We rolled along the dirt road. Half the carriage was filled with supplies. The energy furnace, which weighed around 50lbs, was sitting off to the side. The shape transformation made the surfaces perfectly smooth, so it was best that it remained hidden while we traveled. Having someone drive the carriage while I relaxed on a pile of linens was certainly a superior means of transport.

  “What’re ya writing?” Anicia asked.

  “I’m actually drawing the schematics for weapons, tools, and the like for you to use. I’m also thinking about adding lightning to your crossbow.”

  She stared at me in open-mouthed awe, then her face turned slightly grim. I guessed what she was currently feeling. “You’re having some hesitation with killing.”

  “I’ve never done it before.”

  “You will soon enough. The first kill is difficult; the second, not so much; it gets easier over time.” I continued speaking as I drew. “The world is cruel and unfair, Anicia. A hard heart is needed. There are a few things I find more disgusting than pacifism.” Just to make sure she understood, I explained in detail. ”Don't delude yourself; there is no virtue in the unwillingness to harm; people who think like that are just prey to be used and killed by the first person who doesn't share your beliefs. Power has no meaning without the willingness to use it.”

  She chuckled without humor and said, “Maybe we’ll get lucky, and no one will bother us.”

  “Three women traveling alone?” I gave her a wry smile. “I doubt that.”

  “I still don't know if I can.” She said.

  “You will be tested soon enough. It doesn't matter if you cry, soil yourself, or vomit up half the food in your stomach. So long as you can fire that crossbow when needed, that’s one man who won't be raping and killing you, me, or your mother.”

  “And if, at that moment, I can't.” She asked.

  “Then you are useless to me,” I said, coldly. “Your mother’s been protecting you your entire life; it’s time you stood on your own two feet and contributed.”

  ‘No need to go too far just yet. I plan on investing long-term with these two.’

  “But if you fail once, I’ll give you another chance. And another. I’m not so demanding as to abandon you after a single failure.” She looked at me, mildly hopeful. “You can only hope that a single moment of hesitation won't result in catastrophe for all of us.” Instantly, that hope deflated.

  ~

  We rolled into a village the next day; I elected to remain inside the carriage as they shopped. The village seemed reasonably stable; men and women walked about, and no one seemed scared or downtrodden. The best sign that the village was safe was the fact that women could walk about unaccompanied.

  While they shopped, I continued to work on the designs for their tools. Both women were confused by my over-precaution, since I hadn't really explained my situation. Anicia carried the coin purse with over 20 golden royals; if they wished, they could buy a horse and run off. That was enough for them to live well for the rest of their lives.

  It was a risk, but one I was willing to take. I wanted to see how well I gauged their personalities. If I were correct, they wouldn't betray my trust. But people can be unpredictable. What I wanted them to do was talk amongst themselves and reach the conclusion of staying with me. Or, better yet, that serving me was the safest course of action.

  Anicia

  I walked through the town feeling like every eye was on me, mostly because I carried a fortune in my bag. I didn't know if Myr was that confident that we won't run off with the coin, or that uncaring.

  “She ain't what I expected,” Ma said, as we walked away from a merchant selling heavy cloaks.

  I nodded. “Makes Hender and the rest look like children. Killed ‘em like a farmer cuttin’ wheat. What do ya think she wants? She wants us to work for ‘er, but…”

  Ma nodded solemnly. “I know. And I heard your talk with ‘er.”

  “Think she’s right?”

  “In a brutal way, yes. But that ain't what I wanted for you.”

  There was a cold logic to her words that I couldn't deny.

  "She's testin' us," Ma said. I nodded; her cold gaze seemed to hold an unfathomable depth. It was like she was more present than most people. I've seen a noble before, and he didn't carry such a strong aura. The world stopped and listened when she spoke. But Myr was dangerous; she killed 19 people, three of whom were innocent, and didn't seem to be slightly affected by it.

  “I feel like, if we betray her, she’ll kill us,” I said.

  “We have no home. No kin or friends to call on. That’s how we been livin’ for years. We could take the coin and run, find a place to live.”

  As soon as she said it, Myr’s words entered my mind: “And what happens if we run into another Hender, or someone you can’t make a deal with stops us? Or worse, what if the law catches up with us?”

