ARC 8-57 (LITTLE WATER)

Little Water and Khan spent many evenings speaking of their people, debating their differences and marveling at their similarities.

One trait of the estrazi that her human had trouble believing was that they didn’t feel fear. An emotion that could paralyze someone in the midst of danger or prevent them from acting in times of need sounded like a failure of nature. It wouldn’t make sense for the majesties to put such a useless thing in the agents meant to carry out their will. The closest thing Little Water could compare the sensation Khan described to was the overwhelming dread that accompanied thoughts of her sisters. Overcoming them was such an imposing task, the hopelessness could weigh down her shoulders, making it a trial to even contemplate. Still, she never would shy away from conflict; she had to face them if she wanted to be anything besides a egg layer.

As she was incapable of fear, Little Water wasn’t afraid of the creatures that had entered the world. She was simply wary of them and the situation in general. The strangeness of the mass of hands screamed threat to her instincts, but that didn’t cause her to act recklessly. With hand signals, she ordered the worker that’d accompanied her to stand and head for the door, their pace measured to draw as little attention as possible. 

She lingered near the entrance, ready to make a quick escape but too interested to leave. There was plenty to take to Lou but she was interested in the conclusion. Particularly, the terms the creature would demand. She could estimate its threat from the coefficient attached to the circle. A being with a pool of 400 was hardly worthy of notice to the warren, but among the humans, it was notable. More interesting was the question of its skill. Its lack of power could be compensated with technique.

She also thought it was prudent to determine what a being of its ability would ask for in return for service. Her lessons said that summoners were prolific but she couldn’t believe that anyone could become a threat. It was a fantastic claim and she had to know if these Grand Summoners could make good on it.

Fey stared at the two creatures with a mix of nerves and awe until Callan clapped her shoulder. The small gesture was enough to bring the woman back to herself. She straightened as much as her slight frame would allow.

“I am Fey and I seek a contract,” she tried to proclaim strongly but Little Water could hear a waver in her voice. She was sure the bird could hear it too, as it scoffed.

“I gathered that from the circle. Get to the point.”

“What is your name?”

“Hah. My name doesn’t matter, I’m just a mouthpiece for this thing.” The mass of hands twisted two dozen fingers rapidly and the yellow bird squawked. “I meant to say that my name is Rizen, the voice of the esteemed Arrbutor. A pleasure. Now, your terms, quickly. Before this pitiful circle loses all its power.”

Fey briefly glanced at Callan, who nodded. “I ask that Arrbutor remake me in my own image, to improve upon my natural design so long as I remain human. Each procedure will be explained to me in detail and I have the right to request adjustments or outright refuse them. You will work diligently to improve me throughout the length of our contract. I also ask that you defend me from my enemies.”

The bird chuffed as the fingers twisted. “And in return?”

“I will actively work to collect all knowledge of the physical arts available in this realm and provide you with subjects to practice your skills on, so long as your efforts do not cause excessive harm.”

Rizen flapped its wings. “What knowledge can humans offer us? We were here a century ago, so don’t think you can fool us.”

Fey swallowed but held her ground under the accusation. “Much can change in a year. Aside from that, our reach is not limited to just this continent. Connections have been established with the land to the south, inhabited by the elves.”

That caught the bird’s attention. Little Water didn’t blame the creature. She hadn’t been impressed with the abilities of humanity but their long-eared neighbors were a different story. Kierra reminded the estrazi of her sisters. The warren would be far more concerned about their duties if an army of elves were marching on them. The bird seemed similarly impressed from the way it leaned forward, tail feathers splayed.

“You can speak with them?”

“I cannot speak with them now but I will make it a mission to travel to their land and assist you in obtaining their knowledge, so long as it doesn’t endanger my life.” The woman smiled. “I hear they revere strength. The better you make me, the easier it’ll be to get what you want.”

