Chapter 235: Faith
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Chapter 235: Faith
Tala sat and ate from an incredible spread of tasty food. I feel like I should get sick of, or at least get used to, this, but it seems like every day they change up the spices and methods of preparation.
When she got back home, she would have to seriously consider finding and hiring a cook
Thron sat on the other end of the table, regarding her critically. Hed mostly finished his own food, though he was still nursing a tankard of acid. You know, I still find it very strange that there was almost no loot.
From what? She smiled innocently around the dumpling shed just popped into her mouth.
He gave her an unamused look. Hed been occasionally, gently prodding her on the subject for the last few days. His questions had become more pointed, as she hadnt told him to leave it.
Tala shrugged, not even trying to hide her smile as it turn rueful. I really dont know what to tell you. My sanctum ate the hold, and I suppose it just ate basically all the material too.
There was nothing? Really? From an entire hold of master craftsmen?
Well, my understanding is that there were only a few master craftsmen, the others were assistances and apprentices.
He gave her another flat look, and she grinned back.
No, there wasnt really anything more than the few ingots of white metal. Shed found quite a few of those in the storeroom past Ios chamber.
It had been three days since shed allowed Kit to consume the guild hold.
There had been a lot of loot. With the back areas, there had even been a few magical items aimed at aiding in the construction of the automata. Even so, a cursory examination quickly made it very clear that the magical constructs had been built by hand, for the most part.
No unending army for me.
There had been a quite a few ingots of the white metal, along with a number of books and research materials, which would likely help her investigate the automata related items as a whole. Needless to say, shed taken everything, hiding it all down in the secret underground vault.
The base materials had simply been added to some of the expanded space downward, while most of the added volume had, once again, simply allowed Kit to increase the height of the sky.
Tala didnt think that Thron had noticed the few new trees that had been transplanted into some of the far parts of the sanctum, and the two holding ponds were now just a bit deeper, to accommodate the new water.
Kit couldnt do anything truly intricate, precise in the construction department, at least not without Talas direct involvement, so the changes really were minor.
Some of the loot, however, was going to be a problem.
She really didnt know what to do with the four fount orbs that shed found. They were sealed in some fashion, and locked down, so it wasnt like they were dumping power into Kit, but she still had to figure out how to handle them. Some automatic magics within the hold had been enacted upon them when shed disabled the magics drawing from the founts.
Even though shed preferred to have been able to keep the gains hidden, in order to use the metal, she needed to know what it was. So, she had passed off a few ingots to Thron.
When Be-thric had been told there wasnt any material recovered from the hold, he had dismissed the issue as understandable, given the loss of the entire hold. They had been discussing the debacle with Sanguis and Pallaun at the time.
Apparently, the guild was distraught over the loss of their hold but werent actually leveling any official complaints.
Tala had explained, per Be-thrics direction, that something had gone strange within the hold due to the guilds experiments, and that had led to the holds destabilization.
This all had the added benefit of being true.
When they were briefly alone after the debrief with the other Pillar and Eskau, Be-thric had simply stated that if she discovered anything interesting, she should let him know.
He obviously knew that shed looted the hold entirely, and he was pleased to allow her to use the results as she deemed fit.
-His level of trust for Tali is admirable?-
Yeah, it almost makes me feel bad.
-Your level of sarcasm is staggering.-
Isnt it, though?
She had assured him that, of course she would keep him informed, and he had been satisfied.
And on the time-scale of arcanes, it wont matter. We will go to the human cities before it comes up again.
In that vein, they needed more protian weapons, and her plan was being implemented.
Within the next week, Tala, Be-thric, and a least a couple of squads of House of Blood warriors would invade a minor houses hold, on the night they were holding a banquet.
That banquet would have at least one candidate Eskau in attendance, most likely without the prospective Pillar.
It was common practice for candidate Eskau to be sent as a token presence from major Houses to such events, especially when the minor house was currying the favor of the major.
A slightly greater show of favor would be for the perspective Pillar to go instead, with even more conveyed by them both attending.
