Bab 28: Tamer
Amidst the sprawling city of Valyria, finding the mansion of Duke Lightweaver wasn't a challenge. Even in a city filled with architectural wonders, the Duke's estate stood out as a testament to the Lightweaver family's prominence on the Magic continent.
There were only four dukes and duchesses along with one king on the entire continent – how difficult could it be to find them?
The mansion, a majestic three-story structure, was surrounded by immaculately manicured gardens showcasing exotic flora from various parts of the world. A grand fountain, adorned with intricate carvings of Eldorian legends, stood as its centerpiece, with waters reflecting the sun's rays in a mesmerizing dance of shimmering lights.
As I approached the mansion's iron gates, two armored guards blocked my path. They sized me up with evident distrust in their eyes. "State your business," one of them demanded.
"I am here to see the head butler, Guisee," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
The guard's expression remained unchanged. "He's not here. Out on some business. What do you want with him?"
Taking a deep breath, I relayed the story I had prepared. "Years ago, Guisee owed a debt to my parents. They saved his life during a war. He promised that once I came of age, I could seek employment at Duke Lightweaver's mansion. I've traveled far to honor that promise."
The guards exchanged glances. One of them, seemingly the senior, gave a slight nod. "Very well. Since Guisee is away, you'll have to meet with the head maid. Follow me."
I was led through the garden, enveloped by the scent of blooming flowers, towards the main building. Inside, the head maid awaited.
The head maid was an imposing figure. Her hair was tightly pulled back into a severe bun, emphasizing her sharp, hawkish features. Her narrow eyes, a chilling shade of green, seemed to constantly judge those around her. Her thin lips, which rarely curved into a smile, typically held a perpetual frown, lending a touch of bitterness to her demeanor.
She wore a high-necked, stiff, dark dress that more closely resembled a uniform than the typical maid's attire. Accented with silver embroidery, it occasionally flashed, mirroring the iciness of her gaze. Around her waist, a silver chain from which an array of keys hung, each one a testament to her power and authority within the mansion. Her shoes tapped with an unmistakable sense of command, and she exuded an air of unmistakable dominance.
Her entire demeanor, from her frosty gaze to her rigid posture, painted the picture of a woman not to be crossed. It was clear why many found her intimidating and off-putting. She examined me with a piercing look.
She scowled at my appearance. "So, you're the one inquiring after Guisee. Hmph. By the stars, what befell your face?"
Suppressing a sigh, I replied, "I suffered an illness in my childhood, which left its mark in the form of these scars. But don't worry, only my face bears the marks; the rest of me remains as it was originally—white and clean. Should you ever wish to see, I am wholly open to it."
I donned a face mask provided by Duke Lightweaver; he had mentioned that my face was too captivating and would easily draw unwanted attention on the Valyria. The mask was thin and soft, magically adhering to my face without causing discomfort. Had it not been for the head maid's comment, I would have scarcely noticed its presence—it was that high in quality. Now, however, I appeared marred with numerous scars.
"You and your stupid mouth." The head maid sneered. "You expect to work in the main mansion looking like that? What do you think this is, a charity? Guisee has a soft heart, always bringing in strays. Very well. Until he returns, you'll work as a cleaner for the magical beasts. You'll sleep in the barns near their quarters. Off you go. Koff, take him to the stables." Bearing the weight of her disdain and the curious, often derisive, glances of the other staff, Koff and I made our way to the stables.
"What is her problem?" I asked Koff.
"Unmarried at an old age, what else could be the problem?"
The mansion's stables were a far cry from the opulence of the main estate. Situated at the far end of the gardens, they were enclosed by tall stone walls overrun with creeping vines. The scent of fresh hay mixed with the distinct musk of magical creatures filled the air. Rustic lanterns emitting a blue flame illuminated the path to the stables, casting a stark contrast to the enchanted lights of the main mansion.
As I entered, I observed that the stalls were expansive and uniquely tailored for each creature. To my left, a shallow pool filled with shimmering water was the playground for a horse that playfully splashed around. Opposite it, a large cage made of enchanted metal confined a griffin, its proud beak snapping at the air, its eyes wary and vigilant. In the center, a tree-like creature stood, its bark constantly shifting colors, each hue signaling a different emotion. There were other small animals as well, each remarkable in its own right.
A stable hand named Gruff handed me an old, leather-bound manual. "Here," he grunted, "this will tell you how to care for each beast. Don't expect them to be friendly; they barely tolerate us." His tone was indifferent, bordering on robotic.
I had come to realize the peculiar nature of the mansion's inhabitants and the population of this planet. Unlike Earth, the people of this magical world operated purely on logic, devoid of deeper emotions or empathy. Their interactions were transactional, based on necessity and efficiency alone. Concepts like kindness, compassion, and camaraderie were foreign to them.
I found my room, a small space near the stables, right next to the food storage for the magical creatures. It carried a potent odor, compounded by the manure from the creatures. Yet, somehow, it felt familiar, perhaps reminiscent of similar accommodations back on Earth. I smiled faintly and sat on the bed.
