The goodbye from the farm was short and simple. Pleasantries were exchanged, formal invitations were extended, but in the end Clio pulled up the wagon and Anthony helped gather the equipment then helped Ms. Zoe on board. When they slowly trotted their way back to the town, Anthony unsheathed his knife, giving it to Master Zoe to examine the crystalline bladed object first hand.
“Well it’s not as sharp or rugged as it once was but it’s sturdy.” She tried bending it but it didn’t budge. “It’s like comparing iron rock to smelted steel, it’s shaped, it’s blunted, but has no purpose at this time. It makes a pretty decent rod, I noticed from the bruising I found the Water Mage’s face this morning.”
“It was not my intention to bring him back in such a shape, but he would not cooperate either way.” Anthony bowed his head in apology.
“Don’t worry kid, I’ve done worse to get results.” She handed the crystalline dagger back to Anthony. “Just like you did with that son I’d imagine.”
“So, you knew I was being dishonest about last night’s encounter.” He grabbed the dagger by the hilt.
“You’re not the only one who’s perceptive, kid. I noticed you’d have lost your coin purse, not to mention the ropes I used to tie that Water Mage were bound in a different manner than my own. Then there’s the way that Lycus’ bones were specifically fractured when I examined his bones. Just enough so he could make it back, but broken enough that one hit would cause it to break. I realized that he must have been cooperating with the scum from the start, the whole thing was staged from the start.”
“Yet, you allow yourself to play into their trap? Why would you do that?”
“When other people's lives are at stake your basic instinct is to either fight or flee. I knew they wanted me more than the family, so I chose to fight.”
“You wanted them to come out so you could counter?”
“A fine line between needs and wants, which brings me to the next subjects of discussion.” She leaned back against the wagon wall and began to gaze into Anthony’s eyes as if staring into a fire of nostalgia. “Remember that story I told you about me and Master Zephyr?”
“You learned to control fire by helping him during an uncontrolled wind magic disturbance?”
“Well, I wasn’t the only assistant who was there that night. His practice was in the middling states, many strong criteria were required. My natural elemental resistance was high so that gave me an edge in working at his office, but others were naturally gifted in other areas. Beside myself there are two other assistants, a young Icarus and another mage named Eurus. When the master’s magic went critical, Eurus left to find help, while Icarus and I stayed to keep him under control. When his magic became unmanageable, Icarus simply fled making a bad situation even worse.”
“If it hadn’t been for your second awakening, it could have been a major catastrophe.” Zoe nodded to Anthony in agreement.
“In those days it was thought Icarus would take over the practice in the middle states, since he had the talent and desire, but his cowardice that night came with a price. Zephyr made Eurus his successor, and discredited him from ever practicing in that region again. Eventually he started his own practice and moved to the lower states and, with the help of the Boreas group, practically scrubbed his record clean.”
“I see how some animosity can still remain between the two of you considering your past.”
“Keep in mind that he may be a coward but that makes him very crafty. He’s managed to earn a fortune by selling certain enhancement tincture under the table in the slums.”
“Like the Emerald Leaf we recovered.”
“Not just that, but Blood Blossoms, Wolf Weeds, Ebony Fungus, and any other herb or elemental that can enhance a mage’s natural potential. He calls it a supplement program, but it’s just a more refined version of the herbs that avoids some of the more harmful side effects.”
“My parents never believe in supplemental herbs, but I understand they’re quite popular for breaking the first circle of magic but also highly dangerous.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“That’s why most mages prefer to use talismans past the first circle, the parts of great beasts can make an excellent conduit like a copper sow quill or gold eagle claws. They’re less effective than ingestion, but a lot less harmful to the body in the long run. It’s one of the reasons many great beasts were protected because they practically hunted to extinction. However, that’s how many hunters get started working for the Boreas Group.” Anthony could tell where this story was going but listened carefully to his master’s words. “Some mages are often looking for the short route to success. The more enlightened train for years or have natural talent, but for those who seek fame and glory they would sacrifice their health for quick gains. The Boreas Group pays its magical hunters well but to those who know, they’ll end up spending earnings on more potions, even after breaking the first circle of magic. It’s a quick way to advance but ends up in death at an early age, surely someone like you can understand the desperation of trying this method, don’t tell me you haven’t at least considered taking those kinds of treatments?”
