Book Three Chapter Fourteen: Confession_Flag_True

Book Three Chapter Fourteen: Confession_Flag_True

It was because of her determination to not give in to her anger that Qube was able to tolerate the Head Mage trying to congratulate the Chosen One on completing the Grand Working. Not Definitely Bad Guy, who had actually cast the spell and suffered a terrible curse, no. He complimented only the Chosen One for such a task.

Which isnt to say she didnt derive pleasure from watching the Head Mage be confounded by the Chosen One, who, having broken free from the group hug, chose to ignore the Head Mage, and was instead trying to get Squiggles to eat a bubbling green beaker.

And Qube could have stopped said pet from getting overexcited by the Heros encouragement and launching herself onto the table, spilling everything everywhere, but really, if the Head Mage was so elevated that he didnt need to worry about things like fire hazards, or warning his visitors that a giant snowmage would try and cast a fatal curse on them, then who was she to intervene?

Instead Qube just serenely smiled as the Head Mage started running back and forth, demanding that someone do something to fix the rapidly-spreading spillage, while the Chosen One locked the other party members in place by telling them all about how disappointed he was in the non-flying skeletal wyverns theyd faced earlier.

After all, the other party members had the option of ignoring the Hero and instead electing to help. It wasnt Qubes job to guide them into doing the polite thing.

Her only job was guiding them into doing the Good thing. And, really, what could be more Good than a happy little sharktopus slorping around, enjoying some snacks?

Nothing, that was what.

Qube felt a dreaded teehee bubble up her throat, but she ruthlessly suppressed it.

Chosen One, perhaps we should be going? Qube asked mildly. A part of her was interested in reading the few books remaining, given shed burned all the other ones, but she didnt want to test her resolve against any more time in the Wizards Academy. The potential for provocation was too high.

For a place she hadnt been able to wait to visit, she was now equally as eager to leave it behind. No wonder Definitely Bad Guy was occasionally strange, if this had been where hed grown up! Honestly it was astonishing he was as well-adjusted as he was, given there seemed to be almost no new students, and only teachers.

The Chosen One, having finished giving the left-behind party members his opinion on the unfairness of skeletons that refused to fly, was now fondly watching the team mascot rampaging around. He sighed at the wisdom of Qubes words.

Sure, time to go, he said, brushing past the Head Mage, who was finishing another lap of the tower.

Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Sewer Bard said, giving the running Head Mage a courteous bow.

It was a pleasure, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady murmured, still paging through the book on law.

Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and Sewer Bard must have noticed the change to Definitely Bad Guy, but both were too diplomatic to mention it. Qube wouldnt have been able to stop herself from asking a million questions, but the duo showed their discretion by not even looking at the scarring on his chest.

It seemed like no one was going to discuss it! Instead the Chosen One just whistled at Squiggles, and started out the Wizards Tower, following the path back to the misty doorway theyd entered the Wizards Academy through.

So, Definitely Bad Guy, Qube said, unable to help herself. Did you want to tell everyone about what happened?

The Mage looked at her in surprise, the snow touching the freshly-blue tips of his red hair before melting away.

We completed the Grand Working, the Mage informed the rest of the party. The shield to the dungeon should be destroyed. He continued looking at Qube, a slight questioning in his voice. Did you wish for me to tell them of your contribution? It was indeed indispensable.

What? No! Qube said, flushing. She slowed her steps, and the Mage obligingly matched her pace, the others pulling ahead slightly.

Try eating the snow! It makes your mouth cold! the Chosen One was instructing an extremely over-hyped Squiggles.

I do! Qube said emphatically.

Very well. I trust your judgement in this. The Mage took a deep breath, bracing himself. I will discuss this with him when there is an opportunity to. If could you that is to say he trailed off, all his previous tension creeping back in. He gathered himself.

Qube patiently waited for him, as she had for so many things.

Would you be willing to accompany me when I discuss this with him? Definitely Bad Guy asked.

Of course! Qube said cheerfully. Id be happy to help!

The Mage smiled again, a dazzling sight, and Qube felt a warm glow as she contemplated just how wonderful it was that there were no more secrets between them.

---

It turned out that, even with the warning from the Head Mage, the Chosen One had still attempted to borrow a few things. His cry of outrage when they disappeared was full of righteous indignation. Even Sexy Screamy Spider Lady had walked through the portal still paging through the tome she was reading.

It did, however, make Qube feel a bit better about burning all those books.

Leaving behind the judgemental mist door, the group fell back into their familiar dynamic, the Chosen One using his faster-travel technique of meditating, and the others landing halfway between a meditative state and awareness.

Qube, meanwhile, was feeling increasingly invigorated the further away from the Wizards Academy they got. There had been the initial burst of energy as soon as theyd been teleported out of the region, and the relief at no longer being around a group of people who seemed more concerned with their own petty squabbles than the fate of their kingdom, and now she was getting excited to embark on the final Temple, and be one step closer to saving the world!

It was because of this alertness that she noticed the strange atmosphere as they walked through the eerie forest outside of Lake Fear. Last time thered been no signs of life, but several times she could have sworn she caught glimpses of brightly-coloured birds darting through the trees, creatures which would have looked more at home in the jungle-like environment of the Forbidden Forest than the black-and-white mangroves they found themselves in.

A few times she could have sworn she heard snatches of a hauntingly familiar song.

Soon enough, however, they were through the woods, and jogging along the rolling green hills towards the groves that surrounded Cobbletown. The Chosen One, for some reason, hadnt summoned Scaley-waley, which Qube was secretly somewhat glad for. She didnt put it past the Chosen One to complain about the undead wyverns in front of the very much living wyvern, and she didnt want Scaley-waley to feel bad.

She couldnt seem to settle, though, even with her fellow party members being quiet, even with the serenity of nature that they passed, even though nothing unusual at all happened in their journey save for some displaced birds singing bird songs.

Maybe it was because Definitely Bad Guy had almost died. Or the fact that she had come face-to-face with her inner self, and it had been unpleasant. Or maybe it was because the leaves werent swaying smoothly like they normally did, but rather jittering back and forth.

She couldnt place it at all, but the knot in her chest started to unravel slightly when she spotted the snapping flags posted high above Cobbletown, and saw the giant wooden gate guarded, as always, by the same two blue-clad guards.

Soon they would be settled in, and she would hopefully be able to talk the Chosen One into everyone being allowed a good nights rest at the local inn. She wasnt sure how long itd been since any of them had last properly slept, so she was probably just feeling the strain from the constant tension.

Yes, a good meal and a good sleep would do wonders for everyone.

Greetings, one of the guards said, as the Chosen One came to himself and eagerly started forward. As usual, he brushed past the guards, completely ignoring their standard welcome routine. He charged forward, dragging the others in his wake, and Qube was so used to being invisible that she didnt even bother to reflexively smile at the guards.

Instead she just glanced past them, groaning when she saw that the Hero was heading for Mr. Igmas store, and only casually noticed that one of the guards had abandoned his normal rigid stance, and was instead leaning against one of the gate's walls, quietly humming an oddly familiar song.