Another day, another morning of kindling. Saul had the thought that this room must be one of the happiest spots in the fort, as he got down on his knees and prepared for his morning ritual. The constant mental practice of collecting his mana and imbuing it with memories helped him sharpen his focus, as well as reminded him of why he performed this exercise in the first place.

  This time, when he closed his eyes and tried to bring a happy memory to the forefront of his mind, an old face appeared. Her pale, freckled cheeks met a small, slightly upturned nose- and those eyes, those curious, green eyes, looked back at him like only he existed. He remembered brushing her golden-amber hair until it was free of tangles and braiding it every week, so that she could help him hunt and fish. They would sit by the waterfall near their cabin and talk till the fireflies came out. Life was simpler, back then.

  Saul shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. As tempting as it was to channel a memory from so long ago- cool water running over his feet, a hand brushing his arm, a unspoken promise- he had people who needed him, here, in this moment. He brought those people to the front of his mind, and began to weave a kernel. Bodil could wait- she'd waited for so long already.

  Anna, as usual, woke with the sun, scrunching her face up at the feeling of Saul's mana. "You feel different today."

  Saul smiled, eyes still closed. "Yet you're still as blunt as ever."

  Anna poked him. "You say that like it's a bad thing. You thinking about Langley?"

  "He's certainly on my mind."

  "Well, he'll decide when he'll decide. What I'd rather think about is your warmth. How do you do that trick?"

  "You mean kindling?"

  "Yeah. You won't show me how to make a campfire memory, so that's the next best thing."

  Saul chuckled. "If you'd practice your channeling enough to make solid flame, I'd teach you how to add heat, but that's not as important as kindling." Saul scooted back till the back of his feet hit the door, leaving a small space in front of himself. He gestured to the space. "Come, and kneel in front of me."

  Anna got out from under her covers with reluctance, getting on her knees. "It feels uncomfortable..."

  "You can put a pillow under your knees to soften it a bit."

  She shook her head. "No, if this is the way, then I'll learn it this way. What's next?"

  "Now, take any memory, and think of it as an object."

  Anna chose the memory of when Saul picked her up and carried her piggyback across the field. She focused it into a marble in her mind. "Okay, what next?"

  "Now, wrap that object with mana."

  Isn't it already covered with my mana? It's inside me, after all. Anna mentally shrugged, and focused on wrapping the marble in her mana, and looked on in shock, as the memory seemed to absorb the mana she moved to it, becoming more solid in her mind and exhibiting a weight on her psyche.

  "Ah, I can feel it."

  "That's great! Now, the tricky part: rotate it."

  Anna nodded, and focused on the marble- the memory so clear inside it, she could even feel Saul's hair as she patted his head- and tried to twist it, and found herself stuck. The mana around the marble was tied to her own mana, so when she spun it, she spun all of her mana at once; it was many times more difficult than she expected. Her mental "hand" couldn't get a grip on the marble to spin it.

  "?adar, it's too hard! I might as well spin myself."

  Saul laughed. "It doesn't need to be a fast spin, Anna; look at my mana. It's barely more than a little."

  Anna opened her eyes and gave him a skeptical look -which he couldn't see, of course- then tuned into her mana sense.

  And Saul lit up like the sun. It almost hurt to look directly at him, but Anna wanted to see the spin, so she tried to focus down to the center of Saul's mana. Sure enough, at Saul's center was what looked like three triangles, tangled together, spinning very slowly- around one rotation every minute.

  Anna came back to herself and poked Saul. "Hey. You trying to show off in there? Because that looks way harder than what you're teaching me."

  Saul chuckled. "Every step has its place, Anna. You'll get to my level with time and practice."

  Anna squinted at him. "You really like that word."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "What, practice? It's a wonderful thing."

  Anna grumbled her protests, but closed her eyes and prepared to try again.

  After some (very light) practice, they got up and started their day. Saul and Anna sat down at the mess hall, which still had that same strange separation. Saul had other things to worry about now, though. He used to report to Fiadh for his orders, but after the punishment, he had no direct supervisor to go to for orders except the Viscount himself. He wasn't too excited about the prospect, and told Anna as such, which got him a punch on the arm.

  "?adar! Your very life hangs in the balance, and you want to use it waiting? Every step has its place, lazy ?adar. Seek him out!"

  Saul rubbed his arm and chuckled, then headed out tot the meeting hall, where -hopefully- Langley spent his mornings.

  Seeing the butler outside the door, Saul smiled, but the butler in question made no such expression.

  The butler moved to stand in front of the door, sneering. "You are not permitted an audience, shaman."

  "Who do I answer to?"

  "The Viscount, clearly."

  "Then what are my orders, by his word?" Saul wouldn't rise to the derision in his tone.

  "Your orders are for you to wait until such a time comes as your services are needed. Don't presume to call upon my master at your convenience, exile."

