Tasha stared at the mirror in her now bare room, she had spent the night before saying her goodbyes and packing her things. She ran a finger over the fresh angry scar that now bisected the diagonal of her face. So much had changed in so few days, she was so much closer to achieving her dream. She did not mind the scar or the brand on her hand, they kept her anchored reminding her of the price paid in flesh and blood for her newfound good fortune.

A rapping at her door drew her attention. She stood slung her bag across her back and opened her door. Standing there was John, similarly dressed for travel.

“Are you ready, I wouldn't be late if I were you,” John said resting his arm on the doorframe.

“Of course I’m ready. Do you really think I’d mess that up”

“You never fail to subvert my expectations, dear sister.”

She huffed and punched her brother in the arm. She took a moment to look at the room she had spent most years living in before exiting, closing the door behind her.

***

Even at the early hour just before sunrise, the temple was buzzing with activity, the recent attacks had brought down the attention of the various factions of Orera. Currently, they were preparing for a fall scale assault of the goblin tribes. Guilt snaked up her spine; it was her friends and comrades that had been killed in the goblin attack, yet instead of seeking vengeance she was high-class life amongst the royals. John kept his head down and hood up avoiding the hustle around him.

“Will you miss this place, John?” She asked absentmindedly as she took in her surroundings

“The place? No, some of the folks? A little.”

“How can you not miss this place, it's our home?” Tasha asked, her voice rising just a fraction.

“Places, people, they come and go, Tash. Home is where you make it, friends are those at your side. Try not to linger on the past. It will give you wrinkles.” John said as he poked a finger at her cheek, she batted it away and stuck out her tongue at him.

“I’m not worried about a few wrinkles, nothing much worse you could do to my face .” with a grand flourish she traced the scar.

John tensed, his shoulders raised, “Don’t talk like that, there are healers in the capital that can remove your scar”

“What’s got you so on edge? I’m just kidding around, I don't mind the scar. It makes me look tough.” she said, trying to ease her brother.

“Just worried about having to find a blind man to marry you, that's all.” She punched him in the arm but was pleased to see a small smile curl from under his hood.

They soon exited the temple gates and saw Lady Emila’s party some distance down the road. Tasha turned and waved goodbye to the guards upon the walls, before pivoting and waving to their soon to be companions. The hulking suit of armor raised his hand and gave a small wave back, the short black-haired woman gave a curtsy. Emila flipped her hair over her shoulder and swung her leg over her horse, she galloped further down the road.

“Fucking blue-bloods” John mumbled.

“Be nice.” she hissed in response.

As they walked closer the women rushed to meet them.

“Lady Tasha, Honorable John, last time we did not get the pleasure of speaking. I am Adaline Fontana Lady-in-waiting to Emila RueGuard Ferrocor, a pleasure to make your acquaintance” She gave another curtsy.

“Pleasure to meet you, lady Adaline” Tasha replied, she gave a stiff curtsy in response, her mail and plate creaking as she did.

“Hello,” said John

Adaline smiled demurely and extended her hand palm up, fingers pointed down. John grabbed her fingers and shook her hand up and down, the suit of armor chuckled. A brief look torn between amusement and irritation flashed on her face before being replaced with a mask of neutrality.

“This intimidating figure is Sir Bruno, Lady Emila’s personal bodyguard. He has taken a vow of silence, so do not expect much stimulating conversation.”

Bruno bowed deeply to Tasha and extended his hand towards her brother. As he grabbed it, John’s hand was completely engulfed by the metal-plated mitt of the giant man.

“Do you two know how to ride a horse?”

“Yes, we were trained at the temple.” Tasha shot a glare at her brother as she spoke, willing him to be silent. While John knew how to ride a horse perfectly well, he had a dislike burgeoning on hatred for the beasts.

“Do we have to ride?” He asked, disregarding his sister’s eyes boring into the side of his head.

“Only if you want to keep up.” The lady responded a half-smile curling on her lips.

“Hurry up, I do not have all morning for your idle chatter.” The imperious voice of Emila echoed from down the road

Tasha stepped on her brother’s toes just in time to stop him from replying.

