Breaths hasty, and a heart that thumped as if to break free from her chest, Saphiria diverted her gaze from the red-robed man across the cargo hold to the spot where Dimitry vanished. The surgeons overload. Those engorged circuits. Did blue blood escape his body, leaving him for dead? A powerful impulse shoved her forth, demanded she shake the surgeons shoulder, inquire about his health, discern if he would live!
But she didnt.
Not only could she not treat overload, but an act so frantic and reckless would endanger them both. Although Saphirias dispelia scarf could disperse his invisibility magic, revealing the true extent of Dimitrys horrific ailnt as she approached, doing so would expose her identity as a Zeran Servant.
Over a dozen stomped across the ships deck above. Among them were the Churchs knights. If any of them descended into the cargo hold to witness such a sacrilegious sight, Saphiria would be enslaved once more. Precious would be sacrificed. Dimitry would suffer a fate more tortuous than death.
Saphirias arms trembled more than they ever had. How unlike her. She should remain focused! And yet, without the collars enchantnt to numb excess emotion, her attempts to force the worry into submission only loudened the chattering of her teeth.
Sothing unseen darted into Saphirias hood.
The familiar jingle of faerie wings; they belonged to Precious. She tugged on her collar. It-its Dumitry. He told to co andand you have to help him!
What happened?
I I think hes dying.
Like the ti we hid him in the forest?
Way worse! Lots of blue bile was leaking out.
Racing thoughts scread at Saphiria to check on Dimitry, to kill the sole witness to their cri, to flee the cog, but she vented every irrational impulse by gnawing on her lower lip. Dimitrys condition was worsening. If too much blue bile escaped, he would never awaken. Every mont was more precious than the last.
Saphiria could dally no longer.
Her best chance lay with the old man sitting across the cargo hold. Just as Bryce ntioned, his red robe resembled a court magicians apparel. If he was indeed an experienced wizard, he could treat overload with ease. But many questions lingered. Why didnt the old man report Dimitry to the Crimson Knights for the hundred and fifty gold bounty? Did age-fog cloud his mind? Was he hiding, too?
What is that robed man feeling? Saphiria whispered.
Intrigue, hesitation, a-and panic.
Is he scared of the disappearing man?
I-I dont know! Precious said. Just hurry and do sothing. Dimitry is hes
The corrupted creature was right. Ti wasted ruminating on countless minutiae would doom them all. Saphiria swiftly decided on a bribe and an implied threat to guarantee the mans assistance.
Careful to avoid provoking a potentially deadly wizard with sudden movents, Saphiria stepped closer to the ladder to block off the only exit. Her eyes locked onto the robed passenger. Can you treat overload?
The old man moved a pipe away from his mouth and blew a cloud of smoke. A strange question for a criminal to ask.
Saphirias shoulders tightened. He knew everything.
We wish you no harm, she said. If you are an experienced wizard, we will pay a sizable sum for your services and your silence.
To think a boy was the disappearing man all this ti. While I am curious as to his obscure magics, I prefer not to make my presence known. Consorting with delinquents attracts unwanted attention. Surely you understand that much, little miss.
We offer you five gold.
If I needed gold, he said, I would have spoken to the Crimson Knights when they passed.
Eight gold, and well supply all the vol you need for the treatnt.
My apologies, little miss. Pretend I saw nothing. The old man leaned back and shut his eyes as if to fall asleep.
Not another wheeze whistled from where Dimitry lay. Did swollen circuits constrict his neck? There wasnt much ti!
Saphiria stepped forward. I think my friend is dying!
There was no response.
Please help us.
The old man sat unmovingly.
This was the Remora Saphiria knew. It was the sa Remora Saphiria endured the past eight years and the one where only a passing surgeon would risk his life to help another. But now Dimitry lay dying. Fortune blessed only those with the overwhelming force to defend themselves and that which they treasured.
Saphiria possessed such force.
And she wouldnt hesitate to wield it.
She sched around her two best weapons against a mage: a dagger and a dispelia scarf. The tools were suboptimal, but used well, even they could incapacitate a powerful head channeler in Fathers army. A bigger issue was getting close enough to apply them.
Although not all mages fought wars, any wizard proficient enough to treat overload could dominate a battlefield as small as this cargo hold with the precision of his magic. Dodging every spell would prove difficult. But it wasnt only the spells hurling from his palms cores that Saphiria would have to avoid, but also those from the weaker cores on his back, soles, and even his nape. Advanced mages could cast spells from most of their body. Only once Saphiria locked the old man in an angle where he couldnt hit her with a spell could she relinquish him of vol and force him to treat Dimitry.
