“What do you mean you volunteered us?”
“Just as I said Scratches, we will be traveling with [Baron] Anvar's army as it retakes Hilgurd.”
I look around to make sure no one is near. Mags rolls her eyes at me and mental magic glows out of her.
“You're under the cover spell, go and tell me why you are in such a huff.”
“Baron Anvar is looking for Sara Maxwell cause he knows she saw him pay slavers to level up his son.”
She laughs at that, I give her my best withering stare.
“Is that why there is a bounty on you? That is so trite. I'll make sure the [Baron] doesn't find Sara Maxwell, ‘Scratches’.”
I pale at her words, “There a bounty on me?”
“O yes, very much so, if you didn't owe me two hundred large gold I would be tempted to claim the one large silver you were worth.”
Not sure I should be glad or offended on how little my capture is worth. I'm going with annoyed.
“I still don't want to go. I have family there, maybe on both sides.”
“More reason to go then Sara, we aren't there for the fighting but for the treatment. You being there might help save your family.”
I frown at that but nod. She smiles and waves her hand dissipating the cover spell. She hands me two more robes.
“The tailor finished your other robes with the money you earned yesterday.”
Which means my debt is still two hundred large golds. My narrowed eyes just makes her laugh more.
“Oh don't worry, I managed to negotiate a large silver a day for your services. Of course I command a small gold myself but you're just a junior.”
She said junior in a mocking tone. She still expects me to try to join her order. I don't rise to the bait of more pay. I got better plans. She huffs.
“It's also two contributions a day, go get what you want to bring, we will be leaving in an hour.”
I ran back to my room. I grab my bag and knives. I wish Ratagin could go but a weak spine has no place in a war zone. I tie my bent short sword to my waist, looking rather silly. Hopefully I get a chance to work on it. I then ran out of the hall and to the bakery. I buy fifteen fresh loaves of bread and stuff them into my bag. Better fresh than day olds this time, I'm not sure how long it will take to fill my soul core. When I get back to Mags I see my party is with her. I wave.
“Are you coming with us as well?”
“That's right Cat, nothing like a rebellion to help level.”
I frown at that but I don't say anything. The world is cursed that there was a tangible benefit for wanton death. It's the work of adventurers and I am one myself. I console myself that I was just part of the healing contingent. I only hope they don't kill anyone I know.
-----
The carriage I am in is a standard one, like the one grandma had rented so long ago. I was told I would not be pulling it. I frown at Mags.
“You're the one pushing for proper decorum Scratches, I don't see why you would expect a priestess to do physical labor. My lady.”
I narrow my eyes further.
“Will you be requiring my mana today, mistress?”
She quirks an eyebrow, then waves me off. I then pour my arcane core into soul mana, finally it fills. I take a moment to breathe.
“Mistress, I'll be pulling out some of my memories that resulted in etchings. I ask that you keep an eye on me in case there are issues.”
Her eyes flash quarter moon green and nods to me. I embraced my rabbit, my body warms. That the memory at the end is always harrowing, cruel to drown as a Sara watches. My bones feel brittle but that's why my bread is here. I'm just glad my body didn't attempt to burn my fat reserves trying to remake my bones. Maybe it understood I was prepared. I reach up and break off my hair. I hand it to Mags who seems annoyed but incinerates it. Goodbye Maxwell hair. I start nibbling a loaf. My arcane core is at fifty percent.
“I was wondering why it smelt like a bakery, how many loaves did you bring.”
I continue to nibble my loaf and stare.
“Can I have one?”
I pull my bag closer to myself. Mags just becomes annoyed at my petulance.
“Not until my hair is back, I'm not sure how many it will take, I'm taller now.”
She waves me off. I continue nibbling my loaves. I hear Xerc shouting.
“Why is the carriage getting heavier?”
I just smile.
-----
When we break for the night Xerc is on the ground huffing and puffing. I go over and pat him on the head.
“Thanks for pulling my carriage.”
He looks at me and notices my grey nails. He is starting to look annoyed.
“Couldn't you have waited till after we arrived?”
“And show up to a rebellion without iron bones?”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Alicia laughs at that. Phenolp asks a question.
“Is the tiger next?”
She is really asking if [Blood Drinker] is next. I give her a withering look before I sigh. I focus and remember how I broke my teeth before getting my head caved in. I shudder but the scents are back. My hearing is not as good as I recall. Perhaps Sencea will be next. Or would it have to be Vancea first if I want the hearing. I see Phenolp looking hopefully.
“Not just yet, I still need to recover [Blood Drinker].”
“Ah Cat, your back.”
Alicia gives me a side hug.
“How could you tell?”
“Your ears were both standing up and flat on your head when you're annoyed.”
Xerc points out my illusions need updating. I do so and sigh. I close my eyes again and focus on [Blood Drinker]. Unlike the rabbit and tiger there no specific memory to find, I frown. I stick my finger under my newly enlarged canine and draw blood. I keep the blood in my mouth as I look into my Soul core. A portion resonates and I exchange soul mana for my etching. It settles on me once more and my body warms. I swallow the blood, unable to resist the temptation any longer.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 2
Gain 2 exp
I frown as I watch Phenolp pull her knife again.
“Get a cup at least, I am done with sucking on fingers.”
“Aside from your own?” Mags arrives, she must have noticed I was doing more soul work.
