Chapter 40: The Beginning of True Magehood

Chapter 40: The Beginning of True Magehood

Now that everyone at the table had finished eating, Tala was becoming increasingly aware of their attention on her. Finally, as that tension threatened to break into conversations, or at least questions, she stood. Archon Grediv. Would now be a good time? Im afraid that I need a bath after the week on the road, as should be apparent, and I have other appointments this evening after our discussion. That in mind, Id be grateful for some of your time, now.

Grediv took her flood of words in stride and stood as well. He swept his gaze over the other three. Thank you, again, for the information and for allowing me to join you for dinner. I will take my leave.

The three nodded, giving Tala furtive glances.

Tala smiled and waved slightly. See you all, around, yeah?

Nods were her only reply, as she and Grediv walked towards a door in the outer wall, through which they could see a small, walking garden.

The night sky was stunning overhead, as the mostly cloudless expanse gave Tala a clear view of the jewel-like stars. There was very little light pollution, even in the heart of the city, so she was easily able to pick out familiar patterns in the sky. It has been a bit unseasonably cloudless of late. Were probably in for a dark, cold winter

Her mage-sight responded to her focus, and the citys defenses sprang into view, blocking out the stars.

She sighed, returning her eyes to the garden around her.

It was well maintained and beautifully cultivated. Several fountains were strategically placed both to hide any noise, which infiltrated from the surrounding city, and to give any in the garden a measure of privacy from any other guests.

Ive always loved these grounds.

Tala regarded Grediv. Now that he was walking nearer to her, she could see that he was quite a bit taller than her, though that wasnt too odd. He had wings of white in otherwise blonde hair and she could see his spell-lines in amongst the roots.

He was clean-shaven, to the point that she suspected hed shaved shortly before dinner. His clothes were fairly standard Mages robes, loose and flowing. Though, they seemed of high-quality fabric and deep, rich colors. Primarily, they were an emerald-green and deep, dark amethyst-purple. It was an odd combination, but not jarringly so.

Have you come here often?The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

He chuckled lightly. Since they were built.

She cocked her head. I was under the impression that this inn has stood since the founding of Alefast.

Your information is accurate.

Care to explain?

Most Mages live far longer than most Mages realize that they will. Powerful, carefulbeings of magic can expect millennia, though that happens with sad rarity.

He didnt say Mages but that is clearly what he meant. Dancing around a rule, compulsion, or enforced edict? She had no way of knowing and asking would be pointless. So, she didnt respond, instead simply walking beside him in silence.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Not going to ask?

Youll either tell me, or you wont.

He laughed again. True enough. Unfortunately, as you are not an Archon yet, I can only share so much. I will give you one tidbit, which is only mildly taboo to share.

Again, she waited.

You know, sometimes it is more fun when the other person asks.

Would you like me to be more inquisitive?

He huffed a short laugh. I suppose not, though it does disappoint.

Oh, dont mistake me, if I thought I could get away with it, Id literally pin you down and wring ten thousand answers from you, but I doubt Id even be able to inconvenience you.

Fair enough. He grinned broadly. Heres the tidbit, then: Archon is only the beginning. In truth, it is the beginning of true Magehood. Just as your time as a mageling revealed things a hundred times more expansive than youd thought possible, while at the Academy. Just as your master filled in the gaps your highly focused, quadrant-specific Academy education left behind, so it is when you are raised to Archon.

Tala cleared her throat. Well about that

Grediv cocked an eyebrow her way. Yes?

I sort of What are you doing? Why would you tell him this? Because he seemed to want to help, and him not knowing might actually get her killed. I never apprenticed under a master. I graduated less than a month ago and have never spent any time as a mageling. She let the words spill out of her, before she could stop herself and didnt look at him for reaction.

Grediv, for his part, burst out laughing.

Tala turned to regard him then, incredulous.

He continued to laugh, moving over to sit on a bench, tucked beside a particularly lovely fountain.

She sat beside him, but just more than an arms length away.

Finally, he reined himself in. And here I was, wracking my mind to think of what master would have let you try all that Ive seen from you in just the last couple of hours. He snorted. Mistress Tala, you are in very dangerous waters. You are swimming admirably, but you could easily get yourself killed.

She sighed. Dont I know it. Ive been doing what I can to catch up with books on theory.

Youre an avid reader, then? He looked a bit surprised.

Arent all Mages?

He scoffed. If only. He scratched his chin. I think I can help you, then. Ive a few volumes that I usually give to first time masters, when they take on a mageling, but they should serve as good primers for you.

Mistress Tala?

Tala frowned, walking to the door and pulling it slightly open. Yes?

A short, plump woman waited outside, carrying a small pack and a step stool. For her to appear short to Tala, she was quite a bit shorter than average, indeed.

Can I help you?

I was told you requested a consult from a seamstress.

Oh! Yes, come in. Tala opened the door wide, allowing the woman entry and closing the door once she was inside.

