Millennial Mage Nove Chapter 262: Building Some Good Will

Chapter 262: Building So Good Will

Tala was rather irritated. The blast that had disrupted her connection to her budding Archon star hadnt really been anti-magical.

In fact, if she had to say it mimicked anything, it reminded her of Master Jevin in Makinaven, where he could grab anyones power and move it around with his aura control and the odd strength he had within his city.

Tala found herself glaring at the guards before her.

Shed been rciful, and these n had nearly killed her.

You. She locked eyes with the leader, even as he paled.

He could obviously see that she had not been undone by his last-ditch tactic.

-He also likely saw the edges of the void before the through-spike fully reactivated.-

She tried not to growl as she asked, Who made that item?

The leader didnt answer right away as he looked around, taking in the state of his n.

The two who had tried to sneak up on and catch her between their lightning weapons were the only n who werent injured.

Specifically, the dozen others each had a broken left ankle. I should have just caved in their skulls.

-No, dont let your frustration, fear, and relief combine to make you regret your rcy. You had no need to kill them, so you didnt.-

That was true enough.

If she had killed them, then shed still think she was on a ti limit for the dasgannach. She also knew that she had a much greater penchant for violence after her ti in the arcane lands. Rust, Brand had tried to put a knife in her heart, and theyd beco good friends. These people just inconvenienced her a bit, and she wished shed killed them all?

I need to push back on those instincts more

-Hey! At least the dasgannach is in a more stable sort of equilibrium.-

Sure, but now, I have a different problem, and Ill still be dead if my left hand is severed She frowned at that. Or will the dasgannach just draw everything back into the rest of ?

-It might take the opportunity to leave, taking the star with it, since it would already be outside of you.-

That does seem likely

She wasnt keen to test the theory either way.

Finally, the leader gathered himself sufficiently to respond. We are not here to answer your questions. We are to bring you back to our leader.

That was your purpose?

Yes, the Head asked to speak with you, to ensure you were not a threat.

She frowned. Did he create that item?

The man hesitated, then seed to decide that there was no harm in elevating his leader in her eyes. Yes.

Are you thinking what Im thinking?

-Definitionally, yes.-

Thats not what I an. We have this thing still inside us, and we have no idea what its going to do. We could really use an analysis, and soone capable of creating so of these items

-Theyd have the tools to provide that, yeah.-

Good, then he likely has so good diagnostic equipnt. Take

to him.

What?

-Oh, Tala-

What? Its a good plan. I need more information, and the magic technology they have seems incredibly advanced.

-Assuming they didnt just steal all these weapons and devices.-

From who?

-Ruins?-

That thats actually a good point, but if they have access to that many ruins, and this much weaponry? Itd be worth getting to know them in either case.

She desperately wanted to get ho, but she couldnt let this chance go to waste, and she really didnt want to just hope that the dasgannach would remain stable until she got back ho. Who knows? Maybe they have a teleporter. I could teach them how to build one, actually.

Now that was an idea.

Could we just build one?

-You dont actually have a complete knowledge of the spell-forms. You have knowledge of the functions, but not exacting details on the construction.-

Rust. Fine.

The leader was standing, stabilized by one of the two uninjured n. You will need to surrender your weapons.

Tala cocked an eyebrow. Did I need weapons to overco all of you?

He twitched, seeming to fight an urge to flinch back, and after a monts hesitation, the man sighed, shaking his head. No, but

She overrode him. I could take all your weapons. Should I do that?

What? No!

Well, then. How about we all keep our own gear, and rember that youve already tried most of yours, and I havent used any of mine on you.

The leader grimaced, but before he could respond, the other uninjured man ca up to whisper in his ear.

Tala broke her standard respect for privacy, given their earlier hostilities, and listened in.

Each one of the n has a broken ankle, sir. Were not getting them back without aid.

The leader seed startled. What? All the sa injury?

Yes, sir. All the left ankle, too.

Tala barely contained her smirk.

The leader frowned but nodded. Alright. Well just have to send so people back for them.

Tala cleared her throat. If youd like to begin building so good will, regardless of your ambush of , I can carry your wounded in my dinsional storage, provided they dont move around too much. So were gated, and she wasnt keen to have Kits foundations undermined.

He narrowed his eyes at her. Why should I trust you?

She shrugged. Because if I wanted you dead, you would be. Im Tala, by the way.

-Your real na? Really?-

Im tired, Alat. I just want to be . Id like to be ho, too, but thats not possible at the mont.

-Thats thats fair.-

He cleared his throat. Greater Tala, I am Markl, sergeant of the guard.

Tala frowned. Greater? Whats that an?

Markl looked a bit uncomfortable. It is our term of respect for one who uses magics without requiring artifacts.

So a Mage?

It was his turn to frown. Like from the folk tales? Mages, wizards, liches, and the horrors below?

I suppose so? She shrugged. But I suppose that doesnt matter much. Should I refer to you as Sergeant Markl?

Just Markl will suffice, Greater.

Then you must just call

Tala.

His look of discomfort grew. Apologies, Greater, but I will have to refuse that request.

Alright, then a stronger hierarchy than the human cities up north?

