CH 13

May was about to leave for her morning routine. She wished there was another exit, but Geoffery probably had only one exit by design. It wasn't too big of a deal for her, no one was an early riser in this place. She would never meet anyone till the guard at the door. In fact she started only turning invisible just before the door. Even that wasn't necessary. The guard was there to keep people out not in and he was always asleep, he never even noticed the door opening. She paused in the common room to cast the spell.

"Ah, hello miss mage." She spun around to see Geoffry. It was strange to see him without his bodyguards. "I need you to look into iron lung?"

"What is that?"

"It is a disease, it makes you cough a lot. It happens when you are around fire too much."

"Is it serious?"

"I can be, that is why I want you to find a cure."

"A cure?"

"I shouldn't be too hard, there used to be places that treated it." If it used to be available but not any more than it must require a witch to treat.

"Alright, I will ask around. Why do you need it?"

"I need you to cure someone."

"Really, are they alright?"

"For now, but I can't have it affecting their work."

"Oh,"

"You look disappointed."

"Yes well," she laughed.

"You thought I might actually care about someone? Well I do, it may seem all business but I do take care of those that are valuable to me."

"What about those that aren't?"

"I don't keep anyone who isn't around me, but that is not what you are asking. You are asking about those that hinder me, and yes I deal with them without mercy. You don't need to worry, that is not to say I have no forgiveness for mistakes. As long as you don't mean harm I will see it as such."

"What if I can't do something you ask of me?"

"Can't or won't?"

She remained silent.

"We will just deal with that when we get to it, for now find the cure. Surely you have no objections to healing people. You have healed Bran quite a bit already."

"No, of course I will help."

"Good," he smiled, "Here is the address to deliver the cure to once you have found it. I don't know anything about potion craft so I won't give you a deadline. But the sooner the better, I hope you take that into account during your efforts. Now I will let you go wherever you sneak off to every morning."

"Wait, how long have you known?"

"Do you really think I wouldn't know what is going on in my own house? I won't stop you. You are diligent in your work. Your time is your own. Hurry along if you continue looking so worried I might have to assume you are up to no good."

May went about like normal trying to shake off the worry that Geoffrey might know everything. Did it matter if he knew? It wasn't hurting him, it might help him actually. Everyone, even the boss of the storm, was being affected by the loss of witches in the city. Many had disappeared, but many more had fled seeing the writing on the wall. At Least his request was reasonable, but she still felt uneasy everytime she spoke with him. That unease linger with her though the whole morning.

Albin was in an unusual mood as well. He was listless in his little shop, and hardly noticed her entering. She didn't exactly want to see Rhys again, so she wanted to hurry along. He never came over this early if he came to help, but it was unusual for Albin to be so down.

"What is wrong," she sat beside him and helped prepare herbs for drying.

"Nothing."

"Come on, I'm bound to secrecy already."

"Oh it really is nothing, it's just Rhys wants me to leave the city."

"It's not a bad idea with everything that is happening."

"He wrote to my brother without even telling me. I just got a letter from him telling me I am welcome any time I want."

"Where does he live, is it far away?"

"Yes, he is in Oster now, and it is so far away," he said, "So far away you can't get Beacle or cave mushrooms. All they have is fish and seaweed and sailors."

"I could get some for you."

"It is fine I have sent some things by post before and it takes too long."

"I wouldn't post it, A barge leaves every other week and takes around three days to get to Oster. I'm sure I could get a package for you and even bring letters if you want."

"I am fine, honestly, You know I am not much of a potion crafter. I would be fine without some supplies."

"Then why are you hesitant to go?"

"Many witches have been taken."

"Which is why Rhys wants you to leave."

"And it is why I must stay. There will be no one to take my place if I am gone, who will care for them. You have met some of my customers. It will not be easy for them to find a new place to go. I must stay, I can not abandon them, it is my duty as a healer."

She wished she had such devotion, "Oh, do you know a cure for iron lung?"

