Chapter 83: She’s a Scary Lady_Millennial Mage

Chapter 83: She’s a Scary Lady

 T finished eating her fourth Cheesy Little Caravan, to Rane and Lyns increasingly awed concern.

 How are you not distended? Rane hesitated as Ts eyebrows rose, and Lyn gave him a horrified look. What? I know youre inscribed, but how does it fit? Thats way more than you ate at the noodle ce.

 T looked down at her stomach, not a bulge in sight. Stronger muscles? But, thats a rude question, Master Rane. She was kneeling beside the table, as shed almost broken the chair when theyd first arrived. Thankfully, shed been tentative in her sitting, and had immediately risen when the exterior-grade chair had started groaning.

 Rane had eaten one, himself, and Lyn had gotten the smallest little caravan that this ce sold. Shed still had trouble finishing it. Rane rolled his eyes, wiping his mouth. For some people, Im sure it is rude, but youll never get fat, so He shrugged. Normal rules hardly apply.

 T snorted a chuckle, taking a long drink from the restaurant-provided earthen mug. I should get one of these to make drinking easier. No need to shoot water straight into my mouth But it was probably an unneeded expense. Only a few copper? Budget tight now, livergeter.

 So How are any of my items still functional? True, they were starving, but four days should have utterly drained them.

 Lyn quirked a smile, speaking a bit slower than usual, likely due to her full stomach. I practiced the void beside you.

 T nodded. Raising the ambient magic in the room. Clever. And thank you. I cannot tell you how much it would have been rusting awful to lose Kit, and Terry here? She patted the bird on the head and flicked a bit of jerky randomly away for him. If his cor had lost all power, hed have been obliterated by the citys magics.

 Terry was giving her a hard look, even while he consumed the jerky.

 Lyn nodded. It was rough on Terry. He kept going to the edge of eptable range and squawking in irritation. I think his cor was glowing red more than not for the first day you were back home.

 T met Terrys gaze. Im sorry, Terry. You were stuck. If you fled, youd be struck down. If you stayed, your cor could have run dry, then youd be struck down.

 Terry let out a low, irritable chirp.

 Ill try not to be incapacitated, again.

 He repeated his chirp.

 Agreed.

 Rane and Lyn shared a look. Can she understand him?

 Lyn shook her head. Id think not, but with her? Who knows.

 T ignored them. So, I need to drop through the work-yard? For my custom cargo-slots?

 Lyn nced her way. No, theyre at their guildhall. She hesitated, then amended. Well, likely in their private work-yard in the back.

 And where would I find that?

 Ill take you. She nced to Rane, then back. Master Rane tells me that you agreed to work with him, on your next assignment?

 Yeah, seems like a good idea.

 I agree. I think getting you back out of the city will help get you out of your own head and slow your pace to one of reasonable progress.

 And get me paid.

 Lyn gave a half smile. True enough. Ill need to see the custom cargo-slots for myself, so I can confirm their use for an out-and-back run. Any preferences I should know about?

 T shrugged. Leave in a week? Depending on when my Guild meeting is.

 Lyn narrowed her eyes menacingly. Why then?

 I promised Adam that Id work with the guardsman ss. I need to give them at least some time.

 She seemed a bit mollified at that. Fine. Ill see what I can do. This will be a longer haul, in all likelihood. Lyn sighed. Speaking of your meeting with a senior Guild member; Master Rane took thest few days to collect written statements on your behalf. He and I were just heading to the Caravanners Guild to file that paperwork, when you woke up.

 He was grinning. We can drop by on the way to the wainwrights.

 T rocked back a little bit in shock. That must have been a lot of work, Master Rane.

 He shrugged. I have very little to do, while in the city, and like I said, I want to go on the next venture in yourpany. Cant do that if they hamstring you for a time.

 She didnt know what to say. Well thank you. I deeply appreciate that.

 Not all the statements were favorable, but thats likely better. The group will be epted more readily if it at least has the appearance of bnce. Lyn smiled at T. Ive been officially told to not interfere or influence the meeting in any official capacity. Ill still be your appointed point of contact, but as were sharing a residence, Im no longer considered neutral enough to represent the Guild orment on proceedings.

