Closed [Empyreal Demesne] Sticks and Stones

[Kelski]

Timestamp: 20th of Fall, 519 A.V.

The argument had been going on for days. Kelski was frankly sick of it. The Gem was about as stubborn of a child as had ever been born. And she was growing more ostentatious as the days went by. Today, Kelski’s workshop was unlighted. As soon as the Kelvic put a flame to any candle, it’d blow out immediately. She would have suspected air Reimancy, but Kelski knew when Gilthas and her had inducted The Gem into Reimancy, the building had gotten fire. That was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Their hearths lit on their own now and when the tower was cold it tended to warm itself up.

“He’s said no word of it.” Kelski argued, shaking her head at The Gem which in essence resulted in her shaking her head wildly since The Gem was all around her.

It doesn’t matter. I want in his head too. He is your bondmate. You are my mage. We are together. He should be with us in this.

Kelski knew The Gem was right. What was worse was The Gem knew that Kelski knew she was right. The Gem’s insistence on Dessarian being inducted into Architectrix was a correct move, but it was one that Kelski was hesitant to do. First off, she’d inducted herself and it had been bloody and awkward and just about as based on faith as something could be. She wanted better for Dess… better for anyone that came into the magic and into their family after her. Even The Gem hadn’t witnessed her awkward birth into Architectrix. And truth be told she was wondering if she’d make Dessarians as awkward as well.

Do it today.

But the argument had to end. It had to be today. The moon was up, the night had fallen, and Dess hadn’t yet settled after they’d ate. He’d wandered off to some project or another and she’d been in her workshop grinding new gems into cabochons for a client in Zeltiva. She knew vaguely where he was - a biproduct of being bonded. He was down and south… out somewhere perhaps working on the crop or training someone somewhere.

Kelski finally hissed, tossed her unruly hair, put her work down, and trotted down the copious amounts of stairs until she hit the ground floor. She found Hattie first. “Have you seen Dess?” She asked the old woman who was busy by the kitchen fire knitting of all things. Mosa was with her and the two women had been cackling about some joke or another when she’d come in. They’d quieted when Kelski had interrupted.

“We haven’t seen him child, but he’ll have to walk right through here to go up.” She added, indicating she was settled for the night and probably wasn’t going to move anytime soon. The two elderly ladies tended to go to bed extremely late and rise extremely early, leading Kelski to believe they didn’t sleep much even though they took naps daily in the middle of the afternoon.

“Will you make sure he takes a ritual purification bath when he comes in and meditates – at least a half hour for each thing – before he comes up? I need to do something special tonight… something The Gem is wanting.” Kelski added, not wanting to launch into a lengthy discussion over it. The two old crones were prone to initiating lengthy arguments and making a sort of art of drawing them out.

“Ahhh… going to make him an Arch Mage are you?” Mosa said, then nodded to Hattie who was already agreeing that was what was happening. “We’ve been wondering when you were going to do that. The Gem’s been cranky these last few weeks. Probably not getting enough attention with you two newly bonded and spending so much time together. Speaking of which, has Dess managed to get his seed to take in you yet? We’d like some more children around here, some babies to bounce at our knees.” The old Denvali added, her hand automatically going to Kelski’s stomach to see if it had rounded yet.

Kelski spun away with an irritated squawk, but not fast enough to avoid the old woman’s cold touch on her almost bare midriff. Mosa frowned. “Nothing yet. Too bad. I’ll make you some special tea, Kels, that will help with that. The way you two have been about, I’m sure he would have managed to get something planted by now.” Mosa insisted, causing Kelski to back up.

“It's not something we are planning for yet. I don’t need any tea.” She hissed, rubbing the cold spot Mosa’s hand had left on her stomach as she retreated. She wondered, by what the old woman had said if she should be trusting of any food or drink they gave her from now on.

Hattie glanced at Mosa. “Might not be her. Might be him. We could throw something in his morning beverages as well. He doesn’t need any incentive to do what men do, but maybe he’s not firing strong enough.” Mosa seemed to ponder this, even as Kelski shook her head and let them speculate without her.

It was mortifying, to say the least. Bright red, she fled the scene with only a backward call to the ladies.

“Just tell him what I said when you see him… he should be along shortly.” She added, heading back up the stairs and wondering why in the world she bothered with submitting herself to those two and their scrutiny.

Once upstairs, Kelski cleared a space in her workroom and drew a circle in salt on the ground. She ringed the area with candles and got out her book that Ember had brought her. She reviewed the contents and kept the silk wrapped silver of wood in its spine as a bookmark. When Dess came up, she’d be ready for the induction.

I'm ready when you are.

Kelski glanced all around her. She didn't want to screw this up. She wanted to make it beautiful for him. She only hoped she could.

[Dessarian]

The moon and the warm light in the tower windows guided Dess home. After dinner he had told Anja that he would check the livestock, a quick inspection of the fencing to ensure the goats were secure. Scruffy was a good buck, and as the diligent leader of the flock, he often thought he should patrol the grounds of the Demesne himself. He was quite adept at circumventing the fencing and helping himself to the garden while he was out.

Upon his arrival at the tower, Dess found Hattie and Mosa sitting in their chairs before the hearth. Aged eyes fixed on him with subtle smugness, which Dess immediately discerned. "What?" He asked them with quirked brow.

"Kelski asks that you take a ritual bath, meditate, then meet her upstairs." Hattie croaked. "Keesha and Darcee are filling the tub. Everything you need is already down there. Lynneah will be down in a moment with the hot water." The old Zrevan explained, her head tilting to the two iron kettles of water over the hearth fire.

Dess understood, even caught a faint inkling of it from up in the tower. Kelski and he had spoken of expanding his knowledge of magic, and the day they bonded Kelski told him she wanted to teach him the secret K'etir art of Architectrix. But time had passed, and while neither of them had forgotten it, duties were many, and he didn't want to add to the things that weighed on Kelski's mind. While he didn't expect it that night, it was not a surprise.

"Alright then..." Dess replied, nodding to the crones, who smirked at each other.

"Care for some tea?" Mosa chimed in with her sweet Denvali lilt. Her innocent gaze darted to her companion with a more mischievous glint.

"No, thank you, I'm good." Dess replied offhand as he turned to head out to the small bathhouse. Both Keesha and Darcee grinned at Dess as they passed him carrying buckets of water from the well. They were both of the family and understood that Kelski had something significant for her Damazar bondmate. Inside the small shed, the girls had lit several candles to light the room. The copper tub was more than halfway full. On a stool next to the tub was a neatly folded towel, cloth and a cake of soap. From a peg by the door hung a robe.

His cousin and Keesha came in behind him, dumping their buckets of cold water into the tub. Setting the pails aside, Darcee pulled out a small vial from a pouch at her side. She pulled free the cork and allowed several oily drops to fall into the bath water. "That will activate with the hot water. Its infused with spices Kelski likes. The blonde Damazar explained. "I also brought you some of the soap I made, it should get that man stink off of you. Though not all of it, I know she likes that too." Dess's cousin grinned. Keesha giggled.

