Glade awoke to the morning sun streaming in through the windows, kindling a warmth within his soul that he had sorely missed. If he ever went back into those catacombs, it would be far too soon.
The noise from below drew his attention, where he saw Krazzik and Bragden separating the dwarves into various groups.
It only took him a few minutes to figure out what was going on. Afterall, dwarves were not known for their subtlety.
The hunting party Krazzik was organizing included 15 dwarves that carried most of the clan’s limited weapons. Kedryn stood among them as they wrapped spare blankets about their torsos and feet in preparation for their trek through the deep snow of an unknown land.
Another group was already arranging the hall so it was more organized while several more came in and out of the front door to grab whatever wood they could find. Croon and one or two others had claimed one of the fireplaces as well as most of the tables for their cooking station. Gird sat alone, as he was prone to do, at the fireplace across from Croon’s men. The introverted dwarf was visibly muttering to himself as he carved something into the top of Kedryn’s staff.
Glade sighed, knowing he would have to confront the dwarf to get their gear back, but pushed the problem into his – something to do later – box.
The last group was led by Patch, who, much to Krazzik’s frustrated cursing, was meticulously accounting for every piece of equipment heading out with the hunting party. From the brief snatches of conversation he overheard, Patch’s men were heading back into the catacombs to retrieve any supplies left behind.
The only person still sleeping was Riya, who was snoring softly close by. How she could sleep through the racket was beyond him.
“Good morning, sir!” Kedryn called, jogging up to him with an excited grin. “We’re about to head out into the forest to scout out the immediate area. How’s the arm?”
Glade flexed his newly healed arm in response. The bone mending process had taken over two excruciating hours to complete. At its worst, he had dropped below 25 HP, forcing Riya to expend more of the settlement's limited MP before collapsing face first in her pile of blankets. He was now at 44 HP with no internal bleeding detected.
He loved magic!
“Better,” he rasped, shifting his weight on the stone chair. “I should be up and moving by tomorrow. What’s the plan for the scouting party?”
“Everyone is pretty motivated to find something else to eat,” Kedryn said with a grin. “They’ve had to eat that gruel for the last few months, which, you know… yuck. We’ll scout out the immediate area for any threats. There are two specialized hunters in the group who will oversee finding the best places to catch game. Other than that, our goal is to try and stay warm and keep out of trouble.”
“You? Keep out of trouble?” Glade snorted. “Not possible. But when you get back, let’s bring everyone together and discuss what you and Krazzik find. Then we can plan out our way forward. We can’t keep living out of this hall and we need to understand how viable living here long term really is.”
“You and Bragden sound a lot alike, you know,” Kedryn said. “Ever since yesterday that is. He’s still the grumpy pain in everybody’s backside that we’ve come to know and love. The only difference is he’s actually working with us instead of just scowling all the time.”
“Good to hear,” Glade said. “We also need to pick his brain about our magic. He seems to know a great deal and we need to improve our abilities as quickly as possible… Why are you suddenly smiling like some crazy person?”
“You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to say those words,” Kedryn said, his eyes gleaming with crazed excitement. “I’m really looking forward to taking time to grind our skill levels. Bragden already gave me an impromptu magic lesson this morning while you slept. He really knows his stuff and said he plans on staying behind to train you on some basics.”
“Royal pyro!” Krazzik called from across the hall. “We’re waitin on you. Quit gossiping like some newly bearded lass and get over here!!”
“Gotta go, sir,” Kedryn said, already turning to leave. “Don’t burn down the place while we’re gone!”
“Says the pyro,” Glade snorted, already bringing up his notifications. It amazed him how easily he had fallen into the habit of reviewing his status page. It was almost second nature to him by now.
The first thing he had noticed was that Bragden had been right. Using his mana processing technique while his bones mended the night before had been worth it. Excruciating, but he couldn’t complain about the results.
Congratulations! You have reduced your mana saturation from 23% down to 13%.
Congratulations! While your skill level remains at 8, your understanding of the Twin Root and Branch mana processing technique has significantly expanded. +67% to processing mana.
Note You have met the requisite levels to progress into the ranks of Trainee. In order to advance, seek someone worthy to test your knowledge.
Glade had no idea he could increase his percentage in processing mana with his skill progression currently blocked. But that is exactly what had happened.
Processing mana while bearing the pain from his healing arm had forced Glade to go much slower than he normally did. This in turn helped him discover how to direct the mana flow as it processed through his mental construct.
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Once he discovered that, Glade didn’t waste any time in directing all the mana toward the roots of his twin branch and seed technique, significantly expanding their depth and breadth. He had no idea why the process worked the way it did, or what the seeds were growing into for that matter, but it made sense that the stronger the foundation the better it would be.
But that wasn’t the only benefit. Ember had kept him company throughout the process, sharing its own emotional support while paying rapt attention to everything Glade was doing. From how he breathed, to growing the root structure of his twin root and branch technique, as well as how his bones grew back together. Ember had even pointed out where Glade was making missteps with his breath control as well as how he pushed and pulled his mana toward the root structure. The entire experience was strange, but in a comforting sort of way. The entity that was Ember was like a little child who couldn’t help but share its excitement and awe of every little wonder it felt through him.
Not for the first time, Glade felt the heavy weight of dread pulling on his heart as the time approached when his little Ember would soon be extinguished. He had even avoided looking at the countdown, not wanting to confront the evidence of yet another pending loss.
