152 - Compound Spells

“Yseult’s blood alone wasn’t enough to open the book,” Arielle explained. “Which means that the blood separate from the body doesn’t hold power. It has to be him. There has to be a mechanism within his being that triggers the blood magic, which then triggers the appearance of the lock spell.”

“So you want us to give him the book?” Elric wondered aloud, clearly arriving early to where Arielle was going.

Arielle nodded. “Get it close to him, or maybe just have him hold it. Something about his proximity should trigger a reveal of the locking spell, just like the spell in the sect’s treasure room, and then I can figure out how to break it even without his blood.”

“It could also be that Yseult removed whatever magic in his blood is responsible for opening the book,” Elric said and turned to Vittoria. “Is that possible? I don’t know much about blood magic, and advanced spell theory was a long time ago.”

“Highly unlikely,” she responded. “It’s a lot harder to remove magic from the blood than it is to imbue it. It would be just as difficult as removing magic from your soul. The only person capable of that would be the Ascendant.”

“The Ascendant has suppressed Yseult's cores,” Elric stated. “So theoretically, he shouldn’t be able to use magic anymore, in his soul or otherwise.”

Arielle looked to Vittoria for verification, but she had a thoughtful look on her face.

“Is that true?” Ari asked.

“Yes, but there might be a caveat,” Vittoria said. “When cores are suppressed, it affects all active magic. That means that you cannot utilize any magic, even soul magic and blood magic, and can’t create any new spells. However, passive magic, spells that already exist within your body that are out of your control, presents a more interesting problem.”

“Those can’t be broken?” Ari asked.

“It depends. Some can be broken, especially when it's simple. Essences in the blood can be removed. Complexes can be dissolved. But the magic has to be apparent and has to be a straightforward link rather than one with a lot of chains or what we call compound magic–magic that typically has an origin far from the object it acts upon, and that leads to a bunch of cascading spells that eventually result in the intended effect. In compound magic, just removing the spell form that directly enacts the result does not entirely get rid of the spell. It can recreate itself continuously unless you break the spell form at the source, which is also usually very difficult.”

"Oh," Arielle said, fascinated by the new magical concept she was learning. She made a mental note to look into compound spells later.

"That's just one way of ensuring passive spells live on even after the spell is broken and the caster is dead,” Vittoria said. “You have to find the origins to get rid of it completely. Powerful mages often use artifacts to hide the origin and ensure the artifact can't be found. And with blood magic, usually, the artifact is the blood and hence cannot be broken as long as the physical or genetic component of the blood remains. Which is how a bunch of bloodline magic works." She spread her fingers. "There have been several suppressions of previous demonic sect mages who had blood magic. Not as strong as Yseult’s, but there regardless. After they had their mana suppressed, they couldn’t create new spells or manipulate the magic of death anymore. But they were still affected by some of the magic that had been cast before they were born, the magic of their bloodline allowing them to access certain vaults and engage in some of their family traditions that required acknowledgement of that blood magic.”

“So there are spells that cannot be broken no matter what?” Ari asked.

“They can be broken,” Vittoria said. “It’s just more complicated and often more trouble than it is worth. Blood oaths are a big one. An oath is like a promise to the universe, and breaking them usually has a steep cost. But with blood oaths, as well as soul oaths, that cost is certain death no matter what.” Vittoria’s eyes met Arielle’s, her gaze amused. “It’s very hard to explain, especially to someone who hasn’t studied magical theory in depth as I have, but imagine an oath as magic linked to an anchor that yokes it to reality. Both the oath and reality have to simultaneously exist for the anchor to remain, and vice versa. They all interact and support each other. If the reality no longer matches up with the oath, the anchor will be gone.” She held up her hands. "So two things are at play here with certain powerful blood oaths. Compound magic couched in the blood as an artifact, and an oath using the blood as an anchor. Both of these make it more complicated to get rid of without killing the individual, even with the cores suppressed."

“So that means that if the oath is gone, then the blood or the soul has to be gone too."

“Precisely. Which is why death happens. Also, not all passive bloodline attributes are encased in a blood oath. Some are just compound spells, rather than oaths, so as not to be restrictive. But a few of them are blood oaths, so it’s just a lot more complicated to get rid of them entirely. You just have to suppress the active components, meaning that they can’t be used actively. This is what the ascendant does, but as long as the passive heritage traits aren't inherently harmful or useful, he tends not to bother with them."

“But I don’t understand,” Elric said, as this was clearly as new to him as it was to Arielle. “During the interrogation, we got to talk to a few of those who had been involved in the sect's experiment and had a blood oath put on them, swearing them into silence. Gio managed to break the compulsion anyway to get them to talk. How did he do it?"

