Adamant Blood

"And I have no idea how to deal with… with whatever that was," Mark said, at dinner with his friends...

And also Barba and Julia Sacredcut. Barba knew Vincent, being as they were both rangers and they ran in the same circles, while Julia Sacredcut came along with Barba. They had sort of come along to a dinner here at the house because they were all talking with Derek… who was also here, and Mark wasn't sure how he felt about that, but Derek was very interested in all of this, and he had already promised to help fight goblin hordes.

Derek said, "I'm good at killing goblins as long as I have guns and equipment So I can very much participate in a goblin war. I am absolutely there for that."

Everyone was a lot more comfortable talking about a goblin war than about Walaria.

News about the goblins was spreading fast.

Sally said, "I'm there for that, too."

"Fucking hate those fuckers," Eliot said.

Mark said, "Emperor Salvation and First Prince Doomo are on that first, I think?"

Barba and Julia had similar 'oh god please talk about something else' kinda vectors.

Derek said, "I hear his emperor-name was going to be 'Atomic', but he chose to focus on the results of the Reveal instead of how they got there."

Barba didn't like that bit of history. She said, "If it weren't for how fast the Wilds regrow, a great portion of Daihoon would be uninhabitable due to those decisions made 80 years ago."

Isoko's vector suddenly went deep and then burst out mirthful as she went, "Ah HA! Someone did have the bright idea to destroy the world with atomics! And it worked out for them!"

For a small moment, Mark was lost, right alongside everyone else. And then Mark remembered a conversation he had had with Isoko half a year ago or something like that, back in Memphi, or it might have even been back in Citadel Freyala, about 'solving' the monster problem. The 'joking' solution had involved everyone moving to Daihoon for a year, then nuking the fuck out of Earth, and then everyone would switch over to Earth, and they'd nuke the fuck out of Daihoon.

Mark burst out laughing. "That's still a terrible idea!"

Isoko's eyes practically lit up as she said, "History has proven otherwise!"

No one felt like they were part of the joke except for Mark and Isoko.

Julia said, "Written history has been very kind to Emperor Salvation."

Barba softly, "To all of them."

And then Mark suddenly realized that they were talking about people that Mark had met today. One degree of separation off. Suddenly, Mark felt a whole new round of embarrassment/worry/apprehension/a-little-bit-of-fear/weirdness. It all jumbled up together into a whole new level of social anxiety that Mark hadn't felt in a year, that he had taken great pains within himself to overcome as fast as he could.

Eliot decided to take charge of the conversation again, which is what he was working toward anyway. He began with, "So, I believe we're all in agreement that certain steps need to be taken to ensure adequate firepower on the field. When the time comes Aurora will call for some actual action, but we need to be prepared, and now is not the time to be worried about a Chosen, pre-Inquisitor's possible betrayal later. It's unreasonable to remain thinking in that way, in this scenario."

Mark, Isoko, Sally, Barba, and Derek were bystanders right now. Maybe not so much Derek, but all the rest of them certainly were.

Julie countered Eliot, "Now is exactly when we should be considering these actions and consequences the most… But I must admit that in light of Derek's acceptance into the Inquisitors and being a Chosen… Look, Eliot." Julie said to Derek, too, "Derek." She said to both of them, "It's warding stones and pistols-only, for now. Don't push for more."

Derek bowed at the table, saying, "Thank you for your trust. I will not let you or anyone else down."

Eliot sighed in quiet relief. "I'm glad that we can come to—" He paused suddenly, and Mark knew why. "Someone in a formal uniform just walked onto the property."

Mark was already standing, saying, "They're here to talk to me."

Mark went down to the first floor fast, taking the pole slide down. Isoko rushed after him to slide down almost on top of him, but Mark got out of the way, toward the front door.

Isoko whisper-shouted, "Am I getting into Mage Society today too, Mark?!"

"I don't know! But you want to?" Mark was at the front door, hand on the handle. "We need to talk to Elaria, too."

"We do, absolutely!" Isoko said. "Holy shit yes. And don't leave me behind next time!" Isoko was excited and talking more than she knew was feasible, or even realistic. She was kinda terrified of Walaria, really. Eliot was certainly terrified of her. Sally had the vaguest desire to kill her, but only in that way that she wanted to kill all authority figures. It was a Drakarok thing… mostly. So Isoko added, "… you know, if that seems prudent. Or probably not, really… Actually. I don't need to meet her. I'll cheer you on from the sidelines—"

The doorbell dinged.

Mark opened the door.

It was Bertrand, the guard at the arcanaeum, but he was wearing formal black and vaguely-purple mage-butler robes, and holding a letter in his hands. Bertrand asked, "Mark Careed, of Union, Adamantiumkinesis, and Incorruptible Body?"

"… Yes," Mark answered, though he almost said it like a question.

"Here is your formal invitation to Mage Society, under the auspices of Aluathan Imperial Society, by Second Princess Walaria Aluatha." Bertrand handed over the letter. It was black and purple and gold. "Please read over the terms and return the completed letter at the nearest Mage Society office. It's inside the wall back there."

Mark took the letter. "Thank you."

Betrand bowed, and then departed.

… Mark closed the door and said to Isoko, "He's one of the guards at the arcanaeum."

"Must work at the Mage Society office?" Isoko offered.

"Oh! Well… yeah. That makes sense, huh?"

"Open it open it!"

