Terrin paused and glanced at the map in his hand. Lira hadn’t let him leave before drowning him in information. Apparently, his father had given Lira details on accessing the bunkers that housed Magic. Understandably, there was a lot of security guarding the powerful machines, and each had its own camouflage. A few of the computers had crashed after almost a thousand years of neglect, but six were still operational.
At a glance, it was obvious why Elurra had struggled to teleport to Tipet. If a destination was within the scope of a single bunker, teleportation was an easy process. However, if the first computer had to transfer to another during the jump, nanites would have to supply the extra energy required to cross areas without coverage. The further outside the range, the more energy needed. Elurra was lucky to be alive after her foolish stunt. The Amorian and Tipettian bunkers were further apart than any others on the continent.
To ensure an efficient trip, Lira gave him an alternative way to teleport using long strings of numbers. Terrin didn’t really understand what they were, but his mother assured him they were coordinates he could be used to get from one place to another. His first transport took him to the outmost reaches of Tipet’s Magic range. From there, he walked three days to the next jump position. He knew he was close. Numbers danced across his vision, growing closer to the numbers Lira had provided.
“34º51’32” N, 16º06’21” E.”
He stopped. He was within range of the Amorian computer, which was named “Anchor” on his map. Without Magic, he would’ve had almost two weeks of travel to Unérith ahead of him by horseback, but with Prath technology, he could be there in minutes. He prepared to jump, then realized he had no idea where to go. The first place Terrin thought of was the balcony outside the ballroom, but he immediately reconsidered.
“I should probably look somewhat official. That means I need a horse.”
After a second of consideration, he shook his head. He knew he couldn’t make a horse appear out of thin air, didn’t have enough money to buy one, and wasn’t stooping to stealing. He sighed inwardly. Magic made things more convenient, but also caused unexpected issues. He was tempted to transport into the throne room, but he knew it was impossible. All of the capitals, save Tor’ac Roh and Zurgth, were anti-Magic zones due to restrictions from the Great War. Terrin decided to test the information and pictured the balcony.
“Ťo nobi miş.”
As he expected, a red film appeared before his eyes, and “Unable to complete action,” in the Guardians’ language flashed before him. He sighed and pictured an unpopulated place outside of Unérith. A minute later, he stood in a grove not far from the main road. He and Elurra had stopped there on their way to Kai’s party.
It only took a few minutes to reach the crowded gates of Unérith. As he neared the towering castle among throngs of people, he put together a loose plan to find the dwarfs. When he finally forced his way through the masses to the castle’s majestic gates, he located the closest guard and approached him. He caught the man’s eye and showed him a scroll sealed with the Tipettian wax seal. He immediately had his attention.
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“I need to see Prince Kai immediately.”
The scroll and his noble attire were enough to convince the guard to escort him away from the roar of the outer courtyard. He was led to a private meeting room to wait.
“Please tell him that Prince Terrin is here to see him.”
The man nodded and shut the door. Terrin waited for half an hour before Prince Kai arrived, flanked by a pair of guards. His face lit up in disbelief, and he tackled Terrin with a hug. Terrin couldn’t help but grin when he saw the guards exchange perplexed looks. Kai dismissed them with a wave of his hand, and as soon as the door closed, his expression morphed into one of confusion.
“Where is Elurra?”
“That is a long story, which I would rather discuss with everyone present. Where are our men?”
“Practicing in the inner courtyard. Would you like me to summon them?”
“I would rather surprise them,” Terrin said with a mischievous grin.
Kai cocked his head to the side.
“I knew something was off, but I could not place it until now. You are talking differently.”
Terrin realized he’d been subconsciously speaking formally in deference to Kai’s rank. He cursed himself silently.
“I’ll explain everything, I promise,” he said, switching back to his natural speech.
Kai raised one eyebrow but didn’t comment as Terrin hurried into the hall. He nodded to the guards waiting outside and made his way to the inner courtyard. A lattice of pathways meandered between manicured flower beds and rows of trees, stretching before him like a maze until he emerged from the castle archway. Terrin wondered how he would find the four dwarfs amidst the foliage when Rowan’s rough voice cut through the scenic landscaping.
“Plague, ya lily-livered, sickle-bellied toad! Get back ’ere!”
Footsteps crashed through the trees, and Terrin followed the sound to a wilder corner of the courtyard. Abruptly, silence hovered over the grove.
“Plague? Where’d ya go? I know yer sorry bum is around ’ere somewheres. I can smell yer unwashed knickers!”
Terrin approached cautiously and peeked through the trees.
“I’ve got ya now!” Plague cried.
Rowan grunted in surprise, and the clash of swords echoed off the stone walls. Terrin crept forward, trying to figure out exactly where they were. Whizzing filled the air, and an arrow embedded itself inches from Terrin’s nose. He spun around and saw Tristen sitting in a tree, a bow resting in his hands. Tristen’s mouth fell open.
“Terrin? I thought you were Snore!”
Before Terrin could answer, a knife thudded into the tree trunk beside Tristen. The slight boy started, lost his balance, and fell. Terrin lunged forward and broke Tristen’s fall with a grunt. They both groaned and untangled themselves as Snore grinned at them from above.
“Ha! I win!” Rowan shouted as his duel ended with a thump and a moan.
Terrin pulled out his sword, and a smile spread across his face. He saw the perfect way to get revenge for the other dwarfs’ attacks. Rowan sprinted around a nearby trunk, and Terrin dropped to the ground and swung his leg toward Rowan’s. Rowan yelled and crumpled to the ground. Terrin pressed his sword against the fallen pirate’s back.
“Alright, ya no good, pig-snouted—” Rowan rolled over, and his eyes grew as wide as saucers. “Terrin?”
He laughed and helped the ginger boy up. Rowan gave him a hearty hug and slapped him on the back hard enough to take his breath away.
“Nice to see you too, Rowan,” Terrin gasped.
“Where’s the princess?” Tristen asked.
He glanced around like he expected her to emerge from thin air. Terrin’s smile faltered before he could catch himself, and the dwarfs exchanged worried looks.
“We have a lot to talk about. You should come with me.”