They’d stayed longer than intended, having run into a cavern containing hundreds of Elementals. Though even deliberately allowing foes to engulf her had provided Amdirlain only a single increase in Earth Resistance. With the last of them dealt with and gems collected, the Gate opened at The Exchange’s entry. Where Amdirlain’s first arrival hadn’t made an impression, Sidero got a powerful reaction. Entities close by looked at her swaying red chains and backed well away, their attention focused entirely on her. Amdirlain had noticed another Kyton in the area being treated with the disinterest she’d received.
Sidero didn’t even give them the time of day but headed towards a gate intended for longer-term stays without even a goodbye. The ramrod set of her posture made it clear she had no intention of looking back. The Kyton who’d been waiting in a different queue left and followed Sidero, the moment the chains caught her eye, provoking a message from Amdirlain.
“You’ve got a Kyton following that changed queues. You’d better explain the reaction you just got when we meet again.”
A temptation to follow churned at her, but she let the Gate close and Planar Shift carry her to the Outlands. Animal sounds, sunlight, and floral scents washed over her. For long minutes she just savoured it before she teleported to her spot on the riverbank. Little had changed and the rope swing was still present, hooked well away from the waterline. The memory of Torm’s joking made her smile, though his absence made her regret the arrival point. Hearing the distant sounds of activity in the Domain, she walked towards where the buildings lay. The first step made the Domain echo under her feet and consider an item on her to-do list. Mentally thanking Sidero, she knelt in quiet meditation, centring herself in the world, instead of retreating to the mindscape.
Hours later, with her energy gathered inside her, she reached down into Domain’s wellspring and the reserves she’d placed in it. Her focus settling on it, the wellspring’s connection to the Plane became clear, along with the draw of prayers and blessings. The borders of the Domain had stretched since she’d established it—grown naturally overtime—and Amdirlain poured additional energy into it. The air came alive as Mana, Ki, and even Psi energy washed out of her into the Domain carrying extra Faith with it. Growth of her Faith stretched the Domain out further than she’d expected, the combined energies aiding its expansion.
An experience far different from Telepathy’s net opened her mind to beautiful shifting energies. Through the Domain’s aura, she felt the differing energies from Celestials to Petitioners and its interaction with each presence. Their energy formed a meshwork with the Domain’s aura. Though the relationship between them and the aura edged across her awareness, its truths stayed on the edge of her perceptions; unclear what each drew from the pseudo-connection that had formed.
Within the Domain’s energy, she could sense threads that didn’t originate from anything Amdirlain had added to the Domain, nor were they around the Wellspring. The threads orientated towards the Petitioners yet stayed clear of touching them. Floating in the slightest gap between the Domain’s aura and the Souls existence, they waved like seagrass dancing on an ocean tide. Harmony that mingled with the aura didn’t even register them.
Contact with one through the aura’s expanse was like trailing her fingers through a sauna’s mist. Warmth brushed along her mind—the thread parted and reformed—leaving no impression or understanding behind, Yet it hovered close enough that she felt only the slightest hint of effort would touch it, sending tingles through her.
The exercise sent shivers up and down her spine like the schoolyard trick of breaking the egg. Memories of Rach’s hands clapping just above her head, before hands trailed downwards, pretending to be a yolk; avoiding touching her hair by the slimmest of margins as her hands drifted. Memory blended into the present and elicited a squeal of laughter, the electrostatic tingling in the memory so sharp and real.
That sharpness contained a newness that broke her out of her meditations. Laughter, and the hope of seeing Rachel again, rushed through her and made her blink against the light. A glowing orb within a gold filigree mesh floating nearby made the space under the trees brighter. The Domain itself let her know it was Pip, and the Archon was female but used Analysis anyway to get details on her capabilities.
[Name: Pip
Species: Archon (Lantern)
Level: 2
Health: 30
Defence: 19
Ranged Attack Power: 19 (Range: 12 Metres)
Combat Skills: Radiant Beam [Ap](1) - Various Innate Powers
Details: Recently released from the Maze of Trials by Ebusuku’s choices, she swore to Amdirlain’s service because of Ebusuku’s care, where others had simply left her behind.
]
“Hello, Pip.”
Pip rushed forward the moment Amdirlain spoke, doing a complete loop around her, and stopped just within arm’s reach. “I hope I didn’t disturb you, Amdirlain. Oh, ahh… Hello? Should I have started with just Hello or Hello, Lady Amdirlain! Oh sorry, I was told not to use Lady. Hello, Amdirlain. Oh, I’m talking too much, aren’t I? I really feel like I’m talking too much. Am I talking too much?”
There was no sign where her voice originated, but its vibrant tone held a sheer exuberance that had Amdirlain’s smile twitch in delight. “I think you’re excited.”
