《Fall of Void》 Eleventh of Silversun It began on a Friday in my final class of the week at The Scholar¡¯s Crown. The school itself was prestigious, intended to teach the basics of physics, language, art, and swordplay. Far from dedicated to any, its main intention was to teach its people to rule. It overlooked the castle of Redhelm, as if a shadow of its potential. I was a noble, as many of my friends were. The King relied on noble families to oversee parts of the Kingdom, as he could not do it all himself, and as a result, created a dedicated school for the upper class of his people. I watched the teacher go on about the order of words, trying to pay attention to his droning tone. Neither ink nor paper was needed here, just a mind capable of making use of the lesson. The thump of a book closing jolted me fully awake. We exited, some of us much faster than others. Someone tapped me on my walk out. I slowed down, careful not to hit anyone, and heard her quiet, breathy voice. It was Alinda, a quiet student who paid great amounts of attention in language. ¡°Did you get all that?¡± she asked, a supportive tone in her voice. I laughed slightly. ¡°Most of it. I¡¯ll do adequately when we need it.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Alinda sounded confused. ¡±Come to my house tomorrow if you change your mind.¡± I bowed my head slightly, both a yes and a goodbye. I descended the stone stairs to the area around the school where the students with more passion than commitment practiced with their swords. Under the castle¡¯s shadow, I drew my own blade, pointed to the sky, and charged. ¡°Vienna of Tareris has joined the battle!¡° This was standard practice. We were given blunt rapiers and educated for showing off, not for a real fight. My charge was intercepted. ¡°Tristian of Brimstone has accepted your challenge!¡± He expertly blocked with the top of his sword, bending it around and striking my upper arm. I barely recovered, making a weak thrust at his flank. We slashed at once, our swords striking each other in a mirrored X shape. I broke through, bashing him with the grip of my sword. This left a perfect opening, and I tackled into my opponent, sword pointed over his chest. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°And the win goes to Vienna of Tareris!¡± I got up upon hearing the voice of a judge. These training fights normally had people to watch over them, declaring a win before someone got injured for real. ¡°Kamon?¡± I asked, seeing a friend from physics overseeing my match. I sheathed my rapier, tilting my head ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Kamon adjusted her bow from her back. ¡°There¡¯s a vast hunt tomorrow. I decided to stay here until I¡¯m needed.¡± I have no idea how Kamon was in this school. She was not a noble, nor was she a friend of nobility, but she was a hunter for the kingdom. Hunters, the kingdom¡¯s most powerful source of food, especially in the winter. She was absent for language and swordplay, but ever-attentive during art and physics, bringing bones in from her own kills and taking lessons from physics for those really long distance arrow shots. ¡°May I accompany you?¡± I asked as Kamon considered it. Kamon looked thoughtful. ¡°You¡¯ll have to come to the Hunter¡¯s Lodge first. I hope I can get you in.¡± ¡°My parents will be attending an event in Brightleaf and I have little to do this weekend. I accept,¡± I responded. We began walking, something I was used to doing, as many of the noble houses were close to The Scholar¡¯s Crown. I was not, however, used to walking for this long. When we came to the Hunter¡¯s Lodge, the shadows were long, enhancing the size of a log building in front of us, windows cut into the sides. A doorway made of a single slab of wood that might as well be a shield, adorned its front, complete with a green design of a knife and bow. ¡°Why would you cut logs like that? They would easily fall on their own,¡± I asked, looking up to the holes cut in the wall to act as windows. ¡°Part of the hunters¡¯ philosophy.¡± Kamon¡¯s sight travelled up to the same windows. ¡°A group can do a job a lot better than a single unit; something about covering for weaknesses.¡± She opened the door, not bothering to knock. Inside was as I expected, but expectation made the building no less impressive. Wooden eating tables lined the center, wall-mounted beds with ladders, on the sides. Hunters, clad in leather armor, either sat or lay. Dedicated hunting dogs and a few flat-out wolves accompanied many of the hunters, equal parts hunting tool, companion, and sign of status. ¡°This place looks impressive. I can see why the King respects you.¡± As I spoke, an important looking hunter approached us. His leather armor was dyed greenish-black for stealth, his bow larger than some of my friends from school, and his wolf looking attentive. ¡°Kamon? Who¡¯s this blueblood at your side?¡± Despite his tough appearance, his voice sounded friendly and inviting. ¡°This is Vienna. She¡¯s from my school.¡± Kamon sounded unsure of her decision, despite the hunter¡¯s tone. ¡°You¡¯re correct, I was enlightened of your practices and requested to see them in action.¡± The hunter restrained a laugh, of either mirth or mocking. ¡°Kamon must have told you about tomorrow. We¡¯ll be heading out earlier than you wake up!¡± His words felt like the verbal equivalent of a thrust with a spear. Mine felt like a cold riposte. ¡°I¡¯ll rest here then. Awaken me when the hunt begins.¡± The hunter was caught off guard. ¡°A noble willing to wake up as early as her people? That¡¯s respectable in its own right. Come then, I¡¯ll show you to a spare bed.¡± I followed the Elite hunter along the rows of beds as Kamon split off to socialize with the other hunters. Not long after, I sat down, dropped off my rapier beside me, and began reading one of the books I was carrying. A side door opened and entire animals, cooked on spits, were carried through: boars mostly, though I saw a deer in there too, and even a large fish, filled with arrow wounds and meat. Dinner until the time to sleep was uneventful. I read up to the part where the protagonist combines his curved sword with the soul of a spider mage, marked my page, then lay down. Twelfth of Silversun The wakeup was just as quiet and sudden as a well-timed arrow strike. Hunters, some more clothed than others, rolled out of their beds and picked up their weaponry. Dogs and wolves were awakened and called to join their humans. They formed into groups of five, and I noticed one wolfmaster per unit. Three hunters with dogs joined them, a space left open for a single recruit, who in all cases I saw, had no animal and sometimes no bow. Kamon pulled me into her group, with the hunter from yesterday acting as its leader. The large door, directly opposite to the one I came in, opened. I noticed the lodge extended right out of the castle¡¯s wall. ¡°Is this not the weakest point?¡± I asked Kamon. ¡°The wooden lodge greatly contrasts with the hewn stone of the walls.¡± ¡°You really think invaders are going to go through a lodge of people who live to fight, fight to live, and have no qualms with putting an arrow through your eye?¡± Her logic and the need to be silent caused me not to speak. ¡°Fair point,¡± I whispered to her, as my unit trekked through the trees. Maybe an hour later, my unit¡¯s leader stopped. All of us, on command, froze. Shouting, unlike anything we would do, could be heard from the path ahead. ¡°Bandits,¡± the leader whispered. The group stayed low, bows drawn as a single unit. From behind a tree, someone approached. His armor was leather, much like ours, but studded in metal and stitched together. An axe was in one hand, clearly meant for flesh as opposed to wood, the other hand bearing an obviously stolen shield. Upon seeing this, the leader¡¯s wolf made a muffled growl. ¡°Spread arrows,¡± the leader whispered to his team. Kamon and two others aimed for the head, gut, and legs, the leader¡¯s arrow flying just behind them for the chest. Heart pierced, the bandit fell. Immediately, another shout resounded, in some language none of us understood. Two more bandits stepped out, both shields raised at arm level. ¡°Sweep arrows.¡± The hunters changed targets, arrows refocused on the legs of the bandits. Only one remained standing, and was felled by a head shot from Kamon. ¡°Nice shot,¡± I tried to compliment her, though my heart was going all too fast. Multiple arrows lodged themselves into a nearby tree and the grass around it. ¡°They have archers! Find cover!¡± My group scattered. I ducked behind a bush as the area nearby was slowly shot with arrows. Another bandit, battle axe in hand, walked around my cover. ¡°Come out, little--¡± In fear, I thrust my rapier. It left a pinprick, drawing small amounts of blood, as the bandit mocked. ¡°What do you think YOU¡¯re doing?¡± He raised his axe over his head, a move I had seen countless times as a finisher. I moved my rapier sharply across my body, right in front of my head, and with a snap, the tip flew off. The battle axe flew to the left of me, leaving me with my broken weapon. But broken hardly meant useless. With a grip like a dagger, I made another curved thrust. The bandit¡¯s exposed arm took the hit as I stepped in closer, much too close for any successful axe swing. I began low, but pointed my stab up. Impacting the armor must not have damaged the bandit, but the grip bashing against his stomach winded him. Unarmed strikes were normally forbidden in my fights, though some judges let them be interspersed for show. And that is exactly what I did in my moment of adrenaline, with an arm-level palm strike to the chest. Inexplicably, my hand felt cold. The bandit¡¯s eyes went wide before closing, as I held my final position. My heart slowed, and I drew my hand back to see a hole in the bandit¡¯s chest... right where I had struck. I regained my position behind the bush, letting myself rest. Even with the sword training, I had little stamina left, already drained by the fight against the bandit. An hour or so of resting later, and none of the hunters returned. I knew the Kingdom well enough to get to anywhere from anywhere, but hadn¡¯t set foot far outside. The most I could do was keep walking, and hope I didn¡¯t find any more bandits. I could see by where the sun was, that I was going northwest, remembering one day in physics where Kamon was teaching me about hunting, and telling direction with this same technique. ¡°Would a sign not be sufficient?