Despite how early it was when Adaline returned to The Warren she found her Master already entertaining the GreatMages from the other 2 Sects.
Instead of the quiet breakfast she had hoped for she had to grab bites between conversations as the data she brought back was analysed and she was interrogated to provide context where needed.
With the knowledge that a Three Eyed Firecrow was the likely culprit the information Adaline brought back painted an even more grim scenario than was previously thought. They needed to get everyone on board the evacuation plan to save lives.
As the Mage Association prepared their presentation for the next day everywhere was controlled chaos especially around GreatMage Hizanko. Adaline had been trying to get her to step away and have a private conversation for the last two hours but every time she tried she was either given a task or told to hold on for a moment that was never going to come. With growing frustration Adaline blocked Master Hizanko's path between workstations.
Hizanko tried to go around her a few times while still reading a damage projection report, before she realised someone was there. Looking at her peeved apprentice Hizanko also became a bit annoyed.
“What is it child, can you not see I’m busy? In fact there is something you can help you with…” Hizanko began to find a task for Adaline but was cut off.
"No Master, there is something I need to talk to you about. In private!" Adaline demanded. Hizanko began reading the report again.
"There is no time now. Get me the information from the closest valley..." Hizanko moved to go around Adaline while speaking but once again Adaline manoeuvred to continue to impede the GreatMage.
"This is important!" Adaline insisted, bringing her Master up short again.
"If it is so urgent just tell me and get it over with." Hizanko replied, her head still buried in some notes as she finally got around the younger woman. Adaline knew what she had to say should be private but Hizanko was being insufferable.
"I'm withdrawing from the Halceon Sect!" Adaline said aloud. The entire room went quiet. Everyone looked back and forth between the two women as all the colour drained from Hizanko's face.
The other GreatMages had always been jealous of Hizanko who had such a talented protégé, now the rumours would start about how such a talented up and comer had been mismanaged. The 3 Sects may have been close as family but what family didn't bicker?
Hizanko took a deep breath to compose herself.
"Let's adjourn to my office." She said before walking out with her head held high. Adaline followed her with determined steps. As soon as the two were gone the whispering began.
When Hizanko walked into her office she poured a glass of spirits and gave it to Adaline, gesturing for the younger woman to sit. Hizanko brought the bottle with her when she sat.
"Master, I'm sorry." Adaline began but Hizanko stopped her apology.
"No my child, I brought that embarrassment upon myself." Both women were quiet once again.
On their second glass Hizanko finally spoke.
"Did I or the Sect leave you wanting, I know I can be difficult."
"No master, the Sect is wonderful and I am very fond of you but an opportunity has arisen." Adaline told Hizanko.
"It's that Bashtuck boy isn't it." Hizanko was exasperated, was Adaline so foolish, to throw away her future for some good wood?
"You've researched him. I've never told you he had a Clan name."
"Of course I researched him, I know he came from some small or long forgotten Clan and I'll admit I did him a disservice when I thought him a lout. That he is an Enchanter shows he has a sharp mind and his Clan obviously had good teachers for him. My guess is he lacked the talent." Hizanko's in depth analysis impressed Adaline.
"Yes, I already found out he enchanted my necklace." Hizanko continued. "But I've impressed upon you how important personal power is. If you plan to buy some broken legacy then even with all your education you'll never compile a spell greater than level 2, like some backwoods conjurer. How much help can that level be in rebuilding a Clan and how long before he notices and moves on?"
“Master, if I don’t take this opportunity and go with him I will regret it.” Adaline began to explain.
“How about I send you out on a 2 year sabbatical, if things are still going well with you two when you come back, we can do the paperwork to make you a full time Journeyman Mage. This way you’ll still have the Sect to fall back on and you can be with your young man.” Hizanko interrupted Adaline, keeping her protégé was no longer her priority, she simply wanted to save Adaline from a terrible mistake.