Vittoria shrugged. “That’s where creativity comes in. There are ways to get around such compulsions, but it’s a lot of hassle and involves high-level knowledge and skills that probably only someone like Gio Li would have access to. It also depends on how strong the blood oath is and the attachment to the anchor. There are ways to override it with another oath or maybe even with mind control." Vittoria sighed. "Again, this is very high-level stuff, and attempting to explain it in a simplistic way is giving me a headache. Let's just wrap it up by saying that the very fact that the book is still locked means that the protective spell Yseult used on it is still in place. If the magic governing its opening was truly removed, then the seal would be broken. At the very least, the lock should appear even if he doesn't have the power to open it."

“I think the same thing,” Arielle said, happy that her idea was viable and might even be easier than she thought. “So let’s make him activate it. We can take the book to him, and just have him use his blood on it. Since the activation mechanism should be more passive than active, he won't be able to help the lock's opening."

"It won't work," Elric said. "We tried that recently with some of his other documents that we suspected were blood-sealed. The second his blood touched them, it got destroyed. He claims he doesn't know how or why and thinks it might have to do with his magic getting suppressed."

"Hmmm," Vittoria said, and she rubbed her temple even more, her frown deepening the harder she thought about it.

"What if it's because it's not a blood oath?" Arielle asked. "What if it's a compounding spell but the blood is not the artifact?"

"It has to be," Vittoria said. "I can sense it. Yseult is too paranoid not to use a blood oath seal. It's one of the highest levels of protection there is." After that, Vittoria fell quiet again.

"What are you thinking?" Elric asked.

"I'm thinking that the blood oath has to have an anchor in the blood," she said. "That's how it works, by definition. And he shouldn't have any control over what the oath does anymore, so the documents shouldn't be destroyed. The only way that can happen–"

"Is if he changed the terms of the oath," Elric murmured.

"Yes. But that would be impossible for someone like Yseult. Unless he has someone more powerful backing him, I don’t see how he could manage.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"He has demons," Arielle pointed out.

“Even with them. It would take one that’s very, very, very talented, to the level of our Ascendant, to be able to do it.” She nodded slowly. "I see why he did it. Yseult's not an idiot. He knows that we have his black book, and he knows eventually, we’ll try to get him to access it. So before the trial, he altered the oath spell to ensure that his blood activated the destruction of his secrets rather than revealing them."

"But Yseult likely went through a lot of work to arrange all the information that he has in that book," Elric said. "All to let it get destroyed and not even use it? I personally think he has to have a key somewhere that he can use if he needs to."

Vittoria nodded. “The key can't be an active spell because he won't be able to use that, and he wouldn't trust anyone else with it either."

"So it would be an artifact."

"One that he has made himself forget, if he really has wiped his memory."

"But one that he can easily remember with the right trigger." Elric released a breath and wiped his face. "Gosh, I think I'm getting a headache too."

Arielle looked between them and mentioned, "Whether his blood is destructive or not is beside the point. All that needs to happen is that he reveals the locking spell. Once that happens, then I can break the lock without destroying the diary. No blood necessary."

“You’d have to be with him for that to work,” Elric said.

Arielle nodded. “Yes.”

“Absolutely not.” Elric was shaking his head. “You’re not going anywhere near Yseult.”

“I’ll be in disguise. He won’t be able to see through it.”

“Do you realize that out of everyone, he probably wants you dead the most right now?”

“So? He’s not going to be able to do anything about it.”

“You underestimate his determination.”

“You underestimate mine.”

“Elric,” Vittoria’s voice cut through the quibble like a knife, and she regarded them all with tired eyes. “No hysteria, please.”

“I’m not being hysterical,” Elric said, picking up his teacup again and taking an emergency sip. “It probably won't even work. Yseult knows what she can do. Did she not already bypass all his spells when she went to the demonic sect? He might have developed a counter for that too. I don’t want her risking her life.”

“It might be the only way we can find out what he's up to,” Arielle protested.

"And if we're wrong?" Elric said. "What if there’s a trap?”

"I'll see it coming," Arielle said. "He doesn't know that I can see essences, so whatever he tries to do to me, whatever trap he's set, I'll see it before it happens."

Elric looked away and tried to appeal to Vittoria. “Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking about it.’

“Not completely,” Vittoria said, “But only because there are flaws in the plan. We don’t know yet if the new oath reveals the locking mechanism for the book or not. He might have found a way around that."

"That's fair," Arielle said. "But there's no harm in trying, right?"

"There's plenty of harm in trying,” Elric said.

"Elric," Arielle said. "I'll be fine."

But Elric was already shaking his head. "You know who would be perfect for this? Gio. Let's give him the book and ask if he can open it.”

“No,” Vittoria and Arielle said.

"He managed to free people from their blood oaths."

"And failed with the documents," Vittoria said. "I don't trust him."

