Revelations
Shadow of Zero XXXI
Eventually my own chance at a meal came around, and I dug in with about as much grace as was warranted for the situation, eating fast, but not sloppy.
I was surprisingly good at that all things considered.
"I'm going to need a lab soon." I mused.
"Lab?" Louise asked.
I nodded. "Spell research, bit of alchemy, and a dash of item creation. More the former then the latter, but I might need to make a few things." I only had what I had brought to this world after all. I wasn't nearly as reliant on mystically augmented equipment as say your average adventurer, but I was a far way from supply lines, and wasn't quite willing to barter with outsiders for kit when I could make most of what I needed myself. Trying to get gear out of the higher planes could be tricky to say the least, and dealing with infernals tended to involve long arguments over fine print.
She nodded in understanding. "You will need help?"
Siesta perked up at that. "Help?" she echoed enthusiastically. Well at least I was likely to have a lab assistant then.
"Some." I admitted. "Mostly just getting space. I'll need a shelter a little bit bigger then our room, detached from the main building if possible, but sturdy." It wouldn't do to be interrupted, or to take out a chunk of the academy when something inevitably exploded. I thought on it. "What does your average earth mage charge to rise up a nice thick walled shed?"
"Five hundred new gold." Louise stated at once surprising me. "If you want quality. You could probably get less than fifty if you were willing to just hire a few students."
I raised an eyebrow and gave her a questioning look.
She blushed and offered no explanation.
"Alright." I replied logging it away to uncover later. "I assume that is including the basic enchantments against ware and tare?" ten pounds of gold was a little much for a simple thick walled hut.
She gave a nod, and I pursed my lips a bit at that. "Hum, this is starting to sound like a bigger investment then I intended… ah well in for a penny in for a pound. I do need a lab." I surmised as I adjusted plans.
There was a period of silence, between us, and I scraped the bottom of my plate, noting the sound of all else occurring around us. It seemed Louise's presence here among the serving staff was accepted, or at least tolerated. So far things were looking well on one of my longer term projects.
"Well I suppose we best leave." I mused. "Only so many hours in the day after all." I pointedly did not look. "Specifically to research. I need to work on this worlds take on transfiguration. Basics are vital after all." I added with amusement, eyes flickering to Siesta before turning to Louise.
The former seemed to get the hint, and nodded slightly as Louse rolled her eyes at me. "I know I know." She sighed. "Out to the lake?"
I glanced at the window. The sun was falling already… "Hum. Might as well. Were practicing openly now, and it could do well to help squash the idea I'm helping you cheat." I smirked at that.
Louise shushed me. "Don't say that!" she reacted quickly eyes darting around, clearly concerned. "I don't want that started up as a rumor."
"You know there are advantages to being seen as weaker then you are." I responded coyly.
She rolled her eyes. "In war maybe. You really need to stop being so paranoid. I don't know what happened in your homeland, but your safe enough here."
If only that were true. I mused. "Old habits die hard. You may come to value my caution in time." Rising up I took the plates and started for the sink. Best clean up my own mess while it was still fresh and easy.
"So what are you going to do?" Siesta asked. "You dodged it earlier, but can't you give us a little hint?" she unleashed the dreaded puppy eyes.
Gah, blasted things were harder to resist then an ilithid's 'Mind Blast'. I'd frankly have better luck shrugging off the domination ability of a darastrix'charir.
Well a small tibbit wouldn't give away too much. "Let's just say that one should never challenge a master of illusions when putting on a show." I smirked. I might need a few props though. "Master, I might not be able to be at class with you tomorrow. It's the Day of Wind is it not?" I questioned.
She nodded at that.
"Excellent." I mused. "I know a few small tricks for manipulating air, and I think I can teach you one tonight. I'll need the day to gather a few things from town." The air magic of this land was useful, very potent in times of war, but overall I already had spells that could emulate such functions with far more efficiency and potency. The beginner's lecture and demonstration wouldn't teach me much that ether books or the more advanced courses would not. If I erred, I potentially had a teacher in Tabitha. I had enough confidence in my ability to persuade the bluenet to get basic lessons at least out of her.
Louise looked thrilled at that. "You mean I can actually use what you teach me?" she questioned.
"Some." I stated. "It'll double up as good control training. More so as these are not technically evocation spells." And they were some of the most basic and useful ones at that.
She beamed widely at that. The opportunity to prove herself more than sufficient motivation.
"Are you going to need a guide?" Siesta asked suddenly.
I stopped and looked at my apprentice. "To the lake?" I asked a little confused.
"In the village." She corrected an egger tinge in her voice. "You said you needed to go shop for some things there?"
I paused at that. I had hoped to pop in and out quickly vea magic, taking Siesta would increase my travel times exponentially… but it could also cut down on the time Looking dramatically.
No real harm in it. If anything it'd give me time to make up for this missed lesson.
I gave an open nod. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. It'll give us time to talk over some of the finer details of your employment." I added as both truth and cover.
Louise shot me a look at that, but gave no protest, though oddly I thought I sensed a spike of hostility shoot between my disciples.
Well that was foolish. Siesta knew my master held a certain priority, and Louise didn't even know my new employee even qualified as a 'rival'. I dismissed the motion and focused down on cleaning up the mess my attempts at dinner had caused.
A chance to resupply, a lab in the works, some spare time to teach both apprentices, and apparently open rights to blow off chunks of the day to power nap as needed.
Over all things really couldn't be looking better!
Shadow of Zero XXXII
After we made our way out to the lake I showed Louise a few basic control exercises, namely the basic cantrip of 'mage hand' she had a strong tendency to puree anything she tried to move into its compost elements, but by keeping it simple and toning down the power to as small a trickle as she could, she was getting better.
There was still a rather strong stench of ozone as she used the same trick to move the air around a bit. Slowly but surely however she was starting to get the hang of it.
I took the opportunity offered to catch up on my reading. Draconic memory, and decades of spending time as a near bibliophilic reader sped up how quickly I could go through the theory texts of this land, but I still had a lot of material to work with.
The hard part really was always sorting out what was genuine arcane mechanics from simple yet effectively pointless traditions. There was a science to magic, and although there was also intrinsic ritualism to all forms of magic, even the most superstitious of barbarian sorcerers held purpose to their actions. Parts of the mind were triggered when one spoke, gestures ether shaped the body to help one channel power to its proper shape, or sometimes actively manipulate it after it had already left to form a spell.
The problem really was that people were lazy.
There were two ways to make a spell. Wizards through their understanding of magic, like any other craftsman carefully put together a long series of shaped bursts of form and power to come craft a tailored effect. The results varied of course, as did the means, but overall it was the same basic methodology was the same. They built them from the ground up, understanding every aspect of the spell as necessity. There was no other way they could hold it, control it. To try and use a spell made as such was akin to allowing an undomesticated into your bedroom while you slept helpless.
The second was unique to sorcerers and some divine casters. You winged it.
