.^^ Eliza Teagan ^^

— James —

The two women were tough, no doubt about it, and fighting them drained an alarming amount of my magic, but they couldn't defend as well as I could. They were entirely focused on offense, and when I could take their attacks and stay standing, they panicked, making taking them down much easier.

The first one to speak was an Adept Mage at best, even with the Runes, but her sword-skills were impressive, and wildly refined: more than a match for me, if she were as strong or fast as me. Her weapon was also just metal, with a powerful Rune embedded into it, but just metal nonetheless, so it was chipped and shattered in just a few clashes.

I disarmed her of the shattered sword, and then knocked her out, though it made me cringe to do so. She was intriguing, and I didn't want to make a bad first impression with this Clan.

The second was more of a challenge, because she wouldn't get within range, and my Wild Magic was being difficult, unhappy about being some-what tamed with my Ancestral Magic. This made my range limited to skin contact, unfortunately, so I resorted to throwing my sword at her.

Immature, I know, but it still looked choreographed, as the sword turned into a spear, and slammed through her left leg, freezing the appendage.

She screamed, and before I could reach her, a female Elf stepped out of thin air, and casually removed the weapon, tossing it onto the ground in front of me. "That is Enough." She murmured, and wove a Rune with her fingers, pressing it to the frozen leg. The ice melted, to my surprise, then the leg healed in front of my eyes.

A power play, no doubt, because I saw the pointed tips of her long ears turn a bit grey, after the two Runes; a sign she'd used more magic than she should have.

Then she stepped towards the rift she'd created in the first place. I had realized her intention, before she managed, so my spear was carefully placed against her throat before she completed the movement.

Then I ripped the Rift into shreds, destroying it, and smiled. "Can't have you dodging, can I, luv? My name is James Peterson-Parthenos. Yours?" I asked.

She smirked. "You're Cute, but if you don't take your spear away from my throat, I'll ram it up yer arse."

"Oh? Perhaps if you explain yourself and introduce yourselves, like civilized people, there won't be any need for me to be so wary?" I countered.

She shook her head. "The Skalds of Belfast refuse you an audience, that's all you need to know."

I hummed. "How rude. Didn't even get to introduce myself properly before they slammed the door. So what, was this a test of some sort? And I failed?"

She shook her head. "This was a warning to send you away, and we underestimated you. Next time, we won't. Don't come after us again."

"After you? I'm not after you. I'm not Hunting. I'm here to talk about a Relic I recently got in a Quest. That's all, for first meetings." I explained myself, sheathing the spear in my belt, where it turned back into a sword.

She blinked. "Your armaments say otherwise."

"I like to be prepared. I have lots of enemies, especially in this portion of the world. Now if you're done making baseless assumptions, I'd like a meeting." I said stubbornly.

She sighed, and stepped away, reaching into her back pocket, making me tense up, ready to dodge. She withdrew a piece of chalk that blazed with magic in my mind's eye, and drew a door on the ground.

"Fine. My Mother will decide what to do with you." She shrugged.

I laughed softly. "Oh dear, you act like I'm a prisoner, Luv! This will be fun, yeah... well, wounded ladies first." I bowed sarcastically at the two women.

"No hard feelings, yeah?" I asked. The Mage girl glared at me, and the swordswoman grinned happily, agreeing.

They stepped through the doorway, and I looked at the beautiful Elf, though still wary of her weapons. "After you, Miss-...?"

She hummed, looking me up and down. "You can call me Eliza Teagan."

"Then it's been my utmost Pleasure, Madame Eliza Teagan." I smiled charmingly.

She hid her blush by diving into the doorway, and I followed, stepping in with the same magic that allowed me to walk up a sheer cliff face.

I walked into a large multi-story wooden cottage, and grinned when I saw the others had landed in graceless piles on a mound of pillows that was about a meter in front of the glowing doorway.

It closed itself, and in its place was a single archway that led to another section of the house.

I looked around, with my mind's eye, and smirked. "Ahh, Interesting... I thought I had the idea first... damn, and here I was, thinking I was being original." I chuckled.

A tall Elven man was sitting next to a computer, in the story above us. He perked up at my voice, and whipped around, a Rune blazing to life above his clenched fist.

I held my hands up calmingly. "Cool it, Bowie, no need for the quick-draw. Seems there's been a misconception here, that I'm here for a fight, which I'm not."

The Rune stayed, but he glanced at Eliza.

"It's true, we were wrong... also, he kicked all of our asses, so that Rune isn't really souped up enough, brother." Eliza shrugged. The Rune blazed white over his hand, causing his ears to turn a bit grey, and she smiled. "Better, but unnecessary."

I hummed. "I was told that Skalds were the strongest Mages that existed in Midgard... who are you lot supposed to be?" I asked suddenly.

She blushed, and stuttered for a few moments, before a chill came over my neck, and someone spoke from behind me, someone I hadn't detected at all.

"They are only Apprentices... young blood, inexperienced and still learning how to channel themselves... but who are you, is the better question." The voice was definitely feminine, but I also detected a male voice, as if they were speaking in sync, one a single decibel louder than the other.