“Am I? That could be, hmm, yes, very excited. I’m not sure I remember being excited, but now I know what that is. This is good! There are so many trees here, not just fruit trees. Though I want to find all the fruit trees. In case any of your Petitioners want fruit, maybe? Actually, I’m not sure why. I remember my trees being toppled and being afraid they wouldn’t regrow, so maybe it’s just about having some around. Do you have over six? I think I’ve counted more than that, but I’m not sure they’re all yours. Or is that ours?”
“There are some fruit trees about outside my Domain, so those aren’t ours,” replied Amdirlain. “Those inside the Domain I’m sure we could consider ours.”
Pip darted away, spun a circle and raced back, apparently having decided one side of the meshwork to be her facing. Though Amdirlain could see little difference in the meshwork’s details. “Okay. Sorry, I think I’m going to have to count them again because I felt the Domain grow. Not sure how I know, or how I even know what a Domain even is, but I do, know… both things.”
“Do you know where Whisper is?” Amdirlain asked, having waited patiently for Pip to wind down.
The question made the light archon twist in place for a few moments before an answer came. “Whisper, I know… knew… Whisper was with us…. we were trapped now we’re not. Thank you Amdirlain, Ebusuku told us of you. I’ll go find Whisper. All I’ll have to do is listen out. Will you be here a while? Or should I ask her to meet you somewhere?”
Amdirlain didn’t point out she could message her, just nodded gratefully. “I’ll be here for a bit, I’ve some thinking to do.”
Pip bounced in the air and simply vanished, True Sight showing Amdirlain a faint trace of spatial energy.
Amdirlain rose to unhook the rope swing when the notification came.
[Achievement: Then there were two!
Condition: First temple dedicated within a settlement primarily containing a second species.
Achieved by: High Traveller Aggie. Location: Stoneheart
Reward: Faith +10
Additional Condition: Settlement contains over 100,000 individuals.
Reward: (20,000 Experience awarded to High Traveller Aggie)
Additional Condition: Settlement Capital City
Reward: Those inclined towards your Faith’s tenants will find it easier to achieve Priest Class for a half solar cycle.
Current consecrated locations: -
Shrine count by region’s populace:
* Human (Egyptian) x3
* Human (Norse) x5
* Human (Persian) x1
* Human (Slav) x1
* Orc x1
* Kobold x1
Temple count by region’s populace:
* Mountain Dwarf x1
* Human (Egyptian) x1
* Human (Norse) x2
]
“What has she done?”
[Achievement: How much is that doggy in the window?
Condition: First Archon (Hound) recruited.
Reward: Celestial’s services for as long as you’re worthy.
Role: Protector of Faithful
Location: Domain, Outlands.
Faith: +1
Note: An Archon (Hound) has joined your service of their own accord.
Current Use Name: Hook
Stolen novel; please report.
Memories condensed by agreement between Celestial and Titan.
Faith Gained: +5]
A rush followed as four more notifications pushed into her awareness. On the heels of the messages, the Domain’s energy shimmered around her and five figures snapped into existence, one after another.
The humanoid figures were nearly at the two-metre mark. A mix of male and female, all were broad-shouldered and muscular. They were wearing loose clothing similar in style to Amdirlain’s, though their clawed feet made boots a non-issue. They had long Rhodesian ridgeback style muzzles with a light honey-gold fur. Hook and Pit were both male, and the female hounds were Iris, Mirage, and Berry, though Analysis showed Mirage was the strongest among them. Enchantments made all their clothing glow in True Sight.
[Name: Mirage
Species: Archon (Hound)
Level: 9
Health: 117
Defence: 22
Melee Attack Power: 26
Combat Attack Skills: Unarmed [Ad] (1), Claw [Ad] (1), Bite [Ad] (1), Slam [Ad] (1) - Various Innate Powers.
Details: Recently released from the Maze of Trials by Ebusuku’s choices. She’s sworn to Amdirlain’s service but departed among the second group only in protest.]
“Amdirlain,” Mirage said, only a fraction before the others, their greeting blending awkwardly together. “How may we serve?”
“Your priority is to protect the Petitioners,” replied Amdirlain. “What classes would you like?”
Mirage looked at the others before she addressed Amdirlain. “Monk is your preferred class?”
“It is, but that doesn’t mean you need it or need to rush any decision,” Amdirlain responded. “How do you know that?”
“That showed in my Profile message as well,” Pit stated, his rumbling bass the deepest she’d ever heard. “I already took Monk and Scout, but I wasn’t sure what else I wanted.”
Amdirlain looked between the pair and studied the others again. “Class choice will always be yours. Did you all get a Profile message?”
A yell interrupted their nods.
“AMDIRLAIN!”
The loud bellow set birds squawking away, and the others turned as one to shush the new arrival with her name. “Whisper.”