The two elementals conversed, the bird replacing its Common with squawks and chirping while Arrbutor twisted its digits. Little Water couldn’t hope to follow what was being said but she could tell it was animated. She assumed due to the time crunch. As Rizen pointed out, the shabby circle and its poor materials wouldn’t be able to hold the woman’s mana for long. They had to make a decision, a lifelong decision, without due time to truly consider it.

“We get six subjects a month for a period of twenty years,” Rizen said after scarcely a minute passed. “After twenty years, you will journey to the elven continent to help us obtain their knowledge. Arrbutor will defend you from enemies, but will not attack unprovoked.”

Callan, who appeared to be trying to remain inconspicuous, stepped forward, quickly whispering into the woman’s ear. She nodded as he stepped back. “I am a member of an organization that will provide willing subjects that seek improvement. A variable amount but certainly more than six. However, you have to agree to limit your work to body enhancements and obtain approval from the subjects about major changes.”

“Hah?” the bird exclaimed while squawking. “Aren’t you just asking us to be slaves at that point? Cheh. Damn humans. You’re either greedy, foolish, or both.”

“...we will also provide one subject a month for Arrbutor to use as they please.”

Her concession caused the squawking bird to calm. Twisting fingers caught the avian’s attention and it bobbed its head. “Two free ones and they get a little leeway on these improvements you want. It gets boring when you only add muscle and the point of traveling to different worlds is to grow.”

Fey looked toward Callan, who nodded. The slight woman practically vibrated with excitement as she said, “Agreed.”

“And we can’t forget the basics. Mutual care clause. We work together to secure safety and sustenance. No working against one’s interests without a chance for parley. The standard good manners agreement.”

“...what is a good manners agreement?”

Rizen snapped its beak. “Baby summoners. A good manners agreement is exactly what it sounds like. It means that we all endeavor, to the best of our abilities with allowances for the occasional flare in temper, to treat each other with respect. It should be common sense, but some people think that a contract gives them the right to treat an elemental like garbage. In our experience, contracts are more pleasant if people are held to a standard. So? Is being decent and respectful a dealbreaker?”

Fey hastily shook her head. “Of course not. I’m happy with those terms.”

“Then recite the oath.”

The woman grinned. “I swear to the Guardian to uphold our agreement on pain of destruction and willingly give you my mana.”

Rizen trilled. “I swear to the Guardian to uphold the terms of our contract and accept this bond.”

The mass of flesh’s fingers twisted as the bird spoke and when it finished, a dozen hands pulled it to the edge of the circle. A single finger dipped into the glowing beer and the liquid swiftly lost the light of its magic. The rift in space in the middle of the circle closed and the heavy presence weighing down the room abated.

The uncertain hunter cleared his throat in the silence, drawing the room’s attention. “So…what? That thing is hers now?”

“Hey, idiot ape!” Rizen flapped its wings aggressively. “Do you have mud in your ears? Arrbutor doesn’t belong to anyone!”

“Exactly right,” Callan said, stepping between the glaring hunter and the elemental. “We, through Fey, have retained Arrbutor’s services. They are a master of the physical affinity, particularly in using magic to manipulate living flesh. Have you heard of melding?”

The hunter, and those of the crowd that hadn’t walked away after the elemental pulled itself into the world, straightened. “Of course I know what that is! You mean that thing…”

“Arrbutor is a master melder who travels worlds to observe different creatures and perfect their physiques. There may be human masters that can match their power but I’d confidently wager that none can measure up in terms of experience and technique. And that master will be working with the Grand Summoners. I imagine as we grow, the opportunity to be worked on by Arrbutor will become exclusive. Those that get in early are quite lucky. Not only will they be trained in the ways of summoning, they’ll also receive a magical treatment that is usually reserved for nobles and knights.”

The audience, even some members of the bar’s patrons, stared at Callan, digesting his words. Many turned to their neighbors and friends, discussing the situation, though it was mostly a gesture. Little Water could practically taste the anticipation in the room.

Predictably, it didn’t take long for the hunter to respond, walking toward Callan with long, purposeful strides. As he stood before the leader of the Grand Summoners, his head dipped in unconscious submission.

“How do I sign up?”