"How severe is it?"

"I'm not sure. I am not very familiar with Iron lung."

"One minute," he got up and returned a few minutes later with a hastily scrawled page "this potion should cleanse the lungs. They will be very sensitive for the next few days after taking this. They can't be exposed to smoke at that time or it will just come back."

"Thank you." She took the page.

"You suggested it leave but I never sounded like you considered leaving."

"No, I have my own obligations here as well."

"Good," he sighed, "But if it does ever get too intense you have got a place to hide with me."

"Thanks, but I don't think I could ask you to hide me from people like them."

"Don't worry, I have done it before," He could see she wasn't impressed and he pulled out a small crossbow from under the counter. "How do you think I keep this place?"

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have doubted you."

"Nah, people underestimate little people like us, but that is not always a bad thing."

"I agree."

As soon as she got back she would start brewing the new potion. It was relatively simple. It could be made within a few hours with little enough attention for her to finish her enchantments for Geoffrey while making it. Though today she also planned to meet Sibahn in the morning. She would do that before the potion. It would still be done that day if a little late.

May and Sibahn started to meet regularly at the park. It was a nice halfway point between them, though Sibahn didn't know that. The forested areas allowed for most of the magic the practice not to be seen. It was not disastrous if anyone saw them though it was not uncommon for magic initiates to go off on free days to practice privately, for they most part all she did was teach her. She didn't want to put Sibahn in direct danger so all she had to do was keep an eye on Cian and who was close to Tiernan.

"So far Only the two we already knew about seem to be imprinting," May asked, "That is good."

"And Cian doesn't have the mark." Sibahn said "Or at least I have never seen him with it."

"They probably don't trust him enough to hold onto the spells, any time he has them it is more than likely practice."

"Still why doesn't he use them for class, he has stopped improving."

"It would expose him."

"How it's not like anyone is looking for dark magic?"

"The main appeal of imprinting alongside not taxing your own strength is the spells are stored fully formed. There is no cast time when you use them."

"Oh that would be a giveaway." she frowned "How do you know so much about dark magic? You seem to know a lot about how it works."

"This is not the first time I have seen it." She had seen far too much dark magic. Most people would never see it in their whole lives. That was the way it should be. It was not just here that was too familiar with dark magic her father knew it as well. She remembered when she was first learning sybil and spell casting she found his collection of books of dark magic. As soon as he found her reading them he made her promise to never use those spells. He didn't need to tell her why she shouldn't. They were abhorrent. She used to wish she had never seen them at all, but now she was grateful. Tam said something about knowing your enemy. Her's might have slipped past if she hadn't read those books.

"Really, it happened multiple times in the tower?"

"No, this was long ago, in Sudeland."

"Oh what were you doing there, how did you stop it?"

"I was born there, and unfortunately I wasn't able to stop it. It's rather embarrassing but I had to run away. But this time we will stop it."

"Why did you run? You don't seem scared now."

"In my defense I was still a child, I was hardly about to charge them down when I was ten years old."

"Wait, how old are you?"

"Neinteen."

"What?"

"I will be twenty come the winter, how old did you think I was?"

"I don't know, not only a year older than me, how are you so much better at casting than me?"

"Be grateful you can take your time, I grew out of necessity." she sighed "Anyways it is not like you are a poor wizard even when I met you and your illusions have improved a lot."

"They aren't anywhere near yours."

"Yes but illusions are my best strength."

"Are you sure you're not one of those wizards that's so powerful they can change their appearance and you aren't like a hundred years old?"

"I'm pretty sure."

"But everything is so effortless it's like you were born doing it."

"If it makes you feel any better, I kinda was. My parents were casters and they started teaching me from a young age."

"I thought wizards don't have kids."

"Not in Richosia, in Sudeland they do."

"So you aren't from Richosia, is that why some of your spells are so weird."

"I wouldn't call them weird, but yes."

"What should I do if someone notices that those spells aren't normal."

