Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 55

Gentleman’s Guide to Fantastic Beasts 55

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Sivantic.

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The final day arrived and Elric was nowhere to be found, but my duty ended faster than I anticipated.

Lassandra came to fetch me and only spoke to me after I left the room.

“Grandfather said that you’d take my youngest sister with you. That you’d shield her from the coming trial.” Lassandra spoke softly while her fellow siblings filtered past the great hall towards the base of the tree. They were haler and more fit now. The wealth and splendor of their nation allowed them to recover and gain strength at an exceedingly fast pace. Each one could be an elite of the As’Kari from their inner strength alone.  Only half their number would be needed to support the tree now, and it was obvious that they were going to take shifts henceforth. “If this is true, then I will release you from my plans. I had wished to send you to the front against the infestation after your duties here.”

After days of expending my power, where I had to rely on it to keep myself aware and conscious, the princess had intended to send me off to war.

Most likely an attempt to kill me.

And, she admitted it.

“Your plan wouldn’t have worked, even if you assembled warriors to assist the infestation in killing me. At this very moment, I still have much strength to spare.” It was not a bluff. Powering the tree had been easy. It was an organism that just needed power. There was no need for me to capture or harness light, or even feed it with power. The ritual that they created was highly efficient. The power that it required of me did not consume the entirety of the power I could passively generate, and the meals they fed me were of powerful beasts brimming with energy. With time and rest, I will grow stronger. “If you planned to kill me, you shouldn’t have fed me. Or, you should have poisoned me. A delayed poison, perhaps.”

“Would that have worked?”

“No. It wouldn’t have.” The As’Kari worked extensively to devise methods and means to fight against poison and venom. In harsh times, the treatments were even used to allow people to eat rotten meat without being harmed. “Unless you’ve managed to reach past the As’Kari’s blockade on the other tribes and acquired the most secret of poisons of the Great Desert. Those that can kill a chieftain are quite potent, and not delayed in their action.”

“I’m afraid that I didn’t have the time or resources to spare to procure such at thing.” Lassandra admitted freely. She cast a gaze my way.  “I knew that sending you to the front wouldn’t have ended you, either. You would have simply killed much of the force that threatened the land. My plan to keep my nation safe from you was to give you what you wanted.”

It took me e moment to realize what she implied.

But I nodded in agreement after I realized what she meant.

The very thing that I asked for, a place for all those who were abandoned, needed protection and care that only I could provide.

“I see. The village will need me.” The lands they were given were unclaimed and unwanted, because it was incredibly dangerous. It was a land rich in resources and had lands good for farming and herding less dangerous monsters, but it was still a land of feral beasts. Though the people can grow strong, it will still take time to ensure that they can hold their own. Time that I will spend protecting them, looking after them, and not adventuring out to exact some sort of vengeance. “If I leave that place, before it can stand by itself, you will threaten it.”

“Only if you move against us. Our intent is to retain control over these lands. You can cut a path for us and threaten us, but you cannot do it while keeping the village you’ve bargained for safe. A fleet will arrive there and destroy it, if you threaten us with your power.” Lassandra spoke the truth plainly and without the slightest hint of remorse. She threatened the lives of the people I spoke for and did my utmost to save with the bargain that I struck with her. But she was not two faced. After speaking with her grandfather for such a long time, I understood more about her and her family. They knew that they were surrounded by enemies through the actions of their ancestors. Now, they can only plan the card that they’ve been dealt. “But the lands you’ve been given should allow you to protect it on your own. Even your mere presence there will stop any force from threatening your people.”

“As long as I do nothing, then the people I’ve rescued are safe.”

“Indeed. If you do nothing.” Lassandra repeated my words as we reached the end of the long hall. The implication was clear. What was to come after this was a ‘trial.’ Her family and her people will work to retain the lands they have held. They will do everything in their power to keep these lands their own. A land that already had rebels at their borders, and their people will undoubtably learn the truth in the future. That they caused this to happen. “When you leave these lands with my youngest sister in tow, turn your gaze elsewhere. Do not return here. No matter what happens.”

Turn a blind eye to the tragedy that is to come.

Before I could respond, Elric’s voice drifted towards us both.

“Lassandra, I see you’ve told him the change in arrangements.” His hair and beard were less wild, and his robes were freshly laundered. With his great height and physique, without his weathered futures, he would have looked like a conquering king. Lassandra bowed her head and knelt in his presence, while I stood and matched his gaze. “Physician. My youngest grandchild. Please, take care of her.”

A nursemaid and a servant stood beside a hovering crib. Their faces were covered, but I could feel their gazes upon me. I expected curiosity and outrage, but instead the two of them bowed my way.

“They have been informed of the truth of the matter. They have sworn themselves to the safeguard of my grandchild.” Elric told me simply, before gesturing towards the ship behind them. It was similar to the ship that delivered me to this land, sleek and composed of some sort of stone rather than wood, but it was wider and had less ornamentation. “Inside the hold is treasure and materials to teach her. Either of the nursemaids can take on the role. I was also able to secure dragonsflesh for her. Eighteen portions. A portion for every winter solstice, so that our blood will be strong in her.”

I looked at the child.

Blue eyed and blonde haired with cherubic cheeks.

She slept in the crib, swaddled in white cloth, and I made a simple test.

I placed a gloved finger in her small hand… and gave a hum as her grip crushed and tore the end of the glove.

