Wednesday morning went by quickly until I had almost reached the valley. The searching I had almost expected to continue went over the area again, but it was a bit stronger than before. It was enough for me to faintly recognize who was looking. If I didn't err, it was the mother from the strange garden far out into the forest. If this continued on I might not be able to avoid it any longer.
I tried not to let it get my mood down, but at work I had to create unsightly components yet again.
“Do you not have other scrolls that need copying? I can't stand this one.”
“There are actually more scrolls like this one than proper ones. Better get used to it.”
“That can't be all there is to inscription? I will go crazy if this is all I am going to do from now on.”
“Stop nagging! This is the most vital part of my business. What do you think I make my money with? The Analysis scroll Ms Kasilan bought is something I only resell. There is hardly any profit in it and I don't want some upstart merchant to impose on my business! Once you finish the scrolls I can show you a bit about creating constructs, but this is going to be the main part of work.”
And so it was that most of the day was spent on deciphering the book. I finished the five sets in the early afternoon and could at least get on to another task, even if it was still related to these scrolls.
Scribe has increased to level 8.
“When you have created a complete set of parts you can then finally start to put them together. Of course you first need to write the scrolls and then enchant them to activate the construct on reading the text. It is vital that they look sharp and beautiful. Most people can't see the construct and will judge the scroll by the way it looks, even though it is completely irrelevant. Until you have written some nice scrolls you don't even have to dream of putting the constructs together”
Why did every job always have these tedious tasks that somehow took away most of the time spent working? My handwriting was certainly not the best and my spelling only didn't become an issue, because the proper text was part of the book of bureaucracy. It was only a short passage, but I still had to struggle through writing it. Perhaps I could finally finish this up tomorrow.
I asked Mr. Heart for the two addresses I had looked up at the guild and he was able to give me a rough direction to at least one of them. Perhaps it might have been better to keep a potential relocation to myself so he wouldn't get the idea that I had more time for work, but I only thought of it when I had already left.
The address I visited was somewhere close to the forge outside the city walls. It came as no surprise that a cheap room would be located here
The landlady turned out to be an old widow who rented out a small apartment to stock up her money. Adventurers didn't stay long and she had gone through a few of them by now. The only things she expected was the rent up front and to keep the rooms in proper condition, so she could rent them to the next person as well. Beyond that she didn't seem to be interested in my person.
We went around the house into a small alley from where we entered into the same house through a back door. The apartment contained two small rooms. The one we entered through had a small stove that didn't really fit in and I might prefer to buy my meals outside. The second room had a bed and some sparse furniture that was just enough to contain a bit more than my current wardrobe.
Both rooms had doors that lead into the rest of the house, but that was inaccessible, because the doors were sealed off. This place was certainly no luxurious home, but I could have the space to myself and I didn't have high standards. I was sure that I could soon switch to a better place once I had more money on my hands, but it would do for a little while.
I agreed to take the place and paid the rent up front as she had insisted. She handed me a key and that was that.
Of course I didn't intend to stay here until I had at least moved a bit of stuff over, so I planned to borrow Catherine's mule on Sunday and bring my clothes over. I didn't own anything else, so this would be a quick relocation.
With the new key in hand I directly headed home, because I wanted to use part of the evening to do a little cleaning before I moved out to my new room. When I was somewhere half along the way, the searching intent was there yet again and this time even closer. Sooner or later it would track me down. It might be best if I revealed myself when it was still within reason to argue that I hadn't sensed it before. The persistency also indicated that this would not stop until I was found.
So finally I put up my aura and sent the directed thought 'I am here' toward the intent. I wasn't really sure if this was the way to communicate telepathically, but it was more about getting a connection than communication. It was successful too, because immediately the intent closed in on me, pinpointing my location and was shortly followed by the massive aura I had dreaded to meet.