It was all very political.
Tali had never been sent as such a representative because she was human, and there really hadnt been that much time.
Most candidate Eskau were in the position for years, if not decades, before getting a chance to advance in rank within the House.
But all this was beside the point, as Thron had not believed her for an instant when she claimed to have not looted anything further.
Im not an idiot, Tali. He shook his head.
And I am very glad of that. Youd be rather useless to me if you were.
So? He took a deep pull from his tankard, clearly giving her a moment to respond.
Tala sighed. Be-thric had told her that it was up to her if she brought Thron in on the reasoning behind the destruction of the hold. This might actually be a really good way of testing his loyalty.
-Tell him some of the truth, but imply that Be-thric doesnt know?-
Precisely.
-Be careful, Tala. He could just go to Gallof, or Sanguis, or Pallaun.-
She frowned at that. I didnt actually think of that. He is more likely to go to his old master than to Be-thric, and I dont know if Gallof is informed
So, she wouldnt hide that Be-thric knew, but it could still be a good test. Fine, fine. The guild was researching automata.
The dwarf barely turned his head to the side before he sprayed acid across the floor. He began coughing, clearly trying to regain some semblance of control over himself.
Are you alright?
Alright.
So, the automata were built hastily and with limited resources. It was a theoretical solution, one among thousands, so they didnt devote all their resources to it. With those constraints, they were built with three basic, core drives: Grow stronger, maintain operational functionality, support the others.
Really? Nothing about dont attack us?
Thron chuckled. In the beginning, they were so weak it hardly mattered, and the secondary functions covered things like enemy recognition and the like.
So, Im guessing things didnt go very well.
Not in the least, no. The first batch of thirteen were sent on their very first mission, but they never made it. They vanished.
Tala almost asked where they went, but she realized that Thron was about to tell her.
No one could find them, and they were eventually considered lost. The project itself was put on hold as the conflict continued. Decades later, we were losing a particularly important conflict, when suddenly, an unknown, Revered warrior dropped out of the sky and turned the tide.
One of the thirteen?
Precisely. They had seemingly taken their directives oddly and sought strength above all else. During the short span of years where they were fully allied with us, we learned that theyd found an ether hold to set up in. Within, they had grown in strength and numbers. For not only where the originals strong, they had created the Legion based on their own designs. For, how can they support the others, if there were no others? But this is getting too detailed. Thron shook his head. Suffice it to say, things did not go well. The Black Legion eventually decided that, in order to follow their drives, they had to end the war regardless of the casualties. They slew hundreds of the strongest on both sides, decimating the rank and file of the Old Guard with several, concurrent surprise attacks before the Black Legion was even known to be an enemy.
What then?
Then? We brokered a temporary peace with the wild humans and drove the things back into their ether hold. No one who ever went in ever came out again. All information on the creation of the Legion was destroyed or thrown in after them, and the entirety was sealed, deep beneath the earth, locked behind the strongest seals and barriers that could be created at the time. The knowledge of where this prison lay was obliterated by the Mind Flayer, so that no one would be tempted to seek out the Black Legion, and that is where the tale ends.
You know, this seems like a lot more information than would be from myth or childrens tales.
Of course it is.
Thenwhy did you think I would know it?
You should know of the Legion from childrens tales. Its just fascinating, so I learned more when I had the resources to do so.
Ah, okay. She frowned. Wait, but what of the temporary peace?
Thron shrugged. By the time the Black Legion was locked away, everyone was bloodied and weary of war. The Sovereign enforced peace expired, but no one was eager to fight again so soon. So, they didnt. There have been skirmishes to be sure, but the war has never resumed.
Tala grunted. So, the Black Legion did their job after all, eh? They ended the war?
Thron shook his head. No. Their aim was never so noble. The Black Legion was designed and directed towards the eradication of gated humanity, regardless of the collateral consequences.he gave her an apologetic lookApologies for the bluntness, Tali. Now that I consider it, its really not that surprising that you werent told the tales as a child.