She threatened to crush my finger in her grip, but I was able to withdraw my hand without being harmed.

“A very strong child.” I noted. Her cheeks were flush, eyes bright, and with a head of curly locks. I tilted her head forward slightly before letting go. As nature intended, the child stiffened. A snap of my fingers near her ears startled her. Strong muscles, good nerves, hearing, and an alert gaze. The child was healthy. “Her hearing is fine, as is her vision, and her instincts are well established.”

I retreated from the child and looked towards Lassandra and Elric. Instead of being satisfied with the news, both seemed troubled.

“Usually, children of our line are sickly until they consume their first piece of dragonflesh on their first birthday. It is the fuel that stokes the furnace to full strength, and the child cannot be fed with such a thing until enough time has passed. Many thought she is not of correct breeding.” Elric’s words reminded me more of the breeding and raising of animals than people. I had already suspected, of course. Many cases of inbreeding and refining of traits amongst the upper classes led to negative traits. One of the most famous cases was a certain royal family’s predilection towards having thinner blood that made them bleed much more quickly than most. This royal family most likely had some of their own traits. “Her mother could not bear the shame.”

Shame, he says, but the truth was obvious in the hardness in his eyes. The words of others, their feelings, and the child’s strength being not the norm for the family… all of it was ammunition against this child’s mother.

“The father?” My words only made Elric grimace and shake his head in disgust. It would have to be someone from this land, perhaps a branch family. However, if none came forward, I could only imagine some act of taboo that made it so that the mother could not name the father. I re-evaluated the child. I’ll need to keep careful track of her health and her mental faculties as she grew up. There could be grave problems with the child due to the nature of its conception. “I see.”

Lassandra spoke up.

“The truth of her existence has been sealed away by my father’s command. None may speak of her. Her name has been struck from all records save for the family’s main ledger… except for here.” Lassandra produced a small letter from her jacket. She handed it to me, but her gaze lingered on the child in the floating crib. I wondered what her relation was with the child, but I decided against asking. “Grant her a name after her first consumption of the flesh that grandfather acquired. Reveal the truth to her when you judge her mature enough.”

I nodded in assent, then both maids curtsied and took the child and the floating crib towards the ship in flight.

Today, I had imagined that the princess would send me off to the front of the infestation to try and kill me.

Instead, she sends me off on a ship holding treasure and potential with her youngest relative.

This young woman was doubtlessly working to preserve and protect her family. The means by which were undoubtedly cruel and brutal. However, it was truly for the continuation of the only family and cause that she has ever known. Some would give her leeway for that. She knows no other path forward. To eschew her duties would be to condemn her family and people, and perhaps even sign her own death warrant as she would leave their protection and influence. The masses are cruel, capricious, and have fickle minds. They will kill her if she leaves her family’s graces and condemns what they’ve done.

However, just because I understand her does not mean that I must condone her actions.

Like so many entrusted with the lives with others, they sought out glory and power, created enemies, and now the common people paid the price. Much like any other nation ruled by those with interests in gaining more wealth and interest. This infestation was their own doing, and after they knew of it, they secured the lands that they found worth preparing and cast away all others, while still extracting wealth from them. They could’ve done more, they could’ve taken the power that they used to hold these royal lands, and set forth to right their wrongs. Instead, they remain here, safe and protected, while they use the rest of the nation like a shield.

“I will never return to this land. Whatever path this young woman chooses will be her own.” I told Lassandra and Elric simply. It was difficult to not revile them or even trust them. In the back of my mind, I even thought that the child functioned as a hostage, but I shook the thoughts. I won’t be the same as them, even if it was for the sake of protecting the people that I managed to save. “Lassandra, you once said that your people will move against me if I acted against your people. Let this truth be known as well: if your lands act against the people under my protection… my vow to do no harm to others still permits me to act in defense of the innocent. You know what I can do to the infested that your knights struggle against. The same fate will fall upon your people if you threaten those under my protection.”

A small smile split the princess’s face, and she bowed her head to me in acceptance of my answer.

Elric gave a nod of understanding at my words, and I almost wished to ask him if that was the correct path, but ignored my urge to ask for the wisdom of an elder.

I moved onward towards the ship that they prepared, combing through it with my threads, and searching for any hidden surprises and secrets.

I would not put it beyond these people to lure me into a false sense of security with three sacrifices.

But I found none and I reached the deck of the ship, as the gangway  rose of its own volition.

Elric called out to me from below.

“Farewell, physician!” Elric’s words carried another message. The farewell was a final one. I met him and will never meet him again. But I doubted that I will forget him. He shared the truth with me, after all, and bid me to care for his descendant. “May you be blessed enough to one day overcome the curse of solitude that you carry with you! One day, may you find others that can stand beside you and share your ideals!”

Beside him the princess I met a mere handful of days ago stared up at me silently and gave a nod when our eyes met, but a moment later she turned to leave without a word.

I had a feeling in my gut that her life would cut short, and that this was also our last meeting with one another.

Soon enough they were both out of sight, and the captain of the vessel spoke to me.

“My lord, I have a letter for you from the Archmage.”

“I am no lord.” I told him simply, but he did not retract his words, and kept his head bowed while offering me the letter. I took it and read its contents. A sigh left my lips. “Take me to his tower. I will speak with him before I leave this place.”

The young man bowed and left, while I considered the letter.

A preventative treatment for the infestation caught my interest.