In Loki's Honor

Under the ominous cover of a world-spanning dust cloud masking the noon sun, we went on separate carriages.

Elizabeth and Barbara on one, Isaac and Eleanora on the other. The reason was frivolous yet for a Noble, it meant everything. They couldn't ruin their ballroom gowns and the ridiculous amount of petticoats forbade the women from sharing the bench with anyone else.

"Nethe," Elizabeth broke the silence on a particularly smooth stretch of street near the Palace. "Can you take the shape of other objects like other mimics?"

I wondered what she intended with that tangential question. Yet, I answered affirmatively.

I could also take the shape of almost any animal or person in the world, even copy specific individuals. But I found no reason to overshare.

"I suspected as much," she said with a smile as she produced a doll from her storage ring. It was a cloth doll with round fasteners for eyes that gave her cat-like pupils. She had hair made of colored silk ribbons, two chubby arms and her torso was a leather-covered book. A book very similar to my own birth form. "Here, you can examine it. In fact, I had it made for you. The book is real, you can open it."

Barbara took the doll in my stead and we checked it together. The doll was big, more than half the height of a halfling. She wore a tunic and pants. Her belt doubled as a cover clasp to keep the book closed. The arms, head, and legs were attached to the back cover with L-shaped sheets of metal inside the stuffing. The back of her dress imitated the back cover but a layer of goose down separated the real back cover from the fabric. She had a skeleton inside the stuffing and had a pretty good range of motion. She had four fingers but they moved independently.

"It's really lovely," Barbara gushed.

I guess as far as dolls go, this one was well-crafted. I asked Barbara.

"Yes, it's a cute doll. I could see myself using her as my diary, or as a notebook in school."

"I'm glad you liked it," Eleanora smiled.

I asked.

The Lady nodded, "It will give you some mobility and independence. I had the inspiration after you created those crude ribbon limbs back in the training arena. I suspected you couldn't do better because mimics usually only copy objects they've seen. No offense intended, I know your intellect is orders of magnitude greater than an ordinary chest monster."

"Please, Nethe? It will help you navigate the party better," Barbara implored. She probably sensed my reluctance. She also knew I could transform into people, or she wouldn't have made the side comment about tails. She had somehow seen Haru's kitsune tails and I wasn't the one to show her. It was something Mom would do.

I reached with two ribbons from between my pages and picked up the doll. After examining it for several minutes, I made one demand.

They obliged. They didn't need to see the eldritch nightmare of a mimic morphing, or my true form, the cursed book. I climbed out of my dust cover and placed the doll next to it. Levitating, I landed on Barbara's other side, already imitating the doll.

"Which one is Nethe?" Elizabeth asked.

Barbara picked up both. "What do you think?" She asked with a mischievous grin. She could tell because of our bond. I didn't even try to shut it off because I didn't feel like doing it. Ever.

Elizabeth pointed correctly, "The one on your left. You are a terrible liar, Barbie."

"Damn right," I opened the stitched mouth to talk. "On both counts."

The Lady grimaced, "For the love of the Goddess, Netherbane! You need to work on the mouth a bit more."

Barbara cringed, "A lot more. It gave me goosebumps."

It wasn't the uncanny valley, I was sure of it. Maybe it was the stitches stretching, or the teeth behind it. I made them square, didn't I? Too square or... This was going to take a bit of work. I needed to talk using sound and words because telepathy wouldn't be very welcome in the palace. They usually assumed that if a creature could send thoughts, it could also read, or something like that. Regarding me, they would be right but that wasn't necessarily true for all telepathic creatures out there. Regardless, it would pay to hammer this small imperfection.

*

*

"What's wrong?" Eleanora poked Elizabeth with a finger. "Did the carriage trip make you sick?"

"Something like that," Elizabeth replied, avoiding looking at me.

I might've pushed my morphing session a bit too far. It was her fault, she dared me to look like a scary doll.