Choosing a distraction to cover her advance, Saphiria grabbed a vol pellet and a loose silver gadot from her pocket. She dashed forth.
Propelia.
Gleaming silver flew from her palm and raced across the cargo hold. However, before the coin could pierce the old mans forehead, it clanged against an unseen barrier and fell to the plank floor with a soft clink.
Were those the effects of protectia? It was the only spell that could form midair barriers, and yet the old man didnt open his mouth to chant. Could he be a mumcaster?
A powerful opponent and a capable wizard.
The perfect person to treat Dimitry.
The old mans arm swung sideways to aim at Saphiria, but she dodged faster than he could move. Or so she thought.
Fire set ablaze several strands of her hair.
Illumina, Precious whispered.
Blinding light erupted from the old mans eyes. His outstretched arm swerved wildly, and after being unable to align with Saphiria, the palm aid down instead.
The plank flooring beca slick like iceslipias effect.
Saphirias legs stumbled from a sudden loss of traction, so she slid forward on her knees instead. She pulled her dagger from its sheath and tossed the well-balanced blade forward.
The hilts blunt end smashed into the wizards closed hand, spilling all the pure vol he held, each green shard colliding into planks with a dense tal thud.
Before the old man could reach into his robe for more vol, Saphiria kicked away his arm. She partially untied her scarf such that half still covered her collar, pulled in close, and wrapped a loose end of the gray-glowing cloth around the wizards hands. The dispelia enchantnt assured that he could accumulate vol in his powerful palm cores no longer.
Saphiria withdrew the utility knife from her cloak, held the blade to the wizards throat, and stepped on the back of his boots, prying them off with a swift shove. Dark green pellets erupted from one shoe. Her targets hidden vol supplythose he intended to absorb through the cores of his feetwas now gone, too.
With horrified eyes, the wizard watched the last of his vol roll away.
Is everything alright down there? Bryce yelled from the deck.
Everything is fine! Saphiria said.
I can go down and check! a young man said. Judging by the tallic ringing of his footsteps, he was a Zeran knight.
Avoiding the wizards upper back cores, Saphiria leaned over the old mans shoulder and whispered. Tell them that everything is fine.
L-little miss, I
Saphiria pressed the knife to his neck. Tell them that everything is fine. Now.
Everything is perfectly fine! the wizard shouted. Dont bother yourself with us! Were just having a jolly old ti getting to know each other!
Dont get too friendly down there! Bryce said. Save so energy for later. We got a long trip ahead of us.
Little miss, the wizard whispered, be more gentle, will you? My elbow is still ringing from that kick, and when did you even cast illumina? Judging by that collar and your talents, youre no regular girl, are you? To think everyone only talked about that boy.
Saphiria hadnt the ti for prattle. She shot another glance to the spot where Dimitry had vanished.
His body remained unseen, and the planks where he lay no longer creaked. He was still
He was still.
I need you to treat my friend. Theres not much ti.
Little miss, Im just a geezer trying to get
And hes just a surgeon, Saphirias voice cracked. He doesnt an you any harm, and if you help him, neither will I.
The wizard sighed. Was the boy the one that freed you?
It doesnt matter.
The mischief kids get into for love. Wish my wife cared about as much as you do that boy. If anything, she would pay a hundred and fifty gold gadots just to get rid of ! He chuckled and lifted his arms. Itd be hard to help if you dont unravel this scarf.
Can I trust you? Saphiria asked, relying on a faeries advice.
Im afraid you have little choice.
Hes not trying to mislead you! Precious whispered.
With shaky hands, Saphiria released the wizard and shoved her scarf into her tunic. She rushed towards Dimitry. As she got closer, his body gradually regained its color, fading into existence. Spots of blue bile erged from bulging circuits and rged into horrific streams that leaked down his arms.
Oh no.
No no no.
She knelt beside Dimitry and shook his shoulder. Tell about gemstones, foxes, anything. I want to hear it all.
There was no response.
Im s-still sensing so emotion, Precious whispered. Hes not dead yet!
The wizard hovered overhead. A handful of pure vol pellets clinked in his palm. Little miss, since youve forced into doing this, I want sothing out of it.
She scowled. Is your life not enough?
Lets not be rash, now. Ive lived a long ti and have never seen magics as curious as that boys. I must learn more about it. To do that, I must guarantee his life. Doesnt that sound fair to you?
Hes not lying, Precious said. Let him help!
Saphirias gaze traveled from the old mans white beard to his exposed feet. There wasnt a way to know how Dimitry would respond to the wizards demands, but when the only other choice was to let the surgeon die, she couldnt refuse. Do anything untoward, and you wont see tomorrow. Itll be painful.
