So days Erin woke up with a smile on her face. She yawned, sat up, and felt the quiet of the morning wash over her.
It wasnt like how she lived back on Earth, back ho. There Erin needed alarm clocks to get up, and the instant she was awake she had a phone to check, things to do. But in this world things werent as pressing. Or maybe it was just that Erin took the ti to appreciate what she hadnt before.
The cold of winter still had not let up and Erin shivered a bit as she threw off the thick wool blanket. It was scratchy, and there was no central heating in the inn. But she slept soundly each night, from being tired as much as anything else.
Yes, in so ways this world was better for her. In othersErin touched her chest and rembered all shed left behind.
So days she would cry. Others she would laugh, or just try to forget. But Erin couldnt forget what shed lost. She still rembered a house in Michigan, her mother and father, neither of whom could play chess well.
So days she imagined her mom would wake her up because Erin had slept in till eleven or twelve. Shed be upset because Erin missed the breakfast shed made and tell Erin not to stay up looking at chess gas online, especially because it was bad for her eyes. Then her father would grow serious and talk about how Erin was pursuing her passion and how they should support her
Erin dressed and went downstairs, caught in the mory. She only ca out of it when she found herself in the kitchen and realized she had to cook.
What to make today? Erin was used to cooking for many people by now and she moved on autopilot. Biscuits and gravy, yes, that would be good. She could make a thick sauce with the remains of the at shed used for last nights dinner. Thick and full of energy from all the fat and stuff. That would be good. And eggs. Everyone always liked to eat good eggs.
That was how Erin spent around thirty minutes, cooking before everyone else woke up. She was brisk, efficient, and inhumanly quick in the kitchen now. Erin wondered if a professional chef would be able to make a al faster than her.
If I go back ho, Im definitely going on Iron Chef and kicking everyones butts.
She smiled to herself as she looked at the large pot of aty gravy and the biscuits shed taken out of the stone oven. They were hot and steaming. She took a bowl out, filled it with gravy, and dipped the biscuit in it.
Mm.
It was good. Erin ate it, and then another biscuit while she listened to people waking up above her head. Miss Agnes would be down soon, slightly annoying and cheerful as always. Erindidnt feel like dealing with her today.
Shed done what needed doing, anyways. The pot of gravy could serve a small army, which is pretty much what descended on the inn for breakfast most mornings anyways. And the biscuits were easy enough to make that even Miss Agnes had a hard ti ssing it up. Unless she let them burn in the oven, that was.
And if she did, too bad! Erin filled a basket with thirty of the biscuits shed made and found a smaller pot and a lid for the gravy. As an afterthought she looked around for a drink as well, but there was nothing portable. She wasnt about to carry a keg.
That was what this world lacked, Erin reflected. She left the inn and walked down the snowy cobblestones, out of the inn before anyone ca in or went downstairs. It was still very early, so Erin made good ti through Celums streets.
This world lackedcertain things. Good containers, for one thing. Oh, sure, you could transport in bulk pretty well with barrels and so on, and they were remarkably waterproof, but what about water bottles, oror covered pitchers? Then again, who would need it that badly?
Globalization? Or is it industrialization? Modernization? Convenience?
Probably all of the above. When you had the ti to think to yourself that a mid-sized container built specifically to hold liquids was a valuable ti investnt, you probably had too much ti on your hands. But it was convenient.
Erin sighed, and took another bite of one of the biscuits. It tasted good. Butit was sort of flat.
Needs baking powder.
How could a world live without baking powder? Erin was sure there was a substitute the people of this world used, but she hadnt found it yet. In the anti, she had to live without vital necessities like cake. Or delicacies like cake. Or what Erin considered essential for ntal health: cake.
It really was a sha. Erin sighed and watched her breath trail upwards, the vapor dissipating over her head. No cake. She could make cookies, though. But waitdidnt that need baking soda or sothing?
Drat.
Erin glared at the ground, but without any real anger. She still felt pretty good.
Baking soda, baking powder. What was the difference between the two? One made things rise and the otherdid the sa thing. But there was a difference!
If only Ryoka was here. She might know how to make it. Then again, Ryoka had told Erin flat-out that she couldnt replicate half of the things from their world for lack of funding, resources, or interest. Or all of the above. But baking soda was critical! If Erin could sell cookies shed rule the world.
Who could help her in her quest to create more unhealthy things to eat? Erin passed by a few people walking down the street, smiling at them but saying nothing, and then turned down another street. Shed gone this way so many tis she didnt need to think about it.
Who made baking powder in her world? That was a really good question now that Erin thought about it. Baking powdercompanies? But who invented baking powder to begin with?
Chemists.
Erin hazarded a guess. She knew it had so weird stuff in the powder, which is why she couldnt just grind up a rock or sothing to make it. But if she needed this worlds equivalent of a chemist, then
For a few seconds Erin blinked. Then she slapped herself lightly in the head and nearly dropped the basket of biscuits and pot full of hot gravy. She caught herself and kicked open the door of the shop shed arrived at.
Octavia!
So people were morning people. Other people were not. Erin saw a comatose form draped over one of the tables jerk at her loud voice. Octavia raised her head and glared at Erin.
Go lt yourself.
Dont be grumpy. Wake up! Its morning. Ive got food.
Erin looked around. Octavias alchemy shop was the usual clutter of magical potions and ss it normally was. She went into the kitchen and ca out with a mostly clean bowl. Carefully, she poured so gravy into it and put so biscuits on the table in front of Octavia.
Do you have any water? I wanted to bring sothing to drink, but there was nothing I could take back at the inn.
Octavia blinked slowly at the food in front of her, still not quite focusing on the world. She took a biscuit and stared at it as if it was foreign to her.
Water? Ive got soI think. Do you need to drink it? Whats for breakfast?
Erin took that as a sign she shouldnt drink anything in Octavias shop at the mont. She pushed the bowl towards Octavia.
Gravy and biscuits. Eat. Also, Ive got a job for you.
That made Octavia sit up.
Really? How much does it pay? Do you want potions or alchemical items? If you need to defer paynt I can give you extrely reasonable
Shut up and eat. I want baking powder. And soda. Ill tell you what it isyou be quiet.
Erin scowled at Octavia, but this too was part of her day. She was used to Octavia and she liked the other girl, although neither she nor Octavia would ever admit that out loud. So people Erin just couldnt quite gel with. Especially if they kept trying to sell her stuff like Octavia.
Seems doable.
That was what Octavia said as she finished the biscuits. She wiped her finger in the bowl of gravy and licked itErin winced a bit because Octavia hadnt washed her hands. Then again, the [Alchemist] was scrupulously careful about washing ingredients that got on her hands off before she ate, so she was probably fine.
Ill take your offer up. Business is slow thanks to all those damn Goblins out and about and if youre right about people buying this baking powder from , Ill gladly let you finance .