Like every time before, Ember noticed his melancholy and promptly wiped it away. Instead, his friend sent a glowing warmth through their link letting Glade know it was content and happy.
Surprisingly, Ember also shared another emotion that he had never shared before.
Hope.
Curious what would cause such a feeling, Glade finally pulled up the countdown.
What he found brought a tear to his eye.
Egg’s anticipated life expectancy: 3 hours, 57 minutes, 45 seconds.
Required mana for -
Minimum Stabilization: 582/654 MP
Acceptable Stabilization: 582/981 MP
Optimal Stabilization: 582/1308 MP
Glade stared at the numbers, not understanding how they had climbed so high in such a short amount of time.
As if hearing his thoughts, the system broke down the math for him.
Mana regenerated by Glade since last checked: 308 MP
Mana processed by Glade since last checked: 84 MP
Mana provided by Bei’Kedryn Serevlir through shared bond since last checked: 190 MP
Glade stared at the numbers in shock and more than a bit of gratitude. He had specifically chosen not to speak to anyone about Ember, mostly because he feared what the others might do. After all, it was a mystical black egg corrupted by abyssal magic.
But somehow, Kedryn had not only figured out that he was trying to save Ember but had decided to help by contributing a massive amount of his personal mana stores.
The rush of emotions, all of which were completely unexpected, threatened to overwhelm him. This one act proved that Glade had not only been wrong to judge Kedryn so harshly, but had been wrong to exclude the Kid from the beginning. Selfless actions like this were a mark of great personal character.
But now was not the time for sporadic thoughts. Pushing aside all other distractions, Glade focused his entire attention on processing the wild mana within his body. He had a friend to save.
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An hour passed as Glade poured every bit of concentration into his technique, until finally he was awarded with the following prompt.
Congratulations! You have reduced your mana saturation from 13% down to 2%.
Egg’s anticipated life expectancy: 2 hours, 49 minutes, 12 seconds.
Required mana for -
Minimum Stabilization: 661/654 MP (met)
Acceptable Stabilization: 661/981 MP
Optimal Stabilization: 661/1308 MP
Glade stared at the prompt for an uncertain amount of time, once more overwhelmed with emotion. It was not even close to his original goal of reaching the optimal level, but at that moment, it didn’t matter. Ember would live!
A surge of joy and gratitude flooded his mind from as both he and Ember basked in each other’s presence. Glade didn’t know how long the two of them sat there, reliving each other’s excitement and the golden glow of Ember’s emotional victory. Nor did he particularly care.
“Yer smilin like some newly bearded lad after his first kiss,” Bragden interrupted. “Now what, pray tell, has made the perpetually scowling Glade so excited that ye’re willing to inflict me with such a sight?”
“And good morning to you, Bragden,” Glade said, opening his eyes. The dwarf was standing a few feet away, looking at him with a smirk. “Kedryn mentioned you were staying behind,” he said, avoiding Bragden’s question. Glade had no desire to share the news with anyone who might object to him saving the egg.
“Aye, I been wanderin outside while ye was processing yer mana. It looks like ye done got most o’ it. What are ye down to?”
“2%. I was going to try and get the rest of it…”
“Bah, don’t bother. We all have between 1-4% mana saturation at any given time. It don’t hurt ye none. In fact, I’m surprised ye got it down to 2%. Must be a helluva good processing technique to get ye down that far. Especially for someone in the amateur levels. What can ye tell me ‘bout it?”
“I’m not sure I can share any details with you,” Glade responded, glancing at Riya. “It’s based off the elves’ technique. Riya had mentioned that it was something of a house secret…”
“If’n it be from her house, it likely be the root and sprig or the sun and moon technique. Those be the two most common amongst the elvish houses,” Bragden said, pulling one of the wooden chairs around so he could sit down. “I could understand why she be thinkin it be secret. Treeless likely don’t socialize much, seein as most o’ their lot have a standin bounty on their heads if’n they leave the grasslands.”
“Really? That seems…” Glade began.
“Harsh?” Bragden snorted. “‘Course its harsh. Nobody, not even slaggin humans, want treeless in their cities. The legends ‘bout them eatin living hearts and sacrificing children tend to scare most people right out o’ their minds. Or some lasses right into yer arms, if’n ye can tell the story right,” Bragden said with a sly grin.
“You don’t seriously believe that do you?” Glade asked while shaking his head.
“Sure do. How do ye think I got me wife to jump into me arms when we first met?” Bragden laughed.
“That’s not what I meant,” Glade said in a deadpan voice.
“I knew what ye meant, lad,” Bragden sighed. “I don’t get to tell many jokes, seein as I’m the one keepin this bloody clan together more’n half o’ the time. The truth o’ the matter is, I believed those stories up until I met Riya here. Treeless bein the worst sort o’ monsters be like the air we breathe. It just is. Findin out that yer wrong? Well, that was a rude awakenin, let me tell you. Makes me curious if’n all the stories be true.”
“Bah, what am I doin?” Bragden slapped his forehead. “I’m not here to gossip like me third daughter on Holensfell. I’m here to assess what ye know and where ye need some instruction.”
“Instruction on what?” Glade asked.
“Magic, lad,” Bragden smiled, “I’m here to teach ye magic.”