Mark of the Fool

Chapter 608: Prelude to the Ritual

The predator stalked its prey. Cunning, silent, deadly.

Fangs gnashed. Low growls rumbled from the beasts throats, sounding like stone grinding deep in the earths core. Rippling haunches catapulted the creature through the underbrush.

or at least, thats what was probably going through Brutus minds as he dreamt, curled up in Alexs lab beside a piece of equipment that slowly brewed potions. Every now and then, his growls were followed by snarling, twitching and high pitched whining, nearly drowning out the sound of bubbling liquid drifting from the potion-brewer in the background.

As the cerberus hunted his dream-prey, Theresa watched him, her brow creased and her expression thoughtful. Her frown seemed to hold all the troubles of the world, and a very nervous Alex wondered what was going through her mind as he ground blood lilies in his lab.

Oh, by the Traveller, dont tell me shes sorry she said yes, he worried, almost not wanting to ask. I did surprise her, after all; maybe shes had time to think about it and decide shes not ready.

He continued watching her while she stared at Brutus, noting the nerves and reluctance playing through her body.

He took a deep breath, unable to stand the tension anymore. Heyis everything alright? he blurted.

Theresa didnt answer him for a time, then finally sighed. Im not sure if I want to go through with this.

Alex felt like a catapult stone had hit him.

This ritual I mean. I was really excited at first. She nodded to her dreaming cerberus. But now, Im not sure its the right thing to do.

Words couldnt describe the oceans of relief that washed over Alex, though hed never admit what hed been thinking to Theresa.

Yeah, I guess its gotten a lot more real, hasnt it? he said, looking around the laboratory.

Everything was ready, the results of weeks of study and preparation.

Claygon had cleared a space in the centre of the room, where Alex had drawn two large magical circles across the floor. They glowed, tinged with the same hue as fresh blood, eachinked with an alchemically preserved pigment of iron, mana-treated water, and sterilised monster blood. Blood magic symbols rippled within each circle, which in turn surrounded images of Theresa and Brutus sketched in the same glowing pigment.

The diagrams had been perfectly reproduced from Alexs notebook, with one notable change; the lifepaths within Theresas form were now accurate since hed had an opportunity to examine her lifeforce earlier.

Hed drawn red symbols across the huntress skin, visible on her neck and below the sleeves of the gown she was wearing. Lifepaths were in the same crimson pigment as those on the floor, and glyphs marked each channels intersection.

When the ritual began, the glyphs would support her life energy, while the tonic readied her and Brutus lifeforces for the joining.

Beside the sleeping cerberus, the slow-brewer was almost finished heating a tonic, and when the blood lilies were ground to a smooth paste, Alex would paint it on the aeld staff. He had imbued the branch with all the magics he needed to conduct the ritual, and the blood lilies would be the final step. As he pulverised the flower petals, the staff leaned against the wall, giving off feelings of anticipation and bathing in the crimson light of the laboratory.

Red, alchemical flame, positioned at the laboratorys edges like the points of a crimson star, flickered in five floating braziers, lighting the space. If anyone suddenly walked into the room, they might think he was conjuring a demon, since the preparations for the ritual looked so sinister.

Theresa looked at Alex, her eyes reflecting the unnatural light. Something doesnt feel right about this.

Well, Ive got to admit the ritual is a bit creepy, he joked nervously. But blood magic tends to be like that: a lot less aesthetically pleasing than magical botany is, for example. Id be having second thoughts too, I suppose.

She bit her lip.

Sorry, sorry. He put the pestle down on the table beside the mortar and turned his chair to face hers, taking her hand. Whats got you worried? It is a big step.

It took a few moments for Theresa to speak again. Well, I dont know if Brutus would want this, she said quietly. I know you said that hed weaken butwhat does that mean exactly?

Of course it would be just like you to worry about that part and not what happens to you if he dies, he said, smiling. Thats the caring spirit in you talking as usual.

She wore a faint smile though she was still frowning. Am I so caring, so kind? This is selfish. I mean Im putting Brutus atNo, no. First, tell me what exactly happens to him if I die?

Well, according to what Ive read about the ritual: the exact same thing that would happen to you if he dies, which is the reason why you dont see a lot of blood familiars everywhere, he explained. See, what were doing essentially is building a permanent bridge between your life forces. Itll make both of you more resilient while the other one is healthy, and he'll benefit from your life enforcement. Since your life force is connected to hima creature of naturethen it should advance your life enforcement training too. But...

He made a chopping motion with his hand. It also means that your life forces are united: if one of you dies, itd be just like if I lost an arm and a leg at the same time. Id bleed from the wounds; in the same way, if one of you dies, the other one will bleed life force. Now, the wound will close fairly quickly, but the injury to your life force would be critical and you would still have lost a lot of energy; youd become very sick. You might even die.

Theresa gasped. Then

No wait, let me finish, he said, holding up a hand. But you could also recover, especially if youre treated with mana to life, or divine healing miracles. The trouble is, even if the survivor recovers, their life force will be diminished. Like I said, its like having an arm and a leg torn off your body; you can live, but something will be lessened. Imagine it like thissay you were to suddenly age really fast: youll still live, but youll be weaker than before. That applies to both of you, but theres something else to consider with Brutus.

