Lady Chelsea and her retinue were making plans and initial preparations to leave. Their current plan was to head to Lonely Knoll, a large nearby Southland city, to spend the winter. Biyu had yet to learn the price for May's Awakening. None doubted it was coming. Gods never gave boons without expecting a price being paid. Sometimes, the boon was the price. Those ironies of 'be careful what you wish for' made their own corpus among the popular stories.

  Currently, Lady Chelsea was having drink with Biyu, Sir Leon, and Anya. Anya had been recalcitrant in attending, citing the recent breaking of their engagement, but Lady Chelsea had bullied her with the fact that she was her retainer and had a duty to attend.

  "Still no word about what favor is due for May's Awakening?" asked Lady Chelsea conversationally. Sir Leon had been quietly glaring at Lady Chelsea the whole time. Anya was quiet too, but hers was an inward turned brooding.

  "No. I think Shadow Gate should be our next destination," Biyu said. "May has a contact there to find a person for a technique she would like to learn."

  "Perhaps next year, but it's too far to travel before winter sets in. I have no intention of traveling a thousand miles in the snow. Besides, it's better to pay what's owed before incurring further debt. Just don't dive through the Shadow Gate on some wild whim while we're there."

  "I would not. If I do have to go through the Shadow Gate, then I will invite you and hire help."

  "Mercenaries?" Lady Chelsea asked. She was not amused.

  "Yes. Anton's family lives in the Shadow Lands. He says they have an excellent reputation. I am sure the Treasure Hunters can provide introductions."

  Lady Chelsea nodded along with that, then glanced over to Sir Leon. "You should participate a bit more, cousin."

  "You have two Awakened now. Are you planning to start an Order?"

  Biyu blinked at the non sequitur, and then became thoughtful. "I can do that?"

  Lady Chelsea gave her cousin a flat look, before turning to explain to Biyu.

  "There are steps, but you can. Orders have a mission that serves as their foundation. They have to create a charter that outlines their organization, roles, and procedures. There are standard charters that can be used as a reference. Most Orders have a headquarters," Lady Chelsea waved a hand generally at the surrounding compound. "They are granted their mandate by the Imperial Family or a noble family. One who holds a fief like a Lord of the Road, or maybe a Lord of the Fortress. The sponsoring noble provides resources, like land and food, and the Order operates as part of the noble family's military forces. They only operate where the mandate of their sponsor, or sponsors, permit. That said, they can lend their members to other Orders as well. Knight-Errants have special rules.

  "Let's take the Order of Fire Axes as an example. Their primary mission is to control forest fires. They have chapters in many towns both in and out of March Flatwoods domain, because, unlike most Orders, they have been granted their mandate by multiple Marches. The Fire Axes also have people on rotation through the villages in their region, like the Knight who helped with the Goblins. They build towers for spotting smoke above the treeline. In addition to the ability to control fire, they also have members whose Paths are fast transport and speaking over long distance. They don't have many of those, so they also use semaphores for sending messages between towers. Their far speakers are limited to chapter houses, as messengers during times of crisis. They have military strength, so they are auxiliaries or a reserve force in terms of combat, except the ones levied to go north."

  Biyu blinked. "I thought all Orders were military in nature?"

  Lady Chelsea shook her head. "Most are military, but not primarily. The most common Orders are paramilitary at most, like the Guard Orders mandated by some City Lords. Anyone can join, but they have codes of conduct and are supposed to be harsh to lawbreakers in their ranks. Of course, they're usually corrupt, but if it gets out of hand the mandate can be withdrawn and another Order called in to suppress them.

  "My own Order is actually affiliated with a Guild. During a Goblin invasion a few generations ago, where a couple of Goblin Kings worked together, Shadow Gate was besieged. My ancestors needed to build a new wall to slow them down, but we also needed to slow them down to build that wall. So my ancestors used their skills to act as a temporary wall while they waited for the other members of the Mason Guild to build the physical one. So, our mission is 'Be the Wall'. Our mandate is under the Governor of Shadow Gate Province, making us an Imperial Order. Though, we have strong ties with March Shadowgate too. We send our members to support other Orders, and we're involved in the northern war."

  "Are you trying to help her create an Order?" Sir Leon asked.

