The Lady of Shadows

A bright future plan

    I practiced well into the evening and finally was able to control a small stream of my blood. Undead magic was going to be a hard challenge, but then, I loved a challenge. I only stopped when I heard Lilith yelling for dinner. I walked inside and was physically drained from the effort. I would need a training plan to add to my daily training. A plan special for things like this that did not match my state of living or dead. 

    "My you look tired." Lilith joked.

    "Turns out there is something I have to put effort in." I answered as food was served. 

    "Dominic you did not!" Lilith yelled. I looked at her confused.    

    "Undead magic is a magic. I will learn every ounce of magic the world holds." I shot, "Getting mad at him wont change that.

    "Oh, undead magic, I see. My apologies. I thought you meant something else." 

    "Nothing else would drain me like this, even using all my magic isn't as taxing as this." 

    "It's good to know you have high expectations." Dominic laughed. I did not understand what was so funny but I ignored it and closed my eyes. I rested like that just listening to the sound of silverware on the plates and the odd creaks of the house as maids and staff walked through the halls. 

    "She is amazing in every way.... but I will not allow you to steal her from me. Lady Shadow will be in my arms before this is over." Lilith's voice echoed.

    "I wouldn't count me out of the running yet. I'm charming, when I want to be." Dominic boasted from somewhere far off. Their voices began to drift, softer and softer... then, nothing. Silence greeted me. I drifted in that state for so long I lost track of time. Memories flooded around me, teasing Dominic with Lilith,  and teasing Lilith just the same. The friends I have made, and then farther back. Mother looking pleased to see me off, that creepy grin as the Lord wrapped his arm around my mother's hips, The Princess finding every excuse to have me punished. The teachers resenting me when I mastered their arts, The circle used for communication, the day I nearly destroyed the school. I made sure to write home every few days, but mother had yet to send a letter back... Still I felt in my soul she was safe, at least safe enough to know my protection cast was still in place. No one, not even the Lord could do her harm without summoning me by her side at once... but the memories continued as I relived my youth. I watched my mother suffering the attacks of those who hated her for having me. Eventually the memories faded to black.

    I was still in the deep sleep state drifting as I considered my memories, The road before me was clear in my head. I would save my mother from that place, my friends would never have need for anything again, as I would ensure that all their needs were covered, a lovely home estate, a large city... Then the idea of love casually danced through my mind. I knew nothing of the emotion outside of my love for my mother, and the growing love for these two friends of mine. So why would the idea begin to form now?

    ***

    I woke up in bed, my stomach arguing for having passed out before eating. I got up and began my routine. I got ready for the day and went to my study to begin the office work of the day.  The mead maid, Celine brought me a large breakfast meal to appease my roaring stomach. I thanked her and gladly devoured the food as I worked. 

    "Lady Shadow." Celine said. I looked up to see her in the doorway. 

    "Ah, yes, sorry, what was that?" I asked.

    "Master Dominic and Lady Lilith are fighting in the grand hall... One of the gardeners went to try and stop them, but...." I bolted up and Celine was quick to take the hint and get out of the way. I rushed to the hall where indeed Lilith and Dominic were throwing fist. The poor gardener was laying out cold with a fair amount of bleeding coming from his mouth. I kneeled by him and focused on the healing magic I had learned. He took in a sharp breath as the swelling in his face went down. 

    "Thank you, My Lady..." He gasped.

    "Rest. I'll deal with them." I said. He closed his eyes and nodded. With that I stood up and quietly approached the two morons still taking shots. I grabbed them both in mid-swing and slammed their heads together. They both dropped instantly. I sighed, "Care to explain?" I demanded knowing full well neither of them were seriously hurt, even if their groaning tried to imply otherwise. 

    "She called me a show pony." Dominic moaned.

    "You are." She answered. I growled, anger dripped into the sound making it vicious sounding. Both of them instantly sit up.

    "Sorry, it was just a stupid argument about the dates." Dominic spat.

    "I do not care what it was about. You owe that man there a huge amount of apologizing. You can start by doing his labor for the next two days." I ordered. Dominic sunk his head down in defeat.

