Fluid - 10

After watching Tove spin excitedly, Imhotep clears his throat, and I have to feel sorry for him. I’ve mishandled things in the last two days.

“My apologies again, Imhotep.”

“I’ll see what the senior team says about the building. Would you and Tove provide more Class information?”

“Tove knows a greater variety of information than I do.”

“No problem, Guild Master, I’m sure I can trade you valuable information for some reasonable conditions,” giggles Tove. “Though, given you don’t believe the information on the highest tiers Amdirlain shared with Yngvarr, might I ask why you would believe me?”

Reaching up to touch her again, Tove practically vibrates under my touch. “Tove, please relax. Remember, you’ve access to your Profile which is more accurate than the rune plates the guild members have available.”

“Aggie says it’s accurate enough. I asked her after I heard you suggest Phile could confirm Tier 6 and 7 with me. The Adventurers’ Guild even recorded Aggie’s details after her Tier 6 Prestige Class and knew all three of her classes got absorbed,” retorts Tove. “I’ll tell her that the Guild Master wants a senior team. I know she and the others qualify.”

The possibility of being tucked under someone’s shadow again pokes at me, but I keep my tone composed. “Why do you want to drag the four of them here?”

“Four who?” asks Ipy.

Waving towards the north, I get in first. “Aggie, Yngvarr, Alfarr, and Pitnari. They do a lot of work disrupting monstrous tribes in the north.”

Tove’s Spell releases, but with my attention on the others, I only catch part of her jovial request to Aggie.

“Racing ahead as always.”

Tove laughs and lifts to hover overhead. “I told Aggie about Imhotep’s request and gave her a picture of Ipy’s shrine. It’s her choice if she comes or not. Phile, will your mother freak if I teleport you and Gail there so she can rest?”

“How do you know where my mother’s house is?”

“I didn’t until Gail just thought about having some sleep. Sorry, reverie,” replies Tove. “Stand up, Gail—unless you want to land on your butt.”

Grumbling, I hurry to get my boots back on, not arguing when all I want to do is rest for a time. “Impatient much.”

I catch Phile’s reluctance, but she helps to steady me. I barely got a warning before we were all standing in front of Zosime’s house. It's hardly surprising with the stir at the hall, that even in the evening, the news has carried through the village. The stories have obviously grown from the excited state of the neighbours in front of Nikias’ family home. Tove wanted to get me away from Nanoĸ, but I wonder if she had considered Nikias’ relatives.

From among them, I spot Nikias’ father—Georgius—as he starts our way, pulling the group's attention. Those talking outside their family home call to others and get drawn into Georgius’ wake. He’s an older version of Nikias, and though his greying chestnut hair comes down to his shoulders, he’s as leanly muscled as his son had been. His brown eyes are dark and angry in the light of burning rushes and candles, and his olive skin tone is flushed with outrage.

Tove hadn’t shared her mental warning with the others, but I passed it along. “Tove’s going to stay to monitor Nikias and then talk to Myrto.”

Ipy frowns. “Why’d she rush us out of the building?”

“Nanoĸ. She doesn’t trust him to behave yet doesn’t want to start trouble herself,” I explain and then give the stone-faced Georgius a wave. My motion does the trick of drawing their attention towards our approaching interrogator.

“What did you do to my son!?” Georgius roars, picking up pace with every step.

I focus on using a stage voice rather than yelling to ensure it carries clearly. “Your son is alive, Georgius. He’s presently resting at the guildhall under the care of a Celestial.”

Though her posture is tight, Phile smiles at him. “He carries a lot more muscle than you now. Might no longer come out the winner wrestling with him.”

The news stops him momentarily, and I spot his fists unclench. His pause allows me to address other concerns.

“I believe I owe you both some answers. However, I believe I should talk with Georgius first. After that, would you like to speak before I have my evening reverie?”

“Are you sure you’re in a fit state?” asks Ipy.

“My body is recovering. If my answers stop making sense at any point, let me know. I might have to lie down.”

