Book 3: Chapter 58: A Subtle Influence

Book 3: Chapter 58: A Subtle Influence

Arthur read the card. To his continued surprise, it was a Common.

Well. That likely explained how Valentina had managed to keep it under wraps.

Subtle Influence

Common

Mind

The wielder of this card will be granted the power to subtly influence direct conversations in which they are participating. The wielder will be able to push a subtle weight to all of their words, which will have the effect of nudging a conversation in the direction they wish. This is a minor influence and may be counteracted by a strong will. Conversely, this card will have a greater effect on an unsteady, weak, or compromised mind. This is an active skill that uses mana.

Seeing this card colored every conversation hed ever had with Valentina. He couldnt pinpoint a specific incidence he had been manipulated, but Valentina had always seemed like a larger than life person, as if she held an outsized presence in the room.

He thought it was the force of her personality. Now, he wondered.

Looking at her as she held the card out to himwhat must have been the major source of her powershe seemed . . . diminished. And he didnt think it was only because she was dying.

What are you waiting for? she croaked, a thin smile on her lips. Surely you have a card that has unlocked the use of mana?

It was meant to be a joke, but it fell flat.

Mind cards were strictly regulated for good reasons.

Not that it had stopped Arthur. Brixs mind-messaging ability had come straight from one of the Mind Singers sisters.

No, Arthur was bothered by something else.

Valentina, you know the cards that I have, he said carefully. We talked about the cards I had back at Buck Moon Hive. Pause. Remember?

She stared at him for a moment, and then her gaze went vague. No, we didnt. In . . . Buck Moon Hive? When was . . .? She shook her head. Im afraid I cant recall. You are young, Arthur. As you get older, the days seem to fly by faster and faster. Memories pile up, they jumble together and . . . sometimes, Im afraid I lose details. Im not the only one. Her gaze sharpened to make her seem more like her usual self, and she speared him with a significant look.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Youre talking about the king.

Nodding, she finally dropped her outstretched hand, though the card still stayed in place, hovering between them on a small pillow of cloud.

And above them, the undying king would always be waiting for him to make a fatal misstep.

He was in for a life of deep frustration born out of stagnation, because if Arthur was stuck doing the actual work, when would he ever be able to grow stronger?

A voice that sounded a lot like Brixaby whispered they could always arrange a convenient accident for Whitaker.

But then, surely, the other hives would take the opportunity to pounce. If they took over Wolf Moon Hive completely, Arthur would be placed as a junior Legendary somewhere elseand carefully watched and untrusted because he had originally come from a different hive.

His job, his life, would be frustrating and largely thankless . . . and for what?

Looking at Valentina, he saw deep sympathy in her eyes. She knew what he was in for because shed been carrying this load for the hive for a long time. But the difference between them was that shed had seniority over Whitaker and therefore some influence over his worst impulses.

Arthur didnt.

What even is the point? Arthur blurted.

She shrugged her shoulders. Someday, Whitaker will die and you will ascend to the high leader position. There may even be another Legendary egg laid in the interim. If youre clever enough to keep it here in this hive, you may be able to cultivate an ally

No, he said sharply. Im not talking about this stupid power play. Im talking about the war. What is the point? Were about to go up against a scourgeling that has taken over one of the free hives and all the dragons in it . . . but what then? Never-ending fighting against endless eruptions while managing someone who cant be bothered to manage himself? I have better things to do with my timewith my lifethan play babysitter and contribute to a perpetual war. Where do the scourgelings even come from? Do you know? Does anyone?

She didnt answer and, frustrated, he continued.

Valentina, there has to be a better way than waiting around to act and then fighting. Theres more to learn than whats inside this kingdom. Ive seen beyond the borders

What may or may not be out there isnt your concern, she said firmly. Your duty is to Wolf Moon Hive. You made that agreement when you decided to link with your dragon. Its the price of power. Now, she added sharply when he opened his mouth. With a shooing motion, she pushed the tiny cloud carrying the card at him. You know what kind of a card this is and why you must keep it secret. Youre no idiot, Arthur. Take it.

Arthur snapped his mouth shut. Not because he had more to say, but because he knew whatever words he managed would fall on deaf ears. He gave no voice to the resentment boiling in his heart.

But he knew now that as much as he would be able to doeven if he dedicated his entire life to the hiveit wouldnt matter. He would be stuck mitigating the disaster that was Whitaker without truly being able to grow his own power. Hed have precious little time, if any, for concerns outside the hive. And even if he did, hed be closely watched. That meant no more helping people like his father.

Arthur had become part of the system that had helped imprison his family. He was now powerful, but with responsibilities that weighed him down like chains.

At the same time, Arthur had some sense. He wasnt going to argue with a dying woman who had dedicated her entire life to the status quo.

But as Arthur took the Common mind card, he promised himself that her life was not going to be his.

The cycle ended here.