Amelia Thornheart

They returned to the captain’s quarters, Serena having hurried her back after Amelia had turned into a miniature sun. The captain had told Anathor to instruct Tomes that she would be late, explaining to Amelia that it was time to lock her down.

 

Serena sat in the captain's chair, while Amelia awkwardly stood to the side. She had suspected her little act of healing had somewhat impressed the captain more than she had planned, giving Amelia pause as to what level a typical human healer was supposed to be working at.

 

The healing branch of Aseco was one of the more powerful paths, boasting excellent healing spells, moderate defensive capabilities, and even a few holy lightning attacks. While she could attack, Amelia had decided to avoid that if possible. She would be a healer, not a soldier. Besides, if it really came down to it, she had far more powerful Words from the combat branches of the demonic gods that she could Speak.

 

The captain was reading over Amelia’s contract and the room was quiet barring the occasional shuffling of paper. Eventually, Serena put the paper down, before writing something on a note and showing her.

 

“Do you know what this is?” She asked Amelia.

 

It wasn’t English, nor was it the Imperial script she wanted to learn. Its lettering was sharp, with many jagged and vertical lines. She had never seen this before. Amelia told Serena as much.

 

“It is the language of the Words,” the captain said, “a phonetic language so that the Words of power can be communicated across the barriers of language and culture. This is one of the First Words; Aseco. This is the one you can Speak, yes?”

 

“That’s right!” Amelia wouldn’t lie to her captain, but until they had a better relationship, and more trust between them, she would avoid sharing that she could do far more than just Speak one word. “What Word can you Speak?” she asked, curiosity forcing the question out. There were a few candidates in her mind, Amelia suspected the captain was following the path of one of the demonic sword gods.

 

“The first rule of being a Speaker, keep your cards close to your chest. You are far too willing to answer questions about your abilities, and to use them,” Serena said, pointing at her. “You should have healed everyone one by one, with a smaller individual spell, like when you healed me earlier. Word is going to get around about this. It will reach the ears of my superiors. Even if everyone finds out that you’re a Speaker, do not be forthcoming with information about your Word.”

 

“But, depending on the spell, and when you Speak, everyone will know the Word immediately!” Amelia protested.

 

“And until that moment, no one will know you’re a Speaker unless you’ve told them. The element of surprise can be the difference between victory and defeat. Many Speakers on the front-line constantly change their appearance, or blend in with the common soldiers.” Serena sat back, looking thoughtful. “I will have Tomes act as your tutor in more than just Imperial. The language of the words, the things you should know as a Speaker yet do not… he will teach them to you, as far as his duty permits him. That is the first clause of the contract.”

 

“Okay! What else?”

 

“I will teach you the sword, to the best of my ability. Much of it will depend on your own talent. I am a busy demon, but will try and find time for you at least bi-weekly in this matter.”

 

“Cool! I can’t wait!” Amelia gave her two enthusiastic thumbs up.

 

“I will pay you twelve hundred denarii monthly. One of my foot soldiers receives a salary of eight denarii in the same period, so you are being valued equal to one hundred and fifty soldiers,” Serena paused, “…but, given your display just now, we will revisit this at a later date. There is only so much of my estate I can use without permission from my family head.”

 

Oh? This was something new. Her captain was becoming more and more interesting.

 

“Family head? Estate? Are you nobility?” She asked.

 

“Yes. You should refer to me as Lady Halen in private, and as captain when on the ship…” Serena raised a finger, “Actually, refer to me as Lady Halen at all times. It will reinforce the notion that you are working for me, as part of my personal retinue that I have the privilege to establish as a noble, rather than part of the crew.”

 

“Halen? Your surname?”

 

“My family name, yes.”

 

“Mmm… Serena Halen. Serena Halen…” Amelia rolled the name around her tongue. It was a lovely name, fitting for such a beautiful demon with such magnificent horns. “Serena Halen… Serena Halen…”

 

“Stop saying my name.”

 

“Yes, Lady Halen!” A question popped up in her mind. “What family do you have? Any brothers or sisters?”

 

“There is the patriarch, my father, my mother also. I have two younger sisters.”

 

“No brothers?”

 

“He died during the war.”

 

Oops! She didn’t want to bring up any bad memories. Amelia tried to give a sympathetic look but was interrupted before she could say anything to ameliorate the suddenly chilly atmosphere.

