As far as I could tell the skin on my arms was smoother and perhaps stronger. Less likely to chap in damp or dry air. Apparently Brace was always the last to get a rash in inclement environs. Her skin was her pride and joy.

And yet my new leg didn’t have quite the same solidity to it. I was only taking one aspect at a time. Appearance, strength, resilience, beauty. I’d have to spend more time with her if I wanted the benefits across my entire body, but if the effect we could be stuck for days in a cycle of exhaustion and recovery. And that was before considering the risks of taking on her face as well, or worse. It was hard to say what the holy man had determined to be superior, or even who the judge of such things was.

Brace had recovered enough to stand, “I think we can say it is harmless. To those around you if not yourself. The only unfortunate thing is your face. I could break your nose for you if you’d like. Might make you look rakish.”

I laughed and stood myself, “I appreciate the offer, but I doubt you could. My skin is as strong as leather, and my bones like iron. My lungs are literally gold for that matter, I’m much heavier than I look,” Leg broken and twisted, fire racing through my chest, spear piercing my side. Memories rushed me and I shuddered, “Even if you can, I’d rather not attempt it. I’ve felt enough pain for a lifetime.”

She winked at me, “I’m stronger than I look. All this armour isn’t for show. Just give me the word and I’ll flatten you.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. For now, I’d like to be alone if I may. I require an hour to write one of my spells and the timing is important.”

“I’ll go in and explain things to Erin if she hasn’t figured them out on her own already. She’ll see reason. I’ll tell them you are not to be disturbed.”

“Thank you.”

***

_☼Regeneration☼_

When I returned the room was in good spirits.

Erin, Attart, and Brace were all in one corner together whispering about something.

The huldra had split off to talk with the eunuchs at last and Eric and Stovepipe were standing next to the door.

“Good to see you standing,” I said.

Eric startled, then a smile slowly spread across his face, “You as well. The family looks are a heavy burden.”

I couldn’t help but smile in return, “But I lost my chance with the huldra, it seems.”

Eric waved his right hand dismissively, “They’re awfully tame for seductresses once you get past all the bluster. Far too easy to tease.”

“Their curse compels them to seek marriage first and foremost.”

Eric made a face, “They have it all backwards. Once we’re free from here I should take a few to the Delta to show them the proper order of things.”

“Delta folk don’t marry?”

“Fools do. I’ve been married three times so far, and it never works out. The moment you live with someone they start letting off gas and eating like swine. Much better to keep the mystery alive.”

Stovepipe shook his head, “Don’t dismiss it. Marriage is a rare privilege. You, the necromancer, and the Magus here are the only humans in this room who can go through with it.”

Eric batted Stovepipe with the back of his hand, “Low blow.”

Stovepipe smirked, made his voice even higher pitched than normal, “It was.”

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I joined Eric in his laughter.

It felt good.

We were strangers yet, but I could see the future where I would once more be among friends.

***

Dawn came.

I cast Attart’s spell for her first thing, but my own I waited on.

_☼EliminateII☼_

With my spells being used twice as often as otherwise, they needed all the protection they could get. I cast the spell a moment later without incident and returned to Tom’s house.

We dined on fish and I handed out the last of my water. The Delta people had their own supplies, but the huldra would soon be through my own. Either I’d need to cut them off of my fish, or find new fish in a hurry. It was already a quarter gone.

“I need to gather more water,” I said, gesturing to my empty skins, “I may be some time if I meet obstacles along the way, a day or two even, but I will return.”

Attart elected to stay, which surprised me. She was slowly getting used to the waves of changes company brought over her, though she’d not yet removed her veil.

Erin, on the other hand, rushed to join me. This didn’t surprise me as much. She’d done it in her past life, after all.

She pulled a handful of her own empty waterskins from her pack, “We could use some more water as well. I will go with you.”

It would be easier for me to take her pack instead of my own, and faster too. But it wasn’t always about doing what was easy.

“You’re welcome to.”

We left through the south door. Myself fifteen feet in front, and Erin taking up the rear.

Half an hour later we approached the wailing corner. I’d already explained it to her, but hearing about it and actually hearing it were two different things entirely.

“Remember, the only danger is what the screams attract. And I can handle that. The screaming itself is harmless.”

Erin’s already alabaster skin paled further.

“I’m ready.”

I took a step forward.

I didn’t look back. The only way to truly teach someone was to let them follow, and to extend the trust that they would. Plus, it would look far creepier to see my screaming mouth agape as I walked backward.

It took some time. I waited past the corner, not looking back, ready for whoever might be attracted by the sounds. Five minutes passed in silence.

A blood curdling scream tore through the laughter of little boys playing.

I jumped a foot in the air and spun on the spot.

Soldiers’ Swords

I lifted the swords in time for Erin to rush out of the corner without impaling herself.

Her screams turned into laughter.

“You should have seen your face! Wait, you can! It looked like this,” she pulled an absurd face, which was clearly an exaggeration. I may have been too panicked to focus properly on what my own face had looked like in the moment, but it had never been so undignified.

“And then it looked like this!” Erin stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes before falling into a second helpless wave of laughter.

I frowned at her with my best wizard’s glare. It only made her laugh harder.

“You even summoned a bunch of lights you were so scared! What are they supposed to do?”

I flew one of the will o’ wisps at her face, “Nothing. They just give off enough light for me to see when my skin isn’t glowing. It didn’t used to glow until recently.”

She batted at it curiously. Her hand passed through on the first pass, but I made the wisp follow on the second. She laughed and started “tossing” it from one hand to the other.

“They’re so pale. You can really see with them?”

“The dungeon is pitch black. Besides,” I pointed at my eyes, “I can see in the dark. I just need the tiniest bit of light.”

Erin moved closer, prompting me to turn off my ring, “Can I look at them?”

“It’s your face,” I said.

Erin shook her head, “It’s yours too. I apologize for earlier. I was startled, but that is no excuse. You had your—“

“It has to be around here somewhere. Waterskins don’t just up and disappear.”

A man’s voice.

“Unless there is magic involved. Did you magic them away, Dave?”

A woman’s voice, tinged with madness. The king of the faeries had returned.