¡± I remember asking. Kamon gave a look of both receiving a joke and hearing a disappointment. ¡°It¡¯s not like there will be signs everywhere you go.¡± With this knowledge, I continued on up until the point where a small wild cat, dark grey in colour, presented itself. Its fur was splotched with faint orange; however, this looked natural as opposed to having something on its fur. The cat saw me, and ran up and away into a nearby tree. ¡°Please, human, don¡¯t hurt me!¡± I stopped in my tracks, hand reaching to my sword. ¡°Did you just speak to me, feline?¡± I asked, right between a question and an accusation. ¡°You can talk too?¡± it asked from its tree branch. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Yes.¡± I tried to hide my surprise at its question. ¡°Can you tell me where I am? My hunting group has misplaced me in a fight with bandits.¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re near Tirwood. It¡¯s not too far along that way!¡± The cat turned, pointing its head. ¡°Thank you, feline.¡± I nodded my head, the cat meowing as I left. I expected there to be life in the direction I walked. I did not, however, expect wooden walls bound together in vines. They held a door of the same materials and looked much sturdier than I had ever imagined a forest village to make. I knocked, expecting a silent response, when something poked its head over the wall. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Vienna of Redhelm, a Kingdom not far from here.¡± ¡°Redhelm?¡± the voice called down. I could hear others speaking, but not what they were saying. ¡°Redhelm¡¯s okay. Come on in.¡± The gates opened, revealing low wooden houses. They all looked like smaller versions of a Hunter¡¯s Lodge in my Kingdom, with the big ones being more important buildings. I walked in, looking around, when I saw a house in the back corner of the town. It was round, raised, with some plank stairs leading up to its door. The wind blew it ajar. I pushed it the rest of the way in, seeing tables lined with glass bottles of nearly everything, surrounding a cauldron in the center. A blue liquid flowed through transparent pipes on the walls, down a hole, alongside a ladder and into the basement. The lower floor was massive, compared to the upper. A bonfire raged in the center, heating the cauldron from below. The tube bearing blue liquid flowed along the wall into other things: an obsidian box with crystals set on its top, a smooth stone table with a purple six-pointed star, and a veiny treasure chest, slowly opening and closing. I climbed back out, unsure of what I had experienced, when a green-cloaked creature entered. It was only human in shape, having animal features all over its body, but it moved like one, walking on two legs. Their hands, barely visible, looked human enough, but one look at their face told me otherwise. ¡°And what are you doing here, human?¡± she growled. I slowed my movement. ¡°I merely saw an open door, which inspired opportunity.¡± She turned, her hood adjusted by the move, and I could see one of her yellow eyes. ¡°That way you speak... you¡¯re a noble, aren¡¯t you?¡± I could feel contempt in her voice, though I tried to keep mine level . ¡°That is exactly what I am.¡± Her sharp-fingered hands tapped a table. ¡°Noble or not, I need help from one who is not afraid to exit the walls. Take this bell and go to the nearby cave. Another crystal formation should have grown by now.¡± Her vision trailed down to my side, seeing my broken rapier. ¡°And swap that sword for a spear if you think you can¡¯t survive.¡± She thrust the shortest one she could into my hands, hilt-first. I held my spear in hand, walking out of her hut. The sun was most of the way across the sky, and I knew I could make the distance before sunset. My walk to the cave was uneventful, just five minutes of putting one foot in front of the other. My new spear felt a lot like the rapier I used to use, though its guard was gone. I saw a dim glow past some plants, carried forward like a moth. A cave, just as predicted, opened up; inside, housing scattered glowing lights. They looked like rocks stabbed halfway into the wall. I approached one, holding the bell up to a clump. It gave a soft ring. I rang it again, louder and more sure of myself, and one of the clustered glowing rocks fell down. Another soon did, joined by yet another, until there was only one left. The largest one, no matter how hard I tried, wouldn¡¯t fall. ¡°I don¡¯t think I even have the strength to fracture that one off.¡± I went from cluster to cluster, ringing the bell, with my hand held below. Slowly, I made my way to the back of the cave, until my pack was full of glowing rocks. A giant bat flew from that part of the cave. It shrieked, my ears ringing in with sound, before flying in to bite. I stabbed wildly, a tactic commonly done with rapiers, forcing the bat to pull up and loop back around. This time, I was much more prepared, meeting its charge with a downward slam. The bat tried to right itself, met with a kick that sent it sliding across the ground. That minute, I heard another shriek. A second bat had joined the first, but at this point I was in a full-on dueling stance. In my mind, this was not a fight for my life. This was a show of power. My excitement grew as I lunged at the bat in question. It was impaled, yellow-green blood dripping to the floor, just as the other was met with a well-timed horizontal slash. A much larger, rounder creature, bearing a pair of giant wings and fangs to match, lumbered up. Realizing my enemy, I mimicked the voice of a judge. I could feel my off hand getting cold, despite the rest of me warming up. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this is Vienna of Tareris facing off against the bat king! Are you ready for this?¡± I pointed my hand in a sign of challenge, when my eyes stopped being reliable sources of information. A bolt of blue-white ice flew towards the bat, striking it in the upper chest and causing it to drop. With crystals in my backpack and blood on my spear, I calmly walked back to the village in sunset...through the giant wooden doors, across the expanse inside the walls, and back to the hut. The door was open, the green-cloaked humanoid still there. ¡°What is it, noble?¡± She looked up from the cauldron, refusing to refer to me by name. ¡°I¡¯ve obtained your glowing crystals.¡± I took my pack in hand, holding it open for her to see. She rummaged through, drawing out and examining a few. ¡°I¡¯ll allow it. Though how did you find this many?¡± I drew my spear, careful not to hit anything. ¡°I had an... Encounter with some bats. I¡¯m all right, though.¡± I don¡¯t know what got to her first, the blood on my spear, or the calmness in my tone. However, hers grew more respectful. ¡°I¡¯d have thought those bats would be the death of newcomers. You¡¯ve proven your ability, human.¡± From when I first heard her voice, I knew she was something other than a human. ¡°You speak to me as if I was the only human around. Are there no others?¡± Her response was as cold and straightforward as the ice I wielded. ¡°None that I respect.¡± With that mental comparison, I realized exactly what I did, both to the bandits and the giant bat. ¡°How much do you know about magic?¡± She stopped, legs already on the ladder. ¡°Magic. How long have you been learning for?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had no training,¡± I responded. ¡°I just launched ice a few times...¡± ¡°Come down here.¡± Her voice grew quieter and more rushed. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to find another who can cast spells without study. Come back here tomorrow, and I can point you to someone who knows more than I do.¡± I was stunned. Just by admitting the use of magic, I was greatly warmed up to. ¡°And your name? I don¡¯t want to think of you as a mere animal being.¡± ¡°Selaria.¡± I ascended the ladder, walking into another large house. ¡°If this is anything like my hometown...¡± I thought as I walked around it. Someone must have seen me in the dimming light. ¡°Human?¡± a voice called from inside. ¡°There¡¯s a spare room in our basement. Don¡¯t want any newcomers being torn up for the night!¡± Someone from the inside opened a door. I entered, taking some stairs without a word. The basement was mostly made of dirt. I saw a room carved out for a bed, the wooden ceiling matching up with the floor of the area above. I stuck my spear in the ground, left my clothing on it to avoid the dirt, and lay down. Thirteenth of Silversun The bed was tougher than the noble sleeping area I was used to. This left me less refreshed than I wanted to be the next morning as I was awakened by the sound of footsteps above. Remembering Selaria¡¯s promise to me, I made the quick walk to her hut. The door was open, as it had been yesterday. Selaria was accustomed to beginning her actions earlier than I and was most likely already there. I walked through, descended the ladder, and saw Selaria at the smooth stone table. A set of leather gloves with metal claws hovered over it, as the table glowed with faint purple light. She set down other things: a green-black orb, one of the green glowing crystals I saw yesterday, and a bar of blue metal. Selaria turned a small lever on the side of the table, and blue liquid flowed in through a pipe. The items spun and fused together, the mixture glowing intensely, until a new set of claws dropped to replace the old ones. They were just as large, blueish-silver in colour, and had faint green lines on the back. Selaria slid them onto each hand, turning around to see me. ¡°Good morning, human. Have you slept well? Noble beds are much softer than ours.