Life is strange, isn't it? You are forced to make decisions. Sometimes the best decision is to do nothing. To let it all go and continue living in ignorance.
A lot of people went down that path. Ignorance is bliss, after all.
I am not that person, for better or for worse.
And now I am in a situation that I wouldn't have even dreamed of... A nightmare. But the light at the end of this tunnel is that I might just get the answers I want. The answers I need.
Life is strange. A need for an abstract meaning for life, to continue your carnal and material one.
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Opening my eyes the first thing I saw was the ceiling. Wooden, rotten... Old. The smell of moist wood, a burning fire in the room. It wasn't a housefire, I think... I hoped. I heard it crackling.
This wasn't my apartment back in Weser, that's for certain. My mind was like a blur for a few moments. Then I remembered what happened before I fell asleep... Or fell unconscious? I raised my right hand and I saw it was intact by some miracle. Functional... I tested each of my digits. It felt real, it felt like my hand.
„Was it a dream...?“ I asked no one in particular.
„No.“ A woman replied. Turning my head to the right I saw her sitting next to a fireplace, she threw a few twigs into the fire before she turned back to me. „It wasn't a dream Wyatt.“
„Where are we? Who are you? How long has it been?“ I asked, I looked back at the ceiling. My mind still processing the previous night's events.
„We are in Master Rosallyn's lodge. Where we first met. I am... I was his apprentice. It had been a few hours, it's daytime now.“ She responded, but her answers just gave me even more questions. I saw through one window that it was indeed day, early morning I would guess.
„Are you... What is your name? And... Master Rosallyn?“ I continued, still lying down on the bed and massaging my temples. My head hurt.
„Kyiela, you can call me Kye. Kellynstir was my Master, he taught me almost everything I know. To you, he was your grandfather. I heard about you before... Before he passed he told me you would arrive one day. And he asked of me to be your guide in the days to come. But you arrived so soon... I don't know if I am ready. You have already awoken, I can feel it within you. I saw it.“ She told me... Even more questions.
„I didn't know I had any living relatives... Well, I don't anymore, but my grandfather? Paternal grandfather. How old was he when he passed?“ I inquired.
„He was 130 years old I believe.“ She said.
„He was... Was he human?“ I sat up on the bed, I winced when I put pressure on my shoulder.
„You should rest still. Healing magic does wonders but I can't fix everything.“ She told me, she stood up and approached me. „He was a Halfling. A bridge between our two people, you could say.“
I thought for a few moments, it all felt surreal.
„That would mean I have essence? Since I have elven ancestry.“ I asked.
„Yes. And you've used magic to save yourself... And me, in a way. You distracted them...“ She said crossing her arms. „But how'd you know any magic at this point... Wind magic especially. Have you studied from grimoires?“ She asked me.
„I... That was magic back there?“
Did I use magic? Me... A human? No, I have elven ancestry... Does that mean my father also could use magic? What about my mother?
Kyiela... Kye stared at me. She had a cold and indifferent look to her. Reminded me of some professors back at Weser Polytechnic.
„It's hard to explain... But I simply imagined my elbow as a barrel of a gun, and my fist a bullet. And I imagined a pressurized tank of air... And it happened, it just happened. Then I...hurt someone... Is he dead?“
Kyiela cocked her head to the side, her eyes scanning for something, but more likely she was going through her memories trying to find something. Then she shook her head.
„You have to learn the proper way to wield magic, or else you are going to hurt yourself. Like you did back there. First rule, do not use your body as a weapon unless you somehow reinforce it or as a last resort... This time was understandable, but do not do it again.“ I thought she was ignoring my last question, but she continued. „And yes, he is dead alright. All of them are. If that weren't the case we wouldn't be talking peacefully now.“
I had to accept the situation I find myself in, however hard it was. I had to think rationally... Though I was still in a world of hurt with my shoulder... My hand felt strange... I must keep a cool head. I mustn't panic. Now that I have blood on my hands there is no going back. I always imagined it being hard to accept... But surprisingly despite everything I was calmer than I expected... At least for now.
„Kyiela... Kye, how can I trust you?“ I asked her.