Innate casters understood magic instinctively; they had senses, instincts, which most people did not. Magic was a part of them, and they a part of it. As such they could cast a spell as easily as most people could throw a punch. There were a few goofs at the start that might end with a broken thumb or knuckles, but over all the more you tried it, the better you got at it. Unfortunately the downside to this was that few actually had a full understanding of their craft of a result.
Did a man need to know which muscle groups tensed in his arm to move his fist? Did he need to understand the laws of momentum? Did he even need to know where to hit? To simply throw a punch in and of itself no. Instinct and experience would teach all of this of course, but it wasn't actually [i]required[/i].
Most starting sorcerers likewise didn't really know what in the nine hells they were doing. Set the air on fire? Sure! Call out to the outer planes for help when in a bit of a jam? Bit trickier, but quite doable. Go turn that annoying chap into a newt? Why the heck not?
But they didn't know how they were doing what they were doing, not completely. And that's were superstition came in. Magic was confusing; it seemed to come out of nowhere and even to its users many functions and behaviors just did not make any conventional sense. A caster might offer a small prayer to their patron god before casting, and the boost in confidence from such could help them focus out a spell they normally couldn't manage. Another might find it ether cathartic or intimidating to throw an unnecessary bodily motion with the casting of an attack spell, an effect really no more useful than a normal fighter yelling out as they threw a more conventional strike. Over time and mimicry, these little pointless rituals built up. It's why occasionally you found an ancient spell that was simply so much more powerful compared to more modern versions. Bad habits hadn't had time to accumulate.
In my homeland, they rarely hit any sort of real momentum. Wizards outnumbered innate casters to a rather large degree, and a sorcerer could learn from mimicking a prepared caster as easily as they could one of their own kin. The more logical approach forced magic users to 'keep lean' on unnecessary ritual. Wasting time, wasting power, drawing more attention than needed, more concentration then needed, all were sins when a hairs breath could all too often mean life or death.
But this land was a paradise.
Man warred on man, the enigmatic elves slaughtered a score there number in the best of case were moral and immortal clashed, but it really all was just so damned peaceful really. Humans were the dominant species period. Towns didn't just disappear every few seasons, only a handful of creatures viewed sapient life as snackmeat, and none of them were really organized, cities stood undefended outside times of open war, and more people than not held assurance of having food on the table so long as they put enough effort into getting it.
There were no monsters here. No demons of the deep, no extra planer horrors trying to claim the realm to expand their empires. No warring gods, no power mad undead seeking to drag all things alive to their state of undead. Even the animals were smaller, less vicious creatures, having no need to compete with the supernatural horrors of my native realm.
Magic was a right here, a status symbol, not just one more tool to help you keep alive long enough to breed. Tradition ruled and grew in complexity as people worked to show off there might and lordship over the common foke. It was deadly in war, but war was a political creature. A thing to wage for land or wealth, not for simple survival.
I watched as my master became distracted as an orb of water was lifted by her unseen grasp. She tried to manipulate it, the mass already 'steaming' as it occasionally broke down into hydrogen and oxygen. There was a look of wonder in her eyes, pride. It reminded me of another with darker red eyes.
I let out a slight breath in remembrance, and then turned back to my borrowed tome. I'd have to be careful here. It'd be far too easy to go soft. To become spoiled in this land. Paradise or not I was a stranger here, and quite possibly not a welcome one. A room with enough drunken brawlers could ware down even a skilled fighter, and I was not all that powerful of a mage. Something had killed the king serpents of this land, and I did not know if they still lingered. I needed to be ready if the time game.
A shadow passed over head, and my eyes darted up, listening to the distant gleeful trill of Irukuku. No when the time came. I had too much experience to think this would all last forever. Too much to risk losing to place such a foolish bet.
Picking up a twig, I made a slow motion, and a ball of earth formed, drawing dust from the air at a rapid pace. I nodded, and tried again refining my motion to a loser circle and observing the differences.
I had to make what of this time I could.
Shadow of Zero XXXIII
Eventually darkness fell, and having now largely gotten a hold of the 'mage hand' cantrip, Louise headed inside for what I assumed to be a long night of bed rest.
Closing up the now finished theory text on basic water magic healing, something I was getting the basics of, but still not really fully understanding, I slid it into my haversack and looked up and out at the lake. "You can come out now."
In hindsight that really wasn't the most brilliant of moves. I realized this roughly the same moment as roughly a hundred and twenty pounds of nubile feminine flesh impacted into me with all the grace and subtly of a battering ram.
"Kyu!" trilled the mass of pink and blue. And I let out a slight groan as my world started reorienting itself to its proper position. "Levekyu!" she greeted cheerfully.
"Hello Irukuku." I grunted out. "Could you get off of me?" even in dragon form I'm pretty sure that a 'hello' like this would have ended up knocking me flat on my ass, as it was I muttered a minor healing cantrip to fade away the bruises.
"Nopes!" she defied me and all but made a nest of my prone torso. "Nopes nopes Kyu!" she cheered.
I groaned. "May I ask why?"
She stuck her tongue out. "Cause your all boring and stiff. You need to play!" she explained in the sage like yet childish glee young dragons and fae creatures were akin to using.
I raised an eyebrow at that. "Kinda hard to play games flat on my back." I reminded.
She stuck her tongue out again and teased me. "Make me!" she demanded.
I grunted and tried to do so, but she had me good and pinned, whatever difference there was to our shape shifting technique, she had retained most of her strength, were as I was only as powerful as your average drow. In addition she was using her state of undress against me, I didn't have much along the way of 'safe' zones to get leverage.
I was going to have to learn that strength trick, I think I even knew of it. I could use magic, but that'd hold the risk of harming her, and frankly I wasn't about to escalate things to that level with an unknown.
With a sigh I fell back. "I can't push you off when you're like this." I admitted.
"Yes you can." She chimed musically.
"No I can't." what was the point of all this.
"Yes you caaaan." She teased again. "Kyu!" she looked down at me in a childish scolding look. "Your just being silly big brother. If you don't push me off soon Big sister will be here and scold us!" she warned me like a little girl threatening to tattle.
Frankly I didn't hold the situation in quite as much dread, but the idea wasn't exactly appealing ether. I smirked slightly as an idea came to mind. Irukuku wasn't used to human form, that much was obvious with her less then stellar knowledge of basic mortal customs and culture. I wasn't sure if she still had her stronger dragon senses of sight, smell and hearing or not, but I did know at least One sense that had shifted when she shaped skins.
Agile elfin fingers darted out for their target and went to work with a meticulous glee, and Irukuku reacted at once.
She shrieked, hands lashing out to her sides as I tickled her, rolling over trying to get away from me, as she laughed uncontrollably.
"KYU! Stop it!" she giggled. "Stop!" she was quickly devolving into a squirming mess.
"Never!" I roared pouncing, and continuing the assault. I let out my best evil chuckle. "It seems the table has turned! Who will save you now?" I hammed it up as much as I could.
"Kyu!" she laughed again. "Save" a giggle fit. "Save me big sister!" she fought for air.
