Chapter 87: Wish Me Luck?

Chapter 87: Wish Me Luck?

Tala, Lyn, and Terry walked the darkened streets.

It wasnt too late, so they were far from alone as they made their way through the cool, nighttime streets. They moved slowly, lethargic from their feast and high off their recent accomplishments.

The two Mages chatted about small things, shortly coming to the topic of relationships.

Apparently, several eligible men had been attempting to woo Lyn, but shed turned down all comers. I just dont need that sort of complication in my life, you know?

Tala shrugged. She knew that she, herself, was pretty at the very least, but shed been an outsider since before her thirteenth birthday. Since I started using the iron salve at the Academy.

She shook her head, returning her thoughts to the present, and the fact that she really couldnt relate to Lyns troubles of having men throwing themselves at her. Despite that, Tala inquired politely, and made appropriately interested noises to prompt Lyn to go on.

Thus, the walk was filled with pleasant, inane conversation, and Tala was content.

The Constructionists Guildhall was open, as expected, and Tala felt and noticed the same scanning and magical notifications upon entering. They were duplicated for Lyn, as well.

An attendant came out in short order, giving a bow. Mistresses. He straightened, warily eyeing Terry before turning his gaze to meet that of the Mages. How can I be of service?

Lyn looked to Tala expectantly, and Tala smiled. I would like a cold air incorporator and a time-keeper. She hesitated. Well, I want to get the price of the second. The first is thirty ounces, silver, yes?

The attendant smiled and pulled out a slate. Let me check. One moment, please.

Certainly.

Lyn was frowning. Why do you want those things?

Tala shrugged. Im tired of not knowing what time it is, and incorporators are dead useful.

They are incredibly inefficient. Why not get something that removes thermal energy from what it targets? That would be so much more efficient than a cool air incorporator. You are an Immaterial Guide, though I dont recall you being familiar with thermal energy; there shouldnt be that much of an efficiency issue, either way, if you decided to power it yourself instead of buying harvests to power it.

She wasnt wrong. The new set of inscriptions shed received from Holly tested the width of Talas abilities as an Immaterial Guide. While shed picked up enough of the basics to use all her inscriptions, her lack of a true, deep knowledge was harming her efficiency. It was one of the many deficiencies she needed to correct to reach her full potential.

The attendant cleared his throat. She is correct, Mistress. Should I look for such an item, instead?

Tala waved him off. No, no. She thought for a moment. But if you have incorporators for lightning, acid, or coffee, Id be interested in those as well.

He blinked at her. Coffee?

She narrowed her eyes. I know you have one.

He cleared his throat and looked back down to his slate, not engaging. I know you have one.

Lyn placed a hand on Talas arm. You havent really addressed my question.

Tala gave the young man a last, probing glare before turning to her friend. No re-inscription cost. I dont have to keep them topped off or find power sources. They are also incredibly useful for training my Ways. I just think that Mages undervalue these things. She smiled.

The attendant cleared his throat. We do have several schemata for cold air incorporators. Were you looking for a specific temperature?

Tala shrugged. As cold as you have, assuming they are the same cost.

They are, and you were correct: Thirty silver ounces. He made a note on the stone in his hand. We do have a few for mild acids available, but any of the stronger ones are restricted. They require Archon authorization for purchase.

Tala gave Lyn a meaningful look, trying to convey: See? If they werent useful, no one would care.

Lyn quirked a mirthful smile but didnt comment.

Mistress?

Tala turned back to him. Im not interested in mild acids. Ill return in a day or two to order a sufficiently strong one.

The attendant seemed a bit uncomfortable. Apologies, Mistress, but the rule isnt mine. An Archons approval will still be required.

Tala nodded. As you say.

He shrugged, clearly still confused, but returning his eyes to the slate nonetheless. As to a lightning incorporator, we do have one, but there is a note attached, as well as an Archon approval requirement.

Tala cocked her head. The note?

This says a minimum of one hundred mana per second is required to incorporate even a mild shock through the only currently successful schema. It is marked as a high Fused or Refined item.

Tala slumped, disappointed. Ah Well, thats not very useful.

I can add a note that youd be interested in more potent or efficient versions, if such are ever successfully created. I believe that such are a current topic of research for a couple of our Archons in Surehaven.

She perked up. That would be wonderful.

He took down her specific information, including how best to contact her.

Alright then. So, how are we looking on a time-keeper?

He nodded, smiling. I have several available: From one that simply displays the month, day, and year with discoloration, to one with glowing symbols displaying the time down to the millisecond. There are obviously many in between those, as well.

Tala blinked at that. Who would need such a thing? Id probably be happy with something accurate to the quarter hour? She barked a laugh. Slag, Id be happy with accuracy to the hour.

He nodded, looking at his slate and manipulating it until he found what he needed. What I have of that type is a potentially magic-bound item, requiring re-inscription every week to three months, depending on the mage empowering it.