“My lady is right, please choose a horse and let us ride”

***

Tasha rode on the back of a sleek black horse, given to her by Lady Emila as a welcoming gift. Her whole body felt light and warm with joy as her mind finally accepted her new reality.

I’m going to the capital to become a squire for a niece of the emperor.

She wanted to bring her horse to a gallop and scream to the heavens, though her limited knowledge of etiquette told her that such an overt display would not go over well in such refined company. She passed the time spent riding by trying to think of a name for her new horse, John did the same, but so far Adaline had refused all of his suggestions which so far consisted of Asslicker, Babyeater, and Dog. For the most part, however, they rode in silence, Tasha grew nervous Emila had not yet spoken to her.

Did I do something wrong, or is this just how she is?

She stared at the back of her new lady trying to see past the mask of indifference she always wore. No answers manifested in the red hair that tumbled down her back, If she wanted answers she would have to ask. Mustering her courage she brought her horse to a gallop and moved alongside Emila.

“My lady, How far to Alunhull?” She smiled to herself, a question about the journey would help break the ice and let the conversation flow.

“Two weeks” Emilla sped her horse up, bringing her to the front of the party and creating more distance between her and Tasha.

Tasha scowled, did Emila really think because she was a high ranking noble she could take her from her home and then not speak to her? She tapped her heels into her mount’s side and caught up to Emila once more.

“What are my duties as your squire?” Tasha smiled, a direct question about her role, a question that had to be answered for Emila to fulfill her duty.

“You will aid me in martial endeavors and become my retainer in all others. In exchange, I will oversee your training, cover your living expenses, and eventually bestow upon you knighthood.” The process once again repeated itself as Emila once again rode away, this time Tasha followed.

They rode side by side in silence. Whenever the noblewomen would try to pull ahead Tasha would follow, one way or another she would crack the frozen shell of her new lady.

***

The third day of travel was winding to a close as Tasha and her companions sat around a bonfire. She had spent her time studying the enigmatic nobles, trying to see what lay beneath the surface and making frustratingly little progress. Sir Bruno, she had almost completely given up on, the man did not speak nor did he ever remove his heavy plate armor, even choosing to sleep in it. Even more peculiarly for a bodyguard, he carried no weapons. At first, she considered the possibility that he was a mage but the more she thought about it the more unlikely it seemed. It was common knowledge that heavy armor interfered with a caster’s ability to perform the hand motions required for spells and blocked the expulsion of mana, making one’s spells slower and less efficient; a death sentence on the battlefield. She poured it over in her mind even considering challenging the man to a spar, just to see how he fought. She studied the man as he leaned back against a log looking for any insights, the firelight glinted off the polished steel of his plate …

That’s it, it’s something to do with his armor!

She was sure of it, the metal around his gauntlets was substantially thicker than the rest, resembling the claws of a giant metallic lobster rather than hands. Perhaps, he was like the monks from the east who used no weapons but their bodies or was attuned to some kind of metal like John.

Well, there’s only one way to find out.

“Supper is finished.” The singsong voice of Adaline interpreted Tasha’s thoughts.

Well it is getting late and there is no harm in waiting, still, I haven't been able to train in days. She drummed her fingers against her leg as Adaline bought her a bowl of stew.

“Thank you, Lady Adaline.”

“Please, call me Adaline after all we will be working very closely.”

“And you can call me Tasha.”

She sat next to Tasha with her own bowl and started eating in silence. The silence dragged on, Tasha started to fidget and shift.

“So where are you from?” She managed to blurt, shattering the quiet.

“I was born in the capital though I have spent most of my life traveling by lady Emila’s side, and yourself?”

“My parents gave birth to me in the colonies but passed soon after. Then me and my brother got shipped to the mainland where we were taken in by the Crusaders of the Light.”

“I apologize for your loss Tasha, but If it is not too much to ask do you remember much about your time in the colonies? I have always been fascinated by the tales I have heard, is it true that it is a land of giants with even the plants being monstrous?” Adaline's face lit up as the questions rolled off her tongue.

“I’m sorry but I was just an infant, I have no memories of the time I spent there. If you wanted to know more you could always ask John, but he’s a little touchy when it comes to our parents.”

“I understand completely. It is getting late anyway and sensitive subjects are best talked about in the light, it would be for the best if we retired.”