You arent wrong. To you, its a history lesson. To me, it would have been a horror story.
They sat in silence for a long moment, then Tala frowned.
Wait.
Thron looked her way, seemingly reluctant to take his eyes of the black blade, still laying on the floor. What?
The automata used a fount as a power source. From my understanding, the Black Legion did the same.
That is my understanding as well, yes.
But humans cant use conceptual magic.
Thron hesitated, frowning. I suppose it wasnt? Was the soul, itself, the driving force behind the automata?
Well, no. In fact, it went out of its way to tell me that it was separated from the soul powering it.
He grunted. Well, there you have it. My understanding is that the gate, and a consciousnesss connection to it, is what disrupts the direct use of conceptual magics.
Tala found herself nodding. Because concepts are the impositions of not reality upon reality, and the connection through to the next world makes gated humans more sensitive and susceptible to the whims of existence.
Thats an odd way to put it, but maybe?
She shrugged. Well, regardless, while I want to study it and see what I can make of the thing, it isnt immediately useful to me.
So, we should give it to the Pillar?
Yeah, RUST that. Actually, I was thinking that you should use it to practice. At least for now.
Thron gave her an odd look. Me?
Yes, you. Practice with it within this sanctum, out of sight and away from scrutiny. It can only serve to make you a better adjunct for me.
I feel that the Pillar would be displeased with that use of resources. He was regarding her carefully.
Does he think Im testing him? Tala shrugged. He need never know.
This might actually be a reasonable way to do just that, a method to test Throns loyalty. I wouldnt have shown the weapon to the dwarf if Id known what it was, but that herbs been ground.
-And if he tells Be-thric?-
We can truthfully say that Be-thric suddenly having the weapon would be very suspicious, as well as endangering him, greatly. If it was ever safe to do so, of course we would give him the weapon.
-Which is true, because, for us, it would never be safe to give him that much power.-
Precisely.
Thron looked torn, but he did slowly bend down and pick up the sword. There was longing in his eyes, even as his gaze flicked between Tala and the weapon he now held. This even to train with this is too much.
You are my adjunct, Thron. She used his real name, purposely. Either I trust you, and help you as I can, or I will be lost. Do I seem like someone who should try to train a replacement for you?
Tala was slightly uncomfortable with just how close to true that statement was. I cant even fathom how much of a pain it would be, if Thron was gone, and I had to have a dozen unknown servants in here to replace him.
-Yeah, there is no way that Be-thric would let you be unattended. An Eskau without servants would reflect poorly on the House and the Pillar in particular.-
Thron began nodding, gears obviously turning in his head, even as a smile pulled at his lips. As my liege commands. I will endeavor to honor your faith in me and put this to good use.
That is all I ask.
-And now, we wait...-
and see if he really can be trusted.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 235: Faith
Tala sat and ate from an incredible spread of tasty food. I feel like I should get sick of, or at least get used to, this, but it seems like every day they change up the spices and methods of preparation.
When she got back home, she would have to seriously consider finding and hiring a cook
Thron sat on the other end of the table, regarding her critically. Hed mostly finished his own food, though he was still nursing a tankard of acid. You know, I still find it very strange that there was almost no loot.
From what? She smiled innocently around the dumpling shed just popped into her mouth.
He gave her an unamused look. Hed been occasionally, gently prodding her on the subject for the last few days. His questions had become more pointed, as she hadnt told him to leave it.
Tala shrugged, not even trying to hide her smile as it turn rueful. I really dont know what to tell you. My sanctum ate the hold, and I suppose it just ate basically all the material too.
There was nothing? Really? From an entire hold of master craftsmen?
Well, my understanding is that there were only a few master craftsmen, the others were assistances and apprentices.
He gave her another flat look, and she grinned back.
No, there wasnt really anything more than the few ingots of white metal. Shed found quite a few of those in the storeroom past Ios chamber.
It had been three days since shed allowed Kit to consume the guild hold.