That is not ideal. She sighed. How much?

Two ounces, gold, for the device, but once purchased re-inscription is ten ounces, silver.

Talas eyes widened. Yeah, no. She sighed, shaking her head. Thank you for looking. That is more than its worth to me. She hesitated, then asked. Why does it need to be inscribed so often? She hesitated, considering. And why does it have to be magic-bound?

Both excellent questions, and they, happily, have the same answer: Weve not found an easily compatible power-source. He gave an apologetic half smile. Time magic hasnt been found to exist on its own, and untyped power does not efficiently convert to work with time-scripts.

Tala just stared at him. Time-scripts.

Yes.

As in time magic.

The magic never wavered.

Her bath done, and her body clean, she retrieved her comb from Kit.

Quick strokes with the comb left her hair water and tangle free, and she took the hot air incorporator from Flow, moving the requisite void-channels back to her right hand. There is an odd strain, when I shift the course of void-channels.

She dried herself with the hot air, switching hands, and paths for the power, as often as reasonable.

Shortly after she was fully dry, she reached her limit and had to allow the void-channels to collapse. Nearly half an hour. Nice! And that was with the added strain of shifting routes. The previous days efforts had paid dividends. I wish I could spend that much time, every day, working on improvement.

Shortly thereafter, dressed in elk-leathers and with her hair back in its simple, strong braid, Tala left the bathroom.

Lyn was waiting in the sitting room. Finally!

Tala stopped, surprised. Youre awake?

Of course, I am! My Archon evaluation is first thing this morning.

Talas eyes widened. Oh! Im so sorry.

Lyn waved her off as she carried a pile of things into the bath room. Whats done is done.

Tala frowned. Wait Wasnt it scheduled for midmorning?

Midmorning is effectively first thing. Mind grabbing me breakfast?

Tala laughed, grinning. Sure, thats fair.

Lyn smiled as she closed the door.

Well. It seems Ive got to get breakfast. She shook her head. Terry!

The bird flickered into being, already seemingly asleep, on her shoulder.

You know, Im aware that you are awake.

He didnt respond.

She shrugged. Either way.

* * *

Tala returned as quickly as she was able with two breakfast deals. That place really does have good prices.

Shed had to purchase a second jug for the extra coffee, but that wasnt a huge loss. At least, thats what she told herself.

Two and a half silver. She still had budget to use, due to her four days of unconsciousness, not to mention Ranes generosity. Lyn will have one, at most two, sandwiches and some coffee, leaving me with at least ten sandwiches and close to two gallons of coffee. All in all, a good use of funds.

Thankfully, Tala returned before Lyn finished in the bath, even if not by much.

The older Mage came out in a robe of thick, fluffy, towel-like material and joined Tala at the table. Tala, of course, had to kneel beside the surface instead of using the chair, which undoubtedly wouldve failed to hold her.

These look amazing! Lyn looked through the various sandwiches and chose the one that looked best to her.

Tala poured her friend a mug of coffee from one jug before drinking straight from the other. Hope you like it.

Lyn took her time eating her one sandwich, though she was steady in her pace, only pausing to drink from her mug.

In that same time, Tala devoured eight of the things and finished a gallon of coffee.

That cant be healthy for you. Lyn pointed at the now empty coffee jug.

Oh?

The caffeine alone has to be tweaking your brain to no end.

Tala shrugged. Not really? I think I mainly have issues if I dont drink it.

Lyn gave her a flat look. You know, thats a pretty clear indicator of a serious, physiological addiction.

Then, Im addicted to sleep, food, water, and air.

And coffee.

Tala waved her off. Do you want another sandwich?

Lyn gave the remaining three a long look, then shook her head. Theyre great, but Im quite full. Thank you.

Tala shrugged. Fair enough. She took another and began quickly eating it.

Lyn shook her head. Well, Ive got to get going. Wish me luck?

Tala shook her head in turn, giving a half smile. Nope. You dont need it.

As kind as that sounds, in theory, Id still appreciate the more standard gesture.

She grinned. Very well: Best of luck, Mistress Lyn. May the next time we meet, you be known as Mistress Lyn Clerkson, Diamond Archon.

Lyn winked. You better believe it. Without another word, she headed for the door, waving goodbye over her shoulder before she closed it behind herself.

Tala sighed, sinking down until she was sitting on her heels, kneeling beside the table. Well, Terry. Its going to be a busy day.

Terry gave her a one-eyed stare.

She laughed and tossed an especially large chunk of jerky for him. He snapped it up without appearing to move. The jerky had vanished from the air at least six feet from him. Youre a wonder.

He didnt deign to react.

She ate the remaining food and downed the rest of the coffee with alacrity before rising and heading towards the door. Alright! Time to go learn a new way of fighting.