The young women left, Dess hearing the girlish whispers before they closed the door. Dessarian smiled to himself and began to peel off his shirt and lay it in a basket in the corner. Lynneah then knocked lightly on the door with her foot. "A little help..." her voice rose behind the wood. Dess opened it up and she hurried in with two steaming kettles, gripping the handles with thick rags. "Damn, those are heavy and hot." She huffed as she rested them on the edge of the tub, then tilted them to empty into the cold water.

Dess's friend turned to look at him, his torso bared. "You are finally filled out." She noted. Dess was naturally lanky, but the events in Sunberth had left him skinny and his muscles wasted. Summer had been a season of final recovery, his bones now corded with lean muscle. The hot water brought the herbs and spices of Darcee's concoction to life and the aroma filled the small room. With the water poured out, Lynneah turned to Dess. "I hope you know what you have up there." The look she gave him suggested firmly that he better appreciate Kelski like she deserved.

Dess smiled. "I do, big sis." He teased the Zrevan woman before she nodded and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Good luck." She whispered before taking up the kettles and leaving Dess to his bath. With the door shut, Dess finished undressing and slipped into the tub.

The bathwater was soothingly warm. This bath would be special, a form of physical cleansing that reflected a spiritual readiness. The rhythmic routine assured a form of purification. Dess would wash himself, inch by inch, from toes to the crown of his head. No place was left untouched. As he methodically washed, Dess would remember that day Kelski explored him physically. In each place, he would recall how she had touched him there, the pad of a finger, the palm of her hand, the press of her lips. It was as if she were claiming every part of him, even before they bonded.

Once finished and rinsed, Dess stood and carefully stepped out of the tub onto the thick woven rug. He dried himself thoroughly, taking the robe from the peg and replacing it with the damp towel. With the robe around him, Dess found a pair of sandals under the stool, with a cup of water, and a toothbrush stick with a minty paste already smeared over the end. Once his teeth were brushed and rinsed, Dess settled onto the floor before the tub, moving the damp bath mat aside. Now to ready his mind.

The warm bath had loosened muscles, allowing him to sit comfortably, his spine straight as he sat cross-legged, hands on knees, palms up. Dess focused on his breathing, making it deliberate. In...out. He envisioned clean air filling his lungs, and stress being breathed out. With attention on the steady respiration, his mind began to clear. Anticipation of the coming induction released, the myriad of things that needed his attention laid aside. Even the deep, quiet current of want for Kelski was allowed to drift. The practice was unrushed, until all his mind's distractions could be forgotten. A peace fell over him, an acute awareness of his physical presence, of each joint and muscle, arose. He meant to leave Kelski with a strong, empty vessel in which the magic could be received. He heard the soft, distant press of Kelski's call...she was ready.

Somehow, the trek from the bathhouse to the top of the tower was befreft of people. Perhaps Lynneah had shooed them away, especially the older women, to prevent Dess from being distracted. So Kelski's bondmate climbed the stairs to their suite, presenting himself to the kelvic mage. Though he knew the induction would be sober, he could not help but offer a small smile to Kelski. She would feel his readiness, unwavering, to accept the gift she meant to give to him.

[Kelski]

It was strange how just a short time had changed her life. Dessarian hadn’t moved into her chambers on her level. Instead, his presence in her life had transitioned the space they now shared from her tower floor to their sanctuary. Her workshop was still her own, but everywhere else had slowly transitioned to a blend of masculine and feminine quarters with space for his things and space for hers. Her life hadn’t made room for his. Instead, his presence and touches everywhere had been wholeheartedly welcomed to the point Kelski couldn’t remember a time when his scent and his touch wasn’t surrounding her. Even the place she’d emptied in the middle of her workroom was one he often did morning stretches or simple meditations as she sat at her work bench and cut gems.

She’d often heard people say their lives were rich or fulfilled, but before Dess, Kelski hadn’t truly understood what that meant. The Sea Eagle had lived with men before, some by choice and some by circumstance, but she’d had relationships that were like two ships that shared one dock to moor at part of the time each day. She hadn’t known them. She hadn’t really cared to know them. And worse yet, she didn’t realize just how distant she’d been from them. She’d even slept in the bottom of a wardrobe, curled in the smallest shape possible, to avoid some of them. It was a thought she always pushed out of her head. But somehow, with Dessarian around, she could face those thoughts, examine them, and recognize them for what they were…. and no longer feel shame at them.

Those moments were part of who she was. And never, the whole time she’d been lost, had people stopped looking for her. They hadn’t stopped looking until she was found. Being found was… like being gifted peace. There was no other way to describe it. And peace, for all that some claimed it was a boring unmotivated mind space, was something Kelski appreciated deeply.

This life they were building was so different, rich, diverse, and almost a living thing that gave back the effort they put into it. This life was somehow more. The Kelvic couldn’t pinpoint or list the differences with any sort of acuity, but the differences were definitely there.

And when she heard the soft almost silent footfalls of Dess striding up the stairs, she was at the top to welcome him. Kelski didn’t always welcome him when he returned for the night. Sometimes he walked up on her bent over her workbench, completely lost to her work. But when she was finished and not nose deep in jewelry, she’d always find the time to greet him at the top of the stairs. She never wanted him to feel unwelcomed, unwanted, forgotten, or unimportant. He was important. Sometimes her greeting was only with a brief caress or kiss. Sometimes her greeting was only with a touch to the shoulder. Sometimes she’d be sprawled on a piece of furniture – perhaps reading - and she’d shift over – even if room already existed – to make a place for him as a way to invite him to come sit with her.

Today he’d felt the weight of her nervousness when she met him at the top of the stairs. She took in his robe and his wet hair and nodded her approval. Reaching out she took his hands briefly, squeezed them, and then rose on her toes to press her forehead to his. She was dressed in only her skin, but she was clean and while her hair was dry, the tips of the locks of her hair were curled and still damp. Kelski had bathed too.

After a moment of sharing breath with him, she stepped back and released her grip on his hands. “I’ve never done this before.” She said softly, then reached for the robe of his belt. She ran her hands up and down the length of his robe’s margins, teasing at the thick fabric before she loosened the tie and reached up to slip the garment of his shoulders. She lingered, trailing her hands down his shoulders along with the fabric. He could tell it was just for her pleasure, because Kelski liked touching him and seemed to need skin to skin.

Neither of them wore many clothes while the weather was still warm and they had the privacy of the top of the tower to themselves. And now that The Gem was well versed in Fire Reimancy, Kelskis’ hearth was always burning to the degree it needed to be in order to keep the whole level warm.

Setting the robe aside, Kelski ran her eyes over his form. Her desire and appreciation were clear in her eyes as she took his hands again. “Trust me?” She asked, walking backwards and leading him forwards until they both stood in the circle of salt. The Gem, all of her own accord, lit the candles that were sometimes ten deep surrounding the circle once the pair was in it. Kelski tugged at Dess, slowly settling to the floor with her legs crossed. She left him enough room to sit likewise so their knees touched.

