Mags rubs my back as I sulk in my smithy. It is the morning of the tournament. The knights had retreated from the plateau that held my dungeon entrance. I've considered a thousand times whether to end Zindinhar life. If Lea does not come back whole, I will. Mags gives me a shoulder hug. She is the only one who can feel my emotions right now. What's left of them. The grip on my shoulder tightens.

  “I wish you had let me fight with you.”

  I look at her. You know it would have caused issues if you fought the knights. Besides, it's a vacuum, I had no desire to watch you get kicked out of the dungeon with minimal blood in front of a lot of annoyed knights.

  She frowns at me for that. “Where is your ghost, Sara?”

  I don't answer. I just look out and give a sigh. I look at her.

  We should head out, I want to see Qorth fight in the prelims.

  She laughs, “She is a tier two fighting a bunch of no cores. I'm not sure who will be more bored, her or me watching.”

  I give her a smile for that. She hesitates but brings up something that has been bothering her.

  “Your right eye is milky and appears dead, Sara. You are also fairly cold to the touch, though not quite room temperature.”

  I hadn't realized my right eye looked dead. I closed my left for a moment.

  I can't see out of it, I suspect it's a product of Violet being gone.

  “It didn't happen the last time.”

  No I suppose it hadn't. Is this a symptom of my killing Isabella in the dungeon?

  “Its absurd how you torture yourself over what is essentially a non issue, Isabella alive is she not?”

  She is but I don't think this is me. I believe it's the system and dungeon itself that hardens my soul in ice.

  “It is a cruel thing then, but could explain why dungeons become lethal over time.”

  I look down and she rubs my back some more. A bit of cloth appears on my lap. I could go make that eyepatch. But I think I will just go with what Violet had made when my physical blood core came in.

  -----

  They never did get the stands built. We arrived earlier than most. I can see a few covered pavilions but not many. A rather fancy one sits in the middle that is raised. Wooden. I can see the marques sitting in the corner. Guess he barely qualifies for vip sitting. I walk towards the common folk standing area. Mags laughs but follows me. I pass a thought to her.

  “It's your mana dear, if you push it through my aura you should be able to maintain a larger area.”

  I nod…Hey, try putting on your [Head Priestess] title on… Violet had the priestess title, with her…

  She scowls at that but she manages it.

  “It appears possible, but why would you remind me dear.”

  More approachable as a priestess than a countess. I give her a smile. She nods at that.

  When we get to a clear spot, I channel my arcane into dirt mana. The solid stone forms bleachers that I go and sit at the top of. No worries about being too short. I place my premade silk bench cushion across the seats. Too long for any one to steal without noticing. I smile.

  It's not long before Sir Ujan arrives.

  “[Acting Knight Commander], how are you this morning?”

  Acting?

  “[Countess] Madeline, the day finds me well. I came over to inquire on this manner of seating you appear to be on.”

  “Ah yes, my daughter is being rather free with her mana. This won't be an issue for the knights will it?”

  Sir Ujan touches the silk I had provided, feels the warmth and grimaces.

  “I only fear the nobility grumbling about the common folk having better accommodation than them.”

  Mags laughs, “Then simply blame it on me. They already say so many nasty rumors about me, what is one more?”

  He barks a laugh himself, “I will take you up on that.” He looks towards me, “If it is all possible, I would like a conversation, [Priestess]. After today's events, of course.”

  I give a nod. When he leaves I look at Mags. She understood the question I had.

  “Zind can't be in charge of watching dungeons if one of the dungeons has the ability to kill him at any time. He has stepped down from his position. He will likely be heading to the front with his replacement coming here later. In the meantime, you get to deal with Sir Ujan.”

  Will any agreement I make with him be honored?

  “He won't make any that will commit the knights beyond his tenure.”

  Ah, makes sense. I see the knights in training gathering. There are a lot more than forty. I look to Mags again.

  “I'm going to start calling you Jam if you don't talk, dear. As for their numbers, there are ten years of training. Due to drop outs and adoption into families. The final year tends to be fairly sparse but even if a knight never gets chosen they still can be knighted as part of the general army. Sir Ujan is actually an example of that, he never got to the main portion of the tournament.”

  I thought this was going to be a contest of no cores.

  She laughs, “Ah Jam, the majority are but at least thirty or so will have them, a handful might even be tier two in their final year. I haven't attended in awhile so I rightfully don't know just how stiff Qorth competition will be.”

  The trainees line up in front of two boxes. They each reach in and grab a piece of paper. I don't see Qorth.

  I have already been given a piece of paper. I will be in the final bracket, my Lady.

  Ah, was it because she wasn't a knight in training? Or because she had eight legs. Cecelia spots us and hustles over.

  “Did you make this sweetie? The seating is quite nice.”

