Several long moments passed in silence as Gabe processed what Professor Alrik had just told him. Not only had he been foretold to uncover a wealth of new magical knowledge, but doing so would result in his death. Alrik had told him not to take his visions literally, but a symbolic death almost seemed worse. Making up his mind, Gabe stood up from the table and gave Professor Alrik a polite bow.
“I appreciate you taking the time to teach me about different casting styles and the basics of becoming a Knotted wizard Professor Alrik, however I think now it would be best if we go our separate ways. I wish you luck in your search for whatever is hidden with the tunnels, but I’m not going to be a part of it.”
Gabe began to make his way towards the door when suddenly Drevock was standing right before him. He’d been so fast, Gabe hadn’t even seen the large mercenary move. When Gabe tried to step past him, he moved with him blocking his way. Up until now Gabe had mostly felt a mix of wonder from the magical knowledge he’d been receiving and shock from the professor’s visions, but now he was starting to get angry. He wheeled around to face Professor Alrik who was still sitting at the table but now wore a pained expression on his face.
“Was this all an act? You approached me and prattled on about how you’re part of some benevolent organization working to lift the world out of ignorance. But evidently that was all an act to get me to go along on your mission, a mission that you only need me to go on because you had a magic vision that let you know I’d lead you to lost knowledge at the cost of my own life. And now that I’ve refused, you’re what? Gonna force me to go regardless? Condemn me to death so that you can learn some secrets to share with your little group?”
Gabe expected the gnome to get defensive or to get angry in return, but instead he just sighed and hung his head low.
“You have a right to be angry Gabriel. I have been dreading this meeting ever since I had that vision.”
“Then let me go. Accept my answer and tell your bodyguard here to move out of the way.”
Alrik looked up and met Gabe’s eyes.
“I promise you that I will. It is not my intention to force you into anything. I recognize that taking on this job, knowing what my visions showed, is a lot to ask anyone. That is why I did not want you to leave before hearing what I would be willing to give you in compensation. I think you understand how valuable even a single new compound node pattern would mean to the Pathways of Illumination, let alone potentially dozens. That alone would warrant your weight in gold 100 times over as payment, and that is not factoring in the rest of the vision.”
“You mean the part where I bleed out through my chest and die?” Gabe’s anger was beginning to subside but he still did not appreciate being cornered like this. All the gold in the world wouldn’t matter if it cost him his life. It was one thing to take on a job that had some dangers, it was another thing entirely to accept one where its completion was dependent upon his death, even if it was “symbolic”, whatever that meant.
“I implore you to keep in mind that the limitations of my magic mean that what I see is not the literal future, but rather a representation of the future. But I cannot deny that this job, this quest I ask of you, poses real and present dangers. I am confident that my magic will be able to guide us through the tunnels to where we need to be, but knowing where to go and what to expect when we get there are two separate things. This is why I have arranged for what I believe to be equitable compensation. Simon, could you please bring the chest over here?”
“Of course master.”
It was hearing the young man speak that finally broke Gabe out of his anger. Simon’s actions thus far had led Gabe to believe the man to be indifferent to the happenings of the world around him, but when he spoke there was such an earnestness and enthusiasm to his words that Gabe almost didn’t believe they’d come out of Simon’s mouth. Digging through the large pack he had set down beside the couches, Simon at last procured a moderately sized wooden box that had dark iron hinges. He brought the box over towards the table and set it down in front of Professor Alrik before retreating to the couch and returning to his book.
“Gabriel, if you would please take a seat and indulge me for a few moments longer. I give you my word on my magic and all that I hold dear that you will be free to go once after I show you what is in this box. You do not need to make a decision right away, however if you still say no I will accept your choice.”
Gabe glanced once more at Drevock before reluctantly making his way back to the table. He was curious about what was in the chest, and assuming the gnome could be taken at his word, he would be able to decline the offer and be on his merry way. With any luck some other adventures would have come through the Hall looking to hire him on for something more routine.
Once he sat down, Professor Alrik undid the clasp to the box and began to pull out three scrolls that he placed on the table.
“I appreciate your willingness to hear my full offer. Know this, if you choose to accept this job, I will do everything in my power to guarantee that you survive what is to come. To that end, your payment for accepting the job will come in three parts. The first is potentially the least helpful, however it is well deserved.” He pushed forward one of the scrolls towards Gabe. As Gabe opened the scroll and began to read through it, Professor Alrik continued to speak. “You are to be awarded 200 gold, given upon accepting the job so that you may outfit yourself however you see fit.”