„I risked my life to save yours. I healed your hand. If I wanted to harm you in any way I would have done it already.“
„Fair point...“ I replied.
„I'll explain the rest, and you can ask your questions later. I am sure you are hungry, and so am I. I made some soup, but I think it cooled off by now.“ She said.
„You could've eaten without me.“ I said, slowly getting up from the bed.
„I decided to wait.“ She replied, I simply chose to ignore that... I am no expert in Elven cultural norms... I forgot she was an elf. She is an elf... I'll try not to dwell on it. She did save my life after all.
She led me to the dining area in the house slash cabin. We sat down, I saw that the interior looked lived in despite it being dilapidated. The place needed some serious renovation. Some parts looked fine, structurally speaking, while others looked like they were about to collapse at any moment. At least there weren't many holes in the roof, so rain wasn't a problem I would guess... I can't tell.
I saw she grabbed her bowl and manifested a small fireball in her hand. Then she put the fireball under the bowl, slowly heating the porridge inside. After around half a minute I saw there was a little bit of steam coming out of the soup.
She grabbed a spoon and took a small sip, she nodded, happy with the temperature. Then she extended her hand toward me.
„Let me heat it up for you... Or do you like it cold?“ She asked.
„I would like it to be warm... Do you imagine a fireball when you're casting it?“ I asked. She looked at me for a moment, as if pondering should she tell me or not. She retracted her hand.
„I do, but you must concentrate to hold it for extended periods. It takes practice. Magic is the realm of imagination, though there are limits. You cannot imagine something that is not physically possible and manifest it. You can't turn lead into gold, you can't create something out of nothing.“ She told me.
„But you just did.“ I said. She looked uninterested... Maybe a bit annoyed. She sighed. „Care to explain then?“
„Fire cannot be created without fuel. You had no fuel, thus I can only imagine you made a ball of heat... Heat.“ I ruminated on that thought for a moment, then I gently grabbed the cold bowl in front of me with both of my hands.
„Heat and cold are simply the difference between the oscillation of particles within a material object. The colder something is the less the particles move... The hotter the object is then the faster the particles move... Shake if you will.“
I concentrated on the bowl.
„Don't do anything stupid.“ I heard Kyiela say.
I imagined water particles, fluid, and with smooth movement starting to shake.
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I felt a slow buildup of energy in my body slowly starting to focus on both of my palms. I felt as the bowl started to get warmer and warmer. It was too slow.
I imagined the particles begin to shake even more...
Then all the contents of the bowl abruptly turned into steam. My hands quickly moved from the boiling heat and I turned my head away from the wave of steam. I was surprisngly unhurt.
I heard Kyiela stand up quickly from her seat. She looked at me wide-eyed.
„I shouldn't have shaken them that much I think...“ I said.
„Do not do that again, is that clear?!“ She raised her voice.
„I'm not making another bowl for you.“ She lowered her voice again, sat back down, and continued to eat. „Now you will wait for me to finish.“ She said, now in her familiar calm and collected tone. But the undertone of irritation was palpable.
I shouldn't play with things I don't understand... I thought to myself, then another thought popped into my head, Darren would love this. I thought back to home. I still had a place I needed to come back to... This was supposed to be a quick expedition to see what this was all about, and maybe learn something more about my family.
I did, more than I'd like to actually. But this all still felt like a dream.
I miss home. I miss Darren's rants about magic already... I miss my bed.
But as things stand now I can't go back, not anytime soon, at least. People back home will probably think I'm dead or something.
Yet that nostalgia and wish for things to go back to how they were quickly changed to present matters. Who is Kyiela exactly? She told me she was the apprentice of my late grandfather, who was a halfling... I tried not to stare at her while she ate. And it is pretty obvious my previous experimentation did not sit very well with her.
I thought about how I would strike up the conversation... Well, I had something in mind.
„Who were those mages who attacked us?“ I asked. Kye took another sip from, not looking up from the bowl she responded.
„Bandits, robbers... Their magic and technique were rudimentary. Though I was surprised one of them had the ability of levitation. I'd like to know where he learned that...“ She said, speaking her thoughts out loud in the last part I assume.