I won’t be denied any longer. What is mine is yours and what’s yours is mine.

“The Gem wants you to know she will not be denied any longer. What is mine is hers as well. And she wants what is yours to be hers. And in exchange what is hers will be ours. We will be caretakers together and between us she will want for nothing as we will likewise never want as long as she lives.” Kelski said softly as Dessarian got settled. Then she reached out and pulled a book that was sitting on the floor off to the side into her lap. There was plenty of candlelight to read by as she opened the book to a marked page.

Kelski studied Dess a moment then began to carefully read a passage she had marked in the book. Her face was lost in shadow as she did so, with only the lines and curves of her face and her brilliant silver eyes visible in the flickering candle light.

“It is said that people infuse their own energy in the places they live. Over time, those places take on the personalities of their inhabitants. Mages have discovered ways to augment this process and make it last in a meaningful way. This magic encompasses an a deliberate passage of intelligence from mage to structure. This secret powerful art is called Architectrix. These structures mirror their makers temperaments and its only with time and separation do the Architectrix structures gain a measure of independence. The stronger willed and more intelligent the maker is, the stronger willed and more intelligent the structure. Structures can be anything… houses, castles, ships… anything. “ Kelski read carefully, then paused to look up and meet Dess’s eyes to make sure he understood. After a moment, she continued on.

“Architectrix mages are caretakers and stewards. They are parents to their structures and bond with them in deep profound ways that can impact whole communities. While this magic can be unstable and dangerous, it can also result in an incredibly protective and resourceful structure that acts as a home that can transform itself subtly without detection in communities to more closely meet the needs of its owner. For example, if company comes to visit, a well-established Architectrix can easily provide guest rooms on a full time or temporary basis, making more than enough room for the required upswing in population within its walls. On the cautionary side, if a structure takes a dislike to its inhabitants, it can turn on them. If Arch mages have negative tendencies such as a lack of ethic or moral, their structures tend to reflect these flaws in their own shortcomings. Thus it is possible for these magical structures to be things of great evil, capable of unspeakably dark acts..” Kelski finished the passage and glanced up at Dess.

She wanted him to understand. But how could he until The Gem’s voice was in his mind and her awareness infused in his? Kelski knew Dess would take her seriously. And she also knew he was thinking deeply on what she told him.

Kelski pulled out a long silk cloth and unrolled it. Nestled into the cloth was a long sliver of wood that gleamed with an unusual shimmer. It was almost on fire, though it was not hot and the flames were almost a ghostly white.

“I am Kelskanisha K'etir – bondmate to Dessarian Damazar. I am an Arch Mage and it is my right to pass this magic onto any of my choosing, especially one of my family. I willingly and under the urging of my first Architectrix - The Gem - pass this knowledge in the form of a gift onto Dessarian in that we may strengthen our future together by building and uniting our powers.” She said softly.

Then she quietly inverted the book, flipped a few more pages, and laid it into Dess’ lap. There was an oath there, handwritten on a separate piece of paper, for him to speak as well. “If you want this, recite the oath and give me your left arm.” She whispered.

I enter into this binding with free will and under no compulsion, without any mental reservation or nefarious purpose and without evasion. I am a Damazar and we have forever been the Protectors of Arch Mages and the Keepers of their secrets since the first of our line. By taking this heartwood into my body, I take your wellbeing into my mind. I will put your needs first with the understanding that you will guard me and mine likewise. This is the same oath as spoken from the first mage who united world magic and divine magic at Cyprus Manor at Kihala’s request. I am following in Vivian Roscanali - Champion of Kihala’s - footsteps and I will require the same oath and entry into this magical binding of any mage I teach these secrets to as well. I will teach only those worthy and strong enough to strengthen the magic with their use of it.

She studied Dess intentionally, waiting for him to decide this was what he really wanted to do and then to speak the oath. If and when he did, she would act. The initiation was the simplest of magics, but one he might not expect.

He will do it. How could he not? This is more of you and he wants to share all of it. You want him to share it as well. That is why I want him. I want him because you want him. I can learn a lot from his man, as much as you can or more.

[Dessarian]

Dess had always been one to accept change in stride, good or bad. Fate, the gods, one's own actions or just life itself brought change. Sometimes it was a fork in the road compelling you to choose a new route. Sometimes the trail heaved and tossed you onto another. There was no single event that had changed Dess's life like bonding with Kelski. Not even the betrayal in Sunberth's pits and certain slavery and death had staggered him with the unexpected.

He had been with women, but he wasn't with them. Dess was not only with Kelski, he was in Kelski, and she in him. There was a oneness that should have caused the lone warrior to chafe. Instead Dess walked everyday marveling at Kelski and the life that they shared. The depth of the cord between them paled in comparison to any he had know, even by blood. Physically, sex with Kelski was almost metaphysical. They could read each other's needs and desires, and meet them without having to say a word. And they did, without hesitation, because the pleasure of one meant the pleasure of both. Emotion was shared, not concealed, allowing the mate to console one another. Thoughts were hard to hide, so they were addressed, coaxing the bondmates to deal with issues instead of ignore them.

Perhaps the most profound notion that had settled in Dess was that he was not an island. Having Kelski had shown him that vulnerability and honesty, with the right person, did not weaken him. The intimate presence of Kelski in his life had rendered him stronger than ever, in manifold ways. Not the least of which was learning from one another. In some ways Kelski, in a few short years, had mastered more in life than Dess had in a decade. He was not ashamed to learn from his bondmate, just as she was willing to learn from him.

That evening was more than lessons in a new skill. It was a solemn imparting of the sacred, an event that would bring Dess into a small circle with Kelski, as well as with Gem and Reach. He had seen Architectrix, had been surrounded by it all his life, but was ever on the outside, like a child with his nose pressed against the K'etir window.

She waited at the tip of the stairs. Seeing Kelski almost always elicited dichotomous but complimenting feelings, calm and excitement. His azure eyes noted the familiar nudity, her telltake sea eagle markings adorning a figure Dess had come to appreciate and enjoy without relent. But it was his bondmate's eyes that truly captured him, the eyes no other woman possessed, remarkable and unique, the silvery gaze that put iron in his spirit, fire in his core, and life in his heart.

Their hands clasped, firmly, gently. But it was the touching of foreheads that had become their deep greeting, as if to acknowledge the precious nature of the bond, mind to mind. Dess felt overdressed. It seemed that the kelvic's nature had impressed upon him, favoring the lack of clothing when they were together. That was soon remedied as Kelski deftly untied the robe belt and slipped the garment from his shoulders. When she confessed that she had not performed the induction before, Dess didn't flinch. A small smile touched the corner of his mouth, and she would sense the deep trust he held in her, even before the words touched his lips. "Completely." Dess replied with certain confidence, following the mage into the circle of salt. The candles flickered to life, a reminder that the Gem was there as well, all around them. At Kelski's coaxing, Dess joined her on the floor, cross-legged, knee to knee.