¡± ¡°It was adequate,¡± I responded, hardly able to tell if she was mocking me or caring about my sleep. ¡°You said you could direct me somewhere?¡± ¡°Yes I did.¡± Selaria made a few practice swings with her claws, newly enchanted. ¡°The sage, Vuldeem of Silverglint, knows a lot more than I do. He¡¯s a few days worth of walking north. Good luck, human.¡± I climbed back out, checking the location of the sun. It was most of the way up, but I could tell where it was rising. Adjusting my direction, I left Tirwood for the forest. In just over half an hour¡¯s walking, I saw another cat. This one looked much more confident than the last, sitting directly in the middle of the path I was taking. ¡°What are you?¡± I asked it, thinking cats preferred trees and other sheltered places. ¡°I am Mimi, the magical cat.¡± She looked directly into my eyes, her own narrowing ¡°I¡¯ve seen you before, haven¡¯t I? I¡¯m coming with you, human!¡± she thought into my head. With little resistance from me, the dark grey cat walked alongside. ¡°Exactly what can you do, little cat?¡± I asked, looking down at her. ¡°I don¡¯t know yet, human. But I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find out!¡± She walked by my side, unexpectedly brave. ¡°How, exactly, do you resist fear? Many felines dart into bushes at the first sign of trouble. Especially the small ones.¡± Mimi made a ¡°mrr¡± noise, before looking up at me. ¡°It¡¯s simple, human. I¡¯m a magical cat!¡± I stopped questioning her logic. Cats had bizarre lines of thought, speaking ones acting as living proof. A superstition in my Kingdom involved cats being creatures of inherent magic, more so than humans, but not creatures of logic. As I walked, The trees grew less thick. Slowly, the scenery around transitioned from forest to plains with my movements. Barely attentive all this time, and nearly tripping a few times, some shouting brought me back to attention. I could see familiar leather armor, studded in metal: humans armed with battle axes and a few shields. Another group of bandits. ¡°Where is that damn scouting party? They should be here by now!¡± I realized who they meant. It was the bandits from yesterday, the ones responsible for separating me from my hunter group. I hid in a bush, knowing I was no match for all the bandits. I was crouched, behind a tree with my spear on my belt and upward-facing pack. From there, I thought I looked hidden, keeping my breath quiet. Their voices were passing through the area, and thinking it to be clear, I stood and stepped around the tree. A few steps later and another shout. One of them had turned back, and I broke into a run. The bandits chased me, shouting to each other about a new catch, bragging to each other about who¡¯d get me first. I felt a shield bash the back of my head, disrupting my balance. A pair of hands grabbed my arms, another my legs, and together three bandits lifted me up, my head falling back. I could see only a vague idea of where I was, as I was upside-down, backwards, and my head had been hit by a shield. Somehow, I fell asleep. I awakened some time later, tied up. I was being moved into a large wooden room by a few of the bandits, and then dropped sharply. ¡°Untie him? It¡¯s not like he¡¯ll put up much of a fight!¡± one mocked. ¡°First, let¡¯s take his weapon. Not like he¡¯ll need it!¡° another gave a drunken-sounding laugh. ¡°You two idiots should at least cage him.¡± I rolled on the ground, seeing a cloak of a dark green colour. The last voice sounded less rough than the other two, more in control. I was stripped of my weapon, half-untied, then thrown in the cage. Already annoyed, the two bandits taunted me. ¡°Oh, look at that poor little noble. Why not go back home and cry to your King?¡± The other elbowed the first bandit. ¡°I bet he¡¯s crying in his boots right now.¡± He turned towards me, a sickening smile on his face. ¡°How much do those boots cost? I bet they¡¯re more than my house.¡± The first laughed, walking close to the cage. My short spear was in his hand, which he stuck through the bars. ¡°You want it? You want it?¡± he asked, speaking like he was speaking to a dog. ¡°Go get it!¡± The bandit threw my spear across the room, end sticking into a corner. The other bent over, howling with laughter. ¡°Will you two shut up!¡± I snapped. The front one flinched a bit, but the one at the back got up from his chair. ¡°Oh, look at that! Thinks she can bark us into doing what she wants? I bet your servants do that all the time!¡± He bent over, arms at his back, with a mockingly high voice. He turned towards the other bandit, who could hardly contain himself. ¡°Master, oh master, should I carry your clothes for you? Make your bed? Chew your food?¡± I rose, feeling a pulsing within my arms. ¡°I, Vienna of Tareris--" ¡°BAHAHAHAH¡± one gasped out through bursts of laughter ¡°SHE THINKS SHE¡¯S FIRE!¡± His words had the effect of a windstorm on a boulder. All this time, the pulsing intensified within. ¡°I will put you through the ground, you incompetent pieces of--¡± As soon as I began the curse, a much more powerful and literal curse escaped from my hands. An orb of force shot from my hand, shattering the metal bars and slamming the bandit against the back wall. I heard a crack as something unambiguously broke. The other bandit ran at me with his axe and his anger, only to be interrupted by an upward force bolt from my hand. It came from a low angle but shot with enough force to slide his head backwards, skull slammed by magic. I recovered my spear just in time to see the green-cloaked one leave. Knowing there to be more, I backed out, the pulsing in my hands subsiding. I returned to the cage, now open for me to travel through, and rested. I sat, my spear lying sideways under my legs. Getting an idea, I took the bonds my captors placed over me and arranged them to appear tied up still. I did not sleep, thankful for my decision, as another bandit burst into the room. His armor looked more protective than that of the standard bandits I saw, some of it being chain as opposed to mere leather. His head turned wildly to look through the room, eyes met with the dead bandits and broken cage bars, and his grip tightened. ¡°You there!¡± he shouted at me, having much less of a sense of humor than the other bandits. ¡°Did you do this?¡± I pretended to be tied up, hardly moving at all, save for my hand, poised around the grip of my spear. The bandit leaned in closer, met with a quick flourish and a surprise impalement. I put one leg up, pulling my spear out, and the bandit fell back with a dull thump. The thump was followed by a sharp crack! as my spear split right in half, blade embedded in the bandit. I heard a small clink when the bandit hit the floor. A key had fallen out of his armor, skittering across the floor. I picked it up and stashed it. It must have opened my cage, though a bolt of non-elemental force did this much better. I looked beyond the room, expecting to see a house the size of an average Tirwood dwelling and instead was greeted with a large low storage room. It glittered in the low light, sides lined with piles of looted jewelry, bags of coin and various other treasures. Ornate swords and maces were sticking out of the piles. A rapier with a long blade caught my eye, the guard set with only a ruby and sapphire. I drew it out, knowing it would grant me no more royalty, sweeping my blade along one side at an angle. I ascended some stairs on the other side of the room. Once my head poked out of the upward-facing door, I could see how high off the ground I was. The horizon felt much farther away, ground a great distance from the wooden floor I stood upon. A pit gaped open on the roof of the building on which I stood. Bandits circled it, shouting in words of insult and encouragement. I looked over the shoulder of one to see what they were shouting at. I was always told of gladiator fights, though I thought those were violent, primitive sports that I would never even go near. The fact that I saw a crowd yelling at a heavily-armored axeman dueling against a dagger-wielder in leather armor, proved me wrong. As the axeman claimed victory, I pushed through the crowd and jumped down. ¡°Vienna of Tareris has joined the battle!¡± I echoed from my experiences after class. I felt a wave of shock rush through the crowd. My opponent raised her axe from the ground, charging at me in an obvious overhead strike. Her axe gleamed in the sunlight, signaling me to jump backwards at the last moment, then running forward and striking like a lancer. I hit under a plate of armor just above her belt line, drawing my sword out to find it was covered in fresh blood. I held my sword high, being the last thing my opponent saw as she crumpled. Some bandits pulled a rope, and a door opened on the wall of the pit. I ran out of the way, an arrow following my path. It stuck in the wall, and my head whipped around to find its source. A human in leather armor greeted me. Not a bandit, as conveyed by the arrow¡¯s power. ¡°Kamon?¡± I stopped in my tracks. She was in the doorway, another arrow already in hand. My off hand felt cold, as I realized she was alive. ¡°Vienna? How did you get here?¡± She sounded just as surprised as I. ¡°Fortunate you didn¡¯t meet me at the point of your arrow.