"I doubt they will but if they do, you have a massive library I'm sure you have some books from Sudeland say you found one and that's where you got it from."

"Will they believe that?"

"It is known you have been struggling with illusions, is it out of the realm of possibility that you would seek out a solution yourself. I don't think so, and I think it is just as much the different framing of the spells as my guidance that has helped you improve."

"Then I have improved."

"You don't need me to tell you that."

"No, I am back to being top of the class."

"I am proud."

"Soo, since I've been so good there is a spell I want you to teach me."

"Which one."

"That first day I met you, you were disguising yourself weren't you. I mean you look different now. Teach me that."

"You already know that spell. It was just a simple illusion spell, the one that disguises objects."

"What really?"

"Spells are more flexible than you think. There are too many situations to have a specific spell for each instance. It is far easier to warp one you already know than to learn a new spell."

"How do you do that?'

"It's hard to explain, but magic wants to do your bidding; the spells are just there to show it the proper path. If you tell it you are an object then it will treat you as so. Sometimes just a little thought is enough. Why don't you try?"

She asked Bran if he would take her to deliver the iron lung potion but he seemed distracted that day. He probably still hadn't told his family about the imprint. She had encouraged him too but she could tell he didn't want to. He had been out of sorts, understandably, since she found the mark on him. After she finished Geoffry's request, she would work on raising his address in hand she managed to convince Ruth to go with her. Meeting with Sibahn delayed starting the potion so it was late but the time it was finished. She didn't want to go to a new place by herself. She never had a great sense of direction. Ruth did however, and she already had things to do on the north side of the city and apparently the address Geoffry gave her was in a quite interesting part of town. Ruth wouldn't elaborate father when she asked.

"You will see when we get there. Let's stop for a meal on the way. I know of another place you should see."

"Ok," She followed Ruth's long strides into an open market. It was a smaller one than the main bizarre Bran showed her and she regularly frequented, but it was just as busy. "I don't think I have ever been to this place."

"That is because you don know the places to go."

"What do you mean?"

"Like your address you would miss the best part of the forge district, you need to get out properly. Bran doesn't know anything good. Let's think of this as a little tour. I might even tell you some interesting things if you buy my dinner."

"No problem."

"Good girl," she ordered two servings of what looked like chicken and passed one to her as she continued leading her north. "Tasty buggers aren't they."

She was enjoying it, but she couldn't quite place what it was. Then she picked up the next piece and it didn't match any part of a chicken. It looked almost like a tail. "Is this?"

"Wyvern yes, what do you think happens to all the little squirts the guard kills chasing the flock away."

"They are quite tasty."

"I think so at least, not everyone likes them. But that isn't the best part, you see they keep their acid in little sacks in their throat. It is a bit risky to pull them out but if you do the acid is worth quite a bit of money."

"I never would have thought."

She laughed "Not all of us have the wealth of resources like you, wizard. Not many things can dissolve stone like wyvern acid."

"I guess that is true." Geoffrey did have her disintegrate a lot of things, keys, papers and so on with her spells. If she wasn't there they probably would use acid or fire. "But you are not without magic, you still haven't told me about your healing medallion. Come on, I will buy you a wyvern any time you ask if you tell me about it."

"I'm sure you would like to know about it, it certainly is worth a pretty penny." She looked at me, "I haven't had it for as long as you think. Can you keep a secret?"

"I'm pretty sure you know I can."

"Yeah, I wish I would have learned as early as you did."

"I have worked for Geoffry for some time, you might even say before I was old," she chuckled, "I have done a lot of things in my time, not all of them pretty. A few years back, I injured my shoulder and was stuck on clean up duty. Well I don't know what happened but there was a big mess at the warehouse. A mess that looked like when one of your spells misfires. Boxes had exploded and things were singed. Probably a few dead too from the amount of blood."

"What happened?"

"How should I know I was just there to put the place back together, anyways in all that mess I found that medallion. I would have thought it was nothing but I wiped it off on my shoulder, my wounded shoulder and it soaked up the blood. I took it home with me and tested it out again and it healed me. I have had it ever since."