But now my mouth was as harmless as it was sweet. Red ribbons with obvious stitches away from the mouth framed it like lips, and I had origami teeth that were clearly folded papyrus. One could see the plant fibers running along with them and they bulged a bit before the round fold like someone bent a fresh blade of grass. Absolutely harmless, and very cute. I had a tongue that was made of interwoven red ribbons. The material was obvious and it also looked harmless.

"So, are you guys ready to purr-tay?!?" I asked as I jumped out of the carriage and walked on my two stubby cloth legs.

"Oh! There you are, Nethe!" Eleanora said as she skipped next to Barbara and bent on her knees as she lowered herself with a perfectly straight back. Impressive technique. "You look so cute! I'm glad you liked our present," she stole a glance back at Elizabeth.

"Lady Elizabeth mentioned that," I lied. "I am very thankful."

"Think nothing of it. It's but a token of appreciation for all the effort you put tutoring us."

"I'm still awestruck, my Lady."

Elizabeth held her breath for a moment when she realized the faux pas. Now she owed me a small favor.

Several carriages lined up both before and after ours. As we moved away from it, the line moved one, then two positions like a busy drive-thru. A court greeter escorted by four knights in full regalia was checking the guests' names.

"Lord Hamilton. Lady Cheverton, Lady Epps," The greeter then focused his eyes on Barbara, unsure of what to do.

"Aspirants Lady Ambrose and Netherbane," Isaac offered. "They are... Oh, welcome, sir!" He ignored the greeter to focus on someone approaching from out of my field of view.

A middle-aged knight wearing a customized and expensive-looking armor covered by the King's tabard appeared. The greeter bowed to the man. "Mylord Captain."

> Level 78 male quarter-elf-human [Grand Officer Knight]

Isaac's reaction would be rude if not for the station of the newcomer but the greeter actually felt thankful for the advance warning. This knight might be a Duke, to earn such reaction from a Margrave heir.

"Lord Hamilton," the Captain probable Duke said. His voice was well-modulated. The tone and pacing said he was used to public speaking. His body language was poised and well-reined in. It was hard to read him. His social station was all but confirmed. The Duke shifted his gaze down to Barbara and me. "Are these the Transcendentals your party discovered?"

It shocked me a bit and Barbara a bit more. But they were sponsoring us. This was the downside for the upside of solving the trouble at the now relatively useless Academy back then.

I mentally nudged Barbara.

"Yes, that's us, Your Grace," she delivered with that innocent and awkward first-timer vibe. The girl managed to even blush.

"Then welcome. And please, address me as Captain while I am on the job."

Captain as in Captain of the King's personal guard, his most trusted man. I didn't have his name and he didn't give us one. Apparently, we were supposed to know it. Maybe the people around me knew and I was the only one left out.

"I'm sorry, Captain," she replied with redder cheeks.

The man gave her a comforting smile, "Don't worry, Aspirant Ambrose. I believe the book doll is Netherbane then."

I tested how he would react to telepathy.

He raised an eyebrow and paused. "Do you have mental powers?" His voice rose two tones, betraying his wariness. His helmet emitted a faint magical aura, and {Appraise} revealed it to be an enchanted item made to prevent mental influence. It also blocked my telepathy so I had to use the doll's mouth.

"I can assure the good Captain that I have no agenda against this Kingdom. I'm lady Ambrose's familiar and I share her strong ties to this land. I'll add that I loathe mind-benders and their wicked tricks. While I am aware words will not avail to entirely dismiss the good Captain's concerns regarding my origins, I would at least hope my willingness to parlay and my ties to my bipedal companions here can guarantee amicable grounds."

My words carried the full weight of my five hundred-something [Diplomat] Proficiency.

> The Leader activated. Contested Charisma check won.

The corner of his lips moved slightly upward but he didn't turn off his helmet's protection. I was pretty sure I could overpower it but that was a can of worms I was not willing to open. His shoulders relaxed a bit, causing his pauldrons to creak a little.

"That is perfectly acceptable," he said. "I would only ask you to refrain from using your telepathy while in the palace grounds."

"As you wish, Captain," I smiled and curtsied.

He nodded. "Very well. I'm afraid you'll need to part with your party for a while. Follow me, if you please."