    "I accept the terms." He said as he went to help the man to a more comfortable resting place.

    "I- I'm s-s-s-s-sorry." Lilith stumbled over her words. I huffed and went back to my study, where Celine was waiting.

    "It's dealt with, and Dominic will be doing the Gardeners labor for a couple of days to repay him for the injury." I explained. She smiled.

    "And Lady Lilith?" Celine asked.

    "I haven't decided yet, but I'm sure the scare I gave her will keep her out of trouble for a while." I said as I prepared to get back to work.

    "You know, I was astonished by you the day you came in and took over. I held admiration for you and the way you wielded your power, the fact that you were so overwhelmingly strong yet always made sure not to hurt anyone who did not clearly deserve it. I respected you for the respect you showed even us maids. Seeing to our issues to ensure we had comfortable living. Then you attract Lady Lilith with the reforms, and I was enthralled. I wanted nothing more than to serve you. Then even more enchanting you bring Dominic and not only free our city, but strengthen that small village? You are a kind soul, even if you do not intend the actions to be kind. You are benevolent, and watching you, it could be argued that you have god like abilities. You have a plan for everything, you rarely get cross, nothing ever surprises you... Forgive me if it is not my place to say, but everyone adores you. Especially Lady Lilith and Master Dominic." Celine said as she helped move some of the finished documents off my desk.

    "Those are a lot of kind words." I said, shaking my head, "I am not all that great. In fact everything I do is for a reason. I have an end goal. One that I cannot accomplish here. I will eventually move on to a larger city, the capital perhaps. If Lady Lilith stays I will release everything here to her, As I have done in the village with Dominic." I explained.

    "Master Dominic seems to have found a worthy student to pass his title to, as he spends more time here than the Village."

    "We made sure they ran fairly well before ever leaving in the first place. He oversaw the training so by now they should have some fine warriors and plenty of education. They thrive on their own now. No figure head needed." I said, "But if he has named someone the new chief, I'm sure it is someone who proved capable to protect the village, and wise enough to continue growing it."

    "And If Lady Lilith does leave with you? Will the same fate happen to us?" Celine asked.

    "Honestly, you are my back up plan. I've done the heavy lifting, but you have made it clear you care about these people more than yourself. I am great at building foundations, but I have no passion to lead or govern. That being said, You have a passion for caring for others as proven in your work. You learned everything about being a maid, and even branched over to almost a butler stance to learn the basics of what I do and assist me. The few things I still do on my own, are fairly easy, mainly just upkeep." I said. Celine stared at me.

    "I could never accept such a high office!" She clearly wanted to yell but her voice was a whisper.

    "It wouldn't be as if you were the noble or king. In fact I plan on holding that title myself until I can merge with the next kingdom. It is my understanding that you have no family of your own, but take care of your mother and... seven..." I paused to make sure I was right in my head, "Yes, seven siblings." I looked to her for an answer.

    "Yes, but how..." I smiled.

    "See if Lilith does not wish to stay here, and take the title from me, I do not want someone to show up thinking they can just take over as I did. So with that in mind, I would like to place you as the head of office, and when I make my way to the next kingdom, to Eslantu, I will offer the ruling king all that I have acquired. The stipulations would be to make yourself a governing noble. By doing so, you would be able to move your family here, keep the peace, and there may even be an offer of marriage if it goes the way I suspect it will." I broke down the back up plan for her.

    "My Lady...." I could hear the tears in her voice, so I looked up and smiled.

    "You have been invaluable to me. I will repay it." I answered her silent sobs. She smiled with tears running down her face.

    "I will do even better to earn the honor you have given me today! Even if Lady Lilith stays, I will make sure that things run smoothly for her as well as I have for you." Celine nearly choked on her words trying to keep the tears at bay. I reached over and patted her head.

    "You are amazing. Never forget that." I said as I turned back to my work. The only real thing I needed to move on was the black market to be handled, then I would see what Lilith planned to do, and I could go from there either leaving Lilith in charge, or Celine. Either way the kingdom would be in great hands.