On the outside, I uprooted sparse weeds set them aside, and continued to plow the land with the shovel. Internally, however…I was spiraling. I knew they couldn't be trusted. Still, it made me nauseous to think of them plotting together with some unknown entity about my fate. Like I was some tool they could discard if I didn't fulfill my purpose.
But to recap what exactly did they say?
1. Melinoë and Penguin are working for the same person.
2. Penguin seems to be a close subordinate relationship of this person. In comparison, Melinoë seems to be a contracted employee.
3. This person is only referred to as 'THEY'. Which could symbolize a collective but I have a feeling it refers to only one person. THEY wants me to join them ignorantly.
4. Whatever is happening to me…it's happened and is probably still happening to others. Some have failed whatever test this is due to a surplus of knowledge. Melinoë is participating in this trial for one reason. A suitable candidate. For what I have no idea.
5. Lastly. It seems like Penguin wants to cause me pain and ingratiate himself with me. Two conflicting goals that make no sense.
I can't do anything against them as of now that's for sure. For one this person behind the scenes is a lot more powerful than I originally estimated. I mean how powerful does someone have to be to drag a soul from another world and place it here in a body? And then to contract a literal goddess into their service.
It's terrifying just to think about it. There was something else too. Penguin said that in order to be chosen…a candidate has to have a high tolerance for pain. How would they know that about a person?
Melinoë hollered at me from the other side of the field closest to the house. "Ria! I can see you stop slacking!"
I perked up and leaned on the shovel's handle. They want to see the real me right? This reminds me of the test I took at the beginning. When I was setting up my system status. Situational and scenario-based questions.
You have found yourself alone in a forest. What is your first instinct?
At the time I answered climb a tree until I could see what was around me and plan a way out.
You have a puzzle in front of you with missing pieces. How would you complete it?
I answered find the missing pieces.
I can't do either of those things here under their watch. So I have to get out.
Well here's a scenario. I'm paranoid, slightly traumatized, tired as shit, and covered in dirt. There's a scheming Penguin and a screaming harpy on the other side of a field. What would I do in this situation?
I flung the shovel behind me and loudly proclaimed. "I've had enough. Penguin wake me up!"
Penguin rushed over from the house and nodded like a woodpecker. "As you wish."
Melinoë screamed in frustration about her precious field and I ignored her.
Fuck. This. Shit. I'm out!
I was ejected from the space with minimal effort. When I woke up my surroundings were different but familiar. Only my maids were present with me and I was bundled up in my bed. Upon sensing that I was awake they both came to my side and helped me sit up.
"Where's Nanny?"
Mei Xue whispered while holding a recently soaked towel. "She is having an audience with the Fifth Mistress. Is there anything that requires her attention?"
I ruminated over that. She's in a meeting with Niathe? It should be pretty important. Mei Xue lightly brushes my face with the towel leaving a cooling feeling in her wake.
"No. I just wanted an explanation for her absence."
Kelly cheerfully brings a tray with food and drinks over. "Are you feeling hungry little miss?" Truth be told I am a little thirsty and peckish. I nod in acquiescence and she casually feeds me a tiny sandwich with a toothpick in it. Once I've devoured two more sandwiches she switches to cold cuts and crackers. Then she helps me wash it down with a cup of tea.
It hits just the spot without being too overwhelmingly on my stomach right after I just woke up. What service.
"Thank you." Her eyebrows raise and Mei Xue stops in her tracks before continuing to do away with the water she used to wash my face with. Kelly remarks quietly like she's afraid someone might hear. "I should thank you, my lady. Please don't be polite with me. I am honored to be in your service."
I nodded in thanks.
After that short interlude, I was dressed and taken to the lounge room so I could be entertained with some small games. Such as Fae Strategems.
The game resembles chess in that it is played on a strategem board with unique pieces. However, instead of the traditional white and black pieces, the colors and functions change depending on the race of the players.
The Blue Set, symbolic of the Kelpie Nation, consists of several chiefs, each with specific functions. None of these chiefs serve as a true king or queen. There are three chiefs with striking power, akin to knights, three with legal power similar to rooks, and three with ruling power comparable to queens. As long as you take all three from one group or one from each group their game cannot continue.
