“How are you feeling, Erica?”  Sir Andred asked me as we left the common room.  “I noticed those men winking at you.  How did it make you feel?”

 

                He did?  Oh dear, I thought, blushing.  “I... I guess it made me feel kind of nice, honestly.  It’s nice to be pretty, for a change.”

 

                “That’s good, Erica.  I was just wondering how you were doing inside.  We haven’t had much time to talk, since we’ve been constantly reacting to crisis after crisis.  How have you been adjusting to being a woman?”

 

                “Honestly, pretty well.”  I said.  “I’m having a lot harder time adjusting to being so darned weak, and having no stamina.  I mean, there’s a lot I still have to learn to have the skills any normal Mercian woman would have learned as a little girl growing up, but I’m still young – and barring our early demise, I’ll have time to learn.”

 

                “Yes, I suppose there is always that.”  Sir Andred chuckled.  “When did we get so blasé about the incredibly stupid level of danger we seem to constantly be in?”

 

                “For me, it was the Chateau, when I was kidnapped and the serpent men tried to murder me.”

 

                “I think for me, it was when the Angel of Feana and Hathor commanded me to slay Vargas and redeem myself for being part of his plot.  I knew then that I would do whatever it took to stop his evil plan...  I just had no idea what it entailed at the time.”

 

                I smiled at Sir Andred’s candor.  “Second thoughts, Sir Andred?”  I asked.

 

                “No.  Just musing that the gods and fate seem to be taking us somewhere – and although I have no idea where we’re going or where we’ll end up, I think it’s going to be important, and big.  Maybe someday in the future, we’ll be the heroes of legend. Eh?”

 

                I chuckled.  “I’ve heard about them a few times, but not with a lot of detail.”

 

                “They were the twelve heroes of ancient times that were given gifts by the gods, and fought the dragon armies of Hserin in order to lead the peoples of Mercia to freedom.  There are entire libraries and shrines dedicated to their stories – like Avilya of Fire, or Kreel of Black Stone.  I’ll tell you all about them, if we have time.  Once we survive whatever transpires here.”

 

                “Thanks.” 

 

                We arrived in our room a moment later.  Unlike human made hotels or inns, the Janky Sprocket’s halls and rooms were carved out of the living rock, with small vents for air.  Light was provided by some glowing crystals on fancy sconces in the walls, or in some of the lesser used tunnels, lamps that left a little scented smoke when lit.  It was a little claustrophobic, but the light and the pleasant wall hangings made the feeling of being buried alive much less than it otherwise might have been.

 

                Our room was large – suitable for maybe four to six people, depending on how much gear they brought with them, and the beds were stone platforms about waist high, covered with what looked like nice soft futons, sheets and pillows.  There were some wildflowers in a vase, and a wash basin with a hand pump to retrieve water from a hidden cistern, as well as a private bathroom with a chamberpot. 

 

                I sat on one of the beds, and set down my pack, casting a small ward with my magic to ensure we wouldn’t be overheard...  Maeve’s teaching had been paying off with some of the new tricks I was learning.  Although I had both Sight and Binding magic, my binding was much more powerful – so instead of using sight magic, which was the obvious choice, I used binding instead.  The spell was less powerful, outright, but it was more subtle, and would last much longer than a Sight spell would...  Binding was also used to craft enchanted items – and I was curious if I would be able to learn that skill at some point.

 

                “You just used some magic.”  Sir Andred said.

 

                “Just a spell to prevent eavesdropping.”  I replied.  “I’ve been practicing a lot lately.”

 

                “Good.  Are you ready to try and learn the magic of restoring your stamina?”

 

                I nodded.  “I’m going to need it to keep up.”

 

                “Just remember that this gift of fortitude is not free.  It can restore your fatigue in a way that lets you function longer than normal, but eventually fatigue will catch up with you and you will need ample rest.  It’s very rare that the enchantment doesn’t exact a toll on its subject.”

 

                “So, if I cast it two or three times on myself to keep up, I might collapse and sleep for two or three days when it wears off?”

 

                Sir Andred chuckled.  “Not quite so bad as that, Erica, but you would be extremely tired and sleep long and sound.  It still drains your stamina reserves in the long run.  Its not a cure for lacking stamina – but rather a stopgap measure that helps for a short while.  Eventually you have to pay the piper, and sleep and eat prodigiously.”

