Hump inspected the fungi-pedestal where the dungeon node had previously been housed, studying the various vessels and fleshy parts that formed it. The only other time he’d actually seen dungeons creating life was in Bledsbury, where he’d seen the strange eggs with kobolds growing inside. Just like everything else to do with dungeons, it was like some twisted forgery of the real world.

Nisha was roused from where she was splayed out nearby as Bud and Emilia approached.

“Here,” Emilia said, handing over the Dungeon Node to Hump.

Hump took it, eyeing the pale pink gemstone curiously. It was about as large as an egg, so far smaller than the dungeon cores he’d seen in the past. Its surface was smooth but bumpy, and the many tendrils that connected it to its pedestal stuck from it like hairs.

“We’ll need to get permission before you can pass it over to the Inquisition, but I don’t see any problems,” Bud said. “Especially not after they hear we killed a mind eater and spoke with a demon.”

“I’ll follow your lead on that,” Hump said. “Have you heard of such encounters before? With Karlac, not the mind eater.”

“No,” Emilia said. “So, I expect they’ll be very interested to hear that a greater demon took an interest in this place.”

“I bet.”

“Are you worried about what it said?” she asked.

Hump looked at her with a frown. “Did you just ask me if I’m worried about the powerful demon that’s placed a target on my back?”

Emilia met his eye and smiled innocently. “Forgive me for being concerned.”

Hump chuckled. “A little.”

“Bet you’re wishing Bud didn’t go and poke the bear like he did too.” Emilia gave Bud an annoyed look to which the knight smiled boyishly.

“I admit, I may have provoked it.”

“Yeah, you bloody did,” Emilia said under her breath.

Seeing how the two of them acted with each other, Hump couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s so amusing?” Emilia asked.

“Just enjoying the show,” Hump said. “Not often do I get to see a Knight of Kelisia told off. He is a Chosen after all, you can’t expect him to have a pleasant chat with a demon.”

“Exactly,” Bud said.

“Would have been better if you hadn’t made it unleash Hellfire on us though, admittedly,” Hump added.

Bud winced. “I’m sorry. I’ve talked with the company and don’t foresee any issues regarding what the demon said. You’re a wizard, possessing a book of secrets really isn’t that strange. The rest was just a load of nonsense.”

“That’s a silver lining I suppose. It’s been hard work reaching a point where I can hide the presence of the book. Would be a shame for it to fail so soon after returning.”

“What are you going to do though?” Bud asked. “If we’re on the expedition, you’re going to need to push yourself. There may not be any way to avoid the use of the book.”

“It was a slip up,” Hump said. “Didn’t even cross my mind that a demon might recognise it, I was only focusing on the spell. I can keep it contained unless we face such a perilous situation again.”

“And if we do?”

“Then whoever comes for me better be strong enough to take it, cause I’m not giving it up without a fight.”

“Can’t imagine many warlocks out there strong enough to take it from you, especially with the rest of us around.”

“Exactly. It’ll be fine. I’m stronger than my master was—stronger than I ever thought possible—if they come for me, it’ll go different. That demon on the other hand might be a problem.”

“I intend to speak with Count Daston about it,” Bud said. “I’ll need to report that day’s events to Overseer Oswald upon our return, and I’ll get permission to hand over the dungeon node for you. After that, I’m going to see if he knows anything about this demon.”

“Brilliant.”

“Did you figure anything out?” Bud asked, nodding at the pedestal.

“Sort of. It’s only an idea, but does it remind you of anything?”

Bud and Emilia both looked at the fungus.

“A bad dinner?” Bud suggested.

“No,” Hump said. “Not like that. Seriously, look at it.”

“The warlocks in Sheercliff,” Emilia said. “It’s a bit like a Tree of Damnation.”

Hump nodded. “That’s what I was thinking. Specifically, what if the way warlocks form the artificial dungeon cores and heartstones using a method similar to this?”

“You think they’re growing them?” Bud asked, dumbfounded.

Hump shrugged. “Why not? If a dungeon can grow a node like this, replicating the process should be possible in theory. It would take someone very powerful and knowledgeable in magic, but they are led by Baelkor, the first servant of Uvdar—power isn’t something they lack.”

