Chapter 89: Life Debt

Bren

Bren groaned as he rolled on his cot. It had been well after dark by the time the rescue team had gotten them processed and into tents for the night. Nothing was going to happen until the next day, and even that was going to be done slowly since they had so much to report and investigate.

He, on the other hand, had more personal matters to focus on. Like that infuriating Thrundol he’d just been bonded to with a Life Debt. Another groan escaped him as he recalled the event. The woman looked so desperate, so utterly exhausted, and so set on making this happen that he had caved. He raised his right arm, looking at the newly etched tattoo in his flesh that signified the bond.

Bren was not really the type for tattoos, but he did at least appreciate the design. The twisting vines with leaves budding off them, and that a perfect match would be on Lucia’s arm.

No, the tattoo was not the problem. It was the divine enforcement of that bond, and the other ramifications that it came with it. A Life Debt. One Bryltia actually presided over. He blamed Ann for this. In part, at least. He needed to talk to Lucia.

Getting up, Bren stretched his tired body. He was used to running and fighting at this point, but the last day, with a full day of riding on the sledge on top of rescuing the researchers, had pushed his limits. His legs hurt and he massaged them carefully. Rising, he stretched his back and arms. At least he did not need to use a heavy staff like Rosalyn did.

He stepped out into the morning chaos. Soldiers, cooks, and other workers were out and about. There would be an in-depth investigation about what happened here. A false report on a Seed clear was serious. Whoever had caused such infraction, like Kat had explained earlier, faced either life in prison or worse. Considering the amount of lives endangered, execution was likely.

Soldiers passed and nodded his way. News that he was part of the rescue team seemed to have spread. The rest of the party would be receiving similar treatment when they woke. Likely later in the day, knowing Kat.

Bren asked a passing worker about breakfast, and he directed him over to a larger tent with smoke coming out the top. Bren picked up some cheesy rolls with sausage filling and asked if Lucia had been in. The cook hadn’t seen her, so he set off to find her.

Looking around, he couldn’t find the woman. Apparently, she could be damn elusive if she wanted to be. Sighing, he opened his status sheet to check on something. Sure enough, there was a new entry. He was about to go into reading it before a rustle in a nearby tree caught his attention. Lucia dropped from the branches, crouching low, then stretching to her full height.

“Morning, Bren Hedera,” she groaned. “Sleep good?”

“I slept well, yes,” Bren nodded. “I was just seeking you. Here, breakfast.”

Lucia took the roll with an appreciative nod and began to eat.

“I think we need to talk,” Bren started. “Possibly privately?”

“Don’t see the point,” Lucia shrugged. “Is done.”

“Lucia, please. If you do not need to discuss this, I do. We need to talk about how this is going to work between us.”

“Fine,” Lucia sighed, then gestured for him to follow her. She took him out of the camp. The guards took note of their passing but didn’t stop them. After they were a good distance away, they stopped by a set of smooth stones, which Lucia sat down on. “Private. Now we talk?”

“Did you see your sheet?” Bren asked. He tried to eat some more, but he was feeling too nervous to get much down.

“Yes. It’s what I expected,” Lucia nodded.

“If you share what yours says, I will share mine.” Bren watched as she narrowed her eyes, then shrugged.

“Not like it’s too different from what yours should be. Is a section called ‘Life Debt’. Says that we are bonded now until the debt is fulfilled. Am surprised that Byltia blessed it, and says that she did. Normally just says stuff about the bond, from what Clan leaders told me.”

“I think you are skipping a few things there, but that is the gist of it,” Bren confirmed. “Here is mine.”

Life Debt

You have entered a Life Debt with one of the Huntress’ children. This oath has been witnessed and blessed by the Night Mother herself. Bren Hedera and Lucia Simorgh are bound until the debt has been settled.

Effects of the Debt: You now have an innate sense of where your debtor is located as well as their physical and mental status. Any commands made to the debtor will be followed by the indebted.