 

                “I didn’t eat prodigiously.”  I complained, realizing I was sounding a bit like a whiny schoolgirl...

 

                “Didn’t you?  You ate twice to three times what you’ve been eating lately.  I watched.  You nearly finished your dinner.  When was the last time you actually did that, Erica?  Try to remember.”

 

                I thought back, and honestly the last time I finished my dinner I think was when all of us had fried chicken and pizza at Christines house in Toronto, before we tried to stop Vargas Elm from resurrecting Tiamat.  I looked down, rather embarrassed.  “It’s been a while.  I’ve been eating until I’m full.”

 

                “I’m not saying you’ve been eating too little, Erica.  I was saying you need to observe yourself and see the changes that are happening.  You have been eating more than you used to – and today you ate at least twice what you were used to...  That is the effect of the stamina magic.”

 

                I nodded, chagrined.  “I’ll try to be more observant.”

 

                “I know you will,”  He said, patting my knee.  “Now lets get ready for learning the enchantment.”

 

                I nodded, and took a moment to relax, slow my breathing, and listen carefully to what Sir Andred had to say. 

 

                “Can you feel the Inner Light within you, Erica?”

 

                “Yes, I can.”  I replied.  It felt like a warmth within me, and it felt like a warm hug from the Goddess Askeline at the same time.  I had somehow spoken with her – both in my dreams and in person - more than a few times, and Sir Andred said the inner light was a gift from the gods, because I was somehow important to them.  I felt there was more to it than that, but for some reason, I couldn’t say why.

 

                Askeline was the mother of the gods of the good races of Mercia, and was known as the Lady of Mercy.  Her husband was Isundal, the god of the sun and sky – where Askeline was the god of the moon and healing.  Their children were Feana and Hathor – twins – who were the gods of the stars, and of guardians, and whom Sir Andred worshipped as one of their Vigilants – which was very similar to my earthly ideas of a Paladin or holy warrior.

There were other gods and goddesses too – about a bakers dozen, if I remembered clearly – but I hadn’t had much time to learn about them yet, except for Hrask – the God of Avarice, Magic and Dragons.  His influence affected me with every spell I cast – if I used too much I could fall prey to his influence, and go mad – or worse, become one of his followers – a serpent man.

 

                I shook myself from my reverie.  This wasn’t the time for a history lesson.  “I’m ready, Sir Andred.”

 

                “It will be easier to summon the magic when the light is revealed.  Let out the light, Erica.”

 

                I nodded, and released the Inner Light, and felt a ball of warmth rise from the pit of my belly through my chest, head – and eventually manifest as a halo of golden light hovering above my head.  It was very noticeable, and I felt a chill as the warmth of the light left me, and was waiting to be used.

 

                “Is it normal to feel cold when the light leaves you, Sir Andred?  I think when its inside me it protects me from the cold.”

 

                “I honestly don’t know, Erica.  I have never possessed the Inner Light – and the sacred scrolls don’t speak of a chill that I know of.  I’m trying to teach you how vigilants summon their magic, using your inner light as a focus.  So far, I’ve been doing alright, but it may be that some powers are not teachable – or that my knowledge may be insufficient to teach you to your full potential.”

 

                He paused, and thought.  “Do you remember how you felt when you healed our wounds, after the battle with Tiamat?”

 

                “Yes,” I replied, shuddering.  Kai and Sir Andred had been seriously wounded, and Maeve had suffered a severed spinal column and nearly died. 

 

                “Try delving me, and see if I have injuries.”

 

                I nodded.  Delving was a skill kind of like diagnosing an illness – except you examined your target with magical senses instead of mundane senses.  Delving a wound before trying to heal it, made healing it much easier, and healed more damage – but it took time, which wasn’t always available.  I looked at Sir Andred – and to my magical sight he looked healthy, with small pockets of what seemed like minor wounds in his lower back, his legs, and his neck. 

 

                “I see small wounds – nothing life threatening, but many in number.  Are you hurt, Sir Andred?”

