“What’s he doing here? I thought the Ruidian was forbidden from attending this class!” Declared a silken robed aspirant glaring daggers at Alex whom he instantly recognized as one of Tan Yi’s cronies. The now very former Tan Yi, he thought, which put a grim smile on his face as he met the young aristocrat’s sneer, earning a blanch and step back in turn, which was strange, since he hadn’t said anything at all.
Instead it was Elder Win who spoke. “Indeed, our Ruidian aspirant certainly has his share of flaws, but a reluctance to do his part for the sake of our precious jewel in the desert isn’t one of them,” he said with a pointed look at the suddenly flushing youth, a declaration which earned a pair of smiles from Quing and Lilly, holding hands and radiating the glow of warmth and gratitude as they gazed Alex’s way. Luo and Xiao, the former guards turned budding cultivators thanks to a fortuitous encounter, also nodded respectfully his way as their mentor spoke on, giving Alex and Linnea both an approving nod.
“For these two young Ruidians and their companions didn’t let up their hunt for cores during our city’s most perilous hour, even when countless other individuals… individuals content to let the tides of vicious change sweep over us all, took shelter against a storm they had thought inevitable.” His pointed look caused more than a few students to flinch before his gaze, not that Alex blamed them for even a second for keeping their heads low while the Dou Yi clan had effectively staged an attempted coup. For to stick out the other night was to invite death in anyone below Deep Silver, especially if they lacked a strong crew. Still, their instructor’s gentle reproof put all those who would protest Alex’s presence on the defensive.
Then Elder Win’s hard gaze lightened, his smile suddenly filled with warmth and understanding. “Not that anyone blames a young cultivator for taking shelter when winds of change blow through our lives. It is the smart move. The prudent move! Which makes the noble actions of our Ruidian friends here all the more remarkable. Even if the pair of them only managed a couple Earth cores.” He said the last with a gentle chuckle. “Yet their dedication was still sufficient for them to shine in the Headmaster’s eyes brightly enough that she has ruled that from this day forward, all Ruidians are to be permitted to audit and observe any class they like!”
“But that doesn’t make them cultivators, does it?” Asked one girl, giving Alex and Rulia a curious look free of any animosity. “I mean, that’s how they came to our rescue in the Western Rift, right? Their Ruidian magic just happens to be very good for handling delves, on account of their own spirit-beast like nature, yes?”
Alex gently squeezed Linnea’s hand when he sensed the flame whip forming.
“Spirit beast indeed, the little bitch. And damn her for being right!” Linnea scowled, self-consciously rubbing the jewel on her brow and glaring the suddenly flustered girl’s way.
Elder Win shrugged. “Who can say? Whether mana or spiritual energy, should observing our disciplines inspire breakthroughs of their own, it can only be of benefit to the institution that sponsors them. Now, assuming there are no further questions? Excellent. Let us make our way to the cultivation pagoda. I expect you all to continue to master the purification and cycling lessons Elder Shi and myself have been assisting you with.”
Alex soon found himself walking along with several dozen other energetic students, either whispering, gossiping, or just taking in their environment, all of them without a care in the world, as if having no idea just how close their fragile little oasis had come to collapsing all around them. The life-giving caldera floor below, several miles wide and filled with fields of sun-ripened wheat and glistening groves of fruit trees might have been a dry, parched wasteland in just a few week’s time, had it not been for Alex and his companions.
So he took a deep breath of air smelling of both the desert and lush farmland and allowed himself to savor a relaxing halcyon morning practicing both Desert Fox and Prismatic Fox cultivation and restoration techniques, searching in his own mind for the harmonious balance between drawing in fresh spiritual energy and using it to revitalize and strengthen his body.
Of course his gains outside the heat of combat felt infinitesimal, even if he sensed he was close to another breakthrough, but the important thing was just how good he now felt. Relaxed, serene, with an exquisitely coordinated body and a Strength that very few could match, at least not in this time and place.
The martial training before lunch was a bit harder to deal with, mostly because of the noticeable absence of Instructor Rah. A weight came over all of them when Ya Ling and Dui Zhong made it clear that Rah wouldn’t be joining them, after he had sacrificed so much for the city he loved. Both of Alex’s friends gave him warm smiles, yet Alex could sense the strain underneath, especially in Ya Ling’s countenance.