Dess's gaze remained fixed on Kelski as she began to speak. He pondered the Gem's words, delivered by his bondmate. As if the kelvic bond with Kelski was not unusual and amazing enough, Dess could find no traditional analogy for the relationship between Kelski, Dess and the Gem. The Gem was more than a child to Kelski, though it would seem Dess was a sort of step-father. Dess had no interest in defining the dynamic that would be formed, he was simply excited to experience an aspect of Kelski that he had yet to understand. What he did understand was that the Gem was not only unopposed to the induction, but had insisted upon it.

Kelski's voice rode the words of the old tome, taking the information and admonitions and breathing them into life for Dess. He drank them in with an attentive mind, savoring and categorizing the words so that he would not forget their sober meaning. His eyes were fixed on his bondmate, drifting a few times to the book in her lap.The intensity in his azure glance proved his determined intent to practice and protect the knowledge with all diligence.

Then those eyes fell to the bundle of silk, and the scintillating sliver that it held. He had not moved, not an inch, other than the shifting of his studious gaze. He began to understand. The sliver would be employed to impart to him something permanent. He could only imagine in what manner that would occur. Kelski's voice was soft but rich with sincerity as she made her declaration. Dess took the offered book and looked to his bondmate. He wanted it, because it was a part of her that he wanted to know. That, and it would strengthen their power together.

Steadying the book on his lap, Dess held out his left arm, part of it resting on his knee, part on Kelski's. He looked to the piece of paper in the open book, understanding she had written it for him in particular. Looking up, Dess met Kelski's gaze again, in his strong eyes was a firm determination to follow through. He read the words with firm assurance, his voice solid but solemn. The last words left his lips, and he looked to Kelski, his mind and spirit soundly ready to receive the gift she, and the Gem, offered.

[Kelski]

Kelski’s self-induction, performed on faith and at the urging of her niece and the words in a book, was a quiet secret affair carried out in darkness and solitude. She’d been bravely terrified but desiring and trusting that what the book said was true. Her Architectrix was birthed at her induction. Dessarian’s induction would not be the same. It could not be the same. He was not creating an Architectrix from a seed at the birth of his power during his induction. Instead, he was being welcomed into the mind and magic of a fully mature Architectrix that was only immature insofar as she’d just moved into a new structure and was only now spreading out, gaining power, rebuilding herself up. Her sentient mind – the core of her magic – was fully formed and had painfully stymied for a reason she was unwilling to share with her Arch Mage. The Gem loved Kelski, but she would not hurt her for all the world by having a conversation with her about it.

But it was her hope, with Dessarian, she could speak more freely.

Kelski, for her part, watched Dessarian recite his oath in an even rich resonant voice. He took her awkward attempt at a ritual seriously. He didn’t chuckle or brush off her insecurities and nervousness. Instead, he paid her a sort of respect she’d never known before and reassured her with his calm presence and his serious intent. That seemed to settle her nerves a bit.

When he was done, Kelski nodded in satisfaction and carefully took the book and set it aside. Then she studied him a moment more, swallowed nervously again.

She stroked his left arm with one hand while clutching the sliver with the other. Her hands were shaking a bit. It was a long and wicked looking spear of wood – about six inches – though no wider than a large blade of round grass. Kelski stroked his wrist, the back of his hand, and cupped his forearm moving her fingers higher. Dess couldn’t be sure if she was soothing him or soothing herself. Slowly, her nervous trembling stopped. “This is your link to The Gem and to all Architectrix’s which share the same magic from the first to whichever one will be the last. It is your one vulnerability. I cannot put it in your hand, nor in your wrist, nor even in your forearm which you block with and shield your body in your fighting.” She said softly, almost contemplatively.

With that, Kelski rose gracefully to a crouch, and lifted his arm higher and twisting it up gently so his wrist lay on the top of his head, his arm at a 90-degree angle, exposing his armpit and the softer underside of his forearm. She touched him gently in his armpit, stroking the hair there and tracing her fingers higher onto the underside of his solid upper arm between his armpit and his elbow. “But here… you do not fight. Your humerus will protect it from the outside… your torso from the inside.” She trailed her hand along the paler flesh there. Kelski met his eyes for a moment. “I performed this task for myself. It was awkward and….” She started to say incredibly painful, but she didn’t want to forewarn him and maybe make it worse. Instead, she tightened her grip on the sliver and visualized it as a dagger and abruptly and violently drove it into his arm, sliding it up and into position deep in his muscle where it affixed to the bone.

The pain was intense, like a swift and sure bite from a deadly serpent. And it parted his flesh just like a dagger and slid home quickly, driven by the long black thumbnail that was as hard as a talon. Kelski used her thumb like a crosspiece and dug deep into Dess’ flesh to make sure the sliver was well seated. Then she pulled back, drawing her nail out of the puncture wound just as swiftly as she drove it in. Her eyes were the glittering silver of a predator as she hid behind her animalistic nature to prevent her softer more human side from the dismay of causing her mate such pain.

Dessarian’s arm flared silver for a moment as the pain of the silver embedding itself flared and then settled, melding with his flesh and becoming part of his muscle – flexible and familiar – rather than alien and ridged. The pain, though intense, lasted only the length of a single sharp indrawn breath. There was no blood. There was no wound. And then he felt it, power welling up from somewhere inside him much like he pulled when he used his flux. It flooded his arm, his whole body, and infused his mind. Kelski had released his arm, pulling his wrist off his head as she retreated so his arm would settle comfortably by his side.

A human would have apologized for causing the pain. But Kelski was not human and such a thing did not occur to her because she wasn’t sorry to have hurt him. It was necessary. Instead, she simply watched him, her silver eyes wide with concern and curiosity, hovering in a crouch in front of him with her rump balanced on her heels.

If nothing immediately happened, the Kelvic would start to relax. She settled to the floor more comfortably, in a position that reflected how they initially sat together. “Feel free to read this book. It is just as much yours now as it is mine. But I will tell you a few things as well.” She said, tapping the book that was sitting off to the side, a victim to her actions and Dess’ reaction.

“None of the structures can access our minds without our permission.” She started out, not sure what to tell him first. She’d never talked about this to anyone, nor had to teach anyone about Architectrix. “I know you have a strong will, so it will be harder for them to touch you. Their contact is like a moth’s wings brushing your awareness and if you are accepting, you will hear them immediately. I took almost a season to feel The Gem’s emotions. It took another season for her to find her voice. Now I am open to her all the time, though I do not need to be. I can shut her out if I want too. But she is polite in that she is not in my mind all the time and approaches when she has needs or feels things, or thinks I have needs.” Kelski explained.

