Chi didn’t visit the old enchantress right away. She had things to do. She’d to refresh the wardstones along the south road towards the main highway, and then the north road towards the outlying farms. And then those around the outer reaches of the village’s fields. These things must be done twice a year, at the very least, for them to maintain full force. With a lesser mage, that interval would need to be halved.

While she was at it, she’d taken to warding certain buildings on each farm individually, in the case the outer wards were interrupted for some reason. Each farm now had a sort of last refuge from which they might defend themselves from even mid-ranked threats. Given her history, it should come as no surprise that not all of these latter wards were passive.

Samus’ lessons were also ongoing, and took at least two hours a day to complete. Then there was the hunting, and the patrol sweeps, and, and, and.

After a little more than three weeks of this, she quit pretending to herself that she wasn’t procrastinating. For all that she’d pulled off an amazing bluff at their original meeting, in hindsight, she freely admitted to herself that the old woman frightened her more than a little.

Without the anger coloring her reason, she could confess to herself, alone in her house, with the shutters battened, and all the lamps lit, that she really didn’t want to go. She absolutely knew that the old woman had some sort of task in mind for her that she wouldn’t want to agree to, and she’d no desire to upset her current life at some new and powerful master’s command.

She was seated in her comfy chair, staring at the mantle where the summoning gemstone lay when a knock sounded at her door. She turned her head, her face losing all expression. It would be too early yet for Sam. The knock sounded again.

Rising from the chair, she went to the door, laying a hand on the panel. That was enough to tell her. Sighing, she opened the door and pasted a smile on her face. “Mayor Longhan,” she said. “And what brings you so far from the village square so early in the morning?”

Caught with his hand raised, knuckles forward, the mayor lowered said hand and bowed at the shoulders. “Lady Chi,” he replied.

After a slight hesitation, Chi stepped aside and waved him in. He nodded and entered, face not quite so happy as he must want her to believe.

“Something to drink?” she asked. “I’ve got some cider that’s about as good as it’s going to get.”

The mayor nodded his thanks, and she waved him to a seat at the table. She brought a couple of cups and a pitcher and set them down before taking her own seat. She poured for them both. And then they just sat there looking at one another.

“The wife was wondering,” the mayor started tentatively. “If you might not like a nicer outfit made. You know, for special occasions.”

Ah. “You’re wondering when I’m going to get around to visiting the battleaxe,” she answered.

He winced at the derogatory term, but nodded. “She’s not exactly someone you want to leave hanging,” he said.

“You know she’s got something in mind, don’t you?” Chi grumbled. “What if she tries to send me off across the country somewhere on some fool’s errand? Who’s going to watch the village while I’m gone?”

He took a sip of his cider and swirled the remaining liquid around in the cup, watching the flow for a bit. “Now,” he began. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Lady Chi,” he looked up from a lowered brow into her orange-red lava eyes. “But we did somehow manage nearly three years alone before you arrived. And now that you’ve warded us all up to be damned,” he went on after a moment’s pause. “And cleared out the worst of the infestations for two day’s hard ride in any direction, I suspect we’d be reasonably able to withstand a short absence. Oh,” he waved a hand, “not that we wouldn’t miss you something fierce or anything!”

She quirked a lip, one eyebrow going up. “But you’d rather not wait for the old woman to come back angry, is that it?”

“Now, I never said anything like that,” he gave her an overblown frown. “But, now that you bring it up, she is somewhat... ah... daunting to have to deal with, even on her best days.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “I want a nice, frilly dress out of this, though,” she warned. “With shiny buttons. Lots of shiny buttons.”

He nodded vigorously, smiling relievedly. “Believe it or not,” he grinned, “she’s already started.”

“And something nice I can wear to town?” she wondered. “In my human guise?”

He gave the back of his head a quick scratch, before nodding. “I suppose,” he replied with less enthusiasm.

She giggled mischievously, and set his mind at ease. “Don’t go losing your hair, Marbry,” she said. “I’ll pay for that one. I’ve been meaning to visit Mokkelton anyway.”

* * *

The cottage was ancient, its low walls whitewashed, its thatch shining dully in the sun’s dying light as it finally came into view. Chi beheld it without enthusiasm. It reeked of magic, even this far off.

Worse, she was bone weary. Bad enough she’d had to come all this way, but having to follow the higher golem had turned what could have been a quick flight into a day long slog. She wasn’t used to those these days, and her feet hurt, despite the fine boots the cobbler had made for her. Hadn’t the old woman ever bothered to make any birds?

Rosaluna Galbradia met her well clear of the cottage, standing still with her cane grounded before her. Welcome, demon, she sent.

Chi stopped short, hands going to her hips, her eyes flaring. “I beg your pardon?” she demanded. “I have a name, as you well know, and I’m an invited guest, not an intruder. Or am I?”

