When binding several arcane loads to a single source, in a series, they are added together, acting as a single large load, drawing on said source. My limit was six, and when considering how strong to make each binding, I had to consider the drain of all the loads combined. Where the arcane load was in the series didn’t matter.
So, why could this not be applied to sources? This was what the bridge rune created inside the baroness's energy furnace.
In the 30-foot-tall flue with ten arcane circles at three-foot intervals, each circle had a full sphere of influence from which to draw energy. Usually, these circles would operate independently, each bound to one or more loads, creating an arcane circuit. However, when binding the sources in a series, the load pulls heat from all ten sources equally.
For arcane circuits like the one attached to Ashe’s crossbow, to push and heat the bolt, the load forced the source to convert as much heat as possible into primal energy. The extraction eventually reached the minimum energy point for air, limiting the circuit's power.
This was where the series connection of each source proved useful. The load instead pulled from every sphere of influence. Effectively increasing the amount of energy the load could draw from in the fraction of a second the bolt passes through the ring, tenfold.
It wasn’t perfectly efficient, but even a seven or eight times increase was enormous. However, once the energy was consumed, the only source of additional energy was from the burner. Rendering the series circuit no more powerful than an arcane furnace with independent sources. So, the main benefit of the series connection of the sources and the parallelization of each node was the maximization of instantaneous energy and simplification of the binding process.
“Yes,” I said between bites of lamb.
In truth, I desperately desired sleep; my splitting headache from the day's work was wearing on me.
“It’s rather curious, isn’t it?” The baroness’s question sounded a bit too casual.
“What is?”
I focused through the splitting pain in my mind. Her tone made me weary.
It didn't matter what the baroness said or did; I never took it at face value. “That energy furnace is over 50 years old, yet it took you half the workday to activate it.”
I shrugged, “Greater complexity requires more time.”
The baroness nodded as if she understood, "I suppose that’s true.”
Then she looked up, and her eye sparkled as if she had just had a sudden thought. "Also, did you know that every furnace follows standard imperial design?”
‘Truly? I suppose it would be a simple matter to scale it up or down based on needs. But where was she going with these remarks?’
“What of it?” I probed.
‘She was reaching a finale, might as well see what it was.’
“The air warmer, energy furnace, and most non-specific magical items have long been standardized. Seeing as you took so long to activate my energy furnace, and according to Derek, it took you a few minutes to activate the air warmer, I can only assume you are unfamiliar with standardized arcane circles.”
I nodded ‘That wasn’t a question. Denying the obvious truth was childish. Based on her deduction, the only conclusion was that I wasn’t taught by an imperial magus.'
“Quite the specimen you are. A self-taught magus.” She said, mirroring my thoughts.
‘This wasn’t a commoner girl or some gang leader; she was a baroness who likely killed everyone who was a rival to her seat. But why was she putting on this performance? Either she knew who I was or would get damn close based on her deduction.'
Noticing my lack of response, she kept on speaking, "Now I’m left to wonder how this girl got access to magical knowledge. That was quite the quandary until I remembered our poor departed Surian and Magus Elis,”
Still, I didn’t move or speak.
“But that wasn’t enough information, a common northern girl, probably a bastard getting access to magical knowledge, or finding a master." She shook her head dramatically, "Utterly ridiculous.”
Then she took a sip of wine, her eyes piercing me, as if begging me to contradict her.
She finished the glass and continued, “But after some time, I considered: What if it wasn’t ridiculous? Then, how would she gain access? All of a sudden, the pieces fitted together, and the puzzle took shape.”
She steepled her fingers, smiling at me victoriously, "You have impressive etiquette, but it's a performance, not ingrained into your very being like a noblewoman. A commoner with etiquette training then." She tapped her chin as if in contemplation.
"What group of women often fit this description?” She paused for dramatic effect. “Usually, wealthy merchant daughters, noble bastards, or handmaidens to nobility. Are there any bastard nobles who have access to a magus? Not that I know of. Merchants? Not likely. But dear Baroness Surian was an apprentice to a magus; surely she would have handmaidens."
