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Maybe he was right, but that didn't mean she felt good about it. Lilie frowned to herself as she looked around for any hint or clues, but she felt distracted by that man’s stare. Why was he looking at her like that, anyway? It was an honest mistake! And now that poor kitty was gone. If they had just hit a border then he should have just shooed them away!

As tempting as it was to try to go back and walk around, even now she was having trouble keeping up the spell. The all too familiar tearing was starting up, and as she wiped her eyes, she figured it was best to cut their losses. She was so disappointed in herself, they [i]maybe[/i] could have gotten one last challenge in, or maybe even had completed this one if she hadn't lost focus or knew more or [i]something[/i].

Taking in a deep breath, she made sure to concentrate before firing up the spell again. Fortunately a nearby symbol caught her attention and she noticed that the kitty had led them amongst the underbrush--just like the clue had told them. She deflated a little at the realization, but she did notice it did take them another way. Maybe Ben was right.

For now, she focused more on getting them out. It wasn’t until then that she realized how weirdly [i]tired[/i] she was. She didn’t just feel tired physically--though she could really just collapse into a bed right now--but she felt like she was somehow drained mentally, too. Was this what it felt like to exhaust her magic reserves? Well, not really [i]exhaust[/i], but considering how it was a struggle to keep it up, it was pretty close.

Luckily they made it out to a very familiar and kind face. Princess Ryner seemed happy to see them, but Lilie couldn’t really feel accomplished or relieved. She felt like she should’ve done better, feeling a little ashamed and finding it hard to be as enthusiastic as usual. At the very least she did force a smile, feeling like if she was too down it’d probably send the wrong message.

There was no greater feeling in the world than being greeted with sight after such a long period of blindness. The darkness faded and were he not a gentleman with dignity he would have cried as soon as they had stepped into the clearing. The relief was immediate and he was all too grateful to be greeted warmly by Her Highness. In any other circumstance he would have reveled in the chance to have a full length conversation, however, his mage’s lack of enthusiasm clued him in that she was probably tired from the ordeal. 

After politely excusing them and wishing her a pleasant evening, the pair walked where instructed to leave the spoils of their travels and then entered the car to be whisked away to their dorms. Ben barely muffled a groan of relief as he was all too happy to be off his feet. There was a small ‘tsk’ of disappointment as he looked himself over and noticed the many nicks and tears in his clothing followed by a small shake of his head. Fortunately clothes could be replaced.

Ben looked over to Lilie but paused at her pensive expression. His frown matched hers for a moment as he inspected her. There were a few scratches and her clothes had also seen better days. 

[color=C0C0C0]“It won’t be long until we arrive. Fret not, we can see to your injuries and replace anything too torn,”[/color] Ben said.

Lilie had left everything they had picked up, but she had to admit she was gonna miss the little warm heart stone. She was tempted to ask if she could keep it, but decided not to, instead following Ben to the cars that would take them back to their dorm. She held onto the thermos Salem had given her, wishing she could drink some, but it was probably cold by now. She’d have to thank him again for it.

Sliding into her seat, she chose to stare out the window. The practical had been a lot harder than she thought it was going to be. [i]Magic[/i] was a lot harder than she thought it would be! At least they would pass since they managed to get out before the time limit, but she was definitely going to have to change things up going forward. More studying, more practicing...she needed to get a better handle on her affinity, too.

Ben’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she gave him a sheepish nod. Fortunately her boots were okay, but her tights and coat had definitely seen better days. As she smoothed it out, she noticed a bruise on her hand that she hadn’t seen before. She wasn’t too surprised to see it, but it did remind her of something.

Lilie looked at Ben, frowning. [color=00BFFF]“Oh, yeah, I’m okay, no need to worry,”[/color] She assured him, pausing for a second. He looked like he was back to his usual self, but she felt like she should check on him, too. [color=00BFFF]“Um...how about you? You seemed really shaken back there.”[/color]

Ben had almost let the incident in question slip his mind. Personally he would have much rather put the entire ordeal behind them. There were a few concerns he would have liked to address privately but seeing Delia was not something he was eager to speak of. He did not hide his past but he did not like to speak on his greatest failure. His reluctance aside, this was an opportunity to reveal his motivations. There was also the possibility that she would hear it elsewhere.

[color=C0C0C0]“The young lady you had seen chained was a mage I met in boyhood. Her name was Delia Mallory and she served under one of my father’s vassals as his tertiary mage,” Ben said. “She had an uncanny ability to steer a conversation in any direction she wished and was more than happy to occupy my time at my father’s request. Her master, however, was not nearly so kind to her or those who served him.”

“Today was the first time I had seen the bruises on her arms and legs, ones I had known were always there; Delia always wore modest clothing to hide what the duke had done, but she struggled to hide the marks on her neck. No matter how many times I asked she would not confirm and would instead drive my attention elsewhere. I was young, inexperienced, and gullible, believing that so long as I could keep an eye on her, she would be safe. I mistakenly assumed that because she did not make an issue of it that I had overplayed the situation as it was common to see the odd injury here and there from numerous servants from nearly every vampire I had met. She had successfully convinced me that there was no problem despite her injuries and despite the ever so small flinch anytime the duke raised his hand. Were I wiser I would have traded for her purely for her ability to deceive.”

