5.58 - Eyes on Qavell

5.58 - Eyes on Qavell

A spread of sausages, pozwa eggs, tea, and whole roasted zee sat on the table in Theos manor. He had spent last nights Dreamwalk working on his willpower, but the effects of his potion were dwindling. What he gained from that training was a massive boost in willpower that made any core based on that concept powerful, even at Level 1. But there was another aspect to this power he needed to consider. It was a gift, given to him by Yuri who had poked the cogs of fate into motion a long time ago. The alchemist now found himself as one of those cogs. Not as a drone to do someones bidding, but a man with a job. A task that needed completion.

Whats the problem, babe? Youve barely touched your giant demon-goat-bird eggs, Tresk said, poking Theo in the cheek.

Theo removed himself from his thoughts, looking down at his cold plate of food. The marshling must have sensed his thoughtfulness, or read his mind, because she normally was already off on some adventure. Im good, he said, turning instead to his administrator interface and picking at his food. Anything interesting going on with you today?

Test flight with Alex, Tresk said, jabbing her thumb back at the goose. Alex looked up from her plate of bugs, grain, and random pieces of vegetation and honked weakly. Were hoping to scout for Qavell.ReAd latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Theo hoped Fenian would arrive before Qavell got to the alliance. He had leaned on the Herald in the past, and would do so again. The mortal realm was his domain, after all. If there was a god in that flying citywhatever form it might takehe could make a difference. Just like Khahar could snap his fingers in the heavens, changing the way the system worked up there.

You? Tresk asked, stealing a sausage from Theos plate.

Potions or landscaping. I have a request from Grot to do some mountain-moving up in Gronro.

That sounds ever so boring, Tresk sighed. If you need me, Ill be riding a goose into battle. Farewell.

Tresk swooned on the spot, placing the back of her hand over her moist forehead. She stumbled around the table, then through the front door, sighing the entire way. Alex waddled behind her, almost unable to shove her bulk through the threshold.

Whats gotten into her? Sarisa asked, stealing another of Theos sausage.

Oh, you dont speak crazy marshling? Theo asked, jabbing a fork into his last sausage before someone swooped from nowhere to steal it. Shes excited to see the city fall.

Are you?

Excited? Not really. We have to juggle the matter carefully. We need to disable the city, then banish whatever god attached itself there.

Theo reflexively sent his willpower out, searching for anything that felt like a damn floating city approaching his town. Xolsa had yelled at him about that before. Most magic users had a magical sense that they could send out, probing things. Someone who was good enough could sense distant magical things. But the alchemist had leaned on his willpower, never developing a sense for magical things. He tried. But the only success he found was his Earth Sorcerers Core and its ability to sense the Earth element.

Confidence levels are low?

Theo found that question the hardest to answer. He was confident in his potions and his people. But the new power he was cultivating wasnt solid like those things. It was mercurial, and unknowable without a status screen. How strong was his realm compared to a piece of a god in the mortal realm? Then another thought. What if even Khahar was wrong? Before he left to become the Arbiter, Khahar was technically a mortal. With a sneeze, he could have destroyed the planet. What if there was another. One from those old days the gods loved to wax on about.

Uncertainty is high, Theo said. The difference mattered.

I know what will cheer you up, Sarisa said, clapping a hand on Theos shoulder. Lets go poke some turtles with sticks. See who can get the closest.

For a moment, no longer than a single breath, Theo considered wading into the swamp to poke turtles. Although he tried to dismiss it, the thought lingered. Working all day, every day, wasnt healthy. Alright. Lets go poke some turtles.

What? Rowan said, looking out from the kitchen. Really? You wanna play poky snappy?

Lets go! Sarisa shouted.

But I need to check on the lab. And the deadly herb in the garden, Theo said, sucking his breakfast into his inventory. Hed finish it while they poked turtles.

Theo checked in on Salire, discovering that she was running the low-level potions wing of their business well enough. This was a turning point for his alchemy. Something that he wanted to approach with caution. Fourth tier potions would not be easy to make, especially when he had been lazy about mastering the third tier ones. If he had learned one thing from alchemy, it was that each phase built on the next. The example that he thought of was the pressure treating process, which taught him about impurities. Alcohol distillation had shown him how to isolate properties to a high degree. Whatever came next would expand on the concept of reagent purity, and he had no desire to rush it.

Theo needed to take a breath to understand if that was good or bad. Qavell was always coming, but at least they were approaching from the best angle. He watched through Tresks eyes as a bolt of energy jumped from the hovering city. It lashed uselessly against the mountains, sending piles of rocks tumbling to the sea below. The whole thing seemed neutered, compared to the image he had conjured in his mind. Instead of a dark fortress, brimming with magical potential, he saw an impotent rock drifting on whatever wind would carry it.

Im slightly disappointed, Theo said, watching as Tresk and Alex retreated.

Looks like easy pickings. Bet I could solo it.

I doubt that, Theo said. Were still talking about an entire city.

Meh. Agree to disagree. No worries, were heading back.

Tresk made sure to add that last part so Theo wouldnt worry. Rowan was trying to get his attention, but the alchemist imagined the angle of approach for the city. It traced the line of the coast perfectly, likely using the mountains for cover. Whoever had devised this plan was an idiot, though. Approaching Broken Tusk that way assumed they would have no response. King Hanan would know that, wouldnt he? Theo only hoped whatever mad god was driving the city forward was so foolish, and the king would be open to negotiations.

What was that? Theo asked, turning to meet the confused gaze of Rowan. The alchemist withdrew his communication crystal, the one linked with Fenian, from his inventory.

I was asking if you wanted to jump off a cliff and see who survives.

Thats one step too far, Theo said, waving a dismissive hand. Ah, Tresk is writing her report to Aarok. Good. Means I dont have to. Anyone seen Zankir lately?

Prowling the wall like a hungry Marsh Wolf, no doubt, Sarisa said.

Zankir had been given the honor of managing the wall-based defenses of the town. Every tower and artifice cannon in town was under his command, including their placement and operation. Theo headed to the walls, walking them for a bit before bumping into the khahri man. He still wore twin scimitars at his hips, sticking with the theme of his people.

I need an operations report, Theo said, clapping a hand on Zankirs shoulder. How many rail guns do we have and where are they?

Zankir barked a laugh, a grin spreading across his face. He showed those sharp teeth, complete with long fangs. Twenty rail guns. Enough firepower to annihilate Qavell. Positions are spread even along the wall, and two in the towers in the sea.

Qavell is coming from the east. Northeast, Theo said, pointing out over the harbor. I want all the batteries pointing that way. All of them.

How good is your information?

I just watched the city floating to the north, tracking the coast.

Thats pretty good info, Zankir said, nodding with approval. Do I have to wait a week for approval to get this rolling? And get my funds?

Theo asked about the cost of the workers needed to get that done today, and withdrew a single gold coin from his inventory. Thatll cover it. Get it done, Zankir.

And what are my firing orders? Zankir asked.

The anti-magical shots. I want Qavell saturated.

Excellent. I know Im only working the walls here, but I had an idea.

Lets hear it.

What if we shot them from here where they are now?