Eliza
October 13, 1786, Realm Timeline, Slovakia, near the Morava River
It took more time to pull the ferry on the other side of the Morava than to reach the first Outworlder Outpost, located only a thousand yards from the border. Hidden behind a bend in the road and a few miles from the nearest village, it was more of a customs check than a proper military garrison. Nevertheless, the highest officer was a retired US Marshal, and he had an official-issued phone. Eliza was connected to the Outworlders' Council President's office in no time. She blurted out her whole story in one go and a single phrase, a feat that would have made Proust envious.
"I'll arrange for transportation; while I'm at that, I'm putting you through with the guys in the lab," the President said when she finished.
"Wait! I'm not alone... Oh, shit," she cursed, because the Chief Scientist got on the line almost instantly.
"Hey, Liz. What's up?" the man asked.
"Wait a sec! This is a state secret; I need to be alone," she yelled to the rest of the people in the room, expecting them to leave. "Err... Never mind, I'll go outside," she grimaced, meeting the incredulous gaze of the Empress. She ran out, slamming the door behind her.
"Good news and bad news," Eliza continued feverishly. "The Interface works. I managed to turn somebody into a Thrall."
"So soon?" the man asked.
"Have you been romantically involved with the target?" a researcher asked. Eliza knew she was a big fan of romance novels, especially those about sexy Vampires or Werevolves falling for a simple girl and seeing her inner beauty. "Did you act impulsively? Did you feel like you had a yearning? Is he good-looking?"
"Absolutely not," Eliza sneered.
"He's not good-looking?"
"It's not what I meant."
"You're not making any sense," the scientist said.
"Because all you care about is fucking. There was nothing sexual involved; it was just business."
"Business doesn't explain why you turned someone so soon after getting the System," the woman said.
Eliza slapped her forehead. "Sorry. Let me start from the beginning. There was an attack at the meeting. First, I offered to turn the Emperor to save his life," she emphasized, staring at the Empress, who was glaring at her through the window, just in case she was eavesdropping. "He refused. Then, I turned someone else. A coachman they sent to pick us up. No, sorry, a knight."
"A coachman or a knight?" the woman researcher asked.
"Both. A young knight who was sent to be our coachman and bodyguard."
"A handsome young knight, or an old grumpy one, like—"
"What kind of attack are you talking about? A bomb?" the President interjected.
"A group of Rebels. And a Tamer, a really strong one. Anyway, I ran away with the Empress; Sam stayed behind, status unknown. The Emperor is probably dead."
"This is suboptimal," the President said.
"Tell me something new. Anyway, this young guy I turned into a thrall became a sort of killing machine."
"A killing machine like an out-of-control beast, or a super ninja?" the Chief Scientist asked.
"The latter. I think this class is more combat-oriented than we thought," Eliza continued. "I got a couple of levels through shared XP and tons of notifications. He killed a gazillion hounds and a Boss-Threat level hostile. That would be the Tamer. He was huge. Juggernaut huge."
"Can you turn more people?" the researcher asked.
"No! It doesn't work like that. Sam says classes work on the local Zeitgeist, the Magic memory of this world, not on novels or movies."
"It works with your mind too, but the Zeitgeist is stronger."
"I suppose. The description says, and I quote liberally: your Vampire class is influenced by the Realm's Zeitgeist. You're limited to only one thrall at any specific time, for a maximum of three during your lifetime. And there's something else that bothers me. The guy I turned can siphon health, while I can't."
"Hm... That was always a tricky topic. We're still researching the subject. Have you tried drinking blood?"
"NO! I told you from the start I won't. Normal food works fine; the sun seems to have no effect. Local rules, like Sam says. Vampire is for Vamp. Cool, elegant people with a penchant for the occult. In other words, me!"
"Maybe you're too low in level."
"Do you think it was your presence that attracted trouble?" the Chief Scientist interjected over the researcher. "Or you were attracted to it? Did anything like a quest appear in the notifications?"
"No," Eliza shook her head. "Did the Seer say anything?"
"Negative."
"They said negative?"
"They didn't say anything."
"What if the rebels come after you?" the assistant asked. "You should move."
"This post has concrete walls and machine guns," Eliza said. "We're safe here."
"I'm already on it, with the Guild on a separate line," the President said. "They say Sandra's chopper is available. She's due to deliver medical supplies to Budapest, but can stop by to pick you up first and take you to Bratislava. The chopper will leave in a few minutes," the man said with a little delay, a sign he was checking his watch.
"Is Sandra leaving from the base? Can you send me a smartphone through her? I left mine in my apartment in Brno, per the rules."
"Consider it done," the President said. "Stay put; she'll be there in thirty minutes tops. Is that all?"
"Yes. Thanks, bye."