My mission was clear. Once I met Guisee and delivered my message to him, I could return to Isolade, my home and kingdom. My two beautiful wives—assuming they had not been killed by vampires or married to others during my absence—would be waiting. For now, I would embrace the spectacle before me. To my surprise, a sense of contentment washed over me.
As I began my work, I noticed that the emotional void of the mansion's inhabitants extended to their care of the magical creatures. Although their physical needs were meticulously attended to, there was a glaring absence of affection or genuine connection. They were regarded as assets rather than sentient beings with feelings or desires.
However, I hailed from a place where emotions and bonds were paramount, where the heart's warmth took precedence over the chill of cold logic. Where women could coldly toy with men's emotions, hearts, money, and then just discard them like changeable clothes—or the opposite could happen as well. I was determined to interact with these creatures differently. In my homeland, love for animals was essential; without it, the missionaries would not bestow food upon those who would kick a dog or kitten.
Guided by the manual yet trusting my intuition and emotional insight, I commenced my interactions with them.
The first encounter I had with a griffin during my stable cleaning duties genuinely astonished me. The essence of a griffin transcends the stories and legends of my childhood. It was not merely a creature; it was a majestic amalgamation of two of the world's most honored beasts: the lion and the eagle.
Its leonine body was a spectacle of sleek, golden fur that glistened under the soft illumination filtering through the stable's apertures. Each underlying muscle exhibited a potent elegance, conveying the impression that the creature was ever-poised for action. The tail, elongated and tufted, flicked occasionally, ensnaring wayward slivers of light.
Yet, it was the wings that utterly enchanted me. Each feather was impeccably arrayed, their colors grading from a rich gold to the softest white. They unfurled with an awe-inspiring breadth, intimating at the griffin's capacity to ascend the loftiest summits or sail through broad chasms. The vision of them evoked within me an intense yearning for liberty.
Then there was a water horse, "What creature is that, Dea?"
Dea uploaded some information: "Kelpies, as the legends described, were water spirits known to inhabit the lochs and water bodies of this realm. They often took the form of a beautiful, silver horse. As much as they appeared alluring, tales had always warned of their deceptive nature. They would lure the unsuspecting to ride them, only to drag them into the depths of their watery homes, never to be seen again."
The creature's mane undulated, mirroring the myriad hues that the sunlight cast upon the water's surface. Its gaze latched onto mine, and in that instance, the passage of time seemed to halt. There was a mesmerizing beauty about it, and I felt an impulse to draw nearer, to graze my fingers along its silken mane. The allure was potent, and with each step I took in its direction, I sensed an almost magnetic pull.
"Master, I would advise against approaching it," a voice warned.
Inhaling deeply and mustering my resolve, I opted to maintain a respectful distance. There is a distinct difference between admiring the splendor of such an entity from a safe remove and succumbing to its beguiling charm.
The Emotree, with its capacity to exhibit varying colors, began to transition to warmer tones around me, adopting soft golds and luminous blues.
Days turned into weeks, and the creatures of the stable began to respond to my care in ways I hadn't anticipated. Their demeanors softened, their movements grew more playful, and an atmosphere once taut with tension gave way to one of tranquility and mutual respect.
See, even animals turn nice to people who give them food. Even a prostitute shows kindness when given money. But I have heard in the past, some husbands still complain about how their wives treat them badly, even after they continue giving them money.
Gruff, who had been dismissive at first, started to take notice of my interactions with the animals. One day, he approached me, his voice carrying a note of curiosity rather than his usual apathy. "Why do you treat them this way?" he inquired.
"Because every living being deserves to feel understood and valued, Gruff," I answered. "Even in a world governed by pure logic, there's room for emotions. They enrich our experiences and deepen our connections."
"Feeling is for the poor and the weak!"
"It's okay to not be okay. Besides, aren't we the weakest and poorest in this mansion? Why shouldn't we find happiness in who we are?"
In my daily prayers, I would say,
[My Dearest True Source, within Your boundless realm, protect every soul, every breath. Bestow wellness, light, love, and depth upon all life and each creature, guiding us toward the True Source of Infinite Light and Everlasting Love.]
The fruits of my labor were reminiscent of the days when I first began tending to the stable. My natural affinity for creatures increased by one point. I earned the title of "Tamer," and with each passing day, my affinity continued to grow.
[TAMER Skill: This ability allows you to domesticate, control, or establish a bond with wild animals or creatures.]
Animal Affinity: This passive skill or trait augments your tamer abilities. It reflects a natural ease or connection with animals. Creatures might be less inclined to attack on sight, more prone to trust, and could even begin to view you as a parental figure.
Though the position was not without its drawbacks and the living conditions left much to be desired, I found joy in my work. There's a unique charm in working closely with magical beasts.
At night, I would sleep alongside the griffin, the kelpies, and the winged horse, and they showed me kindness in return.
Hadiah
-- Hadiah diterima Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone