Vassal by Sterling D'Este (ebook reader computer TXT) 📕

“You’re still… there,” he said, more to himself than the others. “The two of you both crammed in there.”

“Yes,” she answered, understanding. She and Enyo. Stuffed into her body. Fighting and living together as one.

He whistled low but straightened his clothes.

“My master knows of Enyo,” Tristan went on, “and has sent me to aid you on this journey.”

“Why does your Master wish to aid Enyo on her journey to the Temple?” she asked, raspy voice quivering still. She felt so weak and pathetic.

And the night before had been so nice...

Tristan gave her a crooked grin and tossed his hands up. “He just wants to see her returned to her former glory. Isn’t that what you’re here for? Carry the nature Goddess up to the temple and release her? I mean, why else would you bother?”

It was with difficulty that Alphonse held back her shudder. That was not why she and Etienne were here. But it was the reason Delyth had found them, was getting in fights in settlements and hunting Alphonse down when Enyo ran off somewhere to do something insane…

Guiltily she looked at Delyth’s wingless back and away. And back again. What had happened to—no. No, it didn’t matter now. Now, she had to handle the new addition to their group.

Alphonse couldn’t argue that she didn’t want another Enyo supporter on this journey else they ask why. And she couldn’t reveal her and Etienne’s true purposes without ensuring that those loyal to Enyo, their Goddess, would not then interfere and ensure Alphonse’s failure.

So she stared blankly up at Tristan and finally, regretfully, nodded. His master, clearly a true believer in the benevolent Goddess Enyo, had sent him to assure success.

Delyth, a Priestess of Enyo’s own faith, had also come for that very reason.

There was no other answer available aside from acceptance.

“Enyo shares my body. I am Alphonse.” She tried for a calm and reasonable tone. It came out mostly as a painful croak. What was wrong with her throat?!

“That’s a grand name for a little mouse,” Tristan said and refilled his bowl, emptying a spoonful of stew into his mouth.

Delyth turned to Alphonse, her low voice gentled. “Your neck— Enyo hurt you. It might need healing.”

Alphonse reached up suddenly to touch her throat. Indeed it was swollen and painful to palpation. No wonder speaking had become so difficult. She sighed and looked around for her tent. Their tent. Surely, her bag was in it?

The man was right, of course. Compared to Enyo, she was a mouse…

Seeing the tent, she hastened to it, finding her bag inside. Perhaps she took a little more time unpacking it than was necessary, but she needed those moments to think. Another man, one who clearly preferred the Goddess. Another warrior. Perhaps that was good.

Though complicated.

How would she and Etienne keep these devotees at bay long enough to banish Enyo?

With an herb bundle ready, she returned to the fireside to boil water for a soothing tea. She had already healed the damage done to her throat, but a true healer didn’t just rely on magic to reform the body.

Her gaze slipped over to Tristan and away. Ashamed. She scuttled around him like the mouse he knew she was and filled the pan she used for boiling.

“So I’m just curious, Alphonse, but why did you summon Enyo? Could the two of you possibly be any more different?” He guffawed, his expression a little surprised, a little amused, and a little cruel.

Etienne immediately opened his mouth to retort, but Delyth got there first. “Leave her alone, Tristan.” The warrior’s voice was every bit as frigid as her glare.

He just shrugged and leaned back as though unconcerned by the reprimand. “You’re the boss.”

༄

Delyth returned Alphonse’s grateful glance with a smile, but for a long time, no one spoke. There was no sound at all but the pop and crackle of the fire, merrily devouring dry wood.

Alphonse made tea in hasty, bird-like movements, her shoulders tense around her neck. Delyth had no idea of what to say to reassure her, not with the two men looking on, so she just took the cup of tea offered her and watched Alphonse disappear into their tent.

Her gaze drifted back to the two men, and she sighed. It would have been nice to escape into the skies for a time, to let the rush of cold air clean away the days grime.

Instead, she dropped back to the ground near the fire.

“We’ve got a few rules,” she told Tristan, her voice steely. “And so far they’ve worked out.

“Do not mess with Alphonse. Don’t do anything to her body without her knowledge. Keep Enyo at bay if possible. Keep her from killing, maiming, or destroying when not.” She eyed him warningly. “It makes for easier travel.”

He shrugged, his crooked smile still in place. “You got it, boss.”

Delyth sighed again and finished her tea so that she could follow the healer into their tent.

Alphonse was sitting up on her pallet when Delyth entered. She was already in her nightgown despite the early hour.

“Your wings are missing,” she murmured, clearly not having any desire to talk about Tristan or the day. “It seems strange to see you without them. Etienne’s magic?”

“Yes,” Delyth said. “Etienne’s magic.” She didn’t particularly want to talk about Tristan either.

“What will keep us warm tonight?” Alphonse smiled slightly.  “You might roll out of the tent, there is so much room.”

“They’re still there. You just can’t see them.” Delyth had to admit, at least to herself, that it did feel strange even so. “Though, if they were gone completely, I still don’t think I would get lost in all the room.” She smiled a little humorously. It was really a very small tent.

She settled herself onto her pallet, sitting up with her invisible wings tucked neatly against her spine. Her mouth had gone a little dry and her pulse raced, but she paid it no mind. “Of course, if you’re still cold, we could always sleep closer.