Published at 1st of July 2026 7:17 am

Chapter 160: Garden Scene

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Ser Terry is all nervous smiles on the way home, which I find incredibly awkward and baffling. No matter; its only a half hour to my house, which I spend cycling through my avian spy network. He seems to feel like the situation is resolved, despite there being multiple issues we never fully addressed on both sides. Though I suppose I can live with that if it means he doesnt ask any more questions about whether Ive been spying on him.

Maybe it would be easier if I just told him that Ive been helping him, but I feel strangely nervous about it. Besides, Im still irritated that he hasnt chosen to tell me, regardless of his strange claims that its for my own abstract benefit. So, for now, Ill wait to tell him until he tells me.

We left the party well into the night, making it surprising to see a light still on when we arrive. Jule is coming down the stairs when we arrive and greets me. Youre back. Did you win?

I nod, tossing her a small gold. Perhaps a bit too much. My opponents will be a lot harder from now on.

Her eyes widen as she catches the glinting metal, and she stares silently at it for several seconds before glancing suspiciously at Ser Terry. Whos he?

A friend, I say succinctly, then add in response to a raised eyebrow, Were doing some magic together.

She glances sceptically between us with a suspicion that I cannot fathom. She doesnt seem to think that he might be a threat, but its clear she doesnt believe me for some reason. Maybe its the weird grin on Ser Terrys face. Right Can I watch? She smirks as if shes being impudent and absurd though how I cannot fathom.

I dont see a reason not to let her, except for the strange look shes giving us. I Its a bit advanced for you at the moment. Youd benefit more from a full nights rest.

She scrunches her face, clearly confused, but shrugs and heads back up the stairs. All right, well, have fun then.

I watch her go with my own confusion, then shrug and lead Ser Terry up the same stairs to my room a moment later.

Magic? Is that what you call it? He asks, amused for some reason.

UmYes? I dont see a reason for distinction, do you?

He blushes, again, for no clear reason. Yeah, I guess Cute kid. Yours? He asks, comically as he follows.

I give him a bewildered look. I would have to have conceived her when I was two. Shes my client. Im teaching her basic magic and housing her here for various factors. Convenience, partly.

Right Its a nice place. He makes a point of looking around.

I nod as we enter the room. Its convenient. Anyways, it shouldnt take too long to get ready, but feel free to make yourself comfortable, I say as I head through the adjoining door to my study to gather the supplies.

Oh, take your time, he says with a voice deeper and smoother than usual, a slight and baffling laugh at the end.

It takes about five minutes to gather the needed items: Brushes, powders, rods, ropes and oils. When I return, I find he has taken off all his clothes and is posing confidently, displaying his well-developed abdomen in a beam of moonlight.

Did I tell him to do that? Probably. He needed to get naked to apply the materials, and if I didnt say it, then he likely intuited it, as it is standard practice. Still, its a bit cold out, even for a knight, so I hand him a robe to cover himself while I prepare and a stack of supplies to carry.

Oh he says, blushing as he shifts the weight onto his hip so he can go through them with one hand. This is a bit more, well, advanced than I was expecting.

I shrug as I head back to the study for the second stack, not sure what he means. Not really. Its not that much more complex than things Ive done before.

Really? I never expected you to be so experienced.

You doubt my expertise? I say, eyebrow raised irately as I return to the room and lead him back downstairs to the garden.

What, no, er I mean Well, its a lot of supplies, he stumbles through his words as he follows me down the stairs.

Well, yeah, Ive been preparing this for a while now, I say without looking back up at him.

You have But I thought, you know, after our fight

I had multiple candidates in mind.

Oh, he says with such strange disappointment that I feel compelled to console him.

Well, I finally look back with a shrug, you were at the top of the list before then.

Oh, says, instantly cheerier, well, I suppose thats good then Were doing it here, though? Its a bit well, open, isnt it? He nods to the garden.

I give him another questioning look. Why is he reacting like this to every little step in the procedure? I mean, yes, some of the houses can see over the fence, but its not like random passersby will interrupt us, and were not doing anything that neighbours are likely to comment on.

Probably just nerves. To be honest, Im confident that I understand the concepts sufficiently and that Ill be able to perform adequately, but there is a nagging seed of doubt. But no reason to let him know. At worst, nothing will happen, so I just shrug and explain my reasoning.

The openness is one of the main desired elements.