Then she reached forward and touched Dess’ forehead, right between and above his eyes in his third eye position. “I don’t know how to tell you how to relax your protections. But I do know it helps me to visualize my awareness expanding. I occupy my body, but Dessarian… we can occupy their bodies as well. Push your mind outwards and feel her walls as if they are your own. If you can do that… she will speak to you and once that connection is made, you will always know how to reconnect. Or at least that’s how I think of it.” Kelski said.

She assumed, though she did not ask, that his arm hurt him no more. Her initial absorption of the splinter her brother sent her was sharply painful but once that had happened her pain had vanished. Kelski reached forward, captured his hands, and shook them gently. “Relax, Dess. Just let your whole body relax. Forget about me. Forget about everything but the building around you. Imagine what it would feel like to be this tower, rising so tall and so strong, so incredibly old.” Kelski said, then grew quiet.

Raptors were incredibly good at sitting still for long periods of time as they scanned the world around them hunting. Kelski was no different. She could sit absolutely quiet, almost a vigil, hoping Dess would be able to do as she suggested and expand his awareness, open his natural barriers, and allow him to connect to The Gem. She wondered how he would react and what he would think of what was, in essence, her magical daughter.

They waited a long time, quietly, letting the candles burn. The only noise that filled the tower chamber was the crackling of wicks and the breathing of the bonded pair. Kelski didn’t mind the waiting. It gave her time to study the lines of Dessarian’s face and watch the way the light played off his long naturally waved hair. He was strikingly handsome to her and endlessly fascinating. Was this serving him well? Kelski hoped so, but she was uncertain.

Time passed. Dessarian concentrated. How he guided lowering his barriers and expanding his awareness was his own choice. Kelski held vigil, her contact with The Gem light. The conversation between the two was curt. Kelski could tell The Gem was distracted, waiting, hopeful. The Kelvic questioned The Gem but she was evasive.

“Has he made contact yet?” She asked quietly in her mind. “Can you feel him?” The Kelvic nudged, expanding her own awareness until she could feel The Gem’s form around her.

No. Give him time. His mental barriers are strong. He will join with me. I will link with him soon. His kind are not used to giving up their control and lowering his barriers are a form of giving up control. You and I linked fast for my age and your experience. He will take longer. He is human.

The way The Gem said human was as if Dessarian was a rare treasure she’d coveted.

“Will he be able to hear us? Our thoughts together?” Kelski asked, uncertain and curious all at once. She didn’t mind if Dess could, and she wouldn’t mind overhearing his with The Gem, but it felt odd and somehow invasive.

No, Kelski. My link to you and any link I form with him will be separate and private. It is as it should be. Your bond with him is separate and private as well. But this way, I can have a relationship with him and learn from his mind like I have learned from yours. I am excited to experience a link with a human mind. I enjoy our link, but my link with him will be different for he is another race entirely.

The Gem’s explanation was gentle, the truth veiled from the Kelvic not to deceive her, but to spare her. Kelski’s mind was feral, instinctual, and in many ways limiting to a magic that was crafted by humans to assist humans by providing them living spaces that could anticipate their needs. Architectrix had evolved from there and the buildings were no longer akin to the Kelvics in that they didn’t feel the need to serve.

And despite being crafted and nurtured by a Kelvic, The Gem instinctually knew she was limited in what she could learn from a feral instinctual mind. If she got a human in her connection, then she could get access to a human level of intelligence which was a completely different type of thinking than that which Kelvics enjoyed. Humans had more layered, more advanced, and definitely more analytical minds than the typical Kelvic contained.

And so she waited with her Mistress, hoping for a new connection with a human Master.

[Dessarian]

He was not sure how the K'etir did it. Maybe Ember had seen it, though Dess suspected the induction to such a well guarded K'etir magic was conducted behind closed doors. In contrast, he had learned flux in a manner more academic, one of the magics that the Damazars warriors employed. And it was quite different than Arhcitectrix, in every way.

Kelski's nervousness bled through their bond. Dess felt how much she wanted the induction to be worthy of the ancient, rare magic she so treasured. All he knew about her own experience was that she had to do it alone, with nothing but the book. Dess also realized the sea eagle wanted the induction to be a ritual that would have sincere meaning to her bondmate, as well as honor the Gem. It was how Kelski worked, nothing was done without her best given. Dess would present nothing but gratitude, acceptance and encouragement through the bond as the ceremony proceeded.

The oath was spoken with all sincerity, from Dess's core. He knew the weighty responsibility of what he was being given, as well as how he would become a part of her life that she had shared with no one. His commitment had been declared and Dess was curious as to the next step, though he had already speculated as Kelski lightly brushed her fingers along his forearm. The wicked sliver was going into him...somewhere. He sensed again her nervousness as she searched his limb, but Dess trusted her, and she would know it. He tried not to think about what Kelski was going to have to do, it most certainly would be painful. Then the mental deliberation in Kelski's mind became verbal as she sought out a proper place for the sliver.

He moved his arm for her almost instinctively as the kelvic explained why she chose the spot so carefully. Dess kept his breathing slow and steady, already preparing for the insertion. Her hard nail brushed along the tender skin under his arm, finding her target. Dess pondered on the bravery it would take for one to shove the splinter into themselves, and found a new respect for his kelvic mate.

Had he activated the mark Wysar ahd given him, Dess might have discerned the subtle clues that would betray Kelski's angle of attack. But he had no reason to, and Kelski offered no warning. Just the sudden searing pain of the sliver puncturing his flesh. Dess willed himself to remain still, though a sharp grunt hinted at the pain. He focused his mind on his breathing, forcefully filling and emptying his lungs as he felt the sliver work its way through his muscle and move deep against his bone. He forced his muscles to relax to ease the placement. It was excruciating pain, but lasted only a breath.

Kelski had embedded the sliver fully, and Dess was impressed with the hard commitment she made to place the sliver in a good place, with a firm, sure attack. It was the raptor in her that had struck him so fiercely precise. He saw his arm glimmer with the pain, proving something magical had occurred. Then, the pain was gone. He couldn't fee the sliver inside of him, or even where Kelski had driven it into his flesh. But what he did feel was something suffusing his body, not warm or cold, but an energy, a power. Then he sighed deeply, meeting Kelski's gaze, assuring her he was alright.

His eyes slid shut, to silence the distraction of sight. Kelski guided her bondmate through the next phase, where Gem would reach to him to form a connection. Dess wasn't sure if it was like the kelvic bond, for it was the only non-traditional relationship he knew. But the kelvic talked him through it, explained what it might look like, feel like. It was a struggle at first, trying to feel for something he hadn't known. He met obstacles. The kelvic bond between them was strong and hard to ignore, a bright light that he tried to shutter long enough to find the Gem. It would be challenging enough with his reluctance to give up control or the veil around his mind.