"About—"
Eliza didn't hear what the Chief Scientist was about to say because she cut the call and returned to the border post. Inside, the officer, the Empress, and the Vlach witch looked at her with either curiosity or anxiety.
"Good news. The base is sending a chopper. A flying machine. It'll take us to Bratislava."
"Where's Bratislava?" the Empress asked. "I won't allow myself to be taken to some forsaken place."
"It's Pressburg. Duh!"
"Why not Vienna?" the Empress asked.
"Your government doesn't allow us to fly over your territory," Eliza said. "That was one of the topics we were supposed to discuss. That, the railway, the currency exchange... Not helping the French or the Hungarians."
"Futak invited them, not us," the Empress said.
Probably to kill them as well. "Over your head?"
"No, he asked permission, but Joseph said it was a good idea."
"He thought we'd pity them?" Eliza scoffed.
"Don't they deserve it?" the Empress asked.
"Yes, for their stupidity. They mistreated their people until rebellion was the only choice."
"I know," the Empress sighed. "We want to change things, but..." She stopped her words all of a sudden, looking outside. "Joseph! Joseph is alive!" she screamed. A second later, she ran out.
"Can I have the phone again, please?" Eliza asked the border guard officer.
"It's still in your hand," the man said.
"Sorry... long, hard night," Eliza sighed, calling the Council's President again. "Sam and my thrall are here," she said, looking through the window. "Looks like they saved the Emperor."
"That's great news. Sandra's airborne," the President said. "Ten minutes tops to your location. I also called Bratislava. Given the woman's condition, she'll be admitted to the hospital. The Emperor will stay at the Town Hall. Sam—"
"I know where he'll stay."
"There's a new hotel in the center, built with modern facilities. I'll book you the best suite. The Thrall can go to the barracks."
"Thanks," Eliza said, impressed by the man's organizing skills.
"Anything else?"
"Yep, as a matter of fact. We have a young escaped serf with us, a Vlach witch."
"Ah... Tell her she's free now," the President said. "The Protectorate's law is clear."
"Can you make arrangements so she's also checked into the hospital? She has a small child with a fever."
"Consider it done. Any new details about the attack?"
"You'll have to ask Sam. Sam, the president," Eliza offered the phone, as the Samurai was coming inside, looking haggard.
"Hi, Thomas," Sam said.
"What happened?" the President asked, his voice still audible.
"I told you what happened; there was an attack," Eliza said.
"A French Mage working together with Vlach Rebels, and probably blackmailing the castle owner, Futak. There was also a Tamer, very tough. All attackers are presumed dead. His Majesty's Sage is in charge there; there are a few surviving soldiers and guests," Sam said.
"Good to know. Thanks a lot, Samuel."
"I couldn't have known the second part," Eliza snapped. Sam had taken the spotlight, like usual, and like clockwork. "I was busy saving the Empress!"
"You sound shaken. Are you hurt, Sam?" the President asked.
"Mostly in my pride, and a little in my thigh. A boar wiped the forest floor with me."
"Why were you fighting a boar in the first place?" Eliza asked.
"I didn't. The boar did all the fighting, trust me."
"We're postponing the negotiations until further notice," the President said.
"I'll have to hang around Joseph as much as I can," Sam said. "I saved his life. This is the clout we need."
"Then you can go to Vienna as soon as you want. Escort the Emperor."
"Am I obliged to go, too?" Eliza asked. "I hate that city. I once danced the Black Swan in the Swan Lake, by Tchaikovsky. The White Swan, that Russian bitch, changed my shoes before the show, and—"
"You bled all over the scene, and the critics thought you did it on purpose, calling you a fading star, ready to do anything to attract attention, " Sam said, rolling his eyes. "We know, it's all you talk about every time you hear the word Vienna."
"Hey! It was traumatizing! You dance with bleeding toes, then talk."
"Sam can go on his own, Liz," the President said. "After you hung up, the lab asked me to tell you to come to the base for an assessment. Bring your thrall. They're interested mostly in him, to be frank."
"Goes without saying. I think I hear the chopper," Eliza furrowed her brow. "Can you tell your guys not to shoot?" she asked the commander.
"We have been in radio contact with the pilot," the man answered, looking at Eliza as if she were mad.
How the heck am I supposed to remember all your stupid procedures?
"Fine. Come, our transportation is due any moment now," Eliza told the Vlach girl. "It's a flying machine. It's important you stay calm and don't panic. It's safe."
"I'll be c-calm. It's f-for Lily," the girl clenched her teeth.
"That's the spirit," Eliza gave her a thumbs up.
Exiting, they found Joseph, his wife, and Tristan talking vividly, and probably about Eliza and Sam, because they shut up as soon as they appeared.
"Come here, the chopper needs some space to land," Eliza shouted and beckoned, as the noise was growing louder, very fast.