Over the water was a winged figure dressed in equally practical clothes but with a long golden ornate trumpet held casually in one hand. Pure white glowing eyes were a match for her hair and wings. The sunlight through the opalescent feathers made a rainbow of colour. Her long-limbed form matched Amdirlain in its Elven appearance: fine-featured with a lithe build. Though at just over one-ninety centimetres, she stood taller than Amdirlain.
Pip suddenly appeared and together they teleported near the others. Their arrival drew cheers and good-natured teasing that got a playful pout from Whisper.
[Name: Whisper
Species: Archon (Trumpet)
Level: 14
Health: 210
Defence: 28
Melee Attack Power: 32
Combat Attack Skills: Two-Handed Blades [M] (1) - Various Innate Powers.
Details: Recently released from the Maze of Trials by Ebusuku’s choices. She went through the flames first to ensure Pip’s safety.]
Whisper shook her head ruefully at the laughing group, her amusement clear, but still spoke loudly as the laughter settled. “They say I’m the loud one.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Whisper.”
Whisper smiled brightly at Amdirlain’s use of her name. The round of hugs that followed as Pip wove around them made Amdirlain smile, the family vibe among them clear.
I don’t have to know everything. I’ll focus on giving them all a place they can be at home.
“What about Sage and Ebusuku?” asked Pip.
“Getting the others. You’re looking pale, Pip. Are you okay?” Berry asked, barely contained laughter bubbling in her voice.
“Haha Berry funny,” replied Pip, spinning on her side as she held her position.
“How much do you remember of the Maze?”
Mirage smiled thoughtfully and motioned to the group. “Lots about these rascals. I remember the endless waiting and dying when the strangers didn’t protect us. But the place’s misery seems vague, like water flowing past me now. I remember living there, but not what it smelt like, the stone underfoot or even the smell of my waterfall.”
“I remember Ebusuku keeping the dog from biting me,” Berry said. “Our gatherings, and when the others after me joined. Though not my deaths, but I remember marking the wall for each. So I can remember recent, and long ago. The scent of finding Pip’s apple trees, and the change in the passage when Hook’s dead-end appeared.”
They died in there, repeatedly?
“How about Sage’s grapes, and him trying to make wine?” asked Iris, earning nods from the others.
“That was so bad. I was so sick after drinking it, and my head ached,” grumbled Hook. “It made me warm, but I felt terrible afterwards. Maybe I’ll find some better wine.”
“For Mortals, wine can make them feel that way,” murmured Amdirlain.
“It can?! Why would they drink it then?” Hook demanded before he added with a huff. “He could have told me that.”
Amdirlain’s glance took them all in as she enjoyed the happiness radiating from them. “Pip, would you show them where the main buildings are? I’ll be along shortly.”
“Okay, follow me,” Pip said. She blurred off before racing back just as fast. “Sorry, slow pokes.”
They all started after her, even Whisper, though she had to be careful of her wings among the trees.
Once the others were away, she indulged her curiosity and sent a message.
* * *
Ebusuku’s PoV - The Maze
The flames roll back as Mirage moves towards them; beyond, Berry’s face is growing red from holding her breath. A noisy exhalation follows Mirage’s passage through unharmed. Mirage’s outline in the flame turns with a hand raised, and in that instant they all vanish. The conflict and tension in Sage’s mind pulls at my attention, and I spot a key in his white-knuckled grip.
“Sit down. I should check your wounds again.”
I’m sure I hear his knuckles crack from the tightness of his grip around the latest key. “You sure you don’t want to leave as well?”
Even without hearing his thoughts, the torn look on his face says it all, but he thrusts the key into the bag he’s carrying. He brings out his jar of goop and a collection of ripped rags. “Will you promise to try your hardest to get the rest out if I guide you?”
“I don’t go back on my word. I made my choice.”
At my reply, the tension lifts from his shoulders and I sit down to let him fuss. The stones of the spiral staircase are cold and hard, but getting my weight off my knee still feels good. I don’t fuss as he unwinds the makeshift bandage from my hand, the dried blood pulling painfully at the remains of my smallest two fingers.
“Why did you put your hand in its mouth?”
My shrug just gets a frustrated glare, so I give an honest answer. “It wasn’t my intent; my reaction speed is off.”
“I’m not sure I cut them back far enough. The wounds are black, though there are lines under your skin. Do you feel warm?”
“No, actually my arse is getting cold sitting on stone. This going to take long?”
Sage’s only response is to slather more poultice across my wounds and bind them again.
I can feel the turmoil in his thoughts and try a distraction. “No path to let us collect them all together?”
“Not unless there is a new passage between the maze’s areas,” Sage's reply is doubtful. His gaze lingers on the red mark climbing beyond the scratches up my leg.