Dess was a disciplined man, and he worked to return to that place of mental emptiness he found during his meditation in the bathhouse. He brushed against Kelski through the bond, enough to remind him of the good that had come from lowering his guard. Eventually, Dess was enough in his own presence to push out. He felt the floor beneath his bare buttocks, reached out to the stone walls with his senses, and envisioned life pulsing through them. In the expanse of his mind, there was only he and the structure around him, but he wanted to find the life within it. His mental voice reached out into the space between them.

"I am here, willing." He recited in his mind. It was not an impatient statement, but a surrender of sorts. There was silence, deep breathing, and singleness of mind.

Hello, Dess.

The voice appeared. It was surprisingly human, and vaguely female, at least in his mind. "Hello." Dess replied, tentatively.

Don't be so hesitant, I am not a stranger, I have been here all along. I know you well, even if you don't know me. But you will.

"I suppose that's true. I want to know you, to learn." Dess replied.

As do I. I have learned much from her, she is an amazing creature to whom I owe my life. But there is only so much she can give. You know her, her mind is ruled by instinct. And she is harnessed by the magic integral to her kind, temperament designed to put the care of others, namely you, above her own. I have not known a human, until you.

Dess understood the Gem spoke of Kelski with the deepest affection. But, like them all, the Gem wanted to grow, to learn more, to experience different things. It was his first glimpse into the mind of Architectrix.

"I understand. I want to be a part of you, because you are a part of her. I love her." Dess expressed.

I know you do.

Dess's eyes slid open, bright blue finding the silvery gaze of the sea eagle. A small smile proclaimed the success of the induction.

"I like her already." Dess replied, his grin widening, his hands reaching to take Kelski's in his.

[Kelski]

The man sitting before her was unbelievably kind and understanding. Kelski knew it even as she knew her induction of him wasn’t perfect. Her hands shook, her voice faltered in a few places and was awkward. It wasn’t that she was nervous she’d get it wrong. It was more that she was nervous she wouldn’t make it perfect for him. And she’d hurt him, which couldn’t be helped, but he had taken that in stride too. Kelski hated doing that, but she felt she had to bring him into this world. He would be invaluable to her and The Gem in doing the things the Gem needed to do in order to house them all safely. And for some reason, The Gem wanted him badly. Was it a reflection of her want and need of Dessarian herself? Kelski was uncertain, but to her it was of little consequence. She’d given her magical child what that child seemed to require to continue to grow and be happy.

And she’d shared a K’etir secret with a Damazar. If her estranged family was alive somewhere, she hoped they would approve.

Dessarian, she wants everything perfect for you. Kelski wants everything perfect for me too. She puts a lot on herself that she does not need too. You should help her see that not everything is her responsibility and that we are powerful enough that we can see to ourselves at times. Can I call you Dess as she does?

And it was a success. She could tell by Dess’ sudden vacant gaze and then his refocus on her that he was communicating with The Gem. That brought a smile to her face even as Dess’ hands reached for her own. She took his hands and then carefully shifted so she moved forward, settling in his lap, legs wrapped around his torso. She pushed her arms back, in essence wrapping Dess’ around her torso, before she released his hands so hers could rest on his hips and reach around to stroke his bare spine.

Kelski was lithe and flexible, prone to actions that brought her closer to him as often as she could – when they were alone and it was appropriate. If she were going to teach him, she was going to do so held against him because Architectrix was more mental than physical and anything she could show him she could show him with her slender form snugged up against his – enjoying his strength and warmth. She was distractingly nipping at Dess’ left underarm, worrying around where the splinter lay in his arm, as if she were soothing an invisible wound only she could see. But when she spoke, through the nibbles, her voice was clear.

“The Gem picked her own name. Just like Reach did. When you get stronger, you will be able to feel him from here. I can. He is very different from The Gem. He started out as a barn and immediately disliked the animals. He didn’t like them defecating in his walls and hated situations like the goats chewing on his wood. When we came here, I put him in the dock because he always liked the waves and the sea and was curious about the things under the water. He was sooo much happier out there and will make a fantastic boat house when he gets a bit stronger and older. He is half The Gem’s age.” Kelski said softly, her voice thoughtful but knowing.

I did not pick my own name. She did. I was The Midnight Gem when she birthed life into me. I will always be The Gem. It honors where she came from and her success. I owe her that much.

“It’s how I know they are all different. Regardless of who creates them, some are some way and some are other ways and we need to let them be who they are. Reach wants you too. Before the night is through, you should go talk with him as well.” Kelski advised, then looked thoughtful.

Reach is kind of an asshole. He thinks he is the gateway to our land and that he is the protector of our beach. His head is swelled since he is no longer Barn.


“The best way to teach you this magic is maybe to share with you my own journey through it?” She said suddenly, knowing Gilthas would know how to proceed but she wasn’t sure herself where to start a new student on a magic that almost no one had seen with any frequency for hundreds of years if not thousands.

“Back in the summer before last, in 518, Ember came with this book and a cupola with a weather vane. I read the book and installed the cupola. I have a rather uneducated fascination with magic and it was restless. I wasn’t sure it worked. The book said once I did what I did, I didn’t have to do anything for the structure to grow. And it said that it would gain sentience on its own. But it also said that there was a lot I could do to help it grow. In the beginning it was just speaking to The Gem and listening. She did not have a voice or a name then, but I started getting feelings from her. Boredom, curiosity, delight. When she was curious, I’d share with her what I was doing… speaking out loud and making sure her walls had views. I didn’t understand the view was through my mind mostly though.” Kelski said, taking a breath and moving her nibbling’s to Dess’ jaw. If anyone didn’t know her or what she was, her actions would look like odd sexual foreplay. But Dess knew he held a Sea Eagle in his arms, and it was as clear as day she was affectionately preening him though he had no feathers. Eagles preened their mates all the time, a form of bonding and to show affection and love.

When she breathed life into me, it was as you are when you first wake up and don’t open your eyes right away. I began to slowly become aware of things over much time. I disliked the pigeon’s shitting on my roof. The people in my walls ate much pigeon stew before they learned to stay away. My mage is a good hunter. Her voice is soothing helped me focus. What in the world is she doing to you? Does that feel good?

The Gem’s mental voice was higher, lighter, than Kelski’s own husky alto. It wasn’t as high as a soprano, but it was decidedly leaning on that range, opposite from Kelski’s richer tone. She had brighter notes to her speaking and a decidedly Sunberthian Accent most likely from listening to all the people talking within and around her structure.

Kelski continued onward, unaware of the running dialog between her mate and the tower.

The more The Gem spoke, the more he could tell how different the building’s link with him was. With Kelski, he could feel her body, her emotions, and her mood. He acutely knew when she was tired, energized, and when she had sharp moments of thought that distracted her internally. He had a sense of where Kelski was at any given moment. The Gem was like a vague presence – as if you were being watched – that was all around him. He could feel her emotions, but it was more like walking into a crowd and feeling its vague mood. His new connection was not nearly as specific as it was with the bondmate that was cuddled in his arms.