  I smile at her. She notices and touches the cloth on my face.

  Possible symptom of the fight. I don't rightfully know.

  She gives me a sad look.

  “Oh don't start, you will just make Jam sad too.” Mags admonishes Cecelia.

  “Jam? Are you giving out more food based nicknames again?”

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  I am curious what nickname she gave Cecelia.

  “Muffin, she called me muffin. Thane, she called butter.”

  I just laugh. Are we all tea snacks and spreads to the countess?

  -----

  It took a bit but after a few brave souls started sitting in the stands more came until it was filled. Apparently the prelims consisted of a free for all of about fifteen knights. Last knight standing moves on to tomorrow's tourney. Sixteen rounds. There were no sharpened blades but after the first round of dull metal ones there were fifteen knights with various broken bones. Even the victor was barely standing. They were all ushered to a tent that had Isabella and a few other life knights. There are going to be a lot of injuries waiting for healing.

  “No helping it, Muffin and Jam shall we go?” Mags says after following my line of sight.

  Cecelia nods but I just look at the stands.

  “Ah don't worry, your construct is being cast through my aura, it will still be inside my range.”

  Systems, how large is her mana aura. She just winks at me.

  But I want to watch the fights.

  They don't care, they each grab an arm and lift me.

  -----

  “Priestesses, what can I help you with?” A rather frazzled Isabella asks.

  “Dame Isabella, we are here to offer assistance. My order certainly can not watch while there are those who are injured.” Mags announces.

  You really missed being able to say that, didn't you?

  She tugs my soul at that. I smile. I go over to a wincing knight. I can't go dribbling blood on him. But if I put my hand directly onto the wound, I can push my blood mana into him. I do so and the bone knits.

  You have gained [Blood Magic] Intermediate 7

  Intelligence raised to 1237

  I feel my soul thaw a bit. Just a tiny bit. Perhaps taking up clinic hours would do me good. The thirst grows but it should be manageable. I didn't want to partake in blood until Violet returned but she will understand.

  I can feel Isabella watching me but she says nothing. It is rather awkward.

  -----

  When it became evident that my healing was restoring blood loss without using sustainer, I ended up receiving all the bleeders. I had donned my silk gloves I had made so long ago. Surprised they were still intact. Much of my gear prior to coming to Kargnia was in tatters. My soul etches after the latest healing.

  [Blood Magic] has become [Blood Magic 2] Basic 1

  Blood Magic 2 - Don't tell life mages you can do it better

  Basic - when using blood mana to heal others your thirst doesn't increase replacing it

  Gain 3 exp

  I smile. An unambiguous win for once. I relay the change to my mothers. I got a soul tug from Mags.

  I may have to rethink my stance on how far I wish to progress.

  That's rather shocking, but if Cecelia wishes to be more, I will be there for her. Another round begins and more patients come in.

  -----

  I place a potion next to the tired Lamia. She looks up at me and winces. I begin to walk to the next patient. She speaks, I turn to look at her.

  “[Priestess]…I don't understand how you are healing but I thank you all the same. I'm sorry it came to this.”

  I want to smile but I can't. I turn to go.

  “Will you not say anything?”

  I sigh.

  “She can not speak in this form, Dame.” Cecelia stops her from pressing me.

  “Lady Maxwell, I do not understand. Does she not possess the ability to change herself?”

  “I haven't seen her in another form for the last six days.”

  I feel the Lamia mood plummet but I continue to heal. Both the knights and myself.

  -----

  His groan is rather loud. I heal his broken arm. He gained lucidity as it knitted. He recognized me.

  “Ah hells, first they fucked ya, now they have you healing for them again.”

  I give Gregory an impassive stare as I start on his ribs.

  “Shit Sara, I haven't felt you this muted since you were collared.”

  I give him a cross look which actually brightens his mood.

  “Ah there's that anger. Why aren't you talking?”

  I roll my eyes and form an illusion.

  “I can't talk in this form and no, I can't change it at the moment.”

  He returns my eye roll with one of his own.

  “Sounds like you are being stubborn again, why are you wasting your time healing?”

  I sigh, “My mothers dragged me here. Turns out, healing is good for my soul.”

  He considers that, “Well, as long as you're getting something out of it.”

  The rib sets, I move to the bruises on his leg.

  “So how'd you do?”

  His smile brightens, “Managed to be the last knight standing of block four…barely.” He notices my incredulousness, “Hey, I may have ganged up on the higher levels until I was the highest one left but it's a legitimate strategy. There were still three I had to best when it was my turn to be turned on.”

  I laugh at that. His smile goes from braggart to warmth.

  -----

  There was quite a bit of commotion when the final block happened. A lot of murmur asking what a Vampire was. There were only seven participants in the final block. I only needed to help heal six. Congratulations Qorth.