An alard chuckle escaped the wizard. If only a beautiful girl would threaten soone for . Without a chant, lustrous green pellets vanished from his one hand, while the other traced Dimitrys arm.
The turgid circuits ensnaring the surgeons wrist stopped convulsing, as did the cores protruding from his palms. Bile oozed no longer. This result must have co from a relaxia honed over decades of focused training. A wizard this skilled could serve a countess at minimum. Perhaps even a royal. Who was he?
Despite countless questions, Saphirias attention did not leave Dimitry. Will he live?
A boy this young should be just fine.
Waves tranquil and cool flushed across Saphirias limbs, dissipating the fervent rush of monts past. But calm couldnt co. Not yet. On the deck above were mbers of the Church. To avoid arousing their suspicion, Saphiria had to take full advantage of the wizards talentsfor her and Dimitrys sake.
Pardon , she spoke politely to avoid irritating the man who could kill Dimitry on a whim.
The wizards wrinkled palm hovered over Dimitrys chest. Be at ease, little miss. Ive done this before.
I am grateful for your assistance, but there is another matter I wish to discuss. Saphiria tugged on her collar of salvation. A mage who can cast spells without a chant can lt steel with magic. I want you to remove it.
I figured you would ask. The man tugged on his white beard. How about this? If you refrain from killing and keep this incident a secret from the Church, the crew, and the boy until we reach Coldust, Ill remove that nasty collar. What do you say?
The wizard hoped to guarantee his safety and anonymity throughout the voyage by dangling freedom from Zeran persecution over Saphirias head.
A fair trade.
Although having to withhold information from Dimitry troubled Saphiria, if her silence could free them both from persecution, she wouldnt hesitate. Very well. As long as you uphold your end of the bargain before we arrive and do us no harm, none shall co to you. I vow so upon my life.
The old man shrugged. As if Id provoke a reckless lass like you.
When Dimitry regained consciousness, the first thing he did was suppress the urge to vomit. Stomach contents clamored at his lower esophageal sphincter, prodding for the first chance to burn up his throat and escape through his mouth. A relentless rocking urged it forward. The kind that ca from sailing in the open sea.
Dimitry hated boats.
The first sight to greet him was a relieved pair of indigo eyes. Saphiria rested the back of her hand on his forehead. How are you?
Ive been better. He massaged his aching temples. Is it safe to assu that you saved my life again?
Maybe a little. Saphiria smiled a beautiful yet hesitant smile. How can I not repay the man who sacrificed himself to keep his accomplice hidden?
Youre an angel.
Whats that?
A wonderful person.
After a mont spent in contemplative silence, Saphiria leaned in to whisper. Were joined by a Zeran shield, a bishop, and a trainee priestess. All three are on deck. They didnt recognize you or as heretics. Precious is hiding underneath my tunic. She says the old man sitting across from us is friendly. Including Old Man Bryce, nine sailors are on board.
The Church was still here? Not the best news to receive after waking with a migraine, but at least word of his assault on a bishop didnt reach this far. Governntal and religious authorities must have used separate intelligence couriers. Town criers referring to him as the disappearing man rather than a heretic supported that conclusion.
Dimitry gave a strained nod. Thanks for the information.
Youre very welco.
Oh-ho! Told you the boy will live! a voice like that of a cheerful old man said. What do you say to that, little miss?
Saphiria perford a small bow. Im in your debt.
The old man chuckled nervously. Perhaps I should be the grateful one. He combed four fingers through his long beard as he approached. Besides, its not you who owes the debt, but this boy here.
So the robed man was an experienced wizard after all. Although shocking that his aged and wise countenance matched fantasy sage stereotypes, given the massive ti investnt necessary to learn spells, educated elders dominating the magic industry made sense.
Dimitry wished to inquire about his debt, but before the question could take form, the urge to vomit struck again.
His sore arms strained to push off the cargo holds floor. He flew up the ladder, dashed across the ships deck, and keeled over its timber railing. Although he wished for sweet release, nothing ejected into the dark blue waves below.
First ti sailing? a boisterous voice asked.
Dimitry glanced sideways to see a young man holding a human-sized steel shield. He wore a set of glowing armor that covered every part of his body aside from his face, which had dark green eyes and a confident grin that might make teenage girls swoon. Was he the Zeran shield Saphiria referred to?
Another nuisance.
No just not feeling too well.
Thats too bad. By the way, we havent t yet. He held out his hand. My na is Reece Wilbur, but people call Big Reece or Race. You can call either. So prefer Race because its easier to say and just slips off the tongue, ya know? Whichever is comfortable for you is fine for .
