Chapter 35: Chapter 35: I’ll Chase Them Anywhere

Ursula was looking at Sophia with a fond smile on her face.

The blonde had somehow consumed over half the stew she had prepared, saddled her lap, and then promptly went to sleep, her mouth drooling onto the broad shoulders of her human shaped seat.

One of Ursula’s hands was gently filtering through the curly cascade of golden locks that made up Sophia’s hair, while the other was resting on the small of her lover’s back enjoying the silky smoothness and gentle warmth of her skin.

Eyvor also had a soft smile adorning her face as she looked upon this scene from her chair at the table, “I can give you your present later.” She said lightly.

Ursula shook her head, “You don’t have to give us anything Sis.”

“But I want to – and I’ve already made it so no take backsies,” The woman said in mock seriousness.

Without letting Ursula to say a word Eyvor gestured for her to follow, the blacksmith stood, tenderly cradling her sleeping companion in her strong arms, and began to follow. They walked out the door into the cool night air, the waning moon barely giving her enough light to see.

They walked behind the house to a ramshackle hut, the dim lunar glow unable to disguise the rough construction, with wood pointing out at odd angles at various locations.

Ursula gave their guide a questioning look.

Eyvor rubbed the back of her head, “It’s a work in progress alright?”

The door opened with a squeak of protest from the rusty hinges, giving way to a small workshop with a few scattered woodworking tools. In the centre of the room sat a solitary bench upon which were two simple but elegant composite recurve bows.

The outside of the bow was a glossy white and upon closer inspection you could see the faint outlines of the sinew glued onto the solid black wooden core. The underside was a random wash of black and white splotches that looked very familiar.

“The inside of the bow is made from the chitin of the Uloborid that you guys hunted the other day – you two are ridiculous for killing that at your age. While the outside used the sinew from the deer manamal that was also caught on the trip.” Eyvor explained her fingers moving quickly to point out each feature, “The core was the only thing I had to purchase and it’s ironwood which I dyed to match the rest of it.” She took a deep breath, “So what do you think?”

Ursula shifted Sophia to one side to free up a hand and gently ran it along the smooth finish of the bow, taking note of the meticulous uniformity of each section across both weapons.

“I think it’s amazing.” She murmured almost reverently, looking up to catch the beaming smile of the weapons creator, “Thank you so much.”

The woman’s cheeks went a rosy red and her eyes flickered to the side, “Aww thanks. I’m glad you like it. And with that new enchantment of yours you can call it to you any time.”

Ursula groaned and palmed her face.

“What?” Eyvor asked.

“Instead of armour for the recall enchantment, we should have focused on the weapons to sell. Throwing knives or arrows would be perfect for it.” Ursula exasperated.

The bowyer grinned and put her hands on her wide hips, “Another great idea by your sister!”

Ursula ruefully smiled but noticed that her asleep partner shifted, so she gestured for the exuberant woman to calm down.

“Do you mind if we come back tomorrow to get them?” The blacksmith asked, “My hands are a bit full at the moment.”

“You know where they are – but don’t let that stop you from visiting more.” Eyvor’s smile dimmed a touch, “Even if I was a mess, it was nice seeing you both.”

Ursula placed her hand on her Eyvor’s shoulder and gave it a gentle rub, “Don’t push yourself.” The shoulder rub transitioned into a one arm hug, “And if you need anything just ask.”

“It’s the same for you,” Eyvor returned the hug with gumption, trying to surround both of them with her slender arms.

Ursula smiled, “Can you tell us what you did at school that made everyone so upset?”

“No,” was the abrupt reply, a shiver running up her spine, “We do not speak of it.”

There was a pregnant pause.

Eyvor gave them a weak smile, “Well, have a good sleep you two – oh well, Ursula. Wow, Sophia is completely out, isn’t she?”

Ursula nodded and ruffled the hair on her passenger’s head, cooing as Sophia subconsciously leaned into the touch.

“Well come visit as soon as possible to pick those up, stay safe in the meantime,” Ursula said as a parting remark.

Eyvor nodded, “And you. See you in a bit.”

