The Price of a Trapped Soul

Chapter Two: Biding Time

Chapter Two: Biding Time:

I tried my best to listen, phantasms were fascinating. I wondered by what process they were collected. It would be treason to procure them through a Necromancer, but the thought was entertaining.

My mother nodded in approval throughout the conversation. It was obvious my daydreaming dealing with the Necromancers had escaped her notice. I tried to keep myself from rolling my eyes. It wasn't really that bad. I focused on my food carefully chewing each morsel. I focused on the texture and such. It kept my mind preoccupied.

"Isn't that right?" Stephanie asked looking innocent.

"What?" I said just now realizing she had been addressing me.

"The new laws spreading through the other clans, they're barbaric aren't they?"

"Perhaps, but there are some laws that must exist by necessity." I countered unwilling to agree completely. I knew of which laws she spoke of, they dealt with the execution of war criminals and daemons; among others in the clan government.

"But surely there's a more effective ways to capture criminals." Stephanie argued, her tone at an almost indignant pitch.

My mother interrupted. "Perhaps we'll revisit the idea in the courts next month." She said to Stephanie reassuringly.

I felt a twinge of something, it wasn't guilt, but something similar. I didn't like it. Instead I bit my lip. It was one of my many bad habits. My mother shot me a warning look.

I relented. I knew when I was beat. Instead of pressing the matter I did my best to draw the conversation towards a less political topic.

After lunch I drew away from the table and retreated into my rooms, I had to make my tonic and study more of the literature Sara had brought me. I had learned nearly everything on the political history of the clans, including why there were five instead of one.

I pulled out a dusty text; there was no knowing how old it was. It was handwritten in deep thick ink, there was something beautiful about it. I continued reading the text for the next few hours.

In that time I learnt much on the topic of war strategy. It was well beyond what my mother prefer I read, but even though the wording was hard to muddle through I got an intense sense of enjoyment from it. I kept up with herbal treatments and other methods of healing.

While in the clan you have two choices, you either focus in long term health or emergency short term health. I had little interest in either, but given the choice I would eventually be forced to chose. I would pick emergency, it's the closest thing I can get to joining in on the actual fighting. I dreaded the choice, emergency was frowned upon, as healers we are to love peace, love the calm and plain. I couldn't stand any of it.

After lunch I stayed in my room with the books as long as I could stand without going completely mad. I changed out of the dress, I had completely forgotten I was still wearing it. Instead now I wore a black training uniform. It was non-restrictive and allowed for quick easy movements.

I headed down to the training room, my daily tonic sloshed in my stomach, I should've been used to it by now, but it still unnerved me.

I entered the weapons hall, it was dark and archaic, much like the rest of the safe haven they had built.

The practice room was filled with row after row of punchbags, dummies, along with a number of other static opponents. I walked achingly to the back. I reached a weapons dummy and went to work. The choice weapon of the day was the long sword. The dummy was set on a randomized simulation which was made to withstand blows, and fight back.

I knew I was breaking the rules using this version of the software, it wouldn't stop at non-fatal blows. On many occasions it had caught me off guard. I even had a few scars from the months past. The blades were sharp. I slipped a pair of headphones into my ears; it was a dumb move, but it was easier to focus when there were less wandering thoughts. The first fifteen minutes were fast paced slices an blocks, after the second twenty had passed my arms burned from lactic acid.

The mechanic opponent stopped mid swing causing me to lose balance-a rookie mistake. "Elle. What've you been told about the use of electronics?" My mother scowled the chastisement. I thanked the stars Stephanie wasn't standing at her heels, this would've been a painful blow to my pride.

"Are you referring to the rules regarding them, or the information surrounding them?" I asked knowing I was only digging the whole deeper.

"Being a smart alek will do you no good Elle. Your right to electric devices has already been restricted, don't let me find their use on your person again." She warned her voice almost pitchy. She got strangely irritated when the topic came up. I should've bit my tongue, I knew that, but there was always something in me that rose up to the challenge regardless of sense.

"We're expecting more guests this afternoon, I assume you were told." She said, she was wrong as usual.

"No, I'm only just hearing about it now," I said baring my teeth in a smile. Under my breath I muttered, "as always."

The Saktar simply stood her ground and glared. "Well..." She said coldly, "Now you know."

And that was that.

I headed off to my room still sweaty; my mother hadn't mentioned the other rules I'd dodged, but I knew that was only a set up for future chastisements.

I went to prepare for whoever was to arrive. As soon as I was showered I picked a semi-comfortable dress. It was an emerald green, and sequenced with small intricate gems. It was by far one of my preferred choices. I had a number of dresses which seemed to defy both reason and taste. I decided promptly, this one would do.

Without another thought to deliberation I slipped down the hall my traditional shoes clacking, while my dress swirled out from behind. It would do quite nicely.