„They followed us probably...“ I said.
„Not probably, but definitely. I know that type, they find a lone wagon, they follow it like bloodhounds, and wait for the opportune moment to strike. You said yourself you and your guide found a site of a battle. Black patches in the grass, the same type of offensive magic they used last night.“ She explained.
Right then she got up from he seat. She already finished her meal.
„Now, Wyatt Rosallyn. I must ask you to follow me. I need to show you something.“ She began walking into a hallway adjacent to the dining area. I got up and followed her.
The hallway was rather dark, it had no windows. Kye raised her hand slightly and manifested a small orb that emitted a soft light, just enough to see where we were going.
We reached a heavy wooden door with a padlock. Kye reached into a pocket inside her robe and retrieved a small key. Unlocking the door I felt a familiar and distinct scent. Paper.
I saw there were stone steps leading down into the darkness.
Now I had my reservations about following a person I just met down into a dark basement... But I am fairly certain that I knew what she wanted to show me.
The Rosallyn Library.
We descended the steps, I watched my every step. Nearly tripping once or twice, the steps weren't of equal height. Kye had no issues whatsoever.
Once we arrived to the bottom I saw there was no light source inside. I assumed there would be candles or torches... But no. It also presents a fire hazard.
„Can you cast something that has a bit more light?“ I asked Kye. „I can't see anything.“
„No need.“ She said as she searched the wall with her free hand. Then I heard a flick.
Then the entire room lit up.
I saw three rows of books and scrolls. It wasn't that big to warrant being called a library... But if a single man collected this amount of books and scrolls, it is certainly impressive.
That was my first thought. My second thought emerged when I realized what I just witnessed.
I looked up at the ceiling, I saw bulbs which emitted light...
Electricity?!
„Impressive, isn't it.“ She said as the orb of light in her hand disappeared.
„It is... Where is the closest electrical station?“ I asked.
Kye looked at me with a confused expression.
„Elektrical?“ She repeated. I pointed to the light bulb on the ceiling. I knew it was not possible, not in a million years that they have access to electricity here.
„Oh, Master Rosallyn experimented with something about a decade ago. He imbued essence into a metallic sphere and connected copper with these glass bulbs. I don't know exactly how they work...“ She explained I kept staring into the light. „You're more impressed with the light, not the contents of your family's library?“ She said.
„Listen, I have seen massive libraries. This is on par with a small bookshop at most. But still, I know there is a treasure trove of information down here... But I see you don't realize the implications of that... You said a metallic sphere was imbued with essence? A decade ago?“ I said.
Essence can be used as a power source? When I come back Darren is going to be ecstatic! Nay, I'm feeling ecstatic! Back home electricity is expensive to produce and distribute... This would change everything!
„Wyatt, I can see you share the same love for the small things as your grandfather and I saw that you like to experiment... The main difference between you and him is that you are reckless.“ Kye said. I simply sighed as a reply, still thinking through the various things this can be used for.
„Anyway... I will help you study here. You have enough literature to become a competent mage, I will teach you restraint and technique. I am by no means a master... But I know the basics pretty well.“ Kye told me.
„Wait a second... Studying? Here? Well, yeah I can see why...“ I said, pausing for a second.
„Look I just need some time to take all of this in, I can't keep up honestly. The last day has been... Too much.“ Kye put her hand on my shoulder.
„I understand.“ She told me. „We'll begin as soon as you're ready. You need to adjust.“
She turned around, turning off the light in the room. Casting the light orb once again she began ascending the steps.
„Kyiela?“ I asked, remembering something.
She turned back around.
„Do you have a shovel?“
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Digging a hole in the ground is a lot more exhausting than I imagined it. My body is simply not cut out for this kind of work... Not yet, at least. But I don't want to become an expert grave digger any time soon.
We rolled up Owen's body inside a cloth and put him in his shallow grave. He deserved better, I know that. But this was the best I could do.
A shallow grave and a small board with his name carved into it using the same knife he gave me... I did find it in the field, though it took some time. I never did ask for his surname, sadly. But I hope he'll find his resting place sufficient.