At the same time a wall of wind smacked into the side of my head, and for the second time in as many minutes I found myself on the ground trying to figure out which way was up.
"Owe." I winced. Saw that one coming at least.
"Big sister!" Irukuku cheered, as she rose up and ran for Tabitha.
I sat back up, with a grunt. "Didn't have to hit me so hard." I muttered.
She didn't reply or look up from her book, instead cutting right to the chase of the reason for this meeting. "Lesson."
I nodded. "Right, work now, play later. Irukuku?" I asked
She looked over at me, head tilted in a distinctly bird like manner, letting out a sound of interest.
"Why are you naked Irukuku?" I asked her eyebrow raised. "Humans ware clothing when there outside."
She slumped. "Kyu… I'm soury." She said looking down scolded. Should have bloody well tried that one off the bat. "I had my Kyu, that you kyu but kyu!" she defended.
"Ah." I remembered, "It faded away?" I guessed.
She nodded enthusiastically. "Rights into the air! How did you do that Kyu?"
"It was just shadow stuff. An illusion given form." I explained with a frown. It looked like I had more to add to my grocery list. "[b]Greater Shadow Conjuration.[/b]" I made a simple sundress this time, a light blue shade like her hair, and threw it to her. "Use this for now. It should last until morning." I threw it on her.
I'm pretty sure I had Tabitha's attention with that one. Illusions were the domain of wind and water mages in this land, and I'm fairly certain she was skilled enough in both magics enough to at least know the basics of them.
The younger dragon managed to figure out what went were in short order and was quickly sitting in front of me, watching with egger eyes.
I made motion for Tabitha to sit beside her. Unsurprisingly she remained standing. I gave a nod and turned my full attention to the larger bluenet. "Alright. So far you've been in human lands for three days now, and have not yet been discovered. Good job."
She beamed under the praise.
"But at the same time we've had a few close calls." I cautioned. "The others are ignorant of our kind, and that will give you some defense. They will put off most of your slips as personal oddities, but you can still very easily draw far too much attention to yourself." I grimaced. "Honestly associating yourself with me will not make that any easier. I'm already making waves, and my time here will only produce more of them. It would be best if everyone only thinks your human form and my elven one are mere acquaintances."
"Kyu?" She questioned, obviously confused. "But… isn't Levekyu Levekyu?" she questioned.
"Yes." I replied. "I am still me, but Lev the Drow, must often be different from Levethix'moxt the Dragon." I explained. "Just like how Irukuku the Human, can't always be Slyphid the Dragon." I added in.
She didn't seem to fully get it. I needed another way to put it.
"It's like pretending." I began. "When you're a human, you have to act like a human. Otherwise you're not doing a very good job." I scolded.
"Gasp!" she made the sound again, gah, she had to practice that. There was no other explanation. I refused to believe anyone could do that without intent. She turned puppy eyes on Tabitha "Irukuku hasn't been doing a good job?" she asked, well more begged in hopes it wasn't true.
"Your young." I said at once. "Pretending to be something your not is tricky. You need to remember a lot of little things."
"Like dresses!" she said tugging at her shirt.
I nodded. "Like dressing. Humans are more fragile than dragons, their skin tares easily, and they can get to hot or two cold unless they are careful. So they have to wear clothing like armor, to help protect them against the world."
She tilted her head, but seemed to get that a bit easier.
I moved onto the next point. "The next thing you have to keep in mind is that most people can't shape shift, even with magic. No references about flying or eating things you haven't seen a human eat."
She nodded, taking my words as gospel. I really lucked out with my current batch of students it seemed.
"You also need to mind what everyone's doing. Watch them and imitate. If you see one person doing something, odds are you can do the same and no one will bother you. This isn't always the case, but normally it is." That one would cause a few problems, but would still help more than hurt.
She nodded again. "Ok! Ok ok ok!" she cheered. "So Irukuku has to watch everyone and do what they do kyu!" she nodded. "And not talk about dragon things, but always wear pretty blue dresses, because it's armor that protects Irukuku." She nodded for a third time.
I chuckled. "That's the basics of it yes."
"Then we can play now?" she asked looking to Tabitha excitedly.
Tabitha said nothing but gave a slight nod.
"Yay!" A half second later I was eating dirt again.
This… was going to be a long night.
Shadow of Zero XXXIV
I spent the next several hours playing with the two of them to the best of my ability. Just the basics to begin with, then a couple hours in mixing it up a bit with a small case of shape shifters tag, and then another air born race, somewhere along the lines actually devolving into having actual fun with it all.
The fact it gave me a good opportunity to observe both Irukuku's shape shifting technique, and a few of Tabitha's wind spells was entirely a side benefit.
I even took her on a hunt deeper into the woods, showing her how to stock deer from the air without frightening them off, something frankly she should have already been capable of.
I thought she might have humored me on that, but by the end at least she seemed to actually be taking the lesson to heart. It was important to know how to ambush something beyond simply running it down with superior speed.
The next dear went down by land, further expanding on past lessons, she scared off the first four we found, but the fifth went down before it even saw her teeth.
Bidding them farewell, I went back and reclaimed my first kill, the minor necromantic spell placed upon it, both shielding it from rot and infection, and warding off any insect or scavenger from taking a bite.
Dispelling the effect, I went to the tiresome effort of dragging the blasted thing all the way back to the castle, cursing the lack of aiding enchantment all the while. Well at least I knew what spell to master after learning the trick of transmuting metals anyway.
By the time I had brought the bloody thing to the kitchen I was utterly filthy, a minor illusion hid the fact, but right after dropping it and giving a quick greetings to the late night staff I was off to the lake.
I really should have explored the local waters long before. The lake was clear, pure, I was actually beginning to think there was some sort of benevolent power keeping it such, as previously the only such oasis I had found were fae grottos and celestial springs.
It was… unpleasant. As nice as the waters were, as soothing as they were over skin and scale, I couldn't help but feel my presence dirtied it. As if I was something tolerated, not something truly wanted or accepted.
I left shortly after cleaning myself. Making my way back indoors before the dawns light had reached out to touch the land.
Stifling a yawn I went right for the bedroll, slipping into my master's room without as much as a peep from the sleeping young magus. I gave her quite form a small tired smile. She was growing fast, it wouldn't be long before she became a mage worthy of baring something like a Darastrixi'vis as a partner.
I frowned at that, and clamped down on the draconic pride thing a bit more. I was letting it get to my head again. Louise was Louise. Pact bound master, and paradoxedly student of my own. She was a friend first and foremost, nether commander nor anyone who need earn my loyalty. I had chosen to take on the runes on my arm to use her to shield me while I grew and developed into my own powers, and in earned offered my not inconsiderate services for her relatively short lifetime. A bargain of symbiosis, which had grown some attachment, no more, no less.
I sighed and made for my bed roll, sliding into its supernaturally comfortable sheets. I really was going to have to deal with this odd geas that the binding had laid on me, it seemed to be messing with my instincts in increasingly annoying ways.
What is it about wariness that makes one so philosophical?
