Chapter 7
MERRILY, MERRILY, MERRILY
Gypsy took control of the helm while Finn teleported Ember and himself back to the war room.
Bernard looked worried when he saw Finn. “If you’re here, who’s steering the boat?”
“I am,” Gypsy said over the tannoy, “and I’ll have you know that I am not a boat. I am a skyship.”
“A—A what?” Bernard spluttered in response.
Abbot held up a hand toward Bernard and shook his head slightly. “All in good time, my friend. I’m not sure we could comprehend this fae miracle if we had a year to try. All we need to do is be thankful Gypsy and Finn came into our lives.”
“Gypsy is just as capable of piloting herself as I am,” Finn sighed. “She is sentient and a great pilot. We are perfectly safe.”
Ember reached out and grasped Finn’s shoulder. Finn started in surprise at the unexpected contact. “We’re not fae, Finn. You and Gypsy are as different to us as I am sure we will be to you. Please be patient with us and forgive us our questions.”
“We’d never seen real magic performed before this morning,” Abbot added, “but soon, we’ll learn to at least accept some of it. Maybe you might be willing to teach some of us?”
Finn thought about that. Maybe he could teach magic to others. All they’d need is a fair amount of magical theory and an aspect or two of magical talent. He could even create runic spells for them to learn.
“Anyone with a mana core can cast pre-written spells. Your problem would be finding people with a core.” Finn explained. “If they took the time to learn rune smithing, they would begin to understand how Gypsy can do what she does.”
“Rune smithing?” Ember enquired. “I know what a rune is, but that’s where my knowledge stops.”
Finn tilted his head and touched his chin in thought. “Rune smithing is the art of drawing runes with mana, then turning them into spell constructs. Let me show you a few magical runes.” Finn thought about his options and decided upon light-aspected mana. It was safest. Unless you’re a shadow wraith, he chuckled to himself.
Taking a step back, Finn fed light-aspected mana to his index finger and drew three runes that appeared floating in the air as his fingers traced their shape. The symbols crackled and glowed as Finn fed more energy into the formation.
“These three runes form what we call a spell construct. When I activate them, the spell will be cast.” Finn closed his hand and pushed it in Bernard’s direction. The runes merged, a flash of light sped over to Bernard, and a ball of transparent golden light enshrouded his body.
Bernard whimpered and looked stricken, but Ember and Abbot leaned in closer to inspect the phenomenon. Of course, it was Ember who decided to poke the light shield. Mana flashed, and a tiny golden spark struck her finger as the shield repelled her small attack.
“Ouch!” Ember squeaked with a big grin on her face.
“A magical shield. That’s wonderful.”
“You created that with just three runes and some mana?” Abbot asked.
“Learning to channel the mana from your core through your mana channels and into your finger takes time, patience and a lot of willpower,” Finn explained. “After you’ve mastered those things and learnt the runes, yes. It’s as simple as drawing the correct runes, feeding them power, then sending them on their way.”
Ember chuckled. “Oh! Miris is going to adore him. Isabella, too, if he agrees to join her at the clinic.”
Abbot smiled his characteristic broad smile. “Yes, after we get you settled in, there will be much for you to learn and probably even more for you to teach us. Miris is our head librarian and archivist. She has an unslakable thirst for knowledge and will be extremely anxious to meet you.”
“Oh! Well, I suppose it’s good that we’ll be well received by some,” Finn replied, feeling his nervousness rise at the thought of a whole city full of strangers.
“We’ll rock their world, dear.” Gypsy thought to him in her most reassuring way. “Chin up. It’ll be an uncertain time for both sides, but we’ve got this.”
“Can you tell if people have any magical potential?” Ember asked.
Finn made a chopping motion toward Bernard, and the shield dissolved. “It’s easy for me to sense any potential power, but I’d need time with a candidate to test them properly. I would have to flood them with my mana and look inside for a sleeping mana core. Then, if they have that, I’d need to awaken it and test them further to see what aspects of mana they possess. Many creatures with fae or elven ancestry would likely possess a dormant core.”
“Could you test me?” Ember asked excitedly. “My mother told me that my great-grandmother was a dryad. They’re fae, aren’t they?”