I controlled the shiver that tried to rip through me, and answered calmly, turning around and grinning. "I'm James Peterson-Parthenos, Lady Durham's Grandson! I came by for a few questions, is all, and there was something of a mix-up, so you have my apology for my part of that."

The female elf blinked. "Parthenos? I know that name... Greek?"

"Yes, Mrs.,... Teagan?" I asked.

She smiled warmly. "Ah! Yes, indeed. I am Siobhan Teagan, and this is my husband, Hartford. Welcome, child, your grandmother is doing well, I hope?" She sat us all down with a single look, and had tea boiling in a few seconds.

"Oh yes, she's quite healthy, I believe. Happy, as well, with her Peter." I nodded.

She smiled. "I knew she would like him... good! And you say you had some questions for us? I'm sure you know the rules, yes?"

"That you aren't going to teach me, no matter how much I beg you." I shrugged.

She laughed. "Something like that, yes. So, question away!"

I nodded, and pulled out my axe, setting it against the wall. "That's the Axe of Thor, Jarnbjorn. I need to control it, but I cannot use regular magic. My magic, a conglomerate mixture of Ancestral African/Iberian Wicca/Voodoo and Irish Fae Nature Magic And also Wild Magic, is more akin to a Dwarf, and so I need a different method." I explained casually, ignoring the six people who paused when they felt the power emanating from the axe.

The eldest Elf blinked, and hummed. "Interesting... you got it in a Quest, you said?"

"Yes, it was in Muspelheim, hidden away there by Khaime Thunder-Eyes. He gave me the quest after my father saved his life." I nodded.

She smiled. "Ahh, I hadn't thought to look there... my family used to collect things like this, and either destroy them or hide them away, depending on where it was from."

"Your Family was one of the ones who tracked down Christian Relics?" I asked, surprised.

She nodded. "For a long time, yes. Our skills as Skalds made it possible for us."

"And the pieces of the Relics left over were powerful, and good for putting Runes on, so you could pretend the power came from you, not a God. Smart." I made the connection easily.

Her husband glared at me, standing up. "It is not pretending. The Runes are ours-!"

"Yes, Yes, but the power is not, now Sit Down, Fido." I waved him down carelessly, and looked at his wife. "Anyway, moving on; I had a theory on how I could control this axe, but I didn't want to do it, and then get myself blasted into oblivion because I mucked it up." I said seriously.

She frowned. "There's no need to be rude, either of you... but I'll hear your theory?"

"My Ancestral Magic, when I use it, travels down my body from my heart, looking like computer circuitry. It follows the natural paths of my nervous system, for the most part." I began.

"Yes, most magic does." She nodded.

"If I placed a magical guide of sorts on my forearm, and a space in the middle to brand temporary Runes, I could possibly Direct that magic in a predictable direction, without it back-tracking, and accidentally killing myself, right?" I asked.

She hummed, eyes wide. "That's a remarkably astute observation... tell me, how many Skalds have you tortured to get that information?" She asked casually.

"None. It was my idea." I answered honestly, then looked around. "Though, when I see your place, I realize many of my ideas are less original than I thought."

She raised an eyebrow. "How So?"

"This House is in a Pocket Dimension, like my bag." I patted the bag. "I had the idea to build myself a house inside my Dimension, when I first got the bag, but I was told it would be too difficult, and if the bag was stolen or burned, I was dead... so I'm guessing this place is inside a box of some sort; Something buried, that's why you portal in. Maybe a Coffin?" I nodded.

She frowned again. "An astute observation... again. Hart, is he telling the truth?"

"Unfortunately." The man muttered.

"What's unfortunate about it?" I asked.

"I don't get to kill you, first-off." He grumbled.

"Oi, old Elf or no, that's just fucken' rude, and you will not be speaking that way to a Guest in your Home!" I growled at him.

He silenced himself when his wife glared at him, and she looked at me, next. "True, he speaks out of line. Either way, you've taken the first step to becoming a Skald, whether I like it or not... so, you'll be joining my Clan." She said sternly.

I raised an eyebrow. "As Long as I don't have to marry Miss Priss over there, and you don't expect me to leave my Clan, which outnumbers yours about 50-1, I'm game."

She blinked. "The Parthenos Clan is that large?"

"Yes. There's 150 of them, and then there's only about fifty or so Petersons left, since the Split, and the Nero Clan is about 30, plus all their ancestors, but they don't count in a numbers poll, so 250 or so. 50-1 ratio almost holds." I shrugged.

She smiled slowly. "And you're the Linchpin holding them all together?"

"More glue, really." I corrected her.

She nodded. "I see... well, there's only six of us, so I suppose joining the Peterson clan wouldn't be that big of a deal. Not the Parthenos, you understand, just the Peterson's."

"Love! No!" Hart growled in Hungarian, of all languages.

She shrugged. "It seems wise. The Traitor Clan is a threat to us all. He seeks power to destroy them. It needs not to be permanent... but think what we could accomplish together, with access to Irish Fae resources, and them with basic knowledge of Skald-Magic?"

