I don’t think I’m mistaken in interpreting the look that passes over Nicholas’ face as relief.

  “But,” I say with a hint of warning and Nicholas’ expression hardens, “I do have some conditions.”

  “Which are?”

  “My Bound and I must always be treated with respect and valued for what we bring to your House,” I say slowly and deliberately. “If I may be blunt, you need us more than we need you.” I sense that this has angered Nicholas a little.

  “My House offers you significantly more than any-”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about,” I interrupt – it’s rude, I know, but I don’t want an argument here. “I recognise that I’m new to this world and that my ignorance of its customs might get us in trouble. I accept your words about what your House can offer us, and take it on faith that it is more than other Houses could. But what I’m saying is that this isn’t the first time I’ve lived with humans, and it’s not the first time I’ve changed worlds. I reckon that we could manage if we had to. From your words, it seems like your House can’t.”

  There is silence for a long moment.

  “I do have some other options,” Nicholas replies with the slightest hint of defensiveness.

  “But if they were better than pulling someone you don’t know from another world and hoping to goodness he will both be able to do what you want him to do and also willing to do so, then you would have already pursued those.”

  Silence falls again. Nicholas doesn’t drop his gaze from mine, but he also doesn’t refute my words. In the end, it’s me who breaks the silence.

  “I just want to know that we will not be taken for granted. That our needs and opinions will be respected. That if I refuse to do something, you’re not going to use whatever authority you have as lord over his heir to force me to do it.” I put my hand up in a pacifying gesture, though from the way Nicholas recoils slightly, it doesn’t seem to have had the effect I want it to. I quickly put my hand down again. “I’m not saying that you would do that,” I continue quietly but without taking my eyes away from Nicholas’. “But the truth is that I don’t know you. You know more of me than I know of you, in fact. Which is why I want this built into our agreement from the start.”

  Nicholas stays silent for a few moments after I finish speaking, but this time the silence feels thoughtful.

  “I always intended to treat my heir with the respect and value that my heir treats my House,” Nicholas finally answers, his violet eyes intent on my face. I nod slowly – that’s fair enough. I can understand him wanting to make sure of my own dedication as much as I want to make sure of his. And I’m not asking for him to support me if I’m intentionally acting against his interests. But I need to protect myself and my Bound before everything. “If you are my heir, your actions reflect on me and my House. There will be things that you must do which you will not enjoy, people you must communicate with who will frustrate and anger you. If you refuse to do these things, I shall not force you, but at the same time, it reduces the benefit of having an heir at all.”

  “I realise that taking the position means having to deal with politics, and with responsibilities. That’s not the issue,” I respond. “But I need to know that my Bound and I will not be put in dangerous positions without our knowledge and consent, nor will we ever be forced to do things against our morals or principles, and that if we are attacked, the House will defend us or support us in our own defence.”

  “Acting in defence of oneself and one’s property is necessary. I do, however, ask you to bear in mind the reputation of the House when considering reprisals beyond the immediate demands of the situation.” In short, I interpret that as saying that I’m free to act in whatever way I need to to defend myself and my Bound, but that after we’ve dealt with the initial attack, he wants us to consider what next steps to take with the House in mind. Again, fair enough. “I recognise your concerns, but I wish to reassure you that becoming my heir does not by any means make you a slave. As your lord, I would ask you to listen to me and to give my words thought. At the same time, I don’t expect you to follow my words blindly. In fact, in my opinion, one of the hallmarks of a good heir is the ability to know what the House needs, whether or not its lord agrees. Many of my peers would disagree with me, of course. I don't want you working against me or undermining me, as that will not help the House, but if you believe that my suggested approach will not benefit the House as much as your idea, then I expect you to go forward with your idea – and be prepared to accept the consequences if you are wrong.”

  “That’s reasonable,” I agree – it’s not all that different from what I’ve already been doing in the other world. There, I was the leader and the face of the village all too often. I consider the matter carefully but I think that I’ve covered the most important of my concerns. The rest will probably be dealt with in time. But as long as Nicholas isn’t able to force us to do things, I don’t think I need to worry too much about the rest of the teething problems that will most likely eventuate when getting to know someone. It will also hopefully allow me to stay on Kalanthia’s good side. “Alright, how do we do this? Do we have to sign a contract or something?”

  “No,” Nicholas answers with the same seriousness that has characterised the discussion so far. “We will declare our intentions before the Goddess of Binding and she will ensure that the terms are kept. It is by far the most sure of bindings.”

  I frown – Nicholas hasn’t struck me so far as a highly religious person. Then again, I suppose that it’s not always obvious. Or maybe it’s just a cultural thing – like how in trials in the US, I think witnesses have to put their hand on a bible and swear to tell the truth, whether or not they actually believe in God.

  “Are all agreements made that way?” I can’t help but ask curiously. Nicholas shakes his head sharply.

  “The Goddess does not want to be disturbed for minor affairs. For an agreement made in her name to be binding, she must bless it and she does not do so unless she wishes to.”

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  Huh, that sounds a little more intense than the ‘hand on the bible’ thing.

  “You seem pretty sure that she’ll, uh, bless this one, though,” I point out. Nicholas gives a thin smile.

  “She is our House’s patron deity and we have a special place in her affections. That is not to say that we should take advantage of it, of course, but I am confident that she will have interest in a matter such as this. It is the future of our House at stake, after all.”

