Arc 2: Chapter 24: Emma’s Doom
The wind carried Emma’s pronouncement away soon enough, though it seemed to hang in the frozen air, a nearly physical thing.
“It is not that simple,” Vicar said, a touch of exasperation in his voice. “You cannot merely say a thing and have it change reality. You are bound, child.”
“Is that so?” Emma lifted a dark eyebrow, a touch of her usual haughty primness entering her tone. “Well then, let us make it a bit more official, shall we?”
She looked up to Lady Eanor. “I will swear it. I, Emma of the Westvales, renounce the name Carreon. I will hold no lands or titles in that name, and I will have no children of my blood. I will be the last of the bloodline, the last to wield our Art, the last to bear our curse. I disavow all my ancestors and their deeds, I disown all their wealth and allegiances.”
Eanor looked shocked, perhaps even awed. “Child… you understand what this means? This is a curse unto itself, this thing. Should you renounce your ancestors, they will not forget, or forgive. Remember that dead is not gone.” She glanced at Jon Orley.
“I will bear their ire, then.” Emma folded her hands behind her back in a militant stance, one she’d likely learned from her sword trainer, planting her feet.
A low, throaty chuckle passed over the circle. It came from Mother Urddha, who cast an appreciative gold-and-green eye on the young noble. “Well, this is unexpected. Dear girl, little Eanor speaks truth. If you renounce your house, all the privileges and sacred protections given to this land’s nobility will be shorn from you. You will be at the mercy of all spirits and malisons. As it is, you at least have the certainty of knowing your fate. That is not a thing lightly discarded.”
The demigoddess let those words settle before continuing. “If you do this…” she shrugged. “You will be adrift on tumultuous seas, which shall show you no mercy. Nor will you be rid of your Blood Art — that is part of you forever, and many wolves will find you an enticing feast.”
“It should also be mentioned,” Kaharn growled, “that if you break this oath, this pact, and attempt to claim your titles once again, or pass your blood and magic on, you shall face dire consequence.”
Emma nodded slowly, taking this in. “I understand. Even still, I will swear it. I do swear it.”
“Emma…” I didn’t know what to say. “Are you sure? Do you understand what you’re giving up?”