Reborn From the Cosmos

Home…I don’t know where home is.

Maybe it’s the worn country estate of the Tome family where I’ve spent most of my life. Some would define home as the place where one spends their childhood. I have countless memories in that tiny village that never changes, even happy ones.

Maybe it’s that solitary tree in the Enchanted Forest, where I found my life and my love. I was changed in a unknown basement off King’s Road, but I discovered myself in that tree. I found there was something more to me than being a Grimoire’s punching bag. Sure, it’s also the place of my most horrifying memories and there’s also Kierra’s near-death experience, but most of it was pure bliss.

Or maybe it’s our estate in the Grand Hall. The estate that never really belonged to us, but I know no one has put so much life in it and no one will again. If houses had a say in who occupied them, I’m sure it’d beg us to come back, scorch marks and all. It’s where our clan truly began to take shape. And I’ll always remember it as the place that nurtured my love with Alana.

There is one place I know is not home and that’s my estate in New Quest. Saints, I still think of it as the Teppin estate. As I always knew we wouldn’t stay for long, there is nothing of my family in this place. What isn’t empty is decorated with the tasteless, colorless crap that can’t offend anyone. Maybe one day that will change. One day, I may spend a few years in this territory I never asked for and have no moral right to. But for today, all its uninteresting walls make me feel is weary from the weight of obligation.

Still, I can’t help the nostalgia as I walk its halls.

When I walk past the cramped servant’s quarters, I think of Khan and his Shadow, but I also remember the unexpected guests. Rey, the strange pirate inhabited by something stranger. She has far too much aggression and far too little tact, but there is something about the whaler. The infectious cheer in her monstrously wide smile is almost enough to make one ignore how exasperating her company is. Almost.

I wonder how she’s enjoying her new body. As someone that has also benefitted from the collaborative efforts of my wife and succubus, I know the difference it makes. Are her new looks and body autonomy enough to sway Maxine? Amusingly, they’re both women who haven’t been affected by my charms. I didn’t try to seduce them, wouldn’t want too, but history has shown I don’t have to try very hard.

Rey’s crush on the merchant is endearing. I think they’d be good for each other; Rey has a way of bringing Max out of her inflexible upbringing. Bet they’re causing all kinds of chaos on the shore.

Here’s hoping Rey doesn’t get in over her head and devoured by a sea monster. Or body-snatched again. Geneva still has her last invader locked in a chest. Mm. Should probably ask her about that. Like, what does it want from me? Is she keeping it? Is she feeding it? Is she going to eat it? Is Kierra? Ugh, don’t want to think about that too hard.

The dining table makes me think of all the meals had at it. Ones where nearly every seat was occupied and warm conversations flowed effortlessly. A far cry from my childhood home, where my only company was Father who never stayed at the table a moment longer than it took to finish his last bite. I remember my parents-in-law. Morgene, Kierra’s mother, elder sister of the reigning queen, is a stereotypical elf and a perfect example of why I rue the day Harvest establishes contact with its neighbors. She is selfish and bloodthirsty, but she is also regal and charming. Her capacity for cruelty is horrifying, but she is good, or as good as she can be, to her family. Monster that she is, she is capable of love, some version of it.

Then there’s Orum. Kierra’s father. The strongest person I know and the only powerful person I know who not only has a moral code but will fight to hold others to a higher standard as well. I’d call him heroic if he weren’t so aloof; his selfishness has different motivations and vastly better outcomes for those around him, but it’s still fueled by elven arrogance. I’ve learned a lot from him. Probably more than I realize.

The welcoming room, the first proper room of the house. It’s where I was introduced to the estate. Where I met the Teppin family. I wonder, has their title been revoked? Or perhaps it’s been made honorary; the crown owes them far more than that tiny mercy. Sadly, no matter what the king does or doesn’t do for them, they’ll never be proper nobles again. Not after having an upstart invade their home and make a mockery of their patriarch. Though, to be honest, he didn’t look so bad in that dress. I personally wouldn’t hold it against him, but society isn’t so understanding. Never mind he had no choice; it was the dress or death.

“Lady Tome?”

The call snaps me out of my memories. Fitting it’s Leena that interrupts me. She’s come a long way from the frightened young girl hiding behind her mother. Longer still from the tired young woman wrangling an uncertain future and an unstable sister. With her blonde hair pinned up and wearing an expertly tailored suit, she looks smart and capable. An airy dress in bright colors would suit her better, but she needs the dark colors and sharp angles to add a little authority to her round face and bright green eyes.

“Leena. Need one last signature?”

“No, everything is in order.” Her lips twitch. Is she hiding her happiness that I will soon be gone? She has a lot of reasons to be happy.

For the past few weeks, the Teppin daughter has been assisting me in rebuilding the city. She’s well-suited to the job, possessing the curated charm of a noblewoman and the education to support it.

More importantly, she is terrified of me. Not like the terrified masses that take my gifts but curse me behind closed doors. Properly terrified. The kind where she would rather die than act against me, because she understands they’re the same thing. She embraces that fear. It’s a part of her and she’s made it a strength.

In the dark rooms of this estate, one sister broke and another showed an admirable resilience. For that, she’s earned a bit of trust. Enough to serve as my chancellor, a fancy title that means she gets to look over official documents in my name while I’m away. Given that I have almost written myself out of the decision-making process, it’s a position that does a lot of work for very little power. She does get paid a hefty salary and has the benefit of my protection; she’s using my name after all.

“I just came to wish you well.”

Wish me well? The woman who murdered your sister in front of you? Nevermind I brought her back.

“Thanks.” That can’t be it. “Did you have any last questions about anything?”

“No, no. There isn’t much difference from my normal duties.” Really? Oh, wait. She’s gathering the courage. “It’s not a question about work…I shouldn’t ask.”