Barbara hoisted me up by the book-waist and placed me sitting on her arm like a child. She waved at the three nobles and we followed the good Duke as he took us into the building and down the first narrow side corridor.

*

*

Led to a training courtyard with a couple of frightened young teens boxed by an honor guard of four young knights, we joined the other two Transcendentals that would take the swearing ceremony to receive titles of Nobility.

Located inside the palace and completely surrounded by the majestic building, the training ground was like a small gladiatorial pit, packed dirt with four balconies above and stone grandstands between them. Beneath each balcony was a closed reinforced door leading out. This was obviously a place to host a show for a small but exalted audience. The audience, however, was currently missing. I could sense a large gathering of people waiting behind each balcony, inside the castle.

> Level 3 quarter-goblin-orc-half-human [Tanner]

> Level 5 quarter-satyr-human-dwarf-beastkin [Porter]

"Greetings, young ones," the Captain spoke like a drill sergeant now. He was a man of many masks. "I am Captain Garret of the Kings' guard. You know why you are here, and I welcome you. Rest assured that the King himself guarantees your safety within these walls. The four of you are confirmed Transcendentals and were once people of great power and influence in this world. Mages, kings, Adventurers, Warriors. The Perk you hold is a mark of your past lives achievement and a great honor. It is only fair that we offer you a chance to climb that peak once again."

And hope they can hitch a ride along as well as keep such potential powerhouses under control. Better to guarantee their loyalty and indoctrinate them while they were young. But they weren't wrong. Any organization should recognize talent within its ranks and nurture them. So far, I sensed nothing sinister.

"Now, I know you are afraid and wondering what the future has in store for you. Do not worry. His Majesty wishes only the best for you. We only ask you to work for the betterment of the people, of the Kingdom. Go and do great deeds, and remember you can rely on us for support. Today we forge a bond of camaraderie, of friendship. The King himself will grant you titles of nobility. Today you take your first step in becoming this Kingdom's elite. Your lives will never be the same."

I hoped the last statement was just rhetoric. For the Kingdom's sake.

The two younglings barely into the first-digit levels were giddy and excited like they'd won the lottery. While that might be true for them right now, their past selves ground the grueling grind that was the Exp required for fourth-tier levels. I could only wonder what hardships drove them to such heights. Coddled by the Kingdom and spoon-fed how special they were, they would probably go the same path Isaac was walking before I intervened, playing to their strengths and settling down with a high level in comfort, unwilling to climb the peak again, so to speak.

There's a certain level of adversity and challenge to create the drive required to keep going after one was stronger than 99.99% of their peers. Why Druxius, a fourth tier [Archmage], was stuck for thousands of years without reaching level 100? Because he fell on this dangerous pitfall. Hosting his Academy and gazing upon all the [Mages] and [Wizards] toiling beneath him was more rewarding than going into the deepest Labyrinth tunnels to fight eldritch monstrosities.

"You may enter, my Lords and Ladies," he said after a brief pause to let his words sink in.

The balcony doors opened and several nobles wearing their party gowns and full dress uniforms entered. The Ladies and Lords of the Realm. I sensed my pupils and Barbara's sponsors among them. Isaac was on the left side of an elegant older man wearing the Hamilton colors. Probably his father, Margrave Hamilton. They didn't look alike.

The chattering nobles studied us like one would study cattle in the market grounds. Most complained about how they couldn't see "the halfling girl's Status". I gained deep insight into why mom loathed nobles so much. Their sniveling and haughty holier-than-thou attitude was really grating on my nerves. I had to restrain myself or Barbara would feel it too.

"Don't mind them," the Duke said with a chuckle. "They are here just to witness your oaths," he lied.

I could hear talks of adoption in the audience. Some even stole glances at Isaac, making me make the shocking discovery that the young Lord and heir to his House was in fact adopted. The sympathetic way he looked at us hinted at the fact he was one day down here, just like us.

I sent to him, causing the young man to startle.

he replied.

I jokingly remarked.

he stated seriously.