Erin rolled her eyes.
Good. Ill give you two gold coins to start with. And why is business slow? Wouldnt tons of people be buying your potions if theyre fighting Goblins?
Five. If they were fighting, Id be selling everything on my shelves. But the cities are waiting, not sending out armies, Erin. Fighting Goblins is a lot easier when youre on top of a wall and Esthelm falling scared everyone. Once this Goblin Lords main army and smaller ones are located, everyone will breathe easier. Until then
Erin nodded.
Three gold coins. And eight silver ones. And no arguing!
Octavia chewed on her lip, but nodded in the end.
I can survive on that, I suppose. Barely. But Ill need you to make dough for and tell if its rising right.
Youll be able to tell. And making the dough is easy. Ill teach you the recipe. Stop complainingits just like alchemy!
Hah!
In the end, Erin paid Octavia and felt good about it. She wandered over to one side of Octavias shop, where the usual clutter had been cleared aside and the potions on the wall had been stored sowhere else.
Anyone co by last night? I an, after I left?
Octavia shook her head.
Nope. And no ones co bynot after I started charging people for lingering in the store.
Erin smiled.
Well, if anyone does co by
I get to sell them stuff if they wont wait for you in the Frenzied Hare. Got it.
Octavia was already poring over her ingredients, searching for the things that might work as leavening agents. She barely turned, but she did glance out of the corner of her eye as Erin walked over to the innocuous wooden door that had been set into the wall.
It was just a door, and it couldnt possibly lead anywhere given that behind it was solid stone. And yetErin swung the door open, and suddenly she was staring up into the sky. She blinked a few tis and tried to get her brain to understand that she was looking up at the sky because the door this one was connected to was lying on the back of a wagon. Then she took a deep breath and stepped through and up and
The door closed behind Erin. Octavia shook her head, blinking a few tis to regain her own sense of balance. The [Alchemist] had a very strong stomach due to all the things she had to handle and sll. But that sight made her stomach lurch a bit. And yet, it was still incredible to her.
What a door.
That was all she said. Then Octavia got to work. And Erin travelled many miles to a bumpy wagon travelling down a snowy, empty road towards Liscor. And the best part was that she didnt spill the gravy.
-
So things in this world were slow and wonderful. But the fast, magical monts were just as great too. As Erin stepped through the magical doorway in Octavias shop, she stepped upwards, into the sky. That was disconcerting, but Erin knew what to expect and didnt stumble as the world twisted around her and she was suddenly walking the right way onto the back of the wagon.
Woog.
It still made Erin want to puke a bit every ti she did it. But the experience of itwalking through a portal made by magicwas still novel.
And it was so convenient. Erin looked around the wagon and saw several people whod been huddled in their cloaks or with a blanket and pillow look up hopefully at her arrival. She smiled brightly and raised the pot and basket.
Good morning! Anyone want breakfast?
Morning, Erin.
Food!
Good morning, Miss Solstice.
Food! Oh. Morning, Erin.
Yvlon, Pisces, Ksmvr, and Ceria all sat up and smiled or stared at the food Erin had broughtor did both. Pisces and Ceria both seed especially keen for breakfast, but Yvlon and Ksmvr both eagerly accepted the food Erin had brought. The adventurers who were now the new Horns of Hamrad clustered around the pot and began sharing out the biscuits.
Good morning, Mister Termin! Would you like so biscuits and gravy? Theyre hotI just baked them!
The wagon driver gave Erin a gap-toothed grin as he accepted so of the food shed brought.
Thank you kindly, Miss Solstice. This is the finest journey Ive ever had, riding along with you serving such good food morning, noon, and night.
My pleasure. Ill bring you all lunch too, if youre not planning on stopping and eating at a village or sothing.
No fear of fhat.
Pisces mumbled around a mouth full of food as he ate appreciatively. He gulped, and went on, ignoring the disgusted look Yvlon was giving him. Ceria was eating just as fast.
Why should we stop? With a constant supply of food, we need not rest
Except to give the horses a break.
Yvlon leaned towards Ksmvr as Ceria tried to cram a biscuit covered in gravy into her mouth. The Antinium was the only person who ate with good manners on the wagon. Two hands delicately held a biscuit up for him to nibble while a third hand held the gravy pot out for the others to dip into.
Dont you worry about that, Miss Byres. My Skills will keep these two old plodders moving all day. A good nights sleep and rubdown is all they need, dont fret.
Termin smiled as he pointed to the two older horses that were pulling the wagon this early in the morning. Erin eyed them as she found a place to sit with the other adventurers in the back. The horses, Erma and Fox, looked old, but they both had feedbags on and seed happy enough to eat and walk along. Besides, the wagon wasnt going that fast.
She smiled and sat with her friends. They ate and she leaned back. It was colder outside the city, where the wind could blow right at you. But the air felt fresher here, and the sun helped warm her through the layers of clothing she wore. There was no sll of poo that sotis ca with people living in a dieval city and using chamber pots. The scents of crowded living were gone, and there was just the empty sll of winter on the breeze.
It was a good day, and Erin was happy to be alive. She was in a good mood, although the Horns of Hamrad were decidedly less well-rested.
Ceria yawned as she finally stopped eating and stretched out. She rubbed at her back as Erin apologized for not bringing anything to drink.
No worries. We can get water easily enough. We just need so mugs. I think we brought so with usthere they are. Now, so snow
Allow , Captain Ceria.
Oh, thanks, Ksmvr.
The half-Elf let Ksmvr take the mugs, hop out of the wagon, and briskly fill them with freshly fallen snow. Erin watched appreciatively as Ceria handed Pisces half of the mugs. Both mages concentrated briefly, and in monts the snow was lting as they ward the cups. Ceria handed the steaming mugs around and Erin passed one to Termin in the front.
Careful, its hot.
Too hot. Springwalker, did you have to boil this water?
It beats drinking sothing nasty, Pisces. Warm isnt good enough, even with fresh snow.
Ceria bickered with Pisces as the two mages sipped from their drink. Erin declined her mugshed already drunk enough. She smiled again.
Thats so cool you can do that. Its so easywhat spell did you use?
Pisces scratched one ear, looking pleased, haughty, and sowhat embarrassed for the genuine enthusiasm Erin had.
No spell. It is hardly necessarytrue, most magics require spells, but the most basic of cantrips require no spells to utilize. True, if we wanted to increase the heat emitted we would have to learn a spell, but any [Mage] with a basic understanding of the theorems of spellcastings could do the sa.
A somber silence followed Pisces pronouncent. Ceria rolled her eyes as everyone else deciphered his statent.
Oh.
That was all Erin said. She sat back as the others sipped at their drinks. After a mont, Erin felt moved to speak again.
Did you sleep well? I can bring more blankets or pillows if you need it.
Were fine, I think.