¡± I looked up to the crowd, their incomprehensible words slowly turning into a chant. ¡°Fight! Fight! Fight!¡± ¡°I guess this means one thing, doesn¡¯t it.¡± Kamon drew an arrow, aiming her bow upwards. It hit one of the bandits right through the shoulder blades, causing him and his equipment to fall into the pit. Kamon picked up the bandit¡¯s axe, swinging it around in her hand. The rest scattered, but someone familiar jumped in. One in a dark green cloak, though their name was unknown to me. ¡°I should have guessed you would somehow escape the cage. I nod to your persistence, but not to your survival.¡± The figure¡¯s hood dropped. Her look was as cold and piercing as the ice I put through a bat, gaze unbreaking as she drew a curved greatsword from her back. How it fit there was anyone¡¯s guess. She stepped calmly towards me, sword in an arcing upward slash. In a moment of panic, I jumped to one side, thrusting in a step forward. The side of her sword blocked the tip of mine, her focus breaking to parry Kamon¡¯s jumping axe strike. I aimed a few wild, rapid stabs, piercing right through her cloak... which fell, giving way to green-runed chainmail over a layer of cloth. She seemed faster with the cloak off, speed more than matching mine. My chain of stabs turned more erratic, with the intent to keep my enemy on the defensive. The bandit leader raised her cleaver over her head, eyes widening. Kamon had struck her from behind with her newfound axe, breaking through the chainmail¡¯s protection and striking right into her back. With a high battle cry, she spun around with the cleaver out.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°Not today.¡± My hand, feeling much more cold than normal, opened reflexively. I pointed my arm, a shard of ice striking the large, curved blade from her hand. Kamon took the opening, striking the bandit¡¯s head clean off with a single swing. I gave a deep breath, recovering stamina. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you with a bow, but an axe? I thought hunters discouraged their use.¡± Kamon spun it around, and stuck the handle through her knife hilt. ¡°You know how we built that lodge? Lots of woodcutting. And how we repair it?¡± ¡°Lots of woodcutting.¡± I finished, tone impersonating hers. I looked up, and realized the height I¡¯d have to climb. The distance from the edge of the pit was at least ten feet, enough for me to descend, but not to ascend. ¡°How did you get in here?¡± I asked, looking at the door in the side of the wall. It led from the pit into a small room, and barely-seen hallway. ¡°Right through that door. I was caged, then brought through there to fight,¡± said Kamon. She looked around the room. I got back up, walking down the hall. My hand was along the right wall, with no clue as to where Kamon was, until I turned around a corner. I saw a large room, connecting back to the outside through an open door in the roof. I walked through the room, feeling a strange sense of quiet. Up the stairs and onto the roof again, this time I got a much better opportunity to look around. Over the side, I saw the ground. Moving. A set of giant sails were attached to the flanks of the wooden structure. Below those were wheels, making this into a giant boat, re-fitted for land. The area around the vehicle was mostly barren, though some civilization could be seen ahead. I looked upwards, at the sun. It felt like it was late in the day, but much more important was where it was. On the left flank of the vehicle. We were going north. Right to the sage I sought after. Walking more along the side, I came to what I gathered to be the controls. Two thick ropes that extended into the wooden vehicle, sat on either side of the front, corresponding to each of the sails. I pulled on one, testing the difficulty. Kamon followed me to the front. She was in a set of newly acquired chainmail, green runes faintly glowing on it. ¡°I figured I wouldn¡¯t want to pass up the chance.¡± I paid this no mind, struggling with the rope. Kamon walked towards it and pulled; our combined force caused the sail to slowly rise. The vehicle turned, ever so slowly. I could see us veer off the path, city slightly to one side. It was approaching faster now, as the wind was picking up, sails stretching further than normal to harness the winds. I felt greater determination of the presence of magic, and a chill of anticipation run through me. The cold, excited feeling ended at my hands. They glowed slightly, firing off a single spike of ice. The rope snapped from the impact, sending the sail back down. As I realized this, I lost balance, in surprise and in fear. The winds grew even harsher, sending us much faster towards the city in the distance. One of the giant wooden wheels moved over a rock, sending the vehicle wobbling to one side. Kamon and I slid off, and my body froze. The last thing I saw was Kamon catching the ledge. The last thing I thought was a curse to my own magic. A blur filled my vision. I felt myself lying down, looking upwards, being unable to comprehend what I saw. By the end of the first minute or so, I could identify indirect light, another minute brought me knowledge of being surrounded by stone. Speaking was difficult, to the point where words came out as little more than vowels. One thought surfaced in my mind, blocking out perception. ¡°This is the weakest I¡¯ve ever felt.¡± Gathering the strength to roll to one side, I saw beds lined against a wall, many of them empty, and a set of white hooded robes walking down the area between them. I could see red triangles surrounding the holes for the face, hands, and legs, but not the one inside, even as she stood over me, staff in hand. The staff was far from a simple wooden stick, as three floating orbs surrounded it. Yellow, cyan, and white in colour, with a faint glow on all three. ¡°Oh, you look awake...¡± she said quietly. ¡°You hit the ground badly, so I took you back here.¡± ¡°How...¡± I barely got the words out. ¡°How am I alive?¡± ¡°My healing magic, of course!¡± Her volume rose to that of standard speech, my interest in her powers rising with it. ¡°I was walking around the edges of town, like I do on my days off, and saw a grey cat right outside. She meowed at me and led me out, to where I saw you lying there.¡± ¡°Mimi?¡± I thought, sitting up. ¡°How did she get out here?¡± ¡°Fortunately, she let me live. And what is your name, before I leave this place?¡± She flinched as if being hit with water, question unexpected. ¡°I¡¯m Tenka of Silverglint.¡± My mouth opened. This was the town I was looking for! ¡°My gratitude to you, Tenka¡± I told her, hiding my excitement to prevent another icy bolt. Walking, full of leaning to one side and catching myself, I left the stone building, onto the street. Kingdoms were usually crowded, especially the nobility¡¯s lands. Here was barren by comparison, having only a few people walking outside. I walked up to one, tapping his shoulder. ¡°Do you know where I can locate the Sage Vuldeem? I hear he lives in this city.¡± The commoner looked at me, confused. ¡°Hardly. The tavern¡¯s down that way though. You could learn more there,¡± he said in a blunt voice. ¡°Thank you,¡± I responded straightforwardly. I walked down the street, my head clearing. I checked my rapier. Somehow, the gems weren¡¯t even scratched. Everything else was in the same condition as I found it. A yelling voice from across the street broke my concentration, ¡°Put that away, you could run that clean through someone¡¯s eye!¡± Realizing I had no noble power here, I obliged, sheathing my weapon. A sign on the side of a building caught my attention. ¡°The Knight and Butterfly,¡± it read, a painted symbol of the moon behind the blue-silver words. The place was mostly wood, though more refined than the Hunters¡¯ Lodge or Selaria¡¯s house. Pillars of wood reinforced the place, planks suspending windows of glass. Knowing where I was heading, I opened the door. I saw more people than I had seen the entire day, mostly filling the small building. Warmth flowed from within, though whether the fire pit in the center, or the proximity of the patrons got to me first, was a question. As I moved to close the door behind me, I heard it slam. A tower of a man stood at one side of the door, waving me past. His presence contrasted the entire room, like a sword stuck in the middle of a hearth fire. I kept my head high, walking between rows of people. Many of them looked like civilians, in basic cloth, in shades of brown, though a few looked out of place, sitting around a heavy-looking book. They all seemed intently focused, when I sat down near them. I was about to say something, when I saw the book itself. The book¡¯s letters seemed to dance across the page. They were written in a dark gold colour, larger ones glowing with their own light. I gasped as I saw what they entailed. ¡°Magic!¡± One of them turned, his wide hat spinning. ¡°What did you say to me?¡± He sounded just as much scared as offended. I kept calm, speaking again. ¡°Your book of magic fascinates me.¡± ¡°What are you, a noble who thinks he can barge in here and take over our book?¡± one of his friends snapped from across the table. Her hands glowed slightly, and I could see black marks on the table. ¡°No,¡± I responded, conjuring up an ice shard in one hand. But to do that, I needed to conjure up a memory. I focused inwards, thinking of Kamon and me, playing outside. I remember picking up a well-sized stick and declaring myself a great swordsmaster, Kamon preferring to throw leaves from a distance, like fragments of steel. When we got our hands on a pair of a squire¡¯s metal gloves, Kamon took them. To her, they were claws. Dragon claws. That single moment, when my imagined sword was striking between her metal hands. Out of the memory, I pointed my hand forward, open as if in grip. Before the eyes of the wizards watching me, an ice shard formed, shooting into the fire pit. ¡°How did she cast that?