Its digging pain had replaced the cold daggers under my skin before we even returned to the stairs. “Then start with whichever path takes us to the most.”
His hands at least steady as the crude jar of poultice returns to the bag before he stands. “Will you be able to keep fighting?”
Pain spikes from my thigh into my guts. I grit my teeth and take calming breaths before I manage a reply “You’re using up time, lead the way.”
“You should go now. You don’t know how long the remaining challenges will take,” declares Sage, gesturing down the darkened staircase.
“I won’t break my word, now let’s go.”
Sage sets off with only a single regretful glance up the stairs. The hammer’s next strike silencing any chance for conversation. We’ve barely gone a hundred metres before danger crawls along my skin and I take the lead. Though I can’t hear anything, a breeze wafting an Abyssal stench our way confirms the trouble. A slap of a foot echoes in the air as the hammer stills. Their ambush blown, the Dretches round the corner in a rush. My blade diverts one’s strike, but pain spikes up my leg as I pivot. I can’t injure a Dretch without a magical blade, but their weapons show runes.
I sway away from the second’s stab and listen to the first’s clumsy footwork. He stabs again trying to force my positioning. I don’t play his game, but grab his wrist and pivot with him. Even much larger than me, his off-balance stance lets me add momentum, and I pull his stab into the other Dretch. The wound it opens in the first’s arm isn’t fatal, but his sword dropping is all I need. A roll across rough stone adds to pain clawing through me, but I rise holding the blade. It’s a heavier style than I prefer, but I open the wounded one’s throat and slip a chop. A quick step takes me past the survivor. Sparks rise from his blade, hitting the ground before I open his spine. A moment later, another key and sword sit among the blood.
* * *
Aggie’s PoV - Stoneheart
Aggie watched quietly as Stone Master Ilanan finished the last details of the mosaic around the altar. The energy rush that had hit her when the dedication completed still not fading. Only once her knees ceased shaking did she turn and bow politely to where High Crafter Qidnak and the other High Priests had observed quietly. Though she didn’t know if it was proper to invite another High Priest—let alone multiple of assorted faiths—to the Temple’s dedication, it had seemed only right.
High Priestess Olfsan of Berronar nodded her approval, returning the respect in Aggie’s bow. “The energy of your Goddess is different to Berronar’s Temple, but very close. Amdirlain seems inclined to help you up afterwards, rather than to protect you from falling.”
Aggie smiled and gave a shrug. “You can’t always be there to stop the fall.”
“We should leave the stone shapers to their work. Forming the additional Temple rooms should be complete within the shift. What should we do in the meantime?” asked Qidnak.
Aggie considered all the information she’d already learnt from the High Priests. “Might I see the Portal you discussed? Then perhaps I could start assisting the Wizards.”
“Of course, hopefully it’s enough for whatever you need for Lady Amdirlain,” replied Qidnak
“Amdirlain,” grumbled High Crafter Jantar. “Unless you want her reciting your ancestry repeatedly, call her Amdirlain.”
Aggie burst out laughing, able to see Amdirlain doing exactly that with her amusement shining the whole time. “If you could lead the way, I’m looking forward to seeing a Portal of such quality.”
“I’m looking forward to how you make use of it,” stated Qidnak. “To already have a Solar sworn to her is impressive.”
“Oh, she doesn’t,” replied Aggie, and let the silence stretch.
“There are a few youngsters I’ll bring by tomorrow that don’t quite fit with Vergadain’s Temple. More interested in purely helping than getting others to trust their luck. That’s if you’d care to discuss Amdirlain’s tenets with them and see if they might be suitable Priest candidates,” offered High Priest Yalpin, breaking the silence at last.
“I’d be happy to speak with anyone about her, and I’ll try not to poach,” Aggie teased.
“A challenge, is it? This might be fun.”
Clangeddin’s High Priest wasn’t the type she’d expected. Instead of booming and boisterous, the Exalted Champion Ylamin carried themselves with a quiet, focused intensity. Aggie held back a sigh, wishing she could pick out at least if they were male or female.
Mana rippled across her senses and at the message she received, Aggie started laughing.
Qidnak gave a puzzled frown. “What’s so funny Aggie?”
“Amdirlain sent a message asking me what I’d done.”
“Tell her she set a Xorn among the gems, and now she’s adopted,” declared Qidnak.
Aggie paused as she took in Qidnak’s response. “What’s a Xorn?”
“Elemental Earth beast; it consumes precious gems and metals,” replied Qidnak.
Chuckling, Aggie sent a response, though talking to her Goddess in such a fashion had her laughter echoing in the Temple.
Jantar looked over the altar’s mosaic and directed her attention back to Aggie once she’d calmed. “I’m glad I was here to meet you, Aggie, I’d best be getting back to Duskstone. If you come through, perhaps you’d spare some time to talk.”