Year 70.5

  *Reaching the Mansion, Emma is brought through the slaves' entrance. She is then brought to a dimly lit room, and they remove her clothes once again. They hang her by her cuffs in the center of the room. Argon stands before her. He grabs her face and makes her look him in the eye. Her gaze has begun to lose hope.*

  Argon: You’ll do wonderful.

  *He pushes her back, and she swings back and forth.*

  Argon: I’ll be back when you’re willing to behave.

  *The door closes, and Emma is locked in silence. The darkness of the room covers her as she whispers to Lily. Her voice was hoarse from thirst.*

  Emma: Morning, Lily.

  Lily: It’s not morning, Mama.

  Emma: What do you mean?

  Lily: It’s midday right now.

  *Emma scoffs and shakes her head. Her tears were hidden in the lightless room.*

  Emma: How long have we been here?

  Lily: I think it should be the second month?

  Emma: Damn. I was thinking it was still only the first.

  *The sound of footsteps approaches the door, then the sound of keys. Emma hears it all the lock the hinges. Then the blinding light of a torch. Argon walks in and drops her to the floor. Her legs give out from not being used for so long. Another man enters the room, his build similar to Argon's, but his right eye is sealed shut by a battle scar. They bring in a poor excuse for a cot as it barely stands. She looks around confused before Argon squats down before her. Holding some food and a bracelet, similar in design to the ones used against the Seers.*

  Argon: Put this on willingly, and I’ll give you this. Sit quietly and you’ll get more than run off from above to drink.

  *Emma nods, she could tell Argon wanted her to resist, she didn’t want to give in, but it made her feel as though she was resisting in her own way. She had been tortured plenty of times, but then Argon gives her the bracelet. She puts it on, and she can feel Lily pulled into it. She starts to panic, clawing at her wrist. Argon stops her by grabbing her other hand.*

  Argon: I’d rather you not get unhealthy. I can assure you, your spirit is okay. Now. Slade here is going to make sure you understand your place. *Smiles* Depending on how long you fight, depends on how long before you’ll see the sun or moons again.

  *Argon's laugh echoes, only silenced as the door shuts. Slade spends the first day silent. Studying Emma. Each day he would enter, bring her food, watch and leave.*

  *The cell was cold. Not winter-cold, not the sharp bite of snow or the dry chill of frozen wind—but sterile cold. Lifeless. Like the room had forgotten what warmth was. The torch never helped, only made the disgust more visible. Emma lay curled on the cot, its mattress a thin pad atop rusted iron. She was thinner than she'd ever been, her skin drawn tight, her hair tangled in strands of faded blue. Her eyes, still sharp beneath the weight of exhaustion, were fixed on the bracelet around her wrist. The gem at its center pulsed faintly—barely visible to anyone else, but to Emma, it shimmered with Lily’s soul.*

  Emma(TL): Good morning, Lily.

  *The gem glowed just slightly in response, and Emma felt it—that flicker of life, of presence. Lily was still in there. Still watching. Still waiting. Her other hand brushed the iron collar fastened to her neck. It was a hateful thing, humming slightly against her skin, muting the song of her magic. She could barely feel the threads of mana anymore. Her natural gifts, her precision, all dull and gray.*

  Slade: You know. Argon has a habit of treating his… Projects. With special care, but only if they behave.

  *Emma listened, but what scared her more than anything, she couldn’t feel her inner self anymore. That secret thread of power that only Lily knew existed. That wild, instinctual energy that had always flared in moments of terror or protection. It wasn’t just gone. It was sealed. Hidden beneath layers of silence. Trapped beneath the gem, alongside her spirit. As Emma starts to get some of her strength back, Slade enters the room. She turns to see him holding a vial. Its golden glow gives off the slightest bit of light.*

  Slade: Before we begin. Drink this.

  *Emma takes the vial and smells it. Slade chuckles as he places a chair and a table from outside the room. *

  Slade: Why would I give you poison?

  *Emma drinks the vial, watching Slade. He places down a heavy bag of what sounds to be metal instruments.*

  Slade: Now, just focus on your spirit. Think about them and all your adventures.

  *Emma begins feeling her memories fade away. Faces disappear, one by one, until she passes out. The only thing left is her memories of training alone.*

  *The door groaned open. Slade didn’t knock. He never did. He stood tall, clad in tailored black with gloves too clean for the work he did. His face was calm, like a tutor arriving to discuss literature, not a man sent to break minds. His eyes were unreadable, and his presence filled the room like smoke.*

  Slade: Emma, *Genuine smile*. "Good morning."

  *She didn’t answer, but he didn’t mind.*

  Slade: Let’s begin.

