Is this what the anguish of a uniform authority feels like?
They entered the Bright Castle without much trouble, just as Seishan had predicted.
Aisling wore a cloak that covered him from head to toe, with a mask made of white marble fragments, leaving only two openings for the eyes.
His mysterious, intimidating appearance was made even more so by his Enemy of the World attribute, which caused natural rejection.
So many stares and no one pays me any attention; it’s curious.
Then again, who can blame them?
Through the halls of the Bright Castle, the residents and guards let their eyes wander as he passed, then quickly looked away.
Not because of Aisling, but because of Seishan.
So much disaster couldn’t ruin that beautiful skin; she even still smells lovely.
Could she have some kind of perfume as a Memory?
Ahead of Aisling, Seishan walked with a bearing worthy of royalty.
Her delicate steps echoed, announcing her presence without a word; she wore a simple white dress, but on her it became a magnificent garment that only enhanced her beauty.
What stole everyone’s breath was her beautiful grey skin, unnatural and exotic, lending her an unreachable, almost divine aspect.
They make me feel inadequate.
Next time I should just stay and look at her for a long while; it’d be a way to appreciate the art and send my thanks to her parents’ artists.
Aisling had to consciously articulate his thoughts to keep them from slipping out without that filter Seishan kept mentioning.
They were guided by a tall young man with a relaxed manner and a friendly smile, though his lips twitched slightly at the sight of Aisling, quickly recovering when he turned to Seishan.
Gemma, leader of the hunters and scouts; it’s said he has an Aspect that makes him nearly immortal, and he arrived in the Forgotten Shore the same year as Gunlaug.
Noted.
Would it be just as annoying to regenerate his limbs as my reconstruction is?
They went on until they reached wide doors that opened almost automatically at their arrival.
* * *
They entered a spacious hall with an empty white throne atop several steps.
Gemma signaled them to wait, which didn’t take long, as a figure appeared from the shadows of the alcove.
A palpable pressure built in the great hall as a man, dressed entirely in seamless golden armor, walked slowly with a weight that showed the authority he wielded.
Seishan tensed visibly, but kept her cold expression.
She felt an oppressive aura that made her body tremble at the sight of the almost liquid reflection of the golden armor.
A small bead of sweat trickled down her temple; she wanted to give in to the weight in her legs and collapse.
She realized at once what was happening.
This…
is a mental attack.
Naturally, in such an extraordinary world — one that grants Awakened beings different Aspects through the Spell, that gives Memories with multiple effects, and with much of the Dream Realm still unmapped — dying with a sword through the heart wasn’t so strange.
The quietest attacks, the ones aimed directly at the mind, were more dangerous because of how unknown they were.
Not to mention those that damaged the soul: there were few means — if any — that Dreamers could use to defend against either type of attack.
Seishan’s eyes grew fiercer, refusing to be intimidated by the oppressive aura.
Gemma went through something similar, slightly less uncomfortable from the pressure.
Her deductions were interrupted as Gunlaug’s deep voice rang out:
“Guests, I am honored that you approach during these difficult times for all of us, wishing to contribute with the best of intentions.
We’ve gone through a conflict that puts us all in the same situation.
I am the Lord of the Bright Castle, Gunlaug.
Speak!
I’m told you bring a proposal that will benefit the consolidation of the castle.
First, let me hear your names.”
He finished, letting his voice resonate with force against the hall’s walls.
Gemma gestured to Seishan to speak, which proved unnecessary as she stepped forward.
Gunlaug tilted his head, waiting for her words.
“My lord, I’m grateful for the opportunity.
My name is Seishan.
The Dreamer behind me is my protector; he carries a Flaw difficult to put into words, as you can see.
I hope you understand.”
Her words surprised Gemma, who stood gaping at Seishan’s bearing.
If Gunlaug showed any reaction, he gave no sign of it.
Seishan continued.
“I won’t beat around the bush, and I’ll explain the proposal that I trust will help everyone overcome these difficulties…”
Confirming her suspicions upon entering the Bright Castle, there was no order that could be called anything but warlike.
The care given to the facilities and the way the residents lived was far from adequate, and there was a wide margin for error.
Seishan proposed recruiting her own group that would operate under her orders, trained to cover the needs of the Host’s members and make the castle more than merely livable.
Not that it didn’t already exist; they just had an unconventional way of doing it.
In her speech, her gaze hid a glint of cunning.
Stability.
It’s a clever choice that reveals how he really thinks.
It could be a simple proposal, and it is; everyone wants to maintain a certain order.
But it’s much more than that.
It covers his whims.
Whether he accepts or not, any decision falls within the range of how I should act next.
I need to know whether he intends to leave the Forgotten Shore or not.
Seishan wouldn’t say that out loud.