"I'll need far more than basic knowledge." I murmured distractedly, thinking about the contract I would have to write.

She flicked her eyes towards me. "You speak Hungarian?"

"I speak all the Tongues of Man and Spirit." I shrugged, and then went back to thinking of unbreakable phrasing's.

"Mm... interesting Gift. Is it Genetic?" She asked suddenly.

Eliza blushed, and growled at her mother in Gaelic. "Mum! That's just weird! He's so young!"

"I am, Yes. 14, last year. I turn 15 on August 1st... but no, the Gift of Tongues isn't Genetic, and I'm not looking to marry anyone or have any children until I'm at least 18. You can have Warren, if you like... I'm sure he wouldn't mind a woman to throw him around." I glanced at the swordswoman.

She grinned. "I call dibs, Aunty Siobhan!"

The woman hummed. "I know of Warren. I approve. I'll speak with your grandmother about it this weekend, when we meet for cards."

"She plays cards?" I hummed, surprised.

"She does, yes. Very good at getting beaten." She smirked.

"I resent that comment, I let you win." Aunty Durham stepped through my portal ring, lounging next to me casually.

"Oh, sorry, did I not mention why the Chalk made sense to me? The Ring was my version. Doesn't require recharging." I hummed.

"Yeah? Well, our Version works in any realm!" The younger female snapped, before her mother and older sisters glared at her.

I smiled. "Interesting... I might be upgrading my Mirror soon, then, if you're still interested in teaching me."

Aunty Durham looked at me, shocked. "You've gotten her to agree to teach you already?"

"Her Clan is joining yours... Warren is getting married, I think, to the woman knight over there." I nodded.

She sized the woman up, and nodded. "Yes, a good fit... Now! Siobhan, let's talk privately, yes? This isn't a debate for children to take part in."

"I agree, though Warren and Gail will be present. We will speak of it after cards this weekend..." she said pointedly.

Aunty Durham smiled. "Ah, Yes. I'll be going, darling." She kissed my cheek, murmuring. "Well done, child!"

I opened a portal into her parlor, and she stepped through, as it faded. "See? Weaker, but more versatile, and I don't need to draw the portal every time." I explained.

Siobhan nodded. "Impressive work... you're a CraftSmith, then? Not a War-Mage?"

"I'm a Mutt, honestly. I was born of a Crystal Mage and an Irish Nature Ünterqueen, and then I was kept ignorant of magic or my heritage for 13 years. So, to be honest, I don't really care for labels." I said calmly.

She blinked. "Ahh... you're that grandson. Durham speaks of you, sometimes, when we play cards. Mm... so let me see you draw a Rune." She drew me over into the hallway behind the portal, and at the end we found a massive atrium, laced with protective spells powerful enough to entirely dissipate even my strongest of Relics.

I pulled out an empty Talisman, and chose a Gaelic Rune for Fire, carving it with my mind, then pouring magic into it as it settled. The Volcanic Pumice is gotten from Muspelheim caught fire so hot that even my skin started to burn, so I held it by its chain. "Tadah. The Rune for Fire." I nodded.

She raised an eyebrow, and dragged a finger though air swiftly, drawing the Rune for Ice, and instantly snuffing out the Talisman. The talisman was still trying to burn, but the Rune was overpowering it.

I narrowed my eyes, and poured as much magic as I safely could into it, and grinned when her Rune shattered, and the ball of pumice caught fire again.

She raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed. You've got a serious amount of magical power... but what could I have expected from an Ünterking, Fledgling or no?" She said, and I narrowed my eyes, searching her voice for sarcasm.

She drew the Rune again, this time with so much power that the flames froze in place. "But raw power won't always win your battles for you."

"Did you imagine I had a different reason for being here?" I asked dryly.

She raised an eyebrow. "I did, yes, I thought you came here for power. If you didn't, why did you come?"

"Knowledge. I'm greedy for it. You hold the most secretive magic on the planet, and when I learned about you, I knew I wanted to learn everything you knew about Runes. See, my Gift lets me translate everything I Hear. But I can't read Runes without studying them like a normal person. Whereas my aunt, she has the Gift of Runes, the opposite problem. If my CraftSmith aunt and I work together, with me knowing Skald Magic, there's no end to the mischief we can get up to, in the Forge." I grinned.

She laughed. "So War Magic is only for Hunting, but the rest are for your normal life?"

"Yes. I do have a very nice life, outside of quests and hunting rebels and helping my father as a Healer. I make things, great things, then I sell them, buy materials, and make more things. Some people call it boring or monotonous or pointless, but there's nothing more peaceful than Crafting, to me." I shrugged.

She nodded. "I feel the same way about gardening, to be honest."

"Ha! Yeah. Plants talk to me, though, and I'm still getting used to that... I haven't actually gardened in a while because of it. Creepy as hell." I shivered.

She blinked. "Wait... PLANTS talk to you?!?"

I nodded, confused. "Yes? Most magical plants, and a few normal ones, like Trees or Flowers."

She grabbed me started dragging me through the house.