Tala was not disappointed by the lunch provided by the Gredial household.

Master Grediv’s house chefs were utterly fantastic.

The spread that was presented before Tala matched some of the feasts she’d participated in as an Eskau.

“Master Grediv, this is… This is amazing.”

Master Grediv simply smiled as he slowly ate his own, small portion.

Tala was only about half done with what had been brought for her, and she had room to spare. The enhancement and augmentation scripts around her digestive system were working more extensively than ever before.

As it turned out, the iron-lined inscriptions did a few interesting things, and this situation was giving her and Alat a good look at the results in a more controlled environment. Though, we’re definitely not controlling the situation sufficiently for a proper experiment.

First of all, the specific magic built up directly overlaying the spell-lines it tried to radiate from, still within the proper medium, so it was simply a direct power boost.

Tala had feared that the power wouldn’t be able to affect that which it was aimed at due to the iron interference, but once the power had built up sufficient resonance and weight, it simply passed through the iron, like water overflowing a bucket.

Something about her ownership over the iron let the magic pass through without heating it as Master Grediv’s power had. That was good, else she’d be constantly cooking herself.

The main benefit to this process was that this water had been made much denser before overflowing.

-That is an awful metaphor.-

True. Magic isn’t water.

-No, no it is not.-

Even so, there were other benefits.

Just like her iron paint, there were additional magical resonances created within the dimensions of magic, and their manifestations were carved upon reality in the light from their inefficiency as they could only be wasteful without a proper medium and direction.

All told, the overall effect was similar to her iron paint, but more efficient and more multiplicative.

As she continued to eat, she resumed examining herself critically.

Her biology shouldn’t work.

The iron within her was somehow occupying the same physical space as the rest of her, without displacing or interfering with anything except her magic, and the magic was only being reflected in a way that was beneficial to her.

It’s like the dasgannach. It somehow had no biology that we could detect, but still controlled the iron. What if it did actually have a biological component, just somehow stacked with the iron, dimensionally?

-Unlikely? I’d think that some of the myriad Archons studying the things would have noticed. If I had to guess I’d say that it’s likely something like the concepts of self, ownership, and existence. I could understand similar concepts being layered throughout your being and working to maintain your no-longer-reasonable biology.-

She thought back to Mage Furgal’s magesight when she’d arrived at this estate. He just saw my surface aura as projected by the through-spike. I didn’t feel the mildest touch of his power on me. I wonder if anything magical will be able to work on me at all.

-Aside from your own power?-

Yeah, aside from that.

Tala took a moment to drink down a ginger ale that was apparently brewed in house. “My goodness, Master Grediv. I don’t suppose you’d part with one or two of your cooking staff?”

The Paragon quirked a smile that was incredibly reminiscent of Rane. Or the other way around, really. “Their families have served mine for generations. They’re paid better than Bound, and any who wish to pursue magic are treated as members of my house. You couldn’t afford them.”

She sighed. “Very well. Everything is absolutely spectacular, even in comparison to what I’ve gotten used to, and I just came from a place of rather opulent luxury, in many ways.”

“Does that mean you’re ready to talk?” The Paragon had a soft smile, but he still seemed to be treading carefully.

Tala swallowed her latest bite. “You see, that’s the thing. I’m not going to want to tell this story over and over again. I can give you most of my memories to observe and answer questions afterwards?”

He took a sip of his own ginger ale, swallowed, and cocked his head to the side. “That could work. I forget that you have avenues usually only available to the more advanced, but what would I be viewing?”

“I was kidnapped… Mage-napped? Whatever. I was taken, mindwiped, and conscripted as an Eskau in the House of Blood.”

His mug fell to the floor and shattered. “What.”

“Which part?” She took another bite from her left, moving her right hand to rest beside Kit, carefully watching Master Grediv. What’s his issue?

“The last part.”

“I was conscripted as an Eskau of the House of Blood?” I swear, if he blames me for that…

Power began swirling around Master Grediv, and while it didn’t feel hostile, per se, the Paragon was definitely in incredible internal turmoil, and he was utterly focused on her like she’d never seen before.

It reminded her of a falcon watching a snake pass near their nest.

So, not instantly attacking, but wary. I suppose I can understand that. With a thought directed at Kit, a siege orb rolled out into her palm. I shouldn’t need this, but I will not be taken off guard again.

At that moment, the side door opened, and an achingly familiar voice floated in, “She’s here, isn’t she, Master Grediv? You ordered enough food for a caravan, and you were only seen with one guest.”

Tala turned to see Rane striding into the room.

His eyes met hers, and they both grinned broadly at that moment, Tala temporarily forgetting the tension of the situation around her.

Then, Rane’s eyes took in his mentor, and color drained from his face. “What did you do, Tala?”

Of course, he assumes it was me.

-First, you’re the only one here.-

That’s… fair.

-Second, it was you.-

You know what—

The door Rane had just come through slammed, and magics sealed the room.

Master Grediv’s voice filled the space, while remaining barely a whisper, “I cannot decide if you are being humorous, or suicidal.” He was utterly focused on her, seemingly ignoring Rane all together.