“Now I’m curious.”

She breathes deliberately, calming her heartbeat that pounds a little harder. “Will you…are you going to fight? In the capital.”

Ah. “No. I’ve got no intention of making a ruckus and hopefully, neither does anyone else.”

A sigh of relief that she tries to hide behind a quick smile. Guess that was really weighing on her. Rest assured, I won’t unleash a disaster on the capital and start a coup.

“Your father should be arriving in the city soon.” It’s been weeks since I sent a letter telling the poor lord he could return. Wonder what’s keeping him? “Might pass him on the road.”

Oi. That wasn’t a threat. No need make that face. “I would ask my lady to be patient with him.”

“For you, Leena? Of course.”

There we go. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do. I can only leave because I know the city is in good hands. I know it’s not how you thought it would happen but you’re still crucial to the city. Fate’s not so easily denied.”

She laughs. “It is. I wasn’t meant to have anything to do with the city’s business. My father planned to send me to live with my aunt in Rosentheim and find a suitable match.”

“Oh? What about a Teppin heir?”

“A duty meant for my sister. He thought marrying into a prominent guild would help give us some legitimacy and she fits that world better than me. Or she did.”

“So, I robbed a future of lazing the days away while eating baskets of fresh fruit. That’s enough to hate me.”

Her smile gains a rueful curve. “Maybe before, at the beginning. If there’s one thing I’ve learned at your side, it’s that being ignorant is no protection. I would rather bear the pain of a wide-open gaze.”

Saints bless her. I can almost believe I’m a good person when she says something like that.

Almost.

“My lady.” We both turn toward the entrance as Earl appears. He looks as sharp as ever, not so much as a stray hair on his pristine jacket. He bows. “Everything is prepared.”

“Time to go.” On a whim, I hold out my arm. Leena hesitates a moment, but links our arms. Her heart flutters like the wings of a startled bird as we walk out the front.

Everyone is waiting; my lovers linger beside our carriage, Talia posing on Kierra’s arm while the elf tells my lovely knight a story. Behind them, Geneva directs Bell in loading our luggage, the imp looking adorable hauling chests and bags three times her size.

There are proper beasts to pull it this time, four strong horses supplied by the Temple with broad chests and angry eyes. Shake says they’re bred from a long line of war horses; there hasn’t been a war in centuries but apparently, the aggression is baked into the blood. Her tribe worships their ancestor, a horned being called the Jeshau. Despite the beasts of burden being more burden than help, her tribe raises and protects them out of respect. She was more than happy to gift me some; they’re running out of space on the finite land of the Sanctuary.

Little Water is perched on the driver’s bench, along with two of her cloaked kin, her attendants. With her willingness to get her hands dirty, it’s easy to forget that she’s a person of status. Someone who expects to be waited on. She’d have her entire retinue with her if I didn’t put my foot down. It’s hard enough hiding one humanoid lizard, let alone nearly a dozen.

Several steps behind my carriage is another, much smaller vehicle with a single, bored draft horse hitched to it. Khan stands by the door that is slightly cracked, speaking to the darkness inside. I do my best to ignore the situation, as Khan wants nothing to do with me.

He and the voidkin have been getting along…I think. At least he hasn’t come begging me to end his contract prematurely. He’s making the best of it and the only thing he’s asked for, with his quiet glares and steadfast avoidance, is for me to leave him to it.

We’re traveling together out of the city, but that’s it. I promised him he would have his life and I meant it. He’s refused my help, so he’s free to make decisions without my input. I wish him the best. Hopefully he writes his sister, so she knows he hasn’t been chewed on by monsters or caught in a storm.

I feel the wind from her approach the moment before Rolly lands on my head with a laugh like a chorus of wind chimes. “Finally! We’re leaving this boring place.”

“Hey! This wasn’t boring. I committed the worst atrocity in the kingdom’s history.” Probably shouldn’t get defensive about that but saints know I can’t stand this colorful bug calling me boring. I’m not!

“Bah! That was one act. The rest of it was booorrring.”

“It was not.”

“Lou, you made tax laws. Bleh.”

I…damn it, she has a point.

“Well, it’s not like the capital’s going to be anymore interesting.” Could be downright depressing.

“Oh, no. It’s going to be great.”

“How would you know?”

“I’ve got a sense for these things. Trust me. A dramatic turn is coming.”

That doesn’t make me nearly as happy as her. Not happy at all. “Don’t suppose you have details?”

“Nope! Do I look like I can read the future? And I wouldn’t tell you if I knew. It’s—”

“More fun that way,” I grumble, having heard the words before.

The elemental giggles again and flies off. I turn my attention to my servants.

Once more, they’re lined up in front of the estate, ready to see me off. Even Nomad, drooping a little more under the harsh light of the sun. I smile as I step over to Anna, straining to stand just that much taller, four fluffballs playing with the strings of her boots. “Watch the house. And watch the city. Let the guards do their jobs but this all belongs to me.”

“You can count on us, my lady,” Earl assures me and there isn’t a part of me that doubts him. Gajin nods seriously beside him. Nomad stares at nothing, but I don’t doubt he’ll step up if the moment calls for it.

“Have a safe trip, Lady Lou,” the little beast speaks slowly and confidently, showing off her lessons. Who would look at her now and imagine her only communicating in growls? Is she taller? Something squirms in my chest at the thought but it’s not unpleasant.

“I won’t be long.” It shouldn’t take more than a month to settle accounts and then we’ll pass through again on our way to the shore; Graywatch is a terrible place to hide out but one that offers the distinct advantage of guaranteeing we’ll be left alone.

The king’s plans.

My father’s death.

My uncle’s schemes.

Jac’s indignity.

Oh, yes. It’s high time people are held to account.