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A Soldiers Life - 189 - Flirting with Fire
🕑 Added 2024-05-03 02:12:53 +0000 UTCChapter 189: Flirting with Fire
I entered the bath to find Zyna lounging in the recessed tub, dense steam oozing off the surface. Only her shoulders were visible above the water through the haze, but hints of her generous chest were just under the surface. I wasn’t bashful, and strangely, the first question I uttered was, “How did you heat the water?” I hadn’t seen a way to heat the water and was curious. I had planned to use my thermal stone.
The High Mage laughed softly. “Fire mage, remember? I would ask you to join me, but the water is hot enough to boil a sausage,” she said good-naturedly as her eyes wandered over me.
I assumed she had some spell to protect her from the heat. I probably should have left and come back when she was finished, but since she didn’t seem upset at my presence and there was no real taboo for nudity, I leaned against the wall to continue the banter. “Thank you for the cookbook.” I wondered if she would bring up the assessment table in our conversation.
The mage smiled, her full lips turning up into a smirk. “It is such a waste of dungeon resources to cook a dungeon’s harvest for the mage aspirants. I also assumed you were ignorant of their true value, but since you stored your harvest in your dimensional space...” She drifted off while smirking.
“So you expect me to cook for you too?” I cocked an eyebrow. “Is this some sort of payment for the armor?”
Zyna tittered cheerily, “If you wish. Ignis is the best armorer in the Imperial Legion. It is a travesty that many legionnaires don’t want their armor made by a graying old woman.”
I wondered if the old smith was part of their conspiracy. “She said you found her thirty years ago?” I asked as the steam settled some, revealing the outline of her body beneath the water. I had to remember that the Telhian Empire did not have a nudity taboo, but it was hard not to have my eyes drift. Zyna seemed to like the attention.
“How old do you think I am?” Zyna’s smile evaporated, and I sensed a trap.
“Thirty?” I guessed immediately to a hearty laugh from the fire mage that rippled the water. I recalled she had told us her true age when she joined us to hunt the summoner—but you always guessed much lower.
“I knew we would get along! No, I am eighty-four. When you do well for the Emperor, he grants you favors.” The water heated again, and steam hid her submerged features. I think she hoped I would be disappointed, but I remained impassive.
“So, one of these favors is you remain forever young? Doesn’t seem like a bad deal to me.” I was confused as to why Zyna was part of the treason. She was raised to a First Citizen by the Emperor, and she had eternal youth bestowed on her by him.
She signed heavily and considered her next words carefully. “I may have the body of me in my prime, but the Eternal High Mage can just turn the clock back on my physical form, not my mental state.”
Realization flooded me. The Emperor was three hundred years old mentally and ruling an Empire. Then I cursed myself, getting angry but not showing it. I had selected slow aging, hoping to live a dozen lifetimes. I fucked up choosing that spell form if my mind was going to turn to adle with the centuries. “So, there is no way to mediate the degradation of your mind or the mind of the Emperor. How far gone is he?”
Surprise crossed her features, and I momentarily prepared to defend myself as I sensed Zyna channeling aether and a spell forming under the water, but she released her. I don’t think I was supposed to know about the Emperor or his compromised state.
“Yes. My mind is going. Maybe another thirty or forty years before the deterioration starts to get bad. There is no cure.” She looked me over in new appreciation. “You are smarter than you look. The Emperor’s mind has long expired. With some stamina potions and a few mental essences, he can remain lucid for a day or two before regressing again. But the effects diminish every time. If you voice this conversation beyond these walls, you will find yourself dead,” she said ominously. Her eyes glowed red briefly to reinforce the warning. With her flirtatious nature gone, I was finding out I was not as safe as I assumed.
I considered broaching the topic of the tablet reader, but I had too many other questions. “Why are you all not concerned that I am an other worlder?”
