It Started with Slime - Interlude XXI – Borowyn Frelaine, Soul Oath

“The nature of the Soul is strange, the four churches have different explanations for it but essentially what it boils down to is this. It is where your Stats, Skills, Talents and Magic is all anchored. The internal space, the churches call it Soul so we use the same term but it is just a word, a metaphysical space in each of us which strengthens with our bodies and minds. Or maybe the soul is what strengthens the body and mind. There are many schools of thought.”

Here Borowyn paused to check that the curious creature in front of him was able to follow along with what he was saying. Resh nodded along with what Borowyn was saying. Curious, that something which should be so simple minded is able to understand such philosophical topics. This thing might just be as intelligent as Boren, not as driven though perhaps. That boy…the King thought fondly of his youngest without allowing any of it to cross his face. That had been his first lesson when working to gain a place at court. Back then the Mad King had not been so mad…a slight creasing of his brow was all the weakness he would allow to show on his face.

“In any case, the reason I go into this is that each of us have a unique soul signature, the information that is coded into our Soul, or the information that forms our Soul is the information I told you, call it your personal status. Because it is unique to each individual it is the best and most binding way to identify an individual. So, by extention it is the most reliable way to ensure that Oaths are kept and maintained. After all you can’t exchange your Soul can you!?” He said it like it was the most ridiculous notion ever, and maybe it was. Of course, Soul exchange was not possible.

“I understand, so you need me to swear on my Soul and you will swear on yours?” The funny Slime, Resh nodded and Borowyn followed suit. “On final question, you are the King, I am happy that you are doing this personally but I am curious as to why you would want to do it yourself. Isn’t it a burden on your soul to swear an Oath with me? And if you’re doing this with me…”

“Then I must be doing it with everyone?” The King nodded sagely. “This is an Oath concerning my family so I will take it personally, I have always believed in leading by example, I would not require anyone to take an Oath I would not willingly take myself. So I will handle this particular duty myself.” Then his tone changed from serious to playful, which made the next part all the more disconcerting. “It is also a way to assure you that someone important is on the other end. And that if you fail to live up to your end of the Oath by hurting my family I will always know when you are! When Souls are pitted against each other it favours the stronger.” Borowyn finished with a laugh and Resh seemed to cring a little again. What I need not specify is that the Soul burden for breaking an Oath is harder the stronger your Soul becomes. Borowyn had a good idea of how strong this little one would become in the years to come.

“I…understand, I think. I have to ask, do I really have to take this Oath? You have seen me now; I am not threat to you and yours. It seems very…permanent.” The Slime creature Resh said.

“I am afraid that is not how this works.” Borowyn hardened his eyes, he would not allow Resh to think him soft. He always tried to be fair but never soft, never weak. Weakness had been stamped out of him a long time ago…the memory of that still haunted him even centuries later, such was the burden of power though. “You will swear this Oath, I will not make it burdensome but it must be done. I will delay it no further.”

“Very well, I…I am...ready.” Resh visibly breathed out and seemed to calm. Borowyn wondered where the air was coming from and why a creature born with no apparent lungs would make such a expression. A kernel of suspicion on this creature’s origins planted itself in the furtile scape of his mind, it would grow. In the meantime he had business to be about and petitioners awaiting him. This needed to be concluded now.

“Good, let us begin then, repeat after me,” and Borowyn began the recitation, “I, add your name, will protect the santity and safety of House Frelaine and all its members.” As he spoke the glow of Mana infused the words. Health, Mana and Stamina were all used in the securing of the Soul Oath, it made sense to Borowyn that when binding an Oath all of the three should be used, they were all fundamental components of the soul so all should be a part of it.

The creature repeated the word adding Resh where the name went.

“I solemnly swear; never to reveal of the secrets of House Frelaine.” Resh again repeated the solemn words.

“I will never write, indite or otherwise them delineate.” Dutifully the Slime continued.

And finally, “I will not leave the Palace grounds unless I get express permission from a member of House Frelaine.” Resh baulked at his one and hesistated before a surge of power from the King pushed him into agreement.

“Do not repeat the next part. In exchange, I, Borowyn, King of Darf and Head of House Frelaine do hereby and hereon-“ opening the box that Resh was contained in, he pressed his hand down so that it sunk into the Slime partially, “-solemnly and sincerely swear to uphold the promise given, that of not harming this being Resh while he remains a loyal vassal of our House.”

The glow that had been surrounding him burst into lines of red, green and blue to swirl, splitting and rejoining and splitting again. Meandering around all of the people present, they would be the witnesses to the Oath taken this day. The light that flowed out of Borowyn after doing its dance converged on the unassuming Slime, and just like that it was done. I have done what I can to protect my family from the monster this thing will become. With this Oath I will be able to use it as my spear in the days to come. I feel something in the wind and earth and water. Once the light finished its motions and had settled Borowyn could not help but slump a little, another burden had been added to his shoulders, it would last a few days before he got it under control but one more after so many way imperceptible. This much was not even worth worrying about.

He turned from the Slime and began walking back up to the dais. His steps were measureably slower this time. One of the front bearers moved to close the lid of the creature’s box to put it to rights and Borowyn waved his hand over his shoulder. “Resh is a free being, it has sworn the Oath. It cannot harm us now.” He hoped his voice did not sound as tired to the others as it did in his own head. A King must always be strong.He repeated the mantra in his head a few more times until he felt his limbs stiffen and back straighten again as he reached the top of the stairs. Standing before the throne he waited until he was sure he had mastered himself before turning and facing the creature again, now working to exit the box it had spent the past day in.

Forcing a smile to his face he proclaimed, “Resh, you are now a free…creature. As long as you stay within the walls of this palace you are free to explore. We will begin training you as we do with all our squires, mages and soldiers. The Academy will have to make some adjustments but…welcome!”

The creature appeared dumb founded but happy, it semed its expectations had been for the Oath to be more burdensome than it was. Borowyn had intentionally takena softer approach. Further Oaths might have to be sworn in the future but for now this was enough. The creature turned to look at Borowyn, eyes wide with awe. All three of them, Borowyn thought with amusement. He wondered why more creatures were not born with three eyes that one at the back seemed a damn sight useful, pun intended. Borwyn chuckled to himself inwardly while he returned the creatures gaze.

The more he looked at this creature the more confusing the sight became, his eyes saw a monster or forest creature but his mind saw a sapient creature. Human in many of its mannerisms. It was very easy to overlook this beast’s appearance even though it shouldn’t be. He continued to wonder what the world had in store for this creature…or more accurately what this creature would mean to the world. And now it was Borowyn’s to do with as he pleased.