There had been a lot of loot. With the back areas, there had even been a few magical items aimed at aiding in the construction of the automata. Even so, a cursory examination quickly made it very clear that the magical constructs had been built by hand, for the most part.
No unending army for me.
There had been a quite a few ingots of the white metal, along with a number of books and research materials, which would likely help her investigate the automata related items as a whole. Needless to say, shed taken everything, hiding it all down in the secret underground vault.
The base materials had simply been added to some of the expanded space downward, while most of the added volume had, once again, simply allowed Kit to increase the height of the sky.
Tala didnt think that Thron had noticed the few new trees that had been transplanted into some of the far parts of the sanctum, and the two holding ponds were now just a bit deeper, to accommodate the new water.
Kit couldnt do anything truly intricate, precise in the construction department, at least not without Talas direct involvement, so the changes really were minor.
Some of the loot, however, was going to be a problem.
She really didnt know what to do with the four fount orbs that shed found. They were sealed in some fashion, and locked down, so it wasnt like they were dumping power into Kit, but she still had to figure out how to handle them. Some automatic magics within the hold had been enacted upon them when shed disabled the magics drawing from the founts.
Even though shed preferred to have been able to keep the gains hidden, in order to use the metal, she needed to know what it was. So, she had passed off a few ingots to Thron.
When Be-thric had been told there wasnt any material recovered from the hold, he had dismissed the issue as understandable, given the loss of the entire hold. They had been discussing the debacle with Sanguis and Pallaun at the time.
Apparently, the guild was distraught over the loss of their hold but werent actually leveling any official complaints.
Tala had explained, per Be-thrics direction, that something had gone strange within the hold due to the guilds experiments, and that had led to the holds destabilization.
This all had the added benefit of being true.
When they were briefly alone after the debrief with the other Pillar and Eskau, Be-thric had simply stated that if she discovered anything interesting, she should let him know.
He obviously knew that shed looted the hold entirely, and he was pleased to allow her to use the results as she deemed fit.
-His level of trust for Tali is admirable?-
Yeah, it almost makes me feel bad.
-Your level of sarcasm is staggering.-
Isnt it, though?
She had assured him that, of course she would keep him informed, and he had been satisfied.
And on the time-scale of arcanes, it wont matter. We will go to the human cities before it comes up again.
In that vein, they needed more protian weapons, and her plan was being implemented.
Within the next week, Tala, Be-thric, and a least a couple of squads of House of Blood warriors would invade a minor houses hold, on the night they were holding a banquet.
That banquet would have at least one candidate Eskau in attendance, most likely without the prospective Pillar.
It was common practice for candidate Eskau to be sent as a token presence from major Houses to such events, especially when the minor house was currying the favor of the major.
A slightly greater show of favor would be for the perspective Pillar to go instead, with even more conveyed by them both attending.
It was all very political.
Tali had never been sent as such a representative because she was human, and there really hadnt been that much time.
Most candidate Eskau were in the position for years, if not decades, before getting a chance to advance in rank within the House.
But all this was beside the point, as Thron had not believed her for an instant when she claimed to have not looted anything further.
Im not an idiot, Tali. He shook his head.
And I am very glad of that. Youd be rather useless to me if you were.
So? He took a deep pull from his tankard, clearly giving her a moment to respond.
Tala sighed. Be-thric had told her that it was up to her if she brought Thron in on the reasoning behind the destruction of the hold. This might actually be a really good way of testing his loyalty.
-Tell him some of the truth, but imply that Be-thric doesnt know?-
Precisely.
-Be careful, Tala. He could just go to Gallof, or Sanguis, or Pallaun.-
She frowned at that. I didnt actually think of that. He is more likely to go to his old master than to Be-thric, and I dont know if Gallof is informed
So, she wouldnt hide that Be-thric knew, but it could still be a good test. Fine, fine. The guild was researching automata.
The dwarf barely turned his head to the side before he sprayed acid across the floor. He began coughing, clearly trying to regain some semblance of control over himself.
Are you alright?
Alright.