Bud gave him a sceptical look. “All of this sounds like you have an idea coming that you’re trying to convince us to agree with.”

“It’s nothing drastic. The Inquisition wants the dungeon node. I just wonder if they’ve had the same thought as me and are trying to figure out the process.”

“No.” Bud shook his head. “Absolutely not. Creating dungeons is a step too far, even for wizards. Surely that broaches on warlock territory.”

“They wouldn’t need to create a dungeon. The cores are what’s valuable. Just think of the one in my staff.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Assuming all this is true, what’s your point?” Emilia asked.

“You told me that the demons managed to get inside the fortress during the assault, didn’t you?”

Bud and Emilia both nodded.

“My point is that if warlocks are active here, they could be plotting something similar to the attack on Sheercliff City. It would explain why the Inquisition is interested in the nodes. There’s nothing else special about them. The essence within is weak, so I can’t imagine it being much use for enchanting or spellcasting.”

“Sounds like we should just hand the node over as planned,” Bud said. “Trade it in for the spells you want and leave the Inquisition to do what they wish with it.”

“That’s one option.”

Bud looked at him suspiciously. “I knew this was coming.”

“What’s the other option?” Emilia asked.

“We become more involved,” Hump said. “Join the hunt for the warlocks. Learn what the Inquisition know and use that to our advantage.”

“We have the expedition approaching,” Bud said. “You’re commissioned by the Dastons to participate, and my own company is under orders. How would that work?”

“The particulars we can figure out later,” Hump said. “What matters is that our run-in with Karlac has taught me something—I can’t keep hiding and crossing my fingers that nobody finds me and my book. If there are warlocks in Fort Nordric, I want all the information I can get about them. It’s time I take the initiative in finding them before they come looking for me. Better to be ahead of the game than caught up in one we don’t know is being played.”

Emilia frowned. “You sure you’re not getting in over your head? This feels like something we’d be better off staying out of.”

“No,” Bud said. “Hump’s right. You remember what that Three Eyes wizard said? War is coming to Alveron. If warlocks are active in Fort Nordric, the likely goal is the Temple of Sanctum. If there are more seals like the Seal of Osidium, one would be in there. We can’t let them destroy it.”

“There’s that too,” Hump said. “Though all of this is meaningless if one of the seals isn’t in Nordric. With any luck, Inquisitor Sarielle will be forthcoming and let us know.”

“You plan to ask her?” Bud asked.

Hump nodded. “I’d like to see how much they know.”

Emilia sighed. “I guess it’s going to be a while yet before we get a break.” She looked at Hump hesitantly. “About my Soul Awakening… Did your book record it?”

Hump gave her a curious look then realised he hadn’t even checked. He opened it, thinking about her Transcending Blade but finding nothing but random spells and studies on magic.

“Seems not,” Hump said. “I think it might struggle with martial techniques. They don’t often require runes or formations, much like blessings. You’d need to show me the details if you wanted it recorded.”

“I’m quite glad actually,” Emilia said. “It’s a secret family technique after all. I’m not sure I’d like for it to be passed down through your book.”

“That’s more than reasonable. If the opportunity ever arises, I’ll try not to look.” Hump turned his gaze on Bud. “Speaking of which, if you want to make it up for me you can show me the God Glyphs for your new blessings. I’d be very interested in seeing what my book thinks of them.”

“As if I wouldn’t show you anyway.”

Hump grinned. “Then we’re even.”

***

Their journey back to Fort Nordric felt far more arduous than when they’d left. Along the way, they stopped at Rocktower Keep, dropping off the scout that had been lent to them and watering the horses. The guards seemed almost surprised to see them so soon after they’d left, and it was only Bud’s assurances as a Chosen of Kelisia that convinced them the dungeon node was closed at all.

Hump rode with Nishari draped awkwardly over his lap for much of the journey. She was far too big for it really—Fleetfoot managed the weight just fine, it was Hump’s thighs that suffered. While the little dragon had done great and listened well in the dungeon, he couldn’t help but question that it might be too soon for her. It was dangerous. Far more dangerous than he’d anticipated even. At worst he’d expected the node to be as bad as Bledsbury, but the mind eater had been a surprise.