Right before me manifested the physical form of the mother. My senses screamed at me, because her presence was so intense. I had no idea how to address such a being. Her basic features were elven, but that didn't describe her. The way she looked wasn't just wild or natural. She was nature herself. It almost seemed as if she had her hair growing out of her head like sprouts, her clothes appeared like natural grown bark in some, like a pelt in other places. And yet they were just normal hair and normal clothes. Reality was strangely overlapping around her.
I didn't dare to stare at her and lowered my gaze a bit.
“I expect to see you again tonight. My daughter has been bugging me for days.”
That was the issue she had come here for? To drag me back to that brat, not that I would speak out loud. I highly doubted refusal would get me anywhere, but I wanted to try at least.
“I need to sleep at night, I hardly lived through the one night and I have to work again at daytime.”
“Yes that's true, isn't it.”
She disappeared as quickly as she had come, but just a moment later she reappeared again right in front of me.
“Here eat this, I am expecting you.”
And without waiting for my reaction she was gone again. Someone of her rank didn't need to wait for a response. I didn't even think about about not appearing tonight.
I looked into my hand where I now held a fruit that held some similarity to an apple. It must have come from the garden, because the aura it gave off was amazing. Somehow it looked like poison to me instead of an amazing fruit. Something told me that eating this would have consequences, but I didn't think it would kill me. If it would help me get through the night it might be my best option.
Then I just stood there for 10 minutes, staring at the fruit in my hands. I had made up my mind to eat it, but somehow I didn't get started and just delayed it. My hand moved to my mouth and I took a bite. It did certainly taste extremely good, but the way the energy began to move down my throat was unnerving. Still I continued to eat and watched as the energy grew and spread out in my body. When I was done eating I only held one big seed in my fingers. I continued to stand still while the energy began to dissipate and settle in. Something had changed about me, but I couldn't tell what it was.
At some point my feet began to continue on their way, but my mind wasn't along with them. Even after I arrived at the hut I just went through the motions. I had planned to do a little cleaning tonight and got to it. It wasn't that I couldn't think clearly anymore. The situation that had been thrown at me was just so overwhelming and I couldn't come to grips with it.
Catherine noticed how absentminded I was, but I could barely hear her talking to me and she didn't interfere with me in any way. Somehow the time went on and I finally found myself lying in bed, not quite ready but inevitably moving toward what seemed unavoidable to me.
This time I knew what I was doing when I stretched out my senses. I can't tell exactly the point where I stopped reaching out and when I suddenly formed a body around my mind. The excitement was missing this time and I just lifted myself into the air and flew east. A short look towards the northeast revealed a forth pillar, quite a distance further into the wild than the other three.
Now that I had come into personal contacts with some strange wolves I considered sending an anonymous message to the town if I somehow got through this night.
The forest stretched out for a long way until I found the garden again. It was no wonder it had taken so long for the search to pin me down if the distance was this great. When I arrived I was already well expected.
“There she is Majal, I don't want to hear any more complaints from you.”
I didn't hear any answer and was just grabbed and carried off to some corner of the garden.
“The others were all so slow and boring. Playing with them was no fun.”
I watched in horror at what seemed to be dead bodies with some waning aura. Those were real physical bodies! There was no chance they could keep up with this child. Those were hardly substitutes for my energy form. I might have pitied them, if I wasn't in the same situation.
“You go first. One... Two....”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Playing tag again? This time I didn't even think about escaping, the mother had come a long way to find me and even if I were able to escape she wouldn't be happy. So I dashed away as quickly as I could and tried to get some distance. The moment she stopped counting though she was basically upon me already.
The mad kid didn't tap me though, but instead enjoyed just drawing up close and forcing me to fly into another direction again and again. After some time she gave me a push that sent me flying wildly and made me lose my orientation. I guessed that now I had to chase after her again?
She taunted me from a distance and all I could do was try my best at following her. She must have learned some new tricks, because once I was getting very close. She had of course let me and then just used a massive energetic push to send me away again. My energy form suffered for it, but was still holding up. Fortunately I didn't feel pain the same way as in the physical, but it still wasn't pleasant to be knocked around and lose little parts of what constitutes your body. My appeals for softer handling fell on deaf ears.
