– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 215, Season of the Setting Moon, Day 22 –

“Are you seriously planning to attend the minister’s reception in full equipment?” asked Cadence with an exasperated expression.

Sigille, Matteo, Cadence, and Terry had relied on a scroll from Amelia to travel near the location for the reception. They were walking along the paved road while Terry’s eyes were dancing over all the tall white buildings in the area.

“No, of course not,” replied Sigille nonchalantly. “I plan to wait outside the reception hall in full equipment.”

Cadence frowned with a pout.

Matteo chuckled. “In that case, I’ll take the terrace to keep watch. Since Amelia has been invited too, I figure Dargones will have the hall covered.”

“I’m on a budget.” Terry scratched his cheek while looking at Cadence. “It was formal clothes or new equipment. So…” Terry puffed his cheeks. “Sorry?”

Cadence sighed. “Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s a bad habit, Terry,” rebuked Sigille.

What did I do? Terry searched Sigille’s face and his own memory.

“If you had to make the choice again, would you pick any differently?” asked Sigille.

“No?” Terry tilted his head.

“Then, you are not sorry,” said Sigille sternly. “Do not apologize unless you truly mean it.”

“I appreciate the sentiment, Terry.” Cadence smiled at him.

Sigille raised an eyebrow at Cadence and then shrugged. “It is fine to have different opinions than others. No need to apologize to begin with.”

“No need, but still appreciated,” insisted Cadence.

“Oh well,” exclaimed Sigille. “I’ve always liked the credo of the Valkyrie. Our words should mean something. Even in apologies. Opinions again.”

Terry repeated the words in his mind. Afterwards, his eyes moved towards Matteo’s back – more precisely, to the sheath of the fiendish katana.

“Is it really alright though?” asked Terry doubtfully. “To go with weapons on full display?”

“They know that mana users do not need weapons to be armed,” said Cadence. “It’s just somewhat in bad taste…” Cadence glanced at Sigille. “My opinion.”

“I prefer displaying a weapon,” said Sigille. “Serves as a reminder to behave and show some manners.”

“Also a good reason to not cloak your own mana,” added Matteo.

Uhh… Right… Terry lowered his gaze in thought.

Terry had known that there were cloaking techniques for your own mana, just like there were techniques for mana-crafted items. However, he had never really thought about the motivation for choosing not to do so – aside from the additional mana expenditure or having to prepare an item.

“Depends on the mission, really,” added Matteo.

Sigille nodded. “If you want to avoid the flies, remind them how much trouble you can be. If, on the other hand, you want to catch some flies, then you hide that as much as possible.”

“Meeting with officials,” said Matteo and tilted his head to one side. “Doing bandit patrol.” He tilted his head to the other side. “Guess which is which?”

“When you put it like that…” Cadence shook her head and chortled. “Maybe I should strap my baton to my thigh after all.”

“That would clash with your pretty dress,” joked Sigille. “Would be a shame.”

“True,” acknowledged Cadence. “This may be one of these all-or-nothing situations.”

“I figure Amelia will be happy that at least one of us dressed up for the occasion,” said Matteo with a smile. “I’m pretty sure that Dargones did not.” He snickered.

***

“Ahh…” Amelia paused when she saw the group arrive. “And here, I was looking forward to seeing the Divine Hammer in a ball gown and Matteo in a suit. I should have known it would be like this.” She tutted in a teasing tone.

“Gown doesn’t go well with my axe, lass,” said Sigille with a grin. “It suits you, though.”

Amelia was wearing a tightly fitting, black and silver dress with her long hair in a braided headband style.

“Nevertheless, I hope you still have your equipment with you,” said Sigille. “You never know.”

“Of course,” replied Amelia with a wink. “Just a flick of the wrist away.”

Amelia looked at Terry. “Our Arcanian visitor could claim that this is the official formal style in Arcana. That should be funny.” She nodded towards him. “Greetings, Terry.”

“Greetings,” said Terry. Afterwards he mumbled: “Funny for whom though?”

Amelia glanced at Cadence. “Glad I am not the only odd one out. I was beginning to worry.”

“Greetings, Amelia,” said Cadence. “I have tried my best. They were not receptive to my appeals.”

“I know the feeling,” said Amelia with a wry smile.

“I assume Dargones is also wearing full equipment?” asked Matteo with a grin.

“Oh yes,” said Amelia, and grinned as well. “Until now, that made him the odd one out in the hall. Not that he minds that. You can find him on the left.”

“Has the witch arrived yet?” asked Sigille.

Cadence frowned silently at the insult to Bright Willow.

“Not yet, no,” said Amelia. “But I believe I saw Lucas and the other ministerial representatives.”

“Heh, I saw another member of the Lady’s Circle,” exclaimed Cadence. “Excuse me.” She walked away to greet her other acquaintances.