He pointed to a glyph on the back of Theresas hand. Remember, the power of life enforcement comes from you. If you die, he loses the benefit of that. So, with that whole weakening thing I talked aboutTraveller forbidif you die in a year from now, hed go back to his regular self. But if, lets say, you died a hundred years from now, since thatd be way beyond Brutus natural lifespan, hed die almost immediately after your life enforcement left him, probably within seconds.

Alex sighed. Or at least, thats how its supposed to work. Ive never done this before, but all thetomes basically say thats what would happen. I should also mention that since youre a life enforcement practitioner, youll probably make a full recovery if he diesat least according to the bookssince the power of life enforcement comes from you. But, recovering your full strength would take a very long time.

Theresa shook her head. Im not worried about myself.

I get that, I do, I just thought that you should have all the information since you're having second thoughts, Alex said. Also, I just want to let you know that this is your decision: dont feel you have to do it because I set it up. He pointed to the circles. Say the word and Ill wipe everything away, youre the one who has to be comfortable with all of this, right now, and in the future.

She smiled, squeezing his hand. Thanksbut do you think its a good idea? Im still not sure. The huntress looked down at Brutus. He cant tell me whether or not hed want this, and even if I tried to explain it to himhes a dog, hed never understand. So, Ive got to be a good mother, and make the right decision for him: not for myself.

Yeah, if I was in your shoes, Id be thinking the same way. His fingers traced the skin on her palm. But like I said, I cant make this decision: it has to be you. Youre Brutus mom and you know him better than anyone does. Anyone in the world.

I know, she said. I guessits hard for me to see the entire situation clearly. I want this. I really, really want this. I want to live for a thousand years with you and Brutus and Claygon, but thats what I want. The thing is, Alex, I live a dangerous life. I could die a thousand years from now. I could die five thousand years from nowor I could die tomorrow with some monsters claw through my chest.

Alex stiffened. That wont happen.

But it could, couldnt it? she pointed out. And if I did die tomorrow, theneven if Brutus recovershell be like an old dog. I would take his youth from him. Id hurt him.

Theresa Alex said gently. Youd also hurt him if you died, even if we didnt do this. If anything happened to you, hed pine, and hed pine hard. Remember three seasons ago, when that shepherd, Philip, disappeared back in Alric? His sheepdog wouldnt eat. Hardly slept. Hardly moved. Well, if you died, I think thatd be Brutus. You dying would hurt him either way; he doesnt like to be separated from you for too long. Hes an independent pup, but hes been glued to you since you found him all alone in the woods.

She smiled at the memory. Its true. Weve always loved to hunt together. I remember that first time we went, hesnapped the rope tying him to his doghouse and scented me until he found me in the woods. And now we always hunt together, everywhere Theresa paused, her smile fading. ...and things hunt us everywhere.

What do you mean? Alex asked.

She looked at him soberly. Do you remember when Baelin strongly suggested that Selina join us in the Art of the Wizard in Combat?

He shuddered. How could I forget?

At the time, he hadnt even liked the thought of the idea, afraid of exposing his little sister to so much violence. It was astonishing how much had changed in so little time.

Baelin said that because wizards gain a lot of powerno matter whatsomebody or somethings going to challenge them eventually, whether thats another wizard, monsters, dragons, demons, some warlord or whatever. Theyll come looking for you, even if you try to live the most peaceful life in the world. Just because you have power and they want it, theyll come for you. Power attracts trouble.

He thought about the chancellors reasoning. I remember him saying thateven if someone close to you doesnt have powerthey could still end up dead if an enemy attacked you. He said Selina should learn ways to defend herself just in case, because enemies arent inclined toward leaving your family aloneeven if theyre just children

...or a beloved dog, Theresa finished. I want Brutus to be able to defend himself.

Alex looked at the pony-sized cerberus. I think he can.

From bandits and bears, maybe, Theresa said. But you remember how Zonon-In fought? How she moved? What she was capable of?

Oh I remember, Alex said darkly. That was a rough fight.

It really was, she said. And what if someone like that came to our home one day? If Brutus was just his regular self, hed just die.

Trust me, Im already looking into extra defences for this place, Alex said. And if we move, Im making sure our next homes going to be more secure than your average fortress.

But still, hed be in trouble. If he got hurt, or worse, Id never forgive myself, she said.

And yeah, enemies will go after family, like I said, Alex said.

And Brutus is family, Theresa said, her voice like flint. You know, now that I think about it. What would happen to him if I died by some enemys hand? Where would he go?

Id take care of him. You know that.

Alex, that still has the same problem. Youd be looking after an ageing, pining cerberus. But what if you died too? Selina would probably take him, but she doesnt like huntingand giving him to anyone elseeven if they didnt have enemieswould be like giving away family.

Alex winced. Brutus would never understand that.

Yes she said, frowning. AndAlex do you ever get bad feelings about things?

Yeah, but what do you mean specifically?

She took both of his hands. Well, were planning on getting married and that feels too good to be true, and were also going up against whatevers going on with the church, right? We might even be facing a god. I just get the feeling that maybe its time to make sure Brutus can better protect himself.

A bell sounded.

Oh, hold on, the tonics are done. Alex got up, looking at the potion slow- brewer. Brutus hadnt woken up. You know, maybe I have a way to help you make your decision.

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