Born a Monster

Chapter 61: Born A Monster, Chapter 61 – Crew

Born A Monster

Chapter 61

Crew

On the second day of waiting for the crew, Black Snake awakened. Only briefly, for it was daytime, and then she was asleep again. I was in the middle of walking the streets, exploring. A metalworks among potters wasn’t the only misplaced store in Whitehill.

If it ever matters to the story, I may list some of them.

She came to again shortly after dusk.

YOU WILL FEED ME

.....

“You broke the pact. I do not have to feed you. You know the tapping ritual; feed yourself.”

LET ME USE YOUR SKILLS

“Use your own skills. You chose that when you chose to break the pact.”

NO

REFORM THE PACT NOW

“Why?”

I admit this is cruel, but it wasn’t worth Malice XP.

I WANT TO USE YOUR SKILLS

“Hm. Why do I want you to use my skills?”

I AM YOUR DAUGHTER! HELP ME FEED!

Okay, that I could work with.

“Daughters listen to their fathers.”

ONLY WHEN THEY HAVE TO

“True, and you chose to break the pact, to be free. Freedom means you get to feed yourself.”

FREEDOM IS KILLING ME

“Have you even tried feeding yourself?”

With a grudging sulk that was almost its own emotion, she began doing so.

I CAN SURVIVE ON MY OWN

I DO NOT NEED YOU

“I will be here for a few days if you change your mind.”

I opened the window for her.

YOU DO NOT LOVE ME

“If by love, you mean unending sacrifice, then no. I have tried giving you things to help you grow. You rejected that pact. It is done. Do you want a new pact?”

I noticed that she was not moving toward the door. That was progress, at least.

I AM NOT SURE

I FEEL SO WEAK

She moved to the edge of the windowsill.

WHERE IS MY HOUSE FROM HERE?

“It’s back in Narrow Valley, wherever you hid it. This is Whitehill.”

WHERE IS THIS?

“Whitehill? The city where I was once imprisoned?”

WHY ARE YOU HERE?

NO

WHY AM I HERE?

“I wanted to keep you alive, so I fed you. That meant bringing you here.”

WHY WOULD YOU NOT FEED ME NOW?

“Now, you can feed yourself.”

TOO WEAK

“You need to heal.” I said. “The way you broke the pact hurt both of us.”

YOU WILL GUARD ME WHILE I HEAL

“Neither of us commands the other. Are you asking me to guard you while you heal?”

NO YOU WILL DO THIS FOR ME

“I do not accept that command. Are you asking?”

NO

“Then I am going to sleep.”

CLOSE THE WINDOW, ANYTHING CAN COME IN

“That sounds reasonable.” I closed the window.

FATHER

“Hm?”

WHY WILL YOU NOT PROTECT ME?

“I will do what I wish. I am willing to protect you, but you must ask.”

PROTECT ME

PLEASE

“I will protect you while you heal, you may borrow this, but it is not yours.” I showed her the brass canteen.

THIS WILL SUFFICE

“And what do you say to those who grant favors?”

THANK YOU

“You are welcome. Good night, Black Snake.”

#

The next day, a card was delivered to the inn for me.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

TO A DANCE BALL

AT THE WATERFORD MANSION

TO BE HELD THIS COMING VAINDAY [1]

BEGINNING AT DUSK

FORMAL WEAR ONLY

Well, formal wear meant fancy clothes with lots of lace and straps and buttons. Fortunately, black was considered a basic color, and the last of my silver coins and seven copper coins covered the cost. Boots could not be fitted to my feet, but there were torture devices known as shoes which could. There were fabric inlays known as socks, but they did little to reduce the sensation that my feet were being crushed into new and inferior shapes.

It was Gluttonday, so there was the rest of today and Slothday to figure out where Waterford Mansion was. Surprisingly, it was not along the river, although they had a complex series of waterways to irrigate their orchard and pasture.

Horses capered and played on their front lawn. I suppose I could have suspected that horses played games and raced with each other, but seeing it was an entirely other experience. I could understand how people loved keeping horses, even if I myself lacked the time, money, and inclination.

From town, it was a two-hour walk. There was nothing to be done for it; I couldn’t afford a carriage on what I had left, and there was no guarantee that this was something that I could spend Uruk funds on. Likely, yes, but not certain.

But how would I know how to behave? Certainly, the affair at Fairfields would be a poor guide. I doubt that imbibing poison and offering implied sexual favors was what was expected of me.

I’d just have to wing it, I decided on my way back to town. I didn’t have titles or lands or anything else. Maybe I should get to work on my Household cultivation method? The problem was, it just said that I lacked the proper...

.....

[Household cultivation awards XP based on actions taken to ensure the ascension of your household to prominence. At the current time, your household consists of yourself and your adopted daughter.]

[Expand your household to at least five members. 2/5 complete.]

Well, that was new. And currently impractical. It was just going to have to wait.

The good thing about being a reptile in a town of humans is that when you go out and tell the guards you’ll be back later in the day is that they tend to remember you.

I was too late to dine at the inn, but there were other establishments open.

At night, Black Snake and I discussed terms of our new Pact. I had to explain much of it to her; she had only one Insight, and less interest in anything that had to do with her contributing.

But hey, kids. I was young enough to remember how I thought at that level.

#

In the evening of Vainday, I hiked up the legs of my pants, and set about walking to the manor. At the gate, I paused long enough to put the socks and leather binders on my feet. Stupid human customs. Why were toes more offensive than any other body part?