¡± a purple-robed wizard asked. ¡°Is she even a wizard?¡± a voice from another in red. I lowered my arm, point proven. ¡°I am no mere noble. Now, I seek the Sage, Vuldeem. do you have any leads?¡° Silence fell among them upon hearing his name. Finally, one stepped forward. His robes were blue with silver trim, and looked heavier than mine. His head was bare, black hair and dark eyes visible. ¡°You said you seek Vuldeem? Do you know of his power?¡± The wizard before me closed the book with one hand, carrying it under his arm. ¡°Meet me tomorrow, in the fields just outside town. I¡¯ll measure your worth...¡° ¡°Vienna,¡± I finished. He stuck out his open hand, taking mine to shake. ¡°Niko.¡± His name sent a similar pulse of cold through me, as if all the magic I had just left me and slowly returned. ¡°How did you get here?¡± he asked, seeing my moment of stun. ¡°I¡¯m hardly sure myself. I began following a friend north of my Kingdom on a hunting trip. We were captured by bandits and brought to a giant wooden box on wheels to fight, before it tipped and sent me flying. Tenka found me outside, taking me in to heal.¡± I thought for a second. ¡°That should be all. I arrived at this tavern with some direction.¡± Niko nodded. ¡°As I thought, you¡¯re not from here. My wizards, however, have some space in a room upstairs.¡± ¡°Your wizards?¡± I asked. ¡°Do you command them?¡± Niko shook his head. ¡°Hardly. The only authority I have is their respect. They are students, intending to magic. I¡¯ve been taking them on a journey throughout the lands, on a dedicated quest for knowledge. Quintvere, show him to your room.¡± A wizard in deep blue, as if based on water, rose from his seat. ¡°Fine then.¡± He gave me a dull glare. His sharp walk led me up the bent wooden stairs, around the corner, and to a door on one side. Made of dark brown wood, marked with a metal ¡°113,¡± it was easily unlocked by a hidden key. Inside were two more wizards, one in grey and the other in green, both going over spells. ¡°Got a new catch. He¡¯s not from around here.¡± Quintvere pushed me in, closing the door. Thankful, I never dropped my items. I sat down on the dark red carpeting. The one in grey looked up from his book, storing his pen back in its ink. ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked, sounding annoyed that someone had distracted him. ¡°That¡¯s Xavven.¡± The one in green picked up his words. ¡°I¡¯m Beatrice, and who are you? We don¡¯t really get told names.¡± ¡°Vienna here.¡± I reached into my own pack, searching for what could pass as a spellbook. The one known as Xaaven tilted his head to one side. ¡°You sound like a mere noble. How¡¯d you get in here?¡° ¡°Quintvere threw him in, didn¡¯t you see?¡± Beatrice joked, from her position, sitting on her bed. Xaaven sighed, going back to reading. ¡°Seriously though, why¡¯d he throw you in here?¡± Beatrice spoke more quickly and quietly, ¡°A wizard named Niko.¡± I responded, turning to my marked page. Beatrice¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You talked to him? I¡¯ve wanted to do that for weeks, but I always get thrown off by his magical control.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know he was that influential,¡± I responded. ¡°I thought he was just some guide.¡± ¡°Some guide?¡± Beatrice sounded surprised, with a streak of offendedness. ¡°He¡¯s the most powerful wizard I know!¡± ¡°Forget I spoke ill of him,¡± I trailed off. ¡°What brought you under his study?¡± Beatrice thought for a mere second, recovering the story from her mind. ¡°My brothers and I used to pretend we were knights and monsters. I would build dungeons full of puzzles for them to solve, and of course act out monster fights. To act out the main villain of one, I looked for a book of magic to use. Nothing fancy, just an illusion. But when they saw me cast honest magic, it was such a big hit that they wanted more.¡± The conversation over dinner that night was filled with them talking about my first spell. ¡°Finding Niko was just a matter of time, I guess. But how did you learn magic? I don¡¯t know of any book that contains a spell quite like yours.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve cast magic from my bare hands. I need no book of magic. In times of intense happiness, I conjure ice. Enragement brings me colourless force.¡± Beatrice looked confused. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen a wizard who didn¡¯t need a spellbook or a tool. All of us that I know of have needed more materials than you do.¡± Having little more to talk about, she went back through her spellbook. ¡°Beatrice, can you show me some of your illusions?¡± I asked. Beatrice¡¯s eyes shone, figuratively speaking. She conjured up a row of grey-robed wizards, half a foot in height, all standing like they were in defense of a stronghold. Miniature copies of herself and Niko were in the center, right behind the line, followed by two brown-robed wizards on the outside, two horse-mounted green wizards slightly inwards, and two holy-looking wizards just beside her and Niko. A similar display went up in front of me, the apprentices¡¯ grey becoming a dull brown. The horses became wolves, and the likeness of Niko changed to my own. ¡°Did you create a game of chess before our eyes?¡± I asked, parallels before my eyes. ¡°You got me.¡± She sounded embarrassed. One of her apprentices, mere pawns of magic, slid forward. It was the one in front of her illusion, allowing her more room to move. I moved the one in front of my own, like a mirror to hers. ¡°Are you trying to mock me?¡± she asked, advancing the one directly in front of Niko. ¡°Not at all.¡± I smugly moved my copy of her ahead, the entire battlefield threatened by her presence. Her apprentice pointed its staff, striking one of mine with a bolt of colourless energy. My copy of her strode forward, spear running through a mere apprentice. Her mounted wizard panicked, leaping over the head of an apprentice. It stood, almost in spear range of my attacking player, who calmly moved to the side of the board, spear pointed directly at Niko¡¯s illusion. Beatrice hurriedly directed herself between them, spear pointed at herself, when I moved my priest like a shield, his staff pointing like a spear, mimicking her move. At the threat of a single one of her apprentices, the holy mage jumped back in fear before ramming through the apprentice with a shield bash covered in flames. He met his end stabbed in the back, to a single apprentice dagger. My copy of Beatrice darted right past the apprentice, when her illusion stepped forward threateningly. I moved my wolf-mounted wizard strategically...When her illusion stood directly before me, spear pointed at the hole in my defenses, I directed myself to one side, and that was all it took to keep me safe. Her illusion went right after mine, chasing each other around a single confused apprentice. Finally, mine broke through. She entered the final line, Niko in her sights, dodging a mounted mage to line up for the final blow. A holy wizard blocked the strike, but not without sacrifice, as my copy of Beatrice turned around and split an earth wizard down the middle with her spear. She swept through another apprentice, killing one at the same time as Beatrice¡¯s illusion of herself took one of mine. Pieces fell, left and right. My army was crumbling, my own unit coming out to fight, while the illusion of Niko hid behind a line of apprentices. Somehow, my illusion had advanced all the way to her side, dodging her spear, and trapped Niko inside his own living fortress. The illusion stabbed its rapier through the heart of the other, ending the game. At some point, Quintvere had returned, unwilling to interrupt. I went to my bed after that, all of us falling asleep some time later that evening. Fourteenth of Silversun The awakening was slower than my last few, but more gradual, as the wizarding group was in no hurry. I slid off my bed to put my clothing back on, to find Xaaven was still there, barely awake at all. Beatrice and Quintvere had left the room, as did I a minute or two later. The main floor was mostly empty, being much more popular in the evenings. Five practitioners of magic were sitting around the table, plates of food in front of them. Beatrice, who sat opposite to an empty seat, waved. A plate of meat was slid towards me, though I was too hungry to care what I ate. My fork, knife, and jaw made quick work of it. Finishing my plate, I attempted to strike up a conversation, though fatigue had caused those around me not to be very talkative. ¡°Where is Niko?¡± I asked when I saw one get particularly attentive. ¡°He left for the fields outside town. I heard he was practising for today.¡± one replied. ¡°I heard he¡¯s scared of something!¡± another joked, ¡°though it was most likely just a rumour.¡± ¡°Can one of you show me where he went?¡± I asked. No one said anything. ¡°Goodbye then. I¡¯ll find my own way out.¡± I rose from my seat, leaving the tavern. Immediately as I turned the corner, I knew where to go. I walked along the road, sights already set on the large stone building I came from. Because if anyone would know, it would be Tenka. The building was only a short walk away, having not moved at all since I arrived there. It had a doorway but no door, allowing me to walk in. A healer, in the same clothing as Tenka, passed by. His hood was down, allowing me to see his face. ¡°Excuse me?¡± I asked, having no concern to where a healer was going. ¡°Do you know where Tenka is?¡± ¡°Yes, she just went out.¡± he said quickly before turning around. ¡°You¡¯re free to wait for her here, if you want.