 

                “No.  What you are seeing is fatigue and muscle pain... They manifest as minor wounds, but since they are so small, they can be overlooked when looking for life threatening injuries.  You need to salve them, but by using only a trickle of energy, maintained over time.  If you try a large dose of energy, all at once, I’ll feel great for about a minute, and then I’ll crash.”

 

                “So the trick is to trickle-charge your muscles and fatigue with a low amount of healing energy?”

 

“Yes, Exactly.”

 

I tried to imagine how I would construct such a thing, and pretty soon I had a mental construct that looked like it would do the trick...  “I think I’m ready.”

 

“Then please, cast it on me.  My back and legs are telling me I’m not getting any younger.”

 

I grinned.  Sir Andred was right.  Where I was physically around 17 or so years of age (we didn’t really know because the records of who my body used to belong to were lost in a fire), and Kai and Maeve were around their late twenties, Sir Andred was easily in his early sixties, and although fit and trim, was definitely starting to feel his age.  I checked my delving, and reached for the divine energy floating above me – not with my real hands, but with my mind. 

 

“Askeline, please heal this man’s fatigue.  Wash away his tiredness and bless him with stamina.”  I said.  Normally, people didn’t need to speak to cast magic with how Mercian magic worked – but I was still new to the Divine powers I was learning, and speaking the words helped me focus my mind to do the spell right.  It was a crutch I needed at the moment, but I knew with practice I wouldn’t need it forever.  I felt the golden light spill through me, down through my arms, and into Sir Andred.  He shifted a little, as the spell affected him – and when I delved him again, I could see the myriad little wounds were no longer troubling him.

 

Sir Andred smiled.  “Very good, Erica.  Your spell craft is coming along nicely.  We only had to try that once, and you cast it perfectly!”

 

“I wish it was as easy when Maeve is teaching me!”  I groused.

 

“Perhaps – but divine magic is not the same as sorcery.  You did well.  Maybe once you’ve mastered this I can try teaching you how to turn undead – to burn creatures of evil with holy power, or to ward them away from you and your comrades if they are too powerful to overcome.”

 

“I can learn how to do that?” 

 

Andred smiled.  “I think so.  You’ve mastered healing and restoring stamina.  Maybe I should teach you to sense evil while I’m at it.  Heh,” He laughed.  “Maybe you’ll be a Vigilant and a Sorceress one day.”

 

“Thanks, Sir Andred, but I think I have my hands full mastering one profession at a time.”

 

Andred nodded.  “Erica, I think we are sufficient friends now that you needn’t call me by my rank each time we speak.  When it’s just us – and Kai and Maeve, I’m fine if you simply call me Andred.”

 

“Thank you, Andred.  I will, and I am honoured to call you a friend.”

 

“And I you.”  He smiled.

 

I smiled too.  It was no small gesture.  In Mercia, most governments were monarchies, and those who had special status – like vigilants and nobles – often demanded that others used their ranks, as a sign of respect... In fact, not using something like ‘milord’ to a local lord or lady could get a person flogged or placed in the stocks for a week for their disrespect, so this was a big deal.  I felt very honoured.

 

“So what now?”  I asked after a moment.

 

Andred smirked.  “Well, we could try practicing more magic, but honestly I think our time would be better spent unpacking and taking some rest.  I’ll be more tired than I am now when your spell wears off, and I’d like a good night’s sleep before whatever happens tomorrow.”

 

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.  Can you teach me how to sense evil sometime tomorrow?”

 

“Assuming we have time, yes, Erica.”

 

“Thanks.”  I grinned, and opened my pack to see what was inside... It seemed heavier than I remembered it being when I packed it on Earth, and if my strength had been getting better it should have seemed lighter, not heavier.  What was weighing me down?

 

It only took a moment to find out the answer... Somehow an extra bag – a small sack, actually – had been shoved into my already overfull pack.  I took it out, and hefted it in my hands... It was soft black felt with a small crown in gold thread on it, and it felt like it weighed about five or six pounds, and felt like it was full of pebbles.  I looked inside, and gasped...  The “pebbles” were gemstones!  Rubies, Emeralds, Diamonds, Topaz’s and Sapphires – hundreds of them, in various shapes, sizes and cuts!  They sparkled and glittered in my hands, and a note fell from within into the shiny gems... It was a fortune... a literal kings ransom!   I put the gems back, my hands shaking, and looked at the note.