“Good night, Adaline.”

“Good night, Tasha.”

She went to sleep with a smile on her face, it wasn't much but it was a start.

***

On the sixth day of travel Emila no longer tried to escape Tasha’s presence, well as long as she did not talk too much but progress was progress. As she rode beside her new lady she had plenty of time to examine her ticks; the way she would suddenly grasp her reins as hard as she could, how she would stare off into the distance biting her lip, the demanding travel schedule of waking early and sleeping late. There was something bothering Emila, but its nature alluded her.

If I ask I could ruin what little progress I have made, best to stay quiet for now.

The sun was reaching its peak as they passed into a Plane in which the grass grew so high that even on horseback her surroundings were obfuscated. Behind her she heard a loud *clank* as Bruno slapped his hands together, the rest of the part slowed to a stop. The knight road forward standing in his stirrups as he did. He brought his horse to a halt a few strides down the road and surveyed their surroundings. She shifted in her saddle searching for whatever Sir Bruno was looking for, did he sense something she did not, or was he being cautious.

She saw no signs of anything but grass. He’s a bodyguard. It's his job to watch for danger, you’re just on edge. She let the tension fall from her shoulders, who would dare ambush a heavily armed group?

Roots as thick as a man’s arm burst from the ground wrapping around horse and rider as they were both brought down in pained screams and the clanking of metal. Simultaneously, the sound of bows being loosed reached Tasha’s ear. In one fluid motion, she rolled off her horse and drew her longsword as arrows rained down. Her horse reared up and screamed as two arrows thudded into its side. She heard a cry of pain behind her, Adaline dropped from her horse, an arrow protruding from her arm.

“Attack!” Emila yelled drawing her mace and charging forward towards the pile of beast and root. More arrows thudded into the ground as Tasha made her way towards the fallen Lady. She kept low, eyes searching, the arrows were coming from both sides but the grass concealed their attackers. She reached Adaline, blood stained the dirt as poured from her arm.

“I’m here, don’t worry you’re safe now.” She said trying to soothe the injured women

“Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself. Protect Emilia at all costs,” she said waving Tasha towards their shared master.

“I’ll trust you but if you die I'm not carrying your body.” She did not wait for a response before charging towards Emila who was chopping at the roots that held Sir Bruno. On her path, she saw John duck into the left side of the plain shortsword in hand.

Steps away from Bruno she heard a cry of rage as the man ripped free from his bindings sending fractured roots and clods of dirt flying into the air. The metal around his left hand warped and changed with the screeching of steel rubbing on steel into a large kite shield, the right did the same but took the form of a warpick.

So I was right, he has control over steel

She did not have the time to gloat as an arrow slammed into her shoulder, denting the metal but not piercing it. Following John’s lead, she ducked into the right side of the grass, to find the bowmen and the mage responsible for the roots.

“PlEASED … FIND THEM … DELIVER THEM … JUSTICE '' She fell to her knees, the booming voice of Mydaiel erupted from her mind drowning out all other sensations.

“CALL … UPON MY EYES … LET NOT THE SHADOWS BLIND.” Her skull vibrated, she felt woozy as a burning hot source of power tore its way into her chest, she tentatively reached for it. Power like she had never felt rushed through her body as lux the mana of light saturated her body. She felt like she was on fire as a flash of light blinded her. When it faded, the grass around her became translucent, the mana that made up the bodies of six bowmen and one hunched figure lit up like a beacon.

“SIGHT GIVEN … FOR LIVES TAKEN.”

She sent Vitus coursing through her body strengthening her muscles and lessening her fatigue, the Lux was spent hasting her body as she rushed toward the nearest bowmen. He did not even have time to scream as her sword pierced his heart. She felt warmth and love as she dashed towards the other beacons.

They did not stand a chance against her righteous fury, one by one they fell to her sword. A slash to the neck, a stab to the spine, one managed to raise her dagger in time to block, Tasha crushed her defense and buried her blade deep into her clavicle sending a spray of crimson into the air. Soon only she and the hunchback remained in the tall grass, from her position she could see them waving their hands in a practiced pattern as mana gathered around them.