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The scroll in Gabe’s hand detailed an authorization for 200 gold to be taken out of Professor Alrik’s account with the Guild and placed in Gabe’s. The scroll had already been signed by Professor Alrik and just needed Gabe’s before being complete. Gabe stared at the scroll in disbelief. He usually only earned a couple dozen silver at most for each job he took. This paper represented more wealth than Gabe had ever seen in his life, likely more than all the residents of Forlet had combined. With it he could buy enchanted armor, spell scrolls, he might even be able to pay for a teacher at the Scholar’s Guild to help him advance to a Knotted wizard with it.
“While gold does have its uses, within the tunnels themselve it will be as useless as common stone. As I want to maximize your chances at survival, as payment for accepting this job you will also receive these.” He pushed the other two scrolls towards Gabe. “I want to commend you for how well you have mastered Repair, however I believe it is time for your spell repertoire to expand. Here are two spells I believe you will find most useful during our trip into the mountains.”
Gabe could hardly believe what he was hearing. He quickly opened up the first scroll which depicted a spell pattern more complicated than Repair with a set of five spiraling helices that wove around a central knot. Below the pattern read the words:
Aura of Vitality - generates an aura around that caster that reduces fatigue and improves strength, stamina, and speed for all friendly creatures within a 5ft radius centered around the caster. Tier 2. Additional mana can be spent to increase aura size and strength of boosts. Aura lasts for 10 minutes
“This…this is incredible. It’s a tier 2 spell. Can I even cast tier 2 spells?” Gabe was mostly speaking to himself, however Profess Alrik answered him regardless.
“I would normally hesitate to give someone a spell of a higher tier than they have cast before, though in this circumstance I am certain that you will be able to master it in no time. Your ability to cast Repair without gestures is a testament to the strength of your will. The tier of a spell corresponds to the number of mana threads necessary to weave the pattern. With a few lessons and some guidance, I have no doubt that you will be able to control two threads as easily as you do one.
Eagerly Gabe opened up the next scroll. It too contained a tier 2 spell, though the pattern for this one was a large four sided clover shape with an intricate mesh of lines woven between the leaves.
Restorative Shield - generates a shield that protects the caster from damage while also increasing their regeneration rate. Tier 2. Shield can sustain itself against moderate damage and by default is formed in front of caster. Caster can will the shield to form in front of another but requires them to touch the target.
Looking at the two spells, Gabe could see how Professor Alrik believed that these would keep him safe within the tunnels. Being able to buff the entire group and generating a personal shield that upped his regeneration rate would protect him from most attacks. And anything that did get through the shield he would be able to fix with Repair. He would need a few days to practice the spells and figure out how much mana they needed before going into the tunnels but…. Wait, was he actually considering this? His excitement over the new spells had led him to momentarily forget that he wasn’t being given these spells for free. They were payment for a job, a job that likely ended with him getting stabbed through the chest.
Gabe took a few breaths to settle down his excitement. He couldn’t afford to make any hasty decisions.
“These spells are amazing Professor. I…I don’t know what to say. I still have my reservations about taking this job, but you’ve certainly made my decision much harder. I want to apologize for what I said earlier. You clearly thought this through and don’t plan on using me as some sacrifice to get what you want. Even with all this, I’m still uncertain. If I’m being honest, you prophesying my death has me a bit spooked. All of this seems like something out of a bard’s tale. The young naive villager being offered incredible wealth and power, all in exchange for his soul. Those stories never work out well for the villager.”
“I understand your reluctance, though you do yourself a disfavor by referring to yourself as a naive villager. You are more capable than you realize Gabriel. Know this- no matter what you decide, you will always have a place amongst the Pathways of Illumination. It would be my honor to help you advance your magic, though if you would prefer there are others better trained in life magic that would train you. Now that you have heard my full offer, you are free to go. I would advise you not to decide in haste one way or the other, though as I said before if you would like to walk away from all this now I would not hold it against you. ”
Professor Alrik began to gather the scrolls up and place them back into the chest. Gabe’s fingers itched to reach across and grab them, to accept the job prophecies be damned. The gold was tempting enough but those spells were unlike any he had ever come across. At long last Gabe stood up from the table again and this time he gave Professor a long and deep bow.
“I don’t think words can properly describe how I feel right now. I’ll take your advice and think about this decision. I’ll have an answer for you tomorrow if that’s alright?”
“Certainly Gabriel, that sounds more than reasonable. Talk it over with your friend Freya and get a different perspective. I will inquire with Thalia about some accommodations here at the Guild Hall. Ask for me tomorrow and we will have another chat.”
“Thank you Professor Alrik. You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about.” Gabe turned towards the door where Drevock was still standing. As he approached, the large mercenary stepped aside, allowing Gabe to exit. Once the door closed, Alrik gave a soft sigh. From the couch Simon asked his master, “Do you think he’ll accept?”
Alrik only shrugged his shoulders and said in a soft voice “I am not certain, but for the sake of the world let us hope that he does.”