¡± I walked between rows of healing beds until I found what I guessed to be a room where healers sat, if not needed at the minute. Wooden benches lined the outside walls save for the doorway¡¯s opening, and a large book sat on the table. It was bound in light brown leather, almost a golden colour, three orbs of glass set into its cover. Just the same yellow, white, and cyan as Tenka¡¯s staff. I took the book up in my hands, sitting back down across from the door so I could see who entered and left. Curious, I waded through its pages. Where I expected arcane symbols I couldn¡¯t understand, I instead saw plain language. Gestures of how and where to heal, diagrams to match the instructional messages, and a few words of magic were printed. I tried one out. ¡°Sano.¡± It rolled through my mouth like syrup, causing my hands to feel relaxed, warm even, as a soft green light weaved through my fingers like an agile snake. I reached into my backpack. While pulling my rapier out, I grabbed it part of the way down the blade, making a single jab at the back of my forearm. A small amount of blood leaked out, and I had to be careful not to get it on the seat. My face wore a look of pain, and I incanted the spell again. The same snake of green light weaved over my skin, towards the stab, and then my pinprick of a wound closed. ¡°It works!¡± I thought. Not willing to test it again, I put the book back. A noble-looking human in red leather armor entered, making brief conversation with another healer. His allies filed through, in much worse condition than he, going to healing beds of their own. ¡°Who is he?¡± I thought, as the red-armored man entered the room and spoke. ¡°My name is Bramwell.¡± He wore no crown, and was clothed in no gold or silver, but the words out of his mouth were spoken like a noble. His hair was brown, and while short, had an otherworldly flowing motion to it. The curved sword on his side felt like it was ceremonial in comparison, as his voice caused me to question myself. The words were spoken from such a common mouth, but in such a delivery that would easily cause one to listen. ¡°What brings you here?¡± I focused, strengthening my will and speaking. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for a healer named Tenka. She knows the outside of town where the wizard, Niko, invited me to prove my magic.¡± All the while, I could feel my sense of logic leave the room. I had just told a stranger my plans, an influential-sounding one at that. ¡°Then I request to spectate. Don¡¯t worry, I have no magic of my own.¡± I nodded in agreement, having little to say. A few minutes later, I saw Tenka walk back in, towards a bed near me. I made my move. I got up, breaking into a quick pace after her. ¡°Tenka?¡± I managed to catch her with my voice before she went to a bed to heal someone. She stumbled forward, and I was thankful she wasn¡¯t carrying anything. ¡°Sorry, I-¡± I cut off her words, as she had no need to apologize. ¡°You know the area outside of town?¡± Tenka nodded. ¡°You think you could take me to the forest right there? I wouldn¡¯t want to get lost when someone¡¯s waiting for me.¡± Tenka looked nervous. ¡°I guess I could spend a few more minutes outside...¡± She walked out, trying to avoid any strangely placed glances. The two of us followed the road¡¯s side, past some housing, in the opposite direction of the tavern. She pointed down to a corner, where the trees were thickening. ¡°It should be just down there. And whatever you¡¯re doing? Good luck, Vienna.¡± That was the most caring comment that had entered my ears all day. I walked, straight forward, no disruption from passersby, nor companions to walk with, until I saw two stone pillars. ¡°Must be the limits of the city.¡± I walked through them, looking to either side. It was forest, but a thinner one than the one just outside my own Kingdom, letting me see farther, before being blocked by trees. With this sight, I located a more open area, curiosity drawing me to it. Bramwell¡¯s red armor could be seen behind me, and I knew I had an audience. I could see the blue robes of Niko, lined in silver. He was sitting on the ground, facing away, a faint blue glow around him. ¡°Niko?¡± I stepped out from the clumped trees. ¡°I¡¯ve arrived.¡± His eyes snapped open, as if just coming back from a dream. ¡°Vienna, was it?¡± He swept his hand alongside him, around belt-level, a black Y shape in it. A red gem was set into the center, looking like a piercing eye. ¡°I¡¯m here to test you. You¡¯ve cast a single bolt of ice, have you not? But I¡¯ve hardly seen your real power. I¡¯ve seen potential in you, a desire for magic. Are you fit to withstand its force?¡± ¡°Yes I am.¡± I felt my hand chill to the bone, determined by the force of the challenge set before me. I pointed my hand and opened my fingers. A bolt of frozen hydration sailed towards my challenger, three smaller ones circling it like moons. Niko, made a quick gesture; a flame erupted right in front of him, ice losing its point and turning into a blunt force. An orb of flame sailed towards me, my rapier striking it off to the side. I cursed as it struck me, feeling like it had mass as well as fire. No burn was left on my clothing, and I had no idea whether my flesh was affected. I focused my power at the ground, the very thought of magic this critical causing it to freeze. I jumped, sliding along the ice, casting again once I reached my opponent. He cast a defensive shield of fire from his catalyst, thinking this was an attack, when his balance betrayed him. Niko went sliding back, another mere thought from me causing a shotgun blast of projectiles from my open hand. They pelted him like hail, leaving small rips in his clothing. I stood over him, laughing. ¡°Just what can you do against that?¡± Niko lashed out with his arm. I fell to one side, my leg cut by his dagger. I felt my magical powers drained by the grey blade, Niko and I rolling away from each other. We rose as one, I in the same motion drawing my rapier. I thrust once, poking through his attempted block, the second time bouncing off a summoned shield. In my second of weakness, he struck. I felt my stomach being slashed across once, then again, a third strike going upwards to near my throat. ¡°If you want to play this way, I¡¯ll have no choice but to end you.¡± Niko was cut off by a simple healing spell. ¡°Sano,¡± I coughed out, wounds looking a little smaller. ¡°Sano!¡± I incanted more clearly, a green snake of light weaving around me. I tried something I had learned right after ¡°Sano¡±, confident I could speak it more clearly. ¡°Cusano!¡± Three green snakes of light emerged from my hand, spiraling around my fingers before jumping at my stomach wounds. Niko¡¯s eyes were wide in awe. ¡°Incredible...¡± I heard him say under his breath. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen any of my mages do that.¡± With newfound strength, I pounced with my rapier. The result was enough to catch Niko off guard, knocking him over. I held my rapier right over his heart, looking right into his eyes. ¡°That will be enough, thank you.¡± Bramwell stepped into view, and I stepped off my opponent, allowing me to sheath my rapier. Niko arose, still shocked by my actions, leaving his dagger behind. ¡°Keep it.¡± His voice was a mixture of awe and scorn. I picked up the grey blade, seeing it wave slightly as if a ritual dagger. ¡°Does this blade have a name?¡± I asked, admiring my new find. ¡°Magicbane.¡± Niko adjusted his robes, speaking into his clothing. ¡°I¡¯ll need to fix these.¡± He turned his head back up to me, a conflicted expression on his face. ¡°You¡¯re part of the Wizards now, even if your power is far from standard. Normally, I¡¯d give you a mission to get a better catalyst, but your lack of need confuses me. However, another Wizard named Vylath is disrupting our travels. He¡¯s been sending his various magical creations at us with intent to kill. With your proven ability, I think you¡¯d be able to do the mission.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. ¡°And that is?¡± I asked, intrigued. Niko¡¯s voice grew more intense. ¡°Steal his catalyst. Kill what you need to. Rob him of his power.¡± Niko¡¯s dedication took me by surprise. ¡°My Wizards and I will be traveling south tomorrow, making a turn near his lands. We¡¯ll let you off at the halfway mark. From there, go further south, to his obsidian tower in the Dead Lands.¡± From Bramwell¡¯s side, I saw a grey cat walk out. She looked right up at me, green eyes focused. ¡°Good job, human! You¡¯re learning to control your magic!¡± Mimi the magical cat thought into my mind. She mewed, rubbing against my leg. The others didn¡¯t seem to notice or simply didn¡¯t care. Niko, Bramwell, and I walked back towards the tavern, leaving Mimi behind, Niko leading, with Bramwell at his side. I heard them talk of ruling, though details faded as I slowed down to avoid his commanding voice. The sound of it made me feel bent to obey him. As Niko and Bramwell passed the stone building, Tenka walked out of the doorway. ¡°Who are they?¡± she asked, as I entered her range of hearing. ¡°A Wizard and... I¡¯m not sure exactly what he is,¡± I gestured to Bramwell. Curious, Tenka followed beside me. ¡°Niko summoned me out to the woods to prove myself. Your book of healing magic was most useful in my endeavors.¡± ¡°And why did he want--¡± Tenka froze. ¡°You read the book? How are you okay? That magic has fried our new members.¡± I realized I had no explanation. ¡°It seemed safe to me,¡± I shrugged as we walked. Tenka and I entered the tavern shortly after Niko and Bramwell. Had this been the tavern during its peak of hours, she would have been nervous, scared even, but judging by her expression, the afternoon was fine. Wizards were gathered around the table, Bramwell sitting at its very head. Niko was on one side, other wizards gathered below as if in ranks. ¡±Niko?