Ecdysis

Chapter 3. Sworn to Carry Your Burdens

“I still can believe they are treating you like that!” Yeva grumbled with annoyance in her voice, “To pull away from your own child and blood!”

I silently pulled her back closer into my embrace. This hectic day was over and we finally found ourselves on our large bed. And Yeva was obviously not very happy by the news that Irje and I have told her about my family.

“Give them time,” Irje intervened, “I’ve seen plenty over the years and many come with confusion in their hearts. And they will act in the only way that they know for sure won’t get them lashed.”

“But he is her son.” She hissed, “That is different!”

“I am not,” I suddenly butted in, making them glance at me with surprise, “Well, not fully.”

I sighed and collected my thoughts as they patiently waited for me to continue. “So far I’ve tried to be intentionally vague, and I will stress it out still — this knowledge can get you killed. What is different right now is that Albin has learnt of my origins during my travels and I refuse to keep it from you and Irje when another wermage is already aware. Especially since Domina is likely to learn about it too in the recent future.”

“From me?” She frowned, “Is that what you told Yeva before? Some secret of the murks?”

“That, and more,” I nodded, “Murk minds can’t be scried for knowledge as easily as other wer and I didn’t want to risk your life, at least until I grew stronger.”

“I have never heard about that,” She scratched her head, “But then I have never heard of scrying spells being real either.”

“It is not a public knowledge, that’s for sure. And something that even I had learnt completely by accident.”

I paused for a second, pulled their bodies closer to mine and started my tale.

“What you came to know as ‘Erf’ was not who I was when I was sold off at the Chimgen Manor. On my way to Samat, I had found an artefact. One that gave me that rare knowledge you had noticed me using all this time. But that wasn’t the only thing it did. Within my body resides a swarm of nanodendrites. Tiny little ‘tools’ that I was talking about as my stab wound was recovering faster than it would on a magical wer. Nanites for short. They made me stronger and recover my health that much faster, they were also the main source of knowledge.”

I sighed, “Knowledge that didn’t come alone.

“My body is a union of two selves: a murk slave that lived his short life on a farming manor and a Navigator that explored space for centuries until he met his resting place in the woods near the capital. And you can guess what part of me is more obvious. There is no difference for you — I am my usual self that you came to know since you’ve met me, while all they see is an impostor. A monster that took an image of their son and nephew for some nefarious reason.”

Silence loomed over us as they processed my revelation.

“I remember hearing your voice when we were on the move,” Yeva murmured, only to scrunch her nose, “I am sorry, but I like the way you are right now. You were angrier back then, and much more spiteful.”

“I was afraid. Thinking back, I was just an urchin with a completely unknown future ahead of him. Sold away from his family and shipped away while knowing little else but the harsh reality of life at the farm.”

“We aren’t judging you,” Irje butted in, “just saying that we like the current you. Wait, if Albin Chasya learnt about your origin does that mean you went back where you found that artefact? Did you bring more? I put these heavy bags into a safe place, by the way.”

“No. Most of these bags are filled with rust and broken pieces. I need them only for the metals they contain inside, as most of the stuff isn’t useful in its current form. In terms of artefacts, the one I’ve gotten was a single-use and was more of a vessel of rebirth rather than a tool of knowledge.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, “And there aren’t many Navigators around these parts. What I can do is let my nanites grow, from the nourishment I had obtained, and share them with you in the future. Yeva first, for I want to give her more power and also cure her blindness, and you later. Especially since I am still cautious about how they would act inside your body. They were designed for ‘murks’ after all.”

The amazon squirmed, “I don’t think I am interested in anything merging with my body. I can just feel them crawling under my skin.”

I laughed, “I won’t force you to. Especially with Flow making you strong and resilient, the nanites won’t give you that much of an immediate benefit. And no you can’t feel them, it is more like another sense — an improved awareness of your body.”

“I will think about it. Perhaps after Yeva, if she would decide to do it.”

“Bugs under my skin is nothing if it meant I could have my sight back,” Yeva grumbled.

“No one is getting any bugs under no-ones skin!” I cried out loud, “Would you really think that I will force any of you to choose between two bad options? This is why I want to wait with you Irje — I wish to make sure that nanites won’t cause you not just any harm but no discomfort either. That doesn’t mean they have problems, it is basic prudence to make sure that even something you have complete trust in is working as it should. Especially when it comes to your bodies and lives. I will explore every little possibility and I will offer them to you when I am sure without any doubt that they will do you nothing but good. And even then I will merely offer — you will never be under the obligation to take them.”

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“Well it doesn’t look like something immediate, so let’s put that talk aside,” Irje chuckled as her hand played with my hair, “I noticed you said only most of the stuff you brought was junk.”

