The Ascension

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"Master! Ironwood is a high end material!" Nuri said in shock. "Why would you waste it on me?" Nadya, Ellie, Elena, Shaala, and Kaala all watched her response to that question, but Aila had no intention to lie.

"So? Do you know there are only a few people that I feel are worth everything I can give them?" Nuri frowned slightly. "These are the names of people I feel are worth it. Kaala. Shaala. Ellie. Elena. Nadya. Nuri. Rirn, and his family. Ivadra the Black One, and the Seer. Those are the people whom I am fond of. Not the king. Not the Magistrate. Just those people." Nuri sniffed. Aila turned away.

"Kaala, when will the stew be ready?" She asked.

"Soon, Master. I salted the organ meat to make it tastier." She watched the smile float to Aila's lips, and blushed as she knew her master was happy with her choice. "I would say ten to fifteen minutes it should be ready. We'll need bowls and spoons though, Master. I didn't notice any around."

"There is a bundle of leather at the back of the storage room that has those things. I didn't unwrap them when I brought them up. Also, down the ladder at the back, the storage room is filled with necessities. I want one of you to go down there and find the crate of boots. It's open. Find a pair that will fit each of you. If there aren't any pairs that fit someone, we'll get their feet measured up, and Rirn will make a pair." Aila turned away, but had her senses turned back.

"It's okay, Kaa." Shaala said quietly. "We'll get used to her being nice to us."

"I know, Sha. We've just never had a nice master before."

* * *

Aila spread out bear furs on each bed, and helped Nuri and Nadya to try out their beds.

"Is it too hard?" Aila asked.

"Too hard?" Nuri asked. "Master, it's a bear fur! I've never had something soft to sleep on before! The masters always made sure we slept on the edges, and kept the blankets for themselves."

"This is your bed. If you lay here, you'll choose who sleeps here with you. Also, there are enough furs to help cushion your body, so you don't end up sore." Aila put her hands on Nuri's chest, and made life elements surge into her chest area.

"Oh. Master, that feels so good." Nuri said softly.

"It's your affinity, but all living things enjoy life elements. We'll sleep in this main room until each room is ready to move into. Elena. Ellie." She turned to each girl. They walked slowly over to the beds, each holding a small doll to their chests, while they looked unsure. They looked so adorable that Aila was sure her mother would love them to death.

"Nuri, you have to give them permission to sit down. You too, Nadya."

"Ellie. Sit with me." Ellie grinned and sat down beside Nuri, and hugged her arm. She looked so much younger than her age asserted her to be. Elena looked at Nadya, who smiled gently, and gestured for her to sit down. Elena sat down gingerly, and was hugged gently.

"It's okay, Elena." Nadya whispered. "I know what once happened, and it will never happen here." Elena held her doll to her chest, while Aila walked over to her.

"Elena." Aila said and knelt beside her.

"Master?" She looked so vulnerable that it made Aila want to tear the Inaris clan apart.

"No one will harm you under my roof. I will tear the arms off anyone who tries." She put her hand on Elena's chest. While Elena looked at her, she saw Aila's eyes appear to be emerald gems that glowed green. Life elements flowed into her body.

To Aila's surprise, Elena began to cough, and black bile appeared at her lips. Aila was shocked.

"No! Don't swallow that stuff!"

* * *

Elena vomited into a wooden pail and looked quite pale. Aila was concerned, and radiated light into her body. She frowned as she was able to see within her.

"There is black around her lower belly. That usually means a disease of some kind." Aila said with a frown. Ellie pulled her sleeve.

"Master, we were fed medicine once a month." Ellie said.

"Medicine? Once a month? Oh fuck. That isn't medicine! That is abortive poison!" Aila quickly radiated more life elements into Elena's body, and she threw up more black bile.

"It's okay, Elena." Aila whispered. "You're just getting rid of the poison. It will make you feel weak for a while, but you'll be fine soon. Life elements will heal you properly." Aila smiled sadly. "Like it did for me."

"Master?" Nadya looked at her in concern.

"I was dying." Aila said quietly. "When I came here, I couldn't breathe. I coughed up black stuff. I started to breathe more. The more I coughed up, the better I felt. It will be a bit different for Elena. She is used to the poison because it's mild enough not to kill her. It was used to keep her from getting pregnant."

"I've heard of that stuff." Nuri said. "Many maids couldn't have children, even when they wanted to, after they were forced to take that stuff." Elena's eyes went to Aila's.

"Don't worry, Elena. Your body will heal. If you want a child in the future, you can have a child." Aila smiled gently.

"Don't want." She grimaced. "Dog." Aila smiled.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't want anyone else to touch you to make you pregnant." Aila's eyes smiled. "I don't know how yet, but when I know enough, I might be able to make you pregnant myself. No men needed." Nuri looked at her quickly.

"Master, is that really possible?" Nuri asked quickly.

"I don't know, but I think so. The man has their fluid that makes an egg fertilized. What is in that fluid is the building block of life found in a male. A female holds one half, a male holds the other. That is so there is a chance for both sexes being born. Male and female. But what if another female, outside their family, has the same potential?" She smiled. "I'm not sure it's possible, but it might be. Elena is still quite young." She rubbed the girl's cheek gently. "She still has many decades ahead of her. She'll be able to channel earth elements, and her body will get stronger and stronger."

"She'll outlive the Inaris clan by centuries."

* * *

"I didn't expect to have people here already, so I didn't make a table." Aila said as she assembled the table in front of them. The girls had already watched her make the beds, but this was right in the large kitchen.

The wooden table was strong, and with a wide wooden bench attached to the wall, the smaller two girls sat on that bench with Shaala and Kaala. Aila made another bench that was designed to hold both Nuri and Nadya's large weight, and not make them feel like it would break. She tried to be considerate of what they had been through, and how others always made them feel.

"Kaala and Shaala both tried hard to make this meal. Let us appreciate the cooks, the land that provides, and Imera for life." Aila bowed her head, and said thank you quietly. When she lifted her head, she was surprised to see that both Kaala and Shaala had tears on their cheeks. The others had happily bowed their heads.

"Now, let us eat. Girls. Make sure you eat some bread and cheese with your stew. The cheese is good for bones. The bread is just delicious when dipped for flavor." Aila started to eat and smiled.

"A real stew. I haven't eaten such delicious food for a long time."