¡± I asked, waking up beside him. ¡°Now, what about that sage?¡± Niko made a quiet, breathy noise of surprise. ¡°Excuse us a minute. Bramwell, lead them well.¡± He followed me out, past the door guard and through the wooden door of the tavern. We weaved past houses, making turns so roundabout that no logical King would have approved of them. ¡°What is this place, hidden by magic?¡± I asked in impatience. ¡°Something like that. The house is protected by a password, entered by the direction you walk from. The house can only be found by drunken fools and people who know what they¡¯re doing. I¡¯ve barely remembered it, but I have a strong enough memory to let you in.¡± Niko and I took a few more paths, coming to a badly-kept part of Silverglint. The houses were bare, some of them having holes, save for an out-of-place looking house in the back corner. A glow came from inside, indication of our findings. ¡°He¡¯s right in there. I don¡¯t think Sage Vuldeem would take kindly to me.¡± Niko left with no explanation. This was it, what I had left the forest village for. My capture by bandits, falling off their vehicle, and the duel with Niko? I knew these setbacks were worth whatever lay beyond this door. I carefully turned the handle. A dreamlike glow filled the building, shining into my eyes. It looked like a standard house, though larger than I had thought, the front room leading into a dining room. Pipes, like the ones in Selaria¡¯s house, ran along the ceiling, some branching off into various parts of the house. A large metal box with a door on its front was the first thing I could see, and I could feel a cold generated by this construction. ¡°Well, another visitor?¡± a friendly voice said from the next room. The voice sounded old, but caring, inspiring me to walk through the doorway. I had expected Vuldeem to be more animal-ish, from what little I had seen of Selaria being any indication. All I saw now was an old-looking human, sitting and gazing out the window that looked out into a well-lit city, directly contrasting the barren slum I had just left. I turned back around to respond, when I saw an odd creature floating around him. It was a purple orb of what looked like smooth skin, a single giant eye at the centerpiece. Eight paper-thin tentacles extended from its sides, ending in yellow circles branching off to smaller ones that looked slightly fuzzy, as if not seen clearly. ¡°What is THAT?¡± I asked, backing up slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.This one isn''t too violent,¡± Vuldeem responded. My expression told him he was dodging the question. ¡°This is a Beholder, one of the creations of the Knight of Void. No idea how it ended up here, though.¡± I decided not to let him talk too long. ¡°Selaria sent me here, as I had demonstrated magical aptitude. What can you inform me of?¡° Vuldeem¡¯s face was bent between happiness and sadness. ¡°Ah yes, her! It¡¯s been a long time...¡± He regained focus. ¡°Come downstairs. I¡¯m sure you can learn something from what I¡¯ve built.¡± Down a flight of stairs, it was like Selaria¡¯s basement, but intensified. Even more magical devices lined the walls, pipes for the same blue liquid flowing through each. I stood over a wooden box with two gold panels on the sides, opening and closing as if breathing. ¡°Just what are all those?¡± I asked, looking around. ¡°Just various machines, used to do simple work. But the real question.¡° Vuldeem said as he walked towards a large glass tank of blue liquid, large enough to swim in, ¡°is mana. It floats through the air and acts as a fuel for any spellcaster. These machines make use of it, using mana to accomplish tasks.¡± Vuldeem gestured to the gold-paneled device. ¡°This one makes one thing into two, though costly. This one moves around, mining out things from the earth! It¡¯s how I made my basement.¡± His excited voice was directed at what looked like a wand, mounted on a set of metal spider legs. ¡°I haven¡¯t had much contact with Selaria, though I do know she likes to use the enchanting table for infusing mana into items.¡± I struggled to take in all this information at once, though I snapped back into focus on hearing a familiar name. ¡°Selaria seems to be doing adequately. She sent me here upon gaining knowledge of my magic.¡± This seemed to stop Vuldeem in his tracks. ¡°You know how to cast magic? Without the need of a book?¡± I nodded. ¡°I merely need someone to guide me.¡± Vuldeem looked deep in thought. A minute later, his eyes opened wide in realization. ¡°How do you cast magic?¡± ¡°With my hand, of course.¡± I held it out, in the open-claw position of casting. Vuldeem shook his head. ¡°What causes the spell to jump to your hand?¡± I realized what he meant. ¡°Intense emotion. Elation brings about ice, enragement conjures force.¡± ¡°And what of sadness?¡± Vuldeem¡¯s next words were like ice, in how cold they felt and their way of slowing me down. ¡°I... haven¡¯t found that yet.¡± My voice sped up, realizing none of my memories were sad enough to fill this request. ¡°Knowing how you act, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s something. With happiness as ice, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if your tears caused the ground to ignite. Now, what shape do you cast magic in?¡± I tilted my head to one side. ¡°Originally it was a bolt of ice. In a duel, I focused on the ground and caused it to freeze.¡± At the word ¡°focus,¡± Vuldeem opened his mouth to speak. ¡°Exactly. Unlike the coldly defined wizards, this magic is far more freeform. Sorcery is ruled by force of personality, not raw knowledge. Come to the cave under my house, and I¡¯ll teach you the ways of this dying magic.¡± ¡°Dying?¡± I asked. ¡°What¡¯s killing it?¡± He lowered his head. ¡°Wizards mostly. They turn magic into a science, not an art. Ah well, to the cave.¡± I followed Vuldeem in. The lights, originally floating orbs of yellow flame, became thinner, getting replaced with torches. ¡°Look at that rock and think of it freezing from within.¡± I focused my thoughts. A satisfying conversation I had with Kamon about cats, and general hope from learning magic, caused me to cast. A flat ice shard, like the point of a sword, flew through the air. ¡°Does this normally happen?¡± asked the disappointed Vuldeem. ¡°Not at all. I used to be getting a sharp cone, now I get the tip of a blade. This is progress.¡± I focused again, imagining the kinds of magic I could create with his teachings. An ice spike shot up. With that realization, I stood completely still, my focus on the rock like a beam of light. It cracked, and I could see reams of frost form on its edges. ¡°Good!¡± Vuldeem called out. ¡°You¡¯re focusing on your target, not yourself.¡± ¡°I can do this. Vylath will fall.¡± I boasted as the rock broke apart from the newly summoned ice. ¡°Vylath?¡± Vuldeem sounded lost in thought. ¡°He was an old friend, though it seems his time has come. I wish you luck on your travels, Vienna.¡± I left his house, evening already approaching. I broke into a run, energized by the new discovery of power, so the way back to the tavern felt much shorter than the way there. I leaned on the door, a single turn of the knob causing it to give way, the sight before me inviting. Bramwell had taken a prestigious-looking chair, much like a wooden throne, sitting at a table¡¯s head. On one side was Niko, listening to his words. This came of little surprise to me...far less than the fact that on the other was Tenka, and from where I stood in the doorway, I could see her blushing as she leaned close to Bramwell. He turned his head to the side, somehow sensing my entrance, and spoke with his same voice of command. ¡°The sorcerer has returned to us. How was your endeavor? Niko has told me of your goal, not of your journey.¡± ¡°Educational.¡± I replied quickly, taking a seat diagonally from Beatrice. ¡°Evening,¡± Her usually happy tone was quiet. ¡°What did you do?¡± ¡°I learned how to focus my abilities. And you?¡± I inquired. Beatrice sounded guilty. ¡°I spent most of the day listening to Bramwell talk. He has all these great ideas, and his voice is so captivating...¡± ¡°What did he speak of?¡± I asked. ¡°One can only go on so long speaking about nothing.¡± Beatrice looked over, as if she liked watching him gesture as he spoke. ¡°He told us that he¡¯s going to become King, and that we can help him. I never thought a commoner such as him could be so compelling, but look at him now.¡± As time and conversation passed, people slowly filled the tavern, and my mind slowly filled with admiration. ¡°How can he do that?¡± I thought, with nobody to listen. One of the servers brought food to him. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be able to cause so much inspiration. The wizards had a plan to journey around and learn, and now they¡¯re bent on helping this man to power.¡± Bramwell whispered something into the server¡¯s ear, and he left, returning with a larger covered plate, piled much higher with meat. The rest of us were treated as if we were nobility, a step up for many of the Wizards Niko was trying to train, and a throwback to time at home for me. For as long as I could remember, I ate like this, at a long table with my father at one end, mother at his side, and many others alongside the table. My family was a social one and a kind one, inviting many of our friends from the nobility to share meals every day. A few hungry peasants always showed up, and they too were invited to eat, so long as they kept at the far end of the table. Memories of my friends filled me, reminding me that seeing them again would be nearly impossible, and my hand felt warm. Hardly in a good way, as it felt more and more like it was over a hearth fire, slowly falling into the glow. I could see no fire in my hand but quietly excused myself, walking outside the door. ¡°I¡¯ll only be a minute,¡± I said to the door guard, hoping I wouldn¡¯t be questioned. The door guard waved me through but kept an eye on me. ¡°Probably making sure I don¡¯t burn the place down.