After watching her pseudo-sister return to her home, Ursula began the short walk home trying her best not to jostle her warm precious cargo snuggled deep into her embrace, staving off the worst of the bitter winter chill. She looked up to the night sky to see a vista of sparkling stars, deep purples and blues contrasting against the harsh black of the unending void of space and smiled.

“What would I do without you?” Ursula asked, giving the blonde a soft glance.

Sophia drooled more onto her shoulder.

 

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The weekend had finally arrived, after the first week of school the pair were relaxing inside near the warm forge fires of Axia’s smithy.

“I can’t believe it snowed,” Sophia whined, looking out through the window across a blanket of pure white snow and dead grass, “Third time it’s happened in our lifetime and it’s the first weekend off from school.”

“It’s a sign. Obviously, it’s sucking all the fun out of the world.” Ursula agreed irritably, Sophia nodding emphatically at her.

 “Surely it can’t be that bad,” A jovial voice interrupted them.

“Headmaster Arne!” They shouted, jolting in place.

“We were just, um…” Ursula began but trailed off looking at her partner, “Soph you know what we were talking about don’t you?”

The blonde, suddenly put on the spot, shot a glare at her companion, “We were just-”

The headmaster grinned toothily as he raised a hand to stall them, “Do not worry. I’ve heard it thousands of times before and I am sure I will hear it a thousand times again.”

He conjured a cushioned seat next to the roaring flames and sat with a calm patience, he took a few moments to bask in the intense warmth, his eyes focused on the flickering flames that provoked a primal interest.

“The first few weeks are to establish a standard for our students.” The man eventually spoke.

“Is that why it’s so boring right now?” Sophia asked, Ursula raising an eyebrow at the blunt question.

The eagle animan chuckled, “Yes, Sophia, it is indeed.”

“Sir, they’ve expelled ten students already. Isn’t that slightly counterproductive to running a school?” Ursula questioned.

Arne’s smile grew strained, “While we must cater to all students, we cannot find ourselves weighed down and unable to proceed onto more advanced topics due to those who refuse to work.”

The tall teen grimaced but eventually nodded.

Sophia groaned, “But Sir, we know the advanced content already. Couldn’t we just test out or something?”

“And what of history?” The headmaster gave Sophia a shrewd look and she shrivelled under his stare, “More importantly, across all three schools which you could apply to we must prepare you for dungeon delving. It is, after all, this city’s greatest source of income.”

They sighed, reluctance clear in their tone.

“Could you at least tell us what Eyvor did?” Ursula asked, her expression brightening.

His body abruptly trembled violently for a full second. He steepled his hands and his eyes glazed over, the flames casting a shadow across his face, “I would prefer not to.”

“Uhh, okay.” The tall elf replied, casting the man a quick off look.

They tried to get his attention afterwards, but he remained as still as a statue, his mind appearing to be trapped in the visions of the past.

With a shrug Sophia cast some warming spells on them both and dragged Ursula out of the smithy.

“Come on, let’s have a look at the shops and see if they have any new stuff.” Sophia cajoled. “I’ve seen him do that before and he sat there for ages.”

Ursula rolled her eyes and allowed herself to be led through the streets of small shops, eventually finding themselves on the main thoroughfare through the district. People were happily traversing the ice-cold cobblestone road, covered in bright white snow, and peering into the shops that lined it.

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While most stores lights were dim there were a few that remained open despite the weather. One in particular was open to the elements yet the sound of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from an enraptured crowd resounded out from within. The bold sign sitting above the doorway read, ‘Empirio’s Enchanting’, and upon closer inspection the few flakes of crystalline snow that tumbled down from the sky were simply repelled.

Sophia’s eyes glimmered as her interest was piqued, without preamble she dragged her companion into the shop. As the ventured further within the sounds of the crowd got louder but over the din the voice of a presenter called out.

“Indeed, with the power of our new enchantment, no matter the situation, you will have no fear! So pre-order your weapons and armour now!” His voice reached a crescendo and the crowd erupted into a monstrous applause as they began to compress into a mess of bodies trying to get to the front first.

