The next day, Meyriv rested in camp while Sanae went back into the city. She was going to see if they could secure passage to the mainland.

He passively expanded his magical awareness over the nearby forest while he considered his options.

I hope the boat isn’t too crowded. Sailing is miserable enough without scores of sickly sailors’ ailments battering at my sanity.

At least my magic is a bit more available now that I can sustain myself with food again. Not that this is anything compared to what I used to have.

His train of thought screeched to an abrupt halt.

Wait.

Hold on.

If she was the one restricting my conduit’s energy, shouldn’t it all have returned decades ago? I’m still getting a trickle of energy from it so I know it hasn’t been severed…

He felt a cold sweat break on his back.

She’s still alive, isn’t she?

With luck she’s forgotten about me. As long as I avoid getting too close, I’ll probably be fine. But if I get too distant, the connection will be worse and I’ll lose some of the little benefit that conduit gives me.

He noticed a presence move into his field of senses. A man walking through the woods. But he walked with purpose, stopping and listening every few paces.

Meyriv focused his attention and looked closer.

What do we have here?

The man wasn’t a mage, but he did have a magical construct of sorts threaded onto his soul. He examined it carefully. Could it be a coincidence? Doubtful… there can only be so many of them nearby.

The man walked closer, nearing the camp.

Meyriv had an idea.

Without getting up from his bedroll he raised his voice:

“Identify yourself!”

The man started and looked around in surprise.

“Yes, you! Why are you lurking around my camp?”

He walked through some foliage in the direction of Meyriv’s voice and finally spotted him.

“My apologies, I’m merely a blade for hire; I’ve been asked to search for a fugitive nearby.”

“What is your name and who is your employer?” He demanded

“My employer prefers to remain anonymous. You may call me Istan.”

“I thought so. Are there any other shapeshifters in the area?”

He looked shocked. “And what makes you think I’m a shapeshifter?”

“I have a very good sense for these things.” Meyriv said, opening his eyes just a bit.

“Even mages can’t usually detect my ability. What makes you different?”

“Alright, to be honest I was already aware someone matching your description might be in the area. After you kidnapped an acquaintance of mine and all.”

While speaking Meyriv fully opened his eyes and looked directly at Istan, who jumped like he’d stepped on a hot coal and reached for his sword.

“Who are you?!”

“Nobody important. Not anymore at least.”

Istan drew his sword and approached. “I’m afraid my employer will need to ask you some questions. You’re going to have to come with me.”

“No thanks, I’d prefer to stay here.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“You don’t have a—”

Finally, Istan blinked, which Meyriv had been waiting for. He then tweaked the structure of the shapeshifting enchantment just enough that Istan’s eyelids fused shut. He then twisted the control part of the enchantment into a knot to hamper the man’s ability to fix it.

Istan stumbled and dropped his sword, cursing. He reached up and rubbed his eyes. “What did you…”

Meyriv caused his voice to sound from a slightly offset location and laughed. Istan lurched in that direction and promptly ran into a tree.

Just then, Sanae walked into camp.

Meyriv looked over to her.

“Oh, you’re back! Does this guy look familiar?” He said, grinning smugly

Istan wisely gave up trying to stumble around blindly and sat down.

“Uh, no. Is he alright?” She watched the disoriented man turn to face in her direction.

Oh, right. Shapeshifting.

“His name is Istan.”

Her eyes widened. “How did you find him? And what’s wrong with him?”

“He found me while searching around this area. Probably looking for you. I temporarily blinded him.”

Istan perked up “So does this mean you can reverse it?”

Meyriv smiled. “That depends on how cooperative you are.”

“Whatever it takes. I’m as good as dead without my vision, and I’m crippled without my ability.”

“To start, tell me everything you know about your employer.”

“They are based in a fortress due West of here about—”

“We know the location.” Meyriv interjected.

“They deliver instructions through the courier network in various cities, such as Bridgeport here. The pay is good. It is strange why they will pay so much for seemingly random individuals, but inquisitiveness is unwise in my profession.”

“Have you met them in person?”

“Only one woman. Some sort of mage. She gave me my pay and sent me away.”

Sanae shuddered and glared at him “That’s the one who imprisoned me!”

Istan shrugged apologetically. “Don’t take it personally, it was just a job.”

Meyriv asked another question

“How would you contact them?”

“A message through the same courier network. I believe they have birds that go to most nearby settlements.”

Meyriv sat silently, thinking how best to use this knowledge.

Istan cleared his throat. “I’ve told you everything I know. Can you fill your end of the agreement?”

“I never said that was all we needed.”

“I can’t exactly do much besides talk in this state. My skills involve talking, spying, and fighting, and the latter two are not possible at the moment.”

Meyriv shrugged, though Istan couldn’t see it.

“Fine.” He concentrated, and Istan’s eyelids returned to normal.

Istan rubbed his eyes vigorously and blinked several times.

“I still can’t—”

“Yes, I restored your vision, but I won’t give back your ability until you finish your next task.”

“Which is…?”

“Inform them that Sanae has boarded a ship to the southern isles. Then bring us their response.”