Yvlon nodded and so did the others, although Pisces closed his mouth so suddenly Erin wondered if he had been about to ask for another pillow or three. The woman with perfect blonde hair, beautiful features, and tal fused into her arms stretched slowly, looking as if she had so back pains of her own.
Too bad we couldnt sleep in the inn.
Ill say. A covered wagon is hardly appropriate for
Ceria kicked Pisces and he scowled and continued.
Adventurers of our caliber. Why we had to stay
This ti Yvlon raised her foot and Pisces shut up. She glanced at Termin, but the wagon driver affected not to have heard Pisces comnt.
Just because we have a magic door that doesnt an we can waltz off whenever we feel like it, Pisces.
But if we remained in the inn, could we not
Ceria scowled at Pisces.
We made a deal, Pisces. Sleeping in a bed in an inn over thirty miles away from here is not the sa as staying with the wagon. If theres an attack, every second counts. The sa goes for the road. We have to stay with the wagon in case of trouble.
We could rotate a mber of the group out to relax while the other three
No.
Ceria and Yvlon chorused as one. Ksmvr looked between the mbers of his group and nodded obediently along with them. Pisces sighed and threw up his hands. Erin had to smileagainand Ceria grinned too. The half-Elf glanced at Erin sideways.
Besides, theres no inn to sleep in now. You moved the door, right, Erin?
Its in Octavias shop now. Nowhere to sleep, Pisces, unless you fancy sleeping under one of her tables.
The [Necromancer] opened his mouthprobably to say that was more comfortable than sleeping in a wagon in the openand closed it. Pisces could tell when arguing was pointless. Well, sotis.
And have more individuals approached you about requisitioning the door for their use? I hardly feel that a lone [Alchemist] can adequately protect such a valuable ans of transport.
I think Octavias pretty good at it, actually. Shes started charging people who wait around in her shop. And you know herif anyone cos in theyll either buy half a dozen potions or have their face explode before they go.
Everyone smiled at that. It turned out that Yvlon and Ceria knew of Octavia by reputation, although neither adventurer had bought directly from her. Yvlon drained her mug and tossed the rest over the side of the wagon.
Shes probably better at selling potions than she is at making them. Theres no better watchdog you could ask for.
Really? I thought Octavia was a really good [Alchemist]. Shes one of three.
In a city like Celum? Erin, thats a lot of [Alchemists]!
Ceria laughed at her friend. She shook her head.
Octavias good at making potions for cheap. AndI guess she can make so high quality ones, but she stints too much on her ingredients, or so Ive heard. Then again, its expensive to be an [Alchemist].
Shes naturally thrifty. Too much so. But Ive never heard of her making a defective potiononly overselling so to gullible people.
That made Erin feel better. She nodded as she tugged a blanket over. Shed taken them from Miss Agnes inn after a bit of persuasion.
Well, she tried to charge a fee for putting the door there, but I talked her out of it. I think she sees how valuable it is.
And it will be safe in her shop?
Ksmvr looked dubious, but Ceria snorted.
Whos going to steal a door, let alone one attached to the wall? Besides, thats just the anchor point. The real artifact is here.
She rapped a fist on the plain wooden door sitting in the wagon. Everyone else nodded, and Erin patted the door appreciatively.
Ow! Hey, does this thing have splinters?
Not as of such. Its too well enchanted to break. Its a hundred tis stronger than you areso in the worst case scenario you could rip your flesh off on a rough patch of it.
Aw!
The door. Erins door. She rubbed at the sore palm of her hand as she stared at it.
Yes, magic was a curious thing. So spells seed very mundane and just like things Erin had in her world, like Cerias trick with warming the mugs. But so things couldnt be copied, and were just as amazing in this world as they would be in Erins.
Like the door. The magical, aweso, incredible, stupendous, phantasmagorical
Erin frowned. Was phantasmagorical the right word? Anyways, the cool door. It was Erins now, and that was wonderful. It ant she could go anywhere with it, conveniently and easily. At least, in theory.
It was only the second day since the doors incredible useful properties had been harnessed by Pisces and Ceria, but it was already the center of a minor power struggle in Celum. Of course, when Erin and the Horns of Hamrad had first stepped back through it into the Frenzied Hare in Celum, everyone had been dumbstruck. News of the artifact the Horns of Hamrad had recovered had spread like lightning.
Youd think everyone would be happy a magical teleportation-portal door had been created. But the first visitor Erin had received as she and the Horns of Hamrad were having a great dinner that very night in the inn had been a man, a wealthy [Trader] who told Erin he saw big possibilities in her door. He wanted to buy it for a hundred gold coins.
She refused. He upped it to two hundred, and then six hundred coins when she kept refusing. In the end he had to leave, disappointed. That was the start.
The next person to arrive was a rather more influential [rchant] who told Erin he represented the rchants Guild in the city. He offered her six thousand gold coins for the door imdiately, and when she refused he tried to strike a deal with her.
The rchants and traders and indeed, shopkeepers and craftspeople of Celum wanted to use the door as, well, a door into Liscor. If it could be kept open they would reap huge profits that they would share with Erin, all assured her. But just as Erin was considering this, a Runner had co to her inn demanding to speak with her.
Fals, the nice Runner guy that Ryoka had told Erin about ca with Garia to plead their case with Erin. They did not want her to let the rchants use the door for anything. After all, it would totally destroy the Runners Guilds traffic between Celum and Liscor. The last thing Erin wanted was to put anyone out of work, but then the Mages Guild had co by to tell Erin that if she wanted to gain a monopoly on ssages between Liscor and Celum, she had another thing coming. And then
And then Erin had clocked one of the rchants and everyone had sort of backed up a bit. But the issue over the door was clear: it was a valuable object and everyone wanted to use it. So that night Erin had had to fend off multiple people wanting to talk to her, people she had never t before except for Garia and Fals.
Fals was nice, and the [rchants] and envoy from the citys council had been sickeningly fawning. The [Mage] was full of himself until he realized Pisces and Ceria might actually have more levels than himplus they were Wistram graduates and he was not. Then he was so obsequious Erin wanted to throw up.
Relief had co from Pisces of all people. Undeterred by the argunt, hed managed to affix the anchoring spell or whatever it was to an actual door and harness the teleportation spell to create a portal rather than just transport people. Apparently it wasnt that hard, or Pisces was just as smart as he said. According to Ceria, it was a bit of both.
What Pisces had discovered was that powerful the door might be, but it drank more mana than a sponge. It could teleport soone back and forth many tis, and even a group of people. But eventually it would run out, and when it did it would take a long ti to recharge.
Not only that, but the amount of mana required to activate the spell was understandably high. Both Pisces and Ceria had tried to recharge the door and only managed to juice it up enough for the Horns of Hamrad to make a one-way trip to the wagon to guard it overnight. And theyd still had to use a few mana potions.
