Page 8 of The Anointed's Paladin

“Should have known,” I said, leaning back. “Nothing comes for free.”

“Indeed. I need you to go south. Travel through the Witherwoods, cross the Echoing Narrows to the island. There, you will find a tower, and in the tower, an entity. Take it from its cage and call upon me. Should you succeed, I shall bless you. Make your freedom permanent.”

“All that stuff you said before, right?” I asked. They had promised I could walk in the sun. Any time I’d been close to sunlight in the past couple of centuries the experience was horrible- bright, searing light that blinded me and a tangible heat that burned my skin on contact. But it hadn’t always been like that. If I ever met Lydes, I’d gladly sink a dagger in him for cursing maoferni to live perpetually in the dark.

The idea that I might be free to exist as I had before was extremely tempting.

“And more.” The wind blew my curls around my face, and I noticed for the first time that their cloak did not move. “You shall become one of the anointed.”

Golden eyes marked the anointed—those blessed by the Gods. I’d had the misfortune of crossing paths with one before. Like with most things, I let my mind skip over that memory. Best not to dwell on that asshole.

It was an intriguing offer, though. Anointed had powers most people only dreamed of.

“Should you fail, however, I will remove the boon I have granted to you. You will return to being beholden to your mistress’s commands.”

Yeah… I wouldnotlet that fucking happen. Their words left some…wiggle room for me.

“Sounds easy enough. Go to this island, free the entity, summon you. And how do I summon you?”

They blinked again, and a searing pain shot through my hand. I yelped, looking down. A golden set of eyes burned into my hand.

“Use a knife to cut that brand, and I will be able to come to you. Be warned, however, other deities are also interested in this matter. There will be others called, other agendas to be filled. Most will not take kindly to my champion.”

Huh. Champion. I liked that. Kaine, champion of Cirae. No,Champion, capital C.

“Don’t worry,” I said, standing up. “I’ll deal with them all.”

They nodded.

“I believe so. It is why I selected you for this quest. Good luck.”

And with that, they vanished into the night.

4

The second offer

Nidori

Iwas exhausted. I mean, I was always exhausted. But tonight was particularly bad.

It was night, but I couldn’t sleep. I sat in my room, atop the Asimir tree, connected to each of the growing babes nestled within the branches.

Rolling over, I kicked the wall. That felt good, so I did it again. I stood, and a gust of wind blew through the tree, shaking the pods. I felt the babies’ fear as they moved so suddenly, each tiny presence seeking me for comfort.

I couldn’t hate them. Even after all this time. Even as I felt my energy flowing from me to them, drip, drip, drip. Constantly draining me.

It wasn’t their fault, not entirely. Not really.

“Shh,” I said, going outside and pressing my hand into one of the veins of the tree, sending soothing thoughts to the baby sprites. Their minds settled, returning to the peaceful slumber they often floated in.

“You didn’t ask to be here,” I said, reaching out and touching one of the pods. No one was here to see, so no one could judge me for the physical contact. “Neitherdid I. But here we are.”

I wondered, not for the first time, why no one else seemed to speculate if one of these babes were theirs. They would hatch, when ready, and go collectively to be raised. But perhaps, among them, was one who would have every right to call me mother. To be mine—my flesh and blood. I would never know.

Blood is the most powerful bond.The words were underlined in my storybook. Parents. Siblings. Lovers. People designated to care about you.

I gazed down at the lights twinkling from the clearing. Other sprites were down there, laughing and talking. I was left on my own, only the quiet podlings for company. Occasionally, I would get a visitor, but when everyone was family, no one made the time for me specifically.

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