  I imagined if someone like Myr ran into Hender, all he would get was a face full of flame; she wouldn't even blink twice. No one could threaten Myr. The image of her burning Hender’s crew to death was something I would never forget. He was a kitten compared to her. I almost felt ashamed that I was so scared of him.

  “Myr’s bounty was massive, and they ain’t never caught ‘er,” I said.

  Ma sighed, clearly conflicted, “Let’s just play it safe for now and head back to ‘er. Don’t give ‘er any cause.”

  A group of large men eyed us for a few moments; my spine stiffened, but other than a glance, they didn't seem overly interested.

  ‘I bet Myr would never have looked away in fear. She has real power, and I'm just….’

  Myr

  It wasn't surprising that they returned. It was best not to ask them what they discussed; instead, I would keep filling their heads with the benefits of serving me. They still had a good amount of fear, not surprising since I killed everyone but them with little hesitation.

  Anicia was standing to the rear of the carriage while her mother handed her all the supplies they bought. The amount was underwhelming, as I expected. Fear was a useful tool, but too much can cause people to act with an overabundance of caution.

  “No meat?” I asked, already anticipating the answer.

  “Well, meat cost a lot 'a coin. And we’ll be on the road for weeks; it won’t keep.” Corina said.

  “I’m a magus; don’t worry about it.” Looking around the carriage, I spotted a chest, which was rather large and filled with clothing.

  “Buy enough meat to fill that chest… pork, beef, chicken, or pheasant, it doesn’t matter. I want that chest full. If you can find another chest like that, buy it. We'll use it for herbs, spices, salt…a lot of salt. Buy fruit, vegetables, potatoes, cabbage, onions, and eggs. Once you start spending coin, they’ll throw their food at you. If you haven't spent at least a golden royal on food, I’ll be disappointed. If they don't want to sell, just double the coin until they do. I’ve been watching the villagers, and they seem like decent folk.”

  They stared at me, slightly dumbstruck.

  ~

  The village turned into a bit of a frenzy after that. It took less than half an hour to fill the chest with meat, as every villager was more than willing to sell their produce for silver.

  I stayed in the carriage, allowing the two women to do all the work, hiding my features under a heavy cloak. With one chest filled with meat and another with vegetables, spices, and whatever meager fruit the villagers sold, we rode out of town.

  “Ain’t never seen someone spend coin like that,” Anicia said as I carved a heat absorption circle into the lid of the meat box.

  “Coin is just a useful metal to me. And I certainly don't feel like eating thin soup and dried meat for the next few weeks.”

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  “You eat fresh meat every day?” Anicia asked.

  “I eat fresh meat for every meal,” I said, expecting the disbelief in their eyes.

  ‘And now you will too. After a few weeks of eating like that, leaving me would seem like an insane decision. The carrot was always better than the stick.’

  ~

  We traveled with haste for the rest of the day and half the night, since we attracted considerable attention in the village. After I was sure that we weren't being followed, Corina steered us off the road into a small cluster of trees.

  “Help me unload the furnace, Anicia. Corina, gather some wood; no need to use our stores with trees nearby. Anicia, put out a pheasant to thaw and gather the salt and spices.” I commanded. I need them to get used to listening and obeying my commands.

  “A-Alright, Myr,” Corina said.

  Anicia nodded eagerly.

  After unloading the furnace, I left them to their task and ignited it with the first of the wood gathered by Corina. After it roared to life, I started working. It would be my first proper meal in two years and eight months. I wanted it to be special.

  Using shape transformation, I created an eight-inch-tall, three-foot-wide cylinder with tubes in the bottom that would pull in air, turn it flammable, and ignite it, creating a constant stream of flame. With 15 three-inch flames spread evenly across the bottom of the cylinder and a grating on the top, I made the perfect tool to roast the pheasant.

  ‘By Anier, I love the improvement in my abilities. This would have taken days to make before.’

  “I’ll never get tired of watching you make things,” Anicia said. “What is it?”

  I took a moment and connected each tube in series, using a simple switch on the side, which was simply a copy of the switching circuit on the crossbow, and 15 blue flames roared to life.

  “It’s a grill.” She mumbled.

