Chapter: 634 – A Daughter Binds

Tala kept mastery over herself—but just barely—as she stood in an all too familiar room, the one in which she’d taken her first step of true advancement, where Terry had come to her aid even against Archons who could have burned them both to ash, where she and Rane had become Bound—not to each other, but in the same space.

Now? Now her daughter stood under the scrutiny of an auspicious group. Archons that Tala and Rane knew only by name as well as those they knew far better.

Master Grediv, Mistress Holly, and Mistress Elnea were in prominence, but this day Mistress Jenna sat just beside Mistress Elnea, in clear pride of place.

While Tala understood the woman’s reasoning, her suggestion of just ending Lea had left a lasting negative feeling toward Mistress Jenna within Tala. Mistress Jenna had acknowledged that, and unapologetically maintained that she’d acted in the most effective way to ensure that Tala wasn’t being influenced by external magics or concepts.

And now? The woman had used her right as Prime Defender to ensure she was near the core of the test for Lea’s raising.

Tala took a leveling breath, ensuring she was ready for what was to come. Don’t forget, they asked you uncomfortable questions at your own raising, insinuated you weren’t good enough.

-Hey, I was going to say that.- Alat’s tone was playful, but there was an undercurrent of maternal compassion.

Well, I’m capable of useful self-talk too.

-I suppose? You just don’t do that often.-

Of course not. I outsourced that to you. Tala grinned internally, grateful for the momentary distraction.

-Yeah, yeah.- Alat sent back the feeling of a chuckle.

Beside Tala, Rane shifted, reaching over and taking her hand.

They were standing at the side of the room, not part of the decision makers, nor those who would be allowed to question the Mage.

Mistress Elnea cleared her throat, drawing all eyes.

The small woman straightened her back and lifted her chin, ever so slightly. “Mistress Lea, you stand before members of the local council of Archons, and those Archons who wished to participate in, or observe, these proceedings.” Her voice was clear and powerful.

Lea gave a slight bow. She seemed unsure what she should say, so she held her tongue.

Tala grinned, remembering her own ceremony so many years earlier.

The Archon quirked a smile. “I am Mistress Elnea, Onyx Archon and current leader of the Archons, here in Bandfast.” The woman’s mage-robes were a deep black, with polished, black buttons as fasteners for their quick-releases. Likely onyx. It would be on brand.

Lea glanced toward Tala, but only briefly. Still, she seemed grateful for her mother’s comforting smile. “Greetings, Onyx Archon Elnea. It is my honor to be here, today.”

Mistress Elnea’s smile widened a fraction. “It is. Never have we entertained the elevation of one so young.”

Lea nodded, obviously knowing the truth of the statement and just as obviously knowing that nothing more needed to be said about it.

Mistress Elnea’s smile grew marginally further. “To business then.” Her voice shifted to one holding deep authority as she followed the script of the traditional ceremony. “Who here stands for this Mage’s elevation?”

Mistress Holly stood first, followed by Master Grediv.

Mistress Elnea nodded. “Who stands against?”

The two Archons in favor sat and every other Archon at the three tables stood, save Mistress Elnea.

Lea’s eyes widened, clearly surprised by the overwhelmingly negative response. Tala hid her smile, and to her credit, Lea didn’t need any prompting to hold her tongue.

Mistress Elnea, for her part, saw Lea’s reaction and glanced to Tala, before a smile crinkled the skin beside the older woman’s eyes.

The Archons returned to their seats.

Mistress Elnea’s voice resounded through the room. “As there is no consensus, we must see the evidence for your elevation.” She pointed to the end of the left-hand table. “Please present your star to Mistress Sonfia.”

Tala remembered the middle-aged looking woman who had been a dissenting voice in her own Binding ceremony. This time, the woman smiled, taking the small white steel marble that Lea gave her.

There was some commentary about the unique material as the orb was passed from hand to hand, followed by a few questions and another vote.

This time, it was split, half for and half against.

At that point, Mistress Elnea turned to one of those still seemingly opposed. Mistress Jenna acknowledged the granted right to speak, then locked eyes with Lea and smiled. “Why do you want to be a Mage?”

Lea gave a small smile in return. “Well, as I am a Mage, I assume you meant why do I wish to advance?” The girl shrugged. “It would be odd for you to ask why I want to be something that I already am, after all.”

Tala was able to see Mistress Jenna’s eyes sparkle with mirth, but she affected a hardening of her face. “Very well. Why do you wish to grow in power and advance?”

Lea gave a small bow. “Anyone of quality wishes to become better at whatever they do. I strive to be a person of quality, and part of that is growing and advancing as a Mage.”

“And the extra power?”

She shrugged. “More power will allow me to perfect my magics and their use. More power will allow me to fight stronger beasts and protect those around me more effectively. More power will keep me safer and allow me to accomplish my goals.”

Another Archon questioned her then, a diminutive woman, obviously advanced in years, and just as obviously stuck near the end of Fused. “And what goals could an automaton like you have that we would want accomplished?”

Rane’s face became a mask, but Tala could feel the irritation building within him, even as it built within herself. Calm, this is a normal part of the process. They are poking and prodding.

Terry shifted on Tala’s shoulder, eyes narrowing, but he otherwise didn’t react. It wasn’t time for that.

Lea raised an eyebrow at the question, but answered readily enough. “I wish to protect my friends and family, my people and my place in the world. My physical form has nothing to do with it. If, however, you are asking a theoretical question, I am happy to attempt to answer that as well.”

“I’m sure.” The woman responded with a forced smile.

Lea grinned, clearly rising to the bait a bit. “If I may ask, what goals could a female like you have that the rest of humanity would want accomplished?”

The woman bristled, shifting in obvious irritation. “I am an Archon of humanity, girl, and implying that I am lesser for being female is frankly unacceptable.”

Lea nodded once, her smile growing. “Then I am glad that you understand how your own question was insulting.”

Rane grinned widely, and Tala made a mental note to compliment Lea on her measured response… then her daughter kept talking.

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“I hope that this will be a growing experience for you, and allow you to formulate better questions in the future.” After another, far briefer hesitation, she added one final thing. “Assuming you are allowed to attend such an event again in the future.”

There was a collective widening of eyes and intake of breath as several Archons seemed ready to take the uppity Mage to task.

Then Mistress Holly burst out laughing, and many of the older—or more senior—Archons present joined in.

Mistress Jenna even failed to hide a small smile.

The Archon who had been ‘reprimanded’ by Lea closed her eyes, pressing her lips together, seemingly trying to master herself.

She’s not going to blow up at Lea, is she?

-Nope. She’s trying not to laugh.-

Tala looked closer and saw that Alat was correct.

-Of course I’m right.-

Still, it was worth checking.