Sleep claimed me fast, it's ever needy grasp taking hold well before the dawn's light had peaked through the window of the room.
My dreams were… odd. I saw Louise, floating immaterial, yet not ethereal through a place I recognized all too easily.
It was the frozen plans of the realms. An area not too far from mythrial hall, but still a distance from the ten towns and neverwinter. I had called these plains home for over decade of my life. There were numerous tunnels to the underdark littered over them. To dangerous and lifeless for most surface monsters, to close to the light of the sun for most under dwellers.
She shivered, and I moved out towards her.
As she turned to face me, she let out a sound of shock and backed away in fright.
I tilted my head confused. "Louise?" I asked.
My voice seemed to surprise her further, but stopped her, she looked at me in the eyes, and started mouthing my name.
And then disappeared.
My dream world shifted at once, quickly becoming the normal chaotic mix of memories and delusions, guilt's and hopes, nightmares.
And then I was being shook awake.
"Mr. Moxt!" A familiar voice sounded, the light so bright I didn't recognized the source.
I growled, a primal inhuman sound, eyes locking onto the source even as they cleared, face twisted into a warning scowl.
It was Siesta.
I blinked a couple times; face relaxing "Siesta?" I questioned in the confused tone only newly woken dreamers ever used.
"You didn't seem to be sleeping well." She said. "Are you alright?"
I shook my head clear, and started pulling myself free. "Fine… just a nightmare. What time is it?"
"Just past noon." She informed me, still looking slightly concerned "You said you wanted to go shopping?" the question longed a little as if she was unsure.
I nodded rubbing sleep from my eyes, and let out a very dragonish yawn. "Thank you for waking me. I'd have probably slept the day away." I mused showing a bit of humor.
That seemed to help lighten her concern a good deal. She gave me a scolding look. "Are you getting lazy Mr. Moxt?" she asked warningly.
"Nocturnal actually." I stated. "Don't like the light much, I'm used to working mostly by moonlight." I explained.
She looked a little confused at that. "Like bats?" she asked.
A few images flashed through my mind and I shivered at the memories. "I prefer to liken it to Owls, but yes." I gave her an odd half smile half grimace. "It's something I suppose I'll get used to."
She rolled her eyes at me. "Are we going then?"
I nodded. "Just give me a few minutes to clean up and I'll be right out."
Well it seemed it was time to see what this new day had in store for me.
Shadow of Zero XXXV
Now I'm no primadonna, but I am a mage. Prep time is par in course for the profession, whether you do it in the morning, or on the fly.
Honestly I was more akin to the latter type. Most spontaneous casters were, but I still took a few moments to focus myself, something I hadn't had much opportunity to do since I had arrived, gathering up my energy and sorting it within myself into preset 'bursts' that I could shape into a spell on the fly. I felt out my body, relaxing and tensing in sequence, soaking in the spell that let me borrow the form I was in, and refamiliarizing myself with the little alien intimacies of a shape that both was, and wasn't my own. I renewed the spell, this time altering it to give me a slightly different outfit, as good an excuse as any.
I rose up and left for the door, pausing for a moment to slip a ring onto my finger, and a cloak from my belt.
More magic, I could feel the power surging into me, under my skin, bolstering and altering it. Giving me abilities beyond what nature normally allowed, and let's be honest here, when it comes to my kin, she already gave a metric ton of leeway.
No real choice for it. Elves were not very well liked here, I couldn't afford to be recognized, and altering my own form while hinted at, was an ability of mine I'd rather keep unconfirmed as long as possible. That left the good old method of simply being as inconspicuous as possible.
Right… that'd work out fine.
I didn't slip the cloak on until I left the room, Siesta having apparently been waiting patiently for me just outside the door.
"You're ready?" She asked, eyeing my rather radical shift in attire.
Were before I was clad as a scholar of the underdark, I was now 'wearing' the simple linens I had seen other male servants ware in my time here.
"Just one more thing." I informed her, and then threw on the cloak.
At once what little reflection my skin cast died, the shadows cast by folds and angles deepened, and all light around me seemed to fade just a little.
The enchantment of shadows was most easily applied to armor, the innate protective nature of the garb lending itself theologically to shielding one from view. But fine enough cloth worked in a pinch, and the silk lining of the garb was an armor of its own, helping to catch the barbs of some arrows, and being strongly resistant to the rending grasp of some beasts.
My apprentice seemed shocked, and I gave a slight smirk. The dark gray of my skin blending seamlessly into the deep darkness of the hood, giving only the faint hint of my face. "I told you I didn't like light much." I pulled a set of gloves from my bag and slid them on, testing the dexterity they allowed. "Shall we?" I questioned.
Getting over her surprise she nodded. "It's a bit of a walk. We'll have the main road at least." She pursued her lips. "Unless you have magic that could speed things up?"
I had been waiting for this. She'd gone through the spellbook by now, and knew now what to look for, wizards could learn spells just by watching them, if they were skilled enough. She likely couldn't master any magic I cast at her current level, but it could give her hints, show her tricks how to decipher the nature of my work, and gleam ideas off them.
I'd have to be a bit more cautious of my magic use around her now. She might try something to advanced and end up hurting herself.
"Nothing I'd use casually." I mused. "A short walk has never done anyone harm. Lead on."
She seemed disappointed at that and I gave another smirk.
She eventfully perked back up around half way down the road. Roughly the same time I found myself feeling absolutely miserable. Elven constitution was much to be desired, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, leaving the sun to beam right down on me with only my shadow cloak as cover. I could do it, heck I had made far longer voyages in the past, but damn it if it wasn't a pain in the ass.
We made it to town in a little over an hour. The position of the sun putting the time as a few minutes before two.
I gave the buildings themselves a once over. Largely uniform in design, stonework, good solid walls, the kind that last at least a dozen generations unless brought down by outside force. Most of the walls looked to be ether large single peaces or layered solid brick, I'd put my money on them being the results of the local earth mages.
I gave a random building a once over on that. It was good work, the crafter knew a good bit about construction, and there magic let them pull the whole thing together without cutting any corners. If I wasn't already willing to bet that the shop itself was over a hundred years of age, I'd ask for the name as a recommendation.
"Ah… Mr. Moxt?" Siesta asked cautiously as I continued to examine the texture of the stonework, attempting to discern the exact type used.
I whipped my head around to face her. "Hum?"
"Are we… actually going to enter the building now?" she asked, eyeing me oddly.
I blinked, considering exactly what I looked like having stopped everything to go over and start examining walls in high detail. "Ah… yes." I said quickly. "Just a bit curious, you don't see fine work like this done often where I come from." I tried to explain.
"It's just a normal building." She started.
"And I'll soon be commissioning something similar." I reminded.
That seemed to do the trick. She let off and we both entered the shop, finding ourselves surrounded by what had to be over a hundred different swords. Swords on wall mounts, swords in barrels, fine swords, plain swords, old swords, new swords, swords that gleamed with gold, and ones that were covered in rust. A few even seemed to shimmer with innate magic.