So what was the conclusion? Well, the rchants Guild still wanted to use the door as a faster way of transport, the Runners Guild and Mages Guild were afraid Erin would bulk transport things like letters which didnt have much mass and could be teleported easily, and Erin realized she didnt trust Miss Agnes with the door in her inn.
So shed told everyone to go away and put the door in Octavias shop. As for the rest
I promised Fals and Gariathe Runners Guildthat I wouldnt transport any letters or deliveries. Only personal stuff Im using. I said the sa thing to the Mages Guild so theyre happy. But the city wanted to use my door for ergencies, they said.
The city or the mayor? Is Celum ruled by a council or a mayor? I thought they were like Rendia and Ocre and had elected leaders.
Nope. Mayor. And guess who wants my door?
A lot of [rchants] and guild leaders?
Erin nodded miserably. Pisces snorted and Ceria rolled her eyes.
So they want to take it from you. Predictable.
Not takebut they want to pay fees for using it. OrI could let them use the door if they need it to, I dunno, transport supplies or do sothing really important. Theyd be able to use it in case of ergencies, they said.
Pisces looked as if he was ready to spit. He pursed his lips and sniffed before wiping his nose on his robe.
Hah. If you agreed to that, then no doubt every day the city would face a crisis of unprecedented severity that required usage of the door.
Erin nodded sadly. She had to be selfish or the door would be useless.
I told them its mine and they cant charge because Im not going through the gates.
Yvlons eyebrows rose.
Really? And what did they say?
The [Innkeeper] fidgeted on the cart, avoiding anyones eyes.
I uh, hinted that you, the Horns of Hamrad, would be really upset if they did. So they backed down.
Silence. And then Ceria laughed.
Hah!
Pisces and Termin guffawed and Yvlon smiled. Ksmvr just looked around, confused.
I do not understand the joke. Pisces, please explain it to .
Ceria shook her head, and Erin blinked as her hair caught the light. She was still beautiful, too much so for this world. Otherworldly.
Well, that settles that. I guess the only thing youve got to worry about is it being stolen, although Pisces is right. Anyone with a brain will see that the doors useless if they steal the anchor. People without a brain are the ones you should be worried about, though.
Erin looked away as Ceria smiled at her.
I dont think thats a problem. I talked with Wesle and the captain of the Watch and they told theyd keep an eye on Octavia shop. Plus, no one likes to try and rob an [Alchemist] because all kinds of things can happen with all those potions lying around.
Ceria nodded.
Thats true. Good thing youve got a [Guardsman] for a friend. In Celum, I an.
Excuse , but I still do not understand the joke. Pisces, will you explain it to ?
Forr [Guardsman], actually. He quit his job.
Really?
Erin smiled as the Horns of Hamrad exclaid.
Yeah. He says hes earning a ton more than he ever did as a [Guardsman] and he likes acting better. He wants to form a troupea group that goes from city to city to perform. Theyre stuck in Celum now, but since I can go back whenever, Ill teach them more plays and theyll keep practicing.
Thats wonderful, it sounds like youve really had an impact on the city, Erin.
Yeah! And with this door Im gonna get a lot of custors when I get back. I have big plansbut you were saying it might be useful in other ways, right?
Comrade Pisces. I do not understand the j
Shut up!
Pisces shouted at Ksmvr. The Antinium fell silent for a second.
If I am silent, will you explain the joke?
He got along well with Pisces, in the sense that he was the only person who annoyed Pisces and not the other way around. Erin waited patiently, grinning as Pisces laboriously explained the joke to Ksmvr who had a weak grasp of humor at best.
Ah. I see. This is more humor to raise morale. I will rember it. Thank you.
Pisces sowhat huffily adjusted his position as he lounged on a few pillows.
Youre welco. Now, as I was saying, this door is useful. I have no idea if it has an upper range, but I suspect with a modicum of effort on my and Springwalkers part we could form multiple anchoring points for usage.
What? You an I could go to all kinds of cities?
Erin was enthralled by the idea. But Pisces raised a cautionary hand.
A few. Very few, I believe. Connecting to multiple points risks entanglent, and that could result in a tangled web of magic that could have any number of effects. I would hesitate to create more than four focal points. But I suggest that if you link the door to two more cities for very sporadic usage, you might consider giving one anchoring point to our group.
Really? Why?
Rember how Pisces said the door could be used as an ergency getaway, Erin? Well, if he can make sothing easy to carry, we could use the door to get away if were ever in trouble, in a dungeon, say.
Erin paused. She looked over at Ceria and her eye caught on the half-Elfs skeletal hand. Erin couldnt help it. She knew it was rude to stare, but sotis she did stare at Ceria. Her hand, and her friend. Erin didnt have many friends and shed been overjoyed to see Ceriaand Pisces and Yvlon and Ksmvr again. When she thought of the dungeon, of Skinner
Of course Ill let you have one. If it works. I an, would it work for multiple people and if youre far away or underground?
Pisces sniffed all-importantly as eyes turned towards him.
Of course there will be necessary experintation. And yes, such a fallback would have limitations. But better to have it than not, agreed?
Everyone nodded. Erin felt happy at the ideanot only could she go to more cities, she might be able to help her friends! But shed have to be careful with the door, definitely. Maybe she could put it upstairs, so people didnt use it by accident? Orcould she build a basent in the inn? Surely Klbkch could help her with that, right? She had the money to pay the Antinium now too.
And then it happened. Erin was sitting up in the wagon, about to ask Pisces whether the anchor stones would work if shed exhausted the doors power for the day, or whether shed need to always keep a reservewhen she felt the world explode.
Erin had been in a fire drill, countless fire drills and earthquake drills in school. Even when she knew one was scheduled, she hated the mont of fear and panic that occurred when every single bell started ringing as loudly as possible. But that was only external sound, loud and frightening but only that. Bells in your head were a different matter.
It was as if every alarm clock, siren, fire alarm and noisemaker suddenly went off in Erins head at once. She doubled over, clutching her head and crying out in surprise and fear. Dimly, Erin heard Ceria and Termin doing the sa.
Miss Solstice? Erin, is sothing wrong? Are we in danger?
Ksmvr was shaking Erin by the shoulder. She tried to explain, tried to speak past the terrible fear in her head.
Sothings
And then she saw soone standing in the carts way. Instantly, Ksmvr let go of Erin and reached for the blades at his side. The Horns of Hamrad leapt off the wagon, the genial atmosphere of monts ago forgotten. There was danger, and here was soone who had not been standing there a mont ago.
Teleportation? Ceria, how bad
Ceria?
Bad! Itswe have to retreat.
I will attack first. Please, withdraw if I am slain.
Whats happening? My [Dangersense]wait, is it coming from him?
A confused babble of voices broke through the ringing in Erins head. She managed to make the sound lessen, and stood up on the cart as the horses neighed, sensing the alarm around them.