“Master Hizanko, please listen to me fully.” Hizanko opened her mouth and Adaline shushed her. “Listen!” she demanded, which caused the older woman to relent.
“What I’ve been able to piece together is that Altair Bashtuck isn’t from a weak Clan, but his Clan did fall to a calamity. I believe this to be the reason he was so willing to help us investigate our coming problem. After his Clan fell Altair wandered the Sacred Realm for a period of time and has only recently arrived in Shaards.” Adaline’s information shocked Hizanko. She emptied her glass in one draw and poured herself another.
“Is he an immortal?” Hizanko whispered. Even a high level Sect wouldn’t cross an Immortal if they could avoid it, not even a weak immortal. Immortals always had time on their side.
One sect had crossed an immortal and sealed him under a mountain. 200 hundred years later that sect gained a nameless servant who diligently swept all the courtyards for 60 years until he was the most senior servant and a complete part of the background. Then one year every member who left the sect to go on a journey was found dead. The Sect closed its doors and called for its allies realising they were under attack. When their allies arrived to help they found the old servant burying all the Sect members. The immortal they had offended dug his way out of the mountain, gained their confidence and poisoned them all. Hizanko shuddered, remembering the report.
“He won’t admit it but he doesn’t deny it either and he knows so much! Altair is offering me his Clan’s full Empire Level Legacy, a full ArchMage Rune Tapestry.” Adaline admitted. She went into the details of the contract which left Hizanko with no retort.
The offer was excellent.
“Master, are you still going to try and stop me?” Adaline asked after Hizanko had gone silent looking off into the distance.
“No, you were right. You must seize this opportunity. Let’s not put this off, get up, I’ll unravel your tapestry and you can go.” There was no ceremony, GreatMage Hizanko simply used the authority of her Tapestry and recited a spell to remove Adaline’s tapestry. The complex rune work became visible for a moment before flaking off into gentle motes of light.
A few minutes passed before Adaline was officially out of the Halceon Sect. She returned the Sect plaque, her Mage robes and all the equipment she had from the Sect. Now all she wore was a simple dress and the few Enchanted items. Hizanko was slightly relieved to notice that one of the items hanging around Adaline’s neck was the Second Life Talisman that the GreatMages had gifted Bashtuck with as an apology. He was already taking care of her.
Adaline recited the entire Calling Card Spell. Even though it was a mere few sentences, compared to the gesture it usually took, casting that spell demonstrated the difference in speed and power from before she lost her Tapestry. She was so weak Hizanko was uncomfortable. She was about to insist Adaline stay with her until Altair could come collect her. If Hizanko could she would insist to be by Adaline’s side until her new tapestry was applied but she already realised she needed to let go, so she remained silent while Adaline made her call.
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"I've delivered the evidence and left my Sect, where should I meet you?" Adaline said into the swirling magic either around her head. The person on the other end did not reply but there was a knock on Hizanko’s office door.
At Hizanko's gesture the door opened and Miriam walked in. Hizanko measured Miriam as she cased Hizanko’s office. Miriam checked the corners, looked for alternative exits and eyes lingered on a few switches that activated traps that Hizanko had thought to be well hidden.
‘Not hidden well enough.’ Hizanko noted. The woman was a warrior, more so, she was a Champion, she had a predatory grace usually only seen in beasts.
"Greetings GreatMage Hizanko, I'm Miriam Bashtuck, I'm here to collect Adaline." Miriam greeted them politely.
“Greetings Miriam, I assume you are Altair’s first wife?” Hizanko asked. Miriam raised an eyebrow and straightened her poise before answering proudly.
“I am.” She said. Miriam didn’t know what kind of insult the older woman was building up to, but she would face it with dignity.
“Take care of this one, she is joining your Clan but she is all the family I have. I leave her under your protection.” Hizanko said, while taking Adaline’s hand. The heartfelt plea took the fight out of Miram who softened her stance and simply nodded.
"Don’t be so dramatic, Master… I mean, Ms Hizanko… Can I call you Aunt Hizanko?” The older woman gave a warm smile.