I almost salivated at the sight before me. While largely ether basic functional pieces, and with more than one barrel full of a smith's practice pieces, there was easily a small fortune in fine weaponry in among the rabble, well over ten thousand gold peaces worth of staby slashy goodness!
I grinned wide as I took in the plane salesman behind the desk, no armed guards, nothing at all to hint that any of these pieces was all that spectacular… suggesting this sort of finery was common in the land.
Truly I had been sent to a most wonderful land.
Looking around me, I eyed through the wares, "Alright then… let the hunt begin."
Shadow of Zero XXXVI
I picked three random blades, to start my purchase, setting them on the table before the manager even managed to get a greeting out, that done I triggered one of my most basic and useful cantrips. "Detect Magic"
All practitioners could sense magic to a greater or lesser extent, dragons more so, but it was limited, more a yes or no thing, like how one could tell something was steel by the texture and hardness of it. The cantrip refined that minor sense to sharp detail, allowing one to sense the location, power, and nature of mysticism of any sort with enough examination. It wouldn't unravel the spells themselves of course, I had another trick for that, but it would give me a basic feel for what I was looking at.
A full dozen blades lit up within my view, some brighter than others, most lined up upon the walls. I approached one. Strong magic, evocation related, my guess was that with the right trigger the edge would light up with an elemental effect. Flashy but effective. I took it off the wall and handed it to Siesta, "But it with the others."
She gave a nod, her own aura now displaying small sparks of power. No true spells, but enough to let someone know she dabbled. I turned back to my hunt.
The next blade was interesting, shorter, single edged, the enchantment was weak but well made, my guess a strengthened frame and sharpened edge. Economic, as soon as Siesta returned I set it to her hands. "Thanks." I offered my secret apprentice in thanks.
She beamed at me, seemingly more than happy to help my improvised shopping spree.
The third weapon was a short sword, this one was… odd, I hadn't seen an enchantment like it, some sort of healing effect? Odd for a weapon to have, but to interesting to pass up. Into the pile.
Siesta offered me a look at the collection of all the odd weapons. "What is all this for?" she asked.
"Patience grasshopper, all will be clear in time." I offered in my most aged and sage-esk voice.
The look of utter confusion on her face made it well worth it.
I was starting to grow worried I'd over spend, I had only so much along the lines of liquid funds, and I still hadn't managed that 'stone to gold' trick they used here. Then something caught my eye.
Another aura, or rather… an anti aura. Something was sapping at the magic ambient in the air. It was in the discount bin, and as I approached, the effect started peeling away.
"Gah!" I called out covering my eyes. The aura on that thing damned near blinded me. It had power, a lot of it, more then I had seen in anything other than an elder Wyrm, or a Drow matron. Whatever this was, it was beyond mortal magic, definitely epic level enchantments were laid upon this blade. I dropped the spell simply to keep the strain from my eyes.
A hand touched my shoulder. "Are you alright?" the maid asked, concerned.
I shook it off. "I'm fine. Just a headache." I lied blatantly, and then turned my attention back on the item before me.
The weapon before me… was a rusty bit of scrap. An oddly jointed hand guard rested over a well rapid simple hilt, the sheath had seen better days, but still looked intact, if aged. It looked like a piece of junk, some simple infantry man's blade, long since left to times tender mercies.
But even with the cantrip dispelled, I could now feel the power radiating from the thing. The age, the strength. This was a weapon that had slain legends, had watched the rise and fall of empires and kings.
And it was sitting lamely within a discount bin alongside rabble that would fall apart if I breathed to hard on them.
Well, then again, technically, a lot of things fall apart if I breath-
"What are you staring at?" The joined guard moved in time with the sounds and I was floored again. It was intelligent! A true blue artifact! I closed my mouth and composed myself.
"I'm not entirely sure." I stated, and eyed over at the salesman. The large weapons dealer seemed to be near bursting with joy, and was watching me like a hungry dog eyed a cook at work. I leaned in a little closer and examined the weapon in higher detail. On the second look I could see the rust and dirt was accumulated, basic particles that built up over countless years. But for this level of build up on enchanted steel…
"It looks… old." Siesta commented eyeing the blade with a speculative look of distaste. Apparently she hadn't built up much of an arcane sense yet. Then again whatever that drain effect was, odds are it shielded from basic detection as well. I certainly hadn't spotted it on the first glance.
"Hum. You've not seen much action in a while have you?" I mused. "Couldn't find a good partner?"
"Hah!" the blade laughed. "What would you care? I'm not just some simple curiosity. I've seen your type before. If you try and hang me up on some mantle piece I'll never let you here the end of it!" he warned.
I smirked. This thing wanted to be used. "And if I promised to clean you up a bit? Maybe get you into a shape that someone might actually consider using you again?"
That got the sword thinking. Oh yes, I wanted this blade… well as long as I could convince it to actually work with me. Only a fool worked with a sentient blade that was after their own blood. They had a nasty habit of turning on their wielders if they didn't like them.
"No mantles?" it questioned.
"No mantles." I agreed. "I'm a researcher. I want to get an idea of how you were made, how you work. Field tests would be the best way to determine the latter would they not?"
I got the distinct feeling that if it could scowl it would have. "You better not just have me cutting pigs."
I smirked. "Metaphorical ones maybe. How about a deal. I clean you up, and we see how well we can work together. If in a month's time you decide we aren't suited to one another, then I'll return you, nice and shiny as new. Your odds of finding a good wielder would be a lot better wouldn't they?" I questioned.
It mulled over on this. "Agreed." It stated.
I reached over and gripped the blade, pulling the first few inches of steel to view over what I'd have to work on. "Hum, good bit of built up, minimal corrosion." I could feel it tugging at my disguise. "Stop that." I warned it.
"Ah, sorry partner. I'm not often used by nobles." The drain dropped and I firmed up the spell, the tone seemed honest enough.
"Hum, single edge. Been a while since I've used one of those." I mused, then walked over to the counter. "This guy and the rest of them."
The man looked like Christmas came early.
I could already feel my wallet shrinking from the prospect.
Shadow of Zero XXXVII
The whole load actually cost me a lot less then I had feared, only a few thousand gold. Considering I had nearly a ton of the stuff in my coin purse, I could afford it. Most of the pile went right into the haversack, but the artifact, who was apparently named Delfinger, now rested on my back.
"Were to next?" Siesta asked enthusiastically.
"Outfitters. Then ether glass works or a tailors." I began. "We're going to do a lot of traveling. Moving around in a scholar's outfit or a servant's uniform just isn't practical. The glass is for the lab." I informed.
"Anywhere else?" she asked.
I frowned. "I might want to get a small anvil. Again the lab. I might need to do some forging." Especially if my master's sister was as bad off as she sounded.
If any project mattered in all my current schemes, it was ensuring that Louise didn't lose Cattleya… not when they actually cared for one another. I wouldn't let her bare that kind of hurt.
Not when I could so easily stop it.
Siesta nodded, and then eyed me. "How big of one do you think you'd need?" she questioned.