I said with a neutral tone.

he smiled as he jested.

"My Ladies and Lords," the Captain said graciously but it felt like it wasn't the first or either the tenth time he gave this very speech. "We are here to witness these four youths take the first step into our midst. I beseech you to welcome and guide them, so they may help this Kingdom grow. Here before you, by the Matriarch's grace, are the reborn souls of mages, Adventurers, warriors, or perhaps kings of old. Those that climbed to the level cap and earned a mighty boon. These are the future of our Realm, and today they earn the King's protection.

"They require mentorship. Training. Support in this new journey of theirs. Who among you shall stand and offer them a hand?"

The man that I assumed was Isaac's father stood up. Eleanora's mother and Elizabeth's father stood too.

"House Hamilton sponsors Miss Ambrose and her familiar, the Netherbane Syllabus."

"House Epps sponsors Miss Ambrose and her familiar, the Netherbane Syllabus."

"House Cheverton sponsors Miss Ambrose and her familiar, the Netherbane Syllabus."

Several nobles couldn't resist clicking their tongues in annoyance. It was like going to an auction knowing the game was rigged.

On the opposing side, another group of four nobles stood. "House Wilkin will adopt Mr. Hugh."

"House Merryweather will adopt Mr. Joseph," Another hurriedly spoke before all of today's merchandise was sold out.

Garret was smiling. "Mr. Hugh and Mr. Joseph's families are already aware of the adoption and they send their young sons with big smiles." He turned to the two giddy not-orphans. "Remember your origins and support your birth families. Honor your adoptive parents above any but the King."

Already aware of the adoption my ass. Which commoner would dare defy a noble just to keep their children living in the filth? This was a sale, just like baby Apricot's back in the day. One that would pay dividends forever. Or until the nobles grew tired of feeding the pigs and arranged an "accident". That would only happen if the naive young Transcendentals forgot their origins. They couldn't risk their investment unraveling by acting too fast. I wondered how Isaac's birth parents fared in this ruined city.

"Now, I shall take your oaths," Garret said. "Repeat after me. I promise with the Matriarch as a witness..."

The four of us parroted the good Captain. Some nobles gasped as they saw "the doll move", as some chatty Ladies remarked.

"... that I will be faithful to the King and Realm, never cause Him harm, observe His laws and edicts, and work for the betterment of the Kingdom in good faith and without deceit."

> Royal Oath failed. Your station is too high. Hidden Royalty in effect.

Well, crap.

*

*

*

*

> Royal Oath established.

> Royal Oath established.

> Royal Oath established.

> Royal Oath failed. Contested Charisma test lost.

As the glow only he could see settled on the two boys and the girl, the Captain almost frowned. Garret had never seen his Perk fail. He never attempted it on a monster, though. Regardless, it should've worked on any sentient creature, he assumed. He wanted to steal a glance toward Margrave Hamilton but kept his face unreadable. What was that about a Charisma contest? The Perk never said anything like that and if it used such mechanics, he would've probably lost the contest to the Hamilton kid a couple of years ago. He never invested points in Charisma, satisfied with the meager amount his Class gave him.

Without the power of the Oath binding the monster, could they trust the mimic? Garret weighed the risks of either of the two paths he saw before him.

While the King wouldn't execute or make a Transcendental who refused the Oath disappear into some dark dungeon, he couldn't go ahead with the title-granting ceremony without one. Many nobles objected to the idea but the King was adamant. The mimic was sentient, reasonable by all accounts, and held three Transcendental Perks. Adding that his alleged magical capabilities, telepathy, and inscrutable Status, and you had a huge problem. Was the creature as peaceful as it claimed? Was it really the girl's familiar, or her master. Had it enslaved the poor kid?

The first path was to announce the Oath was not accepted, and take steps to make sure the monster wouldn't be a threat. From the intelligence reports, they gathered at the Academy, the creature should be in the second rank at most. It wouldn't be a problem now but with three Transcendental Perks almost doubling the Exp it earned, it could become one in a few years. Adding that to the fact it didn't feel the slightest bit intimidated by him or the security around them to its proximity to the heart of the Kingdom and Garret was almost reaching for his weapon. But with three Houses vouching for them, the backlash of rejecting the mimic was too big.