 Fair enough. When will I be meeting them?

 I had you scheduled for two days ago, but with you unconscious, I asked them to bump it back. Lyn thought about it. I was actually going to ask for another extension, when we dropped off this paperwork at the guildhall, but now I dont have to.

 Oh? When is the meeting?

 Late this afternoon. Welle back to the Guild after we test your cargo-slots.

 T swallowed involuntarily. Today? Should she ask for a dy? No, T. Get it done and over with. She nodded, mostly to herself. It sounds like we have a n for the rest of today, then. We should be off.

 * * *

 The stop through the Caravanners Guildhall had been uneventful, and Lyn had confirmed Ts appointment forte that same afternoon. It was also confirmed that T would have to attend alone, though Terry should be allowed.

 As they walked, T had found her newer method of movement critical. By keeping her center of gravity so carefully controlled, she kept her steps from thundering against the ground. The few steps she took without that care caused tremors to reverberate through everything around her. If she was right in her guess, she was effectively close to nine hundred pounds, at the moment. Her reserves were still vastly below what they could and should be, so she expected her weight to rise.

 During their meal, shed almost flipped their sturdy table by resting her arms on it too aggressively. As a result of that and other incidents, she was being more careful than ever with her movements.

 From the Caravanners Guildhall, the three went straight to the Wainwrights, where Master Himmal was called out to meet them.

 Mistress T! Im so d to see you well. Your handler was unwilling to exin why you were unavable.

 T smiled back, a bit self-consciously. Master Himmal, always a pleasure. It seems I was pushing too fast and rendered myself insensate for a few days.

 The man blinked a few times, processing what shed said. After a moment, his face blossomed with power as his mage-sight came to bear. He took a step back. Well. He swallowed. You''recking whatever barrier you had in ce before. When his gaze met hers, his eyes narrowed. Your mage-sight is always on? He startedughing. Thats amazing! How are you not braindead?

 T quirked a smile. That is the question.

 So, that is why you asked for the visible indication lights to be removed. You dont need them, at all. He was nodding as he examined her visible lines.

 He can likely see something radiating out through my clothing, but likely no specifics.

 Your lines are the most intricate and delicate Ive ever seen. Where did you find an inscriber with the patience and precision to do this work? He hesitated. I apologize, Im forgetting myself and being rude.

 T waved him off. Youre fine to ask and to use your mage-sight. Mistress Holly has some new methods.

 He nodded to himself. Its been a decade or so. About time she shook the world, once again. He gave a little chuckle. His voice suddenly lost its mirth, and he was staring at her knife. Mistress T. What have you done?

 T ce a hand on Flow. I soul-bound a knife. Apparently, it was a poor choice of timing.

 He was frowning at her. You can create Archon stars, then? But no one exined that you shouldnt bind the knife, first? Why havent you been guided to make another? He smiled, then, though his confusion and concern was still evident. I am d you found your way to that spell-form. Please let me know when you are up for consideration, and Ill happily give my hearty backing to the proposal.

 That is very kind of you. As to your questions: Ill just say that this, She patted the knife. This was a bit of an ident and an exception, though I should be able to form a star, soon. Maybe tomorrow. She nodded to herself. After a moment, she shrugged. Why not tell him? Im going to be making an attempt, tomorrow, as the day after I have obligations. Rane had agreed to go speak with the guardsman instructor and schedule the restarting of her participation two mornings hence. Hed go to do that directly after this visit with the Wainwrights Guild.

 I see Master Himmal seemed to be contemting. Ambitious to attempt a star with such a short time avable, without a- he stopped, cleared his throat, and changed what hed been about to say, but it should be educational one way or another. He smiled. Do you have a quiet space to work? One should not be interrupted during an attempt.

 T nced to Lyn, thinking to check with the woman about making the attempt at home, but found Lyn ring fiercely. T took an involuntary step back. It wasnt a careful step, as shed be in the habit of making. Instead, it was a quick, heavy footfall that caused a tremor to ripple through the ground. Lyn. T held up her hands. Whats wrong?

 Lyn thrust her finger at T. You. You are supposed to be taking a break, going easy. Now, youre nning on making a star?