“Interested?” I teased her back, “I got a few seeds of a very special plant, one that could grow things other than food. It is not very fast but it trades its speed for versatility. For example, it could grow olives but it would be just as fast if not faster to plant an olive tree. However, it could ‘grow’ things that don’t grow on plants. Think honey, or it could produce sap that can be moulded into shapes and then hardened like clay.”

“I am interested. Your ideas and inventions had been wondrous so far,” Irje sighed, “But I also need to prepare myself for what is undoubtedly to come. The soaps and conditioners had piqued the interest of the Lady of the House. While your glassmaking and mirrors have not only secured your position in Kiymetl but also brought wrath and fear from Esca. Let’s not even mention the rings of pale Arksite that I’ve noticed Domina and her daughter wearing with an increased frequency in recent days. I am sure there will be some response to that at a later time too.”

“We just don’t want to repeat what happened with Anaise,” Yeva interrupted, “Not to stop you.”

“Right.” I nodded, “Right now our main task is to gain strength and freedom. Something that is very likely already — Domina had allowed me to grow my hair. But I am not stupid and I know that her protection won’t be as strong when I will be one of her free tributaries rather than a property. Nevertheless, I promised my mother that I will grant her freedom and I need to be free to do so. And free both of you as well.”

“I understand. I already expected that from you and even started to train myself as well,” Irje flexed her arm in front of me, showing off her growing muscles. I even noticed some slight bruises and scratches here and there, it looked like she was serious about it.

I silently gave thanks to the sacrifice of whoever was her sparring partner. I knew her strength well, my nanite-enhanced muscles weren’t a match to her magical ones if she tried to fight me seriously.

“Oooh.” I couldn’t resist reaching out and squeezing it, “Me like. Please be gentle.”

Yeva snickered, while Irje let out a low guttural growl.

“You wish.” Her hand slid down on my body only for her nails to scratch at the scales now covering my crotch area. “You said you will remove it by the time you are back, why is it still on?”

Yeva snickers grew even louder. Strength wasn’t the only thing that Irje had more than both of us combined.

“Because it hadn’t finished growing yet. Apart from the junk I also brought two batteries. By themselves they do nothing but they make other things move. Or make certain things stronger and faster if it is designed to attach to them. Additional time of the skinsuit growth is for that reason. Sorry Irje, but some of the tools I use can only be grown in one continuous cycle. Any interruption and I would have to start all over again.”

I gently stroked her chin, “I know you are frustrated but recent events made me a very notorious person. And I can’t let them succeed when the next time comes. When, not if. This is why I am growing the skinsuit over my body and why I want to give nanites to Yeva as soon as I generate a sufficient amount. It is not a real armour but it should provide just a bit of extra protection, add to it the increased strength and she could take down a surprised wer just as I’ve done.

“You won’t have to wait long — it will be done growing in a day or two.” I scowled, “Especially here, where I don’t have to hide how much I eat without Albin yelling that I am gonna starve him to death…”

Both of them burst out laughing.

“I know you are back when I hear you grumble about food.” Yeva grinned.

“Now, about other plans I had in mind.” I deftly changed the topic, “There are a few but I don’t think many of them would stir up as much trouble as glass did. At least, I hope they would not. I wish to start working with metals. Not to make weapons and armour but to make machines out of it rather than using wood. Considering how much I had to explain precision I don’t think many would understand the purpose of my actions beyond wasting money.”

“Yes, but don’t forget — you started glass only as a means to make a few trinkets for yourself.” Yeva reminded me.

“Right. I should talk to Aikerim about that just in case. Albin warned me not to touch ‘fulad’ steel and I agree with him in that regard. However, most of what I am trying to make wouldn’t be very obvious. On the other hand, I would also need to work with clay a bit, mostly to make better insulation bricks and casting forms.”

And porcelain thrones, obviously.

“The other plans are even more obscure. You are familiar with how watermills use the river to move the millstones? I plan to use steam eventually to make my machines move as well. At the same time the plants that I’ve brought can provide me with organic materials never before seen in Emanai, or things that are familiar but obscure like spider silk in quantities enough to weave dresses from. They could also provide me with seeds of common plants that we can grow inside the greenhouses.”

“What do you mean, common?” Irje narrowed her eyes. “I’ve noticed that Erf common and Emanai common are two rather different things.”

I shrugged, “Anything non-magical I guess?”

“Yeah, no. Be very careful there. I can’t tell about other things you’ve mentioned but I’ve been enough around wermages to know how crazy they can get about certain spices. Especially since their shipments are very sporadic. It can bring a lot of money for Domina but I think you need to concentrate on your safety right now rather than make her even richer and yourself even more infamous.”

“You know, I haven’t thought about that in this regard. It is easy to forget how much influence logistics can have on the market.” I thought for a second, “Yes let’s not introduce any plants that are obviously grown elsewhere. In the meantime, I just remembered another thing that glass can do for me.”