“How is the food?” asked Sigille with some interest.

“Bite-sized,” replied Amelia.

Matteo glanced into the hall. “No cookies.”

“Meh.” Sigille moved to the wall opposite of the hall entrance. “I’ll wait here.”

“I’ll go to the terrace,” said Matteo.

“I’m afraid I also need to talk to someone,” said Amelia. “Until later.”

Uhh… Terry looked around awkwardly. What should I do?

Terry decided to follow Matteo. They went into the hall.

Many people were gathered in small groups and conversed with each other. In the background, someone was playing a soft tune on a harp.

“If you’re hungry or thirsty, you can grab something over there,” said Matteo and pointed. “Let’s pay a visit to Dargones first.”

In a corner on the opposite site of the entrance, Dargones was leaning against the wall and watched the people mingling inside.

[Greetings, Dargones,] signed Matteo.

Dargones smiled and nodded. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Terry raising his right hand to shape mana.

[Greetings,] Terry signed his finger runes slowly.

Dargones silently smiled and raised his own hand. [Good day, Terry. I appreciate your efforts. Thank you.]

[Finger runes are interesting,] signed Terry.

Dargones smiled. [Useful as long as the other party has mana sight. But be aware that this allows everyone within reach of their mana sight to follow the conversation.]

Terry nodded.

[With that in mind,] signed Matteo. [Anything of note here that we should be aware of?]

Dargones shook his head. [Not yet. What are your plans for this event?]

[Ma Sigille is going to watch from outside the entrance. Cadence will mingle like a proper guest. I’ll be watching from the terrace.]

Dargones gave a nod and then looked at Terry. [What about you?]

[...don’t know yet.]

[We assume the Preacher wants to have a chat at some point,] signed Matteo. [But aside from that, Terry is free to enjoy the event.]

Enjoy? How? Terry smiled wryly.

Dargones silently snickered at Terry’s expression. [Relax. You can just have a look around. No need to force yourself.]

***

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Terry examined the available food options. He picked up a cup-like wafer with some kind of white spread and vegetable garnish. He skeptically sniffed at it.

Some kind of soured cream? Salmon?

Terry tentatively took a bite.

Edible.

“No mistaking it, you must be Terry.” A voice rang from behind Terry. “Our guest from Arcana.”

Terry nearly choked on his food when he was unexpectedly called out. He coughed and swallowed hurriedly before turning around to greet whoever was talking to him.

An elegantly dressed man with short hair and clear eyes smiled at Terry.

“My name is Kipkoi.” The man held out a hand towards Terry. “I have been elected as a minister for the Assembly. I am grateful that you could make it.”

Huh? This is the Preacher?

Terry dazedly shook Kipkoi’s hand.

But he’s…

“Anything wrong?” asked Kipkoi.

“I… uhh…” Terry cleared his throat. “No, uhm. I just somehow assumed that you would be a channeler.”

But his mana does not look like that, as far as I can tell. Unaspected and gifted in the air-aspect.

“Ohh, is that it?” Kipkoi chuckled. “That is the problem with the nicknames that others have bestowed onto me. They call me the Preacher, but while I do take an interest in the integration process for the faithful, I have been trained as a mage proper before straying into politics.”

But… The magic restrictions?

Kipkoi’s eyes flashed with insight at Terry’s expression.

“I like to think that one reason for my election is that I practice what I preach,” said Kipkoi with an amicable smile. “Voters dislike hypocrites. I have served to earn my magic education. I only expect others to do the same.”

“After all, being allowed to use mana is a privilege that has to be earned.” Kipkoi’s words sounded trained and full of confidence. “I guess this notion may seem strange to someone from Arcana. I am curious to hear your views on the matter. What has brought you to our Tiv Empire?”

Terry remembered that Sigille had warned him to avoid talking about the dungeon. She had also told him that the Preacher would be more interested in other things and that this was one way to avoid the topic of how exactly he had entered the Tiv Empire.

“I am learning from Aunt Sigille,” said Terry.

“Ah, the Divine Hammer,” exclaimed Kipkoi. “That is quite the teacher you have chosen. I have already heard that you have contributed to defending the Bulwark. You have my thanks.”

Terry had to prevent himself from frowning. Kipkoi’s assessment of Sigille could be taken in different ways, and Terry noticed how the minister avoided reference to Syn.

Terry was growing wary. Unfortunately, he was not used to controlling his facial expressions.

“I mean it,” said Kipkoi. “Your aunt is a great person to learn from. It’s just that… I hope you will take heed to choose carefully what you learn from her.”

Terry failed to prevent his misgivings from showing on his face.

“I admire my aunt,” said Terry.

“So do I,” retorted Kipkoi instantly.

The retort took Terry by surprise.