  “Aye.”

  After preparing the vegetables and potatoes, I got to work, cooking.

  ~

  The smell of meat roasting over an open fire was intoxicating. I butchered the pheasant into quarters and roasted vegetables and potatoes in a pot with more butter and salt than necessary. Anicia stared at the roasting meat like a woman possessed.

  “Hungry?” I asked. She nodded, not taking her eye off the meat. Even Corina, who was busy chopping wood into chunks that would fit in the furnace, was eyeing the meal.

  I loaded a metal platter with meat, buttery potatoes, vegetables, some bread, and cheese and handed it to Anicia.

  There was very little conversation to be had. While it wasn't the best food I'd ever made, compared to what these women usually ate, buttery potatoes, vegetables, and roasted pheasant seasoned with salt and whatever meager spices the village had on hand were likely a delicacy.

  And by the sounds they were making, my patrons were enjoying the meal.

  “Thank you, Myr,” Anicia said, her mouth half-full. She was mopping the juices and fat from the pheasant and potatoes with the bread.

  “This is the best meal I’ve ever had,” Corina said; even the mature woman couldn’t hold back her enjoyment.

  I shrugged and nodded as if this meal was nothing. In reality, very few people beyond the wealthy could afford to eat like this. “You should taste my…” I was going to say father, but there was no reason to lie about my identity anymore. “I used to work as a maidservant in an eatery; the owner had skills that could rival any noble chef. If you think that was good, one taste of his duck might cause you to faint.”

  “Right, you was a Maidservant in Redstone. Heard that tale, too.” Corina said.

  As much as I wanted to ask around the village about what my story was, caution was paramount, at least until I reached the southern baronies.

  “Would ya tell us?” Anicia asked.

  “Tell you what?”

  “Yer real story.”

  ‘I suppose I should, but not yet, not until we reach the tar flats.’

  “Soon enough. It’s a long tale, and we have a lot of miles to cross.” I said after a few moments.

  Anicia nodded disappointedly. After letting my food settle and ignoring the odd rumbling in my stomach, I bedded down for the night, my mind drifting back to Darion and Beth.

  ‘I wonder what happened to them. I wouldn't put it past the baron to simply execute them. And what about Morah and the Andregi? Were they killed as well? I suppose it would be prudent to avoid a different tale spreading about the dragon and the empress. Then again, it’s not like a career criminal and a group of Northern savages could change people’s minds.’

  One way or another, I would learn of their fates. As my mind drifted off, I hoped that they didn't suffer for my actions. Except for Morah, I couldn't care less about him. But even if they did all die, I would have to accept it. I would never regret my path.

  One week later

  I was half paranoid that our excursions in that village would invite people to rob us. But not everyone in the empire would jump at a chance to rob someone with coin. I decided not to push my luck and avoided any other villages. With the food supplies from before, chests of meat, produce, and ample supplies of clean water, travel was actually pleasant.

  I sat in the grass, listening to the constant crack of the crossbow; each bolt drew a significant amount of energy from my amulet, but it was quickly filled by the burning furnace. Anicia was practicing; by my guess, she could fire a bolt every two seconds.

  Over time, the fear they held for me decreased, since they realized that so long as they followed my orders, which weren't difficult, they had nothing to fear from me.

  I was mostly sure that it was the food and the relative safety in my company that really sold them on the idea of continuing to serve me. They weren't quite where I wanted them, but they went about their task of setting up camp every night without complaint. I, as the glorious leader, spent the time working on the magical tools and relaxing.

  I had to develop a system that could activate and deactivate magic and account for things like accidental activations, which meant designing mechanical switches to work with arcane circuits.

  After a week of trial and error, I reached a place where I believed it was easy enough to understand and use while avoiding accidents.

  The design was rather simple: a bracer that wrapped around the forearm. On one side of the brace was a slightly bulging section with five switches. They used the same latching mechanism as an earring, just two pieces of metal that were close together; the switch would squeeze between them, holding the piece of metal inside an arcane switch. This was connected to four circuits.

  The first was Dragon's Breath inscribed into a metal plate, which was secured in the palm of their gloves. The next was a protection circuit only large enough to encompass their head and chest. This was on a medallion. The third was a gravity-manipulating circuit, which was regulated to max out the reduction at 50% on the back of the protection circuit.

