Aidan

The Realms

Firstday, 2nd week of the 11th month, Age of the Chosen 1

Late Night

Caellach Macht, Mistvale Highlands

Aidan clamped down on the fear, reminding himself that he could call his Passion Elementals with a thought. He also had more than one ace up his sleeve if push came to shove, so he resolved to keep calm and de-escalate.

"Eldrid," he said, voice soft and soothing, "I would be more than pleased to talk to another Chosen. There's no need to threaten me. Please, put away the knife."

The knife didn't move. "Sorry, handsome, but I can't take the risk that you're one of his. Now, answer my questions, and don't lie to me; I will know."

"Alright, take it easy. I've been in the Realms about ... hm, four months now? Four months of Realms time that is; who knows how much Earth time has elapsed. My Patron is the Brighaid; they're the local tripartite deity of fire, passion, creativity, and sex, and so on. I died twice, both against the Taig."

Eldrid watched him like a hawk as he gave his response. She relaxed a fraction when he named his Patron, but her dagger remained pressed against his belly.

"Do you have any ties to the Kingdom of Gilhardt?"

Aidan shook his head a fraction of an inch. "No. I entered the Realms in Starchaser territory and was captured by them that first night. I've never even seen another of this world's humans, let alone talked to one. And, from what I hear of their politics, I want nothing to do with them anyway."

That seemed to do the trick. Eldrid eased back away from Aidan, vanishing her dagger to wherever it came from.

"Sorry for the drama," she said with a grimace. "A human Chosen showing up out of nowhere and taking over the Starchasers within such a short time ... I had to be sure."

"If I may ask, what is it that you had to be sure of? Why the questions?" Aidan paused for a split second, then added, "And why are you still on my lap?"

"Oh, that one's easy," Eldrid replied with a sharp-toothed grin. "I'm still here because you don't want me to go. Offer to touch is still open, by the way." She wiggled for emphasis; Aidan kept his hands to himself.

"Suit yourself. As for your other questions, I don't know as much as I'd like. However, I've been able to figure out from my Patron's quests and my own investigations that someone in Gilhardt is stirring the pot out among the tribes. Probably a Chosen, although I haven't been able to determine that for sure.

"Anyway, I've caught their agents seeding trouble all across the Highlands. Never anything overt, mind you; whispers here, rumors there, staged arguments over yonder. If my Gift didn't work the way it does, I wouldn't even have known about it."

"Gift?" Aidan asked, sensing the capital letter.

"Yeah, that's what we're calling the unique Trait every Chosen gets from their Patron. It's considered bad manners to ask, but mine works even if you know what it does, so I don't mind sharing. I have the Truthseer Trait; it lets me know when anyone lies within my sight, even by omission or redirection. I can't compel the truth or anything, but you cannot slip a lie past me."

Aidan could see how that would be useful, especially to a merchant, but another part of her statement was much more important to him. "You say that it's rude to ask about another Chosen's Gift; that implies that you've met and talked to other Chosen. Can you tell me about any of them? I'm looking for my sister."

Sympathy flashed across Eldrid's face. "Sorry, but no. We're kind of like superheroes back on Earth—you said you’re from Earth, right? Not all the Chosen are."

Aidan blinked at that. Chosen that weren't from Earth? "Yeah, my sister and I both lived in the Atlanta metropolis."

"2060s then, the video game got you. Oh, don't look at me like that, I'll explain. I've come across four different sources for Earthling Chosen so far. Ours is the most common, but there are also faerie abductions, UFOs, and the Bermuda Triangle. Anyway, back to your question: we Chosen are like the old-timey superheroes, complete with civilian identities. It's very, very dangerous to out another Chosen's identity—it could get them killed, or worse, their friends or family."

Aidan grimaced but couldn't argue. It made sense. If beating the Taig hadn't all but blown his cover, he'd be trying to hide, too. Still... "Could you at least spread the word among the Chosen you know and trust that you know someone looking for their sister?"

"Sure, I can do that. Do you know anything about her avatar here?"

"Not much. She started here in the Highlands, described herself as a ninja, and maxed out the breast slider." Aidan eyed the bountiful cleavage pressed against his chest.

Eldrid snickered. "Yeah, I'm not half this stacked back on Earth either. And just to confirm, no siblings for me, so you don't have to worry about the [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.] you're poking me with."

The mirth left the blue-haired woman's face a moment later. "I've got more bad news for you, I'm afraid. Not only did we get snatched from different time periods back on Earth, but every Chosen I've talked to has also been here for a different length of time. I got sucked in by the VR game, like you and your sister, but I've been stomping around the Highlands for six years. Another guy I met stepped into a mushroom ring in the 1600s but wound up starting a couple years after I did."

Aidan squeezed his eyes shut. Eve might have been stranded for years, looking for him all that time—or she might not even have arrived yet. The sliver of hope he kindled at Eldrid's mention of other Chosen guttered and died.

"Hey, don't look so glum. I'll put the word out for you; it's the least I can do for threatening you like that. If she's around, we'll find her."