"I'm certainly glad you have it, Who knows what would have happened to us if you didn't have it."

"That is not the reaction I expected," she said.

"No? Why not."

"I expected a little goody two shoes like you to say I should give it back."

"I'm not that good of a person, I mean it's not like it wasn't already stolen if it was in the warehouse."

"My thoughts exactly, you could stand to think more like it if you want to get by."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at this," she held up the potion, "Did you even ask for extra payment for doing this?"

"No," she sighed "It's not that big of a deal anyways. Besides it is medicine. I would feel terrible if they weren't cured because I held out for money."

"This is for the blacksmiths, no expense would be spared for them. Geoffry built his reputation on their smuggled weapons."

"Still."

"Look, don't forget who you are. You are the one who holds the cards, not Geoffry, don't let him forget that."

She just shook her head. She wished she had Ruth's confidence but she was terrified of talking back even if Ruth was right about her holding the looked up realized they weren't heading north they were almost at the western gate, "Ruth, where are we going?"

"Oh would you look at that, sorry. But since we are almost there, how about we pay a visit to Tam."

"Alright," she laughed following Ruth.

She never quite understood what she was thinking. She turned off the large road just before the western gate. The buildings and streets were jumbled, much less orderly on account of the hilly terrain. Amongst the maze was a small house that like the many beside it butted up to the city's outer wall. Inside was pretty much empty. Tam slept, reclining on the few crates in the room. The place looked normal, but the door at the back of the space should open to nothing but the city wall.

"Tam," Ruth said, waking him with a poke.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm here to switch places with you," Ruth said "But I promised May I would take her to the forge district. Since you're off now you wouldn't mind taking her would you?"

"Why do you need to go up there?" he asked.

"I am delivering some medicine. I have the address, I'm sure I can figure it out on my own," She said.

"Nah, You saw I wasn't particularly busy, it won't take too long to get there."

"Ok, thanks."

"Let's hitch a ride," Tam said, walking towards the river. It wasn't far from the wall in this part of town. He scanned the bank till he saw an older man loading crates into a long narrow boat. "Four copper for a ride north and We'll finish the loading."

The man straightened his back and said "deal" before looking at us properly. They shuffled onto the boat, "All the blue marks are mine."

The boxes weren't too heavy and it was quick work for the two of them. The boat looked very rickety with the crates stacked so high and the lip of the hull so close to the water. She hesitated as Tam hopped on the boat bobbed in the water.

"I've never been on a boat before."

"It will be fine," Tam said, patting a crate beside him.

She steeled herself and jumped on. The boat rolled wild under her unsure feet. Tam quickly pulled her to sit on the boxes before she tipped the boat. She clutched at her seat as the boat pushed off and began its trip north. She stared at the dark water that lapped precariously close to her.

"Do you not know how to swim?"

"No," she said, not looking away from the water.

"We need to teach you some time." he said "But for now, the water isn't that deep. I can stand up in it right now, it is just too murky to see the bottom. You should enjoy the ride, you can see a lot from the boat."

Reluctantly she did. It was dark now, well the city was never truly dark with its brazures burning but the sun had set when she and Ruth were eating dinner. When she first came here she never wanted to be out after dark for fear of wyverns, but now she trusted the first to do their job most days. She could trust the boat too, for just a bit. It was a nice view on the river. Many stately buildings were built right next to it. Their windows glittered from the lits inside.

"I guess it isn't so bad."

"The water is nice, normally. I can't believe you don't know how to swim. I thought you had been educated in everything."

"Not everything, you have taught me plenty of things."

"Yeah well learning how to use a knife is not something you ever want to teach someone."

"Then why did you teach me?"

"It's something you need."

"Is it? even with magic?"

"You know better than anyone else the pitfalls of magic,"

"Yes."

"It definitely still has its uses, what is this medicine you are delivering?"