So, the automata were built hastily and with limited resources. It was a theoretical solution, one among thousands, so they didnt devote all their resources to it. With those constraints, they were built with three basic, core drives: Grow stronger, maintain operational functionality, support the others.
Really? Nothing about dont attack us?
Thron chuckled. In the beginning, they were so weak it hardly mattered, and the secondary functions covered things like enemy recognition and the like.
So, Im guessing things didnt go very well.
Not in the least, no. The first batch of thirteen were sent on their very first mission, but they never made it. They vanished.
Tala almost asked where they went, but she realized that Thron was about to tell her.
No one could find them, and they were eventually considered lost. The project itself was put on hold as the conflict continued. Decades later, we were losing a particularly important conflict, when suddenly, an unknown, Revered warrior dropped out of the sky and turned the tide.
One of the thirteen?
Precisely. They had seemingly taken their directives oddly and sought strength above all else. During the short span of years where they were fully allied with us, we learned that theyd found an ether hold to set up in. Within, they had grown in strength and numbers. For not only where the originals strong, they had created the Legion based on their own designs. For, how can they support the others, if there were no others? But this is getting too detailed. Thron shook his head. Suffice it to say, things did not go well. The Black Legion eventually decided that, in order to follow their drives, they had to end the war regardless of the casualties. They slew hundreds of the strongest on both sides, decimating the rank and file of the Old Guard with several, concurrent surprise attacks before the Black Legion was even known to be an enemy.
What then?
Then? We brokered a temporary peace with the wild humans and drove the things back into their ether hold. No one who ever went in ever came out again. All information on the creation of the Legion was destroyed or thrown in after them, and the entirety was sealed, deep beneath the earth, locked behind the strongest seals and barriers that could be created at the time. The knowledge of where this prison lay was obliterated by the Mind Flayer, so that no one would be tempted to seek out the Black Legion, and that is where the tale ends.
You know, this seems like a lot more information than would be from myth or childrens tales.
Of course it is.
Thenwhy did you think I would know it?
You should know of the Legion from childrens tales. Its just fascinating, so I learned more when I had the resources to do so.
Ah, okay. She frowned. Wait, but what of the temporary peace?
Thron shrugged. By the time the Black Legion was locked away, everyone was bloodied and weary of war. The Sovereign enforced peace expired, but no one was eager to fight again so soon. So, they didnt. There have been skirmishes to be sure, but the war has never resumed.
Tala grunted. So, the Black Legion did their job after all, eh? They ended the war?
Thron shook his head. No. Their aim was never so noble. The Black Legion was designed and directed towards the eradication of gated humanity, regardless of the collateral consequences.he gave her an apologetic lookApologies for the bluntness, Tali. Now that I consider it, its really not that surprising that you werent told the tales as a child.
You arent wrong. To you, its a history lesson. To me, it would have been a horror story.
They sat in silence for a long moment, then Tala frowned.
Wait.
Thron looked her way, seemingly reluctant to take his eyes of the black blade, still laying on the floor. What?
The automata used a fount as a power source. From my understanding, the Black Legion did the same.
That is my understanding as well, yes.
But humans cant use conceptual magic.
Thron hesitated, frowning. I suppose it wasnt? Was the soul, itself, the driving force behind the automata?
Well, no. In fact, it went out of its way to tell me that it was separated from the soul powering it.
He grunted. Well, there you have it. My understanding is that the gate, and a consciousnesss connection to it, is what disrupts the direct use of conceptual magics.
Tala found herself nodding. Because concepts are the impositions of not reality upon reality, and the connection through to the next world makes gated humans more sensitive and susceptible to the whims of existence.
Thats an odd way to put it, but maybe?
She shrugged. Well, regardless, while I want to study it and see what I can make of the thing, it isnt immediately useful to me.
So, we should give it to the Pillar?
Yeah, RUST that. Actually, I was thinking that you should use it to practice. At least for now.
Thron gave her an odd look. Me?
Yes, you. Practice with it within this sanctum, out of sight and away from scrutiny. It can only serve to make you a better adjunct for me.