They had gone through an incredible ordeal together, had earned both the prince and headmaster’s respect and gratitude, and all parties agreed it would be best to keep their roles as quiet as possible. For their own sake and the city’s as a whole. Not that they hadn’t been awarded handsomely in both silver, royal favor, and school credits, but all of them certainly appreciated the need for discretion. And, as much as it broke Alex’s heart when they had been so close… at least when the other option had been death… Alex could tell that at least one of his friends needed time alone to process all that had occurred last night. Or at least, time away from him.
“Alex?” Alex blinked, slowly turning around and putting on his gentlest face to deal with the source of that voice after receiving a bemused nod from Dui Zhong who had actually managed to best Alex in the bind twice, which showed just how distracted Alex was.
“Hey,”
“Hey yourself,” Ya Ling said with a sad smile that soon became strained as she opened her mouth, yet no words came out. Even Linnea gave her a sympathetic look.
Alex could tell she was trying to gather up the courage to say something and could all too easily guess what it was.
“We certainly had quite a night, didn’t we?” He said with a grin, before bowing solemnly and low. “Even if we agreed that discretion’s the better part of valor… thank you, Ya Ling.”
Ya Ling blinked, suddenly looking flustered before shaking her head. “No, Alex. I didn’t do anything. It was you who…”
“You mean it was you who actually managed to disrupt that formation in the Southern Rift using gifts that no one has besides you. It was you who became one with the sands and pulled free those stones. Without your timely intervention, a massive Gold or hell, Jade tier wyrm might have already made a nest of our caldera and city, filling it with toxic fumes. Which would have forced hundreds of thousands of souls to flee and die in the desert sands.”
Her cheeks flushed, even though Alex had been speaking soft and low. If Elder Win’s exquisite hearing had picked up on anything, the look the man had given him before already made it clear that he knew, or at least suspected, that Alex had a hand in last night’s proceedings, even if the prince and headmaster were the ones currently being celebrated as heroes, with a citywide festival now being held in their honor. As they were the faces of their institutions, their added fame would only add to the stability of the city as a whole.
“Alex, about…” She rubbed her temples and shook her head. “By the bitter sands, I don’t even know how to say it!”
“You need time,” Alex said with the softest of smiles. Ya Ling flinched, lowering her gaze, making it clear that Alex had hit the mark. “After what happened last night… the things some of us were forced to do no matter how much we regret it…”
“Don’t regret saving my life,” she whispered.
“Never! The point is… I understand. You need time to figure things out. To see how you feel. To see if continuing our… friendship is something you feel comfortable continuing. Because what’s most important is that it’s something you choose.”
Ya Ling slowly tilted her head up, and how it broke Alex’s heart to see the unshed tears in her eyes. “Alex…”
It was all he could do not to step in and hug her, but he knew it would break his heart to feel her flinch. “It’s okay. I’m always here if you want to talk, or… whatever.”
She swallowed, flashing a bittersweet smile. “Yes… thank you, Alex. Thank you for understanding.”
Alex swallowed the painful lump in his throat when he returned her smile. “Still want me to fix the garden?”
She gazed at him for long moments, before finally nodding. “That would be lovely. My grandparents would be extremely grateful. It’s just… if I’m not there at the time, I hope you won’t hold it against me?”
“Of course not. You’re a busy girl, both student and instructor, and you have your own concerns. I’m just happy to put that garden back to rights! Make it a place you can retreat to. Cool shade, lush fruit, beautiful flowers. Peace and serenity.”
Ya Ling bit her lip, her eyes gazing at him for long moments before she bowed one final time.
“Goodbye, Alex.”
“Goodbye, Ya Ling.”
And then she was gone.
“Are you all right?”
Alex ignored the mocking smirks sent his way by a pair of cronies who were now missing their leader, his focus instead on the concerned gaze of the girl before him.
“Yeah, it’s okay.”
For some reason Linnea didn’t look convinced. “You saved us, Alex. All of us.”
Alex forced a laugh. “Come on. We’ll be late for Sulia’s class if we don’t get going, and considering that she’s only just coming around to seeing me as anything other than an arrogant clueless pain in the ass… let’s not compound our failures with lateness, shall we? I’m sure lessons will be hard enough.”
You have failed to hit your target.
You have failed to hit your target.
Skill modified finesse check made! You have successfully struck your target!
Wind Blast is now Rank 2!
