Chapter 366: The Witch's Suggestion

“What?” Alex asked, excitement surging through him. “How? How’re we resolving this today?”

Drestra’s reptilian eyes were focused on the wizards and her fellow Heroes. “This is somewhat of an open secret, but I still don’t want anyone going to the priests with what I’m about to say.”

She looked directly at Cedric. “That means you too, Cedric.”

His face turned red. “Wait…why’re you lookin’ at me like that?”

“Because you get along with those priests, and I know Hart, and from what these folks just said, I doubt any of them are going to be talking about this or what I’m about to say to priests or anyone else for that matter.”

“After this shite, Drestra, I don’t know what I’m thinkin’ about priests.” He crossed his powerful arms. “I ain’t goin’ t’go so far n’ say that I hate all o’ ‘em, but…bloody hell, I trust ‘em a helluva lot less.”

Carey visibly winced. “I…I’m sure…there’s honourable members of…” was all she managed to say. “But we’ve made a pact not to speak of anything to do with the dungeon core, and of course, I won’t say a word to anyone about what you’re about to tell us, Drestra.”

“Good, now that that’s out of the way,” the Sage said. “Deep in the Crymlyn, not every witch worships Uldar. Some practise only the old ways. Generations might well have passed, but to this day, they stilldespise the church and priests of Uldar. They’ve never forgiven or forgotten what they did. These are witches who’re Thameish by birth and blood, but they reject him and his church.”

“I could understand why.” Baelin said. “So you’re saying that one of those witches could be the perfect case study to test the core with. Hmm… And would you personally know one of these hold outs? Someone you know and trust?”

“Yes,,” she said. “Someone I know well. The witches of the old ways don’t have much to do with those of us who worship both Uldar and the old ways, but we still meet to take care of the swamp, and we unite in difficult times. One of my closest friends is one who still follows the old ways, and I’d trust her with my life.”

“Excellent. Would she be open to testing the dungeon core? Perhaps not going as far as to attempt to control it, however. If they are able to access it with their mana, then we’ll know without a doubt that they would be able to probe it. If they find no entrances for their mana? Then we can rule them and the question of being Thameish and a follower of Uldar out.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Drestra agreed. “Then we’ll have an answer to one of our questions.”

“How close can you teleport to the Crymlyn, Baelin?” Alex asked.

The chancellor’s eyes seemed to lose focus, like he was viewing something hovering before his eyes. “I took something of a tour of Thameland when we were negotiating with King Athelstan…and I did pay a visit to Wrexiff, which is Carey’s hometown and quite near the Crymlyn.”

Alex’s blood ran cold. Going to a town would mean people, specifically soldiers and priests.

“However,” Baelin continued. “I think it would be wiser to teleport to somewhere in a nearby forest instead. There’s less likelihood that priests will be in the wilderness to ask us our business and perhaps rather awkward questions, particularly when they see three Heroes in our party which could lead to a tipping of our hand before we are ready to tip it.”

Alex fought the sigh of relief he was suppressing. Things were shifting: with the Heroes being brought into the expedition’s secrets, and him becoming more important to the city and the university, priests having the power to just drag him away was lessening. His own personal power was also a factor in how much had changed for him since he’d left Thameland.

When he was first marked, there was nothing he could physically do if a few priests had caught him and dragged him off to war. Now, especially with Claygon beside him, any priests who considered grabbing him had better be prepared for one hell of a fight. Still, there was also Selina, Theresa, and her family to keep in mind. So, for now, keeping his secret until he was ready to reveal it, was what had to be done.

“That’s reasonable,” Hart said. “Honestly, the less people that find out about this the better. In war, you don’t go sharing intelligence with anyone unless you’re sure they’re your ally, and right now, we don’t know who our allies are.”

“Hm. I like the way you think,” Baelin said. “So my proposal is that we teleport to a remote location that I visited when we first arrived in Thameland. Just an out of the way little spot in the wilderness. From there, I can teleport us to locations within my line of sight until we reach the edge of the swamp. Then, we can fly under the cover of trees until we reach our final destination. We will need to move quickly as I can’t keep my more important meetings and tasks waiting indefinitely.”

“Fine by me,” Cedric grunted. “When y’find out the battle y’been fightin’ for over a year might be tied up in some kinda great, big, dirty secret, you make that a priority.”

“Would it be okay if I came with you?” Alex said. “I can bring Claygon for extra protection, and I really would like to be there for the test.”

“Hah!” Baelin laughed. “It is adorable that you think extra protection might be needed.”

“Hey, what if it takes longer than today and you have to go back to Generasi?” Alex pointed out. “It could happen.”

“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t.” He and Alex exchanged a subtle glance. “But you have a fair point. In that case, I think we should return to the encampment for supplies, in case our stay has to be extended.” He looked at Professor Jules and Carey. “Will you be joining us?”

“Hrm,” Jules frowned. “As much as I want to see the experiment with my own eyes…I am not good in the wilderness, and even less so in a fight. And I have heard the Crymlyn Swamp is somewhat dangerous.”

“You heard right,” Drestra said. “We learn magic in part to defend ourselves.”

“Mmm, then how about—when you’ve located Drestra’s friend and if she agrees to do the test, you teleport back to the encampment and fetch me? Then I can be there to observe the outcome without holding the rest of you back.”

“I-if it’s quite alright, I would be ever so grateful if that could extend to me as well,” Carey said. “I…would like to be there too. Please. If I’m not there, I think the suspense will drive me mad. But I also know I’d just be dead weight in a fight, and if folk who’ve manipulated these cores are actually targeted by monsters…or others, I don’t want to be out there too long to get myself or any of you in trouble.”