I feel that the Pillar would be displeased with that use of resources. He was regarding her carefully.
Does he think Im testing him? Tala shrugged. He need never know.
This might actually be a reasonable way to do just that, a method to test Throns loyalty. I wouldnt have shown the weapon to the dwarf if Id known what it was, but that herbs been ground.
-And if he tells Be-thric?-
We can truthfully say that Be-thric suddenly having the weapon would be very suspicious, as well as endangering him, greatly. If it was ever safe to do so, of course we would give him the weapon.
-Which is true, because, for us, it would never be safe to give him that much power.-
Precisely.
Thron looked torn, but he did slowly bend down and pick up the sword. There was longing in his eyes, even as his gaze flicked between Tala and the weapon he now held. This even to train with this is too much.
You are my adjunct, Thron. She used his real name, purposely. Either I trust you, and help you as I can, or I will be lost. Do I seem like someone who should try to train a replacement for you?
Tala was slightly uncomfortable with just how close to true that statement was. I cant even fathom how much of a pain it would be, if Thron was gone, and I had to have a dozen unknown servants in here to replace him.
-Yeah, there is no way that Be-thric would let you be unattended. An Eskau without servants would reflect poorly on the House and the Pillar in particular.-
Thron began nodding, gears obviously turning in his head, even as a smile pulled at his lips. As my liege commands. I will endeavor to honor your faith in me and put this to good use.
That is all I ask.
-And now, we wait...-
and see if he really can be trusted.
Chapter 235: FaithTala sat and ate from an incredible spread of tasty food. I feel like I should get sick of, or at least get used to, this, but it seems like every day they change up the spices and methods of preparation.When she got back home, she would have to seriously consider finding and hiring a cookThron sat on the other end of the table, regarding her critically. Hed mostly finished his own food, though he was still nursing a tankard of acid. You know, I still find it very strange that there was almost no loot.From what? She smiled innocently around the dumpling shed just popped into her mouth.He gave her an unamused look. Hed been occasionally, gently prodding her on the subject for the last few days. His questions had become more pointed, as she hadnt told him to leave it.Tala shrugged, not even trying to hide her smile as it turn rueful. I really dont know what to tell you. My sanctum ate the hold, and I suppose it just ate basically all the material too.There was nothing? Really? From an entire hold of master craftsmen?Well, my understanding is that there were only a few master craftsmen, the others were assistances and apprentices.He gave her another flat look, and she grinned back.No, there wasnt really anything more than the few ingots of white metal. Shed found quite a few of those in the storeroom past Ios chamber.It had been three days since shed allowed Kit to consume the guild hold.There had been a lot of loot. With the back areas, there had even been a few magical items aimed at aiding in the construction of the automata. Even so, a cursory examination quickly made it very clear that the magical constructs had been built by hand, for the most part.No unending army for me.There had been a quite a few ingots of the white metal, along with a number of books and research materials, which would likely help her investigate the automata related items as a whole. Needless to say, shed taken everything, hiding it all down in the secret underground vault.The base materials had simply been added to some of the expanded space downward, while most of the added volume had, once again, simply allowed Kit to increase the height of the sky.Tala didnt think that Thron had noticed the few new trees that had been transplanted into some of the far parts of the sanctum, and the two holding ponds were now just a bit deeper, to accommodate the new water.Kit couldnt do anything truly intricate, precise in the construction department, at least not without Talas direct involvement, so the changes really were minor.Some of the loot, however, was going to be a problem.She really didnt know what to do with the four fount orbs that shed found. They were sealed in some fashion, and locked down, so it wasnt like they were dumping power into Kit, but she still had to figure out how to handle them. Some automatic magics within the hold had been enacted upon them when shed disabled the magics drawing from the founts.Even though shed preferred to have been able to keep the gains hidden, in order to use the metal, she needed to know what it was. So, she had passed off a few ingots to Thron.When Be-thric had been told there wasnt any material recovered from the hold, he