Phile’s tense quiet has me concerned, and I catch her gaze tightening again.

I could just listen to her song, but then would I learn? Where do I draw the line between protecting myself and intrusion?

Zosime slips along the group's side and catches up to Georgius before he closes the distance. “The village is buzzing about the changing guildhall, and every tale is outlandish. What happened?”

Creating an energy platform beneath my feet and lifting it into the air drops ice water on heated emotions. It doesn’t matter that the blue glow of pure mana isn’t a threat; now they’ve seen me use magic, whereas before, it was only my word to Nikias and tales that I changed the wall. They suddenly recognise they were waving angry fists at the elven Wizard.

“I can answer some questions, but some Nikias will need to answer for himself in the morning,” I announce, and point towards Petrov at the group’s rear, hoping his brother is cooperative. “Can you hear me at the back, Petrov?”

Murmurs of agreement start at his sullen acknowledgement, and I raise a hand for silence. When the murmurs don’t die, I push out with my Charisma to grab their attention in a way I’ve only used in lessons.

“I assume everyone heard Nikias was involved?”

“That he went into a room with the three of you is one constant in the tales we’ve heard,” says Zosime, only to be echoed amongst the crowd.

“First, we spoke with Nikias because he wanted to join my adventuring team, and I offered him a position. He gained a Class vision and has obviously accepted some rare classes from his body’s growth. He started gaining muscle and growing taller. But you’ll have all seen someone waste away because they can’t eat enough?”

“Long fevers or terrible seasons when even the sea doesn’t provide,” agrees Zosime.

“What happened was the classes took all his body’s winter stores. It stripped all the spare flesh from his body, and I had to act to stop him from dying. It was magic I had to make up on the fly, and it leaked into the building because he was lying on the floor.”

Giving their surprised murmurs a sympathetic smile, quiets the crowd.

“Outlandish, right? Just like the village’s wall turning into stone overnight. Tonight Nikias will need to rest, and we’ll all get more answers in the morning. Now among the crazy tales, you might have heard about the Celestial at the guildhall. Tove is one of Lerina’s lantern archons, and she’s confirmed he is well but resting and is looking after him.”

“Did you do this?”

I don’t catch who called the question, but the girl's voice is edged with accusation. “No. I stopped him from dying in the aftermath of his Class selection. It was very unexpected.”

“Nanoĸ and Imhotep were both as surprised about the changes whatever classes he took made,” calls Ipy, and in invoking their names, draws forth a reassuring murmur of surprise.

“How do we know it’s a Class change that did this?”

The voice is the same, but the woman is amongst the crowd, not standing where I can see without lifting higher.

“He didn’t even talk to us about it. I was looking straight at him,” Phile calls. “You’ve all seen or heard about the distant gaze people get. His eyes went unfocused that same way, and then he slumped.”

“He offered me an oath of service earlier if I’d let him into the team. I believe that had an impact”

I hadn’t wanted to mention the oath, but at least it stops most, even if there are some mutters of disbelief.

“Nikias offered that oath twice, the first time this morning and a second time before it occurred,” confirms Phile, and her confident tone settles the crowd. “It's been an exhausting day. How about we all get some rest? I know I need it, and I’m sure others do, so let's avoid fraying tempers.”

Her words cause people to focus on the energy holding me up, and the crowd starts to disperse.

Drifting to the ground, I give Zosime an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry for all the drama.”

“All the changes since you’ve arrived,” murmurs Zosime. “You’re not a God Touched of Lerina, are you?”

“No, she is lovely, but I don’t worship Lerina,” I offer with a laugh. “My mother is involved with her faith, so I’ll go with parental influence.”

“Well, I’ll pray the Goddess of Change slows the unexpected for a while,” Zosime states and fixes Ipy with an appraising look. “Are you Ipy?”

Ipy nods politely. “I am. You look like your daughter. Zosime, is it not?”

