Role

Chapter 2

It is too much to ask isn't it? For a simple cat to try to live in this
world unbothered? They wish to keep me in my place. How naive I was to think I
could fit in with the other mages.

I rested in the Guild of Shapeshifting, as though I were one of them.
But when I awoke? A stranger, a kindred shapeshifter, murdered me
immediately. Ihol, was his name.

There is no independence in this land. All of them, forging false friend-
ships just to ensure their protection and, not least of all, power.

You are at liberty to murder whomever you wish, Ihol? Did lowly Najhriv
strengthen your reputation satisfactorily? Or what of you, Raik? To
hunt the world for any and all opponents, in the name of combat? Of
"brawling?" When you merely poison and summon just as any other priest.

Yet you Raik, who lustily summoned me to Thrym so many years ago, did not
find a fight me with me so appealing when it suited you to rank? Perhaps
my death was not so memorable. But joining you, then, of course, suited me
as well. But how clear you were. To the exact, precise rank of 28. That is
when you would stop, so you would be at your most deathful, for whatever
period it was that suited you.

Liars, all of you, "Outlanders." Ihol, you have spurred me to forge my
own false friendships. I will join the Blood Tribunal, and I will bring
a most hindering form of truth to the lot of you. Whether you think I
deserve to or not.