As the presiding authority of the Life Debt, Bryltia herself will be the one to choose when the debt has been settled.

“Yeah, sounds like what it says for me,” Lucia nodded. “Too many words to say I obey you until debt is done.”

“You are missing the point,” Bren huffed. “Lucia. This is not some dare or guilting you into doing something for me. If I tell you to do something, you are compelled to do it!”

Lucia nodded, cocking her head as if to ask what the point was.

“It is free will. You have heard the stories, right? The horrors that the worst of us who stumbled into a debt like this have done to your people?”

“I… have, yes,” Lucia nodded. As they spoke, she pulled a brush from her pouch and began to clean her tusks.

“Then you know what you have just given me? You gave me, essentially, your soul! I do not feel comfortable with this power,” Bren said. He didn’t, no, he couldn’t understand how nonchalant this woman was being. This was monumental. Something that altered who they were.

“Do you remember? What I said last night?” Lucia asked, still grooming herself. Once she was done brushing the tusks, she pulled out some oil to rub into them. “You saved all. Not just me. I… have concerns about the wolf, Annita, but can tell she’s good. Know Katlyn’s reputation. Brain? Er… Rosalyn? Not sure yet, but seems harmless. Seemed like the right choice.”

“Just because I did something heroic or saved you and others doesn’t mean you deserve this!” Bren exclaimed, standing up to pace. “To cut to the grim truth, I could order you to start killing everyone in that camp and you would have to follow it. This is not something I want to have on my conscience.”

Lucia looked up at him from her seat. “But would you?”

“No! But I could. That’s the whole problem!” Bren shouted. “It’s the terrible possibility. It scares me to my core.”

“Then I made a good choice,” Lucia said gruffly. “Am not stupid. I know this pact. Thrundol from my Clan are taught about it from early years. Ancestors were some that were abused. You being so scared means you understand. Am not afraid about this thing.”

“I…” Bren faltered. There was a logic to it. Even though she spoke simply, Lucia made sense. If it was him on the other end of this pact, he would want someone who was terrified of what they could do with the power. He sat down. Thinking.

“I want to make another promise,” Bren started. “Probably more for my sake than yours, as you seem more comfortable with this than I. Hells, I do not know if this might get us in more trouble, but can I have your hand, please? No, that is not a command.” Bren extended his left hand.

Lucia shrugged and took the offered limb.

“I, Bren Hedera, swear to never abuse this trust you have put in me. I will never command you to take any untoward actions, nor will I order you into actions that will cause you to harm yourself or others. Your free will shall be respected in any and all of my commands. I hereby swear this by Bryltia, your patron Goddess, as well as my own preferred God, Qu’sella. May their wrath strike me down should I violate these terms.”

He waited. This was partially a test. He had a feeling the Gods were watching them now after Bryltia had specifically presided over the Life Debt. Just because it was a test did not discredit the intent behind his words.

A tingle in his arm flared into a burning pain. Script, the exact words he had just spoken, burned into black ink on his arm. The glowing red writing extended down his hand and onto Lucia’s. It burned like the Hells themselves, but he healed it away from both of them.

“I guess that confirms that,” Bren sighed, releasing Lucia’s hand.

“What was that? A new oath?” Lucia looked at her own arm, inspecting the writing.

“Entirely new. None like it recorded in my knowledge of history. The Gods are watching us. Well, more than Orenous probably already is.”

“Why Orenous?” Lucia asked, confusion in her eyes.

“Oh you, that’s right. Ann has not made that announcement yet. That will likely need to be made soon. Annita? She is the Champion of Orenous. Warrior of Orenous is her Path, and Chosen is her title. Normally, I would not discuss this with someone we just met. This?” Bren raised his arm, displaying the mark of their Life Debt, “this affords us some certainty.”

“I was not aware of this. Maybe I should have sworn to her?”