“I have...a time or two.” He looked at his hand calluses and blisters that had come and gone in his training. “I thought about using such methods despite all the risks involved, but every time I tried I remember the words of my mother. She used to tell me the story of an ant who became ruler of the mountain, through hard work, toil and strife.”
“I’m quite familiar with that story, it teaches people in the lowest cast of the Duchy that hard work and determination can lead to great rewards. I can contest there is some truth to that, but also a lot more complex than a simple children’s tale.”
“Perhaps, but I always thought there was more to the story than that. Throughout my life, and living in the Empire I’ve seen many people, including my own kin who have compromised and taken the best route to achieve greatness.”
Clio started listening as she drove the wagon trying to catch a hint of Anthony’s mysterious past from his words.
“I’ve trained for years to achieve things by my own means, and all the help I’ve received is from only those who have truly believed in my potential whether it was my mother, the second eldest sister, or even the maids in my old manor. They shared with me their knowledge, their wisdom and experiences, and taught me that there’s more to mage craft than simply restricting myself to everyone else’s standards. My mother taught me the value of perseverance and how everyone, even the meek can conquer the odds. Ms. Briar taught me the value of silence and how to listen and be mindful of my surroundings. Ms. Cleo shares tales of time in the free states, adventurers and sailing, practical survival knowledge that help me in the wilderness. Ms. Eau taught me sincerity, how to let my emotions wash over me and not consume me like a tidal wave. Ms. Delia taught me defense, how even without an element to conjure was not a weakness when you have your fists and your wits, and then there’s my sister...”
He paused for a moment to remember her face with fondness and familiar bond that was mother, a friend and an ally.
“...My sister Vera encouraged my creativity, unlike my other two sisters she never thought my ideas were foolish, but inventive. Of the three of my elder siblings she was the most encouraging. She always thought the way I view the way mages worked together was not only innovative but a way beyond what the Empire considered the best. Through her, I learned not only to encourage my growth in soul, but the other three inner elements as well. I also learned how these principles could be applied when I asked the maids to demonstrate these theories in practice.”
“The water distillation!” Clio pulled on the reins making the wagon go slightly faster.
“Wow, slow it down there Ms. Harmonia, you’ll run us off the road if you don’t focus on those reins.” Master Zoe adjusted her back to the rocking wagon.
“My apologies Ms. Gaia.” She set her eyes back on the road. “It’s just elemental cooperation that is often used in the Duchy, but many consider it an act of weakness. When you boiled that water with your blade Anthony, it reminded me of how Fire Mages used the same principles to purify water in the wilderness.”
“The technique of elemental synergy is not looked upon poorly in the Empire, but it’s mostly used in manual applications like agriculture, productions, and utilities. The prestige in the empire is just higher for individual accomplishments is often interpreted as weakness, but even an army of soldiers needs food, water, and supplies that only others can provide.”
“It’s also the reason why the King of Aster chose an alliance as opposed to an open war. It’s said he saw that the continued skirmishes coupled with the persistence of demon advances in the mainland would result in mutual annihilation.”
“Then why does, as Jason would put it, the Empire treat the Duchy as second class denizens of this continent?”
“Just like how the Empire treats soldiers as heroes and farmers as laborers, it’s still a caste system but one built on merits and not hereditary.” Zoe saw the horizon of the city from over Clio’s shoulder and knew it was time to wrap up this riveting discussion. “Politics aside, I’m curious what Iris has to say about that dagger of yours Bios. If my theory is correct, then it might just be the key to many things, including what exactly happened at that farm.”
By the time they reached Master Zoe’s pharmacy, the group were greeted with warm regards from Jason the clerk and Iris the engineer. Selene showed little enthusiasm but spent most of her time arguing about the wasted time and resources that were spent in what was supposed to be a simple endeavor. However, she quickly changed her tune when Anthony and Clio told her about what had been unexpectedly accomplished. Everyone immediately gathered Iris in her workshop to see what mysteries and curiosities the dagger had to reveal.
TO BE CONTINUED...