She relaxed into the tub, the tension lifting some. “Think you are special?” She grinned knowingly. “It is believed everyone on Desia is descended from an other worlder. Our ancestors were brought here by the Titans in the past to serve them. The arrivals have slowed over the millennia but are not infrequent. You need to realize the Telhian Empire is just a tiny corner of Desia. Bloated, naked bodies will wash up intermittently along the coast, and they are not from shipwrecks but unfortunate persons brought here in the middle of seas.” She raised herself slightly, showing the top of her chest. She was no longer flirting and just getting comfortable.
“What causes it, and can I go home?” I pushed off the wall and stepped forward, anxious about the possibility of going home.
“No one knows. The popular theory is there are artifacts buried deep in the earth near the ley lines by the titans that get saturated with aether over time and activate intermittently.” Zyna stood, stepping out of the tub, her body steaming. I tried to keep my eyes up, but they may have drifted. She defiantly looked half her age, and her body appeared fit.
She wrapped herself in a toga, making to leave the bath to me. I asked one of many pressing questions. “Can you consume an affinity essence and physical essence at the same time?”
The topic change had a confused expression crease on Zyna’s face. She had probably thought I would continue asking about other worlders. As her expression relaxed, she answered, “It is generally accepted to wait a day between consuming essences unless they are the same type. Then you can consume one an hour until you exhaust your body reserves.” Her forehead creased in thought, “I have a friend in the Research College. He will know better than myself.”
By her look, I could tell she had puzzled out that I had essences and maybe was curious about what I might have, but she didn’t press. She started to walk out toward her bedroom. “Drain the tub when you are finished. Should I call for a meal from the kitchens?” Her hopeful tone told me she was seeking my dungeon harvest.
“I’ll prepare something for you,” I replied, agreeing to cook. I needed to be cautious about how often I did this, as I believed she was unaware of how much food I had in my dimensional space. Even though we were allies, the more they underestimated me, the better it was. I would have to thank Castile for laying the groundwork by suggesting I had average imprinted spell forms. They didn’t realize just how high my affinities were.
I was surprised they hadn’t forced me in front of a reader. Maybe, as Zyna said, I was not that special in their eyes; I was just another person with a few spell forms but without the ability to become a true mage.
I showered briefly in cold water, soaked in the still-hot recessed tub, and then dressed in comfortable clothes I bought in the capital before we marched for Sobral. The pantry was still empty, and I would eventually need more ingredients. While cleaning, I discovered a thermal stone embedded inside an oven and stovetop. At least I could leave my thermal stone in my space.
Dinner was mashed purple potatoes with medium rare bear steaks. I brought Zyna a plate to the sitting room where she was reading and obviously waiting. She took the plate, cut off a chunk, and chewed. A throaty, sensual-sounding moan of pleasure echoed from her. She scooped the plain potatoes and repeated her pleasure.
“You have no idea how this tastes to a High Mage, Eryk.” She had called me by my name, which was a good sign for our relationship, but paused to chew some more. “It is like you never realized you were hungry until you actually start eating aether-rich food. It has been too long since I enjoyed something this fresh from a dungeon.”
“I could do a better job preparing the food if I had a full pantry,” I stated.
Through mouthfuls, she answered, “Write down what you need. You are not leaving the Mage College to go into the city. As I said, it is for your own protection. I will have porters who service the Mage College get you what you need.” She then ignored me while she ate, quickly devouring the meal and clearly surprised and disappointed when it was gone.
Zyna reclined, her hands on her stomach as I had prepared a legion-sized portion. “Can I walk the Mage College grounds then?”
“Not yet. After your Imperial armor is finished, and you have attended a few classes with me. I want the other instructors and students to know you are mine. That way, they will not cause you trouble. Most of the students here are the children of First Citizens or related to them. You can be sure you already have enemies within the walls, whether by your previous actions or being my bodyguard.” Zyna stood, ready to leave with the book she had been reading.
“So, I am trapped in your apartments until then?” I said, a little irritated. There had been half a dozen small libraries in this tower alone. Although I couldn’t make use of the books, adding them to the amulet for future review would be useful.
Zynga smirked knowingly but was off target on her assumption, “Don’t worry. I will find a reason to punish Renna, Flora, and Livia to come here in the afternoons.” Her expression and tone changed. Maybe she thought I was rejecting her in favor of Renna? “Perhaps as a return courtesy, you will not waste too much of the dungeon harvest on them.”
