***Tirnanog, Mount Aerie***

***Magnus***

-

Our return to the estate went smoother than expected.

Despite reasoning that my reaction had been logical and justified, some part of me felt guilty about electrocuting the priestess. Not that I had suddenly developed faith in some god I didn't even know, but there was this tiny titbit about societal norms being ingrained in me.

While not religious, my parents managed to engender some rules in their children. One of them was not to harm clergy, state officials, or pets. All three cases counted as animal cruelty in their eyes.

Now, I could officially say I had violated at least two of their guidelines. On some level, I expected a mob of enraged townspeople with torches catching up to us at any moment.

But none of that happened.

Which meant I could let out a silent breath of relief when we arrived back at the estate's entrance hall.

There was no time to consider my next steps because a familiar face received me.

Mary Frost stood waiting and looked at me with a disapproving glare. She had the aura of a caretaker who caught a naughty child with his hand in the cookie jar. “Etan wants to see you.”

That woman was the personification of a cold stepmother if I had ever seen one. I nonetheless noticed that my father in law wasn't Etan Frost to this woman, but Etan.

“Sure, Mary.” I gestured along the corridor. “Please lead the way.”

She turned and walked quickly as if to show me she had lost enough time on this. Her slippers clicked loudly on the hallway’s floor while we walked. Mary didn't even look to see whether I was following. Her brisk attitude felt somewhat antagonistic towards me, so I decided to test the waters.

“Excuse me!” I hurried to catch up with her. “We don't know each other that well, but what's our relationship to each other? I couldn't help but notice you also have the name Frost.”

Mary shot me one more of those glares, an art she had undoubtedly mastered to perfection. “I am Teresa's great grandmother.”

That was enough explanation, because she returned her attention to stalking along the corridor, leaving me quite confused.

The woman looked no older than most people I had seen on this world, which meant she looked to be in the prime of her youth apart from her brittle filaments. Maybe that was a sign of age? Previously, I had attributed it to a quirky mutation unique to her. Astra's parents also had different filaments.

The starfish mutation was a quite popular one. While on the streets, I had seen maybe a single woman who looked old. Although, that was from far away. I could have been wrong.

Anyway, I hadn't expected Mary to be some great clan-elder who posed as a servant. Then again, being a 'head manager' wasn't exactly a small position to be in. And Astra never mentioned family apart from Teresa and Etan.

Then again, maybe Mary was in a more distant relationship with her great-grandkids? I had to find out how this confusing family structure worked. Maybe Astra's parents only held political power while Mary was in charge of the family's daily affairs?

I didn't get a chance to ask more questions, because I was ushered into a generously spaced office. Though, the wall to the left was hung with so many animal trophies I could have mistaken it as a hunter's lodge, which gave the room its unique charm.

Among the stuffed heads of quite alien creatures, there were also some of what Winston had referred to as monster cores, though from up close they looked more like organs.

My attention fell on one that was shaped like a flat conglomeration of interwoven infinity loops. It strongly reminded me of a dynamo combined with a membrane pump, a special type of pump that was especially suited to work without contaminating the mechanical components with the pumped liquids. It wasn't the most effective device but it was especially suited to transport highly corrosive liquids. Or ones which needed to be kept clean. Like blood.

The two large outlets at each end only increased my suspicion that I was looking at a biomechanical heart.

Etan was sitting at a neatly organized desk. He interrupted my contemplation of his collection when he gestured for me to sit down across from him. “Welcome, son.”

I did as told while Mary closed the door behind me.

Etan, despite not looking much older than myself, had an aura of authority and experience around him. It was awkward to know he was my senior by several decades. Normally, I would have never deferred to someone who looked as young as he did.

My father in law brought out a bottle and two glasses from the drawer next to him and filled them while he weighed me with his eyes. The situation was a little bit unnerving because he didn’t do the serving with his hands, but with his filaments.

Just why did I feel like I had been locked in the lion's cave?

“I’ve heard you went out today,” Etan opened the discussion. “And that you hit a priestess. I hope you are aware a lot of people are very invested in the church of Gaia. Things could get heated if you do that in public.”

Now that didn’t take long to come to the light of day.

I decided there wasn’t any point in deflection. “I didn’t hit her,” I clarified. “I electrocuted her in self-defence because she tried some Jedi mind-trick on me.”