  Lady Chelsea shrugged. "She doesn't have the resources to create one. Right now she's two Transcendents. One is an Initiate, and while Lady Biyu might be equivalent to a Knight, that's just barely. Put together the fact that she doesn't have land to support an Order properly, well, what do you have to worry about?"

  Sir Leon frowned harder at Lady Chelsea. "You say all that, but she's… her. I think the world will bend to give her an Order."

  Lady Chelsea began to scoff, but then she really considered it. "You had better not," she finally said to Biyu.

  Sir Leon looked increasingly unhappy.

  So did Biyu. Her lips were pursed, and beneath her mask her eyes were slits. Then she looked thoughtful. Sir Leon asked, "What?"

  "I can talk to the Treasure Hunters. Offer my services to hunt down leads for people that should be put down. When I have a good lead, I can work with Orders in the area to suppress them. No Order of my own is necessary. I had thought about it while I was watching the Wizard tower."

  Sir Leon and Lady Chelsea glanced at each others. "See, she was plotting on making an Order without actually making one," he said. Lady Chelsea nodded in agreement.

  Suddenly, Biyu smiled. Then she frowned. Then she sighed. Grimacing, she turned to Lady Chelsea. "May has company for the night. I think… I'll get a room at the inn."

  "Nonsense. You will stay with me," Lady Chelsea said.

  "No plans with Sir Richard?"

  "No, and I could cancel if I did. However, now that you can walk, I had best keep a close eye on you."

  "Are you planning to marry him?" Sir Leon interjected.

  "You know that's not my choice. It'll be discussed when I get back. Grandpa staved off the politics while I was living my dream. When we return, I'll be meeting men my family have arranged for me. It might be politics, but they do want my marriage to be a good one." She glanced at Biyu. "Have you had a romance?" she asked. Anya scowled at her, and Lady Chelsea gave a sympathetic wince at her faux pas.

  Biyu thought about it, ignoring the byplay. Indu had been the closest, but she had never really seen it that way. Anya had offered, but the woman had decided Biyu's ham-fisted reciprocation was rejection. She decided to go along with it. While she felt less wary around the woman, her only interest in spending time with her was when she was the only option. She did not know Alan well, but he was a member of the Order. They would part ways in the not too distant future. She looked for words to answer Lady Chelsea, and what she decided on was, "I have been courted a few times, but… I do not think I am made for romance."

  "Perhaps you have not met the person who sparks your interest," Lady Chelsea said. "I suppose you never fantasized about it?"

  "Not the romance, but I did imagine having a family. A husband who was happy to see me. Children who clamored for my attention. Childish things like that. I have never desired to touch someone in a carnal fashion."

  Sir Leon lifted his hand to draw attention. "Do remember, I'm here. I must say, I don't really want this horror show in my head."

  Lady Chelsea gave a perfunctory punch in Sir Leon's arm. "If you'd like, there is a man or two at the Order I can introduce you to."

  "I'm still shocked May isn't the one given… that," Sir Leon said.

  Biyu shrugged. "We are close. Is it a romance if there is nothing physical to it?"

  "It isn't always about wanting to touch someone," Anya said. "Sometimes, it's just wanting to be with them. You wake up wanting to see them, and you miss them in your dreams if they aren't there. Not every love revolves around the bedroom."

  Sir Leon was too curious not to ask, "Have you loved someone like that?"

  Smiling, Anya shook her head. "Just a confusing relationship where a girl I knew flirted with me, but was confused when I offered to sleep with her. Even after that, she still flirted with me. Maybe it's just my hopeful daydream about how she felt?"

  Both of the Knights looked a little uncomfortable at Anya's story.

  Sir Leon sighed. "Okay, let me tell you a story. There was a Knight named Larry. That wasn't his name, but that's what we'll call him. Larry was a grand knight; an Elite. Famous across the lands. He got involved in a big fight with the People of Elfé. A real war. A town burned, and Larry's family died. He stoically proclaimed vengeance. A few battles later, his shield mate got killed, and the guy broke down. Big messy tears. After that, he was a shell of a man. He could talk about the wife, but mention his shield mate and the man was inconsolable." He shrugged. "Some said he just had the family to hide his true love. A lot of Knights will tell you that your family is a little dream you have sometimes, but the guy next to you is who you share your life with. Us? We're too green to know for sure. Not one of us has been in a campaign."

