It took us weeks longer to reach our next destination, which gave me ample time to ponder what I learned from the tree. There was something there, a trick that might hold the secrets to improving my magic, but I could not crack it without more information.

Soon, a city loomed on the horizon.

Aresford was warmer than the last time I had visited, but "warm" so far north was a relative term. Even a hot day would feel brisk back in the capital.

I drew my cloak up against the bracing wind, walking past city guards and bustling workshops on my way to the mines. A part of me debated heading to the Pale Pauper to visit Nick, but there would be time for pleasantries later.

Several workers, those left in charge of receiving shipments back to the city, recognized me. I could not say if I enjoyed that, but they freely offered me a spot on the carts to the mines, so I set aside my conflicted feelings in favor of practicality.

As I rode to the mines, I wondered if Rowen had received my letter. Master Kendell had given me a few leads to deal with the attacks and apparent issues with the forest, which I passed on to the foreman, but he had never responded. Hopefully, it was an honest oversight and nothing more.

The mines looked effectively no different in the summer. The trees ringing the clearing were green, the wind was not so biting, and the mountains looked bare of snow, but people still worked, voices still shouted, and the mana under my feet burned as bright as ever.

I did notice one other change, though. Many of the workers had a new crest on their clothes where Markov's had been the last time I visited, one I did not recognize at a glance. It was a tree, not unlike the Esttons, but bent and gnarled rather than healthy and strong.

Interesting.

I made a mental note to ask Rowen more before walking through the crowd of workers towards his office. Again, several people I passed seemed to recognize me, though none looked familiar. Though I had spent days here, I had only interacted with Rowen, Nick, and the guards to any real extent.

The main building was just as busy as I remembered, and I moved through the room, pausing to glance over the maps and charts. I understood more of it now but still marveled at the sheer volume of work done by so many people.

Rowen's office was empty, and I set my backpack down to wait for my acquaintance to arrive. It was a little rude, but I would rather not stand around and get in the way outside.

Cat hopped out, sitting on some paperwork on his desk, and I frowned at the feline. He stared at me as if I was the one at fault, and I rolled my eyes before gesturing to the floor.

"Get off his desk," I ordered.

The little monster looked back at me before pointedly turning away and lying down.

I debated pushing him off, then sighed and closed my eyes to wait for Rowen. He arrived just minutes later, pausing by his door when he saw me standing inside his office.

"Vayne!" Rowen half-shouted, crossing the distance from the door in a few long strides. I blinked as he drew me into a hug, the man laughing as he slapped my back a few times.

"Nice to see you too," I said, patting him awkwardly before trying to pull away, "This is Cat, my...cat."

"Clever."

Stolen novel; please report.

"Not really."

Rowen chuckled as he walked to his desk, gesturing to the chair in front of it before sighing and sitting down.

"Apologies for intruding," I said, taking my own seat, "And for him."

"Don't worry about it. Gives me an excuse to take a break," Rowen remarked with a smile, "You want something to drink?"

"No, thank you."

"Suit yourself," Rowen poured himself a glass of something amber-colored, taking a sip before continuing, "So, what brings you here? I can't imagine a noble is visiting Aresford for pleasure."

"I am a mage, not a noble," I reminded him, "But no, you are right. I had a favor to ask of you."

"Hah!" Rowen barked out a laugh, "A favor? You? Kid, I owe you a favor. Hell, I owe you a few after you fixed our monster problem."

I blinked, "I did? Was my letter that useful?"

Rowen shrugged, "Sorta. Mostly, it was whatever the hell you were doing in that forest. Attacks kept coming for a month or so after that, but they started to slow down. We still get them, but not much more than we used to. Can't imagine that's a coincidence."

Something clicked into place, and though I did not want to appear too nosy, I could not deny my curiosity.

"Tell me," I started, "How long has it been since Markov lost control of his mines?"

"How the hell did you..." Rowen trailed off, then shook his head, "Happened a few months after you left. Rumors are that he took some gold and servants and moved south, leaving the mines to other nobles. Couldn't handle the cold, I'd guess."

