The Celestial Forge
By: Schin Ka'Tharos
CHAPTER 24
(Part 4)
“I stole all of your rendings.” I said.
She looked at the pouches of readings unconcerned.
“I had already noticed,” she said. “I had figured that's what the two Skin of The Silver Wind pills were partially covering.”
“Oh no, those pills were a genuine gesture of appreciation for your help.” I said. Then I poured out some of the rendings on the table to show the celestial rendings it contained.. “I had needed the essence to continue to heal my core and recover to 2nd apprentice. So I’ve consumed a decent amount already.”
I set a vial of Lesser Thousand Hands of Healing on the table. The thick orange fluid sparkled like honey in the clear glass. Then I sat another pouch of rendings on the table which contained only arcane rendings. I opened up this pouch as well to show the contents.
“This Lesser Thousand Hands of Healing vial is my repayment for what I took, and for the rest of the celestial rendings as well.” I said. Her eyebrows raised at the last part. “ Look I desperately need the essence contained in these. At your rank it can't offer much in the way of meaningful ranking growth and I know it's more valuable as money to you. But you don't need money right now. We need resources and a way to get back to Stone Crown City. Safely. The value of this healing vial should be more than enough to cover what you have in celestial rendings.”
“Why do you assume we are going to Stone Crown City?” She asked. "And why are you heading there?”
“I have to imagine you need to go back for some reason, if not just to retrieve some items you and Adeon had left behind. You said you lived there for a year or two.” I said. “As for me, I need to go there to…”
I trailed off wondering exactly what to say. We had spoken an oath of truth, but that doesn't mean you have to say everything. Just that you can't lie. I could get crafty or misleading with my words if I really cared to. But I truly wanted to forge a healthy relationship with the two Solarin siblings and I did not want to risk breaking the trust that was forming between Ciara and I. Without thought I had picked up a few of the dregs and was rolling them around my palm.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“…my grandfather, who is the true caretaker of this tower, is in trouble. He was kidnapped and I’m trying to get to Stone Crown City because I believe an old friend of his lives in the city and may be able to help.”
“A stroke of ash,” She said. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Adeon had said you guys were adrift. ‘a ship without a destination’, but I think you have a clear destination for now. Stone Crown City. Together, we can help each other reach the city and achieve our goals.”
“I’m listening.” She said.
Endure and thrive. My grandfather's voice rang in my ears and I almost said it out loud to Ciara.
“We need to…survive short term but ultimately grow powerful enough to exit the tower, traverse across the Unending Waste and make it to Stone Crown City with the ability to handle anything that may be awaiting us there.” I said. “I have access to unlimited clean water, but we only have about a week's worth left of food. This is our most pressing problem. We need to leave the tower for food, but outside the tower may pose dangers. Trust me when I say nothing above Adept can bother us within the tower's grounds.”
“Some type of protective barrier?” She asked.
“Yes,” I said. “But I’m certain there will be plenty of beasts of all levels from 1st apprentice to 5th Disciple roaming around. There's possibly of even some Adepts as well though the barrier tends to ward them off as well. I could tell from our sparring that you're not close to your full potential are you?”
“No,” She said. “I'm at about 60% maybe. Also my flame still feels…off. It's almost like its sleepy or drowsy.”
I had feared that. I closed my eyes from strain. My breathing was loud and heavy.
“Are you ok?” She asked.
A pressure had been building ever since we had entered the basement. At first I had thought it was a trick of my mind or some apprehension but it was an outside strain on my will. It had started to become unbearable and I could tell it had something to do with Ciara’s presence in the basement. It was like the tower didn't like her being there and I had to exert a tremendous amount of willpower just to allow her to be there.
“No,I don't quite understand it but I don't think you can be down here on this floor. The tower is pushing you back upstairs.” I said. I could feel the sweat forming on my forehead. ”Let's go upstairs and I’ll lay out our resources and we can discuss our plan of attack.”
It was time to head outside.
Next Chapter...
Chapter 25