I take a moment to listen to the conversation. My attention pulled from my embroidery to hear the latest conspiracy.

  Cea will be alone after her speech. She is set to retire in the Vandilia private garden.

  A perfect opportunity then. Gather the rest. We will not allow her to escape.

  What of Tra'nila, will we get support?

  Their prince will arrive for the speech, he will attempt to accompany the witch.

  I take a moment to sigh. My net of voices has grown. At least two other conspiracies have plots for my post speech rest. All different locations. I had given different spots to those who consider themselves my confidants. I have at least three traitors I know of now. A bit of melancholy infects me with the thought that there are likely more. This one though. If I spring it, I will be able to claim the prince. And cause a war.

  Is Cea'nila ready to fight? Our population is small, my purges were many. I was the highest level Elf in my lands and the oldest. I never wanted this. It's lonely. My only solace is my children. But aside from Sencea, they left the castle after they came of age. I will need a new Tapestry. But first a war to plan.

  -----

  “If you give me a moment Cea, I would like to speak with you?” I look at the prince.

  “Lingrtal, you are quite aggressive to want a word after I had to give such a lengthy speech.”

  He frowns, "That's just it, I wish to discourage you from going to your planned rest away.” I raise an eyebrow to this. He sees it as an invitation to continue. “I know well the continued pressure of assassins. They offered me a part in yours but I doubt they are capable.”

  He was older than me, his level comparable to mine. I give a smile, “Did you not consider that with you they could succeed?”

  He scratched the back of his head, “To be fair, I feel they would lose even with me. Who hasn't heard of your prowess on the battlefield.”

  My suicidalness has garnered a reputation of being fearless. Not one to discourage such a rumor but it's all absurd. I give a small smile at the thought. He misunderstands.

  “There is no need to be humble.” He gives a big grin.

  Is he? Speaking of absurd. Well, I don't exactly need to claim his kingdom through war if diplomacy is possible.

  “Fancy a bit of subversive removal, prince?”

  “Call me Lin, if you would.”

  -----

  This is a daily reminder: You have 416 unallocated stat points

  I wake up, my cheeks flush. I shiver a bit. To be at it for a week is beyond absurd. Stats are one thing but such carnality. She definitely called him Lin. From many different…I hold my face, feeling the heat.

  “Something wrong, Cea?”

  I peek a look through my fingers at Glindinal and grow even more bothered. I squeaked out a nothing before hiding under my silk blanket. It would be a bit before I let myself be seen. I could have sworn there was a wry smile from her. I know Mags was awake and holding a laugh.

  I almost didn't notice. So easy to forget. To be distracted. It's gone.

  -----

  “So you met the first consort.” Glindinal says while poking at her three meat surprise.

  “Ah, yes. Met is a word for it.” I reply, feeling a return of embarrassment.

  Glindinal grows in delight, “Your embarrassment is hilarious, it's not like it's Cea first time.”

  “Cea early flings were quite disappointing for her and well she never gave me the memories of her times with Malcor.”

  Glindal frowns, “I don't recall that prince but did Cea really have relations with her son?”

  My embarrassment is gone, I talk very slowly. “He was my first love, do not imply untoward things.”

  “Sara.” I blink and go to correct her, she rolls her eyes. “Yes Cea, I know. I don't know this Malcor, so he wasn't your son then. Who was he? Are the princes named after him?”

  It's annoying how they use my name to break my chain of thought. Every attention that can hear immediately focuses on correcting whoever did it. Nevermind, “He was. Malcor was an adventurer guildmaster who was my mate. He was my first child's father. I broke him in the end, his Tapestry unraveled after the news of our son's own unraveling.”

  Glindinal studies me closely, “First, not your mate or son. Second, are you sure it was the sons unraveling?”

  I glare at her with such hatred, but then grip my face. A small giggle passes my lips. “You're right of course, they are just things I am witnessing. Cea knows it's her fault but even through me, she lies about it. I” I closed my eyes, “Cea knew he was as broken by the news as she was. He also struggled with the destruction and slaughter he witnessed Cea do in the war. That Cea came to him after she had slaughtered the royal line of Arc'nila and requested his efforts in her bedchamber. It was too much.” I frown, “You were part of the queen guard and nobility yourself, how did you not know Cea consort?”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Perhaps it hasn't happened yet but Cea started messing with memories at some point. People's names started leaving others' memories.”

  “And they didn't return after the geas was removed?” I ask.

  “Certainly not this Malcor.”

  Just how much of history had Cea removed. Had she rewritten it as well? Had she rewritten her own? I feel so far it's been true, none of it feels self serving.

  “I think perhaps we should go over her memories everyday to see differences in narratives.” I suggest.

  “Not just looking to spend more time with me.” She gives me a coy smile.

  It meets my own but then it falters.

  -----

  “Ready to try again.” Mags ask.

  I nod. I push against her aura. It doesn't budge.

  “Think you can let up at all, mother.” I growl.

  “‘Fraid not. You know it would just be an opportunity for her. Try to imagine your infusing twice as much mana as before. What you want is density.”

  I nod at her words and push again.

  [Mana Aura] becomes [Mana Aura 2] Basic 1

  Mana Aura 2 - Still a mana aura, now with a 2

  Basic - You can resist master class magics with your resists in your aura

  Gain 2 exp

  I frown. Mags raises an eyebrow. “I got aura two but it's only a tier two skill. Just how many are there?”

