We continued through the forest for a few more hours, stopping briefly to rest our legs and fill our stomachs with a bit more food from the slavers’ wagon. Veronica shared some biscuits and candied fruits with us, and we ended up with a surprisingly satisfying meal. After our bellies were full, we started out on the road again.
It hadn’t slipped my mind that Veronica possessed the Lightning affinity—an elemental affinity I didn’t possess myself. I had acquired the Cold affinity from Amelia after sleeping with her, so it stood to reason that the same thing might happen if I were to sleep with Veronica. The thought of bedding this beautiful Mage wasn’t unpleasant in the slightest, and it remained in the back of my mind as we traveled through the forest.
As the late afternoon wore on, we crested the hill, the town rose into view about a mile off in the distance.
“Welcome to Brightwater,” Veronica said with a smile.
Amelia, Veronica, and I stood looking down from the hilltop on the town of Brightwater. The town nestled in the hollow created by two hills. It was bigger than I had expected, with many buildings both large and small jostling against each other in a tangle of crowded streets. There was something odd about the buildings which I could not quite place. I peered through the afternoon haze at the town, but I couldn’t make it out at this distance. Smoke from many chimneys rose above the town, and a warm wind brought the homely smell to us as we stood on the hill. Behind the town, the hills marched away to the blue northern mountain range, where I knew the Beast mines lay.
I breathed deeply, relishing my newfound freedom. For the first time in my life, I would be visiting a town without having to hide my status. I was no longer a slave. In Aranor I’d always had to be so cautious, because a slave could not have the run of the streets and taverns as Jacques and I had done during my early years. If anyone had found out what I actually was, my foster-father Gregory would have been severely reprimanded for not keeping a watch on his slave.
Gregory had never treated me as a slave; we had always behaved as father and son. The other poor farmers in our home village knew what my true status was, but everyone got so used to me being “Gregory’s son” that I thought everyone had forgotten that I was still, technically, a slave. Certainly, no one ever caused trouble for me or Gregory when I came back from a jaunt into Aranor with Jacques.
With a shake, I recalled myself to where I was. I might have the status of a free man now, but even so, I did not know what dangers might await me and my companions in Brightwater. We were going to enter the town this evening. I wanted to make sure we were prepared for whatever we might face.
Veronica stood on my left and Amelia on my right. Both women seemed to be contemplating our next steps, as I was. I turned to Veronica; she was a mercenary Mage in the employ of the townsfolk of Brightwater, and so she would know best about the dangers we might face.
“So, Veronica,” I said. “You know the town better than Amelia or I do. Should we expect any trouble in Brightwater?”
“Probably,” she replied with a nonchalant smile. “I’ve had to show my strength on a number of occasions. Out here, so far from Astros, strength is often the only thing people respect.”
“In that case, we need to be prepared.” I slung my pack from my shoulder and put it on the ground, then sat. “I’m going to see if I can draw some more tattoos with the Beast Cores we picked up,” I explained as my companions sat down next to me. “I’d like to make some modifications that would be useful in close quarters. Like Veronica said, we may need to make a show of strength, but I don’t want to burn down any buildings or harm any innocent bystanders in the process.”
“That’s a good idea,” Amelia said. “Let me see if there are any runes in my spellbook you can use.” She drew the heavy book out of the pack.
“Anything we can use, you mean,” I corrected her. “I can give you another tattoo as well, Amelia, or modify your existing one.”
“Really?” she said. Her cheeks colored slightly. “Are you sure you don’t need the ink for yourself?”
“We’re a team now, Amelia. I can’t engage in these battles without your help,” I said.
“That’s so kind of you.” She glanced away shyly.
I got the feeling she didn’t receive much positive attention in the Royal Library. Apprenticeships could be rough, as I’d seen from observing some of the apprentice craftsmen in Aranor. All work and no play. I was glad to be able to offer Amelia better opportunities.
I looked at Veronica, who had been staring at me with some interest. “And you, Veronica?” I asked. “Are you sure you don’t want me to try giving you a Lightning tattoo?”
She wasn’t my woman, like Amelia was, but I hoped we might develop a closer relationship as she traveled and fought with us. Who knew where that might lead?
Veronica stiffened at my words. “Uh, no. No, certainly not. Thank you. I couldn’t possibly wear one of those.”
“Suit yourself.” I smiled.
She’d come around eventually.
“Just out of interest,” Veronica asked, “you’re capable of drawing a Lightning tattoo although you don’t have the lightning affinity?”
“I assume so,” I said. “I gave Amelia a Cold tattoo before I had the affinity.”
“You gained a Cold affinity? How is that possible?”
I shared a look with Amelia, and she giggled. I simply smiled.
“Well,” I said as I turned back to face Veronica, “I could show you, but it might make you uncomfortable.”
“I can bear discomfort,” she said, a