  *The days blurred. Sometimes it was talking about harmless things. Childhood. Trust. Memories. He would sit on a chair across from her and speak with gentle tones, coaxing her to speak about the past. She never did.*

  Other times, it was silence. A test. He’d sit for hours, staring, watching every twitch of her fingers, every shift in her posture.

  And then, there were days with screams.

  *Bruises bloomed and healed. They had a healer on hand, a quiet woman with averted eyes and perfect hands. Emma would be cleaned, healed, and returned to her cell. Sometimes she was left in the dark for what felt like days.*

  *But always, always, she whispered to the bracelet.*

  Emma: Goodnight, Lily.

  *And the gem pulsed and Emma could hear her faintly.*

  Lily: Night Mama..

  *Spring crept in. The snows had melted. In her windowless world, Emma knew it only because the scent of damp earth clung to the guards when they changed shifts. Slade was patient. He changed tactics often. On one day, he offered her warm tea and real bread. On another, he struck her across the face for not smiling when he entered.*

  Slade: You’re not a prisoner, You’re a project. A gift. Master Argon paid dearly for you.

  *She spat blood on his boots. He didn’t flinch.*

  Slade: You’re going to be his shadow. His dagger. His guardian spirit. You’ll walk beside him like you were born for it.

  *Her lip split as she grinned. *

  Emma: He’s as stupid as you then.

  Slade: No. *Crouching to her level.* He’s patient. Like me.

  *The bracelet became her ritual. It was her rhythm. Her clock. *

  Emma: Good morning, Lily.

  Emma: Goodnight, Lily.

  *Sometimes, the gem didn’t pulse. Those were the worst days. She could feel her, but she felt. Muffled. Smothered. *

  *One night, she dreamed of flowers—violet petals falling from a tree with no name. Lily stood at the base, arms wide, smiling. She woke with tears, with Slade waiting. Before her.*

  Slade: *Softly* I heard you whimper.

  Emma: You’re disgusting.

  Slade: *Shakes head* I’m honest.

  *He brings her a mirror and shows her how much she’d changed.*

  Slade: You’re becoming someone new, someone better.

  *She smashes the mirror. He watches her. Then praises her for the passion.*

  Slade: That spark, we’ll direct it. Shape it. When you hear the word, you’ll know. You’ll remember who you belong to.

  *By early summer, she smiled at him without thinking. He noticed, but didn’t celebrate. He waited. He watched her say goodnight to Lily. She rubbed the gem as it pulsed.*

  Emma: Goodnight, Lily. *Smiles*

  Slade: *quietly* You’re faithful, that’s good. Loyalty runs deep in you. Even now.

  Emma looked up. Her voice was dry.

  Emma: You’ll never have it.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Slade: I don’t need to have it. He does.

  *She felt the collar hum tighter.*

  *There were softer days. Days when Slade read to her. Beautiful, tragic stories of lost lovers and broken kingdoms. She hated them. She cried anyway. He never mocked her tears. That was the worst part. He was kind when he needed to be. He only hurt her when she refused to talk. And eventually, she talked. Little things. Names. Places. Never the Seers. Never Lily, but even silence has seams.*

  *One day, Lily didn’t respond. Emma panicked. She scratched at the bracelet until her wrist bled. Slade came running in, concerned.*

  Slade: What happened?

  Emma: She’s gone! She didn’t answer.

  *He sat beside her.*

  Slade: Maybe she’s waiting.

  Emma: Waiting for what? I’m right here.

  Slade: For you to stop lying to yourself. Think about it. As long as you behave and follow orders. You two will never go hungry again. He talks of traveling the world one day. That freedom can be yours as well.

  *She didn’t speak for two days after that.*

  * The word was never said aloud. But he whispered it in her sleep. He wrote it on the walls in ink she couldn’t see. He folded it into the rhythm of his voice, into the pattern of his praise, into the comfort of her name.*

  *By midsummer, Emma said thank you when he brought her food. She asked permission to speak. She bowed her head when he entered. The collar remained. The bracelet remained. But the shine behind her eyes was dimmer now. Only at night, when the cot groaned beneath her weight, did she whisper with cracked lips*

  Emma: Goodnight, Lily.

  *The gem pulsed. Still there. Still waiting.*

  *Argon sits at a table with Lord Gus and his family. Lord Gus’s wife is a large woman. She looks around as if judging everyone around her. And his son, a young adult, he’s a tall, muscular man, who is probably more muscle than brain. Slade enters the room and whispers into his ear.*

  Slade: It seems like amplifying the bracelet's strength worked. She’s right where we need her to be.

  *Gus’s wife glares at Slade and Argon.*

  Argon: *Laughs* It’s nothing to worry about, Slade here was just telling me things are going well.

  Gus: I’m sure Helga here just worries about the dangers of an unrestrained elf.