A man was standing in the middle of the snowy road. He shouldnt have been there. The roads were practically deserted in the wake of the Goblin armies roaming about, and what travelers there were didnt dare move alone unless they were Runners.
And this manwas no runner. Erins eyes widened when she saw him. He stood over six feet tall, a giant. He was powerfully built, imposing, with the body that every man probably dread of having. He looked like a superhuman athlete, and yet he was old. He had a white beard, white robes that were brilliant, made of so incredibly rich fabric that seed brighter and cleaner than the snow itself
And two eyes of mismatched color. Cerulean and heliotrope. Blue and violet, shimring colors like celestial bodies shining forth from his pupils. Erin hesitated because she thought they looked so familiar
But he had not been on the road a mont ago. He had appeared and that was terrifying in itself. One second the road was empty, and in the mont between looking elsewhere and turning back, he was there, as if hed been there all along or hed been in the peripherals of your vision and you hadnt noticed until now.
And the [Dangersense] in Erins head blared. It was telling her of danger, imdiate and pressing. She stared at the man as he stood silently in front of the wagon. Danger. Danger. Danger. It was a cacophony of ringing alarms.
The ssage was clear: do not fight this man. Run away. Do not fight.
You will die.
And yet the Horns of Hamrad ford a semicircle around the cart, weapons raised. Yvlon had no armor, Pisces and Ceria had only the magic that shimred around their palms. Ksmvr held weapons in the three arms he possessed. They were shouting.
At Erin?
Get through the door, Erin! You too, wagon driver!
You there. Identify yourself.
Dont attack! Not yet! Pisces
Through the door, Erin! Now!
Erin wanted to move, but she wanted to stay as well. It was just an old man. True, one that looked likewell, looked like no actual Human being shed ever seen butwas he dangerous? How could he be?
The old man was just staring at her. Her, out of all the others. He was looking up at the blue sky, around at the snowy landscape, the empty road, at the wagon, and then at Erin. As if he was taking in the sights. But he seed to be annoyed by all the shouting. He raised one hand.
Silence.
And there was. Because everyone was waiting to see what he was going to do next. Erin saw Termin trying to soothe his horses. She looked at the door, and knew she could seize the handle and be in Octavias shop in a mont. But what about her friends? And couldnt he follow them?
Greetings, Human.
Ksmvr spoke in the silence, ignoring the annoyed look the man gave him. He lowered the short sword and daggers in his hands as he nodded to the old man.
We are Silver-ranked adventurers. The Horns of Hamrad. May I ask why you have blocked our path?
I wish to speak with her.
Erin felt a jolt as his finger pointed straight at her. The reaction of her friends was imdiate. They closed ranks in front of the wagon.
May I ask why?
It doesnt matter, does it?
Ksmvr seed to freeze up as the multi-colored stare swung towards him. And then Erin saw another aspect of the old man. He stared down at Ksmvr as if he was, well, a bug. He looked at Ceria, Yvlon, Pisces, all clearly adventurers, with the sa casual disdain for their existence. Only Erin he looked at with
Move aside, adventurers. Or I will move you.
That was a threat. Erin felt herself shiver. Cerias voice was very serious as she held a hand up.
We dont wantto fight. But unless you tell us why you want to speak with Erinand were sure you dont intend her harmwe cant let you do anything, Human.
I intend to explain nothing to you, half-Elf.
There was no compromise in his voice. Erin saw Ceria tense.
You dont have a choice here. Tell us why you want Erin.
Otherwise?
The question caught everyone off guard. The old man looked at Ceria. She hesitated.
Whatdo you an?
Otherwise, what? If I refuse, what will you do? Will you prevent from speaking with this girl?
If necessary. If you refuse to cooperate, we will have no choice but to fight.
Yvlon called that out. She was holding the sword in her hands without a sign that the tal in her arms was bothering her. And her gaze was intent on the old mans face. She sensed it too, Erin realized. Whoever this old man was, he wasntnormal.
For a mont the old man sighed. He looked impatient, annoyedbut not the least bit intimidated. He cast his gaze towards the sky, thought for a mont, and thennodded.
That would be the quickest way. Very well.
What happened next was too fast for Erin to follow. In the monts afterwards as she ducked and Termin yelled in fright beside her, Erin realized what had happened.
The instant the old man had said that, Ceria had acted first. Shed raised her skeletal hand and fired a spike of ice straight at his midriff. It was a killing attack, but it hadnt touched him.
Instead, the spear of ice had shattered midflight, filling the air with shards of ice that bounced off the wagon. Erin dared to peek her head up and saw the Horns of Hamrad staring at the old man.
He hadnt moved from that spot. Hed only raised his hand. Erin saw three fingers pointed at the spot where the [Ice Spike] had been shattered by sothing.
[Stone Dart]. A low level spell, but all I am capable of here. However, it seems only ah, Tier 2 spells will be necessary here at any rate.
That was all he said. Erin felt the Horns of Hamrad pauseand then Ceria raised her hand and attacked and the battle began.
[Ice Dart]!
Erin had never seen Ceria fire so many ice darts so quickly. They flew at the old man like a rain of missilesand he blocked them. His hand moved up, caught and shattered a piece of ice flying towards his face, one towards his chest
So quick! How was he doing it? Erin saw the old man step backwards casually among the hail of missiles. Then he raised his other hand and spoke.
[Mud Slap].
A splash of dark brown liquid spattered across the distance between him and Ceria. Erin saw her friend cry out, but it was just mud. In her eyes. But it made the rain of darts stop and then Erin saw what the old man had been blocking them with.
A rock. Just a flat stone. The old man tossed it on the ground.
[Call Object]. Next?
He had only a mont to say that. From his left and right Ksmvr and Yvlon ca charging at him, blades swinging. The old man nodded, swept his hands out. A flurry of snow blew at both warriors.
[Frozen Wind].
They ran through it, half-blinded, but still ready to strike. But then sothing happened. Erin saw Yvlon and Ksmvr both go down, crashing to the ground but she didnt see how. And then Pisces
He was raising the dead. Termin cried out and his horses tried to drag the wagon around as eight skeletons burst out of the ground. Pisces grinned as they tore themselves out of the earth
[Stone Dart]. Bludgeoning type.
The old man pointed and eight stones appeared and struck each skeleton. Not in the head or ribs, but at their spines as they attempted to form themselves. The stones shattered bone and broke the delicate assembly process. Each skeleton collapsed onto the ground, the animation spell failing in an instant.
Pisces! Ill
[Stone Dart].
Another bit of stone struck Ceria in the head as she wiped the last of the mud from her eyes. She crumbled, and the old man sighed.
Do modern mages not know any protective spells? Or are you truly untrained amateurs?