The Purple Set, representing the Adronic Empire, closely resembles traditional human chess with three key differences. The Queen serves as the sovereign around whom the other pieces revolve, rather than a King. The King moves vertically, horizontally, and diagonally to protect the Queen. The Queen only has three moves after which she becomes stuck. The other pieces possess special abilities, but they can only use these once before they become normal pawns. Once you take the Queen the game cannot continue.
The Green Set, representing Allere, features the most versatile arrangement, in my opinion. Each piece, except the Queen, has a unique function based on its species. For example, vampires act as bishops, elves as rooks, beasts as knights, and fairies as kings. There are no pawns—only special pieces—but each type is limited to one. So if you lose one you can't replace them. Once you take the Queen the game cannot continue.
The Red Set, reflecting the Sand Kingdom, includes pieces based on their actual knights and royal family. This set consists of a King, a Queen, the Knights, and two Princes/Princesses. Capturing both of the two princes ends the game, as does capturing the King. However, capturing the Queen doesn't affect the game's ability to continue. The Knights do not have special abilities, but they can gain a special ability if they land on a designated area of the board. The King never moves, The Queen must be placed within one square of the King, and the Princes are allowed only five moves.
This game proposes fascinating insights into the political dynamics of my current world. What a genius idea.
I asked curiously. "Where did this game come from?"
Kelly places a purple piece on the board and I place a fairy next to that piece in defense. Mei Xue declined to play and instead chose to stand behind me while watching us play.
Seeing that Kelly was occupied with playing she answered my question without reservation. "It originates from Nerene. A border city between Allere and The Kelpie Nation. A wandering scholar created the game at a banquet more than thirty years ago. The name of such scholar is unknown to the public."
Kelly harrumphed."Thank the Gods that is so."
I tilted my head and then caught on to why. Whoever it was has a target on their heads for treating several large nations literally like a game. Such a dangerous idea was made into a game for others to play and mock conquer their kingdom. What ruler would feel good about it?
Hmm. There. I placed an Elf in preparation for when I would swoop in and kill that Queen. Kelly took my fairy closest to my Queen and I responded in kind. My vampire was placed on a square staring right at the Queen.
Kelly noticed and moved her Queen out of the way. Right into the path of my Elf. I tapped the Elf to remind her it was there and she stared at it perplexed. After some hemming and hawing, she moved her King to protect her Queen and I took it with my Elf.
If she takes my Elf I have a beast right behind me that'll take her Queen. If she moves back to her original place my Vampire will take her too. She only has one move left anyway. So it's one or the other.
Kelly sighed in frustration and knocked over her Queen herself. "That's enough. I lose. Thank you for entertaining me, little miss."
I smiled and cheekily replied. "No. Thank you for entertaining me."
Kelly beamed and was about to respond when the door opened slightly. Kelly shot off the couch and sprinted to stand beside me.
Nanny walked in looking exhausted and relieved at the same time. She did a quick survey of the room and smirked when she saw the finished board. "Playing Strategems as soon as I leave hmm?"
I cracked a smile nervously and asked somewhat timidly. "Yes, Nanny. I was just so bored without you here. Speaking of. What needed your attention? Do you need assistance?"
Please don't say you do. I'm just offering I don't really mean it.
She dashes my expectations."Then I won't be polite with you. There is a matter that requires some attention."
I winced and struggled to keep a smile on my face. Ugh. Fine. What is it? "Please, be comfortable and share your burdens with me, Nanny. What is it that requires both of our attention?"
She explained. "I have taken into consideration your request for another tutor. After much deliberation with your mother we have compiled a list of suitable candidates," I flinch unintentionally at those words."All that's left is to choose from this list. I would like to ask for your opinion. Do you have any special conditions to be taken into consideration?"
You know what I do. I clear my throat and make my request. "Could they not be noble or an apostle?"
Call it healthy vigilance but after my time with Lady Anne, I've become somewhat hesitant to interact with any more zealots like her. Every day all I hear is modesty, virtue, and rules.
Nanny ponders and then hesitates before speaking cautiously. "Do you mind if this person is male?"
I shook my head no. I have no problem with something like that. Nanny nodded with satisfaction and said confidently. "Then it's settled. Mediak will teach you in rotation with Lady Anne and myself. We will also be adding more staff to our boudoir this year."
I nodded and behind me, the girls chirped out an affirmative answer.