  Biyu looked like she wanted to ask something. Lady Chelsea motioned her to ask. "So, Sir Richard is the man you love, and the man you marry is just… duty?"

  "No. No! Richard is just a convenient man. A guy to relieve stress with. If he died I'd be torn, but that's because he's a friend and shield mate, too."

  Sir Leon snickered.

  "By the way, cousin, I know who you'll be marrying."

  The smile on Sir Leon's face disappeared. "What? No one told me something was planned."

  "Catherine, Crossroads Lewis's daughter."

  "Isn't she fourteen?" he asked.

  "Yeah. The wedding is set in four years."

  He grimaced. "Dammit. I was sure it'd be the other Catherine."

  "The one no one wants? The one everyone says spends more time out of her clothes than in? You wanted to marry her? Isn't she ten years older than you?"

  "Yeah, her. If she's sleeping with every man in the household she can't say much if I step out, right?"

  Biyu raised her brows. "I don't get it."

  Sir Leon shot back, "You've never even tried, have you? Still, I hear women need to try a couple of times to get the point."

  "That's less true when a man isn't involved," Anya put in unhelpfully.

  Lady Chelsea ignored Anya. "I think she doesn't get why you want to sleep with more than one person. I'm sure even she knows the… uh, Lady Biyu, do you?"

  Adorable disciple, have you a moment?

  Biyu blinked. That was unexpected. "Pardon me, my god calls." Good timing, as well. She did not feel like discussing this topic with Lady Chelsea of all people.

  Both of the Knights looked surprised. Anya just smiled self importantly since she already knew about it.

  "I should commune with grandfather soon. It has been a while," Lady Chelsea said.

  Biyu shut out her surroundings. How may I be of service, Master?

  I have been requested to relay a message. I am getting a delightful little favor in return! I am to tell you that the Oracle has a request for you and May. In the Southlands, in the city of Lonely Knoll, there will be an auction in three weeks. You are to buy an Elf. Two are desired, but you would be wise to only purchase one. You may do with her as you wish, so long as you bring her with you to Shadow Gate.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Master, should I not protect the Elf, or treat her well, if they care enough to send me to buy her? Biyu replied.

  A mental shrug answered her, or the serpent equivalent. The woman in question is blonde, has long ears, is missing an eye, and is scarred. A favor was offered as well, a prediction for you. A week to train. Save the woman. Be kind to children.

  Thank you for the message, Master. What does the other Elf look like?

  There was a moment of silence. I owe her a silver piece. Black hair, brown eyes, small, a distant relation to rats, a bastard, an Elf who is not an Elf, and a woman. You will buy her with money and the ill will of a man of status.

  Thank you, Master.

  Do well, my adorable disciple. There are lessons you still must learn. Do continue to grow your power. There was a pause, instead of breaking the connection. Ah, I almost forgot. The Imperial Government has asked me to tell you to contact them soon.

  Did they say why, Master?

  It has to do with you being sacrificed. I told them that you were alive and well in West Pass. There was a moment. Was I not supposed to?

  Taking a deep breath, Biyu replied, Master, I did not want them knowing that I was sacrificed. It could lead to me being more deeply involved in Elderwoods.

  I apologize, but you had not told me.

  One does not expect the Imperial government to question a Sacred Beast about exiles. Did they treat you well?

  Your cousin rode on Indu's back.

  There was a pause as Biyu tried to get a grasp on what her Master was saying. You let her meet Humans?

  We were having some bonding time when they came, so she was with me. When I mentioned your friendship with Indu, they asked to meet her. Your cousin is very fond of her.

  How? I thought Indu was trapped in your Hell.

  Child, you just learned how to make thralls.

  Then, could Indu not travel with me?

  No, my adorable disciple. It is part of the détente I have with the gods that I keep to my borders. Indu would be an agent, and that would make those who learned of her nervous. Wizards and Priests often have skills to detect thralls.

  She could understand that. Still, Biyu was jealous of her cousin. That was annoying. She put it aside. I am glad Indu made a friend. Goodbye, Master.

  Biyu opened her eyes, returning to tea where Sir Leon was grumbling about serpents while Lady Chelsea rolling her eyes at him. Anya was picking at a sweet. Seeing her return, they looked at her expectantly.