 T nced to Master Himmal for support, but found the Mage wide-eyed, mouth agape, staring at her. Mistress T Why are you shaking the ground with a step? I didnt feel any magic in that vein, radiating from you, but the result was obvious.

 Great, two issues to address

 T addressed Master Himmal first, simply stating that her effective weight was now around a thousand pounds.

 He seemed to take it in stride. Well reinforce the carrier wagon for your cargo-slots, then. I presume your preference is still to ride atop that wagon, as you did on your recent journey?

 It is, at least during the day.

 Is your mass increased, or just your weight?

 Just my weight. She frowned. Does it matter?

 He smiled. Of course. With just your weight increased, well have to reinforce vertically, but not horizontally, at least not to the same extent. In addition, there shouldnt be extra strain on the oxen or harnesses, as they wont be oveing vastly increased inertia.

 That made some sense. She hadnt really thought about the logistics of having increased weight, but not increased inertia. Hard to lift me, but not hard to push me? I suppose Ill have more friction against the ground, due to the higher weight It was something else to contemte. Maybe, this wasnt such a good idea In either case, shed give it a good effort, at the very least.

 He nodded. Neither would be insurmountable, but this is the easier to work with. It will increase the cost, even so. He quirked a smile. The bonus from the Caravanners Guild for especiallyrge storage capacity will be tapped to pay for the difference.

 T sighed. Fair enough.

 Lyn cleared her throat, possibly even more irritated, as shed had to wait. So? What do you have to say for yourself?

 Ill be taking it easy, not stopping, Lyn.

 Master Himmal quirked an eyebrow at theck of a title but didntment. I guess he didnt notice the first time. Rane either didnt notice or didnt care.

 You nearly killed yourself. Please. Please. Dont seed?

 T gave a tired smile. I wont lock myself away. I know that my mistake cost me days of progress, and nearly killed me. Even though it didnt, it could have damaged me enough to halt my growth entirely.

 Master Himmal cleared his throat. Yes, that is not something you should do.

 She gave him an apologetic look. I am doing my best to be careful.

 He grunted. Make your star. Get yourself raised to Archon, and much will be made clearer. He looked to Lyn, smiling slightly. Truthfully, that is one of the safest things our young Mage, here, can do.

 Rane nodded. Besides, I dont want to rise to Archon alone.

 Everyone turned to regard him, and he grinned widely. I finished my star, yesterday.

 T looked around but didnt see any such thing on his person. Oh?

 Its in a little iron box, I figured if you were going to be done soon, we could go through the rigmarole together. He shrugged. Paperwork and bureaucracy are always better with friends.

 T snorted. You say the nicest things. Then, she frowned. That was fast, though

 He shrugged again. Master Grediv has been pushing me to make one for years, and though I refused to let him give me the spell-form, or to start training on the Ways, he still managed to trick me into preparing. The small shifts I was able to make, based on his letter, pushed me over the edge. He was grinning.

 Master Himmal cleared his throat. As wonderful as this is. He looked to Rane. And it is wonderful: Congrattions, Master Rane. He looked back to T. Shall we test your cargo-slots?

 That is a fantastic idea. She smiled at him. T reached out and patted Ranes shoulder as they began to walk after the elder Mage. Good job, by the way. She smiled. It sounds like I still need to catch up.

 He grinned back. Youll be there sooner than you know.

 Lyn rolled her eyes. You two are ridiculous.

 Rane nced her way. Youre one to talk. Didnt you say you were going to be making an attempt, soon?

 T looked to her friend. Lyn? Do you think five hours with your void will be sufficient?

 She shrugged. Maybe? From my masters instructions, Ill be close. I think I can maintain the spell-form through a rest, as well. She smiled. Im not looking to make a ssh. She chuckled lightly. I just want Mistress Holly off my back.

 T nodded at that. Shes a scarydy.

 The group came out into sunlight, and T beheld the new creation.

 Her eyes widened. Beautiful.

 The cargo-slots were a dark, almost ck wood with a unified matte finish over the entire surface. The handles for doors were ck iron,cquered to prevent rust or irritation for Mages. The rivers, streams, and swirls thatposed the spell-lines were a polished, almost red, gold.