Etan blinked in surprise. “Not many pick up on the subtle influences that some mutations are capable of. You are lucky the head priest knew of his disciple’s misplaced zealotry and messaged me before turning this into an official incident. Just remember not to talk to anyone about it outside this room.”

“How?” I asked. “I never mentioned my name to her or who I am affiliated with.”

“She saw us in your mind.” Etan massaged the bridge of his nose. “Listen, Magnus, I am not happy about my daughter picking you out of all people. You might think you have learned a lot, but you still know nothing about this world. But I suppose that’s what I have to work with.”

He slid one of the glasses across the table. “There are dangers outside the clan and within. You have barely seen Tirnanog's surface.”

I took the glass and leaned back in my chair. Then I warily sniffed at the alcoholic beverage I had been offered. “It would help to know the dangers of walking around in public. I wouldn't have gone out if I had known it wasn't safe.”

Etan rolled his eyes. “The dangers within clan Aerie are untold in numbers and that’s why I am so upset with Astra's decision. If she had just reinforced our alliance with the Mora, all would have been fine. Together, our families would have been able to shield her from any of the other powerful influencers within the clan.”

I chuckled. “That's not what I have seen of Astra. She has ambitions beyond being a princess protected inside a golden cage.”

“I know.” He held up a hand to stop me. “That being said, you also have to be aware that the Old Camp is something of a noob-zone. Out here, you are with the big players and facing real monsters. But I have to give you credit for at least taking a guide with you before running off. If you hadn't, I would have flayed you alive behind closed doors to drill some sense into you.”

I laughed.

Right up until I realised he was dead serious.

I took a sip from the beverage, allowing the alcohol to burn my mouth. “So educate me. Gods, is that pure rum?”

“Ninety per cent,” Etan affirmed. “A drink for real men. ”

I coughed.

He emptied his own glass with a single swig and without flinching. Like drinking water.

“Aah, that’s the stuff. To get back to the problem, I am thinking about giving you some community tasks to bring you up to speed. I want assurances that Astra didn't suffer from a case of hormone-induced stupidity when she chose you as a partner.”

“Ah, about that.” I raised a finger. “Astra is planning an excursion to show me the natural parts of the cave system. She wants to hunt something to increase our abilities. Though, after my encounter with the church, I really would like to have something that protects me from such influences.”

“Is she now?” Etan’s expression turned thoughtful. “Well, that’s fine. And your desire is only reasonable. I will need time to set you up anyway. You can see the time with Astra as a respite.”

“She was calling it a honeymoon,” I pointed out, only to realize I shouldn’t have said that.

Etan was visibly displeased. “The natural caverns are certainly no 'honeymoon'. I hope she will show you that the world outside the clan-controlled cave system is even more savage than what you are used to.”

I cleared my throat. “About that… I imagined this to be more of a settlement, but it is a real city. The only thing I’ve noticed to be different was that there are a lot more women than men on the streets.”

“Men are much more likely to die in the line of service.” Etan shrugged. “It’s a rule of thumb. Currently, our population numbers are slightly skewed compared to earth. There are about one point seven women per man in the clan.”

“Almost two to one. And Earth's enforced partner-system doesn't really help. Why not take more exiles in?” I asked.

“That’s a possibility, but there are political reasons against it,” Etan explained. “The clan war left us with a peace treaty that prevents any of the clans from sending powerful warriors to the pick-up location. Also, we have to be very selective in who we take in. Otherwise, we might unsettle the society we’ve built so far. Without the assurance of population growth, we simply can't support people who've already proven once that they are willing to violate the rules of society. That's why we only take in promising individuals.”

We kept talking for what felt like hours while Etan drilled me on clan politics and societal norms. Thankfully, a large part of it had already been covered by Astra.

One new thing was the rundown of the agreement between the clans to prevented them from fully utilizing the Old Camp’s male population.

A few decades ago, the Old Camp was the most powerful community. It was de facto a clan in its own right. But it wasn't enough for their leaders, who soon tried to take over all the clans. They were the strongest in numbers due to Earth’s steady supply of new exiles. This gave them an unhealthy confidence.

But the Old Camp's leaders fell victim to a simple miscalculation. Numbers may have been on their side, but they lacked the more powerful mutations thanks to their relatively safe location. And their violent stance towards the other clans quickly had everyone unify against them.