Finn grinned. He’d thought as much earlier. She exuded latent power. Dryads had powerful nature-aspected magic. Most had earth and spirit aspects, too. “I’ve already sensed that you have latent mana. I felt it as soon as you walked past me. Perhaps we can do the tests someday soon instead of right now? The testing is straightforward enough, but awakening a dormant core takes time. It’ll hurt you considerably.”
Abbot laughed. “Ember is, by far, the most curious and enthusiastic individual you are ever likely to meet. She is also an accomplished fighter and will be your mentor.”
Ember blushed and looked at Finn through her bangs, partially covering her eyes. “Do you mind me being so pushy?”
“No. I’m sure we’ll be able to teach each other a few things.”
“Awooga! Cheesy line alert,” Gypsy giggled.
“Too much?” Finn asked Gypsy.
“Nah! You’re doing okay. I think you’re winning.”
Finn turned his attention to Abbot. “Liss mentioned that you and I have much to discuss?”
“Yes, perhaps we could get some fresh air?” Abbot replied.
Finn considered that for a brief moment. “Alone?”
“I think this chat should be in confidence. It would be best.” Abbot turned to his travel companions. “If you both would excuse us?”
Ember nodded, looking a little crestfallen, but Bernard just waved them away with a gesture, then slumped back in a well-upholstered chair.
Finn wrapped Abbot in spatial mana and transported them to his favourite place. They appeared on a small flat section on top of Gypsy’s command pod, right above the cockpit. The space outside was where the crew’s fairy scouts would land and report their findings before flying off to continue their missions.
Abbot swayed from the shock of the abrupt change of footing. Finn grabbed his shoulder to steady him. There were no safety features or handrails up here. Just a flat circle on the roof about ten feet in diameter with a red-runed octagon etched around the edge. The view was wonderful, though.
With a moment’s thought, two sizeable round meditation cushions appeared, and Finn motioned for Abbot to sit on one while settling himself on the other.
Abbot exhaled deeply and glanced around at their new viewpoint. “Incredible.”
Finn had been too wrapped up in everything that had recently occurred to stop and properly look around. Now, he had the opportunity and cast a lazy gaze around him. The jagged ruins of Arcathia were shrinking away behind them, with the black Skytalon mountains in the background acting as a sharp reminder of the fear and panic of the other night. Other greener, less intimidating mountains continued the wall that almost surrounded the lake. Large conifers and densely packed shrubs climbed the mountainside and formed clumps wherever they could find purchase.
Staring into the crystal-clear lake water, Finn could sense the icy chill of the mountain heights still clinging to it. A shiver went down his spine as he remembered their relief when they saw the dawn touching the horizon as they limped down to this very lake.
A large bird took flight from the lakeside, a plump fish twitching rapidly between its long beak. Finn watched as the grey and white bird flapped its broad wings and struggled to gain height with the extra weight of its succulent prey. He imagined what it would be like to live such a simple life. Living just to eat, sleep, breed and survive. Not fearing the future or worrying whether a goddess might appear when you least expected it.
As if reading his thoughts, Abbot touched Finn’s knee. “Look forward, Finn. The pain you’ve been through creases your face and haunts your eyes every time you dwell on it. Look at the wonder of your surroundings and contemplate the scope of your freedom. Your life is yours for the living.”
Finn blinked a few times, reeling his thoughts back to reality. He looked at Abbot. “That sounds so easy when you say it.”
“It is easy. You just have to want it enough. Your horrors will fade into grey if you push them to the back of your memories, and eventually, you’ll forget they ever concerned you. Knowing that lets you pay them less attention.”
Finn considered Abbot’s words. He wasn’t stubborn by nature, not usually, so it was easy enough to try the old man’s advice and refocus on the beauty of the lake.
Abbot and Finn watched as the gap between the tall mountains rapidly approached. Tall trees lined the edges of the steep slopes, looming up on either side of the natural gateway. The wide gap was filled with a river whose pace seemed faster than Ember had suggested. Its width looked enough to accommodate Gypsy’s large size, though. That gave Finn hope that the journey could comfortably remain on the water without cheating.
“Are you still okay piloting, Gypsy?” Finn thought to her.