 Is that an alloy?

 Master Himmal seemed quite pleased with the product. Proprietary information, my good Mage.

 Lyn was already walking around the constructs.

 T walked up and examined the descriptive inscriptions. These are four times the size of myst voyages cargo-slots. Without a mental construct, this size took me twelve minutes in my initial testing.

 Precisely so. Though, with your increased capacity, we added several features we can only implement on asion.

 Oh?

 First of all, they are almost weightless, when active. The cargo-slots themselves have their mass negated to the point that they react as if they were roughly thirty pounds, apiece. We got much of the power for that by negating the indication lights. He gave a small smile as he continued. Mass istion is in effect of course, so anything inside will have a perfectly smooth ride, and we have built the outrements to make one a dedicated, high value passenger transport, another abination of venture resources and guard barracks, and two more into standard passenger carriers, as needed. We can even fit in Mages quarters into the barracks cargo-slot, as needed. He was smiling happily. With the specialized wagon to carry all the cargo-slots, I see no need for any other wagon on any caravan route, save the chuckwagon. He nodded definitively, clearly proud of the work.

 So, there are fourteen?

 The ssic ten for a caravan load, and four for the purposes of personnel.

 She grinned. Well, lets see what I can do, then. She walked forward and ced her hand against the activation point of the detailed, stunningly beautiful spell-lines. To reach it, she had to step up onto a stepstool already in ce; the te, itself, being on the top of the slot.

 Why is the activation conjunction on the top, by the way?

 So that you can recharge them all from the wagons roof, even while the sides of most are covered by those in use for personnel and passengers.

 She nodded. That made a good amount of sense.

 T turned back to the cargo-slot before her and carefully built the mental construct of what her power would do. Out, not up. More symmetrical than oblong. She imagined exactly how the power would flow through the script, and what it would do to the dimensionality of the space between the front and back panels.

 It was simr to, but not identical to, the cargo-slots that she had been empowering.

 She moved to create void channels, connecting to the inputs of the construct, but then nced to Lyn.

 Lyn had a suspicious frown on her face.

 T sighed. Fine. She simply channeled her excess power umtion through the mental construct and into the device, empowering it.

 It felt painfully slow. Roughly twenty secondster, the first indicator blossomed to her mage-sight.

 Remarkable improvement. Master Himmal was talking to himself.

 T fought not to roll her eyes. If I used my void-channels, Id have it filled in two or three seconds. She might have been correct, but shed not attempted to hold a mental construct with multiple through lines, before. This was safer. This was wiser.

 It took her right around a minute to fully empower the cargo-slot. A twelfth of her previous attempt at a like-sized dimensional empowerment, and this endeavor hadnt touched her reserves. She was utterly fresh, in mind, will, and power. How inefficient was I being, without a mental construct? It was a humbling thought. How inefficient am I still being?

 T stretched back, then twisted, cracking her back. Well, that wasnt bad at all. She grinned. Thirteen more to go.

 Master Himmal cleared his throat. Well, no. Not right now.

 She looked at him. Ohright. I dont have a contract, currently.

 He smiled and nodded. Exactly. He opened the door, and they all walked inside, examining the cavernous space.

 To Ts surprise, it wasnt dark within. It wasnt bright, by any means, but the sides and top of the space were mildly translucent, allowing in the sun from outside. How does that work? She pointed at the closest side wall.

 The sunlight that strikes that side of the device is allowed through and distributed evenly across the entirety of the expanded space.

 Huhthat actually makes sense.

 Lyn was frowning. No, it doesnt.

 T waved her away. It does to me, and thats what matters here.

 Lyn sighed but didntment further.

 After they verified correct andplete empowerment, the four of them left the erged space, closing the door behind them.

 Master Himmal reached out and tapped a portion of the script, sending power with an intricately constructed form into the point. The cargo-slot red with power for a brief moment, and the magic bled away.

 T looked between Master Himmal and the construct several times. Finally, she managed to stammer out. Butthat was gold!

 He was smiling mischievously. Are you sure? But he turned away before she could respond.