  "The debt has been called. May and I will be training within the Order for a week, then we will head south to Lonely Knoll. My Master was passing a message from the person May hopes to meet. We have been given a boon in connection to the task."

  "What, your god's passing messages for someone?" Sir Leon asked.

  "My master was very happy to have a favor from an Oracle."

  Sir Leon gawked. His voice became high and reedy. "You are trying to find an Oracle? So you can learn a technique? How the Hells did you manage that!?"

  "My god knows one. She arranged an introduction."

  Sir Leon turned to Lady Chelsea, pointing at Biyu with raised eyebrows. "You really think she can't create an Order?"

  "I'm reconsidering. If she has the help of an Oracle… What technique do you want from an Oracle?" Lady Chelsea asked.

  "May wants the ability to scry for people. I thought we would be turned down, but it seems we were offered a price instead. Both for services rendered, and those to be performed. We were given some predictions as well. That was the boon."

  "What's the price, Lady Biyu?" Lady Chelsea asked.

  Biyu eyed them, weighing whether it was worth revealing. "I have to buy some merchandise. It is a shopping trip. Nothing too important."

  "I doubt an Oracle would ask you for something unimportant. If it's not illegal, then why don't you just tell us?" Sir Leon asked.

  Biyu considered, and then sighed. "Elf slaves."

  "You were told to buy slaves… to release?"

  "I don't know. Does it matter?"

  "It would be illegal," Lady Chelsea said.

  "I was told I may do with the slaves as I wish, so long as I present them in Shadow Gate. I do not know if they intend for me to keep them afterwards."

  "Do you believe that?" Sir Leon asked.

  "And so you see why I was not eager to tell you the price," Biyu said. "However, this is the price of a god's boon, so I will treat it like a simple purchase. Although, if I get all the goods they desire I will earn the ire of someone with status. I am not required to do that."

  Lady Chelsea's mouth was open to say something, then it clacked close. "You are going to piss off someone important?" she asked.

  "Yes," Biyu said nonchalantly.

  Lady Chelsea looked at Sir Leon. "And you wonder why I don't like her?"

  "That is mutual," Biyu said.

  Sir Leon shrugged. "She'll probably kill him, and that will be the end of it. Even if he is a petty god."

  Lady Chelsea considered that, then looked at Biyu.

  "If it is a petty god, I will not cross them."

  "If it's, oh, I dunno, a Duke? Someone more powerful than a Lord of the Roads."

  Biyu nodded along. "If he is as powerful as me, I will piss him off. Then I will run away. May will cover our retreat."

  Sir Leon looked surprised. Lady Chelsea's teeth made audible grinding noises.

  Anya sipped her drink and listened. None of it had anything to do with her.

  On the following day Biyu was required, along with Chelsea, her Knights, and select members of the Order of Ruthless Sundering, to attend a Feast in their honor at Crossroads Westpass's estate in the city. The city itself was built around the castle of Crossroads Westpass, with an elaborate palace serving as the keep in its heart. Despite how far east they were, incursions from the Shadow Lands were uncommon. They did happen. Usually it was giant spiders, which could climb the God Finger Cliffs, but there had been a few large lizards or the occasional mad Sacred Beast.

  The dinner was arranged so that Lady Chelsea and Biyu were at the head table. Knights, a handful of local Lords currently in residence, prominent members of the Guilds or mortal tradesmen, and Anya filled out the tables on the hall's floor. Initiates, Knights of lesser standing that could not fit in the great hall, off duty servants, and others including May were out in the castle bailey. Minstrels and theater troupes performed dignified works with bawdy bits within the hall, and bawdy stories with moments of dignity out in the courtyard.

  At the gates to the city was the beggars table, where the cities poor could come for bread, cheese, slices of grilled sausage, and a thick porridge. Lesser members of the noble houses served the poor there, in an old custom of charity whose roots were long forgotten. They spoke a blessing in the name of Lord Plenty, an epithet for Gunthar, as each was served.

  Anya looked uncomfortable as the men near her tried to strike up conversation. She smiled politely, but it was obvious that she regretted coming to the feast as Biyu's personal medical attendant. While Biyu's leg was restored, she still needed to rebuild her strength, including her resilience to body enhancement in her new limb. Anya was directing her rehabilitation. She had accidentally fractured it once when exercising, but Anya had healed it for her. After that, Anya lectured Biyu on the healing process, and how mana imbuing affected the body over time. It was informative, even if the wagging finger annoyed her.