It looked like she was done with me for the evening, but I had another nagging question that I needed answered for peace of mind, “Will the tablet reader table be a problem?”
Her eyes lit up, “The ancient elven reader in your room? An interesting piece of history from Caelora. Did you know the First Legion artificers were the first to create the readers, and the other kingdoms and races copied them?”
“Yes. Someone told me that.” I said cautiously, recalling what Raelia told me in the dungeon.
“If you transported the table, it demonstrates you have an impressive size. Makes me question how big you actually are.” She smiled at my discomfort, not because of her obvious innuendo but because I wanted to keep my secrets.
The moment hung. “Castile spoke highly of you, and from our time together hunting the summoner, I agree with her assessment. Step lightly and watch your words around Antonia and her other agents. She will act if she considers you a threat to our plans.”
I spent the next ten minutes writing out a shopping list. Zyna showed me how the larder had a heat sink stone in it. It was the opposite of the thermal stone and pulled the heat out of the air. It kept the room at a freezing temperature as long as the heat sink was charged with aether every other day. Then Zyna went to meet with Castile to prepare her for the escort mission.
I was left alone, with only a few hours of daylight remaining. I felt more uncertain about using the dreamscape amulet now, but I would still use it for the time being. Even being caged as I was, it was the safest I had been during my entire time in this world. Zyna’s warning about Antonia made me doubt my importance to their plan—I was expendable, and it seemed like my involvement was merely a favor to Castile. It appeared their plan involved the Emperor and most likely included removing him from power. As long as I wasn’t involved in confronting the Emperor, I would be content to play along.
I settled in my bed, sliding between the silky weasel pelts. With a glowstone, I studied the book on cooking with dungeon ingredients. It stated freshness was the most important factor. Since dungeons were so close to ley lines, the flora and fauna within were saturated with aether. The book touched on some common ingredients and how to prepare them. I paged through the book, stopping to read interesting chapters.
When I finished the book, it had other books to reference in the back. All the books referenced preparing dungeon harvests. Most of the books dealt with alchemy ingredients found in dungeons. I knew the 2000-year-old ginseng would eventually be extremely valuable. Tomorrow, I committed to cleaning the alchemy lab. Hopefully, Zyna could get me some basic alchemy books so I could practice the basics.
My path forward set, I entered the dreamscape after securing the door from the inside.
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Comments
Raelik
Surprise crossed her features, and I momentarily prepared to defend myself as I sensed Zyna channeling aether and a spell forming under the water, but she released her. It not her
Erick Thiemke
corrected
Joseph Snyder
path forward set, and I entered the dreamscape after securing the door from the inside. I entered and is unnecessary
Robert Biederman
I love this chapter keep it coming and I will stop commenting on minor stuff that really from what I have seen of the quality of this book doesn't need to be commented on at all
Robert Biederman
Sorry if I seem to be writing so many comments my memory is bad wait until you hit 66 and you'll see what I mean so I write my comments quickly so I don't forget them and I know it also makes me look kind of silly for not reading ahead because the answer 99% of the time will be on the next page as just occurred feel kind of silly now of commenting on food the way I did you had that fully covered
Robert Biederman
There seems to be a typo not far down from where the chapter begins it says the word is signed where I think it should be sigh
Hankypanky
Correction from: I showered briefly in cold water, soaked in the still-hot recessed tub, and then dressed in comfortable clothes I bought in the capital before we marched for Sobral. Correction to: I showered briefly in cold water, soaked in the still-hot recessed tub, took a sip of the bath water to get a taste of Zyna, and then dressed in comfortable clothes I bought in the capital before we marched for Sobral. Real men of culture would never let such an opportunity go to waste
Karnnie
Although I couldn’t make use of the books, adding them to the amulet for the future would be a plan. He still has all of the books from the Library, not to mention the 500 he has yet to look through to add to the amulet as well. As he spent ALL NIGHT looking through books and most of the day before, he easily as 500 or more before moving on to the books he has in storage as well.
