If Serin had the mana to spare she might have considered using [Paralysis] to numb herself. Without it she could only grit her teeth as Quillis pulled arrows from her. Dalene had been retired to the tent to sleep off the excitement of this morning. So thankfully a quietness returned to the desert during their work.

It took the better part of an hour to finally extract everything from her body. While her wounds were now healed through the thorough use of healing potions. It left her in state beyond exhaustion. The recovery with such concoctions was not something that came without cost.

Serin had to have her son carry her into the tent.

The rush of victory was slowing fading as Serin laid incapable of moving beside her sleeping granddaughter. Fighting off sleep she was realizing how in over her head she was. Serin was certain the assassins had caught up with them for a time before they attacked. They had seen that her skill was dispelled in the sunlight. The assassins had been of a higher level than she was expecting. Based on their performance she estimated them to be in the range of late 60s to mid 70s. Which pointed to a more dangerous organization after her granddaughter or at least one with the resources to employ such a quality of assassin.

It wasn't an ideal situation either way. She had been half joking when she had told Quillis that in the worst case scenario they would have to hide in a dungeon. However, now she was doubting they would even get there if they truly need to run away. Neither hers or her son's skillsets allowed a way to hide from tracking skills.

Whoever was after her granddaughter had started at this level. With the failure of these assassins the next step up would be beyond her level to handle. She couldn't even move after this fight. The next time she wont even be able to dodge the first arrow.

Serin sighed deeply in an attempt to let the stress go. At this point they could only press on. With this end mind she stopped fighting of sleep and went into restful sleep. Serin did not dream

Quillis woke her at nightfall from a dreamless sleep. Serin had recovered somewhat with rest. Enough to move, but she required Quillis' assistance to get around faster than a crawl.

They ate a quick meal before resuming the journey just as before the attack on the conjured monster. Serin could only hope that the death of these assassins would surprise their pursuers. Which could give them more time before more capable enemies were dispatched.

Whether her hopes turned out true or not, Serin could not know. However, in the following days there was no sign of a further attacks or of any watchers. Serin made as close as a full recovery she was going to get at her age.

Five days later the sand dunes started to shrink and in the distance the Kyirix ruins finally appeared. Somewhere inside there was Azahl. Serin now hoped he would not only inspect her granddaughter, but also have some insight into a way to hide the girl from those after her.

The ruins lit faintly by moonlight spilling through the cloudy night was obviously some sort of ancient city. In the center of it stood ominously a cluster of peculiarly shaped towers that curved and branched almost like they had grown rather than have been built. Only one of which stood undamaged at its full height. Serin could imagine the rulers or nobles of the time congregating inside looking down at their subjects. Surrounding the towers was a massive sprawl of a residential looking buildings.

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Finally within range Serin took out a gold bangle and fed a stream of mana into it.

"Azahl", Serin called mentally.

"You decided to come out after all." A reply soon came from the only other item paired to the bangle in Serin's hand. The voice she heard in her head, influenced by the item's enchantment, was ethereal and very much unlike the actual voice of Azahl. "I knew you would come around to the intrigue of the Kyirix."

"Not quite. I need your help."

"Hmm," Azahl said in a contemplative humming. "Come to the shortest tower. I will be inside."

"Thank you, Azahl."

"Don't thank me yet. I haven't yet decided to help, but I'll hear you out in person first."

Serin knew him better though. If he planned on not helping he would have turned her away without seeing her. She shook her head at her old friend's antics.

"Azahl is in the center of the city. He'll help us," Serin notified Quillis. With a mental command towards her mount they began making their way through the city.

Serin was uninterested in the surrounding architecture but this was the first time Quillis had seen Kyirix buildings. He gawked at the glittering structures. They were constructed in an unknown method. Whatever the technique it left the buildings smooth and seamless. Serin knew from experience that even after all these years the buildings were standing strong. And each was practically a military stronghold. Any damage either came from a significant source of destruction or perhaps exploited a weakness of the strange material that was lost to time.

They rode through the quiet ruins passing through destroyed gates marking the different quarters of the city. Until they reached the tower Azahl had directed Serin to. Commanding the mount to lower itself, Serin climbed down it side and hurried to the entrance.

Past the entrance of the tower was a sort of lobby and beyond was it a spiral stair case that lead further up the tower. There in the lobby Serin saw Azahl on his hands and knees. Surrounding him were opened scrolls, books, and sheets of paper scribbled to illegibility.

Quillis had called him ancient, but that was from the perspective of a child. At this point Serin looked older than Azahl. Somehow he had retained his appearance for decades now managing to look no older the his mid sixties. He was a taller man, clean shaven, and long black hair draped down obscuring his face as he worked on the floor.

Serin rushed towards him and he glanced up with wariness once he heard the quickening foot steps.

"Wait! The scrolls Serin! Watch the Scrolls!" He warned as Serin approached him her eyes wrinkled with joy. Serin did not stop. In response Azahl started to create a path swiftly putting his works into semi organized piles.

Serin avoided any papers on the floor and fell to her knees as she embraced Azahl in crushing hug.

"Goodness, woman. It has only been a few weeks since we've seen each other."

"I've been having a much different experience than you since we last saw each other."

It was then that Quillis along with Dalene in his arms enter the tower. Quillis cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"You remember my son, right?"

"Ah, yes the boy that threw away all my time tutoring to become a farmer." Azahl said as he rose out Serin's embrace.

"Cattle rancher actually," Quillis retorted.

Ignoring their banter Serin rose along Azahl. "And that is my granddaughter, Dalene. The whole reason my life suddenly has too much excitement and why we've come to see you. Her class is apparently is important somehow. Important enough that I nearly died to some wretched assassin on the way here."

Azahl frowned at her last words and examined her looking for lasting wounds. Finding Serin whole he carefully began making his way through the scattered papers, he said, "Easy enough, I suppose." As Azahl neared Quillis and Dalene mostly to himself, he mumbled, "Now lets see what we have here."

Serin followed as he walked over. However, staying behind she could not see but from past experience she knew Azahl's eyes had glowed briefly with mana as he cast [Inspect].

"I..." Azahl started. "This is troubling. You had her inspected at the church?"

"Yes, now what does it say!" Quillis said impatiently.

Serin waited filled half with excitement and anxiousness.

"Her class reads Daughter of Proth."