“I did find the issue, and it is as you guessed,” Ewan said, pacifying the water in the pond with his hand. “The curse is chained to your genetics; you won't be able to solve it completely unless you unravel the spell. Potions won't help you in that.”
Abelard grunted a sigh and slumped before Ewan on the chair. “I probably know the culprit,” he said. “Is there really nothing you can do about this? Please, I beg you, I’ll do whatever you ask of me, just save us from extinction.”
“There is a way to skirt the issue,” Ewan said, caressing the head of the fish that came to him after the ripples settled, his hand chilled to match their temperature. “But you might not like it.” He looked at Abelard. “It’ll require a lot of sacrifice.”
“It’s fine, I’ll do anything,” Abelard said, inching forward on his chair and sitting on the edge.
“It’s not you who’ll have to sacrifice, it’s your people,” Ewan said, choosing his words based on the life that the fishes lived in this month. “I created a potion, a potent aphrodisiac like you asked, but with the shackles of the curse, it’ll probably kill once its effect settles down. You’ll have the next generation like you wished, but you’ll lose the last one. Do you still want it?”
Abelard gaped at him, his eyes tearing up. “I-I…I.” And he lost the words beyond that.
“Think about it, discuss with your people. I’ll await your reply,” Ewan said. “I apologize that I could only do this much.”
“N-No, you’ve already done a lot for us,” Abelard said, his voice grinding. “I’ll come back with an answer soon. Thank you, Sir Ewan.” He bowed.
…..
A month of feast saw Orange through the doors of nobility, he finished his Noble Rite when the outskirts of the peak bared the creeks of lava beneath. He’d stuffed himself for days, he scarfed the molten lava as his insides seared, and with his booming howl that cracked Ewan’s concentration in the middle of the night, the rite propelled him up. But before he could show the evidence of growth, his urges took over again and he cried at Ewan from the peak.
[Grade-Exalt Requirements: Regal Rite (Aroig Furia)—The wrath of fire; bathe in the active lava for a complete cycle of seasons and breathe its ferocity.]
The database showed the Regal Rite for Orange, the means to realize its success lay before them, and its existence triggered the little monkey’s instincts—he tugged at Ewan’s soul harder than the effect of
Ewan stared at the peak for minutes, then his silence crossed hours, his worries nibbling at him, eroding his patience. But the rite was such, he could do nothing but wait, hoping for the best. His Orange was strong, he wouldn’t stumble here…
……
“Have you decided?” Ewan asked Abelard, sipping on some iced water to rest his anxiety, as the man took deep breaths in his seat, his wings quivering behind him.
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“Yes,” he said with his fists clenched, his nails dug in his skin. “Please make the potions, we’ll prepare our men and women.”
“The potion will be for both men and women, one vial for each just before the act,” Ewan said. “Depending on the vitality, the men might survive a few months or maybe few years, but women will most likely die after giving birth. There might also be cases of forceful premature delivery depending on the how the curse reacts, you should be prepared. I would suggest picking a batch of strong men and the youngest women you have, unless you’re fine with sacrificing some.”
“No, we’ll do as you say,” Abelard said. “My people know what’s at stake here, they won't back down. We already have some volunteers; we’ll screen them properly and prepare them for the consequences.”
“Alright then, once you prepare the ingredients, I’ll start brewing the potions,” Ewan said, finishing his glass of water. “I’ll need the Pale Oysters in a large number, please make sure they’re fresh when they reach me.”
“I’ll have them delivered by sundown as you want them. I’ll leave the rest in your hands,” Abelard said and bowed.
“This method is not feasible for long term though,” Ewan said. “So, when the first child is born, let me test its blood too, I’ll check for the intensity of the curse. If it remains the same in the next generation, my potions will only alleviate the issue for a while. You’ll have to look for a permanent solution in that case.”
“I understand. I’ll talk to the elders, and if they agree, I’ll let you run tests on the child,” Abelard said, mellowing his attitude on the topic of live subjects. “We will not interfere with whatever you do.”
Ewan chuckled. “Please relax. I’m not in the habit of hurting children, let alone the newborns. Just a small vial of blood will do, I won't even need the flesh to do the tests,” he said. “There is one thing I wanted to ask of you, however. My Astylinds are going through their rites on the peaks, as you know. And the time it’s taking them has crossed my estimate.”
“Rest assured, Sir Ewan,” Abelard said, puffing his chest and raising his head. “You can stay here and use the peaks for as long as you want. One year, ten years, fifty years, no one will ever ask you to leave, you have my word.”
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