Chapter 125: That Seems Wise

Chapter 125: That Seems Wise

Tala growled as she threw three tungsten balls, followed closely by Flow in the form of her glaive.

None struck its intended target, and the backstop she and Rane had set up was now slowly toppling away from her, despite the bracing theyd added.

I did manage to stick the glaive in point first. Thats not nothing.

Of the six, evenly spaced targets, three had been struck, but not in the center and not the ones shed been aiming for.

Hey! Thats much better.

Tala glared at Rane.

The man was moving through one of his forms but had enough attention to spare to mock her.

Thats not helpful.

What? You hit three out of four.

Not the ones I aimed for

He gave her a quizzical look. How was I supposed to know that?

Ithats fair. She groaned. Two days. Shed been training for two days, and she didnt feel like her aim was improving at all. Thats not fair. I am getting a little better, and it has only been two days.

In irritation, she called Flow back, maintaining its glaive shape with effort, and dropped into the beginning of a form that Rane had taught her. Hed claimed that the early forms for this weapon were little more than modified staff training techniques, but they helped her build confidence in her use of the weapon. The advanced techniques should be pretty awesome, when I get there.

She kept a grimace from distorting her features. Doesnt help with my throws, though She calmed her mind, using the now well-practiced movements to clear her head.

Ha, well-practiced Shed learned the sequence only yesterday morning, though she had moved through them a couple hundred times since then. Maybe it is well-practiced at that.

The series of movements ended with a downward sweep. She exhaled sharply and held the pose for a moment before spinning the weapon back up to rest on her shoulder.

She released her void-channels, and Flow returned to the shape of a knife even as she sheathed it at her belt.

By her reckoning, Jevin would have the dimensional tether for her by now, and the Culinary Guild should have her venturing food as well.

During the past two days, shed taken time to meditate and work within herself, adding two more stitches towards Fusing. Two of No, shed determined to not consider the magnitude of the task before her. One at a time.

Im going to get cleaned up. Ive a couple of errands to run.

Want company? After the briefest of pauses, he clarified, For the errands.

She shrugged. I think Ill be ok. Then, thinking of the Culinary Guild, she hedged a bit further. It would probably be nice to take the walk by myself. I wont be gone long.

Suit yourself. He simply continued his workout.

Once Tala was cleaned up and back on the city spiral, she asked Terry to carry her.

He agreed, without hesitation. So, she made good time, arriving at the Constructionist Guild office where Jevin worked in short order.N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.

The magical scan and pleasant ding greeted her.

In the back! Jevins voice carried in such a way that she didnt think hed been shouting, but he still sounded quite far back in the complex.

Tala shook her head, and walked down the halls, trying to find her way to his workshop.

The few times she went to make a wrong turn, unknowingly, Jevin called out to her again.

Finally, she arrived, Terry firmly asleep on her shoulder.

Jevins workshop was much as shed remembered it, if a bit more organized.

The oddly moving mud caught her eye again, and Tala walked over to the heavily empowered glass jar, ignoring Jevin, who was working in another part of the shop.

Dont touch that.

Tala hesitated. She had, in fact, been about to touch the glass. What is it?

That, my young Bound, is living iron. Jevin walked over to stand next to her, shaking his head. Its always awkward to address Bound by that title.

Archon? Mage? Mistress Tala?

Too vague, some would be insulted, and too long. He had a slight smile, seeming to indicate another attempt at humor.

Tala huffed a laugh, but otherwise decided to ignore the effort. So, living iron?

Its a not-quite-magical creature that weve run across a few times. More frequently recently.

The reddish-brown mud seemed to be trying to crawl up the side of the container, but it couldnt get purchase on the walls or push the lid free. Interestingly, it didnt seem to leave any residue; so, the glass stayed clean.

Even through the heavy magic on the container, Talas mage-sight was able to get a look at the creature. It did, indeed, look like any other bit of iron. Like how I look, with my iron-salve.

Weve found individuals of several distinct metals, but they die quickly when exposed to what we would call breathable air.

What do they do?

No idea. Thats why Im studying it. He hesitated. Well, obviously we know some things. He handed her a sheet of paper. These are the gaseous mediums they can exist in, along with liquid, and solid.

Tala looked over it in passing.

Whatever their metal, they seek out and consume it, adding it to their shape.

So not-quite-magical. Do they have magic or not?

No? No more than any other creature. Weve found some with bits of magic, but weve not seen signs of intelligence sufficient for complex mental constructs, and theyve no will to speak of; spell-workings take hold with almost no resistance. After another pause, he smiled. Well, they do on those not composed of iron.

But they could go through a fount.

He gave her a searching look. Yes. Though, I doubt an iron could.

Tala sighed. Fair She crinkled her nose, pushing her mild irritation aside. Well, thank you. With clumsy motions, Tala strapped on one set of bracers. She moved her arms around and felt the bracers pulling and pinching. Her sleeves were caught, cinched down against her arms and the odd constriction around her forearms made opening and closing her hands feelodd.

Jevin sighed. Here, let me. He reached over, working the buckles and straps, and subtly shifting the bracers and her sleeves, until they were quite a bit tighter than shed managed by herself. Even so, after his ministrations, they felt looser, while shifting less. There.

Tala moved her arms, stretching this way and that. There was no pinching, pulling, or constriction. Huh Ill have to learn how to do that.

Jevin nodded. Take them off, and Ill walk you through it.

Together, Tala and Jevin removed and replaced the bracers half-a-dozen times. Then, Tala did it herself half-a-dozen more, while Jevin watched and commented. The Paragon was giving off a paternal air that made her slightly uncomfortable. It wasnt that his actions or attitude were unwelcome, unhelpful, or inappropriate; it was more that, for that brief time, she felt like this virtual stranger was acting more like her father than her father had, at least near the end.

