Lily May made a decision. Lately, she hadn't really made any. Not any that were important. Maybe she'd never made one? Her brother and his buddy liked to play Knights, and she'd tag along. It was fun! But, she never really believed him when he said he would be a Knight one day. The Orders were supposed to be very difficult to get into. Everyone knew that. Especially when you came from a nowhere village, and the nearest town was a half-month away. Well, technically they were a town, but not an important one. Not a single minstrel had ever sung a song about her hometown, just far off places she'd never seen. They were the kind of town that had houses and metal smiths and all the necessary stuff, but not the things you found in towns people wanted to visit.

  Like the Treasure Hunters! She had wanted to join them, but her Ma had told her they only took smart people. May—which she liked to be called, Lily May was too flowery (hah!) for her taste—knew she wasn't smart. She could do stuff. Like, she had made some decent woven bags and built pretty nice things out of wood, like cabinets. The wood had to be planed down for her and stuff, but she could make something you could use! Just not the pretty stuff.

  She was… competent. Her Pa, he used to call her 'Jacob's best minion'. If she was told to do something, she would get it done. Even if it took a while. Ask her for a cabinet with fancy carvings, well, she made the cabinet and paid a bit for someone else to make it pretty. It wasn't cheating, it was getting the job done!

  So, getting back to the point, she was amazed at how hard her brother tried. Of course, when he asked her to help him train, she learned the sword. Surprisingly, her parents were eager to pay for her lessons. She got really good, too. Her brother even said she was a bit better than him. When it came to skill, she was better! But, being a girl, she just wasn't as strong. As much as she liked the flattery, she was just happy to be helpful.

  When he finally went to the city to become a Knight, her brought her and John along. He'd practiced long and hard, and he thought he could make it. They all did really well. The Knights praised her skill with a sword, too. Not strong enough, but they assured her that being a Knight would fix that. Jacob and John had skills too, but they were only good enough to be soldiers of the Order. Being a Knight meant being Awakened, and they weren't good enough for the Order to justify Awakening them over the others. Except, well, the Knights had offered to let just her join. She didn't tell John and her bother about that. They'd be jealous, and she didn't want that.

  They also learned about squires, which they had all thought were just sword bearers or servants of the Knights. Instead, they were all that and young Knights-in-training. That was what they should have tried for, but they were too old to be squires now. There was also the possibility of starting as soldiers and earning a promotion to Knight. It was really rare to make it that way. A soldier told them it hadn't happened in the last ten years that he knew of. Most Knights liked soldiers, got along with them, but saw the soldiers as washouts and hopefuls who would never quite be good enough.

  Her brother was angry, but when he calmed down they talked about it. They could be soldiers, and it was like being a Knight. Her brother and John wanted to be heroes of legend and myth. And she? She just wanted to help them. They could be soldiers doing grunt work, waiting for the annual tournament each year that could see them raised as Knights. Every year, their chances would worsen, as while they would gain skill and experience, they were all already in the prime of their youth. It was downhill from here, and they would compete with talented youths who intended to join the Order like they had along with all the other hopeful soldiers.

  Soldiers didn't travel much, unless they had to fight someone, and none of them really wanted to go to the north war. Not without being a Knight at least. So, they decided to be little heroes and became merchant guards. The villagers they met would remember them, and the merchants were usually fine with them doing odd jobs when they were resting. They claimed it was so they could get the extra pay, but really they just wanted the villagers to tell stories about them. If they couldn't be heroic Knights, then they at least wanted to be remembered and welcomed.

  Sometimes they would meet a Knight-Errant. It sounded so nice, being strong enough to travel around with just a squire and some servants, having people excited to see you as someone who could solve their Big Problems. As nice as it sounded, it hurt to see the excitement and envy in the guys' eyes.

  Then, the bandits happened. It made her stomach clench to remember it, and tears came to her eyes. She really missed her brother. John too. She'd been thinking about marrying him. He was good-looking enough, they enjoyed sack time together, and he respected her. Sure he never told her, but he didn't need to! Unlike her brother, he treated her politely. She wasn't minion number one either, but just another sibling. That had never bothered her. Really, it had made her a bit happy.

  But, they were both dead now, and she was at a loss. She'd been happy being her brother's tag-along. Now, there was the weird masked person. She was a little disappointed it was a woman. Men were easier to be around. Less backhanded compliments, or competing to see who could wear the least practical clothes. They made fun of her when she refused to play their games. Thankfully, Biyu barely acted like a woman. She hid her face instead of painting it, didn't play games, and never even insinuated anything! Her words were sparse, and exactly what she meant to say.