 

“Tsk! We are going off track!” Serena jabbed the paper in front of her. “Here are your obligations, you are, within the bounds of being reasonable, to provide your services of healing to my battalion. You are on call, always, and must have my permission to leave my service or the ship. You have no obligation to partake in battle directly, although if I request it you will provide your services on the front line, where every effort will be taken by myself to ensure your safety. And…”

 

Amelia tilted her head as Serena trailed off.

 

“… you are not to provide your services to the enemy, nor render them aid in any way or form, magical or otherwise.”

 

“Hmm…” Amelia said, placing a finger on her temple. “I refuse!” She expected Serena to have an outburst, but was surprised to find her silent, looking at her calmly. When the captain made it clear she was waiting for more, Amelia explained; “I spent years in bed, mostly immobile. I’m not going to let the same fate fall upon anyone else, demon or human! I’m not going to stop you fighting, I won’t get in the way, and I won’t run off without telling you, but I will heal whoever I want if the opportunity arises.”

 

She examined the demon, surprised to find her nodding to her explanation.

 

“I expected as much. The rest is acceptable, though?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Alright,” Serena scratched out a line on the contract. “I can only request you give me the heads-up before you render aid to humans, if possible. As for your title, you will be listed as a maid in my service, for I do not dare to give you a higher title, lest it cause even more problems for my estate and family.”

 

“And the uniform!?” Amelia asked, she was very excited to have a maid uniform, a real-life cosplay! The captain gave her a look up and down, prompting Amelia to give a quick twirl.

 

“We will find something less… republican. Regardless, you will not have to do any actual maid duties. Such things as cleaning and cooking are beneath the status of a mage of your caliber, let alone a Speaker.”

 

“But I like cleaning! I can’t cook but… I’d like to learn!”

 

“Ridiculous… well then, if you are seen cleaning, it will only help sell the idea to the crew,” Serena said. “If there is nothing else, sign here.” She turned the paper towards her, along with a pen. Amelia bent down, looking for the dotted line.

 

“One more thing…” she trailed off, “where will I be staying? Sleeping?”

 

“With me,” said the captain, “we’ll set you up in my private quarters. Putting you with the crew would never work, and I’d rather keep you close by lest you get into any more trouble.”

 

Amelia immediately signed the contract.

 

“All done!” she said, feeling her cheeks go red. If Serena saw, she didn’t say anything. “Anything else I should know?”

 

“Yes… as a maid, as a civilian under me, you are not subject to military orders, only my own. As per the contract and my order, you will accept requests for aid from any demon on this ship, but should any of my battalion try and order you in some way that conflicts with my own, you may ignore it, and report to me the event.”

 

“Okay!”

 

“Furthermore, as a civilian, you are not permitted to just stroll about the ship. Most areas are off-limits to you, unless your obligations require you to go somewhere, then you will not. The bridge is off-limits, as is the entire first deck, on which the turrets are mounted. Other than when you need to exit or enter the ship, there is no reason for you to be on the first deck. There should also be no reason for you to be on the second deck, the crew's quarters, unless you’re being taught by Tomes. The third deck contains the medical bay, mess hall, and kitchens. I imagine some of your time will be spent there. The fifth and sixth deck, cargo and munitions, I can’t imagine much reason for you to ever go there... unless I’m putting you in a cell again.”

 

“What about the fourth deck? You left that out!”

 

“Hmm…” the glassy eyes of the moose’s head glinted as Anathor spoke. “The fourth deck is off-limits to all, even the captain.”

 

“Off-limits? Even for you?” Amelia asked Serena.

 

“Yes. I wouldn’t concern yourself with that, put it out of your mind.” Serena said, but Amelia couldn’t help herself.

 

“What’s on the fourth deck? Anathor?”

 

“Hmm….” Said the moose, but was no more forthcoming.

 

“As I said, do not concern yourself with that. You will come to understand that this is more than a normal ship. The Vengeance is special in more ways than one.”

 

“How… frustratingly mysterious!” She cried out, throwing her hands up.

 

“Amusing,” said Serena, “for you, calling that mysterious, you, the biggest bundle of mystery that might have ever befallen Cascadia. Ha! What a crazy human you are!”

 

“In the very flesh!” Amelia proclaimed, giving a little bow. “At your service!”

 

“Silly girl...” the captain said, shaking her head. Amelia only gave a grin in response.

 

“Captain! I mean, Lady Halen! I have a request!”

 

“… what is it?”

 

“I want to go outside!”