"I can do this, Elric," Arielle said. "Just trust me.”

Both Elric and Vittoria stared at Arielle, and Vittoria finally nodded.

“Fine.”

“Vittoria–”

“Frankly, Elric, the fact that you keep doubting the girl is getting annoying at this point,” she said. “And it’s also making you slow. I understand you care about Arielle, but she is far more powerful than you think. She can take care of herself."

“That doesn’t mean we should throw her to the wolves either.”

"Why not?” Vittoria grinned. “She’s very much a wolf herself. In fact, she’s worse than them. She’s a wolf-slayer."

Arielle nodded. “I’m a wolf-slayer, " she concurred.

Elric looked at both of them like they had lost their minds.

“Okay. When do we do it?" Arielle asked Vittoria.

"As soon as we can," she said.

"There are other logistical matters we have to think about," Elric protested. "Gio, for one. We have to do it without involving him, but if he hears what we’re up to, he’ll want to be involved. And I don't want him and Arielle running into each other, even if she’s in disguise.”

“We’ll go on a day he’s busy,” Vittoria said. “Tell Mahmoud not to tell him. Problem solved.”

“Mahmoud will also be curious about who she is.”

‘"Just tell him she’s me."

"He's met you. He'll know."

"Not if she doesn't talk. Tell him she's a mute soul clone. I'll be there with her, and we’ll talk telepathically. I’ll be in your mind, Arielle, and we must move as one. Alright?”

“Okay," Ari said.

“Good. Any more protests?"

Elric opened his mouth and closed it. He stared at the two and then shook his head. “I guess I'm outnumbered."

"You are," Vittora said, and she seemed strangely happy about it.

Elric heaved a resigned sigh. "I get the sense that this is going to be a regular occurrence from now on.”

***

While they had their meeting, Inara, completely unprompted, had been baking in the kitchen. She’d made Elric a small cake loaf, elaborately designed, delicious and moist.

Though Vittoria was trying to reduce the amount of voluntary labor Inara did, she didn't mind it this time, because it was one of the few times Inara had acted of her own free will, without seeking explicit permission from Vittoria first.

Plus, Inara looked like she was floating on a cloud when Elric enthusiastically complimented her cake.

Her adoration and damn near idolization of Elric was clear, and it might be even worse than the one she had towards Arielle. It was great that she liked them, but Vittoria feared it could also get in the way of her own personal development. It was like she was outsourcing her affection to them to keep from practicing some love for herself.

Vittoria sighed.

She still hadn't gotten Inara the mind healer that she needed, but that would become her priority once they were done with this demon nonsense.

Elric spent the rest of the afternoon talking with Arielle and Inara, and playing with Sir Spendulon, who had come to accept his presence, although he skittered away whenever Elric got close.

Elric got down on the floor with them and rolled balls for Sir Spendulon to chase, while Arielle chatted about one thing or another, moving from topic to topic like a pent-up pipe that had finally burst.

Arielle never chattered like that with Vittoria or even with Inara. It was clear that she too adored Elric, and he might be the only one she trusted implicitly.

He had that effect on people, especially since it was rare to see an Archmage like him, so warm and personable, one who was not tainted and too jaded or arrogant to sit on the floor and play with children and their pet dragon.

Give him another century or two, a vicious part of her mind said. And he'll get there.

But Vittoria truly didn't want him to. She wanted him to stay as hopeful as he was. That was partially why she was doing the things she did.

After a few hours had passed, while the girls had gone to the kitchen to feed Sir Spendulon, Elric finally approached Vittoria.

"I think we can do it tomorrow," he said. "Gio will be busy with his family's dinner, and Mahmoud will likely agree."

"Good," Vittoria said, and because she still saw the worry on his face, she said, "You have to trust her, Elric."

"I do. It's everyone else I don't trust."

"Trust her more than you mistrust them," Vittoria said. "It's good to be cautious, but don't stifle her."

"I'm trying," he said with a weak smile. "Isn't it obvious that I'm trying?"

"It is," she admitted. Old Elric would have thrown a tantrum at just the mention of Arielle being in a risky puddle. At least this time, he'd managed to somewhat control his reactions.

"I just don't want her to get hurt," Elric said in a lower tone. "I don't think I would be able to live with myself if that happened."

"Even if she does," Vittoria said. "It wouldn't be your fault."

"Yes," he said. "Yes, it would."

The words carried hidden meaning that she couldn’t entirely decipher. Vittoria realized that she'd never gotten around to asking Elric how they had truly met, besides the story he'd given her. How did he discover Arielle's powers? Why did he think it was his fault if anything did happen to her?

But she couldn't ask, because the girls returned to announce that Sir Spendulon had thrown up his lizard stew all over the kitchen floor.