Chapter 10: Preparation i

Isbeth could be found in Roy’s smithy later, violently yelling at Roy for his prank. She could cope with being called an oddball but to be accused of such a shameless thing. She couldn’t stand it. Her thin arms were flailing against the Blacksmith, not doing anything more than causing herself to tire.

“Look, I didn’t cause this. I thought you threw away that paper weeks ago, and shouldn’t you be blaming that girl you dragged with you?”

The two looked over to Cerise outside the shop, who was currently crouched in front of a flower with a butterfly on it.

“I would but I can’t really have myself blame her. Who knows what she’s been through in the first place anyways.

“Not really my problem. You should really train some more. Those weak arms of yours won’t do much good in an actual fight. I think I have a spare dagger lying around though.”

Roy looked over the Halfling once more, she did look rather thin but not to a ghastly extent.

“Waving sticks around isn’t my specialty anyways. I’d like to see a warrior best my acid potions.”

Isbeth took a vial out of one of her pouches. The clear liquid didn’t seem that deadly, which would be correct in all cases when on its own. Although the liquid itself didn’t melt skin and bone, it did quickly corrode anything made of metal and if paired with one of Isbeth’s more dangerous acids. Well, it wouldn’t end well for the opponent. It was always a bad idea to fight an Alchemist as they specialize in either ruining the lives of their enemies or helping allies with their diverse set of potions, Isbeth being the kind that loves experimenting on melting everything.

“I suppose so, just keep those things away from my weapons.”

As a Blacksmith, Roy can see how useful the potions were, but again, as a Blacksmith, he doesn’t agree with Isbeth bringing them into his shop. He was going to comment more on this but he noticed that something was wrong. Cerise was gone.

He ran outside the store but he couldn’t find her. Isbeth followed him only to shortly realize the situation later. She panicked, she wanted to run down the streets to look for her but Roy stopped her.

“It won’t do you any good to do that. You only got lucky last time.”

“I know! But I can’t just do nothing!”

The Halfling Alchemist was frantic. She’d lost Cerise earlier though she rescued her just in time, but just as Roy had said, it was only through luck that she was found quickly.

“I’ll contact Geril, he’s probably got some spell to locate her. For now, you stay put.”

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Roy grabbed one of his weapons from the store and proceeded to exit, only to be followed by Isbeth.

“I’m coming with you. I can’t bear to sit around while Cerise could be out there with who knows what.”

“Fine, but don’t run off on your own and keep pace with me.”

Roy began sprinting down the streets, heading towards the residential district. His movement was unhindered as a staggering giant of a man rushing towards you would deter even the most violent of bandits, not to mention the citizens of Viscor. Everyone saw the man and moved out of the way with no hesitation. Only the occasional child got in Roy’s way but he moved aside just enough to maintain his momentum without colliding with anything. He’s long forgotten about Isbeth at this point as he only cared for the destination.

Roy traversed a distance that would take a normal person an hour to cross by walking in mere minutes. He reached Geril’s house and opened the door without waiting for an answer. He headed down the hallway and barged into Geril’s study room. What he saw was the very man sitting down at his desk reading a book with a leisurely air.

“So, what brought you here Roy?”

“Problem, Isbeth’s girl went missing. We need you to find her.”

At the mention of the girl, Geril’s eyebrows arched up slightly. He closed the book he was reading and focused on this interesting tidbit.

“Isbeth has a girl now?”

“Yes, long story but she’s missing. We need your magic.”

Geril rose from his seat and walked towards one of the walls covered by books. A staggering collection that would put even the most accomplished of collectors to shame. His hand glided over the exquisitely bound tomes before resting on a milky white book. He took the book out of the shelf carefully and started flipping through the pages before stopping on a diamond shaped pattern.

“[Mana Trace], a non-attributed tracking spell based on using a person’s unique mana signature to find them. Would this do?”

Roy looked at the book before saying what he thought.

“No, I don’t think we have her signature. She’s never been tested.”

Grumbling, Geril closed the book and placed it back in its shelf. He moved across the room and picked up another book, this time pulling out a leather-bound book with ivory engravings. He flipped the pages until he found one with the inscription similar to an eye.

“[Clairvoyance], although the name is grand its effect is rather small compared to the cost. So long as you have an item with a strong connection to the target, you will be able to see a small bit of their surroundings, though you can only see something you’ve seen previously and the reagents to activate this particular spell is expensive.”

“No again.”

“Tsk.”

Clearly annoyed, Geril placed the book back on the shelf. This time he took out a sheet from his desk and started scribbling on it with red ink. The end result looked like multiple circles intersecting each other combined with several triangles and runes followed by an extremely lengthy incantation.

Geril thrust the paper into Roy’s hands before sitting back down at his desk.

“That spell is one I’ve developed recently. Use it sparingly. The ink’s good for only five uses at best but it will do. Place something that once was a part of the person you are looking for and activate the spell. Even a dimwit can cast it if they follow the instructions correctly. Now go, I have no time for this.”

Geril opened his book once again and shooed Roy away. He never did like the guy, but when it comes to magic, he was reputably the best in Viscor. Roy took the sheet of parchment away and found Isbeth sitting outside Geril’s house rubbing her legs.”

“Finally, did Geril give you something that will work?”

“Course he did, but do you have anything that was a part of Cerise?

Isbeth fumbled through her bag and pulled out a small tuft of black hair.

“This will do right?”

A devious grin spread across her face as she said so.