Alex took a surprisingly ragged breath, more drained than he cared to admit under Sulia’s unforgiving gaze, ignoring the soft snort behind him and the sheer smugness radiating from half a dozen future wujen as he struggled repeatedly to strike the paper crane one of them effortlessly slid through the air, protected by what the smiling girl swore was the thinnest ward, yet Alex had found harder to penetrate than hammering his fist through steel.
“Adequate,” Sulia said at last after a painfully long stretch. “For a rank beginner.”
“And it was only five yards. That’s hardly any distance at all! How is this silly fool a wujen?” Snorted one boy to a grinning girl beside him, clearly looking to impress.
Sulia smirked, clearly having heard, but doing nothing to correct the boy, and Alex froze his momentary spike of ire, counseling Linnea with a gentle squeeze of her hand to do the same. Sulia had always had reservations about him, and here he was butting into her class by the caldera edge, just days after she had declared him unworthy. Of course, a lot had changed in a very short period of time, especially after Alex had proven himself fighting by her side on a desperate mission to save the caldera, and his actions had certainly garnered her respect. But how could it not rankle just a tiny bit, the loss of face that Alex being thrust upon her now represented?
So Alex bowed, saying only. “I agree with you completely, honored instructor. I’m eager for any counsel you can give this aspirant.”
She smirked at that. “Asking for counsel from someone clearly your superior? That’s a mark of wisdom I wouldn’t have expected… but am glad to see.” She gave a thoughtful nod. “Continue practicing with Ping, just as you are. Ping? Extend the paper crane a foot farther for every time he manages to ruffle the wings. You will continue with this exercise until the hour is up or you are drained, at which point you will cultivate until you are fully restored.” She then gazed thoughtfully at Linnea. “As someone who’s seen your affinity with Fire firsthand… most impressive. Come, let us exchange pointers with the rest of the class. I suspect we could learn a lot from one another. Insights that would benefit us all.”
With a silent nod from Alex, his companion’s hard glare immediately brightened to a winning smile. “I’d love to!” Linnea gushed, and Alex didn’t blame her a bit. Far better to spend her time fruitfully in practice, seeking inspiration from the techniques the rest of the students immediately began embracing with whirlwinds of air, golems of ice, and serpents of flame skittering through the air. Far more fun than just staring at him do his best to strike the paper crane a second time as a clearly displeased Ping clamped her will tightly about the parchment, her eyes making it damned clear that she’d far rather be practicing with the others than babysitting him.
To be fair, at least he got to savor a fantastic view of the valley below and the deep blue sky above while training in Sulia’s class, with plenty of wind gusts from the play of hot and dry and warm and damp air that did necessitate some sort of wind ward with something so delicate as paper this close to the caldera’s edge, even if Alex was almost certain that the girl ‘training’ him was as eager to put him in his place as much as anything else.
You have successfully hit your target.
You have failed to pierce Wind Ward! You have FAILED to synergize piercing strike with Wind Blast!
Ping raised a single mocking eyebrow. “Really, Ruidian? You couldn’t manage to knock this absurd crane a second time in the quarter glass we’ve been standing here pointlessly?” She gave a condescending shake of her head. “Why are you in this class again?”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Alex frowned. Not because of the girls clear disdain, but simply because it seemed to be far harder to enhance his one genuine ranged attack with abilities like Spell Cleave. Yet as humble and near pointless a skill as Wind Blast seemed now, Alex’s excitement and focus wouldn’t be deterred. Because this singular skill represented a path forward that transcend all ancient strictures he now realized that Long Wang had never truly been bound by, and perhaps it was time for him to break free of those limits as well.
Still, he certainly wasn’t playing to his strengths, at least not for the moment, but he had high hopes that with time, persistence, and dedication, they just might become such.
He turned his frown into a bow before the girl could claim offense. “This one thanks you for your assistance, honored classmate.”
She snorted, deliberately putting down the paper crane a good ten yards from him, at the very lip of the caldera’s rim. “Clearly this is a waste of my time. So let me put your little crane where you can caress it with wind all you like, and you can come bother me when you can actually do something useful with your gift.”
Alex clenched his jaw but said nothing, merely dipping his head. And Sulia seemed anything but irate with Ping’s initiative.
“You’re done tutoring the Ruidian? Wonderful, Ping. Let’s pair you up with the Fire Adept here. I think you’ll be surprised by just how useful she is as a training partner. If you would be so kind, Linnea?”
“Of course, Lady Sulia!” Linnea enthused.