"Thanks, Eldrid. That means a lot." Aidan gave her a wan smile. This was significant progress, but the goal seemed farther away than ever.

Eldrid ruffled Aidan's hair, then winked at him. "The first favor's free! The next one will cost you."

"And what, pray tell, might you ask in exchange?"

Silver eyes glinted at Aidan over a fanged grin. "Well, that depends, darlin'. How do you feel about mixing business and pleasure?"

"Oh, I'm no stranger to that. I traded Ailis kisses for information; now she's my Vassal and lover."

"Oooh, he does know how to flirt back!" Then Eldrid smirked. "You're misleading me about something, though. No outright lie; my guess is that the two aren't as related as you want me to think."

Aidan whistled in appreciation. "That Gift of yours is a damned cheat code for social situations."

"I know, isn't it great?"

"That said, it's not infallible. Ailis swearing the Vassal's Oath had nothing to do with our little kissing game; that much is true. The rest?" It was Aidan's turn to smirk. "Be careful what you wish for."

"Mm, no deception there. Damn, that's hot." Eldrid squirmed around [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.] "So, tell me, is what the rumors say true? Do you really have magic hands?"

Aidan's eyebrows shot up. Who told her that? Has she been talking to Brighid without me realizing it? He decided to start playing hardball, lest Eldrid walk all over him. "Hands, yes, among other things. Want a sample? The first hit's free."

"Ooh, where's this confidence coming from all of a sudden? I like it. You're more dangerous than you realize, Lord Aidan."

"The only danger is that you might like it too much."

Eldrid leaned back away from Aidan. "Oh my. You're adapting to using the truth as a weapon very fast."

"I'm a quick learner in all kinds of ways. For example, you're used to controlling the flow of a conversation with aggressive flirting, but you don't have much experience being on the receiving end. I imagine most men are intimidated by your beauty, and the ones who aren't don't know about your ability to see through deception." Aidan sat up and placed his right hand on Eldrid's hip [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.]

Eldrid froze at his touch, her silver eyes widening a fraction and a red flush blooming across her cheeks. "You did say I could touch if I wanted, right?" Aidan asked before she could recover.

Eldrid nodded, biting her lower lip, her nose flaring with a heavy breath.

"And is that offer still open?" [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.]

"I never go back on a deal." Eldrid's voice was less confident than her words.

"I'm glad to hear it." Aidan smiled as he slid his one hand up and the other down. Eldrid trembled as his fingers found pale, bare skin. Aidan didn't push past the initial contact; he wasn't trying to seduce her all the way. He wanted to pay her back for her earlier teasing, and if he could get some additional information or trade concessions out of her while she was off-balance, well, she'd been doing the same to him.

"Tell me," [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.] "what's your story? Who's your Patron?"

"I'm," she licked her lips, "from a tiny little town in what's left of the Louisiana bayous. You've never heard of it."

[content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.] "And your Patron?

"That's considered a rude question." Her protest lacked any force behind it, coming as it did in a breathy near-whisper.

"You asked me first. I think turnabout is fair play, don't you? And I'm not even holding you at knifepoint."

"Mm, more like shoving a baseball bat into my gut."

"That's not your gut, and I'm not the one doing the shoving. Besides, all you have to do is ask me to stop, and I will."

Eldrid's hands rose to Aidan's shoulders, giving her more leverage [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.] "You shouldn't say things like that to a girl like me."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I can tell you mean it, and that gives me ammo to use against you." Though her cheeks were still bright red and her breath was coming fast and hard, Eldrid seemed to have recovered some of her confidence. "You just gave me unlimited license to tease you without consequences."

"Without consequences? Two can play this game, and I'm playing with a stacked deck. Keep that in mind, and I'm OK with it." Aidan moved his left hand, [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.]

Eldrid's head fell forward, a keening whine emerging from between her lips. "Shit, you do have magic hands."

"Oh, no, that's Foreplay and Seduction at work. My Magic Hands are something else entirely, and you haven't requested your free sample yet. Also, you're trying to distract me, and it's not going to work. Who's your Patron, Eldrid?"

Eldrid's silver eyes rolled up to look at Aidan through long black lashes, challenge sparking in their depths. "If you want to find out, mm, you're going to have to make it worth my while."

"Oh? How about a bet, then?"

"Are you sure about that? Ballsy to offer, mmph, a bet to a girl who knows when you're, hah, bluffing."

"Oh, I have no reason to bluff. I'm going to rely on your natural curiosity and competitive nature to make you accept."

"Let's hear it then, loverboy."

Aidan withdrew his hands from Eldrid [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.] "I'll give you five minutes to calm down, then speak one Word to you. If that Word makes you [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords.], you not only tell me your Patron, but you owe me a favor."

"Upping the ante? Why would I owe you a favor beyond sharing personal, privileged information?"

Aidan gave his best wolfish grin. "Because it'll be the best [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords] in your life. And besides, I still maintain that you owe me reciprocation."

"And if I don't [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords] at the mere sound of your voice?"

"You will, but name your price."