He turned to point at Yvlon who was getting to her feet
And leaned backwards as a burning sword nearly ran him through. Pisces drew back the rapier in his hands as magical flas danced along its length. Erin gaspedshe hadnt seen him move, but hed covered the distance between him and the old man in an instant!
[Flash Step]. And a variation of [Fla Rapier]. Well, interesting.
The old man comnted as he stepped backwards. Pisces thrust, but the old man raised his hands and ten [Stone Darts] flew from every finger. Erin heard a curse and Pisces seed to appear several steps away. His robe and the arm beneath it were cut, but he was uninjured.
Co, then.
Pisces took a step to run the old man through
And tripped.
This ti Erin saw what had happened. As he moved and his form vanished, a tiny, twisting loop of grass had sprung up in the snow. It snagged his foot as he moved forwards at lightning speed. The grass strands broke, but it sent Pisces crashing and tumbling to the ground.
[Tripgrass].
The old man said it belatedly, as if announcing the spell was an afterthought. The old man walked over to Pisces. The young [Necromancer] snarled and raised his hands
And the old [Mage] kicked him in the head. Erin shouted, but Pisces just fell back unconscious. Notdead. He couldnt be.
The old man turned towards Erin. Then he glanced to one side.
Ah.
Yvlon and Ksmvr charged towards him, the Antinium throwing one of the daggers in his hands. Again, a precise strike from the [Stone Dart] easily deflected the dagger. But they were closing in. Yvlon raised her sword with a cry, and the man clapped his hands together.
[Flash].
This ti Erin went blind. She clapped a hand to her eyes and tried to blink to see. She heard shouting, and then a choking sound. When she could see past the spots in her eyes she looked again and saw Yvlon on the ground. The woman was choking. Choking onsnow?
[Snowball]. Or is it [Create Snow]? Ah, either one works.
The old man had hit Yvlon in her open mouth with snow. It was filling her throat and she was trying to throw up, get it out. Ksmvr was the only one left on his feet.
Die.
He swung his blade towards the old mages head. Flas engulfed him.
[Fla Jet].
The old mans voice ca from the center of the flas. Ksmvr scythed forwards, but the flas hadnt just burned him. Theyd screened the old man and he walked past Ksmvr on the left, raising his hands again. As the Antinium turned, ten shards of ice pierced his chest. Not deep, but they sent him staggering back.
Throw down your weapon, insect.
Never.
Ksmvr raised his blade and then a blast of water struck him in the face. It made him overbalance and stumble back again. And a stone was right behind his left foot, hovering there. Ksmvr fell backwards. He tried to roll over
And couldnt. Erin saw grass growing all around him, looping around his arms, pulling him to the ground and holding him there. Each blade of grass was weak, but together it enshed him so thoroughly he couldnt move.
The old man walked over to Ksmvr. The Antinium spoke to him, lying flat on his back.
If you let live I will not cease until you or I lie dead.
Yes, your kind is like that.
The old man pointed down at Ksmvr. He opened his mouth and then tilted his head sideways. The dagger flashed past his head, missing completely.
Erin gaped. The old man flicked his attention to Ksmvr, and then stepped away from the Antinium. He nodded at the dagger which was now buried in the snow.
Hm. You have a Skill, dont you? But perfect aim is aningless if you allow ti to dodge. Without more Skills you would not be able to strike even a cat with such a throw.
He sounded so nonchalant. Hed taken apart her friends with basic spells in an instant and
On the wagon, Erin hesitated. Part of her told her to run, to get away and be safe. Her sensible self rationalized it. He wanted her for so reason. If she ran, the old man might let her friends live.
But not Ksmvr. So Erin clenched her fists. She leapt from the wagon with a yell
And tripped as sothing snagged her leg going over the side. Erin had only a mont to yelp before she smacked into the ground hard. She groanedshe hadnt landed in the snow, only on frozen ground. And falling from a wagon headfirst hurt. If she hadnt managed to catch the fall on her arms she might have broken her skull, but she felt like her arms were broken instead.
[Tripgrass]. Again.
Erin had to get up. She pushed herself up groggily and saw the old man looming over her. She yelped, threw a punch with all her strength.
He caught it. It was a [Minotaur Punch] and he caught it. Erin blinked at the incredible strength in the mans body. True, he looked like he was strong enough for it, but
He released her, and Erin stumbled back. She stared at him, fists half-raised. She felt like she had long ago, in front of Gazi. As if anything she did would be useless. The old man stared around, and then at Termin. The wagon driver was sitting white-faced in his drivers seat.
Will you try to fight as well?
Termin stared back, paralyzed by fear. The white-bearded stranger nodded, and turned to Erin. She tensed
And he held up an iPhone.
You are Erin Solstice, arent you? Explain this to .
Erin stopped. All processes went on imdiate halt. She lowered her hands. Her mind went blank. She stared at the small, tallic object in the old mans hands. Its screen was glowing, and it looked so familiar to her. But
She stared at the old man. At the iPhone.
Thats an iPhone.
Yes. It is. And it seems to be malfunctioning, although I copied it completely.
Thats Ryokas iPhone.
The world had stopped making sense. Erin stared at the old man while she waited for soone to wake her up from the dream she was having. He nodded to her, impatient.
A copy. Seethis.
The old man pointed to the small, glowing screen. Erin peered down at the app his finger was pointing at.
Oh. Safari. Thats anthats the internet app.
Is it?
The old man frowned at Erin. He tapped the app and a screen popped up, glowing, white, before the typical no internet page flashed on screen.
You see? I am missing sothing for it to work. What connection do I need to obtain?
Um.
Erin stared blankly at the screen, and then at the frowning face in front of her. She felt like her brain was trying to work a million miles a second while crawling along at a snails pace. She answered automatically as best she could.
Well, you need internet. But uh, you dont have internet here. No one in thisthis world does. Soits not gonna work.
I see. That is inconvenient. Well then, am I to assu these other functions do not work for the sa reason?
The old man clicked a button and the iPhone went back to the nu screen. Erin peered at the iPhone, nodding her head.
Youtube? Ohthats for watching videos. Yeah, it needs internet too.
But there are videos on this device.
Ohthose are downloaded. Uh, theyre part of it. Youtube needsthe internet.
Ah. And the store? This one?
Spotify? Yeah. Sa problem.
I see. How tedious. Is there any other function I may have missed?
What?
I have listened to every song and watched every video on this device. I have solved the riddle of this particular function
You an the app? 2048? The ga?
Ah, thats what theyre called? App. Hm. And yes, it was a quite entertaining ga, or rather, logic puzzle. But is there anything else I can do with this device?
Well, you couldhold on.
Erin raised her hand and stared at it. Then she slapped herself as hard as she could. Her head rang a bit.
Ow!
That looked painful.
It was. Sorry. Wellyou can take notes with the iPhone. See here?
Ah yes. And record what is spoken. A useful function, no doubt.