“The Divine Hammer voluntarily chose the Tiv Empire as her residence and she has been a great asset in the fight against the Wastes,” said Kipkoi. “And a great inspiration for many. It is just that her actions sometimes fail to take account of the bigger picture.”

“I don’t know about that.” Terry was reminded of Ava and Willow.

“Lady Sigille uses her power in defense of those weak and innocent,” said Kipkoi. “She puts her own life at risk to serve others and for that, I admire her. Unfortunately, not everyone has such a commendable attitude.”

Kipkoi stared into Terry’s eyes. “That is one part of the bigger picture. While your aunt’s actions as an individual are commendable, I am afraid her stance on magic restrictions fails to acknowledge those with less commendable attitudes.”

Kipkoi moved his gaze away from Terry and over the guests. “Unfortunately, her reputation serves to sway others from what is required. Just like the old nobles. They have contributed greatly to the empire, but that does not make their pleading for mage liberties any less concerning. Nor does it make the privileges of the nobility any less hypocritical.”

Terry furrowed his brow.

Kipkoi shook his head slowly. “Laws are meant to be for everyone. We can’t write them with only people like Lady Sigille or the Castellans in mind, and we need even those like them to follow the laws as they have been written or others will perceive it as hypocrisy.”

“It may be unfortunate…” Kipkoi looked back at Terry. “But that is how it is. The difficulty that lies in the bigger picture.”

Terry held the Preacher’s gaze. He thought of Elvis and Poppy. He thought of his aunt Brynn. He thought of Syn City.

Is this Preacher serious?

Terry remembered Logan, who had lost his life and turned into a skeletal warrior.

What bigger picture?

Terry remembered the Guildheads, who had even gone after the small children. The anger that Terry had felt back then welled up once more.

Kill him!

Terry frowned and slightly shook his head at the intrusive thoughts. He fell back to his dungeon habit of ignoring his impulses.

KILL HIM! It was all his fault!

Terry controlled his breathing. He saw that Kipkoi was moving his mouth, but Terry had problems figuring out what the man was saying.

Terry was taken aback by the visceral rage welling up in his chest.

KILL!

Terry furrowed his brow and closed his eyes. He focused on his mana sense.

KILL HIM!

KILL… Terry jerked his head to a mana signature in the back of the hall. KILL— What?

The odd feeling was simmering down. Terry was still angry but…

That wasn’t like me… Resentment, yes. Anger, yes. Not like this. Not here, not now, and not like this…

Terry stared at the direction of the mana signature.

“Terry?” asked Kipkoi. “Is everything alright?”

Terry blinked. “Uhm…” He tilted his head and kept his eyes fixed towards the direction of the mana signature. “Do you have enemies, Minister Kipkoi?”

Kipkoi raised an eyebrow. “That is a rather abrupt segue to take in a polite conversation. Why?”

“I…” Terry wrinkled his forehead in thought. “I believe someone tried to meddle with my mind. Either to cause problems for me or for you. Or both.”

Kipkoi moved his eyes to follow Terry’s line of sight. He snapped his fingers and pointed some of his aides in the direction.

“NO!” A short moment later, one aide apprehended a young woman that had hidden behind a wall.

“NO! Please, you do not understand. We have to STOP HIM!” The woman screamed.

Terry looked at the woman perplexedly.

A channeler?

“HE’LL DOOM US ALL! HE—” The aide had used a spell to silence the culprit.

“Haaahh…” Kipkoi sighed tiredly. “I’m afraid securing events against mana users is quite difficult. Thank you, Terry.”

“Why…” Terry’s eyes still followed the captured woman. He could see Sigille observing her while she was taken outside the hall.

When the woman had been taken outside the hall, Terry looked at Kipkoi. “Why would a channeler try to cause problems for you? I thought…”

Kipkoi displayed a sad expression. “Some people can’t help it.” He sighed again. “Do you know what the biggest sin in this world is? The main reason for people’s suffering?”

Terry was taken aback by the sudden change in topics. He thought of Ava, who was known to listen to the Preacher. “Selfishness?” He made a guess.

“I wish that was it,” said Kipkoi drily. “But no. Selfishness makes a bandit enrich themselves at the cost of another. Selfish actions generate self-advantage while causing damage to others.”

Contempt flashed in Kipkoi’s eyes. “No, what I am talking about is worse than that. The biggest sin in this world is stupidity. Stupid actions cause damage to others while failing to generate an advantage for yourself. Stupid actions are hurting everyone.”

Kipkoi shook his head with a distant look in his eyes. “A faithful that is damaging their reputation and playing into the prejudices of others. A commendable person who is undermining laws that simply obligate everyone to act commendably. A king that sacrifices the population in the Wasted Zone in order to deploy troops to some uninhabited spot in the northeast.”