  Argon: *Smiles* Relax. By the sound of things, she’ll be ready by the fall.

  Helga: She?!

  Gus: *Clears throat* Yes, but there is nothing to worry about, my love.

  Helga: I don’t need some temptress, swaying Kevin and Hugh.

  Argon: So you decided on a name? Congrats.

  *Argon lifts his drink and finishes it, a male elf slave refills his cup.*

  Argon: When she isn’t with me or on a mission, she’ll be locked up. Nothing to worry about.

  Kevin: Can I see the elf?

  Helga: Of course not!

  Argon: I can put some clothes on her if it’ll help the missus feel better.

  Kevin: Wait so she’s just down there naked?!

  *Helga’s face turns red as if about to explode.*

  Gus: Why do you want to see the elf, Kevin?

  Kevin: Because I’ve only ever seen male elves. Mom says they have horns and sharp teeth.

  *Argon bursts into laughter.*

  Helga: You are not to see the elf! End of discussion!

  *Dinner is finished in silence, Argon smiles, occasionally commenting on “Sharp Teeth.”*

  *One day, the door creaked open, and Emma looked at the door where Slade would stand. She smiles*

  Slade: Argon has called for you.

  *Emma smiled. The restraints were taken off. She would be dressed in light but cold metal armor, and her blades would return. She began to walk beside him as his shadow. Obedient. Loyal. Slade sat outside her cell, writing. He didn’t look up when she approached the bars, gaze soft.*

  Emma: Do you believe in fate?

  *He glanced at her. She smiled a small, sweet, empty smile. *

  Slade: I do now.

  *The word lived beneath her skin. Waiting to be spoken to. And when it was…She was nothing more than a dagger, used to end the lives her master asks for. *

  *As the birds wake, Emma hears the door opening. She turns to see Argon, and she kneels.*

  Argon: *Smile* Good. I’ve got a job for you.

  Emma: Yes, Master Argon.

  *The restraints are removed once again, and Emma takes in a breath of air, unrestricted by the Collar’s magical effects. An elderly man, with a creepy smile, enters, and most of his white hair has fallen out, and he walks hunched over slightly. Argon speaks to him like talking to an old friend*

  Argon: Dr. Vern. Thank you for stopping by so early.

  Vern: Yeah, I thought I was retired.

  Argon: Are you saying you see me as a job?

  *Vern rolls his eyes and smiles.*

  Vern: So this is your new project?

  Argon: Yeah. Emma, on your knees, present your collar.

  *Without speaking, Emma smiles and does as commanded. Dr. Vern injects something in Emma’s neck.*

  Vern: This is my last time you hear?

  *Dr. Vern points and glares at Argon.*

  Vern: I mean it. This is the last I have, and the cost of getting caught is death. But here you go.

  *Argon walks over, and Dr. Vern injects something into his wrist, and it glows with magic.*

  Dr. Vern: You know the drill. Except this time, I don’t want to hear back.

  *Dr. Vern packs up and takes his leave. Argon walks slowly over to Emma after showing him out. His voice goes back to its old, Intimidating and commanding tone.*

  Argon: Now we won’t need your collar.

  *Argon glares at Emma. She notices and lowers her head.*

  Emma: Thank you, Master Argon.

  Argon: You’re getting some outside training today. With this injection, I have control over your Magic output. *Emma looks at his arm.* It was designed by a mother looking to keep her child from casting spells. Dr. Vern told me as a reward for helping him get his hands on it, he would inject it into my slaves. Since he decided to retire, I needed to find one. Final. Project.

  *Argon walks to the door, stopping just before stepping through.*

  Argon: Get dressed and meet me in the carriage out front. If you’re caught you’ll be executed.

  *The door closes and Emma feels her magic return, but only her Illusion magic. She rubs her bracelet with a smile.*

  Emma: Good morning Lily.

  *The bracelet pulses, Emma smiles, and quickly gets dressed. The armor she had been given was made of dark leather, her blades sheathed and her knives equipped, she senses the lives around her.*

  Emma thinking: the Lord and his family are walking to the front. Master Argon is waiting next to the carriage. There are guards intentionally left between me and the carriage… I can feel ten. One is right on the other side of the door.

  *Emma conceals her presence and knocks on the door, the door creaks open, and a guard charges in.*

  Guard: Wait. Where did she go?

  *Emma closes the door, locking the guard in the cell. He turns as she blows a kiss. *

  Guard: She’s on her way!

  *Two guards can be heard approaching them. Emma smiles as she disappears from sight.*

  Emma: Thank you.

  *The two guards run past her and enter the room. The guard reaches his arm out.*

  Guard: She just snuck past you both.