A rogue caster… Yaza protect

She sprinted sword held high, she would not let it finish whatever it was casting, never again would she let magic bring harm to those she was to protect. The mage’s head snapped up eyes locking on her position in the tall grass. The movements stopped, its concentration broke, the mana it was weaving went wild. She heard a scream and barreled towards the noise where she saw the rouge squatting in the grass.

Its face was covered with a metal mask, its body in filthy sackcloth that curled and blackened as burns spread upon its body as its spell backfired. Yellow eyes met hers, she stepped forward bracing for a swing, the mage stepped back and raised a palm

“BURN!”

The hand burst into flame, heat washed over Tasha’s face as she dropped her shoulder, rolling onto the ground. A lance of fire flew inches from her body the smell of singed hair reached her nose. She landed crouched on her feet, she lunged forward, sword prepared for a sweeping strike. The mage threw itself backward landing on their back, narrowly avoiding being cleaved in twain, it raised both of its hands.

“You win, I surrender,” it spoke through a throat of phlegm. Tasha's sword went limp in her hand, her chest pounded, she wanted to kill it, to bring it the same justice she had delivered to its comrades.

“What are you?”

“A poor fool, in over his head.” they chuckled. Tasha studied them more thoroughly. The iron mask on their face was plain, with only holes for their eyes and mouth and screws around the perimeter, she looked closer

Yaza’s teeth

They were not wearing a mask, it was screwed into their bones. She shivered in revulsion at the mutilation. Each hand only had three fingers and a thumb. It was clear that this beast was not human, fit for nothing but slaughter. Still, he had surrendered and it was said in the Codex Iustitia that prisoners must be given a trial. She pointed her sword at his chest drawing a bead of blood.

“Get up, if you so much as twitch the wrong way I will end you.”

“Thank you, hearing me out is the most kindness I have received in many years.” He scrambled to his feet, she pressed her sword into his back.

“Walk”

“I am called Quith Hardhead” He rapped his fist against his iron visage, “do you have a name?”

“Silence”

“Pleasure to meet you, Lady Silence.”

She pressed the metal tip harder against his back and led him back towards the road.

“Tasha!” the voice of John boomed as she saw his outline moving through the grass.

“I’m here! Is everyone alright?”

“Thank Yaza … Yes we handled the situation and based on the number of corpses I’ve been stumbling over, I’d guess you've done your fair share of work.”

Quith stopped his shoulders sagged, she pushed him forward adjusting their path so they would intersect with John. The blood-covered face of her brother soon revealed itself, in hand his shortsword and shield.

“Tasha … what happened to your eyes! And who in the hells is this?” he said pointing his sword at the mage.

“My prisoner, and what do you mean, nothing happened to my eyes?” she raised her hand to her face checking if she had missed getting wounded, she felt nothing but the scar.

“They're glowing, fuck it’s like looking at the sun.” John shaded his eyes.

“I didn't notice. Don’t worry it's a gift from the angels,” she said

“How do you not notice … Can you turn it off or are you just … like this now?”

“I’m not sure, watch the prisoner I’ll check.” she closed her eyes and turned her mind inward, she found a string of mana from her chest to her eyes, she willed the line to be severed. She opened her eyes, she could no longer see the mana of others and the grass had returned to being opaque

Should have waited till I was out …

“How do I look now?”

“Scary, covered in blood but otherwise normal.”

“Do you know the way back to the road?”

“Yes, I left a trail of cuts.”

“Dear brother you never cease to amaze me.”

***

They emerged from the grass, John leading, Quith in the middle, and Tasha in the rear. Emila was squatting on her haunches cleaning bits of brain off her mace, Adaline clutched an icon of Vione, the arrow in her arm was missing while her tunic was stained with blood, Tasha could see no wound. The icon glowed as she put her hands on Tasha’s horse, it neighed as the arrows pushed themselves free, its wounds healing over. Sir Bruno emerged on the other side of the road carrying two bodies which he dumped in a growing pile. She stared at corpses, in battle she had not noticed but now it was plain as day, all of the attackers possessed mutations. Extra joints, pointed teeth, and leathery skin, all had the same yellow iris that peered from under Quith’s mask.

“What are they?” she asked.

“Aberrants” Emila replied, not taking her eyes from her weapon.

“And what are those?”