This night also ended and I was happy when the mother pulled me away from her daughter and sent me off. I had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time I was coming here. I found the connection to my body and slipped back in, expecting another long and horrible day, thanks to Majal, I think she had been called.
When I found myself back in my body, my aura was a bit weak, but I didn't really feel tired. A bit weary, sure, but not tired. The fruit I had eaten might have been some kind of supercharged gislagh tea. I could hopefully get through the day, but planned on an early night in case the effect wore off and I just crashed from exhaustion.
I had all but ignored her yesterday and felt that I should talk to Catherine, especially since I wanted to move out on Sunday. So after I finished my exercise I approached her:
“Sorry that I was a bit absentminded yesterday, I had some things going through my head. I have found a room in the town where I can stay from now on and will move out this Sunday.”
“You are working fast, I had expected you to stay a few weeks longer.”
“I suppose I would have, but after Arienne dragged me to the adventurer's guild, I was able to get some information. There was also a notice about a free room. It's not as comfortable as here, but two hours closer.”
“No need to apologize. How long do you think you will stay here? I somehow can't imagine you will settle down long term.”
“It's far too early to tell right now. I still have a lot to learn about inscription and I don't plan to leave before I have learned what I can. The way things are looking right now I might soon be able to learn on my own, but I don't have my own source material, so I would still depend on Mr. Heart. Since he holds the information either personally or in the form of his books, I will just continue to work there.
There is one thing I wanted to ask, two actually. Can I borrow your mule on Sunday?”
“That is no problem. The other thing?”
“I don't know the market value of the potions you make, so I would like to know when we are even. I dislike unpaid debts.”
“It might not be best for me to tell you, but you shouldn't underestimate the value of your blood, especially outside of elven lands. If I take blood another time you can consider us even. If you continue drinking the mana potions....”
“I would like to take a small stock with me if possible, but won't need them much longer. When do you need blood again?”
“When you are ready.”
“How quickly do you use it up?”
“On the same day. I can finish every step in about two days, but I will soon need some other ingredients and have to obtain them. But I am still good for another two or three batches.”
“Well, perhaps on Sunday. I am going to the city now.”
One thing I would certainly miss in the city was the undisturbed space where I could do my morning exercise and the empty forest where I was practicing magic. I wasn't sure I would get over myself to do this in public. A good place might be the fireball shooting range where I had practiced with Silvia, but then I would be forced to walk some distance again. I suppose no place is perfect.
My mana still wasn't completely filled up from my nightly exertion, but it was certainly more than enough for some experiments again. I didn't want to waste one of my last undisturbed morning strolls, so I got to work on barriers.
One of the reasons I hadn't tried them out so far was there enormous mana consumption. While they actively blocked a force they had to put up more than that power to hold it off. A barrier had to protect against collateral as well and it couldn't just be used to shield a small portion of the airspace in front of me if I wanted real safety. If I was aware of an incoming attack, directly grabbing a projectile in midair and stopping it was far more effective. The issue was of course that I had to react in time and then be able to concentrate long enough to get a hold of the projectile and stop or at least deflect it.
A barrier, once up would do these things automatically. For a high price. Just keeping it up consumed a lot of mana, because it had to be ready at any time to block a strike at the full power it was intended to absorb. The continuous drain could be reduced if there was a kind of outer layer that detected the incoming attack and an inner layer that only activated when an attack was detected. Of course that was hardly a spell to keep up on the side. It might perhaps be a good use for an enchantment or even inscription.
The most practical alternative I came up with was to have a shield that didn't always block the full power, but only slowed the force to a manageable level. At a range of three meters it would slow every incoming object as if it fell into water. The advantage was also far reduced mana cost, because it didn't have to hold up against the entire force of the attack.