“Alas I was wrong. In hindsight I now realize the violence escalated because of my inquiries. I believe he had a sick pleasure of knowing I was right and enjoyed watching Delia do her best to convince me to doubt reality. Biased, yes, but I cannot think of any other explanation. He favored injuring her neck and eventually she died of a tracheobronchial injury: a crushed windpipe due to an extraordinary amount of pressure on the neck. His initial claim that it was an accident was as obvious a lie as any and I swore I would see justice. I took every bit of evidence I could get my hands on, gathered as many testimonials as I could manage, and brought him before the Council. I ‘won’.”[/color]


Lilie listened patiently as Ben talked--honestly, she wasn’t expecting him to open up about it. If they met when he was a kid, then she was probably long gone. She didn’t have to dwell on that for too long as he continued, her expression going from politely curious to somewhat horrified. It was like hearing her biggest fears coming true, and she had to admit it did scare her a little knowing it happened while Ben was around. 

Well, he wasn’t really in a position of power like now? He [i]was[/i] a kid, so it wasn’t like he could really do anything about it. It was still really sad to hear, though, especially since it was like she didn’t want to be helped. But that couldn’t be true, right?

She raised her eyebrows as she caught the way he mentioned his victory. [color=00BFFF]“You…’won’?”[/color] She repeated slowly. [color=00BFFF]“What do you mean? If you won, then that means that the guy paid for what he did, right?”[/color]

The hollow look in his eyes was something Ben could not easily hide. In the back of his mind he did realize he was a little too open at the moment. Still, he pressed on. [color=C0C0C0]“Officially, yes. The Council ruled in my favor and Duke Gerthin was to pay a fine for the destruction of property and loss of a mage life. A fine he paid in five years so he could sequester more funding for his dam. The ordeal was all but forgotten at that point and I was shamed for bringing it up to the officials. My father in particular was less than pleased to learn his son had pressed charges against one of his own vassals. Were it not for my mother, I am sure I would have been punished extraneously.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]“What?!”[/color] Lilie couldn’t stop herself from blurting out her shock. He did the right thing and he was still punished?! [color=00BFFF]“Wouldn’t your dad be happy to know he had such a cruel person under him? It’s--Someone [i]died[/i]. That has to mean something, right?”[/color] She asked, shaking her head. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing right now, a tiny, terrified part of her realizing that this was literally the house she was going to be serving from now on. She looked at Ben nervously, waiting for his response.

The silence that followed was deafening. Ben need not speak anymore on the subject but it was clear Lilie wanted him to say something. He would not fill her head with empty promises and honeyed words that could be used against him if the worst would happen. It would be too cruel to do so. Even as the thought crossed his mind he still struggled to find what to say. 

It was only after a pregnant pause that he continued, [color=C0C0C0]“It meant Duke Gerthin was callous with his mages and my father would send those he deemed unworthy his way while keeping any he valued close to him. Otherwise it meant nothing. Delia’s death was simply something that happened. I can’t tell you that she is the last mage to have died under his care, either, but I have been expressly forbidden from embarrassing my father in that avenue any longer. I keep to my business and he to his. That is simply how it is done in Pierce Devan Eve’s Branch.”[/color]

The car came to a halt afterwards and Ben opened the door without waiting. He apologized to the driver and walked to the dorm. He did not realize this conversation would make him feel so tender. No, it was only because he was faced with seeing her face perfectly recreated, plucked directly from his memories. He thought at this point in time that wound would have healed.

In his haste, however, he did realize Lilie was expecting more out of the conversation. Reassurance, most likely. He did not believe she would attract anyone’s attention except for a point of mockery, but he couldn’t promise anything. Not yet.

[color=C0C0C0]“As long as you are under my care, I will do what I can to keep you safe. You needn’t worry about my problems; they are purely my own. Since my mother’s death I have done my best to remain quiet about my beliefs. So long as you keep your head down, we can minimize any chance of danger,”[/color] Ben said. 

It was like a giant weight was pressing against her chest after Ben basically confirmed exactly what she was thinking. Oh boy. Lilie stared at him, watching as he just left the car. Once she was alone, she couldn’t help but hold her head in her hands for a second. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised--this was her life now. 

Hearing the car door open, she straightened up, thanking the driver as he helped her out. She felt like she was going to throw up, but she made sure to take several deep breaths before following Ben inside. She was ready to head straight to her room to cry when he talked to her again. Well, at least he wasn’t going to go throw her to the wolves, so that was good.

Lilie nodded, rubbing her arm as she noticed just how [i]upset[/i] he was. Ben! Upset! She was seriously considering that he was a robot with how he barely had any emotion, but that entire situation with Delia looked like it really bothered him. She wished she knew what to say to him about it, but honestly, she was still pretty much in shock over the whole thing. [color=00BFFF]“...I think you did the right thing. I’m sure she would have been happy to hear you tried to do justice for her,”[/color] She tried to comfort him. [color=00BFFF]“Even if you feel like it did nothing, I’m sure you’ve saved a lot of people without knowing it. Maybe your family doesn’t appreciate it, but someone could have.”[/color]

Ben was always convinced Lilie’s virtuous traits were less of a boon and more of a source of worry, but hearing such sweet, sincere words coming from someone who had no reason to lie was refreshing. He would battle his guilt on his own as far be it from him to ask anyone to shoulder his burdens, but this helped.

[color=C0C0C0]“I hope so,”[/color] Ben said. [color=C0C0C0]“I’m retiring to my room. Have a pleasant evening, Lilie.”[/color]

The white haired girl nodded again, deciding that she’d have a nice, warm bath. Once she started the water, she let her thoughts buzz around for a second. She really did wish she could do more, but even now she felt so helpless. Letting out a long sigh, she peeled off her clothes before nestling in the tub, another sigh of relief escaping her. For now, she was just going to relax--tomorrow, she’d start improving herself.

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[sub][right]Finishing the practical with [@Bert Macklin].[/right][/sub]