  The fourth was empty at the moment, since I didn't want to overwhelm them with too much magic. It would go to either their weapons or whatever else I come up with. The fifth was tricky to figure out, but it was essentially a control switch that would deactivate every arcane circuit. It was to reduce accidental activations.

  Wrapping the bracer around my wrist, I stood and flipped the control switch and the reverse gravity switch. After creating a dual binding, I pushed the circuit to my limit and leapt.

  I couldn't stop a smile from coming across my face, since for a few seconds I felt like I was flying. After reaching 20 feet in the air, I slowly fell back down to the ground.

  “What in all the hells was that?” Anicia shouted. I smirked. “Magic, my dear. Real magic.”

  ‘And there it is, the expression I expected. She wanted that power. Now the next step is to direct her desires. I cannot have her thinking I should teach her magic. Instead, I’ll direct her differently; I’ll make her desire magical tools, then firmly, unequivocally state that I would never teach anyone magic. In the end, I want minions, not competitors. Then there is a final hurdle. Unveiling myself and revealing the monster behind the hero.'

  I sighed and pretended as if the bracer wasn't functioning correctly and said, “Still needs some work.”

  Anicia looked disappointed. “So you sayin you're gonna make that for us.”

  I nodded. “Though you won’t be able to jump that high, you’ll see when I’m finished.”

  She bit her lip in anticipation but, surprisingly, didn't ask any more questions.

  “What’s for supper?” I asked.

  “Got a large rack of beef ribs.” She said.

  I nodded. I preferred pork ribs, but it would do; I just had to slow-cook them.

  ‘I’ll give it a few more weeks and let the anticipation build.’

  Two weeks later

  Somehow, beyond all expectations, we encounter zero problems when heading to the dragon parts.

  “We’ll have to walk the rest of the way,” I announced as we entered the span of trees.

  “Strange that it's almost three years since I’ve buried these parts here,” I muttered to myself.

  “Why is that strange?” Corina asked.

  “The magisterium, as soon as the quest was over, tried to assassinate me. Came pretty close, actually; I was gut-shot with a crossbow bolt. I was unconscious for two and a half years as I recovered.”

  Corina blinked several times, surprised I gave her a straight answer. Anicia looked at me, disbelieving. No one survives a gut-shot; it was common knowledge.

  “Ya don’t have a scar or nothin,” Corina said, clearly not believing me.

  “The dryad of the Dalianar forest healed me. Her healing was rather thorough; a lot of my bumps and scrapes over the years are gone, too.”

  “I know you can come up with a better lie than that, so it’s gotta be true,” Anicia said. I could tell she had many more questions.

  “You're finally willing to tell us about yourself?” Corina asked.

  “Aye, I’ve given you plenty of opportunities to run off, without my interference, yet you have taken none. Why, and be honest.”

  “We ain't got anything else, Myr. What do we do? Run to a city? Live peacefully, until some bastard takes away the peace. You and I know there ain't much out there for a lone mother and ‘er child. And I’ll be eaten by maggots before I force Anicia into a marriage.”

  ‘Exactly the answer I expected.’

  “I’m a murderer, thief, liar, and completely self-serving. Most of the stories of my heroics are either fictions of my creation or done for selfish reasons. I’m not a perfect monster, but in the end, measure all my deeds, and Anier would sentence me to the Stygian Abyss without hesitation.”

  I paused, letting my words sink in. “I’ve lied to everyone I’ve ever known. But I do want your loyalty and dedication, so I’ll offer you two the one thing I’ve never given anyone.”

  I stopped walking, staring up at a large rock, and then I oriented east. “Truth, you will be the first people in the entire world to know my true story from the source. You will hear every crime, every moral failing. And as you listen to my story, I want you to know one thing.”

  I turned to the two women; two pairs of green eyes locked onto me, enraptured by my words, “I’ve never regretted a single one of my actions.”

  I pointed at the ground in front of a large, half-fallen oak. “Dig here,” I said.

  I stood off to the side watching them work and started speaking, “I was born in a village called Farway, and my birth name is Edith…”