I held out my hands a short distance. "Tools too though." I responded. "Mostly for a jeweler's craft. Maybe light maintenance work." I explained.
She nodded. "You might be better getting that at the school. One of the students could call one up."
That brought me up a little short. The local conjuration was permanent, and apparently fairly detailed. The books I had read mentioned summoned weapons that had lasted through extended battles, armor and golems crafted in moments that lasted until destroyed. I was well onto mastering the local earth magic, how much could I simply make for myself with a little patience? Tools could be expensive…
No, no time to wait for me to catch up. I would be ready NOW. I could make up the funding later.
"The tools we should get here." I stated. "I don't want some student's first attempt for detail work. The anvil we can get back at the academy." I relented. "Good idea though." I complemented, it was best encourage such behavior after all.
Siesta beamed at that, and I noted a small commotion to the side. Apparently a local noble of the more pompous sort was throwing a bit of a fuss at a shop. I caught his eyes for a moment, my form sticking out almost as much as his own, so dressed in elaborate finery. We were opposite extremes, he was shroud in gold and fine cloth, meant to catch the eye and impress.
I was layered in a simple dark cloak that intimidated and concealed to the point of actively draining light from the air.
Both of us magi, both flouting it, him through wealth, and I through an unmistakable passive use of our art.
I didn't like the look on his face, I didn't like how he was acting around the commoners around him, and I did not like the way he had been looking a my apprentice a half second ago.
I focused on him, burgundy eyes flashing warning as I let slip my aura of terror, my posture hidden beneath the darkened folds of my cloak, but expression supernaturally intimidating.
He noticed, even from the range I could hear the slight intake of breath; see the sudden dilation of his eyes. But he held his ground, and returned the look with intensity.
I resisted the urge to outright growl at the fool, to drop façade and show him exactly what he was dealing with.
Instead I snorted obviously and continued down the street, a concerned Siesta in tow.
We managed to make it all the way to the outfitters before she piped up. "Was that… really a good idea?" She asked.
I made a sound rather than a response. Well technically it was considered a grammatically correct affirmative with undertones of 'don't bug me on this' in a few languages I knew.
Siesta it seemed was not sufficiently multilingual to attain that interpretation.
"Mr. Moxt?" She questioned again.
I sighed. "Probably not. Looking back it actually seems rather foolish." What had caused that? The moment I had seen that man all my instincts had screamed 'finish him' in their best cheesy imitation of Mortal Kombat tradition. I had managed to smile and bow before drow matrons what on earth would get me to nearly brake character in front of a bog standard underpowered political mage?
"Then why?" she asked, again visibly concerned.
I frowned. "I didn't like him. Something… set me off." I mused aloud. "Something not right, not natural." A creeping sense of familiarity plagued at me, I racked my mind at it, but as is normal to such things, the feeling only slipped my grasp more as I tried harder to gain hold of it.
I let it go, it'd come to me in time… hopefully before it was too late.
I looked at her. "Be careful around him. Avoid being alone around that man at all costs." My instincts had led me astray a few times in the past, but those incidents were few and far between. If something was setting me off like that then this whole situation warranted far more caution then it seemed.
"But if you-" she started again
I cut her off. "Heed my words!" I warned firmly, then calmed. "I'm not one to react like this. You know me well enough for that." I pursed my lips, "I am not sure why I did… but something… is not right about that man. I sense a danger from him, something…" I fought for a word, and then shook my head. "Just avoid him however possible. I will not lose so promising an apprentice to simple chance!"
She reacted to my words… I'm not sure how to describe it really, some mix of confusion acceptance and… affection? I hadn't seen that mix in a while, and couldn't really interpret it at the time. I turned back to the shop before us. "Let's continue shopping. We have a long walk back, and it would be best to be home and fed before mid afternoon."
That strange noble. I traced over the features, fine clothing, my guess wealthy, though no real hints to elemental disposition. He carried no familiar, so I could not gleam information on him from that. His face was plain, a light tan that hinted at common outdoor exploits, and he held a developed, though not overly toned musculature. He held himself like a casual fighter, not someone who made living or life from their skills in combat, but was familiar enough with battle to hold their own. No obvious scars, but held himself in high confidence… he wasn't old, maybe as young as late twenties, or as old as mid thirties, but there was no gray in his hair, and the mild crowsfeat could be inflicted by the same sun that browned his skin. He might very well have earned the money he so lavishly clad himself in, a true aristocrat.
I actually tended to hold some respect for that sort of noble. They didn't just let their bloodline do the work to carry them through life, and actually put effort into bettering themselves. But something was wrong with this one. Some sinister hint in the way he held himself, some dark tinge to his eye. I had lived among some of the worst the mortal races had spat out for longer than my apprentices had lived, and knew the signs. He acted civilized, but there was something more to what was shown on his sleeve. Something twisted.
Something dangerous.
And I had no idea what it was.
I clenched my fist and drew breath, drew sent, affirming he wasn't in the area.
What on earth could be setting me off like this?
Some dread feeling welled up within me, a sort of pseudo nausea, a sickly feeling. I exhaled slowly, I didn't know… and I bet my scales I'd soon have to find out.
Shadow of Zero XXXVIII
We gathered the remaining items with considerable speed; I didn't see 'That man' again, in the entire trip.
To be honest that didn't relieve me at all. If anything it amped up my anxiety. Odds dictated we should have encountered one another on the return trip. He wasn't exactly stealthy, so that dropped odds that he had simply dropped to a lower profile.
That meant he had left almost immediately after our encounter. I didn't think for a moment my little display had scared him off.
That meant he was planning something, preparing… or reporting on it.
I didn't like that. I really really did not like that. It was time to jump footing.
First deal with the legality of my situation, get all paperwork in order.
Scratch that. First find out what the hell my new sword collection did and distribute as appropriate. Then let my master in on a few secrets, and insure how I was standing in terms of martial defense, Then I could check my legal.
No time to waste traveling like this ether. Once we got a moderate distance out of town I pulled Siesta out of clear view of the road.
"Mr. Moxt!" she exclaimed surprised, worried, and… excited?
I ignored that. "Were taking a short cut, brace yourself." I informed her.
She seemed confused, and I gripped on tight. She looked at with that odd mix of emotions again, before I uttered the spell. "Teleport!" I barked.
Have I mentioned how much I hate teleporting? There is no real way to describe it. You rip yourself out of the material plane, crashing through different pressure zones, gravities, and laws of physics in roughly the same time it takes to register that up should not mean down, and left should not mean orange, and are promptly ripped back to the prime, with equal disorientation.
I was 'used' to the sensation; it didn't make me sick or knock me off balance. In fact I was actually well enough trained at this point I was actually combat ready and aware by the time I came out of it, chronologically the same second we left.
Siesta was not.
With a sigh of experience I steadied her, and then pulled her hair back as she turned to her side to vomit. Pressure sickness was the most likely culprit for that one, not enough time for vertigo.