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  She also never actually asked her for anything. Even John would ask her to hold a bag or something sometimes. Little things. But, Biyu did stuff for her. Like the blessing. It gave her a hint of what it meant to be Awakened, now that she knew why she felt stronger and livelier lately. That… that was just awesome. Just, being just a bit more like the swordswoman she wanted to be.

  When Biyu taught her how to commune, she'd never felt so close to another person, except when in bed… and even that was usually less… wham! She just didn't have the words, even for herself. But, they were closer than ever! Closer than her and her brother.

  So, Lily May made a decision. She decided she would help Biyu. Biyu didn't want the Oath. She didn't want Lily May to be a 'cultist' (whatever that meant). So far as Lily May could tell, she only accepted it because breaking an Oath could lead to bad things, depending on the god who witnessed it. So, she wouldn't tell Biyu about her decision. She didn't know how to help, but she had a good idea whom to ask. Biyu's Sacred Beast master. A petty god. A demon, like Biyu. Gods and demons were things Lily May didn't know much about, except from stories, so she started with something simple Biyu had taught her. A prayer.

  She prayed to Biyu's master. That's how she thought about it, at least. She focused on Biyu's blessing on her, something she thought she could feel now that she knew it was there, and she sent the prayer into it. She hoped Biyu wouldn't feel it, but if she did, there was nothing she could do.

  So, my cute little disciple has a cute little worshiper! Child, tell this ancient serpent why you call on her?

  Lily May looked around. It was different from talking to Biyu. She had a body. There was a swamp of dark waters and slick trees with purple leaves. She stood at the edge of the water, upon a bit of stone jutting in, and before her was an immense serpent. It was alabaster with ruby eyes. "Um, hello! Oh!" She went into a bow after getting her bearings. "Greetings to Lady Serpent!"

  She could feel that the serpent was amused, and waiting for her to get on with it.

  "How can I help Biyu? I know she's a demon, but… if I kill someone in a fight or something, how do I make sure she gets the soul?"

  The serpent lowered its head, peering at her closely. I see. You are not a worshiper. Someone she blessed? Yes, but also there is a tie. Oath sworn? That is enough, but I will answer the question you asked in the spirit you asked. You have to worship her, of course. Act in her name and your deeds shall all be hers.

  "Will she know? She doesn't want me worshiping her. I think she wants to get me out of the Oath somehow, so if she finds out I'm doing this willingly…"

  Oh, that silly child, said the serpent fondly. But, you know the Heavens will be denied you? She is, if you think about it, trying to save your soul.

  "In my Oath, I pledged her my soul. I don't think the Heavens are open to me no matter what I do now."

  Oh? Then perhaps you are a champion? I envy her that, if so. I have heard of such things, but never have I had a guardian of my own. Have I answered your questions, Chosen of the Serpent's Disciple?

  "Okay. And… what else can I do to help her? Like, if I Awakened, would it help her? Or would it, like, interfere?"

  If you Awaken then you may use your power in her service, instead of her spending her own power to strengthen you. You could empower each other. Those are things that are better learned by experience than words, but the basic answer is yes, you will help her. I cannot Awaken you, and Biyu should not. It is better if you are on a separate Path, to shore up your master's weaknesses.

  She wilted. "Oh. So, you won't help me Awaken?"

  I will, under one condition. Requirement, really. You must be willing to meet with a follower of Elfé.

  The word made her shudder instinctively. "Okay."

  Even if you must meet them unarmed and naked, alone, in the woods?

  "Yes."

  What do you think your purpose is, child?

  "I… I support. I serve. I sit at the feet of greatness to boost them up. I complete the task. I achieve the goal. I accept my Master's decisions."

  That is not a good Path to personal power, but a good Path to walk behind another. If Biyu dies, will your Path break?

  She tried not to look sad as she said, "Biyu's my second master. My Path won't break on death… and my loyalty continues unto death."

  What do you think will be useful to your Master?

  "Magics? Techniques? I'd like to commune with her while we do other things, so she's never alone. But, that's a bit stupid to ask for. She's promised to find a way to do that already. She's a sneaky type, and I'd like to do that too, but… being able to protect her when she isn't sneaky enough is what I want. I want the ability to defend her. And, she wants to kill people who are steeped in vice. I want to help her do that. So, the ability to find the people she should kill."

  If you die you could be a guardian spirit, teased the serpent. I have a person in mind who can give you a Path with a bit of that. A Path of wind. Farspeak, fast travel, and high mobility to let you get between danger and Biyu easily. Oracle Paths are rare… the one I know I have no favors to call on. You can seek them out, but to do so will risk your life.

  "If I die, well, Biyu gets me, right? So, it isn't all loss."

  The serpent asked curiously, Why are you so adamant in helping her?

  Smiling, May sat back and told her the story of her and her brother, and then of her and Biyu.