Fulgen was unaffected by the eruption of the Labyrinth. Several supplies that are in high demand due to the sudden crisis were outsourced from the elves. They only traded with Hamilton and that gave the frontier Lord too much power. Supplies and shipments could be delayed or "lost" on his whim. Worst case, Hamilton could use it as a pretext to spearhead a revolution and seize the throne. Many nobles needed to rebuild and depended on these supplies.

The second was to act like everything was fine, and keep close tabs on them. They would have a mimic on the loose but one they knew where to find. Reinforce security around the Royal Family, then wait to see if the {Fireball} would blow up or not. Prepare evidence and ready some missives to pin the blame on Hamilton once it did. Once again, Hamilton never gave them a hint of suspicion he would plot something against the Kingdom and was a role model for the Nobility.

He worried that both scenarios had the most prominent Margrave at odds with the Crown. Maybe he wasn't seeing things clearly. Garret took a moment to push his [Mental Mastery] to the limits and think if there wasn't a third option. Maybe he should take a risk for the Realm's sake. He deactivated his [Helm of Protection] and stared at the creature currently taking the form of a child's doll. It didn't take long for him to feel the slight pinprick of mental contact.

The creature sent the faintest whisper to his mind.

he sent back. Garret had to rely on Mind spells to communicate silently on occasion.

he went straight to the point, hoping he would catch the monster by surprise.

Garret paused, suspicion rising in him. Then it dissipated as he let the creature's words sink. He then broke a talisman hidden in his left gauntlet and felt the refreshing magic wash over him. It was a very expensive charm that removed any and all foreign influences on his person and its intended use were to remove lethal poison from his body but it also worked for mental influence. He turned his helmet back on at the same time, to make sure he wasn't under the monster's mental influence.

> A mental contact was blocked.

Not an attack, to his relief. The explanation made sense, and he knew familiars were loyal to their masters to the point of self-sacrifice. Netherbane was right, so long Ambrose was under oath, he had nothing to fear.

*

*

*

*

> Contested Charisma test won.

I internally sighed with relief when my bullshit explanation worked. Divine status or lack thereof notwithstanding, I held the title of [Emperor], the highest rank of Royalty possible. Those {Royal Something} Perks didn't work on any member of the Royalty regardless of rank but even if it wasn't so, they wouldn't work upward at all.

I had Barbara's best interests in mind and she was bound to the Oath, that much was true. But her Oaths didn't bind me and I could break hers just by granting her a title of Royalty, among other means.

But that would be a problem for future me if any. The Duke continued with his speech.

"My Lords and Ladies, you witnessed the Oath. Today we welcome two new [Knights] into our midst. [Knight] Ambrose, [Knight] Netherbane, you now shoulder the future of this Realm along with all of us. Lord Wilkin, Lord Merryweather, please go with your new families once we are done here. They are eager to meet their new sons. I now kindly ask everyone in attendance to vacate the premises."

The doors opened and the nobles left in a hurry chattering excitedly and clapping the two Houses that snatched their new Transcendental sons on the back. Not only that but the four [Knights] on the arena grounds with us also left. Garret was the only one remaining. He said a command word and the arena buzzed as a potent privacy ward rose to shelter us.

"Now, the King requires you to disclose your Transcendental Perks. Only His Majesty and I will know this information. I recommend you to keep the nature of these Perks to yourselves and your close family only. They are your trump cards."

The kids all waited for someone else to be the first to say. The newly christened Lord Wilkin was the first. "I have {The Warrior}. I gained ten in Strength and all my melee attacks can stun my enemies," he boasted proudly. "And I get twenty-five more Exp."

"Every Transcendental Perk grants twenty-five percent more Exp. But thanks," Garret corrected, then stared at Lord Merryweather.

"I have {The Scholar}. It gives me ten Mind and I can remember every book I read and words I hear."