-Or at least a more reinforced one. That likely ans there is less of a power difference between mundanes and greaters than between the average citizen and Mages back ho. Only those with a tenuous grasp on power are so insistent on such structures.-

If you insist, Markl.

She took Kit from her belt and tossed it to one side against a smaller crag, willing a normal door to form, opening into an empty twenty-foot cube below her sanctum.

Any whom you wish

to transport will be safe in there, and they shouldnt be able to damage anything important, so well all be happy.

After a monts hesitation he nodded. Injured inside, exit protocols in place. One hour from the doors closure.

Sir! The n still on the ground responded as one.

It took them a bit to load up the injured, and during that ti Tala received quite a shock.

Of the eight n without gates, four werent human. Two were hue-folk, and two were beast-folk, but those specifics had been hidden under their armor and while Tala had been focused elsewhere.

Looking back through her mories, she did see that it was obvious earlier, she just hadnt focused on it or really cared.

Huh. Theyre taking orders from a human? Well I guess I had servants hopping at my words, but my position wasn't exactly standard.

Still more confusing was the obvious bird-folk who had a gate.

Tala stared at him, unabashedly.

He gave her uncomfortable glances as he was helped to hobble inside of Kit.

How the rust does an arcane have a gate?

-We could ask?-

Yes, Ill just say that I was examining his soul, and noticed he had a gate.

-Why not?-

She hesitated, then shrugged. Good point.

Tala pointed at the bird-man. You.

He froze up, his voice shaking slightly, , Greater?

Yes, you. How do you have a gate?

His feathers rose, clearly showing emotion, but she didnt know enough about his physiology to know what emotion it was. My parents Greater.

aning?

My mother was a gated human.

And his father was a bird-man? There can be inter-breeding? There hadnt been any of that in Platoiri, at least not that shed been aware of, and shed never seen an arcane with a gate, before. Fascinating. Why

Markl cleared his throat from nearby. Apologies, Greater, I dont wish to presu, but you seem to be unfamiliar with our customs and ways. You are asking sowhat intimate questions.

Tala sighed. I knew it was too much to hope theyd give

straight answers. She grimaced. Very well. My apologies. I did not an to offend.

The loading of the remainder went off without issue and without further discussions. The deep, heavy vibrations of the ground continued at their regular intervals throughout.

After a brief hesitation, the sergeant also stepped through the door. Banlen will lead you where you need to go.

Without another word, he pushed the door closed.

Tala shrugged, taking Kit from the rock and hanging the pouch from her belt once more.

Kits reserves were still frustratingly low, so Tala once again rested her right hand on the pouch and directed as many void-channels as she could easily maintain into refilling her sanctum.

That underway, she turned to the two n, awkwardly standing nearby.

So, which of you is Banlen?

The two n looked at each other and both laughed a bit awkwardly. Well, Greater, we both are.

Twins? They didnt really look alike, but stranger things happened. Both were human and neither had a gate. Might be their last na, then?

No, Greater. Parents just chose the sa na. He shrugged awkwardly.

Well then, Banlens, lead the way.

The two n looked at each other and shrugged, the leaner one taking the lead.

They each obviously had one of the paired lightning artifacts, which took the form of a bracelet for each of them.

The one who took the lead had a short-spear that was, handle included, less than four-feet long. It looked more like a short sword with a really long handle to Talas eye, but the intention was fairly obvious.

The other had a round shield on his back and a mace hanging from his belt.

The short-spear and shield were both magical, though she couldnt easily tell exactly what they did.

Together, the three walked up to the top of a nearby hill.

There, the two n paused.

Theyd only walked about a hundred feet.

Is this it? Why are we stopping?

One Banlen had pulled out a disc of vaguely magical glass, and the other turned her way. Hes looking for our destination. Well move as soon as he pinpoints it.

She frowned. She had dozens of questions but decided it was best to just wait and see.

Soon enough, the one looking must have seen what he was looking for. Ahh, rust. Its moved faster than usual, they must think theyre close to findinghis eyes flicked to her, briefly"it. Co on, we have a couple miles to cover.

Without another word, he started jogging.

Tala and the other Banlen caught up quickly.

They both glanced her way, then to each other. With a shared shrug, they sped up to a comfortable running speed, and Tala increased her pace to match theirs.

The heavier of the two chuckled, even as he started to breath a little heavier. I knew youd be able to keep up. You didnt have a burst movent vibe to you.

Tala just grinned back. I could carry the two of you on my back, if you want.

The other laughed. Leave us a little pride, Greater. Youve proven yourself already. He hesitated for a mont before continuing, I dont want any misunderstanding. There will be those more powerful than you where we are going. We are not trying to lead you into a trap; thats just the truth of it.

She frowned. Is that based on a guess at my strength or sothing else?

-I havent sensed anything like magesight inspecting us, but with the odd assortnt of gear they have, we could be missing sothing obvious. Or hes just guessing.-

Well, at least this distance explains why they were willing to let

carry them in Kit.