The talk about ships had reminded me of yet another invention that I had to work on as well. Something that would also help me in my quest for greater precision, not offend any other supplier I haven’t yet offended, and bring me quite a significant political leverage as well. With a healthy dose of notoriety, obviously, but everything I did had that problem now.

“I need to start making lenses.”

XXX

Aikerim didn’t wait for too long. I was summoned to her office quarters early in the morning. And I quickly found myself in a discussion that lasted hours as she wanted to know every single and minute detail. Both on the trip itself and the abilities that I had ‘neglected’ to inform her about.

I could see her annoyance when I told her that Albin was now aware of the ship ruins, but she was quickly placated by the fact that he took nothing from it. I somewhat feared that Aikerim would grill me on the abilities that I’ve hidden from her so far, but that was not the case. She merely requested to see the growing scales on my flesh and asked a few general questions. Changing the topic pretty fast as soon as she confirmed that this was not something I could mass produce and all it did was made me a bit sturdier and stronger.

My confusion quickly evaporated when I realized where she was leading our conversation.

While I had a friendly relationship with Albin, I couldn’t outright demand his help to get my family despite his sister forcing my hand. Neither I could afford to risk asking him only to receive a refusal in return.

So I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

I took all my Earthen knowledge on history and sociology, politics and finances, outlining in broad strokes where and how Emanai would crumble as many ancient civilizations did before it. And the self-proclaimed historian as well as an appointed general and a Speaker of the Summit absolutely had to learn more.

Obviously, some propriety was in order and I couldn’t plot behind Aikerim’s back with impunity. So she had received the entire collection of notes that I was planning to grace Albin with.

Including my musings on economics.

Aikerim Kiymetl Adal. Domina of the House of Trade. The youngest Domina, that clawed her position of power with her financial acumen. And I gave her a manuscript that vaguely referenced the foundational ideas of classical economics and even used some words by Adam Smith himself.

For me, it was something that needed to be acknowledged since it would undoubtedly bring problems in the future. Emanai economy was largely agrarian and it heavily relied on minting cuts of silver and gold to support itself in times of need. Cuts that would slowly settle into the coffers of a few select Manors while the country needed to mine more and more. Manors would redistribute some of their wealth when it was necessary but that only postponed the inevitable problems.

For Aikerim it was akin to a bleating of a lost lamb for a hungry wolf. She was still picking up the faint possibilities of my ideas but she could smell the profit to be made. A lot of it. And an opportunity to push her Manor to the heights unseen before.

Compared to that, the fact that her Alchemist was slowly growing a scale skin around himself was not an issue at all. She probably felt relieved knowing that I would be even less likely to die accidentally.

Fortunately for me, there were other pressing matters for Aikerim to truly interrogate me on economics at this time. Which forced her to begrudgingly cut that topic short while stressing out to me that a more detailed manuscript would be expected at a later time.

Unfortunately for me, these pressing matters were for me as well.

“I am sorry,” I made sure that my ears were hearing correctly, “She is my what?”

“You heard me the first time,” Aikerim sniffed, “From this point on Shahin would be your slave to deal as you see fit.”

“But…Why a slave? Why me? She tried to kill me once already, what makes you think that she won’t simply try again. Especially if she is forced to be so close to me.” My hand tapped on my growing carapace, “She is a full wermage to boot, and this new skin of mine might not be enough if she decides to simply swat me with her tail.”

“Exactly because she is a wermage!” Aikerim growled, “And a second daughter of the major Manor of Yusuf. I don’t have sufficient political resources to burn so that I can press for her execution. Especially with the tacit backing of Samat. And I won’t accept a mere wergild for her actions either. But my status and pride won’t let her go unpunished.”

She sighed and relaxed back into her sofa. “That was the slave part. Why yours? I have many reasons. I have stressed it to her sufficiently enough that if you and yours were to be hurt by her action or inaction — her family would suffer as a result. I showed her your notes on the glass so that she knows I mean it. Don’t forget Erf, you can’t simply take a wermage into slavery. Even if you capture one on a field of battle, they would be mere prisoners for ransom and not your loot.”

How convenient. Slavery for thee but not for me, indeed.

“So I gave her an offer, and she chose to take the Servitude option herself. Make no mistake here — she might act angry or frustrated by the humiliation it brought to her and her family but she had done it willingly. Which makes you an owner of a wermage who will put your safety to the level of her family. And she would be smart about it too compared to the other one.”

“Well, I definitely trust Viter more than I would trust her,” I scratched my chin, “What kind of ‘offer’ did you give her?”

Domina smiled rather predatory, tail swishing left and right, “Kiymetl won’t compete with Esca in the products they already make, something that I had no intention of doing anyway.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head, smiling ruefully. Aikerim was fleecing them raw. But Esca were put into this situation with their own policies.