Once I finished filling up the grave I dropped the shovel to the ground and wiped the sweat from my brow. The sun was scorching me, and I couldn't wait to return to the shade. It was unusually hot today...
Turning around I saw Kye was rummaging through the wagon. Searching for anything of value.
It felt kind of wrong going through a dead man's things... But she had no such reservations. We decided to leave the bodies of the mages alone. They did try to kill us... And I simply didn't want to dig three more graves.
I left my bag next to the wagon and I just ran out of water in the pouch I was carrying. I had another in there. I walked back to the wagon, hearing Kye going through whatever was inside.
„Wyatt, have you found the crossbow?“ She asked me not even seeing I came close by. It's like she could feel my presence... Weird.
„I have, it's over there in the field. I'll go pick it up, I just need to quench my thirst real quick.“ I opened and rummaged through my bag, finding the other water pouch. Right next to it was the inheritance notice.
I grabbed the pouch and had a drink, then I looked at the inheritance notice...
„Kye, you know you inherited 20,000 Gelders from Kellynstir?“
„Yes, I do not need human currency. Master Rosallyn had occasional trips across the Lydas so he accumulated some money to trade there. He went over just before he died.“ She said I heard a few things being knocked over and yelped before she continued. „Before you ask... He did look human. He was a halfling.“
„I assumed... And you're alright?“ I asked her.
„I am...“
„When did Kellynstir die anyway?“
„About a week ago, if you want to ask for his grave he has none. He chose to be cremated, and I followed his wishes.“
I tried to not think about how she cremated the corpse of my grandfather... News travels quite fast despite the isolated nature of this place. I'll take note of that as well.
I looked back at the paper. „It also says here you got two horses?“
„Lynn and Phinn, yes. They are in the barn, I'll introduce you to them once we're done here.“
I nodded, putting the water pouch and paper back into the bag.
„You mentioned you did not need currency... I assume we won't be shopping for supplies.“ I heard my stomach growl... I didn't eat anything today. Well, that's my fault.
„We'll be going hunting. But not now, I have a week's worth of food stored. Game is quite abundant in these parts so we don't have to worry.“ She jumped from the wagon to the ground. I looked at Owen's rifle that was leaning on the wagon's wheel. Kyiela followed my gaze.
„We won't be using it. Too loud.“ She said.
„I'll take it anyway.“ I replied.
She stared at the rifle, then at Owen's grave in the distance.
„Were you and your guide close?“ She asked. I took a moment to reply.
„I knew the guy for a day. I did talk to him quite a bit during the trip. He was a good man... Had a daughter and two grandkids. Planned on paying for their education... His work paid quite well.“ I remembered I probably buried the 200 Gelders alongside Owen... I won't complain. I have no use for them anyway. And I didn't want to dig through his pockets.
Kyiela stared at Owen's grave for a few moments, she nodded in approval... For what exactly I couldn't surmise.
„Alright, I'll search the three mages. You rest for now.“ She said... Speaking of looting corpses...
I sat on the wagon, looking as Kyiela went through the mages one by one, pocketing anything she found.
I thought about waiting for another wagon to pass by... Maybe jumping in and escaping back to the Lydas.
I buried my face in my hands.
This life is... It's simply too different from the one I lived before. And I still looked at Kyiela as a stranger. She was an apprentice of my grandfather... Did he have more of them?
There were simply too many unknowns. She is a mystery to me... She seems cold and disconnected. But she also seems to be well disciplined, she knows what she's doing. But I'll refrain from asking anything personal just yet. If and when she wants to open up... I'll let her.
One thing that irked me was the fact that for some reason she looked familiar. But I couldn't quite place her anywhere... And I didn't want to go too far back in my memories.
„Patience... Cool head.“ I spoke out loud.
I saw as Kye was coming back from her looting. When she came near I saw she was grinning.
That's new, I thought to myself. She probably found something of value.
„Wyatt, let's head back. I'm starting to get hungry, and I still have to show you around the house. And I need to feed the horses. You'll help me with that.“
I nodded, hoping off the wagon.
„Let's get going then.“