¡± When I walked outside, I sustained this feeling of separation. A purple-black orb, ragged at the edges, formed in my hand. Initially, it was little more in size than one¡¯s eye, but quickly grew, greater than my head. I released it, the dark orb hitting a tree with the force and trajectory of a cannonball. The dark orb vanished, leaving a crater in the tree¡¯s side, and the door guard¡¯s face grew pale. ¡°Is that all, sir?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I responded, walking back inside. ¡°Thank you.¡± I resumed my dinner, eating no faster nor slower than I intended. Many of us went back to the rooms upstairs after that, Bramwell making arrangements with Niko about where he could sleep. Tenka joined them a minute afterward, hand moving to Bramwell¡¯s. They walked into one of the first rooms on the hallway, Niko finding another. I walked into my own, lying down, and only bothering to ask one question to the already-present Xaaven. ¡°What do you think of Bramwell?¡± ¡°He¡¯ll easily lead us to victory,¡± came Xaaven¡¯s dull voice. I lay there, lost in thought. I now seemed to know what all my emotions did, with this new addition of loneliness being dark magic that seemed to follow gravity¡¯s pull. With this change in the plans of the Wizards, I knew I would have to set out on my own to find Vylath. Fifteenth of Silversun Sleep came soon after this analysis, dreamless yet refreshing. I awoke to Xaaven already out, and Beatrice likely still sound asleep, the near-opposite of yesterday. I rolled out of bed and walked downstairs, seeing what I guessed were almost all of the Wizards, each of which was armed with a pack. Bramwell and Niko were idly talking, Tenka at the side of the former. For the first time, I saw her when her hood was down. Her hair was long, easily extending to her shoulder blades, though how she hid it in the hood of her healing robes was beyond me. Even more intriguing were the two cat ears that poked upwards, spinning slightly to take in all the sound of the room. Her expression was more confident than I imagined, though she said little in the conversation. ¡°Tenka?¡± As I approached her from the side, the white-robed cat person turned her head. ¡°Yes?¡± she responded, and that¡¯s when my thoughts froze. I planned to ask about the plans for the day, but immediately noticed something was off. Instead of her usual shy tone, I heard one of greater self-assurance, hardly fitting her old character. I scrapped my old question. ¡°What happened last night? My guess is Bramwell¡¯s intervention.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure if she worked like a human, but I saw her face grow red. Tenka quickly put up her hood to conceal her blush, speaking slowly and quietly. "I don''t know exactly what he did last night, but it felt amazing..." She trailed off, lost in thought. Knowing I would get no help from her, I went back upstairs, and down the hallway. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. As I neared the end and started to head back, I heard a door open. I turned around, to see Beatrice closing it behind her. She looked ready to leave, her pack similar to the others I saw. I pursued her, the speed of my walk catching up to her tired gait. ¡°Good morning, Beatrice ¡± ¡°Morning... ¡° she replied lazily. ¡°Didn¡¯t sleep well?¡± ¡°No...¡± She grabbed the banister for the stairs down. ¡°Dreams kept me awake.¡± She shuddered. I decided not to push her for answers. I, Beatrice, and a few other Wizards had entered the main floor. Bramwell was doing a headcount, making sure to include heads without pointy hats. He made a satisfied expression, before clearing his throat. ¡°All accounted for?¡± he asked, though more to himself than to the people he was speaking to. A dull wave of confirmation swept through the crowd. ¡°Then we set off to the Kingdom of Redhelm!¡± ¡°Wh--¡± I couldn¡¯t believe what I was hearing. ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°Where you not paying attention, Vienna?¡± he asked. His tone was not harsh, though felt brittle, as if he might snap at another question. ¡°It¡¯s a Kingdom just south of here. Large enough to matter, but small enough to win over. And your quest is south, is it not?¡° I shut my mouth. Redhelm was my home, and it was directly in my path. Bramwell led us out, Niko at the back, to make sure no one strayed too far. I was near the center, carrying far less than my allies. Little conversation was made, many minds already set on rising to power, leaving us walking for the better part of a day. A large jug of water and a bag of trail rations of something I didn¡¯t even try to identify, were passed around by Niko, slowly working their way forward, to Bramwell and Tenka taking the last two. She made what I guessed was some cute motion to Bramwell, though I could hardly tell from where I was. We made camp a few hours later, tent assignments mirroring that of our rooms in the tavern. A few spare bedrolls were found for the three newcomers, though at this point it was unlikely Tenka would want one to herself. I tried to make conversation twice, failing both times, and fell into a frustrated sleep. Sixteenth of Silversun I woke up the next morning, and before I opened my eyes I could feel a warm weight on my chest. I bent forward, thinking someone had rested their head on me, only to find dark grey fur. ¡°Mimi?¡± I asked, half-asleep. She got up and stretched, her little cat paws almost on my face. ¡°You¡¯re right, human!¡± she thought into my head. ¡°So I heard you¡¯re going back to Redhelm?¡± I was barely able to take in all this. ¡°How did you...¡± I stopped, realizing Mimi was a magical cat. ¡°I know a shortcut, if you¡¯d like.¡± I got up, recovering my clothes and hoping Mimi wouldn¡¯t mind the lack thereof. The second I got my backpack over my shoulders, she jumped on, her head poking out beside mine. ¡°Forward, human!¡± I heard her think as I was recovering my gem-set rapier. With some guidance, I walked between two trees, turned sharply right, and found myself looking at the Hunter¡¯s Lodge. ¡°Mimi? How did you do that?¡± She jumped off my backpack, looked up at me, meowed, and walked away. I approached the Hunter¡¯s Lodge and knocked on the large, carved wooden door. ¡°Who is it?¡± I could hear the Elite hunter ask, answering my knock. I knew from his tone this was the one I had met before. ¡°It¡¯s Vienna Of Tareris. The noble that Kamon brought in.¡± I heard a laugh from behind the door. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re that noble who we lost on that hunting trip. Someone¡¯s got a lot of explaining to do!¡± He opened the door. I ducked my head and walked under, the wooden structure closing behind me.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. ¡°Thank you for allowing me pass--¡± I started, before being cut off. Kamon ran up to me. ¡°Vienna, where were you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯d believe my adventure, even if I told you.¡± I would have liked to speak about Selaria, Bramwell, and Mimi the magical cat, but the improbability of those things caused me to think otherwise. ¡°I¡¯m trying to make my way back home. I obtained food from the nearby town.¡± That sounded sufficient. It was no lie, given the difference in distance between my Kingdom and Silverglint. By failing to specify anything more, I told a much more mundane, believable story. Kamon looked like she bought it. ¡°You know the way back to your house? You don¡¯t come down here much.¡± ¡°I have a way to get there.¡± I walked out the door, last of the sunrise turning into a conventional day. Civilians were already out, and I could see an armored Knight riding between them, spear in her hand like a flag. An orange symbol of flame shone on the red cloth, indicating the Knight¡¯s presence and power. ¡°Greetings, Knight. Can you tell me how to get home?¡± The Knight stopped her horse. ¡°What is a noble doing out here? The houses of the upper class are that way. If you¡¯re a Tareris man, your home should be more to the left.¡± ¡°Thank you, Knight.¡± I walked past her, the Knight¡¯s horse then picking its pace back up into a walk. When I reached my house, I stopped at the door, making sure the gems in my rapier were hidden by the cloth of my long coat and that my new dagger was stashed near the top of my pack. The knock on my door was easy, as my parents were late sleepers. A minute after I made contact, my mom opened it, moving aside to let me step through. ¡°Did you have fun last weekend?¡± she asked, as I moved inside the house. I nodded, acting tired. ¡°Yes I did, though I slept far too little.¡± She laughed slightly, clearly one of mirth. ¡°You know you can always come back and rest here. Your dad went back to manage the workers, so it¡¯s just me at home today.¡± I went to my room, and gratefully felt how soft the bed was. I spent the better part of the day reading, revisiting a series I found a few years ago about the adventures of a Katana-wielder with faith in a strange canine being. About mid-day, I heard a knock at the front door. ¡°Excuse me,¡± a voice stated. ¡°Where is Vienna?¡± Thankfully, my mother was there to answer. ¡°He spent the night with his friends, so he¡¯s probably asleep.¡± ¡°Close enough,¡± I though as I lay there. I judged the time by where the sun was in the sky, knowing that I only had a very loose idea of it. Tomorrow I would make my move, on my quest out to Vylath¡¯s tower. Dinner was as usual, my parents being much more talkative than I. After taking a walk around that evening, almost reaching the archway that led to the town¡¯s lower class, I returned home and waited.