I waited a bit after her first heave, once there seemed to be no signs of a second one coming I moved a hand down and began rubbing her back. "It's alright. Most people get sick the first time." I told her calmly.
"What was that!" She demanded with a shriek of surprise moments after she had managed to steady herself. Yet at the same time she didn't pull away.
"A short cut." I stated. "Just… not a conventional one. It was a spell of teleportation, transportation magic." I explained. "Easily one of my most advanced and trickiest ones at that. Still haven't worked out the kinks to it."
She gave me a look at that, and I had the dignity to look sheepish.
"It's an imprecise art." I explained quickly. "Some of the more advanced versions give an easier ride, but you get used to it in time. You'll need to build up tolerance if you're going to travel with me." I warned her.
The prospect of that didn't seem to please her in the least, but she accepted it.
"More importantly however… it saves us a lot of time." I looked over to our side. We were in a small shallow in the tree line that surrounded the academy green.
She seemed surprised. "A portal?" she questioned, then looked around us.
"Not quite as long lived." I explained quickly, making pace for the castle now that my apprentice was standing steady. "Come on, I didn't use that spell for show. We have little time to waste." I stated.
She started after me at once, running a short distance to make up the gap I had already left, looking at me curiously. "Why?" Real concern was seeping into her voice. I think it was starting to register to her just how badly shaken I was, how serious things seemed to be getting.
"I'll explain when we get there." I grit out and went right for my master's room. 'That Man' still in my mind. What was it? What thing about his rodent like features had set me off? It wasn't just danger… or danger at all from that matter. 'That Man' for all that he made me want to slip into a form a little more defensible, didn't actually seem that formidable. There was no defined aura of power to him, he was fit, but not in the excellent shape of carrier fighters. Damn it! I needed to figure this out!
I debated using my innate short ranged teleporting ability to just jump us the rest of the way, Siesta's stomach be damned.
I pushed it down. That much would be more than a 'little' overkill… and deplete a useful desperation ability. Man I was shaken… whatever happened to my cushy job of teacher and familiar?
We made it to Louise's room in less than ten minutes. The fact I seemed to be passively leaking my aura of terror aided that considerably. I had to be playing marry hell on my carefully built reputation. Everyone moved well out of our way often before the two of us even fully came into view, and I set as harsh a pace I could without outright running down the halls.
I found myself not really giving a damn about that. I needed to be ready now, I could run damage control later. I needed to martial up any active resource I could right Now.
Tabitha. The thought hit me. I'd seek her out after this. If 'That Man' had set off my instincts, it'd passably do the same to Irukuku. The younger dragon wasn't hardened, she'd panic, and that could be very bad. Tabitha would need to be warned after I had gathered Louise. Maybe the slight blue mage could help…
My master was anxious when I came into the room, she looked up to me, and barely gave as much as a glance to Siesta. "What's wrong?" she asked, not so much out of concerned, but out of a need to be informed of the situation."
"I don't know. But something." I said to her, hunting for a way to put to words what was happening.
She pursued her lips after several seconds of silence, looking for any explanation. "Nothing?"
"Something." I pushed. "When we were in town today… there was a man, noble, roughly six feet in height, rodent like features, dressed fine, well worn, my guess is someone relatively active physically." I summarized, then cast a minor illusion showing his likeness.
"Lord Mott?" she questioned looking at him. "What about him?" she asked.
I filed the name away "Something's wrong with him." I intoned gravely. "The moment I saw him every inch of my skin wanted to crawl off my bones. I haven't felt like that sin-"
And there it was. The revelation. The thing I had been grasping at. The last time I had born a feeling like that.
It had been in front of my brother. Right before I ripped his throat out.
This was bad. This was very bad.
Shadow of Zero XXXIX
"He reminds me of my brother." I said in a dead whisper, eyes wide.
Of all the things I could say that was likely Not the one thing ether girl had expected me to say, and I was treated a stereo "What!"
"This is bad… This is very bad." I muttered, and started pacing around the room, if only for something to do as I thought. "Nine hells, this is bad!" I muted rubbing a hand to my face.
"Wait what! He reminds you of your brother?" Louise asked. "How is that bad?" She asked.
I paused, and looked at her. "I had to kill my brother Louise." I told her firmly.
She jerked back "Kill him!"
I nodded. "It… wasn't… There wasn't another way." I muttered. "He went mad. Not the harmless crazy ether. He made… deals. Exchanges for more power, bargains for favors." I grimaced, covering my mouth at the distaste the memories brought up. "The things he had done… that he was willing to do." I shook my head, and gave a dry swallow, stopping my movements to look to my master. "I had to stop him. I didn't have any other choice." I looked at her, pleading silently for understanding "I Had to."
Silence passed between us
"What… kind of bargains?" Siesta asked breaking the moment. An act I was very much grateful for… and one I cursed. Did I tell them this?
Enough to hit the impact, no real details.
I didn't look at either of them. "I… told you about the deities of my land remember?" I asked, not really caring about the answer. "They're not the only powers out there. There are creatures, outsiders, that live in realities both like and unlike our own, aspects of the prime given life all its own, and… other places." I clenched my hands. "A lot of these outsiders have power of their own, some are magus in their own right. Others wield magic the same way you do your hand. It's just a part of them, something they can bend to there will as easily as you flick a finger. It's common practice for magus of my realm to contact these creatures and make bargains for power. You and I did the same not long ago if you recall." I reminded Louise.
She jerked a bit as stuck. "Wha-"
"There is only one moon in my homeland's sky." I explained tonelessly. "I know not where our worlds are in relation to one another, but I know them different. But your magic reached my world… so it likely can reach other ones as well."
That… seemed to confuse her a bit; I was long used to it. Teaching the basics was part of my duty after all, and it helped get my mind away from the sick pit growing within my stomach.
I turned back to the wall, looking into the shadows for some comfort, finding none. "The trick with such bargains is in knowing who you're dealing with. A celestial creature will always be benevolent, but it will rarely tolerate deception or evil of any sort. Payment to such creatures is often long sot and comes in the form of self sacrifice… I've dealt with them before. It's hard to live up to the standards they demand." I mused. "An easier bargain is from one of the elemental planes. Embodiments of aspects of reality. Fire, chaos, wind, order, shadows, positive energy, negative energy, all have a realm that reflects and defines them as much as a mortal can pensive. Even some emotions and actions have such reflections. I know nightmares hold a world of their own."
That brought shivers, though Siesta looked more interested then afraid. I continued. "Such pacts there are simple business transactions typically, barter is no different than trying to gain something from any market. Some are immoral, but then some people are as well. Things keep relatively neutral."
I frowned. "But the easiest and most dangerous source of power is also the most vile." I grimaced. "The Nine hells, the abyss, all will gleefully offer services, abilities and items of power for the merest chance to claim another soul. They'll offer you dreams, at the cost of others nightmares. Every deal sweeter, every sacrifice easier, until you are one in all but name, and you find yourself hunting for infants to offer to your dark masters, for even the slightest boon."
The look on their faces seemed to be as sickened as I felt.