I swallowed as I tensed, ready for someone to barge into the room and demand my head. My bindings were ready, and in an instant, the entire room would be engulfed in fire.
“Surely some commoner handmaiden wasn’t smart enough or ambitious enough to steal the secrets of magic and worse yet succeed in learning. Magical items have been stolen before, but never has anyone been successful in learning magic as far as I know." She licked her lips. "Until now.”
‘The animus! That is what they were lacking, that is the great secret. The con that deludes people into thinking that magic is some gifted art for the chosen few. That’s what you want, isn’t it, Rennah?’
“Could you really be a handmaiden who managed to spirit away the secrets of magic? It can’t be. The Magisterium is an institution over a thousand years old; surely, they couldn't have been so lax. A lowly handmaiden stealing magic, who would believe it?”
She chuckled to herself, " No one would, that’s the amusing part. No one would believe a lowly handmaiden could circumvent a thousand years of secrecy. I almost didn't believe it. But there was that ambush, and who knows, maybe a maid accompanied them through the hill. I had suspicions, so after our first meeting, I asked Derek to describe his first meeting with you to me in greater detail. I specifically wanted his honest impression of you.”
I sniffed, "I assume he had nothing but flattery.”
“His words were: I know not the extent of the suffering that child went through to develop such a disregard for human life, but it must have been truly horrific. However, what is even more terrifying is her ability to pretend to hide this violence beneath a veneer of passivity. I almost want to believe she is a horribly scarred child, for if she were not, then two possibilities exist: either she doesn’t have those feelings, or she can abandon them at will, which is more terrifying? I don't know.”
‘I had to admit I was mildly flattered by the estimation of me. I wanted him to see the monster, ensuring he wouldn't be stupid enough to betray me, but it seemed that was a mistake. '
Rennah extended her arms to either side, as if she was truly enjoying the moment. “Then a final thought popped into my mind. Could it be? No, surely it can’t. Yet things did start lining up, making sense.”
‘Get on with it, enjoy your victory, woman.’
She placed an elbow on the dining table, breaking etiquette, and cupped her chin.
“Could I actually be dining with the murderer of Baroness Surian Redstone and Magus Elis? It makes sense that someone as ruthless as you would exploit a moment of weakness; perhaps you figured you could kill them and run off with one of those gilded books or scrolls they seem to be so secretive about. If so, then a bit of inquiry is all I would need to confirm my deduction. I just need to ask someone the question. Did Baroness Redstone or Magus Elis have a northern handmaiden?”
Time seemed to freeze as she held my eyes in challenge. She was enjoying this comment, seeming not to fear me. I guessed what her game was.
‘Worm,’
The heat in my chest rose as if the flame within was a physical thing.
‘You guessed who I was and still invited me into your castle? Allowed me to successfully activate your furnace. Nothing here makes sense. But regardless of her intent, I will become a slave to no one. I will not teach her magic. If she deduced this much, then my identity would soon follow. I’ve already killed one baroness. Why would another matter? I will kill every man, woman, and child in the castle to escape if need be.’
The mask that was Sera slipped off, and Myr came forth. My eyes burned, the flame raged just beneath the surface, held back by my will.
Cold calculus guided my actions, and if I found that unleashing the raging flame within was the best path forward, I would not hesitate.
‘This is a good lesson for you, Myr, you're still young, not yet a master of deception and manipulation, as skilled an actor as you are, age and experience are still invaluable. The two things you lack are what Rennah used to bring about this situation. Her reputation clouded your judgment; only now do you realize there is a truly powerful mind under that visage. Learn from this and grow, but for now, find a path forward for all her bluster, she doesn’t seem to be interested in conflict.’
Sympathy towards my fellow man did not matter; I loved myself and only myself, and everyone was a stepping stone or obstacle. After a few seconds, the shift was complete, my headache was long forgotten in that moment, and I was more predator than person.
With eagerness and a laugh, Rennah slapped the table and grinned, “ There she is, that's all the proof I needed. Such a lovely face, those eyes could burn the world with thier intensity.”
“What do you want?” I asked, my voice, though it carried no inflection or emotion, was lined with threat. Something she was smart enough to notice
She calmed down as if the confirmation of my identity was all she wanted.
