Book 3 Chapter 9

Willow cleared her throat, drawing attention back to herself.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t have any interest in stuff like that.” She spoke as clearly and definitively as she could while doing her best to ignore the twinge of disappointment in Remy’s core.

It was something that had taken a bit for her to figure out about herself, but she didn’t seem to have the same urges that most people she met had. Sure, she found certain people aesthetically pleasing, but she lacked the desires that she often sensed in others. She had initially chalked it up to being too young for such things, or perhaps a quirk brought on by shifting her form in the ways she did.

However, according to her grandmother, that was a trait that the two of them shared, and she was quite adamant that there was nothing wrong with her. She had ignored her own preferences as she felt she had a duty to produce heirs for her house, and while she loved her children, she had never particularly enjoyed the process of making them. It was a frank discussion that was more than a little awkward for the both of them, but Willow was grateful that she had been so open about it after the fact.

Grandma Thea had also revealed that it ultimately didn’t matter too much for Willow herself, since she was unlikely to bear or sire children due to the core training she had been doing from a young age. It was a known issue to the great clans and houses that the more one tempered their bodies in the conceptual energies of their spirits, the more difficult it would be to conceive a child.

It was why most did not progress too far along their path until they had at least one heir. Instead making use of other methods to strengthen themselves in the meantime.

Willow was a little sad that the choice had been taken from her by her pursuit of strength, but she felt like she’d made her peace with it.

Which made Missus Faber’s response all the more galling.

“You should reconsider, most of the good men settle down early, and if you wait too long then you’ll wind up like your mentor, past her prime and without children of her own.”

Willow let out a breath, attempting to crush down the indignation she felt on her mentor’s behalf. The only reason she could even do that much was that she sensed no hurt in Miss Mu’s core at the cruel remark. Only flickering amusement and the ever present burn of curiosity.

Thankfully her uncle intervened before she said or did something less than kind to his wife.

“Sarah, what kind of way is that to speak to a guest, not to mention one that we owe our lives to?” He rumbled, both looking and feeling quite cross about her behaviour.

Miss Mu chuckled. “There’s no need to worry. I’m pretty sure my apprentice took more offense at your wife’s crass remark than I did. She’s technically right about part of it, I ain’t gettin’ any younger after all, though the lack of children is a lifestyle choice more than anything.”

Uncle Lucius shook his head. “It was still out of line and I apologize on her behalf.” He shot his wife a disapproving look. “Since she seems to be above such things.”

Remy was growing increasingly uncomfortable at his parent’s behaviour, and Willow couldn’t really blame him. If her family had openly disagreed like this while guests were over she’d be mortified. As it was she was just glad that her uncle was attempting to curb his wife’s worst tendencies.

Missus Faber frowned, seeming quite miffed that her husband wasn’t taking her side in the matter, before sighing. “Fine, I apologize if it means we can move on. I was just trying to impress on Willow how important starting a family is. Perhaps I was too harsh in using her teacher as an example.”

Everyone involved could tell she didn’t really mean it, but let the matter drop, returning to what remained of the food and lighter topics of conversation.

Including what, exactly, they were doing out here.

“We’re just passin’ through on our way to Wanderer’s Rest. Got a big gatherin’ happenin’ and we’re using it as Willow’s official debut into the organisation.”

“Oh? I thought you were considered a Wanderer already?” Remy asked with a confused look Willow’s way, likely remembering that she had mentioned there being some business she needed to take care of in the town.

She shook her head, glad that some of the awkwardness from earlier was gone, and equally glad that he didn’t mention the discrepancies between her and her mentor’s stories. “There’s some odd circumstances surrounding my membership that should hopefully be cleared up soon.”

She tried to sound as confident as she could be about it, though she could tell her own core buzzed with nerves at the thought of the coming gathering.

The wide eyed boy thought for a moment as he munched on some food. “Does it have something to do with those powerful spirits you have?”

“It does indeed, but it’s also best not to discuss it right now.” Her mentor interrupted while finishing up the last of her food. “Thank you for the meal, by the by. Was quite the delight to have somethin’ freshly cooked after a time with nothin’ but travel rations.”

“Yeah, thanks for cooking it with me, Remy!” Just as she suspected, even the burnt one that she shared with her friend was still tasty.

Remy scratched at his cheek and looked away. “It was no trouble, and it probably wouldn’t have turned out as good without your help.”

Willow smiled, happy that her friend was acting largely the same around her after the earlier reveal. Though she supposed in the grand scheme of things it was less surprising than her being able to turn into her yang form, and he had already taken that in stride.

Her uncle interrupted her musings. “So do the two of you have a place to stay the night? We have a spare room you can make use of, if you don’t.”

Miss Mu brightened. “I wouldn’t want to impose, but if you’re offerin’ I’ll gladly take you up on it.” Something occurred to her and her mood deflated. “Though, it’s probably for the best that one of us sticks to Rotter so that the locals don’t have a fright from findin’ him so close by. Would rather avoid an angry mob if I can help it, as I’ve rarely found them fun.”

She nodded at Willow. “The girly can stay here if your offer is still open, no need for both of us to suffer sleepin’ on the ground.”

Normally, Willow would either volunteer to stay with Rotter, or join her mentor in sleeping outdoors if the both of them couldn’t make use of a hospitality offer.

However, she had a job to do tonight, and Remy was a convenient conduit to get it done. So it would be smarter to take them up on it.

“If it isn’t too troublesome, I’d love to spend the night!”

It’d likely mean dealing with Missus Faber’s unpleasantness early the next morning, but that was a price she was willing to pay.

With the decision made, the group shuffled around, cleaning up after the meal and chatting about things of little consequence before it was late enough for her mentor to head back out.

Willow gave her a hug and sent a message through her qi.

“Remy has a connection to the Grudge, so I should be able to deal with it tonight without issue.”

Miss Mu’s core flickered in surprise. “I trust you can handle it, but be careful, aye?”

Willow nodded, sending her master off, and began her preparations for the long night ahead.