What was that look? Was she teasing him? Bren felt his cheeks flush slightly. “No, no. She would not even understand what she was getting into. I will let her explain more later. It bears relevance to the Seed.”

“I have more questions,” Lucia stated, but didn’t continue. “I feel we should know each other better. Question for question?”

“Fair. I promise to be honest,” Bren nodded.

“Same. So, why do you talk like that?”

Not what he had expected the first question to be. “I assume you mean my enunciation?”

Lucia grunted an affirmative.

“It is an old habit. I had a very strict tutor when I was a child. She was what Kat would call an old cunt. The one thing I picked up from her and her belligerent style of teaching was that diction is important to being taken seriously. It stuck, and Kat teased me endlessly over it.”

“Might join her in that,” Lucia laughed. “Not I should talk.”

“That was actually going to be my question to you. I have met many Thrundol, but none quite as… terse?”

“Also a habit,” Lucia shrugged. “Try to live life with least difficulty. Reached most things in my life. Was just simpler this way.”

“Well, that is good. I was slightly concerned there were some issues with your speech.”

“No. Most people think so. Just don’t think it’s worth it.” Lucia straightened, putting on a haughty air. “I can speak like a normal person. I just feel awkward when I do and can’t shake it until I get back to my normal habits.” She slouched back in a comfortable posture. “See?”

“Yes, I do.” Bren sat there for a minute, digesting. Knowing Lucia was not as, well, slow as she sounded put his mind at some rest. Despite the spear that was their Debt hanging over his head.

“My turn. Who is Katlyn to you?” Lucia asked.

“Oh, basically my sister,” Bren responded.

“You’re not prince? Actually, would have heard,” Lucia said, cocking her head in a way that caused her hair to fall over her face, obscuring her eyes.

“No no. Just a close friend. I have known Katlyn since I was a child and she was in her twenties. She started as a big sister, but we evened out as we grew,” Bren said with a grin, remembering the time fondly.

“Ah. Explains a lot. Not to cheat rules, but other two are girlfriends?”

“It is fine. Yes. Those three are involved with each other. Annita is mostly at the center of it, but Kat and Rosalyn clearly have feelings for each other as well. I am not involved.”

“No?” Lucia cocked an eyebrow. “Would have thought, man like you, maybe.”

“Not with Kat in the mix, no. Annita and Rosalyn are both charming, but I also do not fall into their tastes.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Lucia’s lips, but she fought it back. “Fair. Just wanting to know. Chosen of the Goddess of Love must have large desires.”

“I… could tell you about the things I have heard, but I would rather not relive those memories,” Bren chuckled at the same time a shiver ran down his spine. “Let us just have it said that you are correct.”

Lucia whistled, opting to lie back on the rock. “Your turn.”

“What is your Clan like? I know the Thrundol lived in larger communities historically, but had largely spread out and integrated with the rest of societies over the millennia.”

“Not much to say,” Lucia shrugged. “Clan is out east. Rocktusks. Tradition is a big thing. Try to live by the old ways, like Bryltia wanted.”

“So, you follow the Hunt?” Bren asked, taking a seat next to her.

“Yup. To find and fight the greater beasts of the land. That’s my calling. Took the Thrundol Huntress Path for it.”

Bren blushed. Yeah, they were now bound on a literal spiritual level, but he still hadn’t expected her to divulge her Path. Ann was strange in that stance, but Lucia should know better.

“Don’t get all flustered,” Lucia laughed, giving him a knowing grin. “Our bond is already past that.”

“Still, I would not have asked,” Bren stammered.

“Yeah? Eh, maybe you wouldn’t have. Bit naïve of you.”

“Naïve to not ask for the most personal thing you have?”

“Oh, you think that’s the most personal thing I have?” Lucia taunted. “Got more you can’t have.”

“I will not pursue this,” Bren decided.

“Aww, the game was fun,” Lucia pouted. “Fine. You. What’s your goal?”