 

“Hey sis!  I know you didn’t want any money, but the hell with that.  I decided to send you away with a gift so that you could live like a noble if you wanted to.  There’s about 2500 carats of each type of gemstone, in various cuts, clarities and sizes.  I hope they’re worth something over there in Mercia-land.  And before you complain, you deserve this as much as I do.  It won’t hurt me – and if you try to return it, I’ll slap you silly.  Let me take care of you one last time.  Love, Angela.”

 

I held the note and sniffed, as happy tears rolled down my cheeks.  Angie, you stupid amazing sister, I thought.  Thank you!

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

                “We’re back.”  Kai said quietly as he and Maeve entered our room.  “Maeve and I found out what we could.  It would seem that one does not simply approach the King and ask for a meeting.  One must speak with his seneschal and arrange an appointment, and to get the seneschal’s attention, we shall need either a gift, or something of great value.”

 

                I looked up from my goddess journal, where I had been scribbling some notes on my most recent encounter with Askeline, the Goddess of Mercy...  The priests and priestesses had nearly had a conniption when they realized I had spoken personally with Askeline like... was it a half-dozen times now?  I honestly couldn’t remember.  It was more than 6 and less than 10, for sure?  When did my life get so weird? I asked myself.

 

                Maeve sighed.  “Maybe we can convince the seneschal that Erica’s spell is powerful enough to turn the tide of battle, without her killing herself.  I still don’t think she’s ready – that you’re ready, Erica.”

 

                “I know, Maeve – but I may have an alternative.”  I replied.  “First, we aren’t normal folks – you’re a representative of the Church and Government of Valris – if you play on that role, rather than as a spy or adventurer, we could finagle it into a meeting.  Also, I possess the inner light – there cannot be many people who have that blessing, which would obviously make me of interest to the seneschal, and might give my words extra weight.  Added to the spell I possess, it might be enough.  And finally, we possess several things of great value – some of which we can even part with if we must.”

 

                “Surely you’re not thinking of parting with the staff?”

 

                “The staff you used to teleport us all away from the US army when I killed the dragon in Salt Lake City?  Hardly.  You said that was a treasure from the age of legends – there’s no way we’re letting that go.  What about Vargas’s cursed chalice, that he used on the biker gang?  The one that linked their life force to his spell?  We could sacrifice that if we had to, couldn’t we?”

 

                “Enchanted items are rare, and difficult to find.”  Sir Andred began, “...but they aren’t all as valuable as one would like.  It might depend on if the seneschal had a use for the chalice or not.”

 

                “Well either way, we have one trump card I’ll bet not one of you knows about, except perhaps Andred.”

 

                Andred grinned, not spoiling Erica’s big reveal.

 

                “My sister, goddess bless her heart, sent me with a little gift.  I’m sure one of these will catch the seneschals attention, or failing that a number of the smaller ones...”  I took the cloth pouch my sister gave me, and spilled some of the contents onto my bedsheet...  The spilled gemstones sparkled like stars on the dark woollen sheets, and both Kai and Maeve gasped at the sight.

 

                “My gods!  How did your sister arrange a treasure such as this?”  Kai gasped.

 

                “It would seem Erica’s sister understated her wealth a great deal.”  Maeve smirked.  “And since when did you start learning politics, Erica?”

 

                “About the same time you started teaching me magic, and Sir Andred started teaching me the faith.  Everything you do is politics and violent action, Maeve – how could I not have learned at least something?”

 

                Andred smiled.  “You have been coming into your own, since our journey to Earth, Erica.  You have grown as a leader and as a young woman.  We’re all very proud of you.”

 

                I couldn’t help but blush at Andred’s words.  “I guess I have grown.  Thank you, Andred.”

 

                “It is but the truth.”  He said.

 

                Kai looked at the glittery mess on my bedsheets and gulped.  “You could buy a throne for that pile of gemstones, Erica!  Your sister is most generous.”

 

                I smirked, and nodded.  “None of you have any idea how much money my father’s estate and my sister actually possessed.  This is probably about one tenth of the inheritance I should have had from my father – and if I had stayed, I would have been entitled to ten times this amount.”

 

                “And yet you came back with us?”  Kai whispered.