-Yeah, I thought theyd agreed too easily, but if their city is moving sohow? The wounded would be falling further and further behind, and that would be really difficult to deal with, or at least inconvenient.-

Around a quarter hour later, they seed to be drawing closer to their destination, and Tala was sensing a far greater concentration of power nearby, even if it wasnt obvious to her magesight.

So sort of obfuscation?

The steady, infrequent trembling of the ground had continued and seed to be all around them now.

Youll feel a slight tingle as you pass through the field.

Tala frowned but nodded. Im coated in iron and forewarned. Not alerting

beforehand would have had a much greater chance of succeeding, if it was nefarious.

They crossed another dozen yards, and Tala did, indeed, feel a wave of tingling pass over her before it seed that a veil had been pulled back from her eyes.

Before her, a structure towered into the sky, easily a few hundred feet from its foundations to the tallest tower.

That structure was ambling across the landscape on six long, almost delicate-seeming legs, which stuck out from the foundations of the compound.

Instantly, Tala assud that the resonant thumping shed been feeling was from this massive thing walking, but she watched it take a step, and felt nothing.

Then another step.

Then another.

Then, she felt the deep resonant vibration.

Voices called out from the walking structure, and it seed to turn slightly.

Theyre looking for the origin?

Maybe it was coming from underground.

She shivered at the idea.

The Banlens both had seed to relax once they entered the field, and all three of them stopped a hundred yards or so inside it. There she is. Ho.

There were other groups scattered about, though what they were doing, Tala couldnt quickly determine.

Even so, she found herself nodding. I can admit, I was not expecting a walking city.

City? Lean Banlen laughed. No, no. Were not nearly so big. Were barely a village.

Her head whipped to face him. What did you say?

He took a step back, clearly startled by her sudden movent. Were not big enough to be a city?

After that.

He swallowed. Were barely a village?

That. A village. Thats just a small city, right?

Yes, Greater, more or less.

The other Banlen stepped forward. We need to catch up. You can ask your questions of the Head. Im sure hell be happy to speak with you.

Tala narrowed her eyes, looking at the village.

She rembered a woman who called herself simply Mistress. An insane offer of gold for a soul bond, a healing in the snowy mountains, and then abandonnt to find her own way ho.

Will I find her here?

-Only one way to find out.-

They took off at a run once again, and she found herself once again impressed at the two ns endurance, given they were running in rather heavy armor. It wasnt anything like full plate, but it was far weightier than a scouts armor tended to be.

She was looking around at the unusual ze as they ran when the truth of it hit her like a physical blow.

The village has its own aura? It was an insane idea. The sheer volu of power required was staggering. Even the human cities back ho didnt have an actual aura, just overlapping defenses and detection grids.

Though, to be fair, a village having an aura would be a lot more feasible than a city, at least in theory.

-More things to ask this head.-

So it seems.

It didnt take long for them to catch up to the backend of the walking village.

There was a spur of rock extending down in back, with a door and a platform hovering just above the ground.

A singular guard stood on the small threshold.

The leaner Banlen ran ahead and hopped up, whispering to the guard.

Tala was amazed at how quiet the villages steps were. Even right beside the thing she couldnt hear them at all.

She realized it was magically enforced silence, of course, but it was impressive nonetheless.

The guard at the door didnt look too pleased, but eventually he nodded and gestured them forward.

Welco to Howlton, Greater Tala. Banlen here said that youve rendered aid in transporting so of our n, and wish to speak with the Head?

She blinked a few tis at that, glancing to Banlen curiously. He was studiously avoiding making eye contact. With a chuckle and a shake of her head, she smiled. That pretty much sums it up, yeah. Ill let the n out of my dinsional storage once were inside.

He gave her a long look, then grunted. Above my paygrade. Welco to Howlton.

Without anything further, he opened the door away from them, and gestured for them to enter.

They entered, one Banlen in front and one behind, imdiately climbing a set of stairs, up through the dark interior of the villages foundation.

The top was awash in light, and as they ca out of the dark, sloped passage, Tala was amazed at the life she saw all around them.

It felt like they were exiting an alley into a bustling marketplace.

There were workshops open to the air, though no sound exited the broad spaces.

More noise-canceling?

Food stalls were scattered about, along with sellers of various standard goods: clothing, belts, household tools, and the like.

No one seed to notice their arrival, as the place was positively filled with people moving about.

True, if everyone had stayed still, they would have barely taken up any of the available space, but since everyone seed to be off on their own errands, the market atrium felt almost over-full.

To her surprise, almost everyone she saw had a gate. Ill have to ask about that.

The arched ceiling two dozen feet overhead kept it from feeling stifling, but there was a definite feeling of life to the place.

Tala took a deep breath, reveling in the more familiar spices of human cooking.

Arcanes ate mostly the sa food, but they always seasoned it just a bit differently.

This?

This slled like ho, and Tala felt a tightening in her chest at the mories that tried to pour through her mind. She kept them at bay, barely.

Right this way, Greater.

The heavier Banlen had leaned closer, so he didnt have to shout.

She nodded, and followed him through the maelstrom of humans and arcanes, interacting with perfect civility.

Well, I never expected to find sothing like this in the plains.

-Indeed.-