  “I see,” I reply, feeling more than a little troubled. That sounds a lot more serious than just putting a hand on a bible. I’ve read a number of fantasy books where deities are a lot more present and active than the one or ones on Earth seemed to be. In those books, it wasn’t a question about whether the deities existed, but more about whether they would choose to respond to a plea. Could there be something similar here? Perhaps these ‘deities’ aren’t exactly what I’d consider as ‘gods’ but are very powerful entities who are able to express their favour or disfavour in tangible ways. In which case, having this ‘goddess’ intervene in the agreement might actually make it more binding than even a contract lodged with an authority would. “What are the consequences of having the, uh, goddess bless the agreement, then?” I ask. It’s not that I’m intending on breaking it, but I want to know what I’m getting myself into.

  “It makes the Goddess the final arbitrator if one of us decides that the other has broken the agreement, and it is she who enforces the consequences of that.” Which definitely sounds like the ‘goddess’ is more present than I’m used to gods being. The samurans seem to have a belief in a community of ancestors who watch over their descendents, but that doesn’t have too much impact on everyday life. This seems to be a little different.

  “What kind of consequences would that be?” I ask warily. Nicholas raises a hand to his shoulder and turns it palm upwards again – a shrug, perhaps.

  “It is up to the Goddess to decide based on the infraction, but can be anything from a minor favour owed and enforced, to smiting on the spot or permanent binding to the other party.”

  That…sounds far too like the tales of pagan gods back on Earth for my comfort.

  “Would she judge fairly, though? You’ve said it yourself – she’s the patron deity of your House,” I point out.

  “Don’t voice such doubts in her presence or that of her priests,” Nicholas warns me urgently. “The Goddess of Binding takes both the letter and spirit of agreements very seriously and accusing one of them of partiality is a grave offence with a heavy punishment if proven false.”

  Hopefully that means that the priesthood of this particular Goddess isn’t corrupt, but I somehow doubt it – corruption can be found in all places, especially those which seem the least corruptible. Still, hopefully that doesn’t extend to the deity herself considering that she presumably has the power to do and be whatever she pleases without needing to hide it.

  “I am uncomfortable with involving a third party in our agreement like this,” I say as diplomatically as I can. “Will you accept any other form of agreement? An Oath, perhaps?” I see the answer on his face before he answers.

  “I will not. Oaths are acceptable for more minor matters, but the consequences they impose are not nearly serious enough for an agreement of this magnitude. Just as you must place trust in me, I must place immense trust in you. My House – its resources, its reputation, its future – will be in your hands. I wish to believe in your words, but I am far too experienced with the fickle nature of humanity to do so. You may be entirely sincere now, and yet change your mind later. And besides that, as the patron deity of my House, I risk offending the Goddess of Binding if I don’t involve her in such a momentous agreement. I am afraid to say that this is not negotiable.”

  “I see,” I respond flatly. Again, it’s not that I intend on breaking the agreement, but I hate tying myself into such final decisions, especially ones which don’t only hold my own life in the balance.

  “However,” Nicholas continues, sounding a little more hesitant. “Perhaps it would be better if you take a night to sleep on the decision. I can wait for tomorrow to know – time is not so short that giving you some time to think is impossible. Enjoy my hospitality and tell me your decision at breakfast tomorrow.”

  “Alright,” I agree. That sounds good. It also lets me get more of a measure of this man, to see how he interacts with his servants; how they react to him. The best way to gain the measure of a man is to see how he treats those in an inferior social position than his own, after all. “Let’s do that.”

  Nicholas inclines his head and then stands up.

  “In the meantime, would you like a tour of the grounds? Or would you prefer to rest? It will take a little time for my staff to prepare a bedchamber for you and your Bonded, but if you are tired, we can certainly arrange it.” Is it cynical to wonder if he’s wanting to show me what I’d be turning down if I choose not to go through with the agreement? I think to myself.

  “Let me see what my Bound want to do,” I say to Nicholas. So, do you guys want to go on a tour or rest?

  I receive a number of different responses. The younger generation of Lathani, Ninja, Trouble, Blaze, and Spot are all interested in exploring. Bastet and Kalanthia, however, express a preference to rest and relax. The Pathwalkers side with the two older felines, though River would prefer to be with me, whatever I decide. The Warriors are more interested in getting a better idea of the environment, wanting to know what threats they’ll need to prepare for. I don’t try to tell them that there aren’t any threats, though I suspect that they will be more likely ones which they won’t be able to fight with their spears and clubs. The two deris and alcaorises are also interested in exploring, as is Siroco. Fenrir, of course, is happy to just come along with me. And Aingeal has no preference, tucked into my collar as he is, though I suspect he would like to burn some things soon. Perhaps the room will have a fire he can play in later.

  “Is it possible for some of my Bound to remain here while the rest of us go on the tour?” I ask Nicholas. He eyes me carefully.

  “If you can guarantee that none of my staff will be at risk if they come near or inside this clearing.”

  I shrug. “As long as they don’t threaten my people in any way, my Bound won’t threaten them,” I tell him easily. Those who would prefer to remain are among the most sapient of my Bound, so I don’t have any worries there. Kalanthia is probably the least predictable of them all, but she’s pretty calm most of the time – unless there’s a Binder involved. Actually…. “Are we the only two Tamers here, or are there any more?” I ask a little carefully. I suppose I’m assuming that Nicholas is one based on him talking about his ‘family-specific Class’ and all that.

  “Currently, yes,” Nicholas answers, confirming my supposition. “Is this a problem?”

  “No, not at all,” I assure him, then hesitate. Better to warn him than an issue be caused later. “Your staff should be fine, but I would suggest that you don’t approach my Bound without me around. They can sometimes be a little…touchy around Tamers.” I don’t single Kalanthia out in particular, of course – that’s not my story to tell.

  “I see,” Nicholas replies slowly and I try not to shift uncomfortably under the piercing stare he levels on me. “I will bear this in mind.” He stands and I automatically stand to match him – something tells me I should. “Shall we?”

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