Curselock

Chapter 31: Deals

“Alright, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone… or if I’ll be gone for that matter,” Leland said, laying on a soft bed. “It’s probably going to be like the Dream Ceremonies, and my body will remain here.”

Jude set the barrel of beer down next to him. “Then how is this thing going to come into play?”

“Ah… that is a good question.”

“You don’t know?”

“This is unmapped ocean here. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Glenny, on the rails of sleep, murmured, “At least you are honest with yourself…”

Jude and Leland looked at him. “Go to sleep,”

“I am, but some people keep making noise.”

Leland sighed. “Alright, I’ll start. You are going to guard us right, Jude? Last thing we want is Lady Onryo or Boor getting suspicious.”

Leland laid back and started the spell.

Magic and experience came to his mind, spinning around him with a dance of life. They took to his command, taking the form of a crow’s quill. His Legacy spoke to him, telling him the exact words to say.

“Lord of Spirits, I humbly wish to strike a contract with you!”

Within the bedroom, power compounded into Leland before he suddenly passed out. Glenny, now fully awake and alert, and Jude looked at each other, shrugging.

The first thing Leland noticed was an orb of glowing blue light. It sat in the distance, like a lantern shining through a far cottage window. It drew his attention, urging him to keep his eyes on it while pulling his motionless feet closer. He found himself rushing towards the light, his body not moving but yet he drew closer still.

The light came into full scope as he traveled, quickly blooming to the size of a door then wall then building. The light didn’t stop, he didn’t stop. It grew until the light took up his vision, until his world was swallowed entirely by the orb.

Then, Leland felt his legs tremble – although without hostility. He wasn’t tired or fearful, in fact he felt empowered, like he had just run a competitive marathon.

The orb of blue trickled past his mind, urging him to take a step. He did, passing the threshold of the blue and entering the Lord of Spirits domain.

He entered a twilight forest of mile high trees and curious creatures. Bugs and small animals watched him from their homes, mushrooms and vines twisted to his approach. Glowing moss and fungus led through the trees like directional lights on a runway. Leland followed the whimsical colors.

Shadows shifted and moved, but again, he never felt in danger. If anything, Leland felt he was being welcomed. The beings that hid within the trees or under the mossy soil smiled and laughed, pleasantly surprised at a new guest in their domain.

Leland tripped over a root. He stumbled into a tree, finding it sweet smelling – like maple sap candies the traveling merchants brought to his home town in the early spring. He loved those things, even though they got trapped in his molars. He and the others would trade them like gold, toys for candy or candy for other sweets.

Behind him, the path illuminated. Sapphire flames appeared on hand whittled torches, lighting up the densely packed ground and underbrush.

“Thank you,” Leland whispered, pushing off from the reminder of home and following the trail of torches further into the forest.

Eventually he came across a small clearing, one that fit well into the trees and vines. Plants had found solace in this place, the lack of a canopy allowing them to overgrow. They stretched along the moist ground for what felt like an eternity, growing over multiple downed logs and through the many cracks and valleys.

At the center, within a bed of nesting, was a young woman. She sat alone, only the endless shadows to keep her company. She watched Leland through yellow sparkling eyes and stands of blue shimmering hair. Like a parent watching their child explore, the woman held a sense of pride.

As Leland neared, the woman shifted revealing nine bushy pure white tails. Five of the tails moved forward, halting the human in his tracks.

“That is far enough, Leland Silver,” the woman said, her voice fluttering like a bird song during the early morning sunrise.

Leland pivoted at his waist, his line of sight finding the leafy ground beside his feet. “Lord of Spirits, it is an honor.”

All around, the shadows moved and danced, coming closer to get a better view.

“Mortals often grovel at the face of the unknown, you, however, have not. Even after facing the unspeakable.”

A deep frown found Leland’s lips. He straightened his back and locked eyes with the ancient being before him. The yellow of her eyes dripped with mystery and mystique, enough to cause Leland to lose his train of thought.

“You are beautiful,” he whispered.

Suddenly laughter echoed from the clearing in the forest. Hundreds, thousands even, of small blue orbs brightened and dimmed with the waves of giggles. They floated through the open air, twisting around the moss covered trees or under wide flat leaves.

