tested at a time rather than just two like the first test.

I didn't understand what they were being tested for, the green cloaks all had check boards, and for some candidates, the summoners asked them something, and then the candidate would lift their hand in response, palm facing forward. For others, mostly the poor commoners, instead the green cloaks asked them to first place their hands flat on the table, and a red flash happened with evident pain on the candidate's faces.

It didn't look pleasant.

The candidates then moved to the final table, where red-cloaked summoners were sitting rather than standing. I noticed that they were handed the papers from the check boards the green summoners had been writing on. Some of the candidates had big smiles when they left. Others looked sullen. That must be where the results were evaluated for acceptance or not.

I couldn't help but nervously shuffle on my feet as the line grew shorter in front of me, my turn growing closer. It was then that I spotted Rian Thornfax, daughter of Earl Thornfax. She was with Kit Balburn and Harold Eastmond, both Baron's children and Lacey Weadall, the daughter of the only other Viscount in Talbour.

Slowly I pulled my hood further down to try to hide my face more.

Rian Thornfax was the youngest of three girls. She was someone I had often fought with in my past lives. She often managed to say just the right things to hurt me to the point of reaction and the cause of many of my scoldings from Eduard. She was also the reason for my nickname, the Crazy Cerue. As the daughter of an Earl, her family's rank was above Viscount and only underneath the Marquess of Talbour, the ruler of this town.

I was foolish in the past to have gotten caught up with her, not just in my first life but my second as well. I am fairly confident that my second life had gone drastically wrong due to the influence of Rian Thornfax and my clashes during social gatherings. Callan had been very unhappy with me whenever we fought. He only seemed to despise me more when I reacted to Rian's insults.

I had no intention of catching her attention this time around.

I watched as Rian stepped forward, her expression confident as the others cheered behind her. She was going to pass, as she always had done in my past three lives, though this was my first time witnessing her assessment. It was something she had bragged about often, claiming the summoners welcomed her with open arms due to her skills and potential.

I frowned, thinking back to those days at the social gatherings in my second life. I mostly sat alone during them, listening to her explain this day so proudly whilst simultaneously insulting me for being so useless all I could do was buy dresses. It was weird watching it now for myself.

She flicked her brown, medium-length, neatly braided hair back behind her shoulder. She was fairly average height at 5ft 7 and an athletically built fair-skinned woman with a goal-oriented feel about her. She had wide-set brown eyes, full lips, and an oval face, she was an average-looking woman, but her poise and confidence made her often the centre of attention for our peer group.

Stepping forward towards the glass ball, she placed her hand upon it. Expectedly it flashed so brightly that a few people at the front of the line had to shield their eyes. Triumphant, she moved to the next table when the green-cloaked summoners asked her to raise her hand and began taking notes on their check boards.

I could see they were pleased with whatever they saw from the expressions on their faces. As expected of an Earls bloodline, she had an incredible mote core.

Finally, after she moved to the last table where she was questioned, I was too far away to hear what they were saying, but the result was she stepped right, heading to a large tent behind the assessment tables. The place where successful candidates were to await.

I sighed, slumping my shoulders. I suppose if I do pass, I will likely have to interact with her. She was a very proud woman from what I remember of my second life. We clashed so easily as I was incredibly stubborn. I hadn't interacted with her in my third life as Garret's wife. Perhaps this one may be different?

Lacey Weadall was next, the daughter of Viscount Mitchell Weadall. I was surprised to see her here, not many women applied to the Army, and I don't remember her speaking of being a part of it. I know her older brother Zachary had joined when Eduard did. They both chose the administration department as future heads of their households.

Lacey was nervous as her hand shook, touching the glass ball. It glowed but not as brightly as Rians had. She was a meek petite girl with frizzy auburn hair worn up in a ponytail, narrow lips, and a turned-up nose. She had never been very talkative, choosing to watch rather than get involved from what I witnessed.

I hadn't spoken to her very much, so it could be she just didn't like a conversation with me as the Crazy Cerue lady. I saw a smile, almost relieved at the light the ball glowed before she moved on to the next table to be assessed by the green cloaks for the test I didn't understand.

Kit Balburn was next, the son of Francis Balburn, a Baron of Talbour. He was a plump man with light brown eyes, puffy lips, and neat eyebrows. His curly brown hair bounced as he walked forward toward the glass ball. As expected, it glowed at his touch but less so than Lacey or Rian.

Ranks were provided based on the power of your bloodline, so it would be unusual for a Baron to have more magic than a Viscount or an Earl. Kit Balburn grinned happily at the result before heading over to the green cloaks and standing beside Lacey as she finished her assessment. I saw her nervously wringing her hands as she discussed the results at the final table with the red cloaks. It didn't take too long, but her face didn't seem all too pleased as she dragged her feet towards the tent for successful candidates.

Finally, Harold Eastmond, the son of Rheese Eastmond, another Baron of Talbour, approached. Like Kit, the glass ball glowed for him but not as brightly as Kian or Lacey. It was a little bit brighter than Kit's had been, in my opinion. He was a tall and slender, dark-skinned man with stern, black eyes, a triangular face, and a stubble-covered round chin. He wore immaculate, high-end clothes and seemed relaxed with the result moving onto the next table, his long dark brown hair styled in decorative cornrows.

I had never interacted with Harold before. He didn't stick around for the social season in Talbour of my second life. I remember him as someone who preferred his own company. He had witnessed my harassment more than once, though he never got involved. Perhaps that's why I remember him.

It appeared that they all had passed. I watched as each of them finished the final assessment with the red cloaks before moving to the tent at the back. My palms had already begun to sweat. That's already four people who hate me I have to deal with if I pass. Why exactly do I have to join the Army again?

I sighed, my feet moving forward as the rich commoners took their turns. Some had very weak reactions to the glass ball. Others were on the same par as the Baron, which they were delighted by. Not everyone passed, though.

I saw a couple of other Barons I didn't know too well who attempted weren't accepted; quite a lot of the commoners kicked up a fuss before storming away as well. It felt like I had been waiting a century with the unease in my stomach, but eventually, it was my turn.

"Step forward" I looked up to an older gentleman dressed in a blue cloak wave his hand at me impatiently. I gulped, stepping forward as asked.

"Name," he asked, not looking up from a piece of paper his pen hovered over.

"U-uh, Lynette Heversham", I whispered, afraid someone else might hear me. I'm sure news of the Viscount's guards searching for me had spread by now.

"What?" He finally looked at me. "Speak louder, girl. I haven't got all day", he tutted.

"Ly-Lynette Heversham", I spoke a little louder, panicked by his tone.

"Rank?" He now asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um, Daughter of Viscount Heversham", I mumbled, which made him frown, so I said it again a little too quickly, making him sigh.

"Get on with it then. Place your hand on the Mote Core evaluation globe" he nodded to the glass ball sitting on the wooden table before me. Up close, I could see a shimmer of murky liquid swirl on the inside, it flowed slowly in fascinating patterns, and it was a little entrancing.

This was it.

My heart hammered in my chest as I moved towards it raising my hand. Slowly, I lowered the palm of my right hand on the globe, as he called it.