Ultimately, she was fairly confident that she could get the right placement and fit, even if it would take some finagling.

Thank you. She put her parental issues aside and gave Jevin a genuine smile, tucking the extras into Kit.

I am happy to help. He was nodding to himself. Now, I dug those out for you. He waved in a gesture towards a nearby cloth sack.

Tala frowned, going over and opening the bag. Within were six well-maintained, but obviously old, iron spheres of various permeability. Each had an identical wooden ball inside. Well, I assume the last one does, too.

One extreme of the set was a sphere of interwoven wire, with holes just too small for the wooden ball to fall out through. When she looked closer, she saw that the wires were welded at the crossings, to prevent the holes from opening wider.

The other extreme was a nearly perfectly smooth iron ball with no perforations or holes, at all. The four other balls were an even progression between those, two, and all six were covered with minor dings, dents, and scratches.

What are these for?

For you to practice. You didnt seem enthusiastic about letting me oppose your will, so these will work. I wish all Mages would train with something similar, and I insist all my apprentices do so, but most have a reasonable dislike of iron. I assume you wouldnt have that issue.

Tala grinned. Not even a bit.

Good. You arent my apprentice, so I cant make you use those, but I do recommend it. He was moving back towards his earlier project. If you change your mind, Im happy to oppose your workings, but those should be a good starting point, regardless. Just return them when each becomes too easy for you. Im rather attached to them. His smile was one of fond memories, tinged with the sadness of a parent whose children were out on their own.

Tala was regarding the last ball, trying to ignore the awkward emotions. I cant do a working through solid iron.

Im not asking you to.

She frowned. After a long moment, she began to nod. You want me to see if I can affect an objects gravity from the other side. See if my scripting will allow that.

Do you think they could? He gave her a half-interested look. Hes trying to not put pressure on me, but he does think this might be possible.

Maybe. Gravity, at its most basic, is an interaction between two-points. I should be able to affect one through the otherpossibly. She didnt know how, but it seems like it should be possible.

Good. If you can work that out, very few defenses will work against you. His smile lessened for a moment as he amended. Well, other than direct opposition of will. So, no passive defense should work against you. He grinned fully once again.

Well, Ill definitely add this to my training.

Jevin opened his mouth to comment, but hesitated, tilting his head to one side. I believe someone is here to see you.

Tala grimaced. I told Rane I would be back. Couldnt he let her run two errands on her own?

An older, Mage protector His face shifted slightly towards sadness, but he didnt say why. Shall we go greet her?

Oh, Mistress Odera. It seemed odd to Tala, that he would come, but she didnt object.

Together, they walked through the building, until they reached the entry room where Mistress Odera waited.

Mistress Odera gave a deep bow towards Jevin, hands clasped. Master Jevin. I did not know you would be in residence at this location. I am Mage Odera.

Mistress Odera, be welcome. His voice was soft, but still carried through the room with ease. You said you were here to speak with Mistress Tala? He gestured to Tala as she stepped up beside him.

She said? She must have spoken when she entered, and he obviously has some way of perceiving the entrance.

I am, indeed. Mistress Odera turned to regard the younger Mage. Greetings, Mistress Tala. Master Rane informed me that I was likely to find you here. Our schedule has been altered. A critical shipment is anticipated, and ours is the only caravan already within the city that can carry the cargo in its entirety. There have been increasing delays on incoming caravans, and they dont want to risk the lack of a sufficient caravan. After a moment, she smiled kindly. Thankfully, we havent confirmed the permanent loss of any caravan, stars be praised.

Tala frowned as she bowed. Greetings Mistress. By altered, what do you mean? At least Rane didnt come, himself.

Weve been asked to delay our departure by almost a month.

Tala balked at that. Why? And why tell me now?

I just learned an hour ago, or I would have told you at our last meal. As a concession for the inconvenience, we will each be paid a stipend of two gold per day, for each day past our previously scheduled departure. That will be a total of fifty gold apiece.

Talas eyes widened in shock.

Indeed. It seems that this load of goods must be shipped together, and the client is willing to pay to ensure such.

Tala nodded, finding herself a bit speechless.

We will need to power down the cargo-slots. So, you will have to find another place to stay, but you also wont need to return to the work-yard each morning.

Finally, Tala found her tongue once again. Thank you for bringing me this news.

Mistress Odera gave a slight bow. Of course. If you can, please get any items you need from the cargo-slot this evening, and the local Wainwrights will oversee the deactivating of the slots tomorrow. You were not requested for that, but you would likely be welcome to observe, if you so desired.

I will gather a few things. Thank you. I dont believe I will observe.

There was a slight lull, as they ran out of applicable topics.

Jevin cleared his throat, stepping into the silence. Mistress Tala, I believe that we have concluded our business for the moment. Would you be willing to depart, so that Mistress Odera and I could have a word?

Tala frowned, giving him what she thought was an inquisitive look, but he simply waited for her response. Alright. She bowed to each of them in turn. Master Jevin, Mistress Odera.

They bid her farewell in return.

As she left, her enhanced hearing picked up the beginning of their conversation.

Mistress Odera. I know what is in your pocket. Would you like me to take it from you? That is not a cure, but it will be a delay.

Mistress Oderas voice came back, obviously filled with relief, an edge of pleading apparent as well. If you command, Paragon, I will obey.

The door swung shut, locking Tala out of the remainder of the exchange, and she and Terry started upward, towards the Culinary Guild office on the fifth floor.