“A mature decision,” Baelin said. “And the answer, of course, is yes. After all, it takes just a few droplets more mana and a scant few heartbeats’ worth of time to do so. Now, if we’re done here, let’s return to camp and collect our supplies. Then, it’s away to visit Drestra’s community. The sooner we start, the more likely I can see our rather important journey through to the end.”

“Absolutely,” Professor Jules said. “And the sooner we’ll have an answer one way or the other.”

‘But whichever way it turns out,’ Alex thought. ‘I get the feeling it’s trouble. Big trouble.’

###

“You’re heading back out so soon?” Theresa asked from the tent’s entrance.

She watched as Alex shoved clothing into a rucksack and organised his supply of potions.

“Yeah,” her partner said, checking the colour of a potion. “We should be back in a day…maybe three or four tops if things end up taking longer than we expect them to.”

Theresa crossed her arms. “And it’s just you, Baelin and the Heroes?”

“And Claygon.” He buckled the rucksack. “Don’t forget Claygon. Oh, and I wouldn’t say that I’m justtravelling with Baelin and the Heroes: Baelin alone is probably the nastiest fighting force in all of Thameland. We’ll be fine.”

“And…no one else can come with you?” Her hands dropped to her swords and she adjusted her chain shirt and bow slung on her back. As soon as he’d returned and the announcement was made that they were heading back out, she’d prepped for battle.

But disappointment soon replaced her excitement when the chancellor said they would be travelling alone.

“Yeah, I want you to come with me too.” Alex’s expression was both disappointed and apologetic. “But Baelin said he wants to keep the group as small as possible in case there’s priests or soldiers around.” He explained.

“It took some convincing for him to even let me bring Claygon along. He blew out a breath. “Priests shouldn’t be in the swamp, according to Drestra, but in these times, there’s no guarantee where they might be. So moving in a small group means we’ll be more agile.”

“I know,” she said, disappointment in her voice. “That…that makes sense. You just be careful out there, okay?”

“I will.” He stood up, went to her and wrapped her in his arms before kissing her. They stood near the tent flap, connected to each other for too short of a time, before Alex spoke, trying to reassure her. “And with Baelin along, we’ll definitely be okay.”

“Yeah, true,” she said. “And if you find something out there that can take him, you’ll have bigger problems. But I’m worried that if you’re out there long enough and he’s needed back in Generasi…what then? Maybe you could suggest that—if he has to come back—he teleports me to your group. I’m no Baelin, but my swords should help, and the group would still be small.”

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” Alex said. “I’ll suggest that to him if he has to go back to Generasi.”

“Good,” she said. “I can have everyone’s ba—wait, what are you giggling at?”

Alex had broken into unsuppressed giggles. Glancing behind and finding no one around, she stepped into the tent and closed the flap behind her. “What’s suddenly got you so giddy?”

“Well, think about it,” he snorted. “If you replace Baelin, that means it’ll be a group of five. The Sage, the Chosen, the Saint—” His voice dropped to the lowest of whispers. “—then there’s me, the Fool…and think about it.”

“Think about what?”

“You practise life enforcement.” He grinned, his eyes dancing with amusement and triumph. “It’s like you’re our alternate Saint. We’ve got the whole Hero roster down!”

“Pfffft, I’m no Saint, Alex,” she said. “And you know it.”

“You’re a saint to me,” he whispered, his voice taking on a cheesy tone. “You’re the only saint in my li—Mh!”

She pressed her hand to his mouth. “Alex, even if you were trying to be serious, I would never fall for that.”

His mouth opened. Suddenly, her hand felt wet.

“Agh!” she cried, pulling her hand away. “Did…did you just lick my palm?”

“You don’t seem to mind when Brutus does it.” He laughed.

She stared at her hand, then frowned at him.

“Before you say anything,” he warned. “I want you to remember that you chose me. You chose me above everyone else. You picked me—Agh!”

Theresa wiped her palm on his forehead. “There. Now we’re both gross. We should—”

“We are nearly ready!” Baelin’s voice boomed through the camp. “Hart, Alex! If you would be so kind as to join us, then we can begin!”

“Well, that’s me,” Alex said, kissing her three more times then shouldering his pack. “I’ll talk to Baelin, and…if he has to come back, I’ll see you in the Crymlyn.”

“See you,” she whispered. “Keep safe.”

“I will.”

Claygon was standing beside the tent and the three of them made their way to the glowing aeld where Baelin, Cedric and Drestra were waiting, talking with their friends, who’d come to see Alex off.

Hart soon strode from somewhere in the camp, having helped himself—with Baelin’s permission—to supplies he’d loaded into an immense pack he was carrying on his back. He looked like a turtle…and giggling, Theresa whispered that she was wondering if Tyris might enjoy having two turtles around. Drestra obviously heard her; she suddenly started giggling.

Professor Jules and Carey were amongst the gathered expedition members.

“I’ll make note of what we’ve observed so far,” she said. “And then return to Generasi to let the other expedition leads know what’s happened. What we’ve uncovered is obviously something they should know about without delay. If you come back today and I’m gone, just talk to Watcher Shaw, Baelin.”

“I hope you’ll all be safe,” Carey said.

“Of course. Well, no time like the present. We’re off! When we return, we will be one step closer to solving this mystery. Farewell to all for now.”

Alex gave Theresa a little wave as the ancient wizard spoke words of power.

And then he, Alex, Claygon and the Heroes vanished.

Theresa bit her lip. “Left behind again.”

She looked at her swords.

Her fists clenched.

It was time to practice. Hard.