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“Cheeky wee snipe!” Gypsy sent back with humour, her thoughts bright and upbeat. “The flow may be rapid, but we have more than enough spare mana to power right through any trouble. Don’t panic. Just do you for now. I’ll shout if I need you back at the controls.”
The two individuals sat on the roof of a large skyship and watched the beauty of their surroundings pass them by. Finn started to pick more details out from the scenery. This world had the same wolves and squirrels that the Fae Queendom had, so he wondered what other flora and fauna the two worlds had in common.
Fae gates had existed between the worlds for thousands of years. The land of the fae had gates to every planet dotted around its expanse. That was why their inhabitants, technologies and cultures were so diverse. Finn winced as he remembered the words of Danu’s avatar. She had said that Finn had destroyed the last fae gate to this world, so now the realm of fae had gateways to every world except this one, and it was indirectly his fault. It was hard to have no regrets when his past deeds reached such extremes.
“Concentrate, young Finn,” Abbot reminded him. “You lose your focus too readily.”
Finn baulked at Abbot’s last remark. Typically, he possessed razor-sharp focus. He caught himself letting his mind wander yet again and decided that Abbot’s comment was valid. Events had changed him, it would seem.
Gypsy lurched to the side as the river’s flow took hold. Finn heard the fellward thrusters fire up, the craft’s sideways drift righted, and they pointed straight down the wide watercourse again.
“Nicely done!” Finn thought to Gypsy.
“Shh! Busy!” Gypsy replied with an aura of concentration.
“It is Gypsy steering us at the moment, yes?” Abbot asked, his face full of wonder. “She really is sentient and talks to you regularly?”
“Yes. Gypsy is highly intelligent. Even though I’m technically in charge, our tasks and decisions are always shared. We are classified as a gestalt entity, meaning we are two creatures operating more effectively together than we would as individuals. It’s a concept the fae military scientists had started experimenting with when Gypsy was commissioned. With that in mind, we’re both in charge.
“Such an incredible yet utterly alien concept. Do you feel as if Gypsy is a physical part of you? Does she feel the same about your physical reality?” Abbot asked. He was leaning forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
“Yes,” Finn replied. “If you reached across and stabbed me, Gypsy would instantly feel the blade sink in. She’d feel the pain, too. In the same way, if she were to strike an unseen rock in the river, I would feel the impact just as she did.”
“Hmm! I think it might be wiser to keep that a secret among those we trust,” Abbot replied thoughtfully. “Some things are best left unknown to most, or they could be used against you.”
Finn felt that Abbot’s agenda took much more into consideration than he’d first imagined. There seemed to be a bigger picture at play here. “So, what happens to us when we get to your city?”
“Happens to you?” Abbot smiled gently. “Goodness, you make it sound like you will be imprisoned and questioned. Far, far from it, young Finn.”
“Then?” Finn raised his eyebrow at Abbot, hoping that he’d continue to explain.
“Well, the first thing you can do is moor at the sturdy new pier we had made especially for Gypsy. Then you can expect loving hugs from your newly adoptive parents, who are anxious to finally meet you.” Abbot’s eyes gleamed mischievously as if issuing a silent challenge for Finn to interrupt. When he stayed quiet, the old man continued. “A lovely couple. A pair of dwarven entrepreneurs who desperately wanted a son, but alas, nature conspired against them. Now, they wish to wrap you in the warmth of their family. Something you all need. Life with them should, hopefully, teach you a few of this world’s more mundane lessons. The ordinary things most of us take for granted. They might even teach you a skill or two if you’re willing.”
“Uh! What? Adopt me? Why?” Finn asked incredulously. “You do realise I am thirty-one years old, don’t you? Did Liss mention that?”
Abbot gave Finn a look of friendly understanding. “Yes, of course she mentioned your age. Then we discussed what thirty-one of your fae years represented within our time frame here on Allis. Our days, weeks, months and years are much longer than yours. In the end, it was our resident genius, Miris, who worked it out for us. Here, you are barely eighteen years old. In our world, you have only just come of age. You’re just old enough to register to join our Lissian order as an initiate. Which I have already done on your behalf. Congratulations, initiate. You’ve just taken the first step of allegiance that Liss requires for you to ascend in her order.”