“Neither?” Don’t let on that you’re ready for violence. If I must strike, I will strike first and decisively. She didn’t let herself picture the other Eskau who’d helped drill that more deeply into her instincts.

Rane was looking back and forth with growing concern, his left hand resting on Force, his sword. He shifted his stance, using the movement to come deeper into the room and position himself very purposefully, and Tala was suddenly aware of two things.

One, Rane’s position would allow him to attempt to intercept anything that Master Grediv sent her way.

Two, Rane was nearly halfway to Refined, startlingly barely a rank and a half below his mentor. He might actually be able to block what he intercepted, at least temporarily.

-I wonder if the two of you could take Master Grediv.-

No thoughts like that, Alat. I’m ready, but I don’t want to fight. Not now.

-…it’s the food, isn’t it. You don’t want to destroy anything and miss out?-

…It’s really good, alright?

Master Grediv continued to ignore Rane as he clarified his question. “They do not allow Eskau to leave. They only send them on missions. So, you have come back as the sword of a hostile power?”

Tala stood slowly, careful to not make any sudden or hostile movements. “I slew my Pillar, the rusting bloodstain who stole me from my home, erased my mind to construct a loyal sycophant, and tried to kill me with the dasgannachs in his final moment. Then, the House of Blood cast me into the Doman-Imithe to die from the cursed creatures that had invaded my very being. The chains that bound me to the House of Blood are dissolved, and I am well rid of them.”

Tala felt her own soul resonating with the conviction of her words. She knew they were true, and she felt her hatred of Be-thric echoing in her words as they faded into the simple sound of silence.

That silence grew like a cancer for what seemed like an eternal moment.

Finally, slowly, the power around Master Grediv stilled, and he nodded. “It seems like there is much to discuss, Mistress Tala, and I was foolish to consider keeping that discussion small.” He glanced to Rane. “We leave for Bandfast in one hour. If you wish to come, be ready.”

Master Grediv was gone in the next moment, and Tala turned to Rane. “How does he do that?”

Rane was shaking his head, but at her question, he shifted to snatch a mini-chicken-potpie from the table. “Something about aligning his soul with the world around himself, or locking the air in place as he passes so there’s no disturbance, no matter how fast he goes. He seems to only do it within cities, though, so it won’t be an instantaneous trip to Bandfast.”

Rane ate the pie in one bite, and Tala glared. “Hey! That was mine.”

He grinned, only a couple of crumbs sticking to his lips. It took only a moment for him to chew and swallow. “Oh, I’m aware. The whole kitchen refused to take orders for an hour. How do you think I knew you were here?”

Tala thought back. They had brought in the food in waves.

“I’m hungry, and we’re leaving. We won’t be going caravan speeds, but you should still expect one night on the road at least.” He looked around. “Where’s Terry?”

Terry squawked from under the table where he was stretched out on his back.

While they were both distracted, Tala placed the readied siege orb back into Kit. Disaster averted.

Rane quirked a smile as he took in the relaxed state of the terror bird. “You didn’t want to interfere any?”

Terry cracked his eye at Rane, then trilled dismissively and closed it.

Rane’s smile broadened. “Yeah, we were fine. You’re right. I missed you, Terry.”

The terror bird cracked the eye open again to regard the big man for a bit longer this time.

A moment later, Terry flickered up to stand on Rane’s shoulder, sized small to fit on his perch, and gave Rane a light headbutt to the cheek.

Rane’s smile stretched to a happy grin as he scratched the avian head. “I’m glad you’re back.”

His eyes moved to regard Tala, and the smile quirked to one side.

Tala found herself standing, arms crossed, a frown building across her features. “You weren’t worried at all, were you?”

He laughed. “Oh, you have no idea, but”—something seemed to stop him, and he shook his head—“I knew that if anyone would, you’d have a chance. I knew you’d seize that and come back.”

She really didn’t know how to feel about that.

On one hand, she was glad that he thought her so capable, and the sentiment made her want to give him a grateful hug.

On the other hand, she wanted to punch him in the face and scream, ‘Don’t you realize how scared I was? I needed help! I was imprisoned by a monster. I was alone. I didn’t need someone believing in me. I needed someone to come get me free!’

Tala felt her emotions roiling, and before she knew it, she’d ducked her head, and her whole body was shaking, tears beginning to flow.

“Tala?”

She buried her face in her hands and felt building sobs of terror and relief, anger and catharsis, impotence and freedom.

He was standing in front of her in an instant, and he barely hesitated before placing his hands on her shoulders comfortingly.

Tala stiffened just briefly, fearing the dasgannach’s influence for a moment, but she felt no desire rise within her. She wasn’t going to rip the iron from his flesh.

With that additional spike of fear and the quick removal of the same, she was utterly overcome.

She stepped forward, pressing her head, face still in her hands, against his chest and wept.

Rane encircled her with his arms and held her without a word.

Terry rested his head on hers as well.

It was long minutes before her shudders subsided and her tears slowed.

She didn’t move right away, taking comfort in what felt like the first non-hostile contact she’d had in… she didn’t know how long.