  Biyu frowned as a man touched Anya on the elbow, and the discomfort she showed to the attention. May, outside, was enjoying similar attention, though she attracted less of it than the Healer. May was just not as conventionally attractive in the way Anya was. Too tall, fit, and lean. However, there were men who liked that look, so she had a few men who made their way to chat with her.

  Anya, being unattached and attractive, drew the attention of attached and unattached men. After all, while a woman was scorned for dallying too much, men who dallied were congratulated for their conquests.

  As Anya slipped from another man's touch, Biyu stood up. That drew the attention of the hall, and even the minstrel who had been singing moments before quieted himself when she stood.

  "I find I do not feel well," Biyu said, addressing Crossroads Westpass as she curtsied. "I apologize that I must retire early, but my leg aches. I would not be so unseemly as to have my attendant tend to me during a feast." Straightening, she went into a deep curtsy, but she wobbled as though her leg was unsteady. "I thank you Crossroads Westpass. I shall think of you kindly, and send a letter of my gratitude to March Westpass extolling the virtues of your hospitality."

  May, informed of Biyu's intention to leave, politely disengaged from her admirers, while Anya bolted from hers. The Knights with Lady Chelsea remained behind. They made further apologies for Biyu, reminding the Crossroads and his family that Biyu had suffered severe injuries that still required attention.

  As they left the palace, Biyu leaned against Anya convincingly. Anya whispered a quiet, "Thank you, Lady Biyu."

  "Is it usually that bad?" she asked. May joined them as they crossed the bailey, passing through the common folk feasting on the edges of the noble party. The Crossroads had arranged for a citywide feast, with the Knights and Biyu announced as the guests of honor along with their honors and the reason for the feast: the defeat of a wicked Wizard and his ogre army. There was already a play and minstrel stories, which were being performed city wide.

  Frowning, Anya looked at Biyu. "Lady Biyu, of course that happens often. I've had to learn not to tell men that I'm not interested in men. That only enhances their ardor."

  Biyu frowned at her. "You should not have to suffer that."

  With a nod, Anya looked straight ahead. "That was why I hoped you would marry me. But, I have told you that before. I think I've told everyone. I don't think a single person thought it was a good idea. Even Sir Leon, and he's my friend."

  "I don't think marrying Biyu is what you wish," May said in Biyu's stead.

  Anya shook her head in agreement. "You can't grant my real wish, Lady Biyu. But sheltering me, allowing me to use your name to defend myself, I would be satisfied with that much."

  After a moment, Biyu said, "Tell me what you want."

  "Will you consider my request if I do?"

  "I would not ask if I would not."

  "Very well. I want to be myself. A woman who likes women. No longer have to listen to people tell me things like 'you've not been with the right man,' or 'of course you'll enjoy being with a man. Let me show you'.

  "I want to find a woman who will love me without it being 'until I meet a man to marry'. I would like to be able to write my parents a letter without them condemning me as feckless and a pervert. I already know I can't get what I want. That was a painful lesson, in a lot of ways, and it took a while to learn. But, I know what I need. That's what I asked you for."

  "As my retainer, I have the right to approve your marriage partner," said Biyu. "Will your Oaths to your Guild pose an issue?"

  With a shrug, Anya said, "I don't see why they should. If I must break my Oaths to protect myself, then I shall."

  "Despite what Lady Chelsea thinks of me, I do not approve of dereliction. Furthermore, breaking an Oath has consequences. The stories make them sound… not inconsequential."

  Anya shook her head. "The Guild seeks to wed me to improve their own political position. That is not a part of my Oaths, and it is not one of my duties to them. They seek to cow me into accepting a man they desire favors from as a husband for their benefit. They have the temerity to claim it's 'for my own good.' I have never accepted that before, and I refuse to accept it now. I am justified in walking away if they persist. Guild's are intended to be voluntary organizations. I only joined to protect myself from this very thing. They have, if anything, failed in their duties to me."

  With a grimace, Biyu nodded.