  “Mine stopped at intermediate nine of that tier. There is an aura strengthening at apprentice, then a soul construct and resist tiers. I suspect you might be able to gain aura three though.” I narrow my eyes at the suggestion. Mags assumes the deity stat is what is holding her progression back. “I see you understand what I am getting at.”

  “What is she getting at?” Glindinal asks as she struggles against Mags's aura as well.

  Mags has a wry grin while I give her an annoyed look. She did that on purpose.

  “Well?” The Elf presses.

  “When we are heading to Yetna.” I pause. “I actually don't want to say, it will change how you think of me.”

  She rolls her eyes, “Exactly what great revelation could change my opinion now?”

  Great revelation would be right. “Nope, my secret. I'm not telling.”

  Mags laughs as Glindinal scowls.

  “When are we heading to Yetna?” Glindinal asks.

  “After I make a replacement for my necklace. I only just hit tier two in void resistances.” Glindinal looks to the recently etched anvil. I sigh and take off the necklace. I can't delay this. I switch to my fire tail. “I see the look, lass. I'll get on it.” It only makes Mags bark another laugh.

  I studied the necklace a bit. The runes are sketched into a scale, not metal. A rather large one at that. I frown at it. Then shrug and remove just a skeletal hand this time. Much to Glindinal chagrin. Reforming it drives a bit of thirst but it's not an issue. I heat the metal and form a circular pendant. While still soft, I carve the runes with my skeletal nail even as I pull the heat from it.

  “If you could have done it this fast, why hadn't you?” Glindinal admonishes.

  I give her a one eye squint before resting the new pendant in my hand. I channel mana into it. It creates the void construct but my resist barely even feels it. I add more mana and when my skin starts to take damage the pendant shatters.

  “I was afraid of that.” Mags opines.

  Glindinal gives the Elf usual, “I don't understand.”

  I explain, “My mithril can resist up to my level of void damage. If it can hurt me, it can break my mithril. Is it possible to buy a scale of the creature the original was made from?”

  Mags shakes her head, “It's rare to see them on the market, you'd be emptying your account just for a chance at auction.”

  “Why not just kill one then?” Glindinal asks.

  “It's from the Calamity, isn't?” I ask, even though I am sure of the answer. Mags simply gives me a nod. I sigh. I break off my hand again.

  “I thought you needed a scale.” Glindinal remarked.

  “Different approach.”

  -----

  I held the knife in my hand. Not exactly a locket. I had made so many. This one etching was different from the usual golem rune.

  “Daughter, are you sure?” Mags asks me. Knowing I had avoided it for so long.

  “What's so—” Glindinal starts to ask as my right hand plunges the knife into my left palm. My thirst grows and my magic parts my bones. The blood coats and goes into the etchings. I pulled it out. The blood in the etching remains while the rest remains clean. I close the wound. “Why would you do that?”

  I hand the Elf the blade, hilt first. She feels the pull. It pulls towards the center of my being. I give a sad smile, “If I am to request something from the [Queen], I must give her something she wants.”

  “You could always get the necklace after. You don't have to rush.” She sees my distress but not why.

  “Glindinal, I lost two years of my life in the village when I woke up. My excess soul has been colored in Cea. It's now eating my own memories to make room for her. I need you to get Lea here.”

  “How does this knife help then? We should get you out there. More animals. Maybe an execution. Anything?”

  I wince, “I still haven't dreamt the bear I ate a few days ago. I can't solve this through soul eating. I need to be able to level.”

  Magdeline steps next to me. “Did you know when you…”

  When I bequeathed my soul to her that she was borrowing. I give a sad smile, “No, but I doubt I would have done anything differently.”

  A sad smile graces Mags' face before she gains her face of command. “Glindinal, get Leander here, then gather supplies for a carriage.” She then yells, “Cecelia, I need you here.” She walks to the door as there is a rush of steps. They begin discussing while Glindinal stares at her stomach. The fox pops out and then Lea is there.

  “Something happening?” Lea asks, noticing the movement in the room.

  I walk up to her, “I need you to use your levels.”

  Lea searches my eyes. She sees the look I give her. “Young one, come here and hold her.” Glindinal doesn't understand. Magdeline returns after sending Cecelia off and drapes herself over my back.

  “Glindinal, come. My daughter is about to experience a great deal of pain.”

  She rushes over. All in an embrace. “Sorry.” I mouth to Lea. This will hurt us both. She has a brave smile.

  “Anything for our [Queen].”

  Soul raised to 580

  Soul raised to 589

  My soul burns. It's not thirst that greets me but pain. Seems the metaphorical is still as painful as ever.

  “Ready?” Lea asks as she holds her own body.

  I nod.

  Soul raised to 598

  Soul raised to 607

  I huff out a breath. A giggle escape. Unnecessary lungs adding to my stress. My eyes refocus after a bit. I see her sad smile and I nod.

  Soul raised to 616

  Soul raised to 625

  A moment.

  Soul raised to 634

  Soul raised to 643

  Soul raised to 652

  Soul raised to 661

  “I need a moment. Not sure how you expand your soul so much.”

  Lea was a head priestess now as well. Does it give soul as well or did it require laughing demon? The door opens. Cecelia walks forward looking a bit angry. She leans to Mags. “She'll see her in two hours.” Mags nods and releases me to give me over to Cecelia. She herself walks over to Lea. She cuts her hands and gives a bit of blood to the exhausted Kitsune. Lea perks up a bit.

  “You're evil, you know that.” Lea huffs out.

  Mags quirks her lips a bit as she pulls Lea into an embrace, “As much as mother needs to be to ensure her daughter's survival."

  Soul raised to 680

  Soul raised to 689