When Ipy offers her a hand clasp, Zosime returns it readily. “Perhaps you could look to appease your Goddess to take it easier on us for a while,”

“Lerina needs no appeasement. Change in life is a constant thing. She teaches we need to look for the good choices life offers us so we can bring hope to ourselves and others,” explains Ipy. His friendly tone avoids giving it the feel of a lecture like some other Mortal priests.

“Might we use a room to talk privately with Ipy, Zosime?” I ask.

“Of course, though only as privately as any house; I’m sure you’ll have an eavesdropper trying to learn more.”

“That’s what a Wizard’s wards are for,” Ipy counters with a smile.

My first stumbling step made me glad our exchange had given the crowd some time to start to disperse. Zosime sees us settled in one of her son’s empty rooms with cups of herbal tea.

The bare floor is comfortable enough, especially given I’ll not push myself to make more chairs yet.

It's only when Ipy’s temporary wards that I start. “I’d like to make it clear up front while I’ll explain many things, some things I won’t. The same as I won’t expect you to share your secrets. Ipy, might I request you set a Zone of Truth within the room?”

My request causes Ipy to twitch in surprise. “That would prevent lies.”

“To be clear, for Phile’s sake, it will prevent anyone in the room from lying while it's in effect. None of us needs to offer information beyond what they’re willing to share. I just don’t want there to be doubt about the truth of my replies. Is that fair?” I ask.

“I’m not sure that is necessary. Elves can be tricky with their words and offers,” counters Phile.

Restraining a wince at the explicit accusation, I shrug. “That is true of many species. To be fair, the fey folks give elves most of that reputation. Fey folk are masters of loopholes, but with the zone in place, at least you know all I’ve said is true. Then you can focus on what I’ve left unsaid if you’re suspicious of me still, but I only intend to clear the air between us.”

“I believe it's an offer made in good faith, considering you asked about lies earlier, Phile,” argues Ipy. “But only with your agreement will I set it in place.”

“Fine,” grumbles Phile. Sitting upright, she sets her back tight against the wall.

Listening to Ipy invoke the Blessing adds another effect to my repository of songs. Within the energy structure, my mother’s laughter tickles me.

As soon as he finishes the casting, Ipy motions for Phile to start.

“What form is the real you?”

“I inherited a Power from my mother that makes my flesh malleable. I was born female, but my gender frequently switches, as Tove mentioned,” I say and hold up a hand as Phile goes to object. “Yes, I know I’m weird. So many people have told me it's weird; my body’s gender isn’t important to me. Sometimes I’ll be in a mental state that is more male or female, and my body switches on its own. I’ll try to behave to prevent confusion here, but at home, I normally use one of two appearances.”

Turning off my control of Protean has my Wood Elf body shifting.

It seems my brain wants to be male after all the repair work I’ve done tonight. Bronze-gold skin, platinum blond hair, and my shoulders broaden as my gaze fills the room with a golden light brighter than the candle on the floor between us. Subtle changes in my jaw and nose give me a harder expression, almost mirroring my father’s calm sternness. Though my features are nearly identical to the form Phile met me in first, my chin isn’t as sharp nor my features as delicate.

“Male form.”

It's effortless to switch to my normal female body, I shrink slightly and my expression’s hard edges vanish. The differences in skin tone and hair remain, but I’ve regained the pixie-like features and the pointed chin of the Wood Elf form.

“Female. This form is the one I was born with, well, with a bunch of years added on. But I don’t think I’d be recognisable as an infant.”

Phile’s fingers twitch against her pants, and she glances at Ipy, seeking reassurance. “I’ve never heard of an Elf that looks like Gail, have you?”

Ipy shook his head at the question. “If you include the legends that the Sahuagin were once elves, I only know of five species of Elves, none with your appearance.”

“I wouldn’t repeat that tale to any Elf. The Sahuagin magically bred members of their species to appear as Sea Elves to infiltrate their colonies," I say, and try to remember the lessons I had about this world. "I know of six elven races with sustainable populations living on Vehtë. Wood, Moon, Sunset, Mountain or Snow, Sea, and Wild are the meaning of their species' names in your tongues.”

