Book Three Chapter Five: Wiz_Snow_Effect

Book Three Chapter Five: Wiz_Snow_Effect

Qube had expected some kind of reaction from Definitely Bad Guy. It wasnt every day that someone told you that you were going to seize your destiny! After all, he was the only one in the group who hadnt yet been explicitly told what their destiny was, so he should be excited!

Although, now she thought about it, Squiggles also hadnt been told what her destiny was. Did team mascots get destinies? What would hers even be? Would she be destined to eat something really interesting? That was something she did all the time. Had Squiggles already manifested her destiny?

But instead the Mage simply looked at the old man, and waited.

When the traitor staged his coup, and took our brightest young minds, here the Head Mage nodded at Definitely Bad Guy, who just looked even more sour. Maybe he didnt like being tactlessly reminded of the time hed been kidnapped by an Evil megalomaniac? we decided to come together and create a Grand Working, a spell that could penetrate the foul magic he surrounded himself with. Unfortunately, great minds often come with great egos, and so we fell into infighting.

The Chosen One, still flicking through the various piles of books, looked up at this, but then continued his scanning.

Each Mage has a component of the spell that they have been working on, but none will leave their Wizards Towers to gather the information so we can complete the Grand Working. Go to each tower, and find out what is needed to move forward.

The Head Mage slowly drifted away from Definitely Bad Guy and Sewer Bard, ending up next to the Chosen One.

Being protective of their magics, they may try to test you. Do not insult them. There are none so petty as a peeved Wizard.

Qube was now officially worried. This was an almost impossible mission for the Chosen One! Sewer Bard would have to do most of the talking. The Chosen One frowned at the Head Mage, and looked back at the two men the Mage was ignoring.

Hey, he said, using a book to push the Head Mage backwards. Stop talking at me. Talk to them.

Sewer Bard sighed, and walked over to the Chosen Ones side.

I fear your faith in others has misled you to the nature of politics, the Bard said, standing directly in front of the allegedly most powerful Mage at the Wizards Academy. No leader will truly address another while youre present, Noble Patron. You are simply too important for them to do so. Is that not the case, venerable elder? he asked the Head Mage.

The Head Mage looked at Sewer Bard. His giant bushy eyebrows, moustache, and beard hid his expression, but he hesitated for several seconds before speaking.

The pride of Wizards, and the forces they are working with, are such that it would be ill advised for others to join you in this endeavour, he said slowly. Only you, apprentice, and the Chosen One, should continue from this point onwards. Your companions may stay here, with me, and rest by the fire.

Qube hadnt actually noticed a fire, but there one was, merrily crackling away in the corner, surrounded by loose scrolls and several open potion bottles.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

I do not intend to cast aspersions on your companions, the Head Mage added, still looking primarily at the Chosen One, but glancing frequently at Sewer Bard, but it would simply not be wise.

It seemed like Definitely Bad Guy had gotten his somewhat pompous method of speaking from the Head Mage, who must have been his mentor when hed been at the academy. Even Qube found herself getting somewhat annoyed with how the Mage was talking. Frankly, she was astonished at the Chosen Ones patience normally he would have tried to skip over all the talking and steal everything not nailed down.

Speaking of which, she noticed that the pile of ancient tomes hed scattered all over the floor was looking distinctly smaller than it used to. Every time the Mage glanced away from him, the Hero would stuff another book into his backpack.

Chosen One, Qube hissed, despite knowing the owner of said books couldnt hear her, stop stealing his books!

Dont you want to read them? the Chosen One asked her temptingly. Qube puffed out her cheeks. That was so unfair! How dare he taunt her with potential knowledge? He knew how much she liked knowing things!

She fought against the power of his brilliant lure.

Whats in the books? she asked. Maybe they were full of uninteresting things! Not that it would make a difference! Stealing was stealing, and that was just wrong!

I dunno, he replied, flipping through another one and pocketing it.

Qube inhaled sharply. Unknown knowledge! It had the potential to be anything, or nothing! She stared at the pile of books hungrily.

I see, she said. I yes, youre right.

There was silence.

The Chosen One nodded and turned to Definitely Bad Guy.

Right, you ready for whatever were supposed to do? he asked.

Go to each tower, and find out what is needed to move forward, the Head Mage said.

You already said that, the Chosen One said. I was asking him.

But you

The Chosen One cut off the Head Mage in a way no one else would have dared.

Cuz if I cant take anything from here then this place is kinda pointless.

I am ready to depart whenever you are, Definitely Bad Guy said calmly as the Head Mage looked like he couldnt decide whether or not he should be offended that his Wizards Tower, a centre of learning, had just been called pointless. Eventually he settled on just looking confused.

The Chosen One shot a look at Qube, who tried her best to look like a strong Healer who wouldnt accidentally get killed by a bunch of powerful Wizards who couldnt see her. It must have worked, since the Chosen One just laughed.

All right, lets go! the Chosen One said then turned and walked out the Wizards Tower.

---

The cold was biting, but not unbearable. Honestly, Qube thought that even without their frost-resistant clothing they would have been fine. Shed tried to wear the outfit, but still hadnt quite figured out how to change clothes.

Her natural suspicion towards the tailors strange selling practices continued to grow. Was it just a scam, to try and milk them for more money? Didnt they know how important the Chosen Ones mission was? Honestly, the more Qube saw of the world, the more she thought that people just didnt understand the seriousness of what they were trying to accomplish.

Hey! Hey, look! the Chosen One said. Only, because his tongue was sticking out, it came off more like ey! ey, ooch!

Qube looked around to see the hope of the people lying down in the middle of a pile of snow, sticking his tongue out in the air and trying to catch snowflakes.

Ey khan aste et, he said incomprehensibly.

Im sorry, I didnt quite catch that. Could you repeat it? Qube instinctively replied.

He caught a snowflake on his tongue and ate it. I said I can taste it! he exclaimed. Its so cold! Not just on my tongue but my whole mouth! This is so amazing!

Yes, eating cold things will make your mouth cold, Qube said cautiously. She cast her mind back to her childhood to see if theyd ever experienced snow before, only to catch herself short. She was remembering Felix, not the Chosen One. Who knew how the Hero had grown up.

Shall we continue on our quest to save the world? she asked the Hero.

Only if you try this! You too, Sparky! the Chosen One said, still flat on his back.

Which is how, on their quest to save the kingdom, Qube and Definitely Bad Guy ended up lying in the snow, catching snowflakes on their tongues.