That or his business had collapsed. I had assumed months ago that it was deliberate sabotage, and this felt like confirmation. The question now became who had done it? There were several possibilities, but I realized at that moment that it did not matter much. The answer would not change my path.

So, I shrugged and gestured towards Rowen's shirt, "I assume that is your new lord?"

Rowen nodded, "Lord Entwood. He took over a few weeks after Markov left."

The Entwoods, led by Countess Entwood, were a family with more cousins, siblings, and children than was wise. I did not know much beyond that and assumed this lord must be one of the lesser members. Much like the mystery of who had driven out Markov, I found that I did not care enough to pry further.

"I see...well, in that case, it might be two favors," I said, "I want a job. Here, in the mines."

Rowen stared for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. It echoed across the small room, a little louder than I would prefer, and I waited for him to calm down.

"A mage? Working for me? Almost got me with that one," Rowen said between laughs.

"It was not a joke."

The foreman's laughter stopped abruptly, "It's not?"

I shook my head, "Not at all. I need money, a place to stay near the forest, and a way to strengthen my body. Working here provides all three."

Rowen rubbed the back of his head, "True enough, but the mines aren't easy. You know that, right? Cave-ins and monster attacks still happen, just not as often. Hell, just breathing the dust in there can make you sick if you do it enough."

"I can handle monsters and work outside the mines, then," I countered, leaning forward across the desk, "Here is my offer. I work here as a laborer, earning as much as anyone else would for however much I do. I would also prefer a cave to stay in for privacy, but that is negotiable. Oh, and a spear if possible, but again, I am flexible."

Rowen hummed, tapping his fingers on his desk. Finally, he shrugged, "I'm not gonna pretend to know what you're planning, but honestly? That's mage business, not my business. Whatever you need, I can get you."

I smiled, "Fantastic. When do you think you could have everything ready for me?"

"Impatient, eh?" Rowen asked with a grin, "You can start work tomorrow. I'll need to get someone to show you the ropes. Your cave can be ready by tonight. Same with the spear."

"Perfect, thanks."

"No need for thanks," Rowen said, "Favors, kid. You got a few of 'em left to go in my book. Now, if you'd like, you can bunk in one of the quarters nearby and get some sleep. Looks like you've been walking for weeks."

"Just about, but no thank you. I have some business to take care of first," I replied, standing to leave. Cat noticed me and hopped off before jumping into my backpack again.

We walked to the door, but I paused and glanced over my shoulder, "Ah, one last thing. Could you spare some glass vials? I did not think to bring too many along with me."

"Sure, how many do you need?"

"How many do you have?"

***

I reached the pool without much trouble, stepping into the same clearing where I had almost died a half-year earlier. Though six months had passed, I had not counted on how much it would change in such a time.

The various bits of viscera had either been eaten by predators or rotted away. What bones remained had long since been bleached white, and I could see spots where beasts had torn up the dirt or knocked down trees.

Still, I paused by the edge of the clearing and reached out as I had a few weeks earlier with the tree. Though I did not feel that same sensation of being watched, it would be the height of arrogance to presume I was safe. I had already learned that lesson several times over.

Thankfully, there was nothing save the feeling of pure Aether waiting to be claimed by a power-greedy young mage. So, I straightened up and walked to the pool, watching the treeline as I knelt beside it.

I cupped my hand into the water, feeling Aether ripple past my fingers, and smiled. Last time, I counted this a boon, but now it looked like a miracle. Forget Mist. Just how far could I go with such a resource at my disposal? Could I reach Fog? Cloud, even? Both seemed possible if I committed to staying in Aresford for another two or three years.

That seemed a mistake in the long run. I needed more than raw power to survive, and pursuing brute force over all else seemed to be my counterpart's failing. He had prioritized strength, but I planned to focus on something more versatile. And to do that, I needed information, training, and, above all else, experiences to drive me forward.

Still, I could see a path forward, a way to become a mage far beyond even the heights I had reached in that life. And the first step would be reaching Mist.

With a smile, I pulled out the first glass vial and began filling it.