System Lost: My Own Best Friend

Since Draga has a bunch of interrogations to do and it's already late, the village elder lets us stay the night. It turns out the big stone building doubles as a sort of town hall and personal domicile for the elder. There's nothing like an inn or tavern in the village—just a spare "bedroom" that isn't much more than a pile of dried reeds with a blanket thrown over it. Sadly, that still places it in the top three beds I've experienced in this world.

Talla and I share the room while Draga goes about his business doing ranger things—although I'm not sure how or why investigating possible rebels falls under that umbrella.

"It doesn't, technically," Talla explains when I ask about it. "But we are obligated to report it, and the higher-ups prefer those reports to be thorough."

I hum thoughtfully, glancing out the window at the glowing band in the sky. "I thought Draga said you wouldn't be reporting it as a rebellion."

Talla sighs. "The attempted robbery, no. He'll probably fudge the report to say that they turned the arms in willingly and reported the stranger."

It's oddly comforting to know that I'm not the only one that the rangers will lie to protect. I wonder how common stuff like this is. Talla and Draga both seem quite at home making false reports, and while one way to look at it is that they are just being understanding of the extenuating circumstances, the other way is...

"That is naked corruption!" Evelyn complains. "Lady Baanu, how can you allow this?"

Talla sighs, playing with the softly glowing orb of light illuminating the small, mostly featureless room. "It's Draga's decision to make—but I agree with it. Allie is right, these boys were being manipulated, and reporting their pathetic little 'rebellion' would end up bringing an inquisition down on this village—which is exactly what the man who gave them those weapons wants."

"That makes no sense! Why would rebels want innocent people to get killed?"

I frown. What a naive thing to ask. Again I have to remind myself that she's a teenager, and a sheltered one at that.

"Because it promotes their cause," I tell her. "It gives them justification to fight back, and makes the people left behind more sympathetic to their revolt."

"That's giving a lot of credit to the regime willing to murder innocents to put down a rebellion in the first place," Violet interjects. "A plot like that only works when 'bringing an inquisition down' is a real concern, at which point rebellion is entirely justified."

"That's treason!" Evie argues.

"I can't betray an empire I never swore allegiance to," Vi counters. "And I don't plan on licking anyone's boots."

"I don't even know what that means!"

"Guys, calm down please," I sigh. "Vi, you're starting to sound like Maggie."

I wince at my own words, realizing that was a deeper cut than I intended.

"I didn't expect you to side with a police state, Allie," Violet hisses.

"I'm not!" I protest. "Look, all I'm saying is that wars—civil or otherwise—are messy. Rebellion and revolution is messy, and it's rarely ever going to be as simple as good guys and bad guys. Talla's a noble, and I don't see her crushing anyone under heel, do you?"

"No comment," Maggie says.

"That's all very fascinating," Talla says with a bemused smile. "But you should probably keep conversations like that as private as you possibly can. Some of my cousins would happily see this entire village burn for what those boys did."

"See?!" Vi exclaims.

"Only some," she clarifies unconvincingly.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. "Yeah. I do. I get it, Vi. But all we've seen is a tiny slice of what's going on. I don't think we should be dedicating ourselves to one side or the other just yet."

"Or at all," Talla adds. "Worry about yourselves before debating politics. Speaking of which, get some sleep! You did a lot of casting today and you need to rest. No more constant magical strain—doctor's orders!"

"Yes ma'am!" I reply with a mock salute.

* * *

"Eek!"

A shrill scream startles me awake and I surge to my feet, knife drawn. Without my glasses, all I can see is a brownish blur rapidly fleeing away from me. The blur presses itself against the wall and raises its arms...I think.

Keeping my knife and eyes trained on the blur, I slowly kneel down to pick up our glasses with my free hand. Once donned, I recognize the woman trembling across the room as...what was her name again? The bandit kid's mom—Ki-something? Kiera? No, that's someone else. I'm terrible with names.

"What do you want?" I ask, risking a glance around the room and noting that Talla is nowhere to be found. Nipper is wrapped around one of my ankles and rearing up at the woman like a cobra. "Where's Talla?"

"Huh?" the woman says. "I don't understand you. Lady Baanu asked me to fetch you, but I was startled by...that thing."

She points at Nipper, and I look down at the agitated worm-snake, slowly putting things together. He's been hiding under our cloak since we arrived, and aside from sneaking him bits of food during dinner, Allie never revealed him.

I relax slightly and consider putting away the knife, but I'm not entirely certain I believe her yet. Instead I reach down and let Nipper slither his way up my arm—as much as a demonstration for the woman as to give him a more comfortable perch.

"Allie, Eva, I could use one of you right now," I mutter under my breath.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"I'm not some tool for you to wield as you see fit, Violet," Evelyn complains.

"Please," I whisper.

"Fine," she sighs.

Kiina stares at us with mute incomprehension, and I don't blame her. I put the knife away and adjust the cloak to hide the little monster on our shoulders.

"My apologies," I say, ducking my head. "I was merely startled. The worm is a pet, but it will bite you if it doesn't know you."

She blinks, lowering her hands. "Oh. You can speak normally."

"Yes," I sigh. "It's just difficult. Where is Lady Baanu?"

"Preparing your vehicle," Kiina replies. "Sir Draga finished with the boys and says you're all ready to leave."

"Why did they leave us alone?" Violet asks. "Something isn't right."

That seems rather paranoid, but I suppose I can ask.

"Why wasn't I woken sooner?"

"Lady Baanu said that you were tired from the journey," she answers. "Though she wouldn't say where you came from."

"Far away," I reply. "Is that all?"

The second part is directed at Violet, but Kiina nods in response.