“Never thought I’d see a dragon riding a horse,” Dylan said, riding at his side.

“Poor girl needs her sleep.”

“I’m sure. Big day for her after all. I don’t suppose she’s seen so much excitement before.”

“Not from up close.”

“She did well,” Celaine said. “I know it’s difficult, but she’d be hunting with the pack by now in the wild. We can’t coddle her.”

Hump glanced at her, frowning. He’d already had this conversation and she was surprisingly insistent.

It was dusk when they returned to Fort Nordric. The walls blocked all view of the city, but for the Temple of Sanctum’s great down. Towers were spaced out along the battlements, manned by soldiers. Along the wall, others patrolled, relying on artifacts powered by essence stones to illuminate the land below. Such artifacts were expensive, and Hump had never seen so many concentrated in one place. It lit up the landscape almost as bright as if it were day.

Entering the city, they passed through security and split up. Gideon took the wounded to hospital, while Emilia and Dylan would return to the barrack with the rest of the company, and Bud reported to Overseer Oswald—he’d need permission to hand the node over to Hump and the inquisitors.

It had been a long day, but once he and Celaine were back at their accommodation, there was still more to do. The trip hadn’t been fruitless. Emilia had awakened her soul, he’d gained a Ward of Earth, which would definitely prove useful, but it was hardly worth the price. If a demon was after him, he’d need to redouble his concealment efforts. It might know he had it, but he’d rather it couldn’t find him.

As he did every day, Hump meditated on the River and Waves, cycling his essence through his body. Once the cold of the day’s battle left him, he focused on his training. Ever since he’d used Spirit Overflow, his soul had become stronger, and its boundaries firmer, wrapping around it like a shell. With only a little effort, he could contain his essence and keep it hidden from any that might look for it. But there were imperfections. His bond with the Book of Infinite Pages was one of them, as was his connection with Nishari. Both were weak and difficult to notice, but if one knew what they were looking for they’d detect their presence, particularly when he started using those connections.

The bond with Nishari was helpful, partially masking his book. It wasn’t perfect, but unless someone came into physical contact with him, he didn’t see how anyone could detect it. Right now, Hump could hide his presence to the point where one might not even realise that he had magic, his essence was so perfectly contained.

Once he was feeling good, he started to pour a little power into his Spirit Well, slowly building up the essence within the second store in his soul in preparation for when he was ready to advance. For now, his goal was to consolidate what he had. His power had advanced more quickly than his skills, and if he went further, it would become unwieldy, perhaps even dangerous. Not just for his soul, but if he were to cast a spell and fail, it could explode in his face. He was barely capable of Tier 5 magic. It would be some time yet before he learned Tier 6 spells like Rivers of Lava and advanced to the next step.

That meant the basics. It was a difficult thing to work on without a master. His soul was his greatest asset currently. If he could learn to use other magic that utilised it like White Flame, it could make him more powerful, but it wasn’t necessarily practical. Perhaps the inquisitors would have a technique for him, but in the meantime, he focused on the one thing he knew needed work.

Fire cracked in the hearth nearby, and Hump reached for it, trying to hear the whisper of its will as he had earth essence and used Wielder of the Winds. Intuitively, it made sense to him that he mastered his control over fire before he attempted Rivers of Lava.

As his essence met it, he sensed the energetic intent within, bursting and flaring with energy that flashed out almost as quickly as it appeared. A constantly changing, morphing, cluster of power that seemed so beyond Hump’s mind to wield. Yet he felt the heat calling to him, whispering in his ear like an old friend. For a while, he became lost in that feeling, his own essence cycling calmly through his body.

Hump opened his eyes in a start, the memory of Hellfire coming back to him and sending a jolt through his body. He was covered in sweat and breathing hard. He could still feel its heat, and its unceasing will to destroy all it touched.

Hump wondered if it were possible for a wizard to learn such magic.

No. There’re already too many reasons for the Pantheon to burn me as a heretic. Let’s not give them another.

New spells could wait until tomorrow. His invitation to meet with Inquisitor Sarielle had already arrived. He would trade in the dungeon node for some high tier spells, and then see what more the Inquisition had to offer them. If he was right about the artificial dungeon cores, he had a feeling they’d have much to speak of.