The main issue now was to come up with a way to train this. In the end I grabbed a stone and threw it in the air, at times letting it slowly fall back down inside of a slowing barrier, and at times just letting it bump from the top against a telekinetic shield above me.
Sorceress has increased to level 8.
I couldn't keep up the practice for long this time, because any type of telekinesis consumed mana in high volumes. In a fight I would probably only put up an instant barrier for a specific attack and then release the spell directly afterwards.
While I walked through the valley the time until the enchanters shop was actually enough to regenerate a sufficient amount of mana to do my work.
I had to finish writing one last scroll and I took that chance to use a piece of paper to write a short 'to the northeast are four pillars'. I had looked up the words and took care to write them cleanly, but without any particular style, as far as that was possible. I would hate to have someone track this message back to me and ask questions. The paper I used was not the one used for the scrolls, but one I had also seen used for the notices in the adventurers guild.
There might still be information obtainable about the sender of the message, but I was reasonably sure it would be very difficult to track it back to me as long as no one remembered me turning it in. I hoped there were no easily available magical methods of detection, but I was willing to take that risk.
I put the paper away for later and then got to the actual work. Mr. Heart hadn't stopped by as often as on the first few days, so he didn't catch me. When the last scroll was finally written out I called him and he gave me another instruction:
“You have already combined a few parts, and there is nothing different to putting the whole thing together. The main problem is in putting everything in the right place and not forgetting anything. You should prepare the exact number of components, so that you know when you are done or what might still missing. A well built construct can be split into manageable parts you can construct one after the other, but don't take that as a guarantee.”
We went over the last section of the book where a few plans were laid out how to construct everything. I had to concentrate, but the size of the construct was not too large. It was a bit difficult to create a mana construct from a plan on a paper, but my senses were good enough and the book itself also had good descriptions, even if the subject was flawed.
Scribe has increased to level 9.
When I had finished all five scrolls there was still a bit of leftover time for work and I finally received the instruction I had long been hoping for. Mr. Heart began to instruct me in the proper way of inventing a new construct from scratch. He explained the basic elements, such as power units, an activation and connections. Then he showed me a few ways to combine certain units to accomplish different functions.
It was a very interesting lecture and he also became engrossed in it. I left a bit later than usual, but didn't regret any second. I took a book with me that went into detail on a lot of the complex buildup of constructs.
I stopped by the city hall close to the market place. It had been an obvious sight, so I didn't have to ask around where it was. The main issue now was how to get the message in without entering. I could levitate the paper, but would lose sight once I sent it around a corner, and that made it difficult to control the paper.
A plan come up in my mind, and I sat down on a bench close to the city hall. Then I stretched my senses out, but focused them intensely on the spot right in front of me. My consciousness was being hurled into that spot and then I stood there in my energy body. I turned around to find my body sitting behind me. The emitting aura was far weaker than of any of the surrounding people, but it wasn't really occupied right now.
Next I tried to find the paper, but didn't see it anymore although I knew it had to be in my hands on my lap. When I concentrated really hard I was able to detect it, but only barely. I hopped back into my body and enchanted the paper with a very light intent that should dissolve itself after around half an hour. Popping out of my body again I was now able to see the paper properly. The intent was weak, but far enough to me when my only sight depended on nothing but energy.
I grabbed onto the paper, but my hand went through it. So I gave my hand the same force that made telekinesis work and tried picking it up again. It was successful. I was unsure how distance to my real body or the usage of my energy body affected the mana consumption, but this might come in very useful. I might now perhaps be able to do a lot of interesting things from a distance.
The mana drain was directly affecting my energy body, so once it depleted my ability to use remote powers should depend on it. I took a look around at the auras that were walking around, and there were a few people who were catching glimpses. That was a bit annoying, because I didn't want the paper to fly out of my hand under observation.