"A cure for Iron lung. It's not my own. I got the recipe from another witch."

"I guess that makes sense why we are going to the forge district then."

They departed the boat at an unassuming street that followed along a man made canal. It wasn't far up the path before she could hear the clanging of metal. They entered a large square. A small crowd focused on three blacksmiths . They rhythmically beat their hammers as a white hot lump of metal was placed on the anvil. They worked seamlessly together barely and instant passing between each hit till the metal cooled and went back to the fire.

"Do you want to stop and watch?"

She nodded as she joined the crowd searching for a better view "What are they making?"

"I don't know."

They stopped to watch the next pass of the metal.

"Bran told me a story once that these forges are magic," said Tam.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I don't remember his exact words but apparently everyday these fires are started by a special flame that has burned for centuries and it gives everything made in them special properties?"

"What kinds of properties?"

"I don't think it's actually true," he laughed "You know Bran's stories."

"Yes but it is a nice thought isn't it."

The metal was taking its final shape now. A spear head. It may have not been true magic but it almost looked like it the way sparks flew with each strike and the metal moved so quickly and fluidly into its desired shape. They left as the piece was quenched and moved to narrower ways reaching their final destination. It appeared to also be a forge, but it was closed up now. May knocked a bit hesitantly. It wasn't that late but it was past the time for normal calls, she just hoped They were used to it with working for Geoffry.

A few minutes later the door was opened cautiously and a woman's head peeked through the partially open door. Upon seeing only May's small frame it opened fully and she saw that the woman wore a leather apron and on her wll muscled arm was the mark of the storm.

"Can I help you, dear?" she said looking down on may with concern.

"Here," she held out the bottle that she had wrapped with the rules for the potion.

"What is this?" She took it slowly.

"Oh, it is a cure for iron lung. Geoffry sent me." she smiled tightly "Be sure to follow the directions exactly."

"He found a witch for us?"

"Something like that."

"Thank you," there was immense relief on her face.

"I hope it works well for you."

"Come by some other time, ok?" She closed the door, "I will make you something nice."

"Sure," she said, returning to Tam who refused to come with her to the door.

"See everything was fine. You should have come along."

"I'm not so sure," he said.

"You and Bran both, I think you both are self fulfilling prophecies. Of course people are going to be wary of you when you are so standoffish. You know you really aren't that scary."

"Alright, I'll be more friendly next time."

"Good."

They walked back parting ways when he headed back towards the smuggler's house she met him at.

"I guess you can't use the gates to go home now can you."

"Not normally"

"Why do you live outside the city, wouldn't you feel safer inside?"

"As good as these walls are at keeping monsters out, they also trap people in. It is a terrible thing when you watch people banging at the walls they built desperate to get out. I don't want to see that again. Oh, be sure to get plenty of sleep. We have a job in three days that we will have to get up early for so be prepared. See you."

He rushed away before she could ask about the walls and she slowly walked back home. Not very familiar with the area she followed the river knowing it would eventually lead her to the park or market where she could navigate home from. It was a long walk and well into the night she reached the park. There was a group down by the river. It was awfully late for that so she crept closer. Hiding in the trees she got close enough to hear what they were saying, but they were all facing the river away from her.

"This is the second one this week."

"Can you tell who it is?"

"No, wait I think it might be Roahin."

"The boss has got to do something about this."

She changed the angle she watched at so she could see what they were looking at. She Gasped. It was a dead man; wet, slightly swollen and with an unmistakable imprint mark on his arm. She slunk away as the poor man was wrapped up. This had to stop, but this could be the proof needed to start a proper investigation. She rushed to the address on the card Rhys gave her he would know what to do with a body for evidence.

She stopped in front of a garrison. A woman guarded the doorway. She didn't wear armor but she did have the city guard livery. She reclined in a chair feet up on a step to the doorway deep in sleep. She tapped her and she jumped.

"Ah, sorry sorry what can I do for you," she rubbed her eyes.