In the end, the Old Camp collapsed under the pressure of multiple clans uniting against them and due to infighting once it became clear there was no easy win in this conflict.

Still, the fighting continued long after the Old Camp's defeat, because everyone desired control over what was essentially an unending supply of human resources for the entire region. As soon as the clans stood upon the remains of their defeated foe, they went for each others' necks.

The conflict lasted for over a decade and cost all parties many of their most promising people.

It was an age-old story of greed and envy which humanity knew all too well.

-

***Tirnanog, Mount Aerie***

***Astra***

-

“You have to tell if you want anything else,” I informed my two guests as I distributed what accounted for coffee in Tirnanog. The sap of the cofftree didn't smell or taste anything like the original drink, or so I had been told. But the revitalizing effect for humans was much the same – if not better.

Once I was sure both Ivona and Thalia were served, I sat down next to the low tea table in my living room.

Ivona warily sniffed at the beverage. “You are sure it's safe?”

“We are,” Thalia affirmed. “The process of purifying coff includes boiling the raw sap for days. Then the stock is filtered and the remains dried and crushed until only the powder remains. You won't grow leaves from this.”

“If you say so.” Ivona took a careful sip.

“It would hardly make sense to adopt you into the family only to cripple your mutation,” I grumbled, nonetheless impressed with the young woman's awareness. Too many people fell victim to badly processed food. No sane inhabitant of Tirnanog would ever eat food he or she hadn't personally boiled into oblivion. “Though, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't stay vigilant.”

Ivona nodded, not taking my comment as an insult.

I took a moment to think over the food problem. My parents told me things had gotten a lot better since the war ended. Nowadays, people could mostly trust food that had been processed by a third party. “The Hochberg are manufacturing coff and distributing it to the other clans. It's a matter of pride for them to sell only the highest quality. And if you are still uncertain, only drink stuff with this mark on it.”

I showed her the can with the coff powder and pointed out the three unique seals stamped into the metal. Each represented a clan's food-testing guild. “This means the conserve has been tested by the testing institutions of three independent groups. Hochberg, Caravaners, and Aerie.”

“But how would you even test it?” Ivona asked. “Doesn't someone have to drink it to be sure?”

Thalia shrugged. “Every clan has their black sheeps. There will always be someone who would rather play food taster than to be thrown out.”

“Oh.” Ivona leaned back in her seat, deflating a little. “I guess it makes sense. Sorry for questioning you. Especially when you serve something so expensive. I guess the Caravaners don't bring this coff to clan Thich, or I would have heard about it.”

“I already said there is nothing to worry about,” I reaffirmed. “Although I believe the Thich should have it too. It's one of the few consumables that are easy to transport. No worries about perishing with this, except for getting it wet. The only explanation would be that the Thich don't trade with the Caravaners, but it would be news to me.”

Ivona sighed forlornly. “I guess they simply don't waste money on their trainees then.”

“Don't worry!” I took a sip from my own cup. “We are going to get your sister and you will never have to go back there!”

“Right!” Thalia raised her own cup. “Whatever they are planning, they will be in for the shocks of their lives once winter is over and we can send delegations to the other clans. You shouldn't overlook that this isn't just a matter between the Aerie and the Thich. The other clans will have their own questions once we reveal all the dirt we have on them.”

“Isn't it?” Ivona still seemed unsure.

“Of course it isn't!” I assured her. “At the very least people will start asking them very inconvenient questions. About the girls, about their attack on us. About the educational practices you described. There is no way for this to just 'blow over'. And I can assure you, we will do everything in our power not to leave this up to chance.”

I nodded to myself, trying to convey certainty for Ivona's peace of mind.

At the same time I knew things were far from over.

“Enough of the heavy topics! We have a perfectly fine ‘girls' talk’ group here.” Thalia's expression grew devious. “Which means we have to talk about men!”

“Right!” I knew exactly where Thalia's mind was going right now. And that was down the gutter, so I quickly tried to deflect. “So, when will you finally get one, Thalia?”

“No, wait.” Thalia's expression fell. “I thought we would be talking about you and Magnus.”

“Why would we?” I blinked innocently. “I finally got myself a partner. I am happy. We are doing it. There is nothing to talk about. The only remaining maidens in this room are you and Ivona.”

