The Celestial Forge
By: Schin Ka'Tharos
CHAPTER 15
(Part 1)
A vessel's use depends upon its potential.
~
"I desperately need a rest." I said. "Now that we've reached the Skiff, let's rest here for the night. You can grab your supplies from the Skiff in the morning and then we can head out. It's too dangerous to move in the dark on foot."
"We won't be on foot," Ciara said, "that's why we have the Skiff. Also, unfortunately we can't take the risk of waiting out the night. It's common knowledge that Captain Galdin-"
"-That's the brother of Mr. Dead Vice Captain," Adeon said.
"Yes, exactly, his brother I had mentioned." Ciara said. "It's known that Captain Gildan has harnessed the Shadows' Flame and likewise so has most of the members of his branch of the Guild. If he is sending anyone out here looking for us, moving at night won't be a problem for them. "
"Even so," I interjected. "They couldn't reach us this fast. We've got to be a month or two away from Stone Crown City, even with the fastest Skiffs available."
"They've had plenty of time to send a team out after us,” she said. “It's been well over a month since our troubles out here began with the Vice Captain. I would wager part of the reason they moved in on us today was to finish up the job before their backup arrived in order to save face. "
"We need to head away, somewhere. Now." Adeon said while jumping into the Skiff and began to tinker with the control board. "What do you have for us, Schin?"
I resigned myself to the reality that I would be getting no rest.
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"Like I had said, I am appreciative of your aid. I could guide us to a place of shelter of sorts not too far from here. It has some unique properties that will be helpful. It's… well let's say it's hard to find,for one."
"You have a place to stay…out here?" He shared a skeptical look with his sister.
"Like yours, mine is a complicated and long story. But let's just say I kind of grew up out here."
"Interesting, I guess that partially explains why you're out here in the first place," she said and shrugged. "I guess whatever shelter you have will suffice as a short term solution. We can go there for now until we determine our next course of action. At the very least we can get you there before we move on. "
"Also, I have some supplies for recovery and healing there." I said. " I certainly need it, and there should be plenty for you as well. Going there may prove more useful for you than you think. Please let me offer this as thanks for your aid. I can lead us directly there. I know the exact route from here, it should only take a few hours to reach it."
The two of them agreed and Ciara and I joined Adeon aboard the Skiff. Adeon took control of the vehicle from the driving console and gripped the steering mechanism with both hands. His eyes lit up in blue flame as he began to Forge and the Skiff powered to life. The only sound coming from the core-formed machine was a faint deep rumble like a low purr from a Scorched Wind Panther.
"I apologize for the minor impropriety, but which flame do you have?" Ciara asked me.
In Ildara, asking another Forger what eternal flame they have harnessed isn't an egregious offense but it is considered impolite. A forger's harnessed flame isn't exactly a secret since any use of their flame or spellforging will make it clear to any observer which flame they use through the influence the flame excerpts upon the essence. However it can still be an edge in a battle or other situations if your flame is unknown and it is seen as a Forger's right to reveal their flame when they alone wish to.
"I just ask because it could help Adeon power the Skiff. Look," Ciara said and held her hand palm up. "I harnessed the Flame of Webs. You probably couldn't get a good look at it earlier on the way down the ravine but take a look. Most people can't recognize it even if they see it up close though. "
A small sphere of her eternal flame danced above her open palm. The heat was minimal as she controlled its output. The flame was composed of bright orange and yellow hues that interlaced and flowed into each other. After gazing upon it for a few moments I started to notice subtle patterns of geometric shapes forming for split seconds and then flowing on into chaos, shifting in and out of spider web like designs.
"It's an uncommon eternal flame but more importantly, part of its attributes makes it nearly impossible for me to use a core-formed machine or weapon. " She closed her palm and the flame dissipated. "I'm hoping that whatever flame you've harnessed will allow you to help fuel the Skiff. It would help my brother and also could increase our speed."
"I haven't harnessed any of the eternal flames," I said. I saw no need to hide anything from them given our current circumstances. "I still use my Natural Flame."
An odd expression I can only describe as amused confusion spread across her face.
"You just get more and more odd. But I guess that means you can help." She said and then gestured towards a console next to one of the seats. "Just grab the handle there once my brother opens the channel. You'll be able to feed at least some essence and flame output into it to help him out. Don't worry about the spellforging technique or anything, it's designed to simply pull in the raw energy and won't allow you to forge a pattern for a technique anyways."
We began to lift off the ground as I took my position where Ciara had indicated. We settled into the air a few yards above the ground undergrowth. Adeon looked at me expectantly and I pointed him towards our destination. Towards my tower.
Next Chapter...
Chapter 15: (Part 2)