Chapter 696: Prototypes and Time

Chapter 696: Prototypes and Time

So you found the settlement? Professor Jules asked, stirring a spoonful of honey into a cup of tea. The amber liquids steam rose through the morning sunlight streaming through the map rooms window.

Outside, Greymoor tasted the first snows of late fall.

A dusting for now, but the day was still young.

We did. The young wizard eased into a chair, poised to set his hot cup down on the map. Khaliks glare froze him partway, making him think better of it. We only saw it from a distance, but its the right location to be the firbolgs village. Next time we go back, well approach them and see if we can find out if theres anyone there who was alive during the Hunter incident three hundred years ago.

Lets hope so, I hunger for progress. Prince Khalik frowned, eyeing the map of Thameland. All across its surface miniature red models of Ravener-spawn were positioned at the site of a Ravener-spawn attack that had occurred in the past two weeks. The number of models covering the map were increasing, alarmingly. Since we met with the king, the attacks have grown worse. I fear something bad is coming. The sooner you are free of the Marks limits, the better. When do you plan to return to the Empire?

Thats what I wanted to talk about with all of you. Alex grimaced.

There was a pause as Professor Jules, Khalik, Isolde and Thundar looked at each other.

Can you make what you just said sound any more ominous? The minotaur moved a tiny wizard across the map, taking it from Greymoor and placing it farther north.

Indeed Alex, you make things sound as though you are about to leave us and go off to sacrifice your life. Isolde squinted at the area where Uldars Rise was, taking notes.

What is it, Mr. Roth? What seems to be the problem? Professor Jules asked.

Its he took a deep breath. How do I phrase this?

He paused, searching for the right words.

I want to get back to the Empire as soon as possible. He took a sip of hot ciderletting the flavours linger on his tongue before flowing down his throat. He exhaled, then leaned forward. The problem is, I think Im going to need more time to do this properly; Restful Slumbers taken me this far, buteven with only sleeping two hours a nightIm still running out of hours in the day.

He looked at Professor Jules. I want to make the search for Keldas sanctum a priority; the Empires just about the biggest country in the whole world, andif we dont get luckyfinding it could literally take monthsor even years, if Im honest.

Oh wow. Thundar sucked air through his teeth. But thats without using teleportation, right?

Oh no, without teleportation, it could take decadesor even centuriesto search every single corner of the Empire. Thats why we need to find a lead as quick as possible. We need informationthat points us in the right direction, but in order to get it as fast as we need it, Ill have to go there probably a few times a week.

That makes sense, Isolde agreed. But you are making it sound as though doing it will be a problem.

Well, it might be. Heres the thing: Im going to try to be back to Generasi every night, but between classes, my golem work at Torakas, researching Uldars notes, working with the dungeon cores, and

He paused, searching for the right words.

...look, Ill just come right out and say it. Ive hit a wall when it comes to learning spells, he said.

Yeah, Alex said, draining his cup then balancing it on his chairs armrest. Id like that too; truthfully, Ive been trying to feel good about what happened at Rockmoot. I mean, Im basically free now. No more worrying about the king or the church coming for me. No more avoiding certain parts of Generasi because priests might be lurking around a corner. No more having to avoid every soldier in Thameland while Im herebut

His mind returned to the assassination attempt at the standing stones. but it feels like theres still another sword hanging over my damned head at this point. The hidden church isnt going to give up, but where are they going to strike? In Generasi? He blew out a breath. Im going to work on Relational Contract Summoning with Professor Mangal after our meeting. Are they going to jump from behind a bush on campus and blast me with their miracles? Am I going to look at my customers one day and see the First and Third Apostles standing among them, raising their spells to kill me? Am I going to get home from Shales and find theyve kidnapped Selina. Or hell

He looked at his cabal with concern. Are they going to ambush one or all of you, or even Theresa, when youre searching for them, or maybe Kybas or Grimloch when theyre out harvesting dungeon cores? Is their attack going to happen here in Greymoor? Whens it going to happen?

I confess to having asked myself the same questions, Khalik said. We will not be able to breathe comfortably until they are all destroyed, but the rats will not come out of their nests. What do they wait for?

I dont know, Khalik, Alex admitted. And thats whats driving me so damn crazy, I just dont know. Hopefully, I dont find out when they jump from behind some bushes on my way to Professor Mangals.

###

I beg for your forgiveness, First Apostle, Third Apostle Izas bowed his head so low, that his long beard scraped the grottos floor. We have tried to seek another opportunity to slay the Fool, but we have not found another one as golden as Rockmoot. The old man grimaced. Our failure there burns me, Holy One. Please, give me leave to punish agents Lee and Charity.

Within the dark of the grotto, First Apostle Garbian meditated.

His eyes were closed.

The glowing scales of the Chosen burned on his forehead.

I cannot grant you such permission. The First Apostles deep voice reverberated through the grotto. Their failure was unfortunate, but they were ill-equipped to face the power that the Generasians brought to Rockmoot. Had you and I been there personally, then perhaps we could have changed the outcomebut the risk was too great.

Eldin would have seen them punished anyway. The Third Apostle closed his eyes in pain. Only Uldar knew how much he missed the priests skill, judgement and loyalty.

Eldins way served us well before the disaster at Uldars Rise, the First Apostle said. But now? Now our list of allies runs thin, like blood with snakes venom coursing through it. We cannot afford to burn away those few who remainand remember, the failure did not come without benefits.

The First Apostle opened his eyes. We now know more of the power the wizards bring to bear. This will help me when it comes to praying for interdiction and miracles. It also means that it might be time to move onto our secondary targets. The Fool should die first, but if he is inaccessible, then we must

Now, now, now, dont lose hope my young mortal friends, a familiar voice spoke from the dark.

The Stalker stepped from the shadows, wearing a vicious grin bursting with delight.

There you are, the First Apostle said. It has been some time since we have seen you.

Aye, I was doing some hunting, watching, andthis and that, the Stalker rubbed his hands together. And something really wonderful happened yesterday while I was tracking our quarrys name. Hes been moving about a lot for the past few months, but hes always stayed close to either that city of wizards, or the wizards castle here in our lovely realm.

His grin widened.

That was until yesterday, friends. Yesterday, he moved far away. Far, far away from those that protect him.