Chapter Four: Shabit’s and Golem’s

Why?

Why did we take those two into the manor?

Vasi, I understand that one was invited. It was a cultural exchange. She learned some of our Kemetic magic, and we learned some of her family's Kabbalah arts. Her golem is the only proof needed for its success. 

Then, there’s Daegan. He was a student from hell. Unable to set still, unsatisfied with the manor, and disregarded any rumors of the city. For the child of a trained assassin, his tact and patience was no deepper than a puddle. 

I don’t even know why we bother anymore. It's been months, and he is barely receptive to any of our instructions or any form of study. 

Like we're trying to fill a broken vase with water.

He passes out in his chair when being lectured.

Actively escapes from any room we ask for him to study in.

And he is…he is not a…he’s dumb as bricks. I wish I was being mean but that its actively true, he is a black hole of academia. 

Now, worst yet, a distraction from what should be my primary focus. 

Kor on the other hand…

I regretted both that my father didn’t see my project's merits and that he went to such methods to prove if they did.

Something, I had heavy weight on my shoulder as I repaired her breaks and cracks. 

I felt bitter thinking about the fight and the fact it was loss…even more when I realized that was my first thought about it and not the injuries that Kor sustained or her emotional state. 

We were alone in a shabit workshop, one of the places the family stores most of the maintenance shabit’s and spare magical tools. I chose it because of the seclusion, I was not in the mood to speak with the rest of my family at the moment.

After I fixed her external damage, her gaze was focused away from me. 

“You have my-”

“Why would I need to fight?”

“Beg my pardon?” I asked.

“I was told that I was created because Ellie asked right?” 

“It is strange that you shortened her name to that but yes.” 

“So why the combat training, why the whole trials thing?”

So that's what this is about, I thought to myself. 

“Three reasons, two that are of substance, one that is simply procedure.” I tried to explain. “From the angle of importance, Ellie...god’s it's hard to call her that, Eldora want you to be safe with a powerful body but gave little instructions so I gave you a body that can fight even if you're not mentally able. The second is that is part of the magic that animates you, the…character could fight, therefore you can. And finally all of the other shabit’s are made to fight for us. Direct fighting is barbaric.” I tried to explain diplomatically.

“The son of the man that called for a death match thinks its barbaric.” She said with an eye roll. 

“My family is from the ancient roots of Kemet, from the first noble families.” I waved off. “He simply wants to keep that image, most of my siblings still know combat magic.” 

“And you?” 

“Architecture and healing mostly.” I answered mostly honestly. Partially out of habit, telling other people what kind of magic you have makes it easier to find your weakness. 

...it's probably dumb to do so for Kor but I also haven't told her I was the one who constructed body. So it's not much different from what I was already doing now. 

“So when will your father-”

“Father likes to be unexpected. It could be a few days or weeks before he gives another one.” I shrugged.

“But what do I do for now?” Kor asked. “I am barely tolerated and keep getting strange looks.” 

The door of the workshop opened and Jabroni walked on in.

“I could use an assistant.” The baboon said. “thumbs are very useful.”

I looked at the primate. 

“Are you fine with it?” 

“I don't even know what an assistant means?...but if it means I can get to move around...alright.” I gestured for Jabroni to lead her away. He held her hand as she gave me a solitary look. 

Leaving the room with only me and the tools. As well as a small breathing figure. 

“Vast please don’t hide in the shadow’s.” I ask as Vasi stepped out of a darken corner. “Why the cloak and dagger approach? Your getting rusty?” 

“You didn’t see Daegan.” Vasi retorted as if felt a finger on my shoulder. The tall Irish boy already there. 

“Yell’ow.” Daegan said with a chipper smile.

“Daegan you should be studying.” I chastised. 

“Sure, sure, sure, I'll consider it...after you le me outside.” 

“For the last time, you and I are both not allowed outside of the manor without strict permission.” 

“Your fathers pursuit of absolute safety is suffocating. “ Vasi said.

“And boring, and cruel, and torturous. And annoying. And need I go on? Let me outside. I am literally begging?” I do not understand his obsession with being outside. 

“Both of our families have enemies at all times, aiming for our heads. This city especially, most definitely now.” I went through the motions of explaining. “It has been months now, you can't say there is nothing in the manor that you prefer to be outside?”

“No” they both agreed. 

“Hahaha, I hate this place on principle. I'd rather be in a cardboard box with a nice breeze. I'm gonna get out you and your family suck and Mr. Joseph is going to come back for me and I will be outside when he does. Good bye and good riddance.” Daegan said as he rushed through the door in yet another failed escape attempt. 