If anything, Alex was glad that Linnea was taking a shine to them. It meant that his purely mental Spirit Qi visualizations of a shield to guard his thoughts might be working, which assured both greater mental privacy and Linnea not getting overly upset by the petty slights and insults Alex didn’t really care about at all.
Compared to the hazing he had suffered in other times and places, this was the gentlest of initiations, really, and without malevolent external forces trying to screw him over, he just might turn some of those scowls and jaded looks around if he could actually blossom into a student worthy of their time.
Right now, of course, he was seen as little more than the class clown, the farthest thing from the rumors now on everyone’s lips, according to the excited whispers and gossip carried in the wind. The city was alive with tales of a valiant band heroes who had rescued a noble family, battled undead, retrieved an actual golden core, and struck down traitors to the city as they went about rescuing the entire caldera.
If anything, the fact that absolutely no one associated Linnea or himself with that mysterious band was a source of relief. At this point in his cultivation journey, being able to hide his potential was still the greatest defense he had, no matter the divine veil that would hopefully continue to shield him from the ire of his most hated foes.
There were no doubt plenty of powerful and ruthless men and women who would have profited mightily from a shift in the status quo that would no doubt be more than eager to give him and Linnea payment of the bitterest sort. The fact that more than a few rumors were now painting the Sovereign Prince himself as the leader of the band that had done so much to rescue the city was absolutely perfect, Alex thought, never mind that Prince Quiang had effectively been held hostage for most of that night. Legends had a way of being very forgiving with cold hard facts, especially after time. Most importantly, it strengthened the position of a man who had nothing but gratitude for Alex and his companions, or so he hoped, and Alex and the others being so willing to play ball and fade into the background while the prince used the events of the night before to solidify his own political capital was just common sense.
It assured both Alex and all his Ruidian companions the staunchest ally they could ask for, whose position was now so secure that Alex doubted the man would ever have to worry about an internal coup again. Not for decades at least.
Skill check failed! You have failed to successfully manipulate Wind Blast at thirty feet!
Your wind crane has fallen into the caldera.
Bullrush!
You have successfully claimed your paper crane.
Wind Walking skill check effortlessly made!
Alex frowned as his hand just barely snapped out in time to catch the paper crane as it flew right over the lip of the cadera, Alex dangling for a heartbeat with just one foot on the grassy gnoll and gravity already pulling him down, yet it was nothing for him to stride across the air so buoyant and alive with moisture and updrafts for a single gust to carry him right back where he had been standing, moments before.
“He’s flying. That Ruidian… he can fly?” Whispered the boy who had been mocking him so readily before.
“No. That’s impossible. It must be some trick! Even Silver tier wujen struggle to learn that art. He could barely touch that crane!” said another of the students, shaking his head with either awe or dismay. Perhaps both.
“I heard rumors that a pair of students had been seen flying in the air, sparring with swords. I thought it was just silly rumor… but now?” Whispered a girl now gazing at Alex with a desperate intensity that actually made him a bit uncomfortable.
“I saw you teleport. How?” Hissed none other than Ping, her earlier disdain turning to awed disbelief.
Alex smiled politely. Instead of answering, he turned to meet Sulia’s enigmatic gaze before giving a respectful bow. “This one apologizes for nearly losing your crane, Lady Sulia.”
She snorted, but couldn’t hide the oddly pleased look in her eyes. As if, as much as she wanted him at least slightly humbled after finding herself duty-bound to teach what she feared would be an arrogant novice who thought a single night’s luck and fortune’s momentary favor somehow made him a young master in his own right, at the same time it pleased her to show the class that she hadn’t been forced to favor fools with no talent at all.
“Good. Your responsibility for the rest of this semester includes keeping that crane in perfect shape… and learning the art of folding one yourself.”
Alex’s eyes widened at that, not having expected origami to become part of his curriculum, but he was wise enough to keep his thoughts to himself.
“Now put that away and focus on replenishing your reserves for the rest of the session. We will talk once class is adjourned.”
Alex nodded before making his way to the nearby pagoda covered in a Qi gathering formation to do just that, enjoying the feel of the cool breeze and the warm sun as his body greedily drank the rich streams of spiritual energy that were absolutely nothing compared to the monstrous supercable shrieking about his singularity of a soul… but was invigorating to his physical body nonetheless, as well as helping him to achieve a state of calm serenity, as meditation always had before.
