The Matriarch's Daughter

Chapter Eighteen: Back in the Day

Six Completions Earlier

Ugh. How do they expect me to cast spells with this thing? As soon as these tests are over, it's the first thing to go.

Rory ducked behind the stone wall, her breath coming in quick gasps as she barely managed to keep her grip on her shield. She hated it, everything about it. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and, above all, made it difficult for her to cast her spells. Every time she tried to summon her magic, the shield's cumbersome presence blocked the flow, disrupting her focus.

She had tried to get out of wearing it. At first, she had spoken to Deeprabbit. After months of grueling training, Rory hoped that perhaps Deeprabbit would see her progress and allow her to drop the shield altogether. There were moments, fleeting ones, when Deeprabbit seemed almost friendly, especially when Thepa wasn't around. The Mistress had been more candid with Rory about a month after she and Thepa stole her Sherrie, and Rory thought she might have a chance.

When Rory finally summoned the courage to ask Deeprabbit, she tried to soften the request. She had anticipated some pushback, but when Deeprabbit asked her why she didn't want to wear it, Rory froze. She hadn't expected that question. What was the reason? What could she say? There was no grand reason. The truth spilled out before she could stop it: she simply didn't like it. And that was the wrong answer.

Deeprabbit's eyes narrowed. There was a finality in the way she spoke that made it clear there would be no compromise. "That's not a good enough reason to abandon your shield," she had said firmly. "You'll wear it. And you'll wear it well."

Rory had known then that the conversation was over.

Rory peeked around the corner, her heart racing as she scanned the battlefield. At the front line, Claudia was holding her ground against an overwhelming number of automations: metal constructs built from a mix of gears and steel, their faceless bodies wielding clubs in one hand and shields in the other. Rory had learned about these creatures from her mother as a youngling. Their strength was terrifying, and Claudia was fighting them alone, three on one. Rory's stomach twisted with concern. The girl was fierce, but three was excessive.

Her mind raced as she watched Claudia take a heavy blow. She knew she couldn't waste time. Without thinking, Rory began the rhythm of the prayer, her hands moving in familiar patterns as she muttered words of power. As the last word left her lips, a glowing blue aura enveloped Claudia, shimmering around her like a protective shield. The energy pulsed around her, amplifying her strength.

Claudia didn't pause for even a second. She swung her warhammer with renewed force, landing a crushing blow that sent one of the automations to the ground. "Thank you, Rory!" she called, her voice filled with gratitude as she dealt with another opponent.

Rory smiled softly at the sound of her nickname. It still felt a bit strange to hear it from Claudia. There was always a bit of formality when it came to Claudia, but hearing it now, amid all the chaos, made Rory's heart swell. It was one of the many small things she cherished about the Youngling of the Trees. Beneath the rough exterior, the battle-hardened warrior who rarely showed emotion, Claudia had a warmth that Rory could feel, even in the most trying of times.

Truth be told, Rory was a little jealous. But now was not the time.

Hurry up and knock one down already!" Rory called out, her voice light, teasing.

Claudia swung her hammer again, knocking another automation to the ground with a sickening crunch. "You're welcome to come out of your hole and help!" she yelled back, clearly starting to get impatient.