Andoh, Ryoka had Triple Town. See
Erin found the iPhone nearly snatched out of her hands. The old man stared down at the screen, eyes bulging.
How did you do that? I couldnt fathom how I did it once. But youve changed the screen!
Hm? You didnt know? You can change the screen since there are more apps. See? You swipe left. Like this
Swipe left. Fascinating.
Erin stared at the old man as he clumsily moved his fingers across the screen. She felt compelled to reach for the one straw of rationality she had in this mont.
Im surprisedRyoka didnt tell you how the iPhone worked. Because this is totally sothing she gave you, right?
Hm? Candy Crush? Intriguing. Oh yes, I received this from her.
Ah.
The young woman nodded a few tis. The old man was mumbling to himself, mostly along the lines of fascinating, or yes, this certainly deserves closer study. Erin stared at him.
Whats your na?
Teriarch. Mm. I can see there is much I have yet to explore. Tell , I encountered a terrible problem when I went here. To settings, see? And I pressed
Ooh, yeah. Reset. Dont do that. It gets rid of everything.
So I had noticed. But why does it exist?
Um. So you can put other things on the device? If you had the internet I an.
Really? How?
Erin stared at Teriarch. She stared into his multicolored eyes and wondered if today was a good day or not.
Uh, well, you cant here. Its impossible.
Ah. Well then, I shall make do with these newapps. Thank you for your help, Erin Solstice.
Oh. No problemhave we t before?
Teriarch paused. He raised his head from the screen hed been staring at obsessively and looked at Erin. For the first ti he looked into her face, rather than just at her as an object to be interacted with. And he frowned.
You do lookfamiliar. How odd. I should know anyone I have encountered. But Ihrm. I think we have t.
Erin nodded slowly. He seed familiar. But from where?
Wellyoure a friend of Ryoka? Or she knows you?
She has perford tasks for before, yes.
Oh. I see. Youre hermysterious client?
Teriarch frowned, and Erin realized she might have violated Ryokas contract of silence or whatever. But Ryoka had never told her who Teriarch was, just that shed t with soone who was powerful and could cast magic. Teriarch studied Erin slowly and nodded.
Yes. I am amage. Of quite significant ability.
I can tell. Um. Are my friends going to be alright?
Teriarch looked dismissively at the Horns of Hamrad. Erin saw Yvlon was on her knees, still coughing. She thought Pisces had one eye open, but both were closed when she looked again. Ceria was still out and Ksmvr was watching them silently.
What should she do now? Teriarch was clearly absorbed in the iPhone. He kept asking Erin what various apps Ryoka had downloaded did. Ryoka had quite a few gas on her iPhone. More than one Erin was tickled to know Ryoka played, or had played in the past.
It was surreal. Teriarch was justinterested. He kept harrumphing importantly, but he was keenly fascinated with the iPhone. He had just beaten up her friends, but hed left them alive. He didnt seem evil. More likeodd? And Erin kept staring at him, feeling that tickling in her mory.
But sothing prompted Erin to break off from her explanation of how to play Angry Birds and frown. The warning bells in her head hadnt died away. Rather, it was as if they had faded during the fight to let her think and act without being overwheld, but now that it was over they were still blaring loudly, telling her
Are you um, going to kill us?
Teriarch paused and stared at Erin with a mixture of indignation and confusion.
? Why would I kill you?
Well, you attacked us.
Yeah.
That ca from behind Teriarch and Erin. She turned and saw Ceria was standing upright, supported by Pisces on one side and Yvlon on the other. Ksmvr was still tied to the ground, calling out for aid now that the danger had passed.
Help. I am stuck to the ground.
Ah. See, Erin Solstice? Your friends are alive and mostly unhard.
Teriarch gestured as Ksmvr sat up. Ceria blinked a few tis at him, eyes partially unfocused. Erin hoped she didnt have a concussionCeria just looked woozy.
You attacked us. Why?
You were in my way.
The sky was blue. The grass was green. It was a matter-of-fact statent that made Yvlon grit her teeth angrily. Erin just stared at Teriarch, feeling that sa disconnect. He went on, arrogant, trying to score three stars in a level of Angry Birds.
Explaining would have been a waste of my ti. And this was entertaining, however easy it was.
The Horns of Hamrad stared at Teriarch. He frowned as one of the pigs escaped destruction.
How did you do it?
Pisces was next to speak. He stared at Teriarch wide-eyed, with more respect than Erin had ever seen in him in his life.
Youall you were using were Tier 2 spells at best. But the style of your spellcasting
Elentary. Any competent mage should be able to do as much, if not so quickly or with the sa mana supply. You should be ashad of yourselves not to have any counters against such low level spells.
Teriarch shrugged. He nodded at Ceria.
You should go to Wistram, half-Elf. With a decade of studying you may beco a powerful mage yet.
We did go to Wistram.
Really?
Teriarchs eyebrows rose in disbelief. He stared at Pisces but seed to ascertain that the mage was not lying. Teriarch snorted angrily.
Standards have fallen greatly, then. Your spellcasting was beyond inferior. That was a decent attack with a sword I suppose, but unless you are a [Spellsword] or so other mage-warrior hybrid, I suggest you focus on magic.
Um.
Erin raised her hand. She just felt like it was the thing to do. All eyes focused on her. Erin tapped her head.
My [Dangersense] is still going off. Are you really not going to kill us, Teriarch?
? No. Buthrm.
Teriarch stared off into the distance. His lips moved soundlessly, then he nodded.
Ah. That explains much of your hostility. Your senses were alerted by a nearby Goblin Army. It is passing this way.
An army?
The Horns of Hamrad went pale. Erin felt a jolt of fear in her chest, but she looked at the wagon. It was Termin of all people who wailed and clutched at his hair.
Goblins! What will I do? Fox and Erma will be eaten for sure!
Fox and Erma? Erin rembered those were Termins horses. She stared at the animals, feeling a jolt in her chest. Could they push the animals through the door? But if they didwhat if the Goblins opened the door? Could they seal it off, then? But how would they get back?
Teriarch raised one eyebrow as Yvlon tried to convince Termin they had to leave his mounts behind. Pisces already had the door up and was yelling at Ksmvr to help him find a spot to hide it from the Goblins. Erin saw Teriarch tap Ceria on the head when no one was watching. Ceria frowned, blinked, and seed to regain focus.
Um, Mister Teriarch.
He glanced at her, still holding the iPhone in one hand.
Yes?
Can you help us? I dunno, sohow evade the Goblins?
You should be able to do it yourselves without my help. Unlessare you really planning to flee?
What would you do?
Ceria stared at Teriarch. He looked incredulous.
This is winter. The Goblin army is marching this way, but they are hardly filled with adept trackers and they do not know you are here. Conjure a snowstorm and evade them.
The half-Elf shook her head instantly.