  Anya sighed, moving away as Biyu stopped leaning on her. They had left the city of West Pass and were on the road to the nearby Order. "You call May your retainer."

  "She swore a binding Oath to me. There are repercussions, so I ask you do not do the same. I would have May break them if I could, but we do not know which god bore witness."

  Anya turned to Biyu. "I'm offering my services for your protection. That's normal for a noble, but they aren't the only ones to offer such an exchange." She carefully looked Biyu over. "You are strong, and with Miss May Awakened you are getting stronger. If you offer me your protection, I will believe it."

  May moved to flank them, keeping an eye on passersby while shielding them. The passersby glanced at the woman, and scurried away more quickly while lifting hands to demonstrate their lack of ill intentions.

  "I have the feeling I would fail you," she finally said. "I have failed others…"

  At that, Anya smiled back. "So you'll help me, but you won't save me? May I make a selfish request?"

  "Which is?"

  "Will you share a room with me tonight? I don't care to be alone." She contemplated. "Think of it as payment if you must."

  Her head hung lower and lower as Biyu did not answer, but in the end Biyu said, "Alright, if May can be in the room too. We are supposed to be chaperoned."

  Laughing humorlessly, Anya agreed.

  In the following days, May went into intensive training. The people she sparred with were informed of May and Biyu's ability to communicate without words. Sometimes, Biyu would join so that the Knights and soldiers were forced to decide if they should take out the eyes or deal with the sword. May would act as her bodyguard, and Biyu would play down her own fighting abilities to give May a challenge protecting her.

  May received her cloak, a loose green affair that was made with fabric so thin it rippled from a puff of air. When she moved within it, it jumped and danced and had a habit of distracting the eyes and feinting her movements. There was also her sword. It was three quarters her height in length, with a blade like a long rod of iron with edges. She wielded it with two hands, supported by her newly enhanced strength. Being so long, it not only extended her reach, but also kept the blade from snagging her cloak.

  May's combat prowess shot up with her new style and gear. She moved from opponent to opponent, striking and deflecting at will, or just knocking them off balance. When someone went for Biyu, she would appear before them to deflect their strike. While the new style did not make her a decisive fighter herself, her style allowed her to engage several soldiers at once. That was, until she switched to a more traditional style of strikes, blocks, and counters. Part of her practice was integrating her more traditional skills with her new ones, and knowing when to duel in the field and when to disrupt. Ultimately, she was able to engage or offset a squad of five by herself for several minutes, but her ability to remove soldiers from the field was relatively low unless she was able to engage one on one.

  Her new style had a major tell; she had to step in the direction she wanted to go. Once her tell was exposed, the soldiers found it much easier to goad her into doing what they wanted. Especially when she fought without Biyu's help.

  Biyu, watching without supporting May, mentioned that May should begin moving before she shifted positions, to make it easier to act when she arrived. May integrated the idea, becoming harder for the men to fight once more. It was telling how easily a small change in the use of a skill or technique affected a large change in effectiveness. But then, that was the difference between an Initiate and a Knight. It was also half the difference between a Knight and an Elite, assuming the Elite did not just rely on a large mana pool and top tier techniques.

  Eight-hour days of training took their toll, and May was ready for relaxing days of walking once she was done. She had seen Harold a few more times, and Biyu had gotten herself a private room despite Lady Chelsea's opposition. On the last day they said their goodbyes to the well-wishes of the Order, along with a Letter of Honor bearing the High Marshal of the Order's crest, and a promise of aid and succor should they need of it in the future.

  Biyu's last task before she left was to contact the Imperial Ministry offices in West Pass. They served the province, so they were housed in a large complex, but there was little day-to-day business coming in. She was quickly able to announce herself.

  After she identified who she was and her purpose, she was left to wait for them to find her paperwork. By the time they found it, it was time for lunch so she was asked to come back after mealtime. When she returned, she was told the agent who would be attending to her was late coming back. Again, she waited. Fortunately, she had May to chat with, but when she finally saw the Imperial agent, it was quickly over with.

  First, he had her verify her identity under Oath. He filled in paperwork as she told the story of her sacrifice, her life in the village in broad strokes, and what she had done after that. It took half an hour, and then she was sent on her way with a request she check back in two weeks. When she told them she was going to Lonely Knoll, they recorded a note, and let her know they would forward her case.