He blushes more. I see I didnt realize you were Well, you know I mean Open is good! He says, forcefully at the end, with more of this strange embarrassment.

Yes, well, of course, the other main benefit is it being a garden, as the plants can be arranged to maximize their influence on the effect.

Um, yeah, the plants are nice. Definitely having an effect. His voice dips deeper into nervousness, confirming my assessment and the need to act confidently.

Indeed. A good amount of the preparation was planting them in their precise spots.

That sounds like a lot of preparation. He chuckles.

I shrug. Ive heard of many who spent much more for less.

He laughs. Oh, yeah, I guess for some people no amount of planning is enough.

I squint, baffled at the statement. Umno? Usually, the needed prep is self-defining, isnt it?

Umyeah, I guess he says, not at all sure sounding. Oh well, this doesnt seem to be exactly his area of expertise, so Ill let the lapse of knowledge pass without further comment. Sooo where do you want me? He says, voice low with a playful grin.

Oh, um, just set that down wherever and stand to the side while I finish preparing. Well be using the whole garden.

What, all of it Why, Malichi, I never expected you to be so robust.

I glance at him as I begin organizing the supplies. Not really. I mean, the extra space is obviously one of the considerations for using the garden. Besides, I thought it was more on the economical side, all things considered.

Er, yes I suppose He doesnt seem confident, but then again, its not his field of expertise, so I shouldnt be surprised at his ignorance on the matter.

Well, just stay put while I get everything ready, I say as I take the rods and begin measuring out the area.

He grows increasingly flustered as I draw out the circle and trace it with the powders. Fidgeting as I meticulously draw out the runes, shifting his weight from foot to foot and making faint coughing sounds all the while his face is increasingly red every time I look up. I dont know why hes so impatient. Surely, he knows that proper preparation takes time.

Finally, his patience fully wanes, and he breaks his silence with a hesitant, questioning tone. Ummm Malichi What are you doing, anyways?

I raise an eyebrow at his question. Isnt it obvious? But then again, I suppose I cant expect a knight to know about the intricacies of ritual circle arrangements, especially one as complex as the one I got from the Mynharan. Well, Im arranging the symbolic elements into a synergizing pattern. Tough I understand why you might be confused. This particular ritual uses the Lanishal principle in an interesting way. You see how the lines splay out at a

He raises his hands in a spare me gesture. No, what I meant wait, ritual?

Yes, the ritual that I wanted to perform with you. Ive been wanting to perform it for a while, but lacked a partner. Luckily, our meeting coincided with favourable astronomical conditions to facilitate it.

You brought me here for a ritual He repeats dumbly.

Yes Didnt I say as much? When I spoke to Jule on the way in?

I didnt think you were serious! He shouts, extremely red-faced with embarrassment.

Im always serious about magic, I say, equally as dumbfounded as he was a moment earlier. Wait, what did you think I brought you here for?

Um er well, you know he makes vague interlocking motions with his hands, which only serve to redden his face even further. I mean, what do you think I thought you meant when you asked me to come to your house in the middle of the night for something special?

Im completely nonplussed at his question reversal. Well, considering Im a mage of some skill, I thought you would realize that I was talking about a magic ritual with astronomical elements. I mean, what other reason could I have?

His mouth opens and closes repeatedly, as if his jaw is trying to speak, but his lungs refuse to cooperate. II, uh Well you know I mean To fornicate? His voice rises to a squeak, as if a mouse is speaking.

Oh Yeah, I guess that could make sense. Though why wouldnt I have just said that? I say, much more calmly than him.

I dont know! he shouts. Why didnt you just say magic ritual

My mouth opens and closes in inadvertent imitation of his a moment earlier, a blush creeping into my face that I decide not to control. Well, because Because the ritual in question is the one I got from the Mynharran, and I wanted to delay questions both from how I got it, and how I know hes been putting himself in enough danger to need it. Which obviously I cant say now, so I lie. Because its complicated and I didnt know how to describe it in a way that youd understand.

He crosses his arms, not convinced. Oh, youre playing the big dumb knight card now, are you?

What No, I just I blush more, nearing his shade of red from his misunderstanding, Look, the ritual will keep you safe, and I guess I didnt want to just say that because I dont know.

He laughs, immediately deflating the tension with a stupid grin. Malichi, were you embarrassed because you were worried about me?

I open my mouth to deny it, but realize that the allegation is true the moment I do. Maybe, I mutter, unable to say more.