“…I hope you can grant me your authorization to move forward with my initiative, with the certainty that you’ll be offering me your protection.”
Seishan bowed deeply.
Gunlaug showed no movement, and his golden armor made it impossible to read his expressions.
All that remained was to wait for his verdict.
“Fine words.
I’m not permitted to deny your proposal, given the Dreamers who have been suffering with no place to rest where fear doesn’t overtake them.
I accept.
One of my men will bear witness.
As a just and benevolent lord, I grant you my protection so that you may honor the place I give you.”
“Thank you; I won’t disappoint you.”
“As it should be.
I hope you can live up to expectations.
For now, I allow you to name the group to finalize the consolidation.”
Seishan raised her head, looking at the golden reflection that caused such palpable pressure.
Without retreating, she declared:
“Handmaidens.
I will form the Handmaidens, who will belong to you.”
Gunlaug seemed quite pleased as he raised his hand.
“Perfect.
If that’s all, you may withdraw.
The sooner you show results, the better for everyone.
You’re welcome here.”
The three of them left as soon as he finished speaking, trying not to seem rushed.
Gemma exhaled with relief once the doors closed behind them, unlike Seishan, who held it in.
And Aisling…
was perfectly normal.
Gemma turned to Seishan.
“Allow me to guide you.
The castle is an enormous structure and several areas are currently empty.
Right now, there should be fewer than two hundred Dreamers residing within the castle.”
“Fewer than two hundred…
How many Dreamers arrived this year?”
“That…
must be in the hundreds.
We have to admit we have no real control over the newcomers and the number tends to vary.
Add to that the fact that the Nightmare Spell can send you to any corner of the Dream Realm.
One day a group of survivors might arrive, and the next, no one at all.
It’s unfortunate, but we’ve been moving nonstop since our lord consolidated his rule.”
Seishan understood with precision; the state of the castle confirmed as much on its own. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Inside the Bright Castle there was little population; barely a dozen curious Dreamers who wanted to see Seishan’s beauty.
Nowhere could the militia led by Tessai be seen, nor Gemma’s scouts or hunters.
They must have been very busy not to show themselves so openly.
That also explained the ragged Dreamers starving in the slums outside the castle.
They barely had enough to take care of themselves; after going through such turbulent times, they were in a period of recovery and calibration.
Seishan believed that within a couple of months the people of the Bright Castle would be able to adapt to their conditions and lay firm foundations to govern.
Her gaze settled for a second on Aisling.
He hasn’t spoken.
If I didn’t know him, he’d raise my suspicions.
Thinking about the slums, I’m sure he grew up in the same conditions; it’s only at certain moments that he makes me doubt.
Who acts that way?
It’s as if he had…
She stopped in her tracks.
Gemma noticed and asked at once:
“Is something wrong?”
“No…
let’s continue.”
Seishan dismissed it in her mind.
I need to focus on the plan, on what really matters, and not stray from my path back…
back to my mother and my sisters.
* * *
I almost ruined it.
This thought came from Aisling.
Noticing Seishan’s change of state at the start, when Gunlaug entered, he had been ready to grab her and flee, but fortunately he caught himself in time.
Aisling, not feeling much threat since he didn’t fully understand the situation, kept giving free rein to his thoughts.
Do they call him the Golden Serpent for his serpentine tongue, or for the rippling look of his golden armor?
He must be a couple of years older than us, but he speaks with such eloquence and something insidious — though not because he’s planning anything bad.
Gunlaug had methods worthy of a tyrant, or so Aisling suspected, because he didn’t feel whatever it was the man was doing.
He’s intimidating, if pompous.
Should I change how I talk?
‘I am a young gentleman of high class.’
Aisling felt an interest in the power Gunlaug wielded, the mysterious pressure, and found it quite conflicting.
It wasn’t as liberating as he’d thought.
We choose to put on our own chains willingly, but…
that idiot doesn’t appeal to me.
Aisling sighed inwardly.
He was, in truth, very displeased.
Doesn’t matter; free rein to my thoughts.
I wonder if they’ll give me a room.
If it has a view of the Crimson Spire, all the better.
* * *
“Sei, don’t you want to sleep together?”
Seishan couldn’t help bringing a hand to her forehead.
After Gemma explained several rules and answered several questions, he left them to settle into their rooms.
Each of them was assigned one, and Aisling spoke after making sure no one was nearby, letting out somewhat peculiar words.
Seishan understood his words.
“No.
It’s not necessary; this place is relatively safe.
If something were to happen, I can defend myself.
Rest for now; you won’t be able to once we get started.”
Without waiting for his response, she entered her own room, closing the door behind her.
She didn’t bother to take in her surroundings.
She leaned her back against the door and let out a long sigh she’d been holding in.