Karnnie
“Why are you all not concerned that I am out worlder?” “Why are you all not concerned that I am an out worlder?”
Erick Thiemke
there is a High Mage for each affinity in the Empire. the eternal high mage has the highest time affinity and is also the one that has the deaging spell. like it was mentioned this only affects the body, not the mind.
Notlimah
Also if there is an 'eternal' high mage it sounds like someone else has already achieved this.
Daniel kanevsky
Sorry mis read comment, my bad
Erick Thiemke
Yes that is thousands of years
Daniel kanevsky
Wait, how? In book 2, it's said that he ages 1/320 normal speed, so if he lives for another 60 years (him being 20 something), that's 60*320 = around 20k years
Erick Thiemke
thousands of years if he maintains slow aging
Daniel kanevsky
How long is eryks life span now?
Silver Beard
@Blorcyn - It was mentioned early in the story that Otherworlder affinities could not be inherited. So even if Eryk were to tuck down and start a family... likely none of them would have his time/space affinity. Building an affinity from zero when you Aetheric Infuence is 0... suspect there just haven't been enough beasts that can provide it in the Emperors lifetime. Look at Castille, what we know... how many essences has she acquired that actually made it to the Emperor? Other Mages? Not a single one. They might pass some off, but it wouldn't be a magic affinity type.
Silver Beard
Mouthwash for the win.
Silver Beard
I'm more worried they'll want him to stay and be the new figurehead. If his slow aging spellform truly protects him from mental decay and he'll be around 4-5000 years. He'll be a GD... that they'll try to control.
Lemes
I think this actually makes more sense. The mind starting to deteriorate after the age of 120 is much more likely than at the age of one hundred.
Erick Thiemke
Thanks I was looking for that, didn’t see it in notes. I will edit 67 to 84
Lemes
There is an inconsistency here in Zyna's age. In chapter 114 when Maveith asks her age she said she was 83 years old, having served 26 years as a mage in the legion and 24 at the mage college.
Erick Thiemke
I think the MC is thinking in the back of his mind that there will be opportunities to leave
Erick Thiemke
It is not easy to raise a magic affinity
Gyatzilla
Question, is he not worried he might be silenced after the plan is finished? Castile might have the needed spell, but I think her disposability has to be a factor.
Victor Skaarup
I am happy to see MC starting to explore alchemy. Healing potions can be a game saver, particularly if he eventually has his own crew.
Victor Skaarup
I think a “significant” level of paranoia by MC is reasonable, rational and more than justified by the culture he finds himself in.
Blorcyn
Yeah. The original Legion had enough people living long enough that they can’t all have gone mad or it’d have been well known from the history already discussed, hundreds of years into some of their life spans. For the emperor. I’m surprised that he hasn’t got a good slow aging spell himself. If he’s got >100 void affinity, why not have >80 at least in all the other affinities.
Erick Thiemke
He is fine. His slow aging allows him to avoid the effect of mental deterioration. Will be in future chapter. The emperor is having the eternal high mage deage his body. Doesn’t affect his mind
Alex Galaitsis
I’m confused. Is his spell to slow aging on himself, that he keeps running constantly, the same as the one that can be periodically cast on someone else? Weren’t there two different spells and he chose the better one, or am I misremembering?
Erick Thiemke
The emperor is 300 years old and Zyna is 84 and will experience deterioration after age 100 …84 plus 40
1536539
Thank you for the chapter, why would their mind deteriorate after 65 years? It is a time spell not a healing spell, a young healthy brain should have no problem with at least a 100 years of life according to our current understanding, probably more. Dementia is a degenerative disease that comes with an aging brain tissue and cerebral vessels. Unless the empire uses high tier Healing magic instead of time magic to slow aging and they haven’t figured out how to slow a brain’s aging??
Erick Thiemke
Thanks corrected. I had started writing 190 and got confused
Faa Diallo
Chapter title and and in text chapter number are different
Erick Thiemke
1st of four for cycle. Now we can discuss his lack of paranoia and I can make some prior chapter edits