Sophia, too short to see over the crowd, pulled on Ursula’s sleeve and was hoisted up onto her shoulders, missing the tall girl’s expression. The blonde smiled and grinded her crotch on the back of hear seat’s head. Satisfied with her teasing she then looked up onto the stage.

Sophia’s smile deadened. Sitting proudly upon the familiar announcer’s neck, was a necklace of several small mana gems, identical to the one they had sold only a few weeks ago.

To add insult to injury the man’s laugher boomed out across the room and with a flash of light he was suddenly covered in the matching set of plate armour to the necklace. The crowd roared with applause.

If the duo’s murderous gazes could kill, the man would have been dead ten times over. Steam rising from their bodies from the pure heat of their rage, the pair left in a huff.

“What the fuck?!” Sophia growled.

“Those fucking fucks!” Ursula shouted, attracting the scrutiny of several people in the street.

“We’re heading back to Arne, now.” Sophia commanded.

Ursula nodded harshly, almost bucking her passenger off with her fervour, and set off at high speeds.

It was an odd sight for shoppers that day watching as a short very curvaceous blonde riding piggyback on a buff Amazonian-like woman. The pair were sprinting down the street, their eyes alight with grim determination.

 

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They made it back in record time, finding the headmaster still staring into the shifting flames of the forge.

“Sir, you’ve got to do something!” Sophia screamed.

“Someone’s stolen from us Sir!” Ursula added.

The old eagle animan who was-acing away from them, slowly blinked once, then twice, before turning his head towards them going further than humanly possible.

“I apologise for my vacancy, what has occurred to have you two in such a conniption?” He asked, his voice gradually regaining its strength.

“Someone is using our enchantment to sell their own armour. I didn’t even think it was possible to copy someone’s enchantment.” Sophia spoke in a huff.

The eagle-like man nodded gravely, “You are correct. Yet it does not prevent an enchanter to attempt to recreate your effect.”

The enchanter scowled, “Well shit. Surely, there’s some kind of law for that right?”

The man’s face dipped, hiding the frown growing on his face, “There is.”

“Then let’s do something. I spent months on that. They’re taking my hard work!” Sophia shot out, her voice raising with each sentence.

“I’ll try my best, however, my involvement may attract unsavoury gazes.” His flat tone brooked no doubt that the people he was referring to were the nobles. “As far as I see it, you have two available options. You can claim it as your own work or have someone else fight it for you. Either way I am willing to support you – the blatant theft of magical knowledge should never go unpunished.” His hard flint-like look caused even the nearby flames shudder away.

Sophia’s brows furrowed and her hands began to clench, going white before unclenching.

“I agree that we still can’t be put under the scrutiny of the pompous pricks, but I don’t want to lose what I worked so hard on to anyone – even if it is you Sir.” Sophia shot him an apologetic look, but he smiled and gestured for her to continue, “So let’s straddle the line and go with a non de plume.” Her smile turned shark-like, “I’ll funnel all my effort into it and then kick the bastards in the teeth with a grand unveiling.”

“I’m sorry Ms. Lifthrasir but what does ‘non de plume’ mean?” The old man asked, leaning forward in his seat.

Sophia gave her partner a guilty look, “It means a pen name or a name that you post your discoveries under, it would help immensely if you were to announce that they are a friend of yours Sir.”

Arne sighed, “I understand now, I had hoped you were simply gifted children, nonetheless I will keep your secret safe.”

“About what Sir?” Sophia asked in a tiny voice.

“You both know what I mean.” His eyes locked onto theirs, and eventually they both lowered their heads, “Moving on, I agree. It will be far more efficient to use a pen name as it neatly solves our problem and controls outside perspective.”

“Why are you still helping us so much Sir?” Ursula asked, “Surely there are other people in the group, or children that also need help?”

“Because I believe intelligent children are our future.” He uttered with stoic conviction.

“And if we weren’t smart enough?” Ursula asked tentatively, almost fearing the answer she was about to hear.

“I wouldn’t have helped you.” He said bluntly, seeing their shocked expressions, he elaborated, “If it were possible, I would help every child in your situation, but I cannot. With what little time I have I must be pragmatic with its use; therefore, I choose and guide those I believe with potential to help those around them.”