Kipkoi glanced at the crest on Terry’s bag from the Arcana Academy. “A powerful empire that refuses to join the fight against the Wastes.”

Terry had failed to follow all of Kipkoi’s examples. Terry’s mind had halted at the comment on a commendable person and laws.

“I do not…” Terry had interjected before he realized what he was doing. He became self-conscious but finished his thought. “I do not believe everyone sees these laws like that. To be honest, the magic restrictions seem stupid to me.”

Kipkoi smiled and looked at Terry with curiosity. “Oh? How so?”

Terry ordered his thoughts. “My other aunt that lives in Arcana originally came from Tiv.”

The corners of Kipkoi’s mouth lowered slightly, but it was hardly noticeable before Kipkoi composed himself.

“I think her leaving was a loss for the Tiv Empire.” Terry looked at the floor some distance in front of him. “And she only left because they demanded her to specialize in magic she had no interest in.”

“Like what?” questioned Kipkoi.

“She has unaspected mana and was gifted in the air aspect,” explained Terry.

“Sounds familiar,” said Kipkoi, and uttered a quick chuckle.

“They wanted her to become mobile combat support for the Wasteguard – flying and healing.”

“I see nothing wrong with that,” commented Kipkoi. “Do you?”

Terry furrowed his brow. “Her interest in magic was solely because of her interest in construct crafting.”

Kipkoi shrugged. “She had bad luck. For those capable of demonstrating a knack for earth magic, construct crafting and infrastructure have been given priority for a while now. However, to not make use of an aspect gift is still a waste.”

“The Tiv Empire is under siege,” said Kipkoi. “Personal interests have to take a backseat to the needs of the empire as a whole. Sometimes, that means constructs and infrastructure. Othertimes, that means combat roles and healers.”

Terry recalled Isille’s comments about the seemingly harmless Auntie Brynn and the contents of her storage items.

“In Arcana, my aunt has become an instructor at the Academy and she is one of the most sought after crafters in the Guild.” Terry spoke firmly. “She supplies most of the practice golems for the Guardians.” He shook his head. “If the Tiv Empire had allowed my aunt to learn what she wanted, she…”

Terry searched for the right words. “If the Tiv Empire was looking for combat support, her items and her constructs seem worth more than a single flying healer. I believe it was stupid to try and force her into that role.”

“Heh,” uttered Kipkoi and chuckled. “I see where you are coming from, but I have to say you are missing a part of the bigger picture there. You are focusing on the fact that your aunt has developed her own talents to an astonishing degree, but you are missing the main point: Where is your aunt now?”

Trick question?

Terry tilted his head without responding.

“She is in Arcana.” Kipkoi answered his own question. “What good are those abilities of hers if she fails to use them where it matters? Selfishness drove her to Arcana, but it is stupidity that keeps her there.”

Terry could not suppress a scowl at hearing him insult Brynn.

“The point of these laws is, above all, to make people understand that their mana is not their own to use,” stressed Kipkoi. “Mana use is a privilege. That needs to be understood. All your aunt’s impressive abilities mean absolutely nothing if she only uses them for herself. She could be out here, but she is not. She failed to understand the most important part.”

Terry was growing tired of the conversation and he recalled one of Bjorln’s adages.

The quickest way to get someone to shut up is to stop disagreeing with them.

Terry held his piece and remained silent.

“That point aside,” continued Kipkoi. “You have to remember that not everyone is like your aunt. Not everyone will succeed by following their interests. Not everyone has useful interests. Your aunt is an exception. The laws of the empire need to be written with everyone in mind.”

***

After the talk with Minister Kipkoi, Terry went out of the hall to join Sigille in the hallway.

“See? That’s why we warned you to not underestimate the temptation,” said Sigille and snorted amusedly. “Like always with the Preacher, there is a grain of sense and more than a grain of nonsense in his declamations.”

“I do wonder about that cultist though,” muttered Sigille. “I’m glad that you managed to resist the mind influence. That could have turned into a disaster.”

Sigille looked at Terry appraisingly. “Well done. Most people fail to notice. Of those that do, most fail to resist the first time.”

“You and Matteo have warned me before.” Terry shook his head. “That wasn’t like me.”

And I’m familiar with intrusive thoughts. Terry did not speak his last point out loud.

Sigille looked at Terry with praise in her eyes. “You do not seem to realize how rare it is for people to take heed of warnings. Speaking as an instructor, it is exceedingly pleasant to have a student that actually listens.”

“Uhm…” Terry looked along the hallway.

“Uhm?” prompted Sigille.

“Is there a bathroom here?” asked Terry.

“First floor on the left.” replied Sigille. “Stairs at the end of the hallway.” She snickered. “If you get lost, you can use your Guardian card to call for assistance.”

***