  "Ah, my apologies, but by his orders I'm no longer an exile. Let me ask you again, I'm requesting an audience with his lordship. Will that be possible today?"

  The butler was about to utter a retort when the door to the meeting hall opened, and the Viscount appeared. He looked haggard, his clothes were disheveled, and the bags under his eyes spoke of a sleepless night.

  He put an ink-stained hand on the butler's shoulder. "Oscar, it's alright. Though it's unscheduled... I could do with a distraction. They may come in."

  The butler smoothly stepped to the side, bowing stiffly. "As you wish, my lord."

  "Ah! My lord... it makes more sense..." Anna muttered to herself as they followed the Viscount in. Saul just shook his head and ruffled her hair.

  The meeting hall was a dark reflection of the first day: there were ledgers on the table, small candles next to empty rolls of papyrus, and a single raven-feathered quill. Every chair save one was filled with codices- presumably holding more ledgers,- and a single map took up the rest of the table, with an assortment of objects placed on it.

  Viscount Langley emptied two of the chairs with practiced movements, despite his obvious strain, and gave the pair a small smile. "Please, be seated. I'm between ledgers, so your timing is convenient. You two came here for something?"

  Saul nodded, somewhat taken aback by his demeanor. "Yes, my lord. We came here for guidance for our next steps. What would you have me do?"

  The viscount leaned back in his chair, not saying anything at first. His eyes roamed the pair, taking in their appearance (Anna had ditched her dress). His expression was unreadable, but Anna could feel that the dark, biting feeling that plagued the viscount before was way less than yesterday.

  "Let me ask you a question first, Mr.Tremonti," he looked at Anna, "how did you meet the girl?"

  Saul blinked. "Anna? Well, I met her in Chaidon forest, not two days from here. She was alone and injured when I found her, so I took her into my care. During that time, I taught her... many things, not the least of which how to speak."

  Langley looked at Anna with surprise. "You understand me?"

  "I know most of what you say, my lord. The rest I can guess."

  "Then let me ask you directly, Anna... is Saul teaching you shamanic magic?"

  Anna frowned at the question. "He teaches me magic, like how to make a flame, and how to protect myself from magic like he does. Is that what you mean?"

  The viscount's shoulders tensed as soon as she mentioned fire, and Saul was quick to add, "I can't give her my fire, my lord. I can only show her how to make her own flame, from her own memories."

  The viscount immediately calmed down and had the grace to look sheepish. "I see; that's comforting. Apologies- my superstition got ahead of me for a moment. On a related note, though, are you aware of how many possible shamans a battalion of their size would have?"

  Anna shook her head. "In my ?ar, only my ?adar- or my leader- could use magic of Saul's strength. I think our hunters can use some magic- but again, very small things."

  Viscount Langley sighed and relaxed a bit. "Then we can hope for a miracle. That's a relief."

  He turned to the map. "Here's my plan- barely more than the bones of a plan, really- and it hinges on so many parties..." He stared at the map, as if searching for a way through. "Here's what I need from you, Saul. You and a small party of 4-5 demons will scout out the location of this army. When they're located, if they're closer than a week from the pass, you'll send a pair of demons back here, and your new orders will be to delay that army for as long as possible- at least three days, at the soonest."

  "... You're asking one shaman and four demon hunters to stall anywhere from one to over two thousand demons-"

  "I know, Saul."

  "The risks alone- if they catch wind of us before we see them, they could simply capture us and-"

  "I know!"

  The viscount suddenly stood, his hands clenched at his sides. He swept to the side, knocking over the empty scrolls, and stood by the window, looking outside at the morning sun and the milling soldiers below. One breath. Two.

  "I know, Saul. I'm asking for three days. I know the odds, I know it's suicide, and I know you'll be walking into a situation where you will most likely perish... But it's all we can do. I've spent every coin on this campaign- every civilian in my domain willing to take up arms will be outfitted and on the way here, to help defend our land from what's out there. I've sent missives to Earl Francis of Carlisle, the Duke of Monmouth, and even the King himself, and those three days will determine whether they come here to find corpses, or a besieged force."

  He turned back to the duo, his eyes looking into Saul's. "Will you help us?"

  Saul turned to look at Anna, saw the determination in her eyes, and he nodded. "To make a world where the ones I care about can live in peace, I'll do it. But-" He turned to the viscount- "promise me that if I do this, then you will treat these refugees as if they were citizens on your soil. They've proven their worth- to say nothing of their character."

  "You have my word, Saul Tremonti."

  Saul nodded. "Then I'll let Hiday?t know we're in the market for miracles."

  The viscount chuffed, letting out a tired smile. "Hopefully the gods are kind. Please head out as soon as you're prepared. You have my blessing."

  Saul and Anna passed a rather abashed butler on the way out, but Saul paid him no mind.

  The circumstances have changed. If all goes well, Anna will have a home, and a place to belong.

  It's a small price to pay.