Chapter 410: The Truth of Choice

Chapter 410: The Truth of Choice

Tala, Rane, Latna, and Master Leighis all sat with Nea, finishing up their tea.

The little girl was looking down at her hands, clearly a bit uncertain about sharing her choice, but resolute all the same. I dont want to be a Mage.

Everyone remained silent, awaiting her next words.

Ive been watching the fights around Alefast waning those monsters are so scary.

Nea. Latna chastised. You know you arent allowed to

I know, Lat, but I did anyway. I dont want to be a part of that world. I want a normal life. I dont want to deal with magic.

Master Leighis cleared his throat. Most Mages never fight such creatures, Nea.

The little girl shook her head. I know, but they face other things.

They do, at times, but no more than any mundane will. Mages are just better prepared.

Nea raised an eyebrow, the gesture so like when Latna did it. So, its less dangerous to be a Mage?

The little girls eyes were filled with an intelligent intensity. She knew the answer.

Tala sighed, taking up the answer, Statistically, no. If you include all Mages and all mundanes in a non-waning city, Mages die less pleasantly, even though they live longer, on average.

So, a shorter, peaceful life, or a longer one with a worse end.

Not necessarily.

But on average?

Tala hesitated, then nodded. In your situation, here in Marliweather, yes.

Then Ive made my choice.

The group sitting with her were clearly of mixed opinions about the choice, but it wasnt really any of their places to try to change the girls mind.

Rane cleared his throat. I know we dont know each other well, and Im not interested in changing your mind, but if you have any question, you can ask. Ill give you a straight answer. Thats one reason why were here, so that you can ask us any questions. You havent really done that.

Nea seemed to consider that. Fine. She put on a pretend interested face. Are you glad that you became a Mage?

He gave a small smile. Yes.

Did you like your time at the Academy?

I didnt go.

That seemed to catch the girl off guard. Her next question seemed far more genuine. Do Do you wish that you had?

He shrugged. Yes and no. I think it would have been easier, but I wouldnt be who I am today if I had. He glanced toward Tala. I probably wouldnt have met your sister, not in the same way, if I had.

Nea was frowning deeply, then. Would you go if you were me?

He shook his head. That is your choice, Nea. Ive already said that my aim isnt to change your mind. I wont make the choice for you.

She sighed looking at everyone sitting with her. I appreciate the honesty, and Im sorry if Im disappointing you, but I wont be going.

* * *

Tala almost tripped. Worse, she almost allowed one of her six intermixed, interweaving void-iron shapes to pop.

Rane noticed and stopped beside her.

He was being exceptionally attentive after Neas decision the day before.

Theyd planned to leave when Nea did, but when she didnt leave well, they hadnt wanted to depart right after that revelation. Tala felt like doing so would have seemed like they were leaving because of the girls decision.

So, theyd stayed an extra day, and Rane had been a bit overbearing during that time.

To be fair, Tala now understood why hed been so irritated at her on their way to Marliweather, but she still didnt enjoy it.

Regardless, theyd been walking away from Talas siblings home to find a place to anchor Kit for the evening, and his careful attention had ensured that he noticed her sudden hesitancy.

Tala?

One moment, Rane. She held up a finger.

Say that again.

-I found him. The fire Mage that you saw become a fount.-

That had been more than a year earlier.

Alat had been combing through the Archive for any publicly available information that could lead them back to the man whom theyd seen.

Finally, Alat had fallen back on querying the guilds for access to their member lists, and then customer lists, seeking any fire Mage and then hunting down visual records of those.

It seems that that had finally borne fruit.

Who was he?

-Master Iazo. He had two children before his wife died to a magical creature. His daughter does not seem to still be alive. His son. Oh- Alat made a sad sound within Talas head. -Tragedy seems to follow this family. His sons wife died after theyd only had two children as well. Those two children are still younger than ten.-

Wait the picture we found. It was filled with people, filled with lots of young children. Werent they Master Iazos family?

-It seems like they must have been extended family and the family of their employees. Apparently, their family business is rather popular, and so they have a large cadre of families working with them.-

Tala grunted at that. Whats the sons name?

-Master Okuz.-

Where is he now?

-He runs the family business now with his uncle Hori. Its a tea shop here in Marliweather.-

Tala looked toward Rane. Alat found the fire Mages family.

Ranes eyes widened, instantly knowing whom she was referring to. Where?

A tea shop in this city.

Are they open, now?

-Yes.-

Yes.

Do you want to go alone?

Tala hesitated, then shook her head. No. Lets head there now.

It was in the inner ring so it didnt take too long to get there from where they started.

Tala stood outside, looking up at the sign. The Jasmine Dragon.

Rane smiled. It looks popular.

That it does.

It was a beautifully laid out building, set among sipping gardens, each with their own sequestered tables.

It was more than a year ago. I apologize that it took me so long to track you down.

The young man bowed his thanks and excused himself.

Master Hori sighed, having watched his nephew leave before turning to look to Tala, consideringly. If I may ask, why did you track us down? I assume you found him becoming a fount?

So, either an Archon or forbidden. Yes, I did. I am here because I promised that I would come. It might have been a foolish promise, made to a man who couldnt truly hear me, but I try to honor my word.

The older man nodded. Thank you for that. I mourn my brothers fate, but he was always a bit too obsessed with power to become an Archon.

Are you?

Master Hori smiled. I am an Archon, yes. I am here to draw my nephew in the right direction. There is much of his father in him, both the good and the bad. I am trying to nurture the good. I failed with my younger brother; I do not wish to let his son down as well.