We cant do that. Pisces and Ineither of us know [Snowstorm] as a spell, and were not nearly high-level enough to cast it, let alone to affect such a large
What are you talking about?
Teriarch looked impatient. He began to lecture Ceria, much to Erins incredulity.
[Snowstorm]? Why do you need to create snow? If you were standing in a jungle I could see the need, but you have an ample supply of snow right here. Use that. Even a Tier1 spell should do.
How?
Cerias ears drooped slightly, as Teriarchs glare pierced her in place.
Are you really Wistram mages? Here. Like this. You[Necromancer]! Co over here and help your friend!
Pisces ran over as Teriarch walked over to a large expanse of snow and began ordering Ceria about. Erin stared at him as Yvlon and Ksmvr and Termin all stopped what they were doing to watch.
There wasnt too much happening. Teriarch was just pointing to the ground at sothing the two mages could see and berating them. They kept flinching as he grew more and more impatient with them.
There. Anchor the spell there and cast multiple incarnations of itno, not like that! Why are you using your mana so poorly? A proper spell is efficient! And youhalf-Elf! Youre wasting the energy of your spell with uncontrolled winds. The two of you cast in tandem likewell, that is barely acceptable.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew up, carrying a huge amount of snow with it. Teriarch nodded as Erin and the others gasped. The wind began to blow, and as he lent his power to the wind spells, it began to blow down the road. Erin turned to Termin, and pointed to the wagon.
Um. Lets get out of the way?
He stared at her, face pale as the snow began whipping into the air. Then he scrambled towards the drivers seat with the others.
-
The Goblin army was a massive force, thousands strong. Black-armored warriors marched with the undead, grim, sullen because they hadnt been able to find any easy prey to kill and eat. Marching in the winter was bad enough with armor, but the stench of the undead made the Goblin warriors upset.
And what was worse, theyd run into a snowstorm. The Goblins grumbled and their scouts withdrew to form a tight periter around their army. If they ran into anything in the storm theyd kill it. But they could still follow the road so they pressed onwards until they reached the other side. It was a brief snowstorm, the Goblins reflected. But they took no more notice of it; they had Humans to kill, and other Goblins too for that matter.
-
Far away, the wagon Termin was driving rumbled to a stop as Erma and Fox panted in the snow. Erin hopped off the wagon and slowly walked up to the small ridge to see the last of the Goblin army disappearing in the distance.
Wow.
That was all she said. She turned back and saw Teriarch, sitting austerely on top of the wagon with an iPhone in hand, looking more out of place than anything shed ever seen as Ceria and Pisces tried to ask him ten thousand questions at once.
How did you learn to use magic like that? Ive never seen spellcasting sorefined! And the way you do it
It is one thod of practicing magic. I consider it to be the most efficient. It is certainly superior to yourattempts. How have you not been taught the various schools of magic if you studied at Wistram?
We were expelled. We studied for years butwe never fully graduated.
We ca close. I daresay we were as good as most mages, but Spingwalker is right. Yet we were allowed to claim the na. We are recognized Wistram mages still.
That was Ceria and Pisces guilty confession, but it was hardly as surprising to Erin as the revelation that Teriarch was so kind of super-mage. Or an Archmage. Apparently magic, which Erin understood to be like math in so respects, was all about understanding spells. And Teriarch had shown Pisces and Ceria so shortcuts in magic, or things which he considered basic and they considered miraculous.
Hmf. Even then. Any first-year student would have had such things drilled into them. At least, if Wistram is acting as a proper institution for education. What happened to Archmage Zelkyr? He would never have let mages sink so low.
Archmagehes dead. He died over a century ago. Two centuries, I think.
Oh
Both Pisces and Ceria had that huge-eyed, slaw jawed expression of disbelief Erin was used to getting from ti to ti. She supposed she should be behaving the sa way. Did that an Teriarch was really old?
Well, refine yourselves with what I have shown you. Your Skills andclasses should do the rest. You, half-Elf, study the spell I marked in that spellbook. It should complint your ice magic skills. And you, [Necromancer]
He sohow knew what magic both Ceria and Pisces used at a glance. Teriarch sighed.
We hardly need more necromancers. But I suppose your control of magic is quite good for one so young. Keep practicing.
He stepped off the wagon. Ksmvr and Yvlon stared at him. Teriarch nodded to Erin. She hesitated.
Oh. Youre gonna go? Um. Thanks?
Was that the appropriate response? Teriarch nodded regally to her.
And thanks to you as well for showing how this device works. Farewell, Erin Solstice. We shall not et again.
That sounded sort of weird. And ominous. Teriarch began to stride through the snow, but Pisces leapt off the wagon and chased after him.
Master Teriarch! Sir!
Pisces flung himself at the snow at Teriarchs feet. The old man looked more annoyed than anything else.
What is it?
Please take on as your apprentice! To learn from soone who lived during the ti of Archmage ZelkyrI would do anything for such an honor!
Teriarch stared down at Pisces as the young man looked up hopefully at him. Erins jaw was open. Ceria looked like she was considering doing the sa thing. Teriarch stared down at Pisces.
No.
Then he turned and walked away. Pisces ran after him, but it was as if Teriarch was suddenly walking at a different speed than Pisces. He strolled along, but then his form grew further and further away, until he was a speck in the distance. Then he was gone, and Pisces and the others were left alone in the snow.
In the silence that followed Erin wondered whether this was all a dream. She pinched herself.
Ow. Nope.
She turned to Ceria, who was pale-faced, clutching the burned spellbook in her hands. At Ksmvr, who was scratching at one of his antennae. At Yvlon, who was staring at where Teriarch had been, and at Pisces, standing forlornly in the snow.
In the end it was Termin who spoke. The older man sucked in his lips, and then shouted as loudly as he could.
Who the hell was that?
-
In his cave, Teriarch released the spell controlling his Human form at range and settled back into his cave. He created another image of the old man with the white beard and had it pick up the iPhone. The dragon humd to himself as he flicked through the screens, staring at all the lovely new apps. He muttered to himself as he did.
Is this what adventurers have sunk to? Ah, well. Perhaps they lied about being Silver-rank adventurers. And it was quite enjoyable to be out, although the outside was so busyand the light was far too bright. Hmf.
He paused as a thought ca to him. Erin Solstice. Hed only gone to her because Ryoka had been at Reinharts estate and hard to reach without dealing with her at length. But she had recognized him and he, her. Where?
The Dragons eyes widened.
The girl.
For a brief second he considered sending himself out into the world again, to ask the girl how shed found him. But then Teriarch hesitated, and stared at the iPhone.
The outside wasthe outside. He preferred his cave. And he had so much to entertain himself with now. Teriarch put Erin out of his thoughts and went back to tapping buttons on the iPhone.
Now whats this? Cookie Clicker?
The Dragon stared at the screen as it changed colors. He frowned, pondered, and then began to tap.
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