I sighed. "The insidious part is it's possible to get a relatively reasonable bargain out of them, nothing openly amoral. You don't realize what you're doing until it's too late. Given enough desperation you start considering your options… like Nocu'di'daari did." I stated sadly.
I was silent for a moment. "He wanted to do good. I think. The first time he came in and saved me, my sister Arytiss'j'nah, and our youngest sibling Svaust'geou'gahri'jaci." I almost quirked a lip at the irony. Svaust had been the first of us to go… the largest of us, I always found it amusing that the youngest of my clutch was the strongest of my siblings, while I the eldest, was the runt. Not that it had really helped him in the end. "Always so clever." I muttered now more a curse. "So proud for his bargained powers. His gifted magic. So sure he could outwit and out think any creature he bartered with." I clenched my fist.
"And 'Lord Mott'. Gives me the exact same feeling as he did after his madness claimed him." I looked up at them.
Both women reacted when I changed the subject, Siesta shivering now openly, while Louise seemed to want to go into denial.
"I can't confirm it of course." I stated, looking away and considering. "Not now, not yet. But I [b]know[/b] this." I stated. "I feel it in my bones, in my blood. Mott's made a pact, maybe more than one. And I don't know the scale of the power he might wield from it."
Louise took a gulp of air, I think it helped. "Then… what are we going to do?" she asked me.
"Do? Prepare." I muttered. "He knew me, not likely for what or who I am, but he recognized me as much as I did him. We will come to blows I think, soon." I pressed lips at that. "Until then I am going to do everything I can to help protect my one venerable spot."
Both girls blinked up at me.
I reached into my bag and pulled forth a ring. "Now Master, this is a ring of moderate protection…"
Shadow of Zero XL
I had the both of them outfitted in short order. I didn't know what the swords did yet, so I left those in the bag, instead sticking to my older toys.
A ring of moderate protection for the both of them, then a mixer. I had a ring of chameleon power on my one finger, and I slipped that off to gift my master, explaining how it would help one conceal themselves when they desired, but was Not outright invisibility.
I made a note to forge said ring of invisibility once my lab was put together.
I went over my other items for Siesta, a ring of wizardry was all but useless for her, she was learning fast, but learning magic and knowing it were two completely different animals. Instead I slipped that over my own hand, replacing the sacrificed defensive item, shivering slightly as I felt my reserves surge from the augmentive item. I hadn't worn this that thing since…
Bad memories.
Needless to say, utility alone was the reason I actually kept the blasted thing. But it had power, a lot of it, and I might need it soon.
That left a half depleted ring of the ram, regeneration, sustenance, bone, and telekinesis.
My master already had limited offensive powers at her command. Even if she didn't know exactly how to use them, directing raw power at something with intent to 'hurt' was something any magus could accomplish.
Have to step up her ability to call lightning though. She'd need a proper weapon if this was a hint at things to come.
I looked to Siesta. "Alright, of what I have left on me, these three are your best options. This." I held up the ring of regeneration. "Will speed a person's healing, letting them recover in hours what they should in days, and recover perfectly from any wound taken without scaring, even if it would normally not be the sort of injury to ever fully recover. It only restores you to what you were when you first wear it however, so it can't heal old wounds." I grimaced. "I bartered for this ring. It's easily the most powerful item in my possession, but it's passive. Only really useful if you're going into a scrape you know you'll be hurt, but likely to survive. My recommendation lies in these other two."
I pulled forth the Ring of The Ram, pulling it in my palm. "On command, this will sent a short violent burst of energy down the length of your arm to a good range. It can shatter most doors, and will crush in a grown man's chest with a solid hit. Think of it somewhat like a portable battering ram."
I noted Louise's jealous look at that, and continued. "It's also limited to a certain number of uses." I warned. "A couple shots over twenty if I recall. It can be used to fire a single burst at a time, or a merged stronger blast of up to three. Very potent, but as I warned limited."
Siesta nodded looking more than a little ill at the prospect of using such a thing. It reminded me of a time I was helping to arm up reserves of some little nameless village I had decided to help defend.
By the god's mercy I hoped this didn't turn out the same way That did…
"This last one I think might be your best bet. A ring of telekinesis… it allows the manipulation of objects at a much longer range, and can with only a little practice, pick up even a grown man and throw him about. Defensively, you're better off just grabbing anything solid and heavy to throw at them, or to give a short violent thrust, to knock them down." I advised. "It's a bit tricky, but I think it'd suit you best of the bunch."
She seemed to agree, taking the last ring.
I slipped the other two within my haversack for now, I'd hand them out once we had reached Tabitha. "I fear that's all I have for defensive trinkets at the moment, I wasn't exactly packing heavy when you called me." I told my master, with a slight grimace. Most of my kit was back at my old lab, likely long raided by now, or a bit too obvious to wear out in public. I'd have to make do with what we had. At least until I could set up what I needed to call up a few old friends, and barter for more.
"What now?" Siesta asked, slipping on the ring, and eyeing it, likely curious as to the sensation it brought.
My master became spontaneously invisible. Well more she blended into her surroundings, but that's another matter.
I shot her a glance, letting her know yes I could still see her, even as she examined her hands. "I am going to go talk with a new friend of mine while you two get to know one another better, then the three of us will go and attempt to gather information." I adjusted my cloak.
Both girls eyed each other with a look of disbelief, and then annoyance mixed with revulsion, then finally bitter acceptance. "Fine." Both muttered. It was actually somewhat unnerving how they could synchronies like that. I'd seen it happen several times in my stay here, people linking together to express or work in perfect consort with one another, even experienced it myself once… maybe the people here had some minor innate psychic talent?
I gave a nod. "I'll be as swift as I can. Keep safe, and if you see anything odd, do not hesitate to seek help. I'm going to set a minor ward down on the room to warn me if anything approaches." I called power and cast. "Alarm."
That done I turned to leave.
"Wait!" My master called out/ordered, and I felt the sudden compulsion to do so.
I could have shrugged it off, but chose to do so, looking over my shoulder at the pink haired girl curiously. "Yes?" I asked.
"What if we don't find anything?" She asked. "What if no one knows, or you're just being paranoid?" she questioned, though she seemed to bite her lip after the last line.
I thought on it, could it be paranoia? No, I didn't believe it to be. I knew what I sensed, what I had smelt, seen, and felt, even if I hadn't realized it at the time. Mott was a warlock, or something of their ilk, and he had already fallen to the madness of it. This couldn't end in anyway but blood. "Well then…" I started with an assuring smile. "I guess we might just get to see exactly how well a mage of my lands stacks to one of this." I mused, not showing any of what I was feeling; the only gesture of discomfort I allowed myself was a slight brush against Delfinger's hilt, a small search for reassurance in what I might soon face.
I didn't find any.
I was wasting time. I had to go find Tabitha, warn Irukuku, and then look into how I could defend myself from any probes or assaults from the dread mage. I didn't know how long I had until he made his move.
Experience had long thought me that there was never a real question of 'If'.