“I had to provide some ‘concessions’ above that. So they would have the right to sell our products outside of Emanai.” She twirled the pale blue ring of glass in her hand, “Arksite glass and mirrors. Perhaps even that unbreakable glass too.”

“Tempered glass is more of a process, not the glass itself. It is not something we can ship to them in bulk.” Both thermal and chemical strengthening were the final modifications of glass where the surface was toughened by increasing the internal pressure of the surface layers. An act that made the shape of glass quite final.

“Yes. I’ve read your manuscripts quite well.” She looked pointedly at me.

Oh.

“You wish for me to ‘divulge’ some secrets, then?” I raised my eyebrows.

Her tail leapt into her hand as she started to gently stroke it, “Having a wermage guardian was only one of the reasons. The second one is you. I didn’t miss how that slave changed his stance about you. Viter, right? Likewise, I couldn’t ignore Irje’s actions either.

“Nor the actions of my first daughter,” Twin ambers flashed in my direction, as my throat suddenly felt rather dry.

I quietly swallowed, waiting for what would come next. There was only one thing scarier than Domina — a parent of your ‘it’s complicated’ girlfriend.

“You have a certain charm about you. Erf.” Aikerim quietly mused instead, “I must admit of noticing it myself as well. You use the tactics of murks with the acumen of a wermage. Instead of taking others head-on, you flow around them like water, and inadvertently drag them along. I wish to see what you can do with someone of her status.”

“Does she really need to be my slave for that?” I pressed anyway. I already had a hard time not feeling like a hypocrite as I owned a few myself while reminding Domina how slavery is bad and eventually unprofitable. I had enough mental fortitude to tell myself that ownership of my sadaq and my own family was the best possible outcome at the moment. But that didn’t remove the ever-present implication of my status over them.

To acquire one for the sole purpose of political profit felt like another step down a very slippery slope.

“I am too busy to do it myself. If you want you can teach manners to my son, instead.” Aikerim offered with a smirk only to sigh, seeing my expression. “She is not a true slave. It is not permanent and she is allowed to keep some of her possessions while sending the rest back to her family. Likewise, if she is to sire a child during this time it would be a child of Esca rather than yours or mine.”

“Why do you need Shahin by your side?”

She scoffed, “I don’t need her at all. I need the second daughter of Esca by my side.”

A parchment rustled nearby, and my manuscript landed in her hand.

“Once, I would have jumped at a chance to destroy Esca and take the glassmaking as my own. Now my ambitions go beyond that. Instead of conquering them with power and strength, I wish to use your methods. Instead of paying me a tribute, I want them to work with me, to make me gold as they profit themselves. Yet to have their goals slowly align with mine over time. I want them yearning to become my subjects.” She waved the scroll at me, “And you are the best suited to make it happen. Now, will you?”

I gave myself a moment to think. It spoke volumes about our relationship as my master didn’t even demand me to do it outright. Yet there was another task I absolutely had to complete.

My knee went down to touch the sands of her office. An unusual style for a floor that they employed in every ‘official’ room. A wermage tradition that I was unlikely to adopt in my estate.

Aikerim raised her eyebrow in silent question.

“You know about my stance on slavery, and I know of the boon you promised to bestow upon me as my locks grow longer with every day. Please give me the ability to free others just as well.”

Aikerim quietly stood up and walked over to me kneeling in the sand.

“I remember when you asked this for the first time.” She quietly murmured as her tail gently caressed my cheek, “I told you that you weren’t ready for it. For you were just a murk.”

She chuckled, “Only for you to drag an unconscious wer back in. And survive a Collector. You have grown Erf. Talk to Sulla in a couple of days and do what he says. While I can give you the choice to change your Purpose, you will have to take it with your own hands. In the meantime, you have a slave waiting for you outside.”

Her tail left my face as she clapped her hands, telling the servants outside that the meeting was finally over. With the agreement between us left unsaid.

I bowed deeply and hurried outside, only to be met by an imposing waiting figure.

Shahin Esca Yusuf-ja. Lamura of the Esca Manor from Yusuf. Lamia for short. Her human part looked rather normal compared to widely different shapes of other wermages, even if most of it was covered with overflowing robes. Her snake part was enormous, however. Enough that I couldn’t even say she was standing in front of me, as most of her body mass was coiled on the ground. At least five metres of solid magical muscle wrapped in black scales and adorned with golden accents.

A set of glowing shackles looked rather useless on her arms.

“What are your orders, massster.” She quietly hissed behind her veil. Shahin always spoke slowly as far as I’d noticed, but this time around she managed to drag her sounds to a greater degree, making them almost sibilant. Most likely caused by her current situation and my status no doubt.

Golden irises on a black sclera looked down on me like a predator gazes down on her next meal. Unblinking and waiting.

Fucking great.