B2 Chapter 3:

Four didn't seem all that surprised and simply smiled, patting One's cheek.

"So, who else have you told?" Four asked after thinking for a few minutes.

One and I exchanged a look before I shrugged. "You and One now."

Four's eyes widened, and a small smile broke over her face. "Really? So, the others?"

I shook my head. "They don't know. Well, not yet. I plan to tell those who can handle it. But right now, I think I'll tell Nine soon-ish. I'm pretty sure I can tell Six, but I've been warned against Three and Five. And, I haven't met Seven or Eight yet."

Four smiled at that. "Oh, that'll be fun. I want to be there when you meet Eight."

One laughed, snorting in a significantly unladylike manner. I raised an eyebrow, but she gave me the signal that it was okay—just amusing—and to let everyone have their fun. I shrugged.

I was sure the old me would not have liked them laughing at my expense, but I didn't really mind it that much. Hopefully, it would help reduce their fear of me a bit. Even One was still cautious around me despite knowing better—well, cautious for her. She was still One.

"But what about Two?" Four asked.

I looked over at One. It was her advice that I should never tell Two.

Four caught the look and then raised a finger. "Ah, I understand."

"Yeah, you can never tell Two without Three knowing. Two is… unique. I honestly am not sure if Three helped more or joining you did. But between the two of you, you give her what she needs. She's never going to be normal, though."

I barked a laugh. "I might not know much, but so far, I know none of you are normal. I have been warned that Seven is very dangerous, though I can't remember—is it someone I can never tell or just never let find out in the wrong circumstances?" I asked One.

"I don't know anymore," she said. "What do you think, Four?"

Four tapped her lips. "Mmm. I believe… I believe it comes down to framing. But if you do tell Seven, there's a real chance Three would find out. And, I'm not sure I totally agree that you can never tell Three. But…” She shrugged. "It's hard to say. You've been breaking my expectations a lot. So… I'll need to see more interactions."

"Okay." I nodded, sorting through my plans for all the numbered. None of them seemed super urgent at the moment. Now that One and Four were on my side—

Four was looking at me slightly differently. Sadly, we didn't have time for me to pursue that, as I could feel movement coming from the castle. I tapped my foot and sighed. "I didn't think it would take them this long," I remarked to no one in particular, just making conversation.

One shrugged. "I think they're probably having a little bit of fun with it. Six is probably making sure that you don't have to do anything instead of finishing it off yourself."

"Well, as long as we can be on our way soon. I don't want them to knock down the power too much."

"Mmm." Four was off in her own world, thinking about something, and One and I just chatted lightly while the rest—

The others appeared from the castle, dragging three slightly bruised bodies behind them.

Two skipped along at Six's side, who strode elegantly in front of them, her chin held high in pride. Behind them, Three and Five walked. Three had two different men grasped by the roots of their hair as she dragged them along, their heels skidding off the turf behind her, while Five marched a woman several inches taller than herself with an arm twisted behind her back.

Two and Three split up, moving to flank the three of us standing, waiting, while Five kicked out the legs of the woman and Three tossed the two bodies at my feet. I realized they weren't dead as they groaned and rolled over, and I watched as Three tossed aside a clump of hair that must have come out as she dragged them.

Six cleared her throat. "Master, may I introduce the three most important people left alive in this branch?"

I stifled a groan and nodded for her to continue.

***

One had been correct, and Six had prepared it so that I had to do almost nothing. Within an hour, we were in the carriages, riding to our next destination. It would be a couple of days, we were on the way to the tower. After that, we would have to make several more stops as we traveled around the continent, collecting oaths before we managed to make it back home.

Though I was considering what else needed to be done, having six of my number with me was definitely overkill. I really only needed two of them, but I would like to have at least four. Three was the bare minimum we had taken when we went to execute the king so long ago. But... I was considering sending some away to take care of matters back home or to start collecting the oaths of the other chapters of the Court of Shadows. However, I wasn't exactly sure who I should send.

I looked around the carriage, and in a rare display of self sacrifice, One had not taken one of the few spots in my carriage. Instead, she and Four had gone off by themselves, leaving Two, Three, Five, and Six with me. Two was again curled up under the table—not because she was exhausted this time, but rather because Three had insisted that there was not enough space for her and that someone else should have some fun. So far, no one else was having any fun, but I was okay with that. I needed a chance to think. For the most part, the five of us just napped, and occasionally, a couple of my numbered whispered in quiet conversation. I leaned my head against the wall and stared out at the pinpricks of light coming through the tightly woven wicker shades—the privacy screens of the carriage. Apparently, glass was too heavy for the animals to pull in large amounts, which made sense to me.

Partially by chance and partially as a reward, Six sat next to me. After several hours went by, and a little before we were planning on stopping for a meal, I leaned over and murmured to her in a voice that the others could probably hear but that wouldn't disturb them.

"You did a great job taking care of that."

"Thank you, Master," she said with a soft smile. "It was my pleasure."

"Do you want to explain how you did it, or were you not asked?"

She shrugged. "It wasn't anything special. Just questioning and reading some body language."

"Do you think any of the other numbered could have done as well?" I asked.

She tapped her chin. "Hmm, One and Four probably could have done the same, but I think Four would have struggled with parts of it. One... well, I never know what Eight actually knows. She seems to be able to do many more things than anyone would expect, but... So yes, but I don't think anyone would have done it as thoroughly or quickly as I did."

I nodded. "I tend to agree with that assessment. Now, this is unfortunate, but as you know, the punishment for a job well done is more work."

Six smiled. "I haven't heard that one before, but it's certainly true," she said with a smile, though her eyes looked a little worried.

I rested my hand softly against her side, pulling her a little closer in a comforting way. "What do you think I'm going to ask?"

"I don't know for certain," she said, "but I'm afraid you're going to ask me to go take care of the remaining branches, so you don't have to."

"Why are you afraid of that?"

"Well, I would have to leave your side for a significant amount of time."

"But would you do it anyway?" I asked.

She nodded. "If you wished."

"If I offered you help with any two of the numbered here?"

Six shrugged. "I don't want to leave you with only three numbered. You should have at least four with you when you're traveling."

I sighed. "I'm sure three would be fine. That should be more than enough to protect me."

Six sighed. "I mean, I could do it. I'm just... not exactly happy about it."

"Okay, I'm not going to have you do all of them, but soon, I'll have you leave with either Four or Five—maybe both—and round up some of the other wayward branches. You'll do some, I'll do some, and we'll meet back."

I didn't expect her to like it, but I did expect her to appreciate the extra independence and authority. Six liked power and recognition, so I wasn't surprised to see the conflicted expression on her face.

"Could I maybe take Five and Nine?" she asked.

"Do we have word of Nine? I do need to spend some time with her, though."

Six nodded. "Yeah. I picked up correspondence. Apparently, the job Nine was on was marked as complete, so she should be heading back soon."

I felt a bit of tension that I hadn't realized I was carrying leaving my shoulders as I heard that Nine was most likely all right. "Mm. Oh. Yes. I suppose you can take Five and Nine. I might as you to take Four as well, I haven’t decided yet. If you go take the ones closer to home while we take the ones by the Archmage Tower, we'll split the world in half and conquer it in a month," I said with a smirk.

"I never had any doubts," Six said as she stretched up, kissed my cheek, and nibbled on my earlobe slightly. I couldn't help my satisfied smile as I returned my attention to the view outside the carriage