He smiled as he heard more than one wujen student worrying about compressing enough spiritual potency to ascend to the next rank as a Bronze. At least that wouldn’t be a problem for him. Power was something he had in absolute spades. An entire continent’s worth of obscene power that he shuddered to think about too closely.
Instead, he simply kept the one personal truth he knew above all others to heart. Skill mastery and expanding himself in new directions was what he needed now to truly find harmony with the hideous flow of potency he supposed he was still digesting, on some level. And whether it took months or decades, so long as he focused on bettering himself, he knew he would continue to ascend the ranks, and probably far faster than anyone lacking imperial blood had a right to hope or expect.
Of course, there was the one path forward that led to shockingly fast growth, at least for him, but if he were honest with himself, he was happy to leave the Path of Peril for at least a few halcyon summer days. And if those days could turn to peaceful years of tranquility, he was increasingly certain he wouldn’t say no to that either.
“Alex, what’s wrong?”
Linnea’s gentle note of concern pulled Alex out of his meditative trance.
“What?” Alex asked, coming back to himself, rubbing away stinging grit from his eyes.
“You’re crying.”
Alex found himself smiling, feeling curiously happy for all that the bittersweet ache in his chest throbbed still.
“After the dream I had last night…” He shrugged and sighed, now gazing out at the beautiful caldera, rich with its bounty of hope and life, with a clear blue lake supporting an entire city. “I guess I’m still haunted by the past, even if a part of me dearly wants to savor this life, right here and now, lest I pine endlessly for what I can never have again.”
Linnea all but glowed with a beautiful smile, knowing that she herself played a precious role in his life now, and was, quite unexpectedly, wise enough to say nothing at all.
Alex couldn’t help smirking, because clearly his friend had invested her points quite well.
“Alright, are you fully refreshed? Good. I assume you now know to always be prepared for anything after last night’s adventures?”
Alex slowly turned to Sulia, now calmly addressing him as the last of her students left their practice area. If any thought it at all odd that she was conversing quietly with Alex and not them, they were wise enough to turn around and keep such thoughts and speculations to themselves.
Alex blinked, processing the instructor’s words before giving a firm nod. “Always, but what…”
She shook her head. “Don’t interrupt, aspirant. Just come. We have to be at the western rift by dinner’s bell.” Much to his surprise, she handed both him and a pleased looking Linnea leaf pouches filled with figs, dates, cashews, and almonds, munching the contents of one herself. His ambivalent instructor frowned thoughtfully at him. “Don’t you have a rather impressive fangtian ji at your disposal?”
Alex nodded. “In my storage pouch, along with my armor. Is everything…”
Sulia gave a curt shake of her head. “No, Alex. Things won’t truly be alright until the Western Rift is clear.”
Linnea paled at that. “But Sulia… I mean, revered lady instructor Sulia…”
This earned a snort. “Sulia is fine while we delve, child.” She gave Alex a half-hearted glare. “But seeing as you’re now my student… Lady Sulia is how you will refer to me.”
Alex dipped his head. “It will be as you say… Lady Sulia.”
Linnea nodded. “Okay, but um… the Western rift is filled with really nasty, really ambushy Shadow Cats and even if it was fun playing the hero and risking our lives on the role of fate’s dice last night…” She flashed an anxious smile. “I was kind of hoping I could take it easy… for like… ever?”
This earned a snort. “You say that, yet I see the fire in your eyes, child. Admit it. You’re every bit as exhilarated as you are afraid.”
Linnea flushed and nodded. “Okay, maybe. But still…” She squeeze Alex’s hand “You know.”
This earned a snort, both ignoring Alex’s flush. “I have four children. Of course I know. So best we get this handled now and assure that we have absolutely no problems to worry about later. Because it will be all the harder to push yourself when motherhood takes center stage in your life. And the stronger our foundation within the caldera…”
“The more prepared we are from trouble without,” Said none other than Te Chang himself, striding over to great his wife with clasped hands and foreheads touching, Sulia’s stern features melting to a look of such tenderness and love that Alex felt an ache in his chest. A feeling that soon turned to awe when he saw all the august personages awaiting them by the rift.
Alex immediately flowed into a kowtow, joined by Linnea. “Your Grace, this one is honored by your presence!” He instinctively said, after catching sight of not just the surviving members of last night’s party, everyone save poor instructor Rah who was butchered by Tan Yi’s lackeys, but Prince Quiang himself, and Headmaster of the entire academy, Schweng Fa as well.