The old woman stiffened for a moment, eyes momentarily flashing. Then the shoulders slumped. Very well, Iktchi-Chi, she sent stiffly. I welcome you to my home as my... honored guest. And your journey?

“Long, slow, hot, and tiresome,” Chi answered with a hint of an edge. Already this visit wasn’t going well.

I’ve prepared tea and a restorative, the old woman sent before turning and walking slowly towards the cottage.

The golem came to a halt just outside of the door and off to one side, where it ceased all movement, for all the world now a statue. Chi stopped well short of that, and waited.

The old woman had disappeared inside. She returned a few minutes later, a tray held in both hands, upon which rested a pot, a jar, and a pair of teacups. Her cane, she’d clamped beneath one arm. Chi took note of her ability to move about without its aid for future reference.

Chi waited until the woman had set the tray down on a small table against the outer wall, opposite the stationary golem. And further, until the old enchantress had poured two cups and taken her own seat.

Sit, Rosaluna offered, waving to the free chair.

Chi hesitated, but the sending hadn’t borne the tone of command. An invitation only. And so she sat.

Silence fell over the yard as the two of them sipped tea, liberally dosed with the sweet concoction which had come from the jar. The restorative the old woman had mentioned.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

You do not have a bag, the old woman sent after several minutes had past.

“I have a lovely bag,” Chi countered. “Lavishly decorated and well stocked with rare and precious components, along with a plethora of ancient tomes spanning the arcane knowledge of a dozen worlds and countless lost civilizations.”

She took another sip of her tea. “Unfortunately, it’s currently hanging on the wall in my quarters on Tarr.” she stared into her cup for a moment. “Unless my sister has pilfered it in my absence.

“In the meantime, I have this belt pouch, which, while considerably less capacious and not nearly so fine, yet holds many fine tomes, components, and ingredients.”

Ah, Rosaluna suppressed a smile. And how near to full is it?

Chi hesitated, frowning. “Very,” she admitted finally, reluctantly.

And why haven’t you fashioned a replacement for your larger bag yet? The old woman pressed. Surely you’ve had the time since your arrival?

Chi gave her the side eye, a small frown forming. That couldn’t possibly have been a legitimate question. The proper components aren’t available anywhere near this area,” she responded. “As I’m sure you’re aware. Nor, I’m told, are they available for sale in Mokkelton. At least not without proof of guild membership, if even then. And, while I do have many components in my pouch....”

I see, the old eyes betrayed a twinkle.

The Higher Golem shuffled into motion, seemingly of its own accord, startling Chi for a moment before turning to enter the cottage. She let out a breath and forced her muscles to untense. The golem returned almost immediately, now carrying what was clearly a medium sized mage’s bag. Plain, it was. Unadorned, undecorated, not even dyed. The construct held the bag out to her.

She eyed it uncertainly, making no move to take it. Turning to the old woman, who had yet to acknowledge that any of this was happening, she raised an eyebrow.

Consider this an apology, the enchantress sent. For my poor behavior when visiting your village. And for neglecting its care for so long.

Was I correct in assuming you’d prefer to decorate it yourself?

Turning back to the construct, Chi remained hesitant. With a quick glance back to her hostess, she cast Identify. The old woman was far too dangerous for her to be concerned about looking into the mouth of this particular gift horse. Both eyebrows went up at the resultant identification.

ITEM: BAG, MAGE’S

GRADE: EXQUISITE

INTERNAL DIMENSIONS: 40'X40'.

CAPACITY: 2000LBS

EXPANSION SLOTS: 3

PROPERTIES:

TIME STASIS

TEMPERATURE STASIS

WEIGHT CANCELING

SHIELDED (physical, magical)

No traps. No curses. It seemed completely legitimate, and very valuable. “That’s...” she stammered. “That’s... thank you.”

A small smile joined the twinkle in Rosaluna’s eyes. Inside, you’ll find a smaller bag, she sent. For your young apprentice. Not quite so voluminous. We wouldn’t want her falling in and becoming trapped, now would we?

Chi made as if to open the bag, but the old woman hastened on. There is also something inside that I would like you to convey to our young Jackson, if you wouldn’t mind.

Chi gave her a troubled look at the tone of that last request. Curious, now, she slid the cover strap out of the buckle and looked inside. The construction of the bag was, indeed, exquisite, but that wasn’t what caught at her attention. Her eyes narrowed and blood suffused her face.

“Why is this in here,” she hissed angrily.

Rosaluna didn’t answer immediately. And when at last she did, all trace of smile was gone, along with the twinkle. Because I am, she confessed, occasionally... not so much a wise enchantress, as a foolish old woman.