Malch he says affectionately, closing the distance between us to draw me into an embrace with one hand pressing my face into his warm but hard stomach muscles and gently running his other hand through my hair. It feels nice, and given the embarrassment of the situation this time I let myself stay trapped between his arms. Thats really sweet of you. So, what is this ritual supposed to do?

Still content to remain entwined, I mutter the answer into his developed torso, which my face is pressing cosily into. The smell of him numbs my mind. It um well, it boosts your abilities. Strength, reflexes, controletcetera. About as much as a basic boon, but permanent.

Permanent? A twinge of worry enters his voice. It wont interfere with my growth, will it?

I shake my head, pressing it deeper into his torso as I do. It works by the same channels that divine boons do. In fact, you should notice a slight boost to your growth. The only difference is that itll stack with any actual boon you have.

Oh, is that all? He laughs as he pushes me gently away so he can stare into my eyes with his own piercing orbs. Malichi, I thought I was coming over to play; I guess I should have known itd be playing god.

I raise an eyebrow at his remark. Its not really playing god. Sure, it uses the same sort of methods that they do, but there are plenty of things that deities do that you wouldnt call playing god if a mortal did them.

Oh yeah? He counter raises his own eyebrow. So why dont more mortals do rituals like this then?

Well, for one, it requires an athame like this of at least a semi-divine quality I trail off, realizing his point. Look, do you want to do this, or not?

He smiles, Of course I want to do this with you, Mal. Did you think thered be a question of that?

Well, no. I mean, it is a rather useful boost. Hed be a fool to refuse it.

It takes another half hour to prepare the ritual circle, after which I have him take off the robe to apply the symbols to his skin. Its an oddly different experience to applying Anar runes for one, hes not struggling. But it also has a calming quality to it, just repeatedly dipping the brush into the pigmented oil and tracing the patterns on his smooth skin.

Once Im done, I lay him down in the middle of the array and tie a rope to each limb. Im not binding him in any sense, as he can freely move. The tying is more conceptual, with just a simple loop around each ankle and wrist, with the cord leading to one of the sub-circles where the other end is tied to one of the symbolic elements: One bundle of flowers of a specific variety, the rest being tools associated with potency or control hammer, tong and that sort of thing.

Once everything is set, I do two more checks to make sure everything is in place, then begin the rite. As rituals go, its pretty standard. A lot of using the special dagger as an athame to point at stuff while chanting and walking withershin along the circle.

All of a sudden he arches his back, gasping for air All as expected. Whats not expected is that I gasp for air too. Some pulsing sensation fills me. I wouldnt call it pleasure exactly, at least not in comparison to an Anar sacrifice, but it is a strong, not unpleasant sensation.

What is this? I lock eyes with him and realize something has gone wrong or very right. I reach out and touch the back of the hand holding the dagger. He looks down at his own hand, and I know that he feels it.

Is this some trap of the Mynharan? No, nothing in the ritual should have done this. There must be some extra link some wild magic.

Regardless, I cant stop now, so I force myself to take the next step. A minute later, I stumble again as the sensation redoubles in intensity. Im no longer just feeling him; Im feeling him, feeling me, feeling him.

I force it out. Just a minute more and the ritual will be complete, then I can writhe together with him on the ground. I count the steps until I reach the noon position where I stab the dagger into a raw animal hide which bursts briefly into flame, and the echoing, pulsing sensation vanishes like a snuffed candle.

I still feel him, though, but Im much too tired to do anything about it, so I just collapse to the ground towards him. I feel my head hitting my own stomach as it hits his.

That wasnt how youd described it to be, he pants out.

No, I pant back. I dont know what happened. Some freak connection, maybe. Whatever it was, its fading.

Then I better act fast, he says, forcing himself into a sitting position where he cups the back of my head and pulls it towards his own. Realizing what hes doing, I choose to move with him, rather than away or merely passively accept the kiss that follows. My mind melts as our mouths meet, with echoing pleasure. Our hands move across each others bodies, doubling with each touch. I lose track of which set is mine on his and his on mine.

And then its over the magic link severed. We fall back to earth, gasping again for breath and resting there until a stray, curious thought prompts me to prop my head to look up from its stomach place into his happy ace, himself propped up to beam back at me.

So, what exactly did you think I was going to do with all the stuff the rope and oils anyways?

He just falls back to the ground again, laughing.

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