Mark took a deep breath…

He opened the letter and pulled out a piece of paper that was folded up several times, which unfolded into one sheet, maybe 3 pages long. It was a 'legal document', but it was written simply and in large font, and it didn't appear to be a real legal document at all. Mark's emotions were all over the place, his palms and pits a little sweaty, but seeing the start of the document was kinda reassuring.

- -

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

This document is an Agreement of Induction into the Aluathan Imperial Society of Mage Society

This document serves as a guide for conduct in Mage Society rather than as a legal contract. Violations of the understandings contained herein may incur serious social consequences, but such violations might not incur legal consequences. Should the Apprentice violate actual legal codes, they will be subject to the laws of the realm, as usual.

This agreement shall be referred to as The Agreement.

Parties of the Agreement

Inducting Institution: Aluathan Imperial Society

Master: Second Princess Walaria Aluatha

Rank: 2

Apprentice: Mark Careed, Tri-Talent

Expected Rank: To be determined after the completion of Mark's remaining 4.5-years of settlement obligation, or earlier. (Probational 3)

Purpose and Oversight:

The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for the education, development, and integration of the Apprentice within Mage Society, under the general oversight of the Master.

Oversight shall be defined as follows:

Checking up on the apprentice when necessary. It should not be necessary very often. Disciplinary action, if required, will follow ample warning and be applied only in cases of heinous conduct. I decline to define "heinous conduct" in writing, but expect you to avoid it anyway.

Expectations of the Master:

The Master agrees to:

Provision of books and directional guidance. Availability for minor questions on an intermittent basis. Minimal hand holding. Primary instruction shall come from others; the Master will intervene only as needed. Shield Apprentice Mark Careed from international attempts to control or manipulate him, including those originating from Aluatha itself. Support his development to the highest levels he can achieve. Prepare him for the overarching goal of eliminating monstrous threats.

Expectations of the Apprentice:

The Apprentice agrees to:

Study magic to the fullest of his ability, with a likely focus on artificing, given the improbability of mastering actual arcane magic as a full Tri-Talent. Aspire to become a proficient kaiju killer and artificer. Attend High Mage Society events at the behest of his master. Bring guests, occasionally. Treat this opportunity as a serious and worthwhile investment, with the understanding that even if you fail in your higher goals, proficiency as a kaiju killer and artificer still makes this a worthwhile investment. Do not aim for the minimum, Mark. Remain autonomous in ideology and not bow to the rule of Aluatha.

Above all, the Apprentice will always refrain from speaking of magical secrets outside of Mage Society, and outside of the direction of their Master, for that is how Magefalls happen. If the Apprentice is discovered to have grievously broken this most primary of actual Mage Society laws, then they will be dealt with accordingly. When in doubt, in mixed crowds, say nothing.

Further understandings:

The master supports Mark Careed's known personal objectives: To kill all monsters. To find Resurrection Magic in Endless Daihoon. To kill all demons. These aims are to be pursued with appropriate guidance and discipline, to ensure minimal collateral damage.

Conclusion:

Thus, the non-binding Agreement of induction into the Aluathan Imperial Society of Mage Society is entered into by:

Master: Second Princess Walaria Aluatha

Apprentice: ___________________________

May all flourish in the light of mana.

- -

Mark set the long piece of paper down on a table by the door and read the words several times over. Isoko was there, reading alongside him. Mark had a pen in his hand, ready to sign his name in the blank space at the end. There was even a little sticker right next to the blank space with a colored pointer pointing at the space, saying 'SIGN HERE and turn in at Mage Society'.

Isoko asked, "Are you gonna sign?"

Mark said, "I think I need to talk to two people, first… Maybe 3."

"Elaria and Lola, maybe?" Isoko asked. "But, uh… Who else?"

"… Addavein?"

"Oh my gods, no, Mark," Isoko said. "He'd say to do it, right? Like… this is Second Princess Walaria. There is no way that she and Addashield don't have a massive history. She's a hundred years old and he was 300-and-whatever."

"… Yeah, you're right." Mark read the paper again. "Elaria would say to do it, too. Aurora already did, and… And Lola would say to do it, too. She might be insulted that I even needed to ask. They all might be." Mark stared at the paper for a moment longer, and then he solidly, surely, signed his name in the blank, his heart beating out of his chest with every letter written. And then it was done and Mark felt weightless. He set down the pen and he shook a little. "Oh gods. Okay… That's that."

Isoko smiled wide and gave him a big hug, holding tight, saying, "Congrats!"

Mark laughed and hugged back. "Congrats to me!"

"Let's have a party!"

- - - -

Aurora sat at her desk with her mother in the chair on the other side. Mother had cracked open a bottle and had already poured out some brandy for both of them. Aurora sipped as she tried not to look across the way. But she looked across the way, anyway.

"He signed it," Aurora said, downing the rest of her drink. "And now she's back in my life again."

Mother was happy, though. "Well I think it's nice. Walaria is the only reason we're alive, Aurora. It's good for her to have a good win, and maybe, if we play our cards right—"

"Don't even say it, Mother," Aurora said, voice tense. "Don't even think it."

Mother grinned. She shrugged and sipped her drink, and she was still grinning. And then she said what Aurora didn't want her to say, "When was the last time there was a serious threat to their rule, anyway? Maybe they need to be kept on their toes."

Aurora shuddered. "Leave me out of it. I have goblins to kill."

"Of course, dear."