 

                “How could I not Kai? My heart – and you – are here, not on Earth.  I chose Mercia.  I chose you.  I love you, you silly dork.”

 

                Kai smiled back, and my heart fluttered.  “I love you too, Erica.”

 

                Maeve motioned towards the pile of glittering gems.  “You should clean that up, Erica.  It’s too much of a temptation should anyone see it.  We’ll keep it as our ace in the hole – but if you’re willing to put yourself out there as our team face and diplomat, then aligned with me, as a representative of Valris, I think we can finagle a meeting without too much effort.  Failing that, we can offer them the chalice Vargas Elm used, like you said.  Even a wicked magic item has value...  I’ve heard the artificers of Harad can take an enchanted item and render it down to useful components, and then rebuild something useful in its stead – for a price.”

 

                “That sounds amazing!”  I replied.  “Could I do that with Binding magic, Maeve?”

 

                “Honestly, Kiddo, I’m not sure.  Binding is literally my weakest Word,”  She said, referring to Mercia’s way of organizing spells and magical effects.  “My forte is Sight and Mind.  I have a little Binding, but you’re by far the strongest Binder I’ve ever seen, and I’ve dealt with a lot of sorcerers and mages.  The fact you can cast the spells you have and not die or instantly turn into a serpent man from the Call of Hrask is evident of that.  I’m capable of third tier spells in both Sight and Mind, but only first tier spells in Binding – and that’s on a good day.  Your zappy spell that roasted Vargas and killed the dragon is easily a tier 4, possibly tier 5 Binding spell.  I’ve never heard of anyone going higher than tier 5 – not even the heroes of legend.  It’s not possible... at least for mortals.”

 

“Yeah...  I guess.”  For whatever reason, I felt distinctly uncomfortable at what Maeve said, but ignored it for now.  “But it’s not just Binding.  I’m kind of mixing it with the power of the Inner Light.”

 

                “They you’re experimenting with magics that are so rare, we know literally nothing about them, Erica – which is yet another reason I have been urging caution.”  Maeve said.  “Now clean up those gemstones before we lose some of them.”

 

                “Okay.”  I began gathering the gems, and putting them back into the velvet sack, and Kai took his spot on the futon next to mine.  Two of the beds were suitable for couples, with two single beds left over, and the soft futons on top of the marble slabs were surprisingly comfortable.

 

                “Your sister is amazing.”  Kai said, quietly.

 

                “She is.”  I nodded.  “I’m going to miss her.”

 

                “Miss her enough to go home?”  Kai asked.

 

                “Home is here with you, Kai.  And no, I probably won’t go back to Earth unless something is really seriously messed up.  My home is here on Mercia now.  No matter what.  You don’t have to feel so self conscious, love.”

 

                “Is it that obvious?”  He asked, chagrined.

 

                “A little?  I chose you.  I chose Mercia. Yes, I’ll miss my sister – but I’ll carry her memory with me forever.  It’s my life to decide how to live – and I chose you, Kai.”

 

                Kai nodded.  “Thanks.  I guess I have been self conscious about the whole thing.  I love you so much Erica.”

 

                “I love you too, Kai – and I honestly can’t wait till all this is over and we can go back to your little cabin in the woods near Wethom, up north.”

 

                “You want to go back there?  When you can afford a palace?”  He said, surprised.

 

                “Kai, the memories I forged there with you and Christine were some of the happiest ones in my life.  Of course I would want to go back to your home.  Maybe it could be my home too...”

 

                He gathered me into a hug, and I melted into his strong arms.  “Always.” He whispered.  “You’ll always have a place in my home, and my heart.”

 

                “You always know the right things to say.”  I complained.

 

                “I guess I do.”  You could see the smug smile on his face, and I laughed.

 

                We cuddled for a little while, the gems all put away, while Maeve and Andred prepared for sleep – and then Kai and I pulled apart and began readying ourselves for sleep as well.  I helped Kai take off his armor – a Kevlar vest with ceramic inserts, courtesy of Uncle Harlan on Earth, and helped him with his weapons.  Soon, we were dressed – or undressed – appropriately, and readying ourselves for sleep.  Sir Andred blew out the lanterns, and soon we drifted off to sleep.