A Lesson in Weaving
30 days of Fantasy Prompts 27, Thalenra Short Story. Only for the eyes of those sworn to the Pale Eye's Oath. Un-prepared reading may result in memory loss.
Written for Prompt 27 of the 30 Days of Fantasy challenge, hosted by Luna Asli Kolcu. Come through the door.
An art-form. Never forget that is what our work is. It takes finesse, to craft a memory indistinguishable from the others in your subject’s mind. Subtle weaving of thought and emotion, to create a moment that they cannot see as anything other than the truth you designed.
It is of course possible to simply force them to accept, remove their resistance, remove the thoughts that it can't be true. But it is unnecessary, and inevitably leads to failure; unless of course you only have interest in creating blunt instruments.
Weaving we call it, and for good reason. The tapestry we create through our weaving is intricate, sophisticated, beautiful in its complexity. Think of how carefully the design must be planned, the care that must be taken with the small details. It is not enough to add a few words to a conversation. You must account for the actions as they speak, their expression, the emotions of your subject on hearing those words, ensuring they drift naturally to the ones desired. The environment around the subject has to be accounted for. Many month's work has been lost, when an architect did not take account of the echoes of a room, causing the voice of the speaker to change and ring false.
It is important to our work that the planning goes beyond the memory itself, before the subject is ever approached. You must understand them as an observer, before you attempt to broach their mind. How will they react to a friend, a stranger? What will they do when faced with an offer, a threat? Understand all existing connections they have, before deciding which to include in your tapestry, which to alter, which to sever. Only when you know the place of those around them, should the subject be approached; long before you enter their life. Time carefully when they will become aware of you, for it will greatly effect the memories you design.
Once within your reach, it is tempting to begin straight away. That is always a mistake. By all means observe the memories, but do so subtly, from a distance. Let them become use to the unavoidable touch of your mind on theirs, until it becomes a part of their life. It is here that often the path to Oathbound or Oathsworn is set, without the architect even realising. Tread carefully in the minds of potential recruits.
You will have then, all that you need to begin the subtle changes. Repeat the same moment, let it shift and change, small detail by small detail by smaller still. Leave them thinking they know what’s next, for it to change; not by much, just enough to make the doubt grow naturally and shift their perception of the truth. Of course, the approach is different for all. It is as acceptable to keep them fully within your control as you slowly strip the old memory away, as it is to allow them to go about their business; both have their merits. Take their previous connections into account, when you decide, and adjust accordingly.
It can be useful to allow others to assist at this time, as having several memories shift at once, does wonders for adjusting the subject's perception of reality. Consider carefully however, how much trust can be placed in those others. I myself use only those Oathsworn to me in my work, as cumbersome as that can be.
When you believe your subject is ready to swear, then I advise a test or two before hand. It takes very little resistance for the Oath to fail, and your effort to be wasted on another limited oathbound. The more convinced they are that they take the Oath by choice, the more useful they will be to us. Tailor those tests to the subject, and do not hesitate to push them past their limits. If they are not willing at that point to do whatever is asked of them, they will almost certainly resist the Oath at an inconvenient moment.
At this time all that remains is the Oath itself, within the Pale Eye Circle. Ensure you are the subject’s focus on that day. Let no stray thoughts or worries beset them. All prior connections must be limited or severed prior to the rite, lest the Oath unravels.
And remember this, above all else. The Pale Eye requires all in its service to swear undying loyalty. Never allow one intended for the Oath to walk away; or your own loyalty will be questioned. It will take very little for the life you could enjoy as an Architect, to unravel into the meagre existence of one of the Oathbound.
Thanks for Reading! Not the post I said would be for Prompt 27. Or perhaps it is. Who can say? Memory is such a fickle thing.
This was good for me because I feel I got a bit more background now.