His bondmate was speaking again. “At first, it will be hard to be connected to her. It takes concentration. But as you interact, listen, you will feel it easier and deeper. Dessarian, we are their councilors. We guide them and help them like a parent would. We become their caretakers and nursemaids. You can teach them other disciplines of magic. I’ve taught her Reimancy with Gilthas’ help because we thought it best. I wanted her to be able to control elements to eliminate the ability for elements to hurt her… like fire. And now she can light and quench her own fires. He lent me Res to properly induct her. We weren’t sure just mine was enough.” She said softly, as if it were almost something, she was a little embarrassed about.

Your Res would have been more than enough. The Gem reassured Kelski.

“She will have many questions of you. Please answer as many as you can. And let her understand how you know that answer. She likes knowing how people think, I suspect. It is almost the process she studies, not the answer.” Kelski admitted. “Sometimes she just wants a story or someone to be with her. They feel things acutely, like loneliness. She likes music and dancing and she especially likes singing. I often tell her about the things I see on my morning scouting flights when I get back. She always asks me what is new.” Kelski looked thoughtful. “I wonder if they feel their inability to travel and are jealous of our ability to move.” She mused.

I do not. I don’t envy that you do not have deep roots and a solid place to dwell. I am just curious about what you see and what peeks your interest, Sea Eagle. I would not enjoy your fragile ability to move about without the solid security of the life I enjoy.

Kelski smiled, relaxed her grip on Dess’ hips and reached up to toy with his long loose hair. “Just be her friend. As you do so, you’ll gain insight into how she thinks and acts. Reach as well. And once that happens, you’ll get to the point you can do as I do, and feed her djed. Once you are competent in talking with her and understanding her, if you start feeding her your djed, you will help me help her grow faster. We will have to do less building and she can do more of it herself.” Kelski said, then stopped to meet Dess’ eyes.

“Is there anything else I can tell you? Any questions I can answer?” She asked, curious if what she was saying was making any kind of sense at all.

Kelski’s eyes softened. “She says she’s not. She’d rather be solid and stable then mobile.” She replied for Dess, for a moment forgetting he could hear The Gem if she chose.

[Dessarian]

Dess compelled his body to relax after the sharp pain of the induction. The pain itself came and went, and with trained effort, the spike of heart rate and adrenaline were brought back to a relaxed state with controlled breathing. He welcomed Kelski's movement to his lap, the face to face entanglement one of their favorite positions for intimate conversations, especially nude. Once released, his hands rested at the base of her spine, then ran slowly up either side of her back.

Thankfully, the two voices, one in his ears and one in his head, took turns speaking. Dess was getting his education, from both sides of the Architectrix fence. And not only about the nature of the magic itself, but insight from each speaker obout the other. All the while Keski's lips and teeth nipped at his skin. Dess had become accustomed to Kelski's preening, and found it calming, even more sentimental than the endearing stroke on the arm, or affectionate kisses on the cheek.

Dess learned the history as far back as Kelski's first introduction to Architectrix Dess shared in the Gem's pride and admiration of the kelvic's success in spite of all the odds against her. Kelski never ceased to amaze him. He was very proud of her.

In the volley of voices directed at him, Dess made it a point to answer the Gem's question regarding the preening.

Eagles do this to their mates, to clean and straighten their feathers. Though I don't have feathers, its her instinct to do it, its a way she shows me affection. I have come to like it.

As Dess and the Gem tested the waters of their first conversation, the Damazar retained the clarity of his mind. He readily identified the voices, inside and out, and began to note that variance between the connection with the Gem, and that with Kelski. They were very different, like the difference between an acquaintance and a lover. He assumed, as time went on, that he and the Gem would draw closer.

I will answer your questions. I had made a vow to her to answer hers, because I kept things from her at first, and it kept us apart. I will make the same vow to you. And if you need me to do something for you, let me know. Dess offered.

Kelski began to speak again. His head and instinctively tilted back, giving her full access to his jawline, a place he particularly liked to feel her ministering mouth. He suddenly realized just how close the two of them were to the Gem. She was there along, hearing their deep conversations, there when they made love, she knew them like no one else. Dess had known about the Gem, but until the induction, he had no idea of the true depth of her sentience. Dess didn't feel shame though, and the Gem didn't seem to care either.

His hands continued to caress Kelski's back, running down over her backside and up again. He nuzzled her hair as she preened, his nose burying in her mane, breathing in the earthy sent of her hair. Dess thought of questions he may have had for Kelski. "How far away can you two speak to one another? He asked, his disciplined mind already thinking of the logistics and strategic application of the Architectrix connection.

[Kelski]

The Gem and Kelski answered Dess’ question together. Kelski’s voice was a bright alto, muffled slightly by his nose in her hair. Her soft relaxation and delight that he was nuzzling her infused her voice. “I can speak to her as long as I can see her. I have very good vision, so it is a good distance we can communicate.” Kelski answered, distracted slightly by Dess’ nuzzling and his hands stroking up and down her back. She trilled softly into his neck before she nibbled him there.

The Gem, a higher brighter noted soprano, was just as prompt.

She does not understand our connection is very strong. She could communicate with me a great distance away and she will learn so as time passes and she grows into her magic more. I only realize this when she does not because she is a sighted creature and does almost everything she does based on her sight. I do not. I do things by feel. Have you noticed? Even as a mage, she is very visual. The magic that you do, with your power in your muscles? It would be very hard for her to understand at first because she cannot see it… unless it is something that is visible in her magesight when she is using it and you are shifting your djed around in your body. Kelski is a strong mage, but she is a limited mage. I hope her bonding with you will change that. Humans are so much more flexible.

The Gem wasn’t using a judgmental voice. It was more a factual statement in her opinion. It lined up with what The Gem had stated earlier.

“You took to this well.” Kelski whispered, pride infusing her voice. “Some people get inducted and don’t live through it. The splinters kill them for some reason.” She added, not having mentioned that fact prior to driving it into his body.

I wanted you. It was that simple.

Kelski pulled away from Dess and studied his face a moment, releasing the strand of hair she was toying with and offering him a crooked smile. “When you get more comfortable with her, you can ask her for splinters like I had and induct other people as well. All you need to do is ask her for her permission to make another mage – or Reach for that matter – and carefully take a bit of her from her body and give it to another willing mage. I would never use metal, but I think anything from wood to stone to even ceramic would work well if necessary. I know we can make other Architectrixes from roof tiles, bricks, wooden boards. I made Reach from a board. She wanted companionship and agreed to gift one to me. But it will only work if she agrees. Some random person can’t just pry off a bit of her body and make another Architectrix.” Kelski explained carefully, her understanding of the whole thing really incomplete other than what her brother’s book had stated.

Really, from what both structure and mage had said, Architectrix was fairly easy. It was almost like a sickness, if one thought of it in terms of medicine. Something infected with it got something else infected with it and on and on and on… both mage wise and building wise. As you interacted with the newly born structural creature, you gained more power over it. More power meant more control and as your power grew, so too did the Architectrix’s power. It was a mutual thing with no complex rules and no known warnings.