“You all are,” Leland continued. “Whisps, spirits, beings I’ve only heard about in stories . I can only say the stories are true, you all are beautiful.”

The forest went silent at his words and one by one the orbs of blue like, the spirits, winked out of existence.

“You embarrassed them,” the Lord of Spirits said, holding her hand out to a brave spirit that dared move the closest. “Shy little creatures then. They like you, they can sense their brothers and sisters on you.”

Leland thought about her words. “The Onryos? Does that mean—”

“Yes, these spirits in my domain are those of my own. Each was once human and once my wards - my legacies, if you would rather.”

“Wow,” was all Leland could say.

“Thank you for indulging them, we do not have many… visitors.”

Leland’s eyes popped open and he searched around him. “Oh! I brought a gift… but it looks like my spell didn’t carry it with me.”

“That is quite alright. Just offer it to me at any of my shrines. The Onryo’s have a grand chapel within their home, that would surely work,” the Lord paused for a moment, a faint flashing blue appeared beside her ear. “My family wishes to know what your gift is.”

“The best beer Shoutwell has to offer, and honey.”

“Honey?”

“Indeed. My mother preferred to mix honey into her drink, always complaining that beer is too bitter.”

All around the clearing blue orbs lit up like excited fireflies. The Lord of Spirits spoke for them. “They have not had beer in a long time. You make them happy, I thank you.”

Leland smiled and watched the spirits float around. Some even neared him. “No need to thank me. But I do hope you will assist me.”

“You have done many great deeds for my wards in the real world. You bring gifts, you speak with respect, and you compliment my family. My ears are open to your request.” Her nine tails came to a standstill just behind her head, like a soft pillow.

“I ask for two things,” Leland began. “First and more importantly is knowledge to assist House Onryo from falling to their debts.”

The Lord of Spirits did not react.

“And second, I ask for a way to defend myself and the others around me.”

Soon hundreds of blue spirits floated over to Leland. They took perches on his body, using his arms and shoulders like branches. Then the Lord of Spirits giggled.

“They really do like you. It is not often people ask for my help. It is even less often that someone asks for my help for others.”

Leland was afraid to move. He didn’t want to disturb the spirits resting on him.

The Lord of Spirits continued. “Alas, how contracts work between Lord and recipient does not allow for information such as you ask. I cannot help you there.”

Leland’s face fell. “I understand.”

“Tell me, what do you know of spirit fire?”

“It is a catalyst of illusion and life. It is incredibly mana intensive and often regarded as an investment Legacy. Only a few known historic mages ever reached the point of seeing returns, however. Only old families, such as the Onryos, know enough to progress in the discipline, and even then, not very well.”

The Lord of Spirits nodded along to his explanation. “I originally created spirit fire as a means of pacifism. It was meant to do no harm but touch upon people’s primal fear. Illusion, as you call it. For me, it is about the preservation of life. I have never killed, a feat I hold with great pride. It wasn’t until I accepted the fire’s aspect that I truly learned to wield it.”

“So you never took supplements for mana? Potions and the like?” Leland asked.

“Those were not discovered until some millennia later.”

A smile caught in the back of Leland’s mind. “I see, thank you for sharing.”

The Lord of Spirits curtly nodded. “Your second request is something I can procure. While it will not be as you expect, I hope you trust in my ageless wisdom. Sometimes a threat is enough, sometimes there is no reason to kill.”

“Even when lives of loved ones are threatened?”

“That is for you to decide. I, in my tribulations, have lost many loved ones. That is why I surround myself here. To fill the loneliness.”

Blue appeared all around the forest as thousands of spirits floated over to their Lord. They landed on her, like butterflies covering a bed of flowers.

“Thank you my children. You have all been very good to me. Thank you,” she whispered before turning to her guest. “Protect those you love. Protect those who cannot fight, promise me and your contract will be made.”

“I promise.” Leland said despite the quiver in his voice. “I promise I will.”

The Lord of Spirits gave him a small smile. “It was a pleasure, Leland. Until we meet again.”

The forest lit up with blue before Leland suddenly found himself rushing away from a singular orb that took up the sky. As the minutes passed, the orb decreased in size until it was only a flame in the distance. He then blinked finding the ceiling of the Onryo guest room.

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