As they both walked into the center of the rooms open space, the seamstress looked her up and down. I can see why you called for me. She tutted to herself. Lets get a look at you. She grabbed Tala by the belt and turned her around, looking her up and down. No, this doesnt suit you at all, and thats ignoring the state of the thing! She tsked to herself. I just couldnt live with myself if I didnt fix you up. She stopped Talas movement and glared up at her. You, child, are an affront to anyone who has to look at you.

Tala blinked, feeling as if shed been slapped. Excuse me? She was starting to feel quite hurt and not a little angry.

The seamstress waved a hand. I cannot, you are too beautiful to be dressed like an urchin boy, begging for his next meal.

Tala really didnt know what to do with that, so she just waited.

Yes, yes. I will do one outfit for free, and after you wear it, you will be desperate for more!

Free? Deal.

Hmmm? Oh, yes, of course youll agree. No one would want to look like that. She gestured to Tala, generally.

Tala sighed. So, what are my options.

Options? Silly girl, you have no options. I will measure you and make you an outfit. I will be in charge of all the choices. Tomorrow, late afternoon, you will put it on and fall in love. You will never want to wear anything else, and you will buy an entire wardrobe.

And if I dont?

The seamstress regarded her, again. Not likely, but I suppose it is possible. She shrugged. If that is the case, you can throw my work in the fire, and go back to wearing flour sacks, or whatever other rubbish you find in local alleys.

Tala sighed. Fine.

The seamstress nodded once. Then, let me get to work.

It took surprisingly little time for the diminutive woman to take all of Talas measurements, using the stepstool where appropriate, even though it was all of them. The seamstress left Tala alone and feeling only slightly violated. Even so, she was hopeful. If nothing else, it will be interesting to see what she brings back.

In the renewed silence, Tala pulled the curtains closed and moved through her stretches, using her mage-sight, directed inward, to target each muscle and ensure that those that were most sore got extra attention. It was not a fast process, but she took her time.

Quality requires patience.

That accomplished, she stripped out of her clothes and moved to the bathroom. She ran the hot water, as the attendant had shown her, and quickly filled the tub.

She took almost as long in the tub as she had stretching, soaking then scrubbing off the grime accumulated through her travels.

That done, she reapplied her iron salve, using her magic detector to verify there were no gaps.

There, busywork complete.

She turned her attention to her gear, emptying out her new pouch and spreading her stuff across the floor and bed. She took the time to organize her items for easy access, in preparation for their return to the dimensional storage.

When that was complete, she regarded the open belt pouch. Stretched as wide open as she could make it, there was a hole just large enough for her to slip through, if she were so inclined.

From the back side, the pouch looked like nothing so much as a smooth circle of leather, only made less so by the heavy cord that wove in and out around the rim. There was also a buckled strap, used to affix the whole thing to her belt.

Artia did promise that this wasnt a bag that ate people She really needed to know what the inside looked like, if she was going to arrange it effectively. Simply looking in had revealed nothing, even when shed brought the bag near a light. It still simply looked black within, utterly empty.

Cursing herself as a fool, she placed the open dimensional storage on the ground, took a deep breath and hopped in, tucking her arms in close and pointing her feet straight down to allow her to drop straight in. All or nothing!

She dropped down, bending her knees to land softly on a dark, even surface. She looked up, and saw the opening still there, just within reach of her upraised arms.

Around her was only blackness, though as she looked, she got the odd feelingnot of being watched, but of being held? It was a strangely comforting sensation, and oddly disconcerting for that comfort. You make no sense, Tala.

She looked around, then sighed. I wish I could see. She reached out to try to touch a wall, and suddenly one was there. Under her hand, gray blossomed outward, quickly painting the entirety of the space. Did it hear my thoughts, or intuit my need from the fumbling?

As the change occurred, she felt a small vortex of power and looked up. Above her, over the opening to the bag, her mage-sight let her see a short burst of magical energy moving in a swift current. It flowed into the bag for less than a second, then vanished from her sight. Coloring the walls used energy, and its refilling itself? Interesting. How had it found free power, within the citys walls to draw upon? More to ask Adrill about

She decided to speak out loud, just in case the bag could hear her. If the entrance could be near one wall, with a ladder up out of it, and shelves around the outside of the top, that would make arranging this much easier. True to Artias word, the inside of the dimensional storage was like a large closet, if with a low ceiling. Is that because of my height? So, I wasnt trapped? An interesting thought.

She pointedly did not think about how easily she could have been trapped, if the pouch had been a bit deeper. This was a pretty foolish thing to do, wasnt it

She didnt see anything happen as a response to her words, but she felt something. It wasnt a hunger, so much as a request? It had a similar feel to the magic which surrounded a transaction slate, awaiting her blood, but without that being the exact desire.

Waiting. Did it need more power?

Sure. Lets see what you can do now that youre owned by a Mage. It was time to give this artifact some power to work with.