“It would be my honour, my dearest ‘Niece’.” Adaline and Hizanko exchanged a goodbye hug and Adaline bounced over to Miriam, taking her by the arm.
“As I was saying, don’t be so dramatic, I'll see you tomorrow at the Council meeting." Adaline said as the two ladies departed Hizanko’s office arm in arm.
***
Miriam informed Adaline that most of her moving had been done and that she was meeting her friends on an airship named the Flying Dagger and leaving the Warren this evening. Adaline agreed about getting out. Altair could always bring them back before the Council meeting. Just like Miriam, Adaline had people she cared about, things she needed to get and business she needed to handle so Miriam travelled with her.
The two then made their way to several residents. Most of the older generation of her father’s servants had passed on but their children remained. Adaline had grown up with five of them and while they would not dare to consider her a sibling, she was still their young miss. Despite her father’s death and her becoming a Mage she would keep in contact and make sure they were doing well. Over the years a few abusive bosses and would-be gangsters had felt her wrath. Her small group also benefited from better jobs simply because of her recommendation. They in turn were wise enough not to expect nor demand anything, only turning to their young miss to ask for aid when things were dire.
So when she visited them and suggested they gather their loved ones and meet her at the Docks they got to work, swearing to be there by nightfall.
With the most pressing business out of the way, Adaline and Miriam travelled about the Warren. Adaline closed the accounts her father had left for her and bought new Magical equipment, spell materials and alchemical ingredients.
During their shopping spree Miriam realised they picked up and lost tails constantly. Someone was keeping track of them. Miriam wasn’t sure who and their watchers never spoke, they most likely had some form of secret language, but since they didn’t seem to be bothering them Miriam just kept her eyes open. If she was alone she would just Shadow walk to break their pursuit but despite Tuck suggesting she could bring people with her she had been too scared to try with someone she cared about. She had dragged a thug through her shadows but the man came out blubbering and insane screaming about cats eyes watching him. Miriam wasn’t sure if that was because she was hostile to him or wasn’t trying to protect him or maybe he was just weak and on the brink of collapse already. Either way she wasn’t using that on anyone she cared about until she could test it on someone resilient… probably Altair.
Finally as evening fell, the two women finished their business and were making their way to the docks on the top floor of the Warren when a group of 5 people blocked the tunnel leading up. Pedestrians noticed the scary group that all wore black bands on their arms that had a red dragon motif.
The Red Dragon Gang.
“Well, well, well. Just the lady we are looking for.” The leader of the group said. He had short cropped red hair, a bushy beard, he was broad, brawny and 1.8metres (5ft 10in). As he walked down the stairs he reached under his shirt and pulled two hatchets out of the waistband of his pants.
“HOW?!” Adaline called out, she was frustrated at the situation, of course someone would try to get their hands on a former high ranked Mage. She should have just left after she got her loved ones out.
“I only left my Sect earlier today! How did you organise this ambush? Who are you working for?” She demanded. The Red Dragons exchanged confused looks.
“Sorry miss, who are you?” One of the other gang members asked. This one younger, he was clean shaven, had blue hair which he wore pulled back into a severe ponytail and was tall, about 1.9 metres (6ft 4in). Despite his polite reply he pulled out a heavy chain he had hidden as a second belt. Miriam noted the lock that he kept on it to act as a hammer as the young thug began to spin the improvised weapon.
“Um, are you not here to kidnap an ex-member of the Halcyeon Sect?” Adaline asked.
“No.” The leader told Adaline. “But since you two are together, don’t think about leaving.” He said. Of course Adaline had no intention of abandoning Miriam but she also knew she would be of little help in a fight, she pulled out various enchanted items to prepare. The gang slowly advanced spreading into a semicircle. Miriam kept Adaline behind her as they backed down the stairs.
“If not me, who do you want?” Adaline felt like a pit opened in her stomach. Just last night Miriam confessed to cleaning up the criminal element.