Raising her hand to stop the question on Ipy’s lips, Phile gets in first. “Then which are you?”

“My species originate from another world, and while at one time there were eight million of us on Vehtë, I’m the only one at present.”

“You’re from-”

“Elsewhere, as that’s one thing I won’t discuss.”

My reply increases the tension in Phile’s expression, and her fingertips trace her pants' outer seam.

“Your comment about having hundreds of moon elves willing to help was a lie?”

“No, it wasn’t. My species is legendary among all the elves on this planet, so I’ve no intention of asking them for help. A few decades ago, one of us gained quite a reaction among them. Severe enough that I wouldn’t trust their personal risk assessment for any endeavour I was on.”

“Would you care to explain that?”

“Have you ever met anyone adventuring that would gladly spend their life or the life of others to achieve their goals? Or that would rush into a burning building to save a loved one?”

“Yes,” Ipy beats Phile’s reply, and she nods in agreement.

“It would be too easy for the elves getting involved to have that attitude. So my suggestion to Imhotep was a big bluff, one I’m glad he didn’t call me on.”

“You didn’t even blink when you told that lie,” comments Phile sharply.

Giving her a head shake, I cut her off. “No, I didn’t lie. Resolving something diplomatically is best done without lying. If I involved the moon elves, hundreds would want to get involved. But I don’t want to involve anyone who, regardless of species, would be reckless with their lives or others.”

I thought I was repeating myself with that last part, but the tension easing from Phile’s shoulders makes me realise it could have come across that I was only worried about elven lives.

“So you want to take measured risks?” Phile asks sceptically.

Considering the day’s events, I hold back my defensive reaction. “Yes. I’ll admit I rush into things when only I’m involved and I don’t see any risk to others. Monster-infested swampland isn’t a risk-free place, and anyone could die from carelessness.”

“What do you plan to do about Yngvarr’s involvement? Do you think he’ll tell other elves?” asks Ipy.

“No, Yngvarr shouldn’t be an issue, though certainly my being here will come as a surprise. The last time I met him was on the Elemental Plane of Earth a decade ago. Mother had organised a surprise for one of my aunts; he and Aggie wanted to help.”

“Was this before Yngvarr regained his title?” Ipy asks.

“After, and I wouldn’t mention the title. He didn’t want it restored, but the new King insisted,” I reply and give a helpless shrug at Ipy’s frown. “To quote: ‘cleanse the stain of the previous royal house’ end quote. Yngvarr told my mother it felt more that the King was trying to wipe the stain from existence as an inconvenient embarrassment-.”

“We’re getting a bit off-topic,” interjects Phile, and she fixes me with a stern look. “I want to know more about this key you’re looking for? You explained its purpose but not what it is. I find it hard to believe its only purpose is to free those you mentioned.”

“Its creation pre-dates their imprisonment by ages, so you’re right, but it will let me free them. It's magical and has a variety of powers—usable only by two species of elves. Among those powers, it allows for the use of True Resurrection. It's capable of bringing someone back, creating a completely new body if needed, and even reluctant elven souls can’t resist its call,” I reply, and as Phile whistles softly, I cut off the rest.

“Are you going to break the curse by forcing someone back to life?” asks Ipy, his tone edged with grim concern.

“No, sorry. It will let me find a royal line; that bloodline can free the others,” I answer. “I was just using that power to highlight why I’m reluctant to talk about the key.”

“It’s a power that ironically makes the item one many would kill for,” admits Ipy, and his gaze goes distant as he absently rubs his hands together.

“Glad you see the risk. It'd certainly be ironic since I’m the only one on Vehtë that can use it.”

That statement catches his attention back, and I continue.

“That’s the details that I can think to share. Are there questions either of you has that can’t wait?”

“Your mention of other worlds didn’t even surprise Ipy, but if it wasn’t for this Zone of Truth I would have called you a liar,” states Phile, her fingers that had still been fiddling with her pant’s outer seam curl tight.