"Ask why they didn't come get us themselves," Violet insists.

"Must you be so paranoid?"

"What?" Kiina asks.

"Nothing," I reply.

Blood and acid, this is awkward. Why don't they have a better way to converse?

"We were held at gunpoint by young revolutionaries yesterday, and we are in the company—not to mention clothes—of nobility," Violet says. "It pays to be careful."

"That's rather a different tune to the one you were singing yesterday," I point out.

"Huh?" Kiina gives me another baffled look.

"Apologies, please give me a moment," I say, turning away from her to make it more clear that she is not the one I'm speaking to.

"You're not very subtle," Violet grumbles.

"A priestess does not hide herself away from the Goddess' light," I answer. "Now what were you saying?"

"Are...are you talking to the worm?" Kiina asks incredulously.

I hold up a hand to hush her while I wait for Violet's reply.

"There's a difference between agreeing with their ideology and trusting them," Violet says. "If this town really is a secret rebel outpost, then they have every reason to consider us their enemy. It behooves us to tread carefully."

"I see. Thank you."

[Level up!]

Student is now level 4.

+1 Will.

See? I'm not so clueless that I can't learn when it matters. Violet's unique insights into the treasonous mind are far more useful than whatever nonsense Allison makes up about fake tiny rivers and inscrutable numbers.

Oh, Goddess, who am I trying to convince?

I turn back to Kiina and duck apologetically. "I'm sorry for the strangeness. It's a foreigner thing."

"Oh my fucking god, she's a terrible liar!" Magdalena groans. "Who calls themselves a foreigner like that?"

Well, if the witch thinks I am too honest, then I won't lower myself to be insulted. That she expects me to speaks more of her character than mine.

"Um...right, okay?" Kiina hedges awkwardly.

I keep one hand on the hilt of our blade beneath the cloak—though I can't help but notice it's on the wrong side—and gesture to the door.

"Please lead the way."

I follow Kiina outside, where—as expected—no rebel ambush awaits us. Just the morning sun, a rare and precious breeze coming off of the river, and the smells of fish and mud. And the horse, of course—still lazily chewing away on its food until it's needed. I'd never expect the placid things to be as fast and powerful as they are if I didn't know any better.

It meets my gaze with a muffled snort, then returns to its food.

"I'm very sorry about my son," Kiina says, drawing my attention away from the horse. "He's usually a good boy, it's just..."

She trails off, but I know better than to interject just yet. I wait patiently for her to find her words.

"It's been a hard year," she says at last. "The river's lower than it's been in a decade, and the fish aren't biting. Nobody comes down this far south unless we miss a tax, and we've lost a few to hunger this year, including—"

Kiina hesitates again, gathering herself up.

"My youngest—Sam's little sister," she finishes quietly. "Hadn't even made it to her name day yet, but it still hurts, you know."

"Of course," I reply with a nod.

"He's been acting up ever since," she sighs. "As boys are wont to, but I never thought he'd—" she clenches her teeth and huffs. "I'm sorry. He doesn't speak for us—I don't even think he knew what he was saying. Whatever that man told him and the boys, it's not—"

She cuts herself off again, and I wait. This isn't really my area of expertise. I was a healer. I treated wounds, gave soldiers my blessing, and otherwise spent most of my days doing simple chores around the convent. In fact, my sisters and I were usually kept well away from the public most of the time.

But at the very least, I know how to listen.

"I don't know who you are or where you're from," Kiina says, changing tracks entirely. "But Lady Baanu seems to respect you. I confess, she didn't ask me to fetch you. I wanted to speak to you alone."

"I told you she was suspicious," Violet says.

"Shh!"

Kiina gives me a confused look, and I do my best to smile disarmingly despite the unfamiliar facial muscles. "Not you, sorry. Please continue."

"Um, right," she says. "I wanted to apologize in person, and to ask you to put a good word in with the lady. I know what Sir Draga said, but..."

"But clan Baanu has a reputation, yes?" I finish for her. "Fear not, Miss Kiina, for your prayers have been heard by the Goddess, and her light shines upon you. Lady Talla Goa Baanu speaks truly. Furthermore, we carry supplies enough for over twice our number, and though I make no promises, I expect the lady will be pleased to be relieved of the extra burden—especially as thanks for your gracious hospitality."

"Really?!" Kiina exclaims, then coughs and schools her expression. "I-I mean, we couldn't possibly accept after all we've—"

"Your elder was right to maintain tradition," I interrupt. "The Goddess rewards her faithful daughters. For the price of a few berries, some wine, and shelter for the night, I believe you have earned the Goddess' forgiveness—and Lady Baanu's. I ask only that you convey this lesson to your son, that he may not stray from the path again."

"I-I will!" she stammers. "Thank you! I...I didn't know they had priestesses in...wherever you're from."

"The Goddess' light shines upon all her creations," I reply simply. "Thank you for sharing your food with us—and your story with me."

"Thank you for hearing it," she says with a bow.

"What happened to cutting off their horns and stringing them up as examples?" Violet asks sarcastically as Kiina guides us back to the alchemical carriage.

"I never said all that," I mutter. "I may not agree with them, but I'm not without sympathy. Perhaps it's as Miss Allison said."

"Messy?" she suggests.

"Indeed."

"Oh my fucking god, just kiss already!" Magdalena crows.

"Go away, Maggie, you're not required for a conversation between adults," Vi sneers.

"Yes, I rather think we have this handled without your colorful interjections," I agree.

We may have our differences, but I think I can get along well enough with Miss Vi. Especially if it means putting that chaos witch in her place.

"Oh shit, now there's two of them," Maggie groans.

Her despair is music to my ears.