Dimitry reached to give the overly verbose kid a handshake. Has anyone introduced to you yet? He needed to know before spewing lies.
No, all I saw was you lying around covered in blue bile. They said you were practicing magic all day while waiting for the ship to set sail. I admire your grit. Personally, Im not patient enough to learn spells. All I seem to be able to do is hold up this shield and protect people that are! Reece laughed, moving his face closer to examine Dimitrys. Your eyes. They remind of sothing I heard while passing through Estoria. What was it again? Sothing like
Icy muck sludged down Dimitrys spine. Burdened with a migraine, he wasnt prepared to engage in a verbal struggle for his life. My na is Arnest. Nice to et you.
Now I rember! Reece clapped. Wasnt Amalthea searching for soone with your pale green eyes, Arnest?
The Crimson Knights that boarded earlier said the sa thing, but after examining my face, it turned out they were looking for sobody else.
Reece bellowed a hearty laugh. Thats great! I thought I was going to have to tell the captain to turn this ship around. He laughed again.
Dimitry exhaled a heavy sigh. Fortunately, Reece was an idiot.
A young girl, no older than eight years old, ran past several crewn. Her bite-sized white robe swept across the boats deck until she reached Reece. She hid behind one of the knights iron-clad legs, peeked out at Dimitry, and retreated shyly.
Dimitry smiled at the girl, and she waved her little hand back at him before retreating again. So that was the trainee priestess Saphiria ntioned. Religious indoctrination never looked so adorable.
Sorry about her, Reece said. Selene doesnt speak much around strangers. Shes a lamb deployed with us for an assignnt in Mainefield. Itll be her first ti defending a heathen barrier. Say hi, Selene.
She peeked out, waved, and hid again.
Lamb? Was that the official term for a trainee priestess? Why would they deploy young girls to fight a war against stone monsters? The idea irked Dimitry, but he couldnt resist crouching and waving back at the girl. Her innocent smile lted his heart.
Hopefully, war wouldnt take it away.
It was nice eting you, Reece. You too, Selene. Im going back to the cargo hold.
The blonde man pointed at a woman in her mid-thirties standing alone near the ships mast. Are you sure you dont want to et the bishop? Shes not the friendliest, but she reads a an prayer.
Dimitry forced a grin. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to more people from the Church. Maybe so other ti. I need to go get so rest. He stumbled back to the cargo hold.
Feeling better, Arnest? Saphiria wore a sly smile.
Being called a dead mans na felt strange.
In so ways, yes. Dimitry turned to face the old man who now smoked a long pipe. Both white, its mist lded with the mans long beard. You said sothing about a debt earlier?
The old man exhaled a cloud of smoke and patted the layered plank hull to his side. Sit, boy. I want to hear all about that spell you used. Ive seen nothing like it.
Although the wizard saw him cast invisall, Dimitry preferred to stay silent. Divulging excess information led to trouble. Still, besides paying off his debt, now was an opportunity for mystical edification. The to in the dark halldid an experienced wizard like the old man know anything about it? Perhaps they could exchange information.
Have you ever heard of tos that teach magic? Dimitry asked, wincing as he lowered into a sitting position.
The old man let out a wad of cool smoke slling of burnt mint. Of course I have. Every novice thinks they can learn spells from so giant book without a ntor. A cough interrupted his full-bellied laughter. Children and their silly dreams. Youre not going to tell that you learned magic that hides you from sight with one of those, are you?
A giant book? The to Dimitry used in the dark hall had only a single page. Were they talking about two different things? He had to make sure. I used a book with glowing blue characters.
Pipe falling out of his mouth, the old man hesitated before speaking. You what now?
They twisted on the page when I read them.
My boy, are you well?
That confird Dimitrys suspicions; the old man knew little about it. Then again, they say I hit my head sowhere. I have trouble rembering things about myself and this world.
I see. The nas Ignacius. The old man glanced at Dimitry with a narrowed eye. If you rember anything else about this to, I would like to hear about it. And, if you could show that spell one more
Unfortunately, I cant. Every ti I use it, my body convulses and shakes.
I saw. Ignacius tapped his pipe against the cargo holds layered plank wall. I never saw a single spell do that to a person, even if they were overloaded. But it only makes your magic more intriguing. Say
Say?
This trip wont be long, so I wont be able to do too much, but if I treat you the entire trip, will you cast that strange magic for ?
An agreent that served as an opportunity to heal Dimitrys wounds and learn more about dical treatnt in this world. What was not to love? Ill agree to that.
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