Finn spluttered and tried to raise an eloquent defence, but he started to realise that Gypsy and he had arrived in an alien world with no information other than a map. Eighteen years old again! He thought incredulously.
He had only lived for thirty-one fae years. Mortality wasn’t something he’d ever considered. Being a fae Manaborn meant he was immortal. As long as he had mana, he could live forever. It is said that you only appreciate your immortality after you’ve survived your first lifetime. In theory, Finn was still the same ageless creature he would always be, whether thirty-one or eighteen. The first time he’d lived through his eighteenth year, he’d been confined in a military academy. Maybe he could do it better this time around.
“May I ask how long dwarves normally take to raise their young?” Finn wondered whether an eighteen-year-old dwarf would be expected to leave the familial nest yet.
Abbot grinned widely. “An excellent question. It proves you have already considered the implications. Hamish and Agnetha Smith, your adoptive parents, vowed, with Liss as their witness, to treat you as their son for the rest of their lives. Of course, when you are ready to make your way in our world, you may, but you will always be considered their son. A typical dwarven family wouldn’t normally allow their offspring to leave the nest until at least twenty-five years old, so you have plenty of time yet.”
“Why is it necessary to be adopted?” Finn asked. He didn’t object. Hells, he’d been given away by his parents the first time. Some parental affection might do him some good.
“Liss knows every last detail about your past, Finn. She knows you missed out on your childhood and has seen the pain it still causes you. The goddess feels that you will better adjust to life in Allis after experiencing the love of a real family who cares for you and you for them,” Abbot said while watching Finn intently, looking for any reaction. “I completely agree with the goddess on this matter.”
“Okay, you know that I am intrinsically bound to Gypsy. If the Smiths adopt me, they must accept that they will also be adopting a very large skyship.”
Abbot snorted. “Hamish is the head blacksmith at Shanty’s forge. He is also a keen inventor and artificer. When Liss told him about your bond to a magical machine, he nearly wept with joy. They know about your situation and are delighted to accept it.”
So, his new father was a smith. Excellent! Finn hoped that Hamish would be willing to teach him his trade. Artificing sounded like something he could get behind, too.
“Your new mother, Agnetha, is a character and a half. Not only is she the clan matriarch, but she is also an artisan clothier. Her sister, Neeve, creates some of the most beautifully crafted leather armour ever seen in Erinmore. Together, they set up a successful clothing and light armour business and now virtually own the high-quality clothing market in Shanty and its neighbouring towns. I am sure you will be one of the most dapper young bachelors in the city before long.”
Finn was instantly a lot less reticent about his pending adoption. Not only was he getting proper parents, but he could also follow his passion and learn several new skills.
“Ten days from now, the ascendancy trials will be held. You already have a place as an initiate in the trials and will be expected to pass all four tests needed to be given a rank within the Lissian Monastery’s order.”
“Ten days from now? I don’t even know what day it is today.”
Abbot smiled. “A very fair point. Allis has ten days a week, four weeks a month, to which we add a bonus day called Liss’s Grace, which makes a month forty-one days long. A year is four hundred and ten days long and consists of ten months. Today is the fifth day of the third week of the fourth month, and summer will soon be upon us. Each day of the week has a name, but your mentor can help you learn those later.”
Finn thought about Abbot’s last words a few times. The prospect of acclimating to an alien calendar was quite daunting. The way time passed was something everyone just took for granted.
Abbot laughed. “You look like someone who barely believes he isn’t dreaming. It’s a lot to take in, I realise that. It’ll get easier, I promise.”
“So, the trials you expect me to participate in are on the fifth day of the fourth week? Have I understood that correctly?” Finn asked.
Abbot grinned. “That is correct. You pick things up quickly. That’ll help in your life to come. It’ll feel like you were born here in a few weeks.”
Finn snorted. He highly doubted that.
“Passing the Ascendency trials will be the first step you need to take. It is the one task Liss has set in place for you. Ember and I will be watching you very closely, as will many others when they see Gypsy arrive in our lake. You and your ward will instantly become the hot topic of the entire city, so be ready for that.”
Finn stared right back at Abbot. “I won’t be expected to live in the monastery or dedicate my life to training constantly, will I? I’ve already had twenty years of that and absolutely refuse to do it all over again. I’d like to experience what life has to offer for a change.”