I knew not to have a backpack, and carried Black Snake’s canteen under my jacket.

In my hands, I carried my invitation, which I handed to the doorman.

“You are – new, sir. I lack knowledge of your rank and titles.”

“Rhishisikk, of no house, having neither rank nor titles.”

It sounded innocuous enough to me, but gathered quite a few stares as I was announced.

They ushered me to greet the lord and lady Waterford, whom I thanked for their invitation. I was then escorted into a side parlor, well away from where the food would later be served. It was dimly lit by candles, which I gladly extinguished so that I could let Black Snake out.

“Please use your normal voice, I doubt we’ll get many sensitive enough to hear your spirit voice tonight.”

“This is too bright.” She said.

“A moment... Okay, into the canteen, let’s try the veranda.” Actually, I chose the darkness to one side of the veranda, a wooden walkway that seemed to encircle the house.

“Ahh, much better.” She sighed as I did when entering a bath, and began tapping the darkness for the nourishment she needed.

Well, THAT spooked the horses, which fled the area of the veranda.

One of the Manservants had to come and ask me if there were any problems, and he let me know that normally one left one’s spirits at home for such functions. I extended my sincere apologies, but did not offer to leave, nor did he suggest it. Not with words, anyway.

There were children, who had never met a spirit. Two of them brought by their imaginary friends for a nice, if dull, chat. They seemed simply amazed that I could also hear their friends.

“I hear,” said Pluchara Tillman, mother of Achresta, “that you are encouraging this nonsense about my daughter having an imaginary friend.”

Well, THAT led to an uncomfortable discussion where Marienn, the friend, revealed things no human friend would have been prying into. That earned me a smiting from the woman’s purse, and a number of curses. She spat.

“Truth is always revealed.” I also spat over the railing.

She made the sign of the evil eye at me. Seeing it lacked power, I waved my hand dismissively, one of the weaker counter-signs.

“Achresta. We. Are. Leaving.” She decided.

“Bye, Black Snake.” Marienn hugged her.

“Goodbye, Marienn.”

When they were gone, Black Snake asked “Father? Was I ever that stupid?”

“Both of us began life far stupider than that.”

She curled about my wrist, giving it a firm squeeze. “I love you, father. Please don’t leave me.”

#

As fate would have it, that was the instant that Katherine appeared. “What are you DOING? Seances for children?”

“Children are naturally curious; why not introduce them to spirits in a calm, controlled manner?”

“Do you know how many want to burn you at the stake right now?”

“Isn’t that reserved for heretics?”

“Don’t sidestep the issue. Are you trying to draw attention to yourself?”

“Snake. Face. How do you recommend that I blend in?”

“He has a point.” Said a tiny blonde woman, also clad in fashionable black. Katherine’s mocha dress accented her hair and skin tone nicely, but it wasn’t a shade I’d recommend for just anyone.

“Peretta, Rhishisikk. Rhishisikk, Peretta.”

“Peretta Lovegood. Unfashionably early, and yet here you are already in trouble. Reminds me of a younger me.”

“There is a darkness in her soul; I like her.”

“Enchanting.” Peretta said, extending her hand. I took it, pressed the tip of my nose to the back of her glove. “Remind me again, Katherine, is this the banker, or the mark?”

Katherine shrugged. “Hey, I warned him to be on his best behavior tonight.”

Wait, this woman was...?

“Please, Miss Peretta. Tell me what I need to know about the crew.”

Katherine’s face paled, but Peretta’s blossomed into a predatory smile. “My. Fresh meat. Okay, let’s find a parlor upstairs where we won’t be disturbed.”

Said parlor had dark corners for Black Snake.

“So.” She began, “What do you already know about us?”

“I know that Katherine vouches for your abilities and experience.”

“So we could walk tonight, and you wouldn’t know enough to be a threat?”

“It doesn’t benefit me to expose your crew, anyway.”

“And the mark?”

I foolishly began explaining the job I desired them to take. I had to restart when Kyle Oriestes-son, Esquire (yes, THAT Oriestes) arrived.

“Oh.” He said. “He’s insane. Katherine, why didn’t you tell us he was insane?”

“I told you this was the challenge of a lifetime. Not my fault if we have to go to the Khanate for a crew that can do it.”

“I agree.” Said Peretta. “Not enough coin in the pot.”

“Would it help if I could provide a list of easily sellable items I saw during my brief visit?” I asked. I pulled out a hand-drawn map, sloppy, crude, but as accurate as I could make it. I was going over the treasures when Phoenix Griffinsbane (female, brunette, slightly overweight to the point of being all curvy) arrived.

“So basically, the heroes and I just want to get here, to the throne room. We’ll be making enough noise to draw the attention of most of the guards. While they’re busy with that, I don’t care if you supplement your pay with whatever items you care to.”

“It’s totally insane.” Said Kyle.

“And unrewarding.” Said Peretta.

“Hm. Definitely the sort of thing one writes legends about.” Phoenix said. “Okay, rube. One question that determines whether we take this or we walk.”

#

[1] The generally accepted relation of sins to days is: Vainday, Wrathday, Lustday, Envyday, Greedday, Gluttonday, and Slothday. Depending on region, the common names of the days will change. Sin attunement lasts from one dusk to the next dusk; ask someone with a higher Theocracy why that is.