“Why tell us that? We can’t do much.” Sophia mumbled.

A growl began to rumble out of his chest, but he quickly suppressed it, “Because I believe you already have a sufficient backing in me. I’ve seen one exemplary teen in the last few years cripple her progress due to the rules of the orphanage and I refuse to see it happen again.”

He stood, ramrod straight and looked at them, his steely eyes boring into theirs, his arm extending out and pointing towards the orphanage, “That woman has let her past dictate her actions, passing her fears onto the children she raises.”

Hot anger welled within both their chests, they both opened their mouths to speak but Ursula got there first, “At least she’s doing something in the god forsaken shithole of a city! She pours her heart and soul into looking after every child that walks through her doors no matter their circumstances. Yet you simply let them go, tossing them to the wayside if they don’t meet your standards.” She scoffed.

“I have already explained my reasoning regarding that matter. I will not repeat myself.” The eagle-man said imperiously. 

“Ah yes, the ‘they’ll limit everyone else’ reason. Just make another fucking class! You’ve already got four per year, what’s another one? You have enough classrooms, and the extra money from the students can pay for the teachers! Is it that hard?!” Sophia sneered. “You say that you choose children to help elevate others – elevate them all at the same time!”

The mans eyes narrowed dangerously, “The majority who are forced to leave do not pay tuition. Furthermore, the nobl-”

“Don’t you dare fucking say that the noble’s won’t like it,” Ursula cut him off, seething with rage, “If you can’t stop their influence towards your charges inside and outside of school, then why say you can protect us. And if you can protect us why not the whole school?”

“I will not have two teens question how I run my school,” He uttered with deathly coolness, his hands shaking in concealed anger. “You have no idea the lengths I go to, to keep them away from it. I may own it but it’s only their money that allows me to keep tuition low and provide schooling to everyone – you yourselves don’t pay a single copper talent. I would rather give children a single opportunity than none at all.”

He closed his eyes and drew in a long slow breath, allowing for his hands to stabilise, and then walked over to the edge of the forge flames, the swaying orange tendrils getting dangerously close to his body as he stared into them.

“I have dealt with those imbeciles year after year pitting them against one another in a moronic game of one-upmanship to provide the necessary funds. Recently, they’ve attempted to give the funds with caveats,” He scoffed at the mere thought of them, “Tournaments with expensive prizes to parade their children’s strength or ‘networking’ days where they try to poach the students. I’ve quashed them all.”

Not a word was spoken for several minutes, the crackling of the flame the only noise to cut through the silence.

“I apologise.” The old man eventually spoke, suddenly looking to be his age, “You do not deserve to be spoken like that. It has always been a sore point for me.”

“We’re sorry as well. The stealing our enchantment op top of you insulting the woman that was willing to take us in was a bit too much. I admit we’ve allowed Rosalind to dictate our actions, but we’ve always thought it was with good intentions.” Ursula conceded.

“Rosalind is right in saying that good students are almost forced into working for the upper crust, but they can influence you because you allow them to. If you refuse, even saying that you were offered a role in one of their shops or laboratories can get you hired someplace elsewhere.” The animan explained.

Sophia frowned, “And our fathers?”

“Prove your strength and worth to the city and it will be almost impossible to silence you.” He explained with a grim smile.  

“Sir, how desperate are they for something like a tournament?” Sophia suddenly questioned.

The man smiled thinly, “Like manamals at the leash.”

“Would you be able to leverage that into forcing them to keep all students off limits? You could also add a heavily monitored networking day at the end of school to allow the students to find employers. Your graduates are going to be employed with the nobles anyways, you could try to get something out of it.” Sophia expounded with increasing fervour.

He thought for a moment, “I’ll see what I can do. But this conversation has gotten away from us.” He slumped back into his conjured seat by the fire, “How do you wish to proceed from here? Please keep in mind that Rosalind deserves respect, however, ultimately the choice lies with you.”

Sophia looked at Ursula and they gave each other vicious grins.

Ursula turned to him and with a clear and confident voice said, “If you can guarantee our safety for the next five years for us and the orphanage. We’re fucking through with hiding ourselves, it’s time to fight back.”

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