"I believe we already struck a deal. Why change the terms?" She smirked.
'Was she toying with me? Why bait me like this? She understands what I am. Does she not fear death? Is she confident that I'll not kill her? Does she believe I'm incapable of this?'
Every word out of her mouth filled me with doubt.
'Kill her now...'
'No, not yet, we need more information.'
That smile, the one I now realised was her enjoying herself, returned. "Fascinating. It's like there are two of you fighting. One is the rage, the killer, murderer, wild emotion, anger, the fire. Another is the thinker, the scheamer, the liar, and the betrayer; The water that douses the flame. Is either the true face? Neither? Or is there someone else lurking beneath that they protect and hide away?"
A chill crawled up my spine. 'Fear? Is this fear of her?'
'Disgusting, you're better than this.'
I snuffed out the flame, killing my spiraling emotions.
'Too many options. Too many questions. Too many doubts. Ignore all. What is our goal? Simple, learn magic. Will she hinder this? If so, leave. If she tries to stop you, kill your way out. You allowed her to play for too long; she slipped doubt into your mind and caused hesitation. This is a good learning experience for you. See how she manipulated your emotions, brought bare your inner world. The power of words, Myr, it's a skill we can use.'
My heart slowed, and sweet relief came over me. With a clear path forward, her words meant nothing. My posture deflated, and I sat comfortably. Crossing one leg over the other. I took a sip of my wine.
"You are cleverer than most Baroness. I bid you congratulations on your pyrrhic victory." My words were genuine; she did, just for a moment, win.
She raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Now I have a question for you. " I admired her beautiful face. 'In the end, she was just another stepping stone. How foolish of me to forget that.'
"Do you intend to stand in my way? Now that you know what I am."
She laughed, though it didn't have that hint of mockery; it was true humor, "No, my dear, what do you think I am? A fool?"
She took a deep breath and continued speaking. "Again, I've seen Magi in combat. I intend to die fat, old, drunk in the arms of some strapping young man. Not due to some altercation with a particularly vicious Magus."
"Then why this performance?"
"Isn't it obvious. This was a good bit of fun. Do you know how boring it is in this keep most days? Even sex can get stale after some time. As for the magisterium, they're your problem, not mine."
'Was I really just a bit of fun for her? I murdered a Baroness and A magus for Anier's sake. Is she mad? Or is she just that good a performer? Did she detect the danger and just change her game, or is this genuine? I can't tell with her. But in the end, magic is the goal, and if she is planning something untoward, well, I'll just make a few contingencies. '
I thought back to the Magisterium's laws, "Will they not be concerned that all your magical items are functional?"
"They will complain and accuse, but official records only track ownership, not current operating ability. Legally speaking, they have no case. Remember, my dear, laws only apply to the weak and poor. "
"Do you usually enjoy this game. The jousting of words?" I asked, trying to understand the woman.
"Indeed, most people are so sure of themselves, men especially. Makes the tongue lashing all the more amusing. And makes taking them to bed all the more satisfying." She smiled dreamily, "They always try to make up for their loss in their lovemaking. I would have been interested in your performance if you were a man." She sighed as if she truly lost out on something delectable. "I've tried women, but they lack certain tools I deem necessary. "
'An interesting woman. She has such mastery over the spoken word yet doesn't use it for anything other than sating her own pleasure.'
She clapped as if she suddenly forgot something, "Ah, yes, I am hosting a party in the morrow. Will you attend?"
My first response was to reject her, but I held my tongue. I wanted to observe her, to see if there was something to learn. Power was power, and this interaction made me see the power of speech and observation. And the only thing I wanted in this world was more power.
'How quickly did I abandon killing her after she pushed me to near murder with her words. She's smart enough to understand how my mind works, yet still she pushed, knowing that I would have killed her. Was she truly mad? Or just that bored that the excitement was worth it. I should flee now, run away far from the city and not look back; the risk is rather high. Nothing she says could be the truth; hell, she could have the magisterium on their way right now. But I wanted power, and I still haven't seen her collection of magical items.'
"I'd love to join you, Baroness," I said with a smile.