Chapter 127: Interlude: Bellarex I
Her opponent, a violet infernal with moderately powerful fire magic had been goading her for weeks before the bout. Her fathers position should have reasonably insulated her from the psychological assaultthe Honor Guard of a High Councillor was generally not a person to be trifled with. But it was common knowledge her father didnt care for Bell much.
Bell knew this most of all. She had been born with a great debt. Her mother endured a long labor to bring her into this world, an effort that proved too much for her in the end. And when she lay there, awash in blood and viscera that blended with the color of her skin, her debt grew. She was a red, born to two violet parents. It was an uncommon shame, but not unheard of.
It was hard at first, before she could understand. Her father told her early on that she killed her mother, but Bell didnt know what that meant. The words held little weight. Erdos was practically a stranger, leaving home for days at a time, seldom returning. Her first source of love and affection came from her nanny, Shawure. The woman was eventually fired after a string of valuables went missing and never replaced. Shawure came to the estate garden for weeks after the dismissal to bring Bell treats and see how she was doing. But the visits slowed after a few months, eventually stopping completely.
There were still people in the house sometimes after that, mainly tutors, and cooks. Bell learned that if she pleased them, studied hard or praised their cooking, they would show her affection in return. But the attention was never given as freely as her nanny once had. And there were long spans of time when Bell was alone.
She began to climb trees around the estate, searching for birds. They were rare in the enclave, but the sounds they made were so pleasant, so lovely and free. Other children had pets, after all. If she could just find one, she could perhaps convince it to come home with her. And the house would be not so quiet. As Bell climbed countless trees and found many birds of all colors and species, she realized quickly that they were not amenable to even the most banal persuasion.
Bell captured her first bird, trapping it with a simple fishing net. Her prize A vibrant blue pratin with a song that sounded like ever-descending notes, a half-step apart. Bell named the bird Sunrise, after the mythical orb beyond the enclave that gave those on the surface light. Bell fed Sunrise bits of bread and fruit, and in return, its song cheered her through the colder season.
When the cold faded as bhaedent arrived, however, the bird became anxious. Irritable. It refused to perch near her, pecking at her hands when she attempted to feed it. Eventually, it escaped into from her room into the estate itself.
Bellarex was inconsolable. This had never happened before. She tried recapturing it with the net, but the halls and ceilings of the estate were simply too high, and unlike the trees outside, there was nothing for her to climb on. Ignored her tutors. Stopped eating. All she could focus on was her bird and the possibility it might escape through an open door.
Eventually, Erdos returned, irritated with the many reports given by servants and tutors. She begged him to save the bird, but he ignored her, using a simple blast of fire to knock the bird out of the air.
Bell covered the bird with her body, neck craned up to face father, an entirely new emotion crashing through her. Why, Daddy?
It was being a pest. Erdos shrugged. The words seemed so cold, so callous. You should have been focusing on your studies instead of bringing vermin into the house.
He was my bird. My pet.
Her father brushed a hand through his hair, looking more inconvenienced than anything else. Well, sometimes, Bellarex, life takes away things you care about. If you took care of it better, kept it in your room or wherever you hid it away, we wouldnt be in this situation.
You killed him. Bellarex accused.
No, Erdos shook his head. Thats your job.
What?
Look at it, Bellarex.
With a hollow pit in her stomach, Bellarex looked down at the bird. Its entire body was singed, its once vibrant plumage burned away to reveal raw red skin. It made small noises in a sad imitation of its once bright song.
It wont last long, Erdos continued.
What about a healer? Bell asked through teary eyes.
Erdos rolled his eyes. Even if the healers had time for such trifles, they cant regrow feathers.
But
If you care for it, its your responsibility to end its suffering. Or dont. Not like it matters to me. Just take it outside, so I dont have to hear that damn squawking. With that, her father departed, his destination unknown and undisclosed.
Ah. He was still awake when I went to bed.
Might as well get warmed up. Jorra began to stretch.
Bell blinked. She had been certain the boy was deferring to Cairn, and the moment he had her alone the looks of judgment and distrust would begin. Shouldnt we wait for him?
Nah. Hes not a fan of stretching.
Is it okay for me to be here? Bell asked, finally, unable to stand waiting.
Why wouldnt it be okay? Jorra asked, raising an eyebrow.
Im a void mage.
Yeah, Jorra chuckled. And a kickass one at that. Im still exhausted after yesterday.
Bell was perplexed. Of all the reactions to her element shed encountered, this was not one of them.
Look, Jorra released his arms from an upward stretch. I know why youre asking.
Bell waited, fearing the worst.
Void isnt the strongest element, or the most flashy. The other concern from a tactical standpoint is if theres nothing to void out, theres very little for a void user to do.
I
But, Jorra continued, Its incredibly useful when youre up against anything with magic, which we will be, in the Sanctum. And if we fight against anything without magic, youre probably the best martial fighter out of the three of us. Frankly, I dont know why anyone wouldnt want you on their team.
Oh. Bell was overwhelmed, unsure of how to respond.
Jorra eyed her. But seriously, you want to stretch. Cairn is brutal on the training field.
I can take him, Bell joked.
You havent seen him when hes backed into a corner. Jorra scowled. He cheats.
Okay. All throughout the exercise, Bell was waiting for the levy to break. But Jorra never snapped at her, made her feel anything less than welcome.
A few weeks later, shed realized how much she was missing. Her circle of friends grew quickly, Cairn, then Jorra, then Maya. Bell found the older infernal so beautiful and stern looking it was almost intimidating. But they all cared for her. Listened to her when she had an observation, gave her advice when she struggled.
Friends. Real friends.
All throughout those early months, Bell held a piece of herself back. Knowing that there must be a reason Cairn picked her, of all people. But over time that piece became smaller and smaller.
It was almost gone completely.
Then, she met Infaris.