As linked to Dess as she was, Kelski tilted her head as if she caught a tendril of the thought process. “There are dark sides and warnings to it.” She said hesitantly. “If your mind is full of darkness, your creation will pick up on it and grow dark. If you know anger, pain, jealousy… the negative things that humans tend to be affected by… the structure will know these things too. If you like to kill, they will eventually try it out for themselves as well.” Kelski added, then took a deep breath.

“The Gem was vulnerable to many things regular buildings were. Termites, floods, fires that sort of thing. But I’ve taught her Reimancy.. inducted her into it… so now she controls fire and we are in no danger of loosing her to it. I’m not sure how to stave off termites, but stone doesn’t seem susceptible to me. AS she gets better at magic, she’ll learn more. The same with Reach. Right now, hes vulnerable like The Gem used to be without his Reimancy.” Kelski added.

Being in Dess’ lap was one of the most fun things Kelski had began to do recreationally. She ran her hands up his hips, across his back, and then slid them forward to caress his chest. They seemingly trailed down his chest of their own accord, where she slid them around his manhood and began stroking it gently and rhythmically while she thought things through.

“I know she gets bored too, Dessarian.” Kelski whispered, her voice almost distracted a moment. “She takes up hobbies. She likes changing her paint and wall colors. I have no idea how she does that. The Gem loves it when I read to her and we discuss what was written.” Kelski hadn’t stopped her distracting touch, but was leaning closer now to nibble at his lower lip as if she could tease a proper kiss out of him.

“She will be as hard to kill as we can make her. Fire and flooding won’t be an issue. The winds won’t tear her down. I think only the Earth is a vulnerability to her now. You should take the Res too, Dess. You should learn Reimancy and join with us. She took it. I have it. Through Gilthas’ djedline. I know I’ve asked so much of you already… and given The Gem as much access to you as I can. I know why she wanted you. I’m not stupid. But the more of us that are trained, the more we can be strong.” Kelski whispered to him, still gripping him firmly and nibbling on his lower lip.

She’s distracting you with sex. She wants you to say yes. And she’s been nervous asking you to take on one more thing. You must watch her. In a moment, you’ll be stabbing her with your dagger of flesh and she’ll be stabbing you with a real one and pumping you full of Res. Decide these things with a clear head, Dessarian.

The Gem’s advice was like cold clear icy water. The structure didn’t sound like it had an opinion either way, but it did sound like it was trying to score some kind of points with him by pointing out things Dess could probably see himself. And as she said that, Kelski shifted closer, released his lip, and bent in for a long deep kiss. Her breathing was a bit harsh, her cheeks flushed, and she looked exactly opposite of the conniving mage trying to force Reimancy on someone.

[Dessarian]

Dess settled into the new dynamic well, his disciplined mind able to hold the three way conversation, even though it was conducted both outside and inside his head. He had to remind himself that the Gem was not some disembodied thing in his mind. The voice came from a very real thing, something he could feel beneath him and see surrounding him.

Knowledge came from both sides, and he had to reconcile it as the Gem and Kelski spoke. Some of their comments built upon one another, others contradicted. Dess was learning from both voices a stream of facts about his new magic. But beneath the auspices of that education, Dess was learning about his bondmate from her Archetictrix. He didn't take anything the Gem said as demeaning or criticism of Kelski, but as simple facts from the Gen's perspective.

There was a bit of alarm when the Kelvic noted some had died from the induction, his head tilting to give a sidelong glance at silvery eyes. "Now you tell me?" He quipped with a grin, laughing at the Gem's plain and simple explanation of how he survived. It wanted him to.

Kelski took up the instruction again, leaning back so that they could meet eyes. Dess's hands had slipped from around his bondmate and moved to rest on her thighs. He could not help but lightly caress the taut skin over strong muscle as he listened. He was grasping Architectrix. As closely guarded as the K'etir mages kept it, the magic was fairly straight forward. Rather simple in concept, if not a bit traumatic to enter into, it was a matter of taking a bit of one Architectrix to form another, much like one might borrow a lump of yeast from a friend to add to their dough to make it rise. The yeast from that loaf could be passed forward to another friend.

But Dess truly understood why this old magic was protected. As simple as it appeared, it was powerful. Kelski warned of its dark side. An Architectrix was ultimately under the influence of its mage creator or possessor. Both for benevolence or malevolence.

Dess nodded, and Kelski would sense his comprehension and appreciation of the gravity of what he had been given. But what had surprised him was that the Gem could learn magic. It explained the conditions within the tower. Reimancy was a magic Dess understood, one that would serve a warrior well. The Damazar had desired to learn more magic. As one of the Meraki, it would behoove him to become familiar with several schools of magic.

Kelski seemed to relax, settling into their enjoyable practice of active touching. The Sea Eagle's hands wandered over his body as she sat on his lap, one of their favorite things to do. His hands slid further up and down her thighs in response, though the tactile play was not the focus, seemingly an idle activity as they discussed the Gem and Architectrix. But Kelski's hand found Dess's shaft. She seemed fond of handling him there, causing it to become rigid. Dess sighed at her touch, a small smile and a giggle bubbling in his throat. When the Kelvic nipped at his lip, Dess gladly gave her the kiss she sought.

Kelski's voice had become a warm whisper, complementing the firm stroke of her hand. Dess was enjoying the sensation, the arousal threatening his concentration as Kelski began to speak of Reimancy, and adding it to his repertoire. Then the Gem spoke again. Dess was a bit startled, as if caught doing something wrong. Then he laughed at himself. The Gem had watched them do all sorts of things since he moved to the top of the tower, why be shy now? Dess relaxed and listened.

Plying him with sex? The Gem suggested Kelski would do it. Not in a judging way, but matter of fact. Perhaps she was, maybe even unconsciously. But she didn't have to, Dess was eager to learn, to be well armed for both Kelski and the Meraki.

"I can't say that I am complaining. But I know she does what she does, even if mainuplating me with sex, because she think its good for us. But I will make the decision with a clear mind. Then I will stab her with my dagger, if its all the same to you." He teased the Gem.

With one more kiss, Dess withdrew, his hand gently wrapping around the one that gripped him, ceasing its tantalizing motion. He caught his bondmate's captivating eyes and gave her a smile. His hand reached to brush the Kelvic's ivory cheek, his thumb brushing across naturally dark lips. Once his breath resumed a more regular rhythm, he answered.

"I want to learn Reimancy. I'm ready, Kelski, to be more than a Damazar warrior. I...we...are Meraki now. I'm going to become a mage as well. I'm devoted to our work here. This is my home and you are my people. Teach me, I can handle it."

While he would confess he didn't know all that went into Reimancy, or most magic, Dess was confident. He was strong and had a sound mind. He wanted to try. He leaned forward to press a kiss to her lips, his hand lifting from its restraining hold on her grip to rest again on her thigh.