“Rise, worthy disciple.” The prince’s melodious words spoke of good humor, which was a weight off Alex’s chest. The man’s eyes didn’t go ice cold with sudden unexpected hate, and Alex sensed nothing but approval from the enigmatic Headmaster herself. That, and he noted the incredibly thick multifaceted layers of deep silver enchantments around them both… and the rest of the party as well.
“You and your companions have served both the school and the city exceptionally well, and are to be commended. Now we have but one final task before us to put the machinations of our enemies completely behind us before we can focus all our attention on strengthening our city’s foundation once more.”
Alex blinked and swallowed, but knew better than to say anything that might question the prince’s authority, lest his patient smile turn hard and cold and Alex play the fool in the worst possible way.
He bowed his head. “It will be as you say, Your Grace.”
“Excellent.” The prince’s hard smile softened. “Expect good things to come your way in the very near future, my Ruidian friend. Now, I understand that you and your companions might need a few moments to… compose yourselves?”
Alex bowed once more to the prince covered in enchanted steel Alex could only hope would ward the bites of massive shadow pumas before turning to a smiling Fitz and Lieberman.
“We’re ready whenever you are, battle leader,” Lieberman said.
And for all that Alex hated so many measuring eyes beneath the genuinely friendly smiles as both headmaster and prince looked on, between one breath and the next, he and his Ruidian companions were one.
Congratulations! You have successfully formed Gestalt with Ruidian Slave Nodes designated: Battle Companions!
You have elected to serve as spokesman for your group (lest alternate words slipping free of various sections of your hive mind prove unnerving to the uninformed!)
“We’re ready whenever you are, Your Grace,” Alex said even as he took in a far clearer and detailed picture of his word from four pairs of eyes instead of one, infravision also kicking in to full effect. And though he could sense only a slight increase in the heart rate of Dui Zhong, Te Chang, and Sulia, the Prince and Headmaster both seemed momentarily taken aback, Alex and his extended psyche only then realizing that they were moving, blinking, and bowing as one.
Yet the prince did nothing but smile gamely. “Very well. Battle plan will be for our Ruidian friends to immediately initiate wards of fire and ice, which I understand you are all exceedingly skilled at. The Headmaster and I will enhance your arts with our own once we see them in place, and I assume I can trust the hero of the hour to keep us informed of our shadow friends whereabouts before they strike.”
The Headmaster nodded. “It will be as you say, Your Grace. Lady Sulia and I will focus on obliterating our opponents while Dui Zhong and Te Chang guard us and strike any cat that manages to pierce our wards, unlikely as I think that will be.” She caught Alex’s eye. “I understand that you’re able to direct your team to best affect. So strike to kill. Our goal now is to thin whatever herd there might be. Afterwards, we will do our best to hunt down those stones and if I understand correctly, you, Alex, have both a knack for the terrain and an understanding of what we’re looking for?”
“I do,” Alex solemnly said, heart racing as he looked the Headmaster in the eye, knowing he was at risk of grave consequences if he dared to expose himself in the way he was planning… but what if something unforseen did occur and he had done nothing to prevent it? And practically speaking, with half his party already knowing what he was capable of, were he not to offer it to the prince and Headmaster herself…
The Headmaster tilted her head. “Is there something you wish to say, aspirant?”
Alex forced himself to nod. “If you and His Grace were to accept my party invite… you would both be graced with an intuitive sense of the battlefield, sensing where everyone is in relation to everyone else.” At that moment Alex was glad that Ya Ling wasn’t here, even as he flared the idea of absolute autonomy like an alarm through his head, so not even for a heartbeat was he in danger of committing the most vile sin imaginable.
To enslave the ruler of an entire city state to his will.
Alex shuddered at the very thought, wise enough to understand what the repercussions would then have to be. In truth, he had never expected to find the prince here and now… or he would have done everything in his power to avoid this encounter. But as it stood… to deny the prince a gift he hoped the man would refuse would itself risk the very offense he was desperate to avoid. And though he hated to say it, it could well save the man’s life, and there was at least a chance that he wasn’t susceptible at all.
It was with an odd mixture of relief and dismay that Alex found all of his companions accepting his boon, and after a minute of everyone adjusting themselves to the sensation of knowing where all their adventuring companions were with a thought, they linked arms and proceeded through the rift.
And Alex most definitely did not look at the brightly flashing interface messages flaring off in his mind’s eye, all his focus on the delve ahead.