“I give him ten-twenty tops, thirty if he greased up his body with gristle again.” I said as the Irish boy high tailed it out of sight and left his sister and me alone. Inspecting the tools of the closet.” 

“I understand why your father has obelisks the size of saxony inside his ass but why are you emulating it?” Vasi asked bluntly. 

“Surprising lack of tact for a aspiring spymaster but continue to your actual point.” I took one of the fixed tools and waved my other hand, manifesting a piece of paper. Doing the motion once more to manifest a pencil. 

“Speaking of frank. Why are you doing your best to pick up traits that are not you?” 

“I am doing my best to make sure your brother and the new soul under my charge do not draw the ire of a man who wouldn't think twice to punish them severely.”

“So you will do the same in his place to make sure he doesn't know you can't reign over them with an iron fist.” She said sharply.

I kept my focus by drawing some designs on the piece of paper while using the tool to keep lines straight. 

“I only want them to be safe, I would allow them to be able to go outside but we both know that there is half a dozen groups that don't salivate over the news ‘The heads of the Dietrich family and their allies: found dead in alley.’”

“My brother is not that weak.” Vasi manifested a knife in her hand. “Neither of us are.” 

“We both know that power is sometimes meaningless in combat. And that Daegan...is not that clever, he will be manipulated.” I insisted. Drawing up a specific design. 

“He is smart in his own right you and your family just- what are you even doing?” Vast pointed to my drawing. 

“Drawing designs, I keeps me focused. Besides, I was on the right track with Kor, but clearly I need modifications.”

“You're going to replace her?” 

I dropped my pencil.

“No, no, I just need to refine the process. You know, you're going to improve over Frigs design. And Eldora wants all of her friends to be brought back. I am not replacing her, I am bringing back her family.” She knitted her eyes. 

“Why did you take that order, you know she will kill you if you fail or mistreat them-”

“I am mistreating her nor will I do so with her sisters.” I said sternly. 

“Then why didn't you tell her it was you that brought her back? I don’t what your angle is?” 

“It's not an angle it's...I don't want her to feel indebted to me.” I said simply before picking up the pencil. “I don't want her indebted or feel an obligation or, god’s above, worship me for bringing her back.” 

“You really think she would-” 

“I think we forget how people see us, normal people. Even though we are the most human members of our friend groups. Hell, we know more demigods than actual humans personally.” I tried to explain. 

“We are human.” 

“Your father is a man who owns several toy factories and my father owns this whole city, we are not normal humans.” She shrugged.

“Maybe, but it's still strange. Just think about It at least. She deserves to know and you did do something great.” Vasi admitted. 

“Sorry that my father is being...difficult.” Vasi smirked at my words. 

“May the best craftsmen win.” She raised her hand. I shook it. 

“He will win.” I said with a smirk. She left the workshop with a determined look as I went through the current design. Looking and examining it. I took the paper and waved my hand, it disappeared in an instant. Taking a new piece of paper, and began to writing out a plan. A plan of attack with speculation on the next challenges. 

I worked. And worked for what must have been hours. Going into history and the old stories of the gods for inspiration. As well as some prayer to calm myself between work sessions. 

Lighting incense and sacrificing bits of snacks that I had the other shabits bring to me. 

Ignoring calls from everyone if it wasn't father. Letting myself focus on nothing else. Nothing but strategy and planning as I felt hour after hour drag on. 

Only taking a break when a personal alarm informed me it was time for dinner, walking out after storing away the plans. Finding an empty dinner table. Large and expansive with over twenty chairs. Exotic and savory food laid about with several missing plates. My favorite dish, waiting for me, naan with yellow rice and beef. 

I looked over to a plate with chicken nuggets and soda.

Strange, usually Daegan would be here at this point, if not eating then at least swiping some bread. 

“Where is he?” I said as I inspected the area around the seat. Trying to find any marks or tracks. I found nothing. I raised a hand, and a shabit came out of the wall. The standard set with blue stone making up the body and standard Kemetic garb. 

“Locate Daegan.” I ordered.

“Subject Daegan cannot be found, presence no longer exists within manor grounds.” The Shabit said with a slow droning voice. 

“Alright. Should be simple-what did you say?” I paused.

“Subject Daegan cannot be found, presence no longer exists with-” 

“What do you mean, the subject can't be found!?” I shouted. “He couldn't have found a way out, no would give him a way-” I had a realization. “Dammit Jabroni.” I cursed under my breath. 

“Should I inform-” 

“Tell no one. Not father, Jamil, Martin, or Dali.” I manifested my staff from thin air and commanded a hallway to open. Hesitating for a few moments, looking at the vast opening.