Abbot sighed. “Yes, another excellent question.” The old man took a deep breath and exhaled. “Liss has been adamant about this, and so, against my better judgement, the answer is no. Normally, our initiates live within the monastery under strict supervision. However, your situation and our goddess demanded a different approach. You’ll be relieved to hear that we will not confine you. We understand your commitments and obligations, so Gypsy will remain your home. You will be right next door to the home of your adopted parents,” Abbot paused, seemingly gathering his thoughts momentarily. “Instead of living at the monastery, Ember, as your mentor, will spend most of each day helping you prepare.”
Abbot chuckled. “It is likely that, if you permit it, Gypsy will temporarily become an extension of the Smith’s home and the entire dwarven community who, incidentally, all happen to be related somehow to Hamish or Agnetha,” he continued. “Dwarves and goblins are highly welcoming, communal creatures. Their influence on an isolationist like yourself will be an interesting social experiment. I’m sure Miris and Isabella will be fascinated to observe what occurs.”
“I’m not an isolationist. My isolation was never by choice. It was enforced for the most part,” Finn said. He wasn’t sure about becoming the focal point of a social experiment, though. He wasn’t sure what that even meant. The company of others didn’t bother him. He’d just never had the chance to experience it until his first day among Gypsy’s new crew. Finn still hadn’t adapted to how one should behave among large groups of people.
One of Abbot’s words prodded something in his head. “Goblins? Where do they come into this?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Abbot replied with a mischievous grin. “There are many goblins in Shanty; they’re a very friendly race. Very friendly indeed. You should get to know a few. They can be a lot of fun.”
Abbot’s answer didn’t make much sense to him, so Finn decided to move the conversation on. “Will I have a chance to prepare for the trials, somehow? Is that what Ember will be helping me with?” Finn asked. “If I am expected to succeed, I need to be ready. I assume the other people taking part will know what the trials are and what to expect?”
“You raise a good point,” Abbot smiled wickedly, his eyes twinkling. “Just as others already have, you must find out what will be expected and use your initiative to ensure you are prepared.”
Finn nodded and returned Abbot’s smile. “Yet other people have had a lifetime to find out. Fine. So, it’s all a trial, then. More hoops to leap through. What fun. My life seems cursed to be a constant string of trials.” He grumbled, then sighed and shook his head. “I see, so no help from you then.”
Abbot’s smile was at its broadest, and he chuckled. “I had a good feeling about you the moment you shook my hand. You are a smart young fae that I predict will go a long way in Allis. Especially with the opportunities Liss plans to present you.”
“Opportunities?” Finn asked quickly. “You mean more tests for her entertainment?”
“You’ll find out eventually. It’s not as bad as you imagine, but I’m not telling. Your future is yours to discover. Only the gods and goddesses can divine our futures.”
Both Finn and Abbot chose to contemplate their discussion. They went quiet and watched the land’s beauty as it passed them by. The soothing purr of Gypsy’s rear engines relaxed Finn’s trepidation of things to come. He knew he’d have to deal with each issue as it occurred, but that didn’t stop the worries of the unknown gnawing at him. It was Abbot who finally broke the silence.
“Watching you heal Bernard’s hands gave me an idea,” Abbot said. “We have a free clinic next to the monastery. It’s run by a delightful young lady called Isabella Summer. The whole of Shanty operates as a sort of commune mostly. We have free enterprise, too, but the monastery provides basic food, health care and a rudimentary form of security for the whole area. Mostly, we rely on our monks and other volunteers from the community, but incentives are common for those we value. Say, a magical healer capable of the almost miraculous. We’d value someone like that most highly.”
“I’d be happy to help in any way possible. Especially healing or even the watch. I’d also like to know what you’d consider an incentive,” Finn said. “You’ve offered a lot of words but mentioned nothing tangible thus far. I hope Ember proves to be more forthcoming with her assistance.”
Abbot laughed, his eyes twinkling. “Oh, I’m sure we could think of something tangible when the situation demands.”
“Uhuh!” Finn grumbled sceptically. “I won’t hold my breath.” He’d met people like Abbot before. They offered one thing after another but never delivered. In his world, real promises were enforced by the gods.