Emila stood and turned towards her. “Ahhh yes, the church does love to keep its secrets. Let me pose you a question, why is magic so strictly controlled?”

Yaza’s blood, nobles really do hate giving straight answers.

“Easy, magic is a gift from the gods and we must make sure their generosity is not misused. After all, think of the chaos that could be caused if just anyone could throw fireballs.”

“A good answer, but not the one I’m looking for. I’ll give you a hint, it relates to the first injunction of the Codex Iustitia.”

Tasha pondered, The first injunction stated that those who deviated from the form granted by the divine was to be put to death, she always assumed it was referring to anthrothropes or skinchangers.

“They've changed their bodies using magic?” it was the only conclusion she could fathom.

“Close, though lacking in a few important details. The truth is mana is poisonous, those who drink too deeply from the well of power or are exposed to uncontrolled mana will be warped in body and mind into the monsters you see before you, Aberrants.”

Tasha absorbed this information, why would they not tell her this? Mana coursed through her body, would she end up like them, twisted and deformed?

“Do not worry Tasha, as an enhancer you are much less likely to experience warping than a mage,” Emila said as if she could read her thoughts.

Bruno stood distant from the rest, his hands clenched and unclenched, his shoulders rose and fell as he took heavy breaths.

Quith chuckled, “My dear lady you misunderstand, we are the blessed. You have been blinded to the gifts of the Everchanger.”

“Quiet “ Tasha pressed her blade into Its back.

“You did good, Tasha. Not only did you protect our left flank single-handedly, but you also caught a prisoner.” Emila said. Tasha smiled this was the first time Emila had regarded her without contempt or indifference.

“Now abomination, it is inevitable that you will answer my questions; it is in your hands to decide how difficult it will be.” Emila hunched down so she was at eye level with the masked creature.

“Of course fair lady, I shall answer to the best of my ability.”

“Why did you attack us?”

“Did you not just say me and my kin were monsters? Does a snake need a reason to bite, a troll to rampage? If you are correct my lady, we need no reason.”

*Clang* Emila’s gauntlet slapped against its ironclad face. “Do not play games with me, beast. I will ask again and for your sake do not make me repeat myself. Why did you attack us?”

“We were paid to.”

“By whom?”

“I can not say, and before you strike me again, I have been oathbound, there is nothing you can do to make me say their name.”

Bruno’s fists balled, his breathing became rapid.

Tasha moved between him and the prisoner.

“For what reason did you ambush us?”

“The sun must set, a river must flow, and a man must eat. We needed the coin.”

“No you dolt, why did your benefactor hire you?”

“We had nothing better to do with our time and they had more coin then they needed.” his mouth was covered but Tasha could sense its smile

Emila clenched her jaw, “I will try this one more time, what was the specific motivation for your benefactor organizing the attack.”

“I do not know fair lady, I have never been one for asking questions.”

Bruno grunted, pushing past Tasha. she reached out and grabbed his shoulder, he shrugged her off like a gnat. He walked over to Quith.

“What are you … “ was Emila could say before Bruno raised his hands and brought them down in a hammer blow onto the top of the monster’s head. A wet crack, and then it slumped over unmoving.

“You fool, I was not done my questioning!”

Bruno grunted before walking over to his horse and mounting it

“He was a prisoner, he was entitled to a trial!” Tasha yelled.

Adaline inspected her shoes, John cleaned his sword.

“Both of you are wrong. Bruno, I did not give you the order to kill, Tasha monsters do not get a trial.”

Bruno kicked his horse’s flank and rode down the road. Tasha fumed but kept her mouth shut.

“Enough of this clusterfuck, we have places to be, Clean yourselves up, and let's get back on the road.” Emila swung her leg over her mount and followed Bruno.

John saddled up beside her a looted bow and quiver in his position, “Are you okay, Tash.”

“Yes, not a blow hit me.”

“No dumbass, you've never killed a man before today, and I know how that weighs on a soul.”

“Yes, I’m fine. You heard the lady we have to move.”

John mumbled and approached his horse.

He does have a point

She had heard of men who were burdened with the lives they had taken, feeling despair to their very cores, the faces of the dead haunting their minds. Tasha searched deep,

She found nothing