had dismissed the issue as understandable, given the loss of the entire hold. They had been discussing the debacle with Sanguis and Pallaun at the time.Apparently, the guild was distraught over the loss of their hold but werent actually leveling any official complaints.Tala had explained, per Be-thrics direction, that something had gone strange within the hold due to the guilds experiments, and that had led to the holds destabilization.This all had the added benefit of being true.When they were briefly alone after the debrief with the other Pillar and Eskau, Be-thric had simply stated that if she discovered anything interesting, she should let him know.He obviously knew that shed looted the hold entirely, and he was pleased to allow her to use the results as she deemed fit.-His level of trust for Tali is admirable?-Yeah, it almost makes me feel bad.-Your level of sarcasm is staggering.-Isnt it, though?She had assured him that, of course she would keep him informed, and he had been satisfied.And on the time-scale of arcanes, it wont matter. We will go to the human cities before it comes up again.In that vein, they needed more protian weapons, and her plan was being implemented.Within the next week, Tala, Be-thric, and a least a couple of squads of House of Blood warriors would invade a minor houses hold, on the night they were holding a banquet.That banquet would have at least one candidate Eskau in attendance, most likely without the prospective Pillar.It was common practice for candidate Eskau to be sent as a token presence from major Houses to such events, especially when the minor house was currying the favor of the major.A slightly greater show of favor would be for the perspective Pillar to go instead, with even more conveyed by them both attending.It was all very political.Tali had never been sent as such a representative because she was human, and there really hadnt been that much time.Most candidate Eskau were in the position for years, if not decades, before getting a chance to advance in rank within the House.But all this was beside the point, as Thron had not believed her for an instant when she claimed to have not looted anything further.Im not an idiot, Tali. He shook his head.And I am very glad of that. Youd be rather useless to me if you were.So? He took a deep pull from his tankard, clearly giving her a moment to respond.Tala sighed. Be-thric had told her that it was up to her if she brought Thron in on the reasoning behind the destruction of the hold. This might actually be a really good way of testing his loyalty.-Tell him some of the truth, but imply that Be-thric doesnt know?-Precisely.-Be careful, Tala. He could just go to Gallof, or Sanguis, or Pallaun.-She frowned at that. I didnt actually think of that. He is more likely to go to his old master than to Be-thric, and I dont know if Gallof is informedSo, she wouldnt hide that Be-thric knew, but it could still be a good test. Fine, fine. The guild was researching automata.The dwarf barely turned his head to the side before he sprayed acid across the floor. He began coughing, clearly trying to regain some semblance of control over himself.Are you alright?Alright.So, the automata were built hastily and with limited resources. It was a theoretical solution, one among thousands, so they didnt devote all their resources to it. With those constraints, they were built with three basic, core drives: Grow stronger, maintain operational functionality, support the others.Really? Nothing about dont attack us? Thron chuckled. In the beginning, they were so weak it hardly mattered, and the secondary functions covered things like enemy recognition and the like.So, Im guessing things didnt go very well.Not in the least, no. The first batch of thirteen were sent on their very first mission, but they never made it. They vanished.Tala almost asked where they went, but she realized that Thron was about to tell her.No one could find them, and they were eventually considered lost. The project itself was put on hold as the conflict continued. Decades later, we were losing a particularly important conflict, when suddenly, an unknown, Revered warrior dropped out of the sky and turned the tide.One of the thirteen?Precisely. They had seemingly taken their directives oddly and sought strength above all else. During the short span of years where they were fully allied with us, we learned that theyd found an ether hold to set up in. Within, they had grown in strength and numbers. For not only where the originals strong, they had created the Legion based on their own designs. For, how can they support the others, if there were no others? But this is getting too detailed. Thron shook his head. Suffice it to say, things did not go well. The Black Legion eventually decided that, in order to follow their drives, they had to end the war regardless of the casualties. They slew hundreds of the strongest