If you dont mind my asking?

Master Hori waved for her to continue.

He seems much younger than you or your brother.

The older man smiled. My brother was much younger than I. And he continued the tradition of having his children later in life. With my wife gone and children likewise beyond Zeme, I am free to pursue the family business and work with my nephew in his pursuits.

Rane spoke then. Im sorry to hear about your family.

Master Hori waved a hand. It is not as Id have wished, but it is the way of this world. We fight, we die. We strive and scrape for every scrap, and then we die. If I thought I could bear another bond, Id likely remarry and fill this city with children, but my soul is too old, too brittle. I am content in my choices.

Tala could see the mans soul, and it looked vibrant enough to her, even if she couldnt see an aura or coloration to it.

To be fair, however, she could see what seemed to be the remnants of quite a few shattered soulbonds, five if her count was right. Souls were hard to truly see, soulbonds moreso. Regardless, the broken bonds represented a depth of suffering that she couldnt fathom.

He must have guessed something of what she could see, based on his next words, So, your sight can see soulbonds, then?

She shrugged, a bit uncomfortably. Yes and no. I can see connections and broken connections. It is something I am striving to improve.

He nodded. That is laudable. One should always be improving in some regard.

Tala sighed. Thank you for your time, Master Hori. We have already imposed upon you quite a bit.

As she moved to stand, however, he waved her and Rane back down. Nonsense. Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of lifes true delights.

Rane grinned at that. A good conversation is a pleasure all its own.

Indeed. The older man bowed his head in acknowledgment toward Rane. Now, my fascinating strangers, may I ask a probing question?

Rane nodded, still smiling.

Tala did as well but more hesitantly.

It was odd. The man gave off a grandfatherly air that made her wary even as it made her want to open up to him.

He just seemed so affable and open in his own right that it only seemed reasonable to return the attitude in kind.

There seems to be a great burden upon you both. What is troubling you? He poured them more tea.

Tala frowned, then. We dont want to burden you with our ills. We came to deliver hard news, not to seek help for anything.

Rane slumped a little, clearly reminded of his own struggles as he took up his teacup and sipped carefully.

Master Hori shook his head and smiled, There is nothing wrong with letting people who love you, help you. He hesitated a moment, tilting his head to one side before continuing, Not that I love you. After all, I just met you.

Tala felt herself smile at that, and she glanced to Rane.

He was already looking her way. I dont know ifhis eyes flicked toward Master Horiit would be allowed.

Rane was clearly asking if she could see the mans aura, and if he was Refined already. It would be poor repayment for the mans hospitality to cripple a future attempt at Refining.

Tala sighed. I am afraid that I must ask a slightly impolite question, if you wish us to answer you.

Master Hori nodded once.

Your aura is hidden, so I assume you do not wish it to be known, but the issue is advancement sensitive. May we ask what advancement you have achieved?

The man straightened, pulling back just slightly in realization for a moment before nodding. Refining, then.

Well, that answered the question without answering the question.

Rane nodded, seemingly relieved to be able to say, I have failed.

Oh? The mans eyebrows rose. I sense no cracks in your gate, no barbs within your flesh, nor compulsions within your mind.

Rane shook his head. No. I just I cant finish.

Ahh, I see. There is a misunderstanding.

Rane nodded.

You have chosen to end your advancement.

Rane bristled, and Tala almost interjected, but Alat spoke within her mind.

-Wait. See where this goes. Master Nadros isnt the only way, and we can interject if required.-

Rane practically growled. I cannot continue. I am not up to the task.

No, my dear boy. He said with a smile. You are choosing not to continue. He then held up his hands to forestall any reply. I am not saying you chose poorly. I am also not saying that you are weak for your choice. But we must see things as they are, if we are to live with any sort of contentment. You cannot let pride blind you to the truth of your choice.

Rane hung his head, turning a deep red. I have no pride left, Master Hori. I am drowning in the shame of my failure.

The old man sighed, refilling Ranes cup. Master Rane.

Finally, after a long moment, Rane glanced up.

Only then did Master Hori continue, Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source.

The younger man rocked back at the words, almost as if struck.

I am speaking where my thoughts were not asked, but I will say this last thing. A choice to stop your Refinement can be the right choice for you, but it is a choice, and choices can be changed at need. If you have been forced to stop, then no matter what comes, you are trapped. He smiled, lifting his own tea cup in a salute. You are not trapped. You have the freedom to make the choice you think best. Do not let your pride blind you to the freedom you still have.

His eyes turned toward Tala, and Tala held up her hands. I I dont think I can take hard truths, Master Hori.

The old man laughed, a deep, rolling belly laugh. Oh, Mistress Tala. I am but an old man who loves his tea. My words come from years on Zeme, but it is up to you to decide if they hold any truth.

She smiled at that. All the same.

He raised his cup toward her as well. As you wish. Would you, then, humor an old man with an inquiry?

She tilted her head to one side. Master Hori?

I must confess that I recognized you as soon as I saw you from the Defender battles out of Alefast and from a few of your memories from your trip to the south.

She considered, what sort of memories might interest such a man. Ah. The House of the Eternal Fires Within?

I purchased those few memories, among a few others.

She hesitated a moment before asking, What would you have me tell?

His smile broadened. How do they make tea in the arcane lands?

Tala blinked a few times, taking a moment to process that. Then, she barked a laugh before quickly covering her mouth. Master Hori? It would be my pleasure.