Eventually, Rane stepped back, replacing his hands on her shoulders. “Are you alright, Tala?”

Terry flickered to Tala’s shoulder and headbutt her cheek.

She huffed a laugh, scratched Terry’s head, and wiped at her nose. “No, but I think I will be.”

He offered her a napkin from the table, and she wiped her eyes before blowing her nose. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” He tilted his head to one side. “Do you want a bit of time? I need to pack some things, and you’ve food to eat. I can come back, or I can wait.”

Tala looked at the table half-full of food, then to Rane. “One moment.”

She quickly picked up each serving tray and stuck it into Kit. Less than a minute later, she pulled out a chicken pie of her own. “Lead on.”

She took an overly obvious bite, and Rane grinned. “Alright.”

Together, they left the now empty dining room.

Tala pulled out a bit of jerky and tossed it to the side.

Terry chirruped happily and flickered to catch the treat and return.

She almost tripped as she realized what that actually meant. I saw him move. I saw it!

-Yeah, I did too. Even though I can only use your eyes at the moment.-

Tala huffed a laugh. “Rane?”

The large man glanced her way. “Yeah?”

“Is this acceptable in this compound?” She motioned as she pulled her bloodstars up into their standard formation. She left the rod, sphere, and plates in their holsters, only pulling the three blood drops into their orbits and the fourth into its place behind the base of her skull.

Rane regarded them for a moment, then shrugged. “Most people won’t even notice them. Your aura is extended in a bit of a bubble around you, and they’re within that, which hides their magical nature.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

He smiled at that. “Of course.”

They left the main building of the compound, but Tala didn’t pay too much attention to where they went even as she ate at the feast she’d brought along.

The first place they went, however, seemed to be the kitchens.

Rane talked to the staff there, joking with some even as he stepped in to help while they talked. In the end, he shook hands with the head chef, and they left.

Tala had taken the time to eat more of the food from Kit. Additionally, while she didn’t step deeply into the kitchens as the staff seemed quite busy, Tala was able to engage at least a few of the cooks to thank them for the tasty food they’d provided

They’d all seemed at least a little surprised when she conveyed that it had all been for her.

Well, Master Grediv ate some, but that’s a given.

Rane smiled her way as they walked towards their next destination. “We’ll stop back through here as the last thing before we meet up with Master Grediv.”

“Alright.”

The Gredial library was extensive, and there was even a librarian, seemingly deep in study. Even so, he stood when they arrived and walked over to bow before them.

“Master Rane, Mistress, how can I serve?”

Rane smiled and quietly explained what he was hoping to take with him on the trip: mainly some more obscure reference books.

The Librarian bowed again, and went about gathering the needed texts.

Tala was a bit confused. “Don’t you have an Archive tablet?”

He shrugged. “Of course.”

“Then, why do you need the hard texts?”

“I like the feel of real paper and leather. For the more… obtuse texts, having the physical volumes helps me to focus.” He shrugged again.

Once the Librarian handed over the requested books, and Rane had tucked them into his dimensional storage, Rane thanked the man and departed with Tala and Terry in tow.

They made several other stops around various parts of the compound, gathering a variety of odds and ends.

Tala only waited outside one door, and that was to Rane’s room while he changed his clothes and gathered the last of his things. That only took a few minutes, all told.

Finally, they returned to the kitchens, where Rane led Tala to a spread of food and a stack of road-rations. He put the rations into his own storage and gestured to the food. “I figured you might want more.”

Tala shook her head but smiled. “I can’t say you’re wrong, but you could have asked.”

He shrugged, smiling. “I’m happy to take it if you don’t want it.”

“No, no. I’ll take it.” She quickly added the food, all packaged for travel, into Kit. “Thank you.”

“I’m glad it is a benefit. You’re welcome.”

That was all that Rane had to do to prepare to leave, so they thanked the kitchen staff and headed back to the main building.

Thus, they returned to the main house and the entry hall, seemingly a bit earlier than required.

As they’d walked about in relative silence, Tala had taken note of all the statues that were scattered throughout the whole compound. Now that they’d come to a stop, she decided to ask after them. “There are a lot of statues around.”

Rane grinned. “There are a bit too many, aren’t there.” It wasn’t really a question.

She shrugged. “They’re really well done.”

“Oh?” He seemed surprised and hesitant for some reason.

“Yeah. Not only are they mostly accurate, from what I can tell, but they each evoke… truth? I don’t know. The predators feel dangerous; the prey seem on the edge of bolting; the people seem to have just stopped mid-stride. Even though they’re stone, there’s life in them.” She shrugged and smiled. “They’re nice.”

Rane blinked at her, seemingly at a loss for words. “I… Well, I’m glad you like them.”

He seemed like he was about to say more, but Tala was already turning to look around. “Where is Master Grediv? We really should be going.”

Rane almost seemed to be struggling with himself, but then he just smiled. “Yeah, we should get on the road. It would be good to be well on the way to Bandfast before dark.”

Tala simply nodded. On the road again, but this time I’m not alone.

-We’re heading home, our real hometown.-

Yeah. I can’t wait.