Carmine

"So you can't read the mind of someone from Elam?" I asked.

Five shook his head. "I could, but anyone with any amount of common sense would use a Sector Bloom to block me from trying. It would not be hard to make. Empaths like myself can block such interferences naturally."

Great, the more I dug the more I realized I was not safe.

I knew Valor said I should not, but I could not be blind to what happened. Knowledge was needed to know how to prevent my death the next time around, at least that.

Janilla and I were on the bed playing Boomon, while Five sat on the window sill looking out. The wind warmed and filled the room with specks of dust, but I rather warm air than suffering in this room. It was a good thing they had board games for us when we asked. Sitting in here was boring.

"You can hear my thoughts right now?" I asked.

"Yes, but I can hear others. The ability I have can be—noisy."

"I supposed hearing everyone's thoughts can be quite annoying."

"Very."

"Can you make those Sector Blooms for me?" Janilla asked. Guess she realized she was one of the others. I almost laughed. As long as my thoughts were not read indiscriminately with my permission I was fine with this arrangement. I moved my piece taking two of her black pieces.

"Metrologists can. I have no crafting skill. We could get one, but I have no knowledge of any witches in Tiam that might have one."

"So aren't you a Metrologist?"

"No, I am a Champion. I am only built for combat. I specifically have been built for subversion, insertion, and insurrection."

She took four of my pieces and I grunted. I rolled those words in my head. "Assassin?"

"Yes," he said.

Janilla took another piece. I groaned as I only had two pieces left.

"What do you mean by built?"

"I am an N.C., meaning New Core."

"I have been wondering what that meant. Valor called you that."

"I was made, not born. Made by the hands of my—last patron. Maiden Mother Billasoia. My only existence was to serve."

If they could make a living thing then I saw why they elevated themselves beyond the reach of their once human status to now being Gods over us. "So Valor was made as well?"

"No, he is M.C., Modified Core. He was born elsewhere taken in as a free proxy and worked as such. He is—known far and wide. My losing to him was not shameful."

Janilla took the rest of my pieces and I threw my arms up in ire at losing again. Janilla did a victory dance whirling her body with her arms in the air. I sighed and looked at Five's back. There was a desire to find out more about his history, but if he was made, would he have one?

"You still want to return back to Billasoia?" I asked.

"No."

Five told us that Billasoia, Erot’s daughter sent him.

Probably on her mother’s orders?

A series of knocks on the door caught me and Janilla's attention. Janilla got up and opened the door. A well-dressed man came in. He curtsied and announced, "The King desires your audience, Lady Carmine."

I nodded at Janilla and she ran off to get herself ready. I jumped off the bed. "Five?"

"Yes Mo—"

"Only in private, address me properly." I quickly asserted. The man did not react to that.

I heard Five. "Princess Carmine, my apologies. What do you require of me?"

I allowed him into my mind. Find me a Metrologist. You have until nightfall. "Stay here."

"Yes, my Princess."

"Please allow me time to get ready for him," I said to the retainer. He nodded and stayed outside. Five jumped out of the window.

Janilla and I got dressed, then left with the retainer. Walking the halls, Janilla looked nervous. Tiredness arrested my body. I must have slept for a few hours and that was it. Sleep felt distant to me. I guessed I was too used to the rocky floors of my worst life.

Sometimes, visions and dreams of those deadly halls wreaked my head and left my forehead drenched with sweat if not blood. Forgetting was harder than I thought it would be. I lost the urge to rationalize my mental fatigue. At least I had no aches and bad tinges in my body. I praised that fact.

We reached a long room. In the center was a freshwater pond triangular in shape. Small steps on either side led into the swell, while half-circular leaves waded in it. Fish of various sizes and colors swam without a care in the world.

There were a number of people here. All looked gay and talked amongst themselves in this grand hall. The architecture here was simple, for the round columns held the upper floors made of flat black lustrous stone. It reflected the glare of the sun, hence creating a tranquil atmosphere.

"Lady Carmine!"

Janilla and I turned, then saw a bunch of people approaching us. The man leading the procession was lanky, skinny and rather deprived-looking.

This was the man that immediately hugged me in a suffocating hug. I almost coughed. He drew back. That man smiled from cheek to cheek. I knew who he was, but I could not believe it was him.

His eyes were sunken, while his skin was blotted with a few sickly spots on the chin upward to the right of his face.

Well, he dressed fine. Rather extravagantly, I must admit. He wore a cloak that was held over one shoulder mostly and swung around his neck.

The middle of his robe was peppered with minute dark gems. Same as his arm cuff, for huge rings clutched on the fingers of his left hand. The robe was fitted and dark brown. White linen was stitched in to make it look textured.

"Lady Carmine." He held up my chin. Staring up in his face I was not sure how to respond. He stepped back and wavered his arms outward. I stiffened my arms in anticipation.

Muddled were my thoughts as I took note of the eyes watching me intently. Typical appraisal of the upper class, but I stood with pride. "Lady Carmine you look—"

I waited while he was stuck in his words another man who looked brash with a thick beard spoke up, "Any reason you have a weapon?"

My spear was slung over my back. "I do not trust any of you."

They all looked on with shocked expressions. The first man waved the second man off. "Lady Carmine you are in Tiam the safest place in this world. Ah—yes. I am the King. Remember me?" He smiled brightly at me.

I was happy, but I composed myself. I just could not deny how much changed. That and he looked so different—and skinny—where did all those muscles go? I would have to reserve my joy for later.

I smiled. "I am happy to meet your acquaintance, after so long. The travel here was eventful. I would love to let you know the situation completely, so that we may move forward appropriately. It seems I have a witch chasing me around trying to kill me."

The brash looking man muttered something as he made a face and shifted uncomfortably. The King smiled wider than I thought he would. The others started muttering and gasping loudly.

Suddenly another man, he was dressed in armor with a fancy cape strung along to one side of his pauldron. This one had a heavy beard. He cleared his throat and turned. "Sirs and madams allow us a minute please."

The other people moved away taking glances back at me to make sure I was real.

The King nodded behind him before facing me again. His hand touched my shoulder I forced myself into a still state as I warmed to his touch. "Witches, well, you need not worry about that. I will protect you. Like I always promised I would."

That promise was late. The brash man was shaking his leg like an uncontrollable child. His eyes were on me though so I knew it was me affecting him.

The King motioned behind him, at the one in the armor, "This is my younger brother, Nor." That one gave me a bow, so I returned it.

The King was about to introduce the next one, but he noted his constant fidgeting. Pausing the King stepped forward giving the man a stare which resulted in the brash man whipping his head back in disgust. "What is happening with you? Are you hurt brother?"

The brash man said low, "I am perfectly fine, my King."

The King nodded at that and said as he twirled. "Yes, this Is Acomn. He is a bit of an odd one today. He is probably just nervous since you mentioned the witch thing. Oh, Acomn, yes he is the commander of Tiam's army, so that is why. He is always nervous about safety, but do not worry my love you will be safe here."

Acomn made a distorted scowl when his head rolled on his neck in repulsion. Even Nor was stealing nervous glances at him. The King was not privy to this. He just smiled brightly.

Also, the King was shorter than his younger brothers. Granted, Canus was tall, but his brothers were bigger, muscular, and taller.

Part of me wanted to say something, but I was not sure what to say to any of that. I was invited to dinner later which I humbly accepted. Though, the King had me leaving the spear behind. I agreed to that, reluctantly.