I got up, bought a small snack as alibi for my movement and dropped the paper. Then I went back, took a few bites and expelled myself again. The paper was easy enough to find again and this time no observer was looking in this direction. I picked up the notice and levitated along the ground, while I kept a watch on my surroundings. The route I took wasn't directly into the entrance, but through an opened window where no one was looking.
If anyone would have watched, they would surely be amazed how purposefully this paper was brought here by the wind.
The room I entered was occupied by one person, but they were focused on something else. I carefully flew through the room and slipped the paper below the door. In contrast to the outside, a piece of paper might draw attention in here. I wanted to make sure it was read and not simply thrown away, so I headed towards where I expected to find a reception.
There was a sitting person in the entrance hall of the building and I laid the paper on top of the desk while they weren't watching. I quickly slipped back into my real body to take a look at the situation. I was a bit uncomfortable leaving it behind in an unprotected place without even being present. I stretched lightly, as if I had slumbered a bit and then headed out again to the reception.
The person there hadn't become aware of the paper yet it seemed. There was a very real risk the notice would disappear from sight without being read, just to be stored somewhere indefinitely. I wanted to make sure my message arrived, so I placed the paper in an upside fashion, but to the back of the receptionist. When they turned around the next time, they were throwing their intent around a bit, but finally settled on the notice.
It didn't take long for the person to get up, notice in hand, to walk somewhere else. My job was done. I let myself fall back into my body and walked away.
I could have headed back to Catherine's hut now, but wasn't in the mood yet so I stopped by the adventurers guild to see if anyone I knew was there to pass a bit of time.
Orlund and Tarvek were occupying some space at the bar with a woman I didn't know. They became aware of me as I headed over.
Orlund: “I didn't expect to see you here today. Did the thirst for adventure get you after all?”
Me: “I am just here to pass a bit of time.”
Turned to the woman Orlund said :
“This is the sorceress Shalyne she was with us when we were fighting that dangerous wolf pack.”
He turned to me and introduced the woman:
“That's Lydia, she works at the marketplace and sometimes comes by the guild. She is the go to person for everything that's happening in town.”
Me: “Nice to meet you.”
Lydia: “So you are the new sorceress. Orlund has told me so much about you.”
Orlund: “I just mentioned you.”
Lydia: “Have you been here long? I don't think I have heard anyone mention you before today.”
Me: “No, I just arrived.”
I had just met her and she was already prying into my affairs. Perhaps a diversion was in order.
Me: “I don't really know a lot about this place. Orlund said you are well informed. Was there anything interesting happening lately?”
Lydia: “Oh, you haven't heard yet? You won't believe this, but today I heard that the second prince Nelantis himself is coming here! I think he is part of the subjugation force, but perhaps he is just visiting here. I hope I can catch a glimpse, they say he is really strong.”
Tarvek: “I heard he is arrogant and a womanizer. I haven't seen him in person, but a few guards I have worked with have. He can fight, but really likes to show off. Perhaps I will meet some old faces when they arrive.”
Orlund: “If they let a prince come out here they can't be thinking that the situation out here is serious?”
Tarvek: “Not necessarily. The prince is sure to have a strong guarding force along with him and is no pushover either. They might be able to handle the situation better than one of the normal forces, as long as they don't get distracted.”
Lydia: “Shalyne, are you going to watch their entry into the town, too?”
Me: “There is an actual entrance ceremony?”
Lydia: “Well, not a ceremony, but there sure are going to be a lot of people waiting. The prince is supposed to arrive sometime on Saturday.”
That was still two days away. I wasn't sure I was that interested in watching.
Me: “I might still be working then, I doubt I can make it.”
Lydia: “You should try to get a bit of time off. It's rare that someone as famous as the prince is coming out here.”
Me: “Perhaps, we will see.”
There was some more gossip about various people I had never heard of, and I managed to avoid getting squeezed for information myself. I left the bar after finishing one drink and went on my way.
I had been up two days in a row, so I decided to get some early rest and didn't even touch the book that I had brought along today.