“HER.” One of the 2 women in the gang said. This woman had half of her head shaved, her hair was a lighter shade of blue than the taller man and her weapons of choice were 2 knives.
“Some of our brothers have been killed. We had no clues but then we got a message from Mr Wester, the Weasel himself.” Hatchets, the leader said. Miriam's face twisted as if she tasted something foul. The Weasel obviously suspected that she framed him. The Clans wouldn’t believe him so he got his revenge in another way.
Despite her dislike of him she wasn’t going to kill Wester before. Now? He had just signed his own death certificate because even though Miriam didn’t know what these Champions of the Red Dragon Gang could do, she was sure that they couldn’t stop her. Her only concern was getting Adaline out safely.
“Mr Wester says he owed you one by the way.” said Chains.
“Yeah, he did. The Weasel informed us about a rumour going about the tunnels. ‘If you have a violent criminal that needs handling, call Ms Miriam.’ ” Hatchets continued.
“Miriam has Militia connections, it is obvious to call her.” Adaline tried to derail the gang’s line of thought.
“The Weasel was very thorough. He sent us accounts from an altercation Ms Miriam got into with a group shaking down a bakery. It was right after she became a Champion, no one died but there were claw marks in the wood.” The second woman in the gang chimed in. She was taller than the first woman, her hair was blonde and cut into a bob. Her weapon was a metre long L shaped pipe.
“The first killing happened soon after, but he wasn't none of ours, so no big deal but the next victim was a member of our gang and would you know it, he had the same claw marks across his throat.” Pipe concluded.
“Too much talk.” the final member of the Red Dragons said. He had a darker skin tone, white hair that was matted into locks and a beard braided into two tails. The man’s weapon of choice was a ball peen hammer. He rushed forward at a blistering pace to close the gap but Miriam pounced, intercepting Hammer in the middle.
Their first clash pushed her back, Hammer was a strength type so Miriam stopped trying to block him. Her fighting style used her enchanted pistols as both firearms and batons so she evaded Hammer’s blows and smacked him with the barrels all the while constantly firing bullets at the other members of the gang putting them on the defence and keeping their distance. Adaline activated an Accelerate talisman and ran to another route to the hangar.
As Adaline moved Miriam gave ground. It was only when Miriam used her shadows to reload her pistol that she remembered she was now a Champion, ingrained muscle memories made fighting styles hard habits to break. She didn’t know what tricks her enemies had so she tried not to tip her hand. At the last moment when they all rushed to take advantage of her reload, the floor turned pitch black and all of her assailants fell through the shadow to the lower level.
Miriam smirked as she ran to catch up to Adaline only for the tunnel ahead of her to close and the stone grew into a new wall. A blade of force cut through the floor and Hatchets rushed out trying to cut off Miriam’s head, she did a backwards cartwheel dodging the attack and shooting Hatchets in the back as she came back to her feet but Hatchets had put up little force fields that intercepted the bullets.
A drop of water hit Miriam’s face which she ignored until it expanded and encompassed her completely. Pipe jumped out the hole and swung her weapon through the water but Miriam vanished into a flicker of darkness.
Adaline was nearly to the top floor when the shadows darkened and a soaking wet Miriam jumped out of the shadows, matching Adaline’s stride.
“These guys are very well coordinated.” Miriam said. Adaline had other things on her mind.
“You can teleport? Why aren’t we teleporting?” Adaline screamed.
“It could be dangerous for you.” Miriam admitted. A loud crack was followed by a pitfall appearing ahead of them. Hammer and chains jumped out of the hole. Chains swiped his weapon forward and a blade of air slashed down the hallway, Miriam pulled Adaline to the side, dodging the attack. Miriam’s instincts made her flip Adaline around in the nick of time to avoid a knife that was on some form of string.
“This is dangerous enough, jump us. NOW!” Adaline screamed. The two women fell backwards onto the ground and vanished into the darkness.