Bent World: Interlude IV Not Alone

Interlude IV

Not Alone

Salandra Kingston looked at the article written before her. Somewhere on a distant continent, came fantastical stories depicting the actions of someone who was referred to as nothing more than the Pathfinder.

To make matters wore, there seemed to be some sort of cult following around this Pathfinder. The Pathfinder herself was noted as being able to single handedly close rift portals with the wave of her hand. But only after having charged in and rescued princes from disaster. The entire thing seemed impossible, had it not been for recording crystals and matrixes, no definable records would have existed to prove these events.

Worse, tabloids got a picture of one of the Wayfarers, the sacred travelers of the noted Pathfinder. Apparently for a large sum of money one of the Wayfarers revealed their crest, all but proving the myths correct and the need for all to wear gloves.

Had it not been for that one small ‘w’ then the craze would not have made it this far.

“I don’t get it mother? Why do we need to wear gloves?” Salandra found herself asking, when she found the odd set of gloves before her.

“The reason is simple, it’s a matter of prestige. If you wear gloves, then you still have the possibility of being either the Pathfinder, or even a Wayfarer,” her mother and ruler of house Kingston declared.

Salandra just stared and asked, “but we are from a different continent entirely. Surely everyone will know that there is no way for us to have been initiated as part of that group?”

“Normally you would be correct, but we have plans. Your summer break will start soon, correct?”

“Yes, just after my Profiling Ceremony, then I will be able to begin truly training,” Salandra stated, a bit of loathing in her words as she was not quite ready to give up her pampered lifestyle just yet.

“Don’t worry about the Profiling Ceremony, I have already made plans for you to get closer to the Pathfinder, calling in a personal favor from House Andry, the House that supports the Pathfinder.”

“What do you mean?” Salandra asked confusedly.

“I mean we are going to go on a trip silly girl, also it is there that we might get you your first energy donor,” her mother Ms. Kingston declared.

“My what?”

“Don’t worry, from what I hear the male child of House Andry is quite exquisite, even for a male.”

Salandra tried to process this, to understand exactly what was happening. She was a Kingston, a direct descendant of the most powerful family on the continent. Yet, they were now supposed to go to a smaller backwater country who clung to old religious beliefs and risk years of awakening for what? An old religion that everyone still clung to as a hoax?

Seeing her consternation her mother continued, trying to ease the concerns that her daughter might have, unaware of what her true thoughts were.

“This is just an initial buy in, apparently the Doctor of house Andry and her mother are both very fond of the first born, despite his being a male.”

Gasp.

Hearing that, Salandra took in an involuntary breath of shock. Then her mind kicked in, realizing that this was not so uncommon of a thought, normally. Only during her time here had such thoughts become seen as taboo.

“Yes, by us pledging an oath of camaraderie and by purchasing possible first rights to the boy, we will be able to get you a spot as being awakened while in the presence of the Pathfinder.”

“The Pathfinder? Do we even know she’s real?” Salandra declared, already dreading the idea of being paired with some backwater hick from a lesser continent that didn’t know true strife.

At that her mother held up her hand in a calming gesture.

“We have obtained assurances that for our private viewing, and for our prices we are paying, that we will be able to see the Pathfinder’s seal, along with at least three Wayfarers.”

“Three?”

“Yes, they almost have a full coterie. In fact all of the major houses of the backwater continent have at least one member in her party. That is why, if this is true, we need you to be part of the next group.”

“Is there a limit?”

“I believe the old texts point to around twenty being the maximum,” her mother stated, then still seeing the apprehension on her daughter’s face she continued. “Look, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am paying for. First, the profiling ceremony done by the old hag, and second the breeding rights to a boy who is roughly your own age, and has yet to have his own Profiling ceremony.”

“So you are saying that you don’t even know if he is going to be able to unlock the full effects of the Kingston bloodline?” Salandra hissed.

“If he can’t then you don’t need to take on his services. Honestly, I’m hoping that this is the case, as that will give us more leverage for getting you to be a member of the Pathfinder’s party.”

“Me?”

“Yes, I would go myself, but unfortunately, I cannot, as I will need to remain here and carry on the Kingston Household. Your older sister is also being groomed as my heir apparent, meaning that the only one who is expendable is you.” Her mother said in a way that made Salandra realize she was just the extra, the spare. This was not the first time she had been identified as such, but it was clear that this was something that would be harped on the more she went on in life. Being the spare Kingston wasn’t going to be as easy of a life as Salandra had hoped.

“Don’t worry, if the Wayfarer role does end up being a hoax, then we will get our money back and end the ruse, give you clout as a seeker of truths. Then if they are accurate and you become a Wayfarer, then you can argue that your status as a Wayfarer and a Kingston makes you far above the typical rabble that would come from such a backwater country.”

At that, Salandra realized that courses were set. While nothing was official, yet, it did seem that it would only be a matter of time.

“Pack your things, we will be departing within the day,” her mother ordered, it was a pleasant tone for now, but Salandra knew that pushing back once her mind was made up was useless.

Salandra nodded.

“Very good, be sure to take everything you would want for an extended stay. As you might be a guest at the Andry family for quite a while.” Her mother declared, before leaving. For her part, Salandra managed to keep her composure until her mother left, but only just.

Slam.

The moment the large doors closed behind her mother, all but signaling the end to her easy childhood, Salandra sat down and mentally prepared. For its part, her body seemed to protest moving, which was fine as she begrudgingly sent out her mental fingers, or at least that is what she called the strange sensation. Then as if by magic, she began opening drawers, pulling out piles of clothes and packing them faster than she ever could with her own two hands. If anyone looked into her room right now, they would swear her room was haunted. Fortunately, she was on the third floor in the back hallway, far away from most prying eyes.

Focusing her mind on carrying out this basic task, Salandra had little time to think about just how much her world had changed.

Though she did wonder about just how long this Profiling Ceremony would take.