on both sides, decimating the rank and file of the Old Guard with several, concurrent surprise attacks before the Black Legion was even known to be an enemy.What then?Then? We brokered a temporary peace with the wild humans and drove the things back into their ether hold. No one who ever went in ever came out again. All information on the creation of the Legion was destroyed or thrown in after them, and the entirety was sealed, deep beneath the earth, locked behind the strongest seals and barriers that could be created at the time. The knowledge of where this prison lay was obliterated by the Mind Flayer, so that no one would be tempted to seek out the Black Legion, and that is where the tale ends.You know, this seems like a lot more information than would be from myth or childrens tales.Of course it is.Thenwhy did you think I would know it?You should know of the Legion from childrens tales. Its just fascinating, so I learned more when I had the resources to do so.Ah, okay. She frowned. Wait, but what of the temporary peace?Thron shrugged. By the time the Black Legion was locked away, everyone was bloodied and weary of war. The Sovereign enforced peace expired, but no one was eager to fight again so soon. So, they didnt. There have been skirmishes to be sure, but the war has never resumed.Tala grunted. So, the Black Legion did their job after all, eh? They ended the war?Thron shook his head. No. Their aim was never so noble. The Black Legion was designed and directed towards the eradication of gated humanity, regardless of the collateral consequences.he gave her an apologetic lookApologies for the bluntness, Tali. Now that I consider it, its really not that surprising that you werent told the tales as a child.You arent wrong. To you, its a history lesson. To me, it would have been a horror story.They sat in silence for a long moment, then Tala frowned.Wait.Thron looked her way, seemingly reluctant to take his eyes of the black blade, still laying on the floor. What?The automata used a fount as a power source. From my understanding, the Black Legion did the same.That is my understanding as well, yes.But humans cant use conceptual magic.Thron hesitated, frowning. I suppose it wasnt? Was the soul, itself, the driving force behind the automata?Well, no. In fact, it went out of its way to tell me that it was separated from the soul powering it.He grunted. Well, there you have it. My understanding is that the gate, and a consciousnesss connection to it, is what disrupts the direct use of conceptual magics.Tala found herself nodding. Because concepts are the impositions of not reality upon reality, and the connection through to the next world makes gated humans more sensitive and susceptible to the whims of existence.Thats an odd way to put it, but maybe?She shrugged. Well, regardless, while I want to study it and see what I can make of the thing, it isnt immediately useful to me.So, we should give it to the Pillar?Yeah, RUST that. Actually, I was thinking that you should use it to practice. At least for now.Thron gave her an odd look. Me?Yes, you. Practice with it within this sanctum, out of sight and away from scrutiny. It can only serve to make you a better adjunct for me.I feel that the Pillar would be displeased with that use of resources. He was regarding her carefully.Does he think Im testing him? Tala shrugged. He need never know.This might actually be a reasonable way to do just that, a method to test Throns loyalty. I wouldnt have shown the weapon to the dwarf if Id known what it was, but that herbs been ground.-And if he tells Be-thric?-We can truthfully say that Be-thric suddenly having the weapon would be very suspicious, as well as endangering him, greatly. If it was ever safe to do so, of course we would give him the weapon.-Which is true, because, for us, it would never be safe to give him that much power.-Precisely.Thron looked torn, but he did slowly bend down and pick up the sword. There was longing in his eyes, even as his gaze flicked between Tala and the weapon he now held. This even to train with this is too much.You are my adjunct, Thron. She used his real name, purposely. Either I trust you, and help you as I can, or I will be lost. Do I seem like someone who should try to train a replacement for you?Tala was slightly uncomfortable with just how close to true that statement was. I cant even fathom how much of a pain it would be, if Thron was gone, and I had to have a dozen unknown servants in here to replace him.-Yeah, there is no way that Be-thric would let you be unattended. An Eskau without servants would reflect poorly on the House and the Pillar in particular.-Thron began nodding, gears obviously turning in his head, even as a smile pulled at his lips. As my liege commands. I will endeavor to honor your faith in me and put this to good use.That is all I ask.-And now, we wait...-and see if he really can be trusted.