“Well, now that this has been thrust on me, to fulfil this debt.”

“That’s a cheat answer,” Lucia declared. “Try again.”

Bren huffed. He was telling the truth. Now that he was stuck in this oath, his first goal was to get out of this place of power he did not wish for. “Very well. For long-term goals, it is uncovering events of the past. Due to the unique circumstances of our Chosen companion, I personally seek the origins of the Warped, and the circumstances that gave rise to their creation.”

“Dangerous knowledge,” Lucia nodded, sitting up. “Doesn’t worry you?”

“Curiosity has gotten many a scholar killed in their pursuits. I know the dangers,” Bren said, trying to appear confident. Problem was, he was nervous about what he would find. The ramifications of Ann being asked to look into it by beings of such power were worrying. If they could not unravel these secrets, what was at their heart?

“I see that worry,” Lucia said, shocking him out of his thoughts.

Bren jumped. He had gotten lost in his thoughts, and she was about five inches from his face. He felt her breath as her tusks brushed against his chest.

“You zone out when you think,” Lucia laughed, sitting back. “Careful. Can be dangerous.”

“Well, is that not what you are here for now?” Bren sniped back, embarrassed he had lost track of time.

“I guess it is, but I don’t have my rifle. Warrior without their weapon’s only half as good.” Lucia gave a sage nod, as if she’d passed off some old wisdom.

“Saying that I am weak?” Bren replied snidely.

“Hardly. Strong in different ways,” Lucia grunted. “Not killing.”

“Yeah, you have me there,” Bren laughed. “It was horrible the first time I went out with Kat to fight Warped. Pretty sure I wet myself.”

That, of all things, got a laugh out of Lucia. “I can see it. But this didn’t stop you. Kept going and got stronger. Got past shame.”

“That is a good way of seeing it,” Bren said, sitting down next to the woman. “So we are really stuck like this, huh?”

“For foreseeable future,” Lucia nodded as she stared up at the dappled morning sunlight filtering through the dead trees.

“I do not want this,” Bren admitted. “I did not yesterday, and I still do not.”

“Then this thing will be fine,” Lucia nodded. “Another reason I think you’ll not abuse it.”

“You know, under all that gruffness, you’ve got a really sharp mind,” Bren said, tapping Lucia’s forehead playfully.

“Ah, it’s ok. Better used for hunting, not talking.”

“Well, then, my Huntress,” Bren said, standing and dramatically bowing. “Shall we meet with the rest?”

“One thing before,” Lucia said, sitting up. “I, err, I want to know what it feels like.”

“Hm?”

“To have an order. Just something simple. Won’t ask again. Promise,” Lucia clarified quickly.

“Something simple. Fine. Lucia. I order you to stand, then jump as high as you can once,” Bren commanded.

The bond marks glowed green as the command took hold and Lucia stood immediately, crouched, and leapt as high as she could. She landed gracefully and took a flourishing bow. It looked absolutely ridiculous, but that she was playing along was endearing.

“So? How did it feel?” Bren asked, moving forward and resting a hand on her chest. “Pain?”

“No, opposite,” Lucia said, eyes confusing as she took internal stock of her wits. “Felt good to follow. Tried to resist. Felt pressure. Nothing too strong. Didn’t fight hard. Could be much worse if I tried.”

“That has possibly worse connotations for how this works long term,” Bren said, his chest squeezing. To give someone a good feeling for following orders was a dangerous thing. No way would he be using this unless absolutely necessary.

“Anything else?” Lucia asked, stretching her long, thin limbs in a way that was doing nothing for Bren’s focus.

“No,” he said hurriedly, focusing back on the present. “I think enough time has passed for our companions to have woken up, dealt with Ann’s desires, and gotten decent. Let us go seek them out.”

“They do this every morning?” Lucia asked as she fell in beside him.

“It is strange how often I have to answer that question,” Bren sighed.