  I aim to win it all in your name, my Lady.

  Isabella came up to us three at the end.

  “Thank you priestesses, you three have lessened my burden greatly. I should be able to manage the rest of the tournament.”

  “Think nothing of it. My order is always willing to serve the Queendom.”

  Mags says the last portion as if her voice was the living embodiment of ice. Isabella winces but simply bows instead of giving a retort. We leave the tent and head towards my stands.

  A few people are still on them when we arrive. I look at Mags.

  “Lower it slowly dear, they will get the idea.”

  I nod, instead of removing the mana I simply make the construct lower itself until those sitting on it are on flat earth. They stand as their seats disappear. Well most do, at least one sprawls out. Must have been sleeping. I start heading towards the knight commander's office.

  “Not going to collect your cushions?”

  I look back and shrug, I don't need them and I have more than enough for the next two days.

  -----

  I find Sir Ujan looking over various reports. He looks up and stands to give a slight bow.

  “Priestesses, I wish to thank you for your assistance today. We do not deserve your magnanimity.”

  We give a slight nod. He clears his throat.

  “I understand that your trust in the knight is, well, quite frankly non-existent. That fundamentally we can't go back to what was. On that note I propose instead of trust that we have a relationship of trade. I would like to lease your dungeon. Our payment, a tun cask of blood wine monthly.”

  I look at Mags.

  “Thats two hundred and fifty gallons."

  That is a lot of blood. My eyes start to glow red at the thought. I pulled it back. I form an illusion.

  “Apologies for speaking through illusion. That is quite a generous offer, a few stipulations though.”

  “Of course. It is a negotiation.” He nods as he says it. He sits back down.

  I smile, “It needs to be of one spirit, if you mix the alcohol I fear it will spoil the batch. I also would like to know where you are sourcing the blood. I will be pretty upset to learn you are using prisoners.”

  “We plan on feeding casks of wine to dungeon hydra and then slaying them.”

  “That would work, though dead blood loses its flavor the wine itself will come through.”

  It might even be better that way. No massive bliss surge to interfere with the enjoyment of the wine.

  “I can also provide a bottle of my own blood as well.” He knows I want to agree.

  “Are you not worried about falling into the same problem as your predecessor?”

  “I am only temporary, though I suspect the one who takes over from me will wish for me to stay on as your personal vintner.”

  “Will the dungeon just be for the knights or will it be open to the public?”

  He considers that, “I am to understand that you have a shop?”

  I nod.

  “The knights will want you to limit the selling of your potions to one per individual per visit. We will also be inspecting what they leave the dungeon with.”

  I think about that.

  “Is it possible for me to have the shop outside the dungeon entrance? The area around my entrance is under my control.”

  He thinks on that. “I am leary on that. Is it not run by a monster?”

  I shrug, “Lea will behave, there should be enough room in the walls to fit her shop right?”

  Meaning if there is an outbreak what's the difference if it's all behind their walls.

  “Lea?” He asks.

  “The monster who stabbed you in the back…twice.”

  He winces, “I only got a good look at her when she was in two pieces.” He sees me wince, “Sorry.”

  I wave him off, “It was a battle, it hurts but the only lasting wound is my own.”

  “Wound?”

  I pull up the cloth covering my right eye, all three in the room peering at it.

  “I had no idea.” Sir Ujan pales.

  Cecelia gives the knight a rather angry look while Mags surprises me.

  “It seems to have improved since this morning, can you see out of it now?”

  I closed my left eye… “It's blurry but yes.” I move the cloth back into position.

  “Any idea on why?” Mags ask.

  “Healing is warming my soul. Perhaps it was that.”

  She nods at that then turns to Sir Ujan.

  “A clinic as well, in fact you should simply move a branch of the adventurer guild into the citadel you plan to build.”

  He arches a brow ridge. Mags continues talking before he can interject, “I'm sure they will be more than willing to pay rent.”

  He nods at that.

  “I assume there will need to be two citadels…” My illusion speaks again.

  “Then you truly cannot move the entrance to the south? That would complicate things.”

  “Does it? Bradford is more than willing to help pay for a citadel here.” Mags volunteers the viscount coffers, “The one to the south can be the knight's responsibility until a noble can be emplaced there.”

  They are looking at me when she finishes saying that.

  “I cannot agree to a citadel here. That will be up to the next [Knight Commander], but can I at least pay at the end of the month for an entrance here now?”

  He pulls out a bottle. He came prepared. “Of course this is an upfront deposit. Should the knights fail to produce, do take your entrance back.”

  One last demand, “I want a law that no one is allowed to breach my core. Removing Isabella personally is what caused my eye issue.” And my low body temperature.

  “I am certain the [Viscount] will agree.”

  I should wait for Violet…but I'll have a bottle of wine to soothe her annoyances.