“You sent him off into that,” Chi growled waving an arm in the general direction of what they both knew to be a dangerous world. "Armed with what? A sword? a Spear? Dare I hope at least a bow?”

Rosaluna heaved a shuddering sigh. He had a staff he’d carved himself from a very special tree, she sent. And which my granddaughter and I enchanted for him. Most importantly, he had my granddaughter to guide him.

And while every word of that was true, the old woman neglected to go into any fine detail regarding either the progression or the timing of that process.

“You sent him into jaegers with a stick?” Chi growled, eyes flaring — in this case literally.

Now Rosaluna turned to face her, guard up. I had never heard of jaegers before Jackson and my granddaughter encountered them on the road to Mokkelton, her sending was firm and level. Nor did Jackson understand them to be such until he was already fighting them.

Chi forced her eyes closed, massaging the bridge of her nose between thumb and forefinger, thinking back. Four and a champion. All with swords. At least he wouldn’t have had to deal with the crossbows. “Your granddaughter must be fairly strong, then,” she grated without opening her eyes. “Without a gun, jaegers are no joke.”

Jackson killed them all, Rosaluna sent. While Tiarraluna used healing to keep their venom from killing him.

Chi opened one eye without moving her fingers, that one eye hard on the old woman. “With a stick?” she demanded. “He’s not that good.”

The trace of a twinkle had returned to the old woman’s eyes. That would depend on the stick, now, wouldn’t it?

The sun was well down, the lesser moon high into the night sky. They were still sparring, although they were growing more comfortable with one another. Over the course of the afternoon, they’d come to terms. Not the best of terms, granted. Nor did either part with all of her secrets. But enough information traveled between them that each now knew more of what she must than what they’d started with.

Chi understood much more of what had been going on in this world. More than Jackson Grenell. More even than many natives.

Rosaluna, in turn, understood in some detail what Jackson was heading into should he survive his long journey to the capital and somehow find his way to the land of Tarr.

And at some point during that transfer, they’d begun, against probability, to become friends. Loss, it seemed, called to loss. Duty to duty. Sorrow to sorrow. Guilt to guilt.

In the demon, Rosaluna had found one who’d been forced along a path not of her choosing. Who’d done horrible things and bore the weight of them all. And she understood, for she had once traveled a similar path. Iktchi-Chi, for her part, had found one who’d lost all she’d thought made life worthwhile, but somehow struggled on in spite of it.

You must go to Mokkelton, Rosaluna decided at length. And present yourself to Jehsha’s window. You, no less than Jackson Grenell, are marked by the god of this world.

Chi wasn’t so sure. Moreover, she’d no particular desire to trade her old master for a new one, regardless of how benevolent. Not Rosaluna, and not the Mundian god.

If you would be free, Rosaluna prompted, truly free, there is but one path before you. I cannot remove that collar, I’m afraid. It’s beyond me.

“And you think your god will?”

The old woman shrugged. There is but one way to find out.

“I can’t,” Chi leaned forward, clasping her hands tightly in her lap. “I have responsibilities. I can’t just—”

I understand that you are frightened, Rosaluna responded, eyes on the tree line.

Chi flashed her a scowl, more for being caught out than anything.

I know of Tumblebrook’s disposition now, Rosaluna assured her, still without looking over. They will be safe.

And I will take your young apprentice under my wing in your absence.

Chi frowned anew. She wasn’t at all sure Sam would be okay with that. She was certain she wasn’t.

Now the old woman did turn to her. Worry not, she flashed a quick smile. I shan’t steal her from you. That would be poor manners.

“Just how long do you expect this to take, anyway?” Chi wondered.

Another shrug. I don’t pretend to know the workings of the minds of the gods, the old women sent. All I can do is to make sure I’m prepared for surprises.

Chi tightened her clasped hands until her knuckles paled. “I can’t go right away,” she announced. “You make good points, but there are things I need to finish before I leave. I need to make sure Sam understands. I need to ward my home....”

Take your time, the sending was kindly. Jackson won’t be going anywhere for several months has he a brain in his thick skull. So long as you arrive before he departs, it should be fine. And only you can say how long you will be content with the talons of your former master closed about your neck.

With no obvious instruction, the long quiescent golem shuffled to life, halting directly before a startled Iktchi-Chi. Rosaluna raised her cane and waved it in a complex pattern. The golem melted into the ground at Chi’s feet, leaving the gemstone laying atop a small mound of dirt.

Take it, the enchantress ordered. It is yours now. She set a small scroll down on the table, drawn from where Chi could not imagine. The instructions and incantations regarding its command.

“Why?” Chi wondered.

I’ve been building them steadily for months, the reply came. They’re my soldiers for the trials that approach, as they were for the old trials. But these trials are not yet altogether close. I can spare one to protect those you love.