If Anton or the others knew their way around Estary, they could have arranged for a discreet location to et up. As it was, their target was a city not far from the other side of the border. Hoyt and those with him were quite a distance away at the proper border crossing, while Anton and Catarina planned to just walk across so distance away. That ant theyd have to avoid anything that ended up with their identities being checked, but they really didnt have any intention for that regardless. He wasnt planning to buy anything particularly strange and exotic, nor did he plan to commit any cris. Except sneaking past the border, he supposed.
Stop! Catarina held out her hand to the side. Theres a formation.
Anton surveyed the area in front of them, but shook his head, I dont feel anything. Its too faint.
Its weak, Catarina said. Its not a barrier or an offensive formation. Nothing will stop us if we just walk through.
I suppose it must be an alarm then? Anton asked.
I think so, Catarina said. But none of the actual parts of the formation is here. This is just an extension of the effect between two points. Catarina looked to the left and right. Its too far to go around, I think. It could encompass the whole border.
Was there anything like this at the Graotan-Ofrurg border?
... I dont know, Catarina said. I didnt sense it at the ti, but Ive improved in cultivation significantly. And practical experience with formations. She approached closer towards the invisible barrier, presumably stopping in front of it. I think I can open up a way through. As long as nobodys currently watching the barrier.
How long is it to go around, really?
Catarina shook her head, It would be a half day to the northeast before we could determine whether or not it ends or just has a relay point.
And the other option is sneaking through this formations effects. If were still being pursued the detour might cost us. But if were caught here Anton shook his head. He continued to look around them. It was just a regular stretch of land. In fact, hed thought theyd already crossed the border. Of course just that didnt make them safe, but still. Catarina, can you tell if there are formation techniques from Estary or Ofrurg supporting this formation?
She shook her head, Even if I could study the core of the formation, from what I know of formations this entire region should have the sa basis. Close enough for individual styles to overwhelm regional differences.
Too bad, because I was hoping we were fully in Estary. If its not sothing both sides control, Id rather bet on explaining things to Estary. He looked back at the dozens of people following behind them, waiting to see what they did.
We just have to not get caught then, Catarina started shuffling pebbles around, I will need you to lend energy. Then we can open up a path for everyone to move through.
-----
The two Essence Collection cultivators were having a staredown, with the side effects being for the floor between them. Adrastea kept any energy from flowing towards Hoyt and the five others, while the older man nad Yust protected those from Ofrurg. Where their energy t cracks ford in the ground.
The woman who had been referred to as Adrastea pushed forward, and the crack widened. However, as she turned towards him to speak instead of any sort of retaliation from Yust the crackling energy lessened. Who are you, young man?
Hoyt cupped his hands together, bowing slightly. I am Hoyt, of the Order of NInety-Nine Stars.
And these? she gestured to Pete and the others from the farms.
They were captured from Graotan and taken as slaves. I legally purchased and freed them, as those docunts show.
Theres no proof of that! Yust said.
Adrastea turned back towards him, Perhaps. But the papers are legitimate, are they not? Why have they not been allowed through?
They have no other form of identification. It could be anyone.
Adrasteas snort stirred up the air so much that one of the two early Spirit Building cultivators standing behind Yust staggered back slightly. Ofrurg never provides freed slaves with proper identification. That is a fault in your own system, and inadequate reason to hinder soone on legitimate business. Anything else?
Citizens were killed in Sarton and slaves freed. This is the nearest border. We need to search him to see if he has any connection to the incident. These slaves-
Adrastea pulled a spear from nowhere and leveled it at Yust. These people are not slaves. Nor should anyone be.
Yust swallowed, My mistake. However, this being the closest border we have legitimate reason to search this fellow, and any others crossing.
Adrasteas eyes flickered to the side for a mont before turning back towards Yust. Is that so? Then well be glad to search any disciple from the sects of Ofrurg passing through our land as well. Im sure they have so lovely techniques.
I dont-
Many people would like to get their hands on a fully copy of the Ninety-Nine Stars. Im sure youre among them. Adrastea turned to Hoyt. Hoyt. If you will allow us to jointly search you and your companions, I can promise no techniques or private correspondence will be read.
Of course. Go ahead, Hoyt really didnt have much choice- and they really didnt have anything on them. Pete and the others had little more than the clothes on their back, travelling supplies, and weapons. Hoyt had the Ninety-Nine Stars, but all of the more suspect things were with Anton.
It didnt take long before they were past the Ofrurg side of the border. Adrastea lead them forward to the Estary side. We still have to fill out the paperwork, but that wont take long. It didnt, either. It probably helped that Adrastea herself filled out the docunts, her hand flicking with remarkable speed as she wrote. There. How many others?
Its just the six of us, Hoyt said.
Adrastea took a good hard look at Hoyt. Fine. Just one mont, though. She picked up another pile of docunts, filling each out in an instant. She put half to the side and handed half to Hoyt. If you happen to run into any other mbers of the Order, say an eleventh and tenth star, or perhaps two dozen miscellaneous others, they might need these. When Hoyt hesitated, she spun them through the air so they landed in his bag. I can tell you havent been expelled from the Order, and I believe you about the thod these five were enslaved and freed. So Im willing to take the chance. Though if they really arent with you Adrastea stroked her spear she hadnt yet put away.
Hoyt gave up. She obviously knew who had passed, and probably where they were more than he did. Actually I was planning to et up with so others. Maybe they lost their papers.
Adrastea smiled and waved them on. As they stepped out of the structure, Adrastea called after them, Oh, dont forget to tell your grandfather I said hi!
Dammit. Stupid Essence Collection cultivators knew everything. At least they got past the border.
-----
Hoyt was waiting outside the city for Anton and the others. He handed over the bundle of papers after they approached. You were found out. Fortunately, by soone friendly to the Order. Maybe thats Estarys opinion in general, Hoyt shrugged.
Catarina frowned. How was there a secondary formation to detect tampering? It didnt resist my efforts she muttered to herself as Anton looked over the papers.
So of the details seem to have been left vague, Anton said. Thats sothing. The papers for him mostly said Spirit Building, Ninety-Nine Stars along with the date and other legal stuff. The papers for the miners just said Body Tempering, undeclared. Are these safe?
Hoyt shrugged, The Essence Building cultivator can probably see us from here. And if she wanted you to be dead, youd be dead.
I only detect anti-tampering formations, Catarina said. But if they want to track us
Let them, Anton said. It appears we underestimated the border.
... Im sorry, Catarina said.
Its not your fault, Anton said. Truthfully, both of us are inexperienced in this area. Nothing bad happened this ti, so we can learn. Anton looked at the nearly three dozen people they had. Hed hunted animals when necessary as they were fleeing through Ofrurg, but hed rather not poach in Estary if he could help it. It would be a poor guest that received such a helpful welco only to turn around and break laws. That ant theyd have to buy food, and they also should probably at least get everyone into a common room instead of their sowhat lacking tents. Theyd saved quite a bit of money by not paying for any of the last group, but they should probably get so work. Preferably so that looped around to the west, so they could return to Graotan.
Except it wasnt guaranteed everyone was from there. He hadnt really stopped to talk with the majority of the miners and the servants. An oversight on his part. There was no way any of them were going back into Ofrurg, but if there were any who had hos in Estary going a bit out of their way to return them ho would be the proper thing to do. Anton wasnt even completely where Pete, Oskar, Patricia, and all the others wanted to go. Dungannon was no more, and it really wasnt very safe.
Reviews
All reviews (0)