“This conversation isn't going down the road I imagined it to, but I am fine with it taking another direction!” Thalia complained while her head swivelled to aim at Ivona.

My new sister in law shook her head. “I know I am of age, but unless someone forces me to, I will take my time. Plenty of time, in fact. And I have no particular desire to learn of how my brother is doing it!”

“Damn it!” Thalia muttered to herself and returned her attention to me. “Can you at least share how he is? Which position do you like best?”

I smirked and took a sip from my coff. “We have no particular position. Magnus and I are practising variety. Me on top, him on top, sideways...”

“Damn it!” Ivona cursed while Thalia's expression turned smug.

Desperate, Ivona took my hand. “Please tell me he isn't a hugger?”

I frowned, wondering what was going on. “No? More like a blanket. Most mornings I wake up being almost crushed because he rolled on top of me. Then I roll him over and try to return the favour, but I am just not heavy enough to bother him whatsoever. He just keeps snoring away.”

Ivona's expression went slack. “That's not much better, but at least he isn't a hugger.” She looked at Thalia. “Do you hear? It's one to one.”

“Being a blanket is just like being a hugger!” Thalia complained.

“No, it is not!” Ivona shot back.

“Wait.” I raised my hand to stop them while I felt a slight migraine coming on at the same time. “Are you two betting on my love life?”

“It has been a long trek,” Thalia defended herself. “Us girls had to find a topic to loosen up. And the whole group knew what you two were doing some nights. The moans said it all...”

Damn it I thought we were quiet enough!

I felt my face heat. “You are not supposed to talk about such things. We couldn't go anywhere for privacy!”

“I hate it when she gets like that,” Ivona muttered.

“Just admit that you are into the public thing,” Thalia swooned.

“Well, I am not,” I spluttered. “I just want to see what you will do when you find a partner and his 'thing' is poking you in your sleep.”

Thalia visibly tried to imagine the problem. “Take advantage? Seriously, nobody is blaming you two. But it’s still fun to tease.”

“Why did you do it anyway?” Ivona asked suddenly.

“Power. Security. Reliability,” I ticked off my reasons for choosing Magnus.

She shook her head. “I didn't mean it like that. Thalia explained things since I joined you. You've waited for years until you decided on my brother. You could have picked others before. Why my Magnus?”

I considered the question. “I thought you of all people would understand.”

Ivona looked confused.

“I was twelve? Thirteen when I was abducted?” I frowned, then shook my head. “They just drove up to my school in their fancy suits, walked into my class and took me with them. I never learned what they did to my original parents. Did they kill them? Throw them through another portal? Or did I simply not come home one day? Did mom and dad just learn that someone took their daughter out of class, directly beneath everyone's eyes?”

I ground my teeth. “I was taken, just like that. They threw me into that facility where people prodded and poked me as they wished to, treating me like a piece of meat for weeks. And then one day, they just threw me through this portal into a strange new world.”

My eyes found Ivona's. “Maybe I was lucky when Etan and Teresa took me in, but just like my real parents, they can't shield me from everything. There are the other families, the other clans. As long as there is someone more powerful than yourself, things like that can always happen. The arranged marriage was just another sign of things being outside my power. I don’t even blame them for arranging it. Misguided as it was, they thought they were doing their best to ensure my future.”

I balled a fist.

“Ever since those people took me, I just drifted along to the whims of others because I was young, small, and weak. I don't know about you, but I told myself: No more! I would end up having the power to choose my fate or those obstructing my path would have to put me down. I would strive and flourish.”

I looked into the distance. “I didn't choose Magnus just for his mutations or the physical power it would give me. Already back then, even without any ambitions, I knew his goals would set him on a collision course with the powers of this world. And whether they wanted it or not, that's also my course. Our goals align.”

“He just told you he is searching for his sisters?” Ivona asked, confused.

I smiled. “Not everything. He told me he is searching for some children and asked how to go about it. The rest came only after we finalized things. It wasn't hard for me to tell from where the wind was blowing when he asked a whole lot of political questions about the power balance in the region. Someone who is daring enough to stir around in that particular dustbin is bound to bring up something that others wanted gone. And from our conversation I could tell he was aware and didn't care.”

Ivona looked at me dubiously.

“And it helped that he is my type,” I admitted.