  *The two guards laugh.*

  *Emma watches as another slave walks by; she follows him until he turns, and she disguises herself to look like him. She walks through the front door and stands beside Argon. She lowers her head.*

  Emma: Master Argon.

  *Argon smiles*

  Argon: Hop on, you’ll be guarding the young lord on a trip to visit the neighboring country. Remember, if you go missing.

  *Argon squeezes his fist, and Emma’s illusion struggles to hold up.*

  Emma: Of course, Master. I’ll bring him back without a scratch.

  Argon: Good.

  *Lord Guswalks outside with his Wife and Son. Kevin walks ahead of them.*

  Gus: Remember, Kevin, you’re not to start any fights. But in the event of a fight, Argon will be there to protect you.

  Argon: Actually, I’m having Emma take care of it.

  Helga: That female?

  *Helga looks at Argon in disgust. Emma steps forward, dropping her illusion, and she bows before everyone.*

  Argon: I can have her stay in disguise as a male servant if that will help you.

  Emma: *Softly* Master, if I may.

  *Argon nods.*

  Emma: I will make sure to protect the chastity of your child. I can assure you no one of the opposite sex gets into his clothes.

  *Helga pauses before turning around and heading inside angrily.*

  Kevin: Oh, come on, Mr. Argon. At least when you take me, we go to the brothel.

  Argon: As long as you don’t sleep with them, I’ll make sure of it.

  *Kevin excitedly entered the carriage. Emma sits across from him in her disguise. Lord Gus closes the door and speaks through the window.*

  Gus: Remember, if you impress the Thompsons, then you’ll be promised their first daughter's hand. *Looks at Emma.* If he fails this, I’ll make sure Argon’s punishment is the least of your worries.

  Emma: Understood, Lord Gus.

  *Gus waves as the carriage leaves.*

  Gus: I expect to hear good things!

  *Inside the Carriage*

  *Kevin pokes at Emma’s chest.*

  Kevin: Hey. Turn back into that girl.

  Emma: *Eyes closed* I was informed by my master that I am not to leave this form.

  Kevin: But you have to hold that spell the whole time, right? Uncle Argon won’t mind, I promise.

  Emma: I’m sorry, but I can’t disobey him.

  *Kevin sits back on the opposite side, and Emma crosses her legs.*

  Emma: Master Argon did say we would be able to go to a brothel.

  Kevin: *Smiles* That’s right! Can we stop before we get there?

  Emma: I think it would be more… relaxing if you wait until after.

  Kevin: *Sighs* Fine. You’re just like Uncle.

  Emma: *Smiles* Thank you.

  *Emma reads an elven letter written by her Master.*

  “ The Thompsons are the highest family and eighth in line for the crown. The Count of the house, Alabaster Thompson, is Lord Gus’s cousin. Upon their daughter turning eighteen, Kevin is to come to introduce himself. If he can impress Alabaster, then they will be allowed to marry. I don’t know what he plans to test him with, but Gus says he’s worried.

  Alabaster’s wife, Caroline, doesn’t trust Lord Gus at all. If I had to guess, impressing her is the key to all this. She’s always been one of those wishy washy types, so just help make Kevin look “Dashing.”

  If you need to persuade him, use your chest. He’s like a dog looking for a treat. Normally, I pick up a few women to ride along topless while he drinks. Just make sure he’s sober before any meetings.

  They have three younger boys; they won’t be any problem. They all have studies. Robert, the oldest, Maximus has a temper, and Alexander is a toddler. But Denise, their daughter, is a “well-fed” girl. She’s not fat, just not the best looking aside from her face and chest.

  While protecting Kevin, I need you to seek out a Man who goes by “The Mayor of RegisValley,” Ryan, no family name. He has been spreading lies about the Thompsons and getting the backing of the lower class. Kill him and any who attempt to take his place.

  You’ll have three months.

  If you fail this, I’ll be sure to let Kevin have a night with you.”

  Emma: And maybe we can take a couple back, some of the way.

  *Kevin's face lights up.*

  Kevin: Really?!

  Emma: But only if we impress them. Master said it would be a surprise, but I thought you’d like to know early.

  Kevin: *Squints at Emma* So what do I call you? Emma doesn’t sound like a man's name.

  *Emma looks forward, and a tear forms. As she speaks a name.*

  Emma: Goren.

  Kevin: Okay, “Goren,” What would it take to convince you to let me sleep with one of them?

  Emma: I’m not sure who would kill me first. Your mother or my master. I’m sure Ms. Thompson looks lovely.

  Kevin: I wouldn’t know, this is my first time meeting them. Father visited a couple of Summers ago and they made these plans.

  Emma: What can you tell me? Maybe, as a female, I can help give advice. That is, if you’d allow it.

  Kevin: I have three months to fix something. I’m not sure what it was.