"Still so confident. You believe you'll win, but belief isn't fact, even here. Hmm. When I win, you'll make me your exclusive trade contact with the Snow-Water Riders and give me a seat on your City Council."

"Deal."

"Not so fast; we have rules to define first."

"Now you're just stalling."

Eldrid tossed her head, sending brilliant blue hair cascading over her shoulder. "I don't need to stall. You're good with your words, I'll admit that, but no one's that good. Maybe, maybe, if you had me right on the precipice, but with five minutes of cooldown? You judged me well because this isn't a bet I can turn down." She stood up, [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords].

Aidan let her go. "So, what restrictions are you going to place on me?"

"No touching," Eldrid started listing as she walked away from him, [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords].

"Agreed."

She spun around, mock-glaring at him with her arms crossed beneath her breasts. "Not done yet. No spells. For all I know, you have Coitimancy; would explain the magic hands."

"Those are from my Profession, but fine. No spells, with one exception: I want to silence the area. I don't want anyone to overhear by mistake; it might cause trouble. I promise Sound Barrier will have no impact on you or me."

"You're hiding something. I'll allow the exception. No Profession Talents, either."

"I can't turn off most of them; they're passive. I can promise not to use any active Abilities or Traits on you, though."

"Hmph. Fair, I guess. What are you keeping from me? There's still something."

"I'm not going to answer that; it's obvious that I have a trick up my sleeve. We both knew that from the start. The bet is whether you think you can beat it."

"Hmph. Fine, keep your trick. But only that one trick." Eldrid frowned at Aidan.

"Starting to get worried? Scared you'll lose?"

Eldrid rolled her eyes. "I'm competitive, but I'm not stupid, Aidan. Calling me a chicken isn't going to make me jump in without looking; don't underestimate me."

He couldn't help but blush at that. "Sorry, you're right. But, moving on, if you're going to set conditions, then so am I. No magic of your own—" Aidan said magic rather than spells, wanting to close the loophole he intended to exploit himself, "—and no active Talents, Traits, or Abilities that would keep you from [content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords], if you have any. Passives are fine, but let's both bargain in at least a modicum of good faith, yeah?"

Eldrid narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment, then shrugged and relaxed. "Agreed. I don't have anything like that anyway."

"Are we agreed on the terms, then? My one Word, no spells, no touching, no active interference, versus your passives and naked confidence?"

"Yes. I promise I'll not rake you over the coals too hard on trade terms."

Aidan smiled. "I believe it's been five minutes now. Are you ready?"

Eldrid smirked, the corner of her lip quirking up in smug confidence, and stretched her arms toward the ceiling. The motion caused fascinating things to happen to her chest. Playing with fire, there, Aidan thought at her, although, of course, she couldn't hear him.

"Do your worst."

Aidan walked up to Eldrid, who watched him with wary caution in her eyes. She tensed up as he approached to within three or four feet from her but relaxed when he stopped. Once he was sure that Eldrid was within the range of his Dominating Presence Talent—a passive one, albeit one he had to make active use of in this case—Aidan looked Eldrid in the eyes and spoke a Word.

The interesting thing about Divine Speech, and the Language of Origin Skill that depended on it, was that one could pack a near-infinite amount of meaning into a single word. The language itself was malleable in ways that Aidan would not have been able to understand without his Traits helping him out. After hours spent studying and practicing with Ailis, he suspected that Language of Origin was so rare less because of any inherent lack of affinity and more because most mortals could not make use of it.

Aidan didn't get the clue he needed to learn how to make Language of Origin an active magic Skill in its own right until he hit Initiate rank and gained his second perk: "You now infuse Intent into your Words slightly faster."

That hint opened his eyes to the galaxy he had missed. Language of Origin was all about manifesting Intent into reality via speaking the Words that made the universe. He touched the barest hint of that power by using it as an Incantation to his spells. That had an inherent Intent that powered the Skill: "make my spell stronger in these ways."

But that was but a speck of dust before the mountain of potential involved with proper use. Aidan didn't have much practice, not yet, but results from the experiments he and Ailis ran gave him complete confidence that he would win this bet. He suspected that, if he mustered enough Concentration behind the right Intent, he could speak a Word that would make all of Ailis's research into cross-racial fertility obsolete. This would be a far simpler task.

"[content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords]"

Aidan Spoke, and the air thrummed with power.

[content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords]

A spike of worry shot through Aidan. Did I overdo it? He knelt beside Eldrid, pressing his fingers to her neck. Her pulse thundered, rapid and strong, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Then, satisfied that she would be alright in a few minutes, Aidan turned his attention to the rest of Eldrid's body, tugging her top back into place, straightening her skirt, and sliding her legs out from beneath her.

A soft sigh redirected Aidan's attention to Eldrid's face, where he saw her silver eyes open and looking up at him. "You cheated, you bastard," she whispered, then bit her lip and added, "I approve."

Congratulations! You have reached level 7 in Seduction.

Congratulations! You have reached level 23 in Dominance.

Congratulations! You have reached level 33 in Foreplay.

Congratulations! You have reached level 75 in Sex.

[content censored by Royal Road's advertising overlords]