I frown at her as Phenolp drips into a cup.
“Are you sure this will work? I figure you have to be close to the source.”
I shrug, “You're the one who said I needed to test. Also I'm not doing this tomorrow, you need your stats.”
She looks annoyed but hands the cup to me, it's more than last time. A lot more. I look at her annoyed.
“If it's only for today I prefer to get more skill ups.”
I sigh, it's gone before I know it. I feel as if I'm becoming greedy with this.
All stats increased by eight temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 3
Gain 2 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 4
Gain 2 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 5
Gain 2 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 6
Gain 2 exp
“That was way too much Phenolp.”
“Didn't stop ya from drinking it down, Scratches.”
I lick my lips of the remaining blood, and then shudder.
“I have to agree with Scratches, She who Titters, I can see the curse gripping you and I doubt it will wear off in fifty hours.”
Me and Phenolp, both pale at that. Or was she already pale. Mags reaches over and channels some life mana through Phenolp. There is more color in Phenolp now.
“How do you do that, mistress.”
Mags looks over at me, “It's a higher tier of life magic, Sustainer magic, basically it activates the target's own body functions at an accelerated rate. I don't suggest doing it often, it can age people. I would be especially loathed to teach you how to do it. I suspect your friend's mischievousness would only increase.”
Alicia hands me a cup as I listen to Mags. I idly tip it before realizing what's in it. I give an annoyed stare at Alicia.
All stats increased by one temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 7
Gain 2 exp
Xerc has a cup waiting too. I just sigh.
All stats increased by one temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 8
Gain 2 exp
Mags pushes a cup towards me as well. I can smell that she too wishes to torture me. I raise an eyebrow to her.
“Ah, I wanted to participate too. Curses generally severely debilitate the victim if not outright kill them.”
I look at her flatly, then I give her a wolfish grin. A tigress grin? She rears back from it.
“One small gold a cup.”
She narrows her eyes at me, “You're not charging your friends.”
“I don't owe two hundred large gold to my friends.”
She looks more annoyed at me. I start to tip the cup of delicious liquid towards the ground. It annoys me that it is hard to do but I'm glad that I can do it.
“Fine, but you will have a cup every day until I am satisfied with my gains.”
I give her frowny eyes as I drink the cup. System, hers is by far the most delicious. Is the higher the soul value the greater the taste? My eyes widen at my notifications, my body begins to warm again.
All stats increased by forty temporarily.
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Apprentice 9
Gain 2 exp
You have gained the skill [Soul Etching] Apprentice 2
Gain 20 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Competent 1
Competent - Now you absorb blood through your skin, even your skin is thirsty.
Gain 4 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Competent 2
Gain 4 exp
You have gained [Blood Drinker] Competent 3
Gain 4 exp
I'm in shock now, it's getting worse. Damn it, Mags said it was impractical before. I promptly puke to the side.
“Oh dear, I didn't think I would be that bad. Am I too much for you?”
I shake my head vigorously.
“No mistress, my skill tiered up and it's getting worse.” She quirks any eyebrow, “I can absorb blood through my skin.”
She starts laughing, “Oh dear, at least your absurd skill is less impractical now, ingesting blood in combat is so very silly, far easier to get your opponent's blood on you. Would you like some silk gloves for the clinic, I'll make sure to embroider a simple liquid repellent on them. Granted, I want a month of free drinks for my efforts.”
I nod as I make myself smaller, Alicia comes over and scritches my ears.
“I don't know why you are so against this skill, Cat, but don't worry. We are happy you have it.”
I continue to mope. The scritches feel nice though.
“You know Scratches, it's your skill and I understand you seem to be torturing yourself with it but perhaps if you wanted better control the next tier may provide it.” Mags opines.
I think about that and brighten up a bit. More to add to my nightly affirmations.
“Thank you, mistress.”
She waves me off. She then gets up and grabs a familiar umbrella. She motions me to come and fill it. I do so looking a bit annoyed at her making me do it all.
“Ah my junior, you forget, your mana belongs to me. Besides, wouldn't you prefer I am in the best fighting shape to protect us during the night?”
Says the lady who just shed forty stat points to a curse. I begrudgingly agree, “It is as you say, ma'am.”
I ask a question after the interface is filled.
“Why did I get so many stat points from you ma'am. You gave less than the others.”
She thinks on this as she walks us back to the fire.
“I suspect it's because you can kill someone if you ingest, well absorb enough. My body doesn't hold more blood than theirs does. So I suspect it's a percentage. If you drink enough to take all my stats, I'll die. The only question is if it's when my constitution hits zero or if it's any of them. In a way, it's a powerful weapon against foes who have strong sustainer and healing skills. Doesn't much matter if they replace the blood you spill if they still die after you take so much in. We should find a hydra for you to slay.”
I narrow my eyes at the suggestion, I prefer one head, thank you.
“Are we going on a hydra hunt, Cat?”
I look at Alicia annoyed.
“The moment I get a forge, I'm quitting the adventurer life.”
“Aw, don't say that Cat, we should hang out forever.”
I humph and find a cozy spot in the carriage. Mags opted to sleep on the same bench with me not fearing my weight or hair while Alicia and Phenolp slept on the opposite bench. Poor Xerc was outside with the fire dwindling. Before falling asleep I start to pull the memories of the souls I've taken.
