"That’s a lot more than when you started."
"I’d hope so." Standing, Corrie rested a hand on the dagger that sat beneath his ragged cloak, a weapon that had likely been acquired by dubious ans. "I might not ever manage to beco a magus, or even a mage of any importance, but that’s of no concern to . Tell , Alistar, what do you think would happen if this needle were to hit a person between the eyes, or in one of their temples, or the large vein in their neck?"
"Nothing good, I’d imagine."
"In a fair fight, there aren’t many people I can best. But a quick cast from the shadows, at an unsuspecting target? That might not be the case."
Alistar held up his left wrist, showcasing the protective charm that Mr. Albeck had given him. "What if they have one of these?"
"Whether it’s one of the spikes that you use or one of my needles, they’ll trigger the charm’s effect all the sa. Once it’s spent, then I can just throw another one."
Factoring in the energy required to cast a basic reinforcent spell, Corrie wouldn’t have a problem creating several dozen of his tiny projectiles, though controlling them all at the sa ti would be another matter.
"Alright," said Alistar, who lted a large mass of snow and froze the resultant water in an instant. "Try sprinting back and forth across this while using the stability spell."
"Hold on," said Corrie, who steadied himself by resting a hand on Alistar’s shoulder. "It’s better if I wait a bit before I cast again."
"Hmm, if we could just get you a decent magic crystal, then you wouldn’t have to worry so much about your energy expenditure."
"I’ve thought about it, but it’s too hard to steal from the stores, and the rchants that run the stalls in the marketplace are already wary of at this point."
"I didn’t an to steal one. Why not ask any of the butchers or tavern owners if they need soone to freeze their foods for them?"
"It’s winter, Alistar. I’m sure they all have cold rooms." A bit quieter, he said, "Though I suppose I could try that in the sumr."
"I would get you one, but I’ve spent most of my savings over the past few months." He was the youngest of his friends, and most of them had turned or were going to turn fifteen this year. Considering the gifts that he had gathered for all of their Na Days as well as the weapons and supplies that he had purchased for himself in recent months, he only had a limited amount of silver left to his na, which he would have to rely on after leaving for Crystellum.
"We should accompany the others on their next hunting trip. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind earning so free contribution points."
"That’s a good idea." Tucking his cloak beneath his buttocks, Alistar took a seat on the long log that sat adjacent to the fire pit and began to think about the mysterious madman that dwelled within the hidden cave. "Have you learned anything new about what we were talking about the other day?"
Corrie raised a thin, dark eyebrow before taking a seat beside him, staring out at the partially frozen waters of the Greyline. "There was one thing. I found an old compilation of stories for children while looking into those legends, which said that Aglain supposedly had a lover that was also one of his companions. It didn’t say who, though, and I wouldn’t put too much stock into it since it was a part of one of those traditional bedti tales."
If there was one thing that Alistar appreciated about Corrie, it was that he never asked why he was interested in certain, seemingly random topics. Whenever he was requested to look into sothing, he simply did so without question.
"Oh," said the boy, who kept his eyes on the river. "And I think I know where your father is from. There are a good deal of noble houses that’re known for their mbers having golden eyes, and most of these are from the Baldor Empire. Of those, three are based in Loyarre. Since that’s where Crystellum is..."
Alistar nodded, already having co to a similar conclusion. These three houses were all descended from Kalven Sunfire, the founder of the kingdom in question.
"Do yourself a favour and forget about all that. From what I’ve read, it seems there was so sort of purge within these houses around the ti you were born. I don’t know what happened, but I have a bad feeling about it."
"Thanks, Corrie."
The other boy nodded, the two of them sitting in silence for a ti.
"Want to go get so food at the Lawson’s place?" Alistar eventually asked. "I may not be able to buy magic crystals, but so roasted chicken and potatoes won’t be a problem."
"Okay."
They arrived at the Lawson’s tavern a short while later, surprised to catch glimpses of Woods in the kitchen area whenever one of Zech’s parents went off to collect fresh food for their patrons. They were quite busy today, most of their custors dressed for travel, the ones with weapons on their person likely being frontiersn.
"Hello, lads," said Mr. Lawson with a slanted smile, subconsciously scratching at his big, bulbous nose. "What can we do yah for?" He placed small cups of ale in front of them as he spoke, wiping his hands on the dusty apron that he always wore as he took note of another shouted order from the other side of the room.
"Two dinners, please. Roasted chicken and potatoes, and so dried berries if you have them."
"All outta berries, I’m afraid. But I’ll throw in a slice of winterberry pie for each of ya, on the house."
Alistar dug two copper lucets from one of his pockets and handed them over. "Thank you, Mr. Lawson."
"Hey boy, get so chicken on the grill, would yah?"
"Yes, Mr. Lawson!" ca Woods’s instant response.
"Will Woods be cooking the food?" asked Corrie, a bit hesitant.
"Don’t you worry, lad. Since my own son ain’t trying to take up our work, we’ve been teachin’ the boy a thing or two over the past few months. He makes a lot of the food ’round here whenever the missus ain’t around."
Corrie and Alistar exchanged subtle looks of surprise, thanking Zech’s father before he left to fetch more ale for the guests that had called out to him earlier.
"Have you tried Woods’s cooking before?"
Corrie nodded, his face a bit pale.
"They wouldn’t let him work here if he was that bad, right?" At the end of the day, the Lawson’s had a reputation of good food at a low cost that they needed to maintain, so it wouldn’t make much sense for them to employ a liability.
"We’ll see, I suppose."
Woods personally brought over their plates, a proud smile on his face as he placed them down atop the table.
"Hey, fellas! What’re you guys up to today?"
"Nothing much," said Alistar, fidgeting with one of his rings. "Everyone else was busy, so we decided to practice our spellwork for a ti."
"Oh, you know," sighed Woods, a bit sarcastically as he imitated Alistar’s voice. "Just practicing magic, like all the normal people do."
Corrie was looking at his plate with suspicion, the foods all perfect in appearance. "How long have you been working here?"
"Working? I’m apprenticed. All of Zech’s brothers have already left ho, so when I asked his parents if they needed any help around the place, they happily took on." In a lower voice, he said, "I gave you both an extra chicken wing, the best part of the bird. Make sure to rember when you’re great and famous mages."
"Quit talkin’ and get back in here, boy!"
"Coming!"
Corrie took an experintal bite as Woods scampered back towards the kitchen, eyebrows rising in evident shock. "Everyone at the orphanage is going to think a liar when I tell them about this."
Alistar let out a light laugh, helping himself to a boiled potato with a satisfied smile. The food was well-cooked, but even if it weren’t he wouldn’t have had any problems with it. After all, just filling his stomach was a blessing, a fact that he would never forget for the rest of his days.
They finished their als in short order, after which they returned to The Spot and tried their hands at enhancing the speed at which they could fire off their projectiles. They also tested their accuracy, as well as the varying amounts of force that they could put into each of their mock attacks.
Helen eventually showed up with beleaguered steps, her fingers swollen, raw and red from hours of archery practice.
"Here," said Alistar, reaching out to heal her.
She stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Ah, no thank you. Ms. Ersen says I need to build up callouses if I want to have any hope of being a decent shot."
"Are you sure?"
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