“Are you upset that you said I’d lied or something else?”

The question slipping out tells me how tired I am, but I catch her wince.

“I’m just not sure what to think of you at present. You deceived me and my mother.”

“My natural appearance is unusual in most places. I can hide the type of Elf I am, so I do; as Tove said, I am an Elf,” I reply and shake my head when she goes to interject. “I’d appreciate you not lashing out at me because your former lover turned on you. That’s not me and not what I did. You don’t know me yet, and I might even have told you less dramatically.”

“Can you become another species?”

“With the Power I inherited, I can. But I’m an Elf, so I usually stick to being an Elf unless there are valid reasons not to do so. You have the Thief Class, right? Just because you can break into someone's house, do you?” I ask and raise a hand when she clenches her jaw. “Sorry, not an accusation, it was an example. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you have to use it to hurt or trick someone.”

“So you’ve never become another species?”

“I have when I was learning the Power and visiting some worlds where my body wouldn’t survive, and other times to blend in, but I’ve never imitated someone else. Look, we can go around in circles, and I can tell you're not happy. I’ll find somewhere else to stay in the morning, but can I please rest here tonight?”

Phile exhales sharply. “That’s not where I was going. Are you okay with her deception, Ipy?”

“Her? I have a name,” I huff.

Frowning thoughtfully, Ipy takes his time to reply. “Lerina's teaching says we should consider someone’s choice alongside their reason for it. Gail arrived before you returned, so obviously, her chosen form had no intent to deceive you. A general disguise intended to prevent others from risking their lives carelessly isn’t one I’d consider malicious. Would you?”

Phile’s huff seems almost regretful. “No.”

“When we spoke over lunch, you teased her about not blending into the village. Now I’ve seen her natural form, I’d give her far more credit. Do you consider the clothing you wore plain, Gail?”

“Both the dress I arrived in and my leathers are very plain,” I agree. “But what I normally wear—I’ve been to places that consider them drab. As Tove said, the last few years I’ve been making my clothing, and I didn’t know the cost of clothing locally.”

Giving a nod, Ipy stretched out a leg to tap Phile’s foot. “I’d suggest considering another’s choices by our standards when they inflicted no injury and meant no harm is unfair.”

“I’ll try,” mutters Phile, but there isn’t any lessening of tension in her shoulders.

“You said you change genders according to your mindset, ‌Gail. When do you normally find yourself male?” enquires Ipy.

“When fixing things or defending people, I’ve got to watch out if I don’t want to slip into a male form. Though mostly it's how I feel on a day, and when I wake from reverie, I’ll be male,” I explain and press a hand to my mouth to stifle a yawn. “It’ll feel odd, but I’ll control my form.”

Flowing to his feet, Ipy just smiles at me. “I think I’ve heard enough to look forward to getting to know you, Gail. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’d appreciate the chance to do the same,” I say, but only manage a tired smile and hear him dismiss the Blessing.

When he slips out through the wards, I focus on Phile. “I’ll still leave in the morning.”

“My mother offered you hospitality.”

“Part of the reason I said I’d like to see if we could be friends first was that you hadn’t seen my true form. As Ipy said, it was a general disguise, but I hadn’t the time to get to know you and trust you with the truth. Please take your time and consider the situation. But if you can’t accept I’m me, I don’t want to be in your home making you uncomfortable.”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” argues Phile.

“Now you’re the one lying: you’re tense and you’ve barely stopped fidgeting,” I say and rise as Phile protests I motion around us. “Ipy dismissed the Blessing when he left. I’m so tired I want to pass out, so I’ll say good night.”

I don’t even get a good night in return when I slip away. Right now, I don’t want to hear the turmoil in Phile that Resonance would reveal, so I keep it restrained, even when I’m back in my room. With fatigue making my bones ache, I set protective wards in place and add full seals on the doors and windows rather than just a warning to wake.