Next was Barbara. Before she could say anything and soften the blow of her own revelation, I spoke. "I have {The Leader}, {The Cosmos Within}, and {The Four-Leaf Clover}," I let silence fall to make clear I wouldn't explain what each of them did.

"Three?" Hugh Wilkin gaped his food-trap. "That's a lie!"

I spent a second of {The Cosmos Within} on each one of them. Garret was clearly disturbed. The other two kids were scared shitless.

Barbara sighed and frowned. Then she surprised me as she stared at the young Lordling. "Nethe would never lie. Lord Wilkin, withdraw your accusation, or I'll take offense! I'll settle this with a duel of honor! Choose your champion, if you dare."

I suspected she did more than girl talk during the pajama parties with "Elly" and "Lizzy". And it wasn't naughty activities. The two must've coached her on the ways of Nobility.

"That's a serious cause for offense, Lord Wilkin. I suggest you make amends with Lady Ambrose," Garret suggested with a tone usually reserved for chastising soldiers.

"I... I... I'm sorry," he bent at the waist and almost lost his balance. "I... erm... I hope the Lady would graciously forgive me."

"My Lord, you are forgiven. Now, don't you dare forget this favor? Captain Garret, if I may request, would it be unreasonable to ask Lords Wilkin and Merryweather to vacate the premises before I tell you my Transcendental perk? I don't feel comfortable disclosing it before them but I also don't wish to break any rules or displease the Crown."

Garret grinned. "If you are willing to let the young Lord Wilkin's slight pass and forget about it, then yes."

The sly old fox of a Duke wanted the debt for himself. Barbara nodded with a bright smile, making me believe she had already predicted most of the exchange.

"Off with you," the Captain waved. And remember that your actions now can bring honor or disgrace to the families that adopted you. Good grief, Lord Wilkin. Go, before the Lady changes her mind."

"Thank you, Captain, Sir!" Hugh saluted awkwardly, his voice breaking and rising an octave. He dashed away like the street urchin he once was. Merryweather followed him closely behind. The door closed, the barrier was re-engaged.

"You may proceed, Lady Ambrose."

Barbara took a deep breath, then tilted her head up to meet the tall Duke. "My Perk is {Matriarch's Chosen}. It gives ten each to Endurance, Mind, Willpower, and Magic. It also enhances my magic when healing or fighting to defend Her believers." She wisely left the part of contacting the Goddess out. I mean, I was right here, it was irrelevant. The last bit meant her magic always had that buff because she was a believer too. Unless she was shooting crystal shards at a dead dog that could do her no harm, that is.

Garret let his mask drop and his jaw slacked just a little, without even parting his lips. He blinked his surprise away and recomposed himself a second later.

"Are you sure that's a Transcendental Perk?" He asked.

"Yes. It was gained in a previous life, and it will remain with me for all future ones. That's what a Transcendental Perk is, right?" She challenged him.

He nodded slowly. "Yes, indeed. You are correct, my Lady."

She kept the congenial smile. "I'll let you in on you another secret to ease your mind, dear Captain." She stopped there, to let the ball fly to his court.

"Please, do, Lady Ambrose," he willingly bit the hook but his stance said that was as far as he would go. This was a fish we wouldn't reel in.

"Nethe here, my familiar, he was sent to me by the Goddess. I know you have your suspicions about him, but you can be at ease. He's the thing furthest from evil in this whole Kingdom."

He straightened his back. "I understand."

"I hope you keep this between us and His Majesty, with Her regards," she said nonchalantly.

I felt relieved. Since we met, I saw the shock of my existence, the truths laid bare before her, and the disaster at the Labyrinth shook his confidence. This was the daring explorer that would brave a forgotten vault to release a cursed artifact I knew. The last few weeks of training and bonding helped her true self surface. The Barbara standing before the second or third most powerful man in this Kingdom was a confident girl who knew she had the best backing in the whole world.

Me.

"Of course, my Lady," Garret replied, then mumbled to himself. "It makes sense. So that's why she is here. To meet you."

It wasn't even lunch time yet, and mystery lady made me very suspicious. Who was he talking about?