She handed her the card, "I need to speak to Captain Rhys."

"Now?"

"Yes, it is important."

"Wait here," she went inside and a few minutes later she came out with Rhys.

He looked peeved till he saw it was her. "Come in," he said.

"No," she said as she pulled him along, "There is a dead body in the park that has been imprinted."

"When?"

"I just saw it, but some people were moving it right now. Follow me."

They ran back to the park. The group was still in the process of dragging the body away from the river bank. "Halt," called Rhys. The group bolted as soon as they saw him. They tried to follow. May even sent her bird flying after them but its eyes were not meant for low light. They knew the streets better and were easily lost.

"Who were they?" aske Rhys huffing from the sprint.

"I don't know but I definitely heard them say they found another this week and I definitely saw the mark of dark magic."

"Are you sure?"

"Why else would I call you this late."

"You're right, Why haven't the bodies been reported?"

It sounded like they worked for one of the bosses. I doubt they would ever go to the guard for help. I couldn't tell Rhys I knew about the underworld thought, "I don't know, maybe they are just afraid to come forward with a random body."

"I will keep a watch on the river from now on," he coughed, "It wasn't a man with Brown hair on the short side was it?"

"No, he had red hair," she said.

He let out a held breath, "We should head home, it is late."

"Yeah, sorry for getting you for nothing."

"It wasn't for nothing, we will catch these criminals. I'll see you around."

She was tired by the time she got back. She crashed on her bed wanting to fall asleep, but she had so much to process she couldn't stop her racing thoughts. Whatever was happening was on the move. She was seeing the man in blue more often than she ever had before. Witches were disappearing again and more bodies were being found in the river. They must be amassing power though imprint spell, but what were they going to use it for. And what was the point of becoming close to Cian if they weren't bringing him in as another wizard to use dark magic. From watching the classes he seemed fairly normal so why was he chosen? When she has just about settled her mind May woke up to the stairs creaking. She sat up. Not many dared come down here.

"Bran?" she asked.

"Were you asleep? Shit, I didn't realize it was that late."

She got up to meet him waiting nervously at the foot of the stairs. "Is something wrong?"

"No sorry, I'll go now."

"Wait," she grabbed his sleeve, "You came all the way here." looking at his face; his eyes were red and puffy. "I will make you some tea."

"Nah, I'm sure you're tired. I don't want to be a burden."

She ignored the fake protests and sat him on her bed while she dug around for some cups. She always left the kettle on her stove so there was hot water. She sat next to him after she put a warm mug in his hand.

"Will you tell me what upset you?"

"Who says I'm upset?"

"Look I just want to make sure you are ok."

"May," he let out a sob.

She hugged him as tears rolled down his cheeks. He hid his face on her shoulder and she rubbed his back wanting to squeeze the sadness out of him. His breathing slowly leveled. She held him even after he stopped crying.

"Is there anything I can do?"

He sat up and wiped his face, "I'm sorry about this. I just …"

"Stop apologizing."

"You must think I'm … I just, I'm not normally like this."

"There have been plenty of times you have made me feel better, returning the favor is nothing."

"Still."

"Are you telling me you were annoyed the whole time?"

"No." he started to smile.

She brushed his hair back out of his face, "Honestly I'm jealous. I can't remember the last time I cried."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"It is when you want to. That's why you have to let things out. I mean it's completely understandable. So much has happened."

"Yeah, the stupid thing is though I'm kinda over finding out about all this dark magic. I mean I want to stop it, but you fixed me so I'm fine."

"I'm glad to hear that, I thought it might be because you remembered when the spell was cast."

"Oh, I do. But turning into a dog was the worst part of it."

"I guess it was because I was young when I first saw dark magic that it scared me so much."

"Or I am just too dumb to fully understand it all."

"You're not dumb."

"Really, I feel like if enough people tell you it must be true."

"Don't be ridiculous, you are way smarter than most people. Don't listen to whatever fool is telling you otherwise."