 Lyn cleared her throat. Secrets aside, Master Himmal: Im not sure I can sign off on a spell-form that can be powered down. That would obliterate cargo and passenger alike.

 He waved her off. It cannot be powered down if anything remains inside. Had we tracked too much dirt and dust in, Id have had to order a cleaning crew to scrub the ce before it could be deactivated. I assure you that it is perfectly safe.

 She gave him a hard look.

 He sighed. The Wainwrights will send a letter of assurance to the Caravanners as soon as you leave. We fully certify this design.

 Lyn nodded, satisfied. Very well, then. She looked to T. Im happy. You?

 T nodded, smiling broadly. Oh, yes. This is going to be amazing.

 They all bid Master Himmal a good day and departed. T and Lyn set off towards the Caravanners main guildhall, while Rane made his way to talk with the Guardsmen. Ts primary tasks for the afternoon were almostplete.

 I just have to talk with a senior Guild official, which will likely include a renegotiation of my contract. No big deal. It wasnt like much was on the line.

 T shifted ufortably as she walked.

 Lyn, who wasing to the guildhall but not the negotiation, noticed. Everything ok?

 T grunted. It seems silly that so much could hang on a single conversation.

 Lyn smiled. Its why I have a job.

 T snorted. Do you know who Ill be meeting with? Any tips?

 No, and yes. Know what youre worth, know what youre saving the Guild. The bonus for the custom cargo-slots is negotiated with, and goes through, the Wainwrights, so dont bring it up. It shouldnt factor into your discussion, from either side. They are going to be upset by yourextra-curricr dangers. After all, you did act recklessly quite a few times, but you also didnt fail in your duties. Try to keep that in mind, both facets of it. Dont let them push you around. She shrugged. Also, stop getting in so much danger. I dont want you to die.

 T smiled, gratefully. Ill do my best. She thought for a moment, then addressed a different aspect of the topic at hand. So, dont bring up the savings from the reduced wagons?

 Oh, you should definitely do that, just not the fact that custom cargo-slots have been made for you. Your pay should go up for reducing the needed peripheries but should not go up because you can facilitate arger cargo-load. Does that make sense?

 T was nodding. I think so. I need to negotiate for my rate as a Mage Protector as well, right?

 Lyn looked hesitant. No? Those rates are set per danger thwarted, with some modification based on specific route. It would be appropriate to note that by reducing the need for another Mage, you further reduce the peripheral requirements, though.

 Got it. She sighed. I hate moneyNo, that wasnt right. I hate dealing with money Again, that didnt seem quite true. I hate having to make decisions that will greatly affect how much money I have? That seemed right.

 You seem lost in thought.

 T sighed. Just deciding what, exactly, I hate about this.

 Lyn huffed augh. Seems about right.

 T grinned. Any generic advice?

 They wont kick you out, though they may offer to let you end your contract. If they cant give you the amount youre asking for, they will simply let their offer rest. Unless you are truly unprofessional in this meeting, they wont forcibly eject you from the guild.

 Thats good, at least.

 That doesnt mean you can simply say, Give me your best offer. and expect such. Youll probably still have a job, regardless, but you want to be paid as much as possible.

 Dont we all.

 Lyn grinned. Im quite satisfied with where Im at.

 T rolled her eyes. So Ive heard.

 You want as much freedom as possible in contract choices, but they are going to want to restrict you, somehow, to keep yourmore dangerous actions in check. Consider the wisdom of letting them.

 T almost objected, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized that Lyn was right. Maybe I could use a steadying influence Rane would not be a good source for that, even if she were willing to ept such advice from him. Ill hear them out.

 Lyn seemed to be contemting something. After a moment, she shrugged, as if to herself. Do something to take the official off their guard. Disarm them and put them on the back foot but not with anything overt.

 T frowned. How am I supposed to do that?

 Be you? You really are quite odd, and most people dont know quite what to do with you.

 So your advice is to be me?

 Precisely, thats why I wasnt sure if I should say anything.

 Alright then

 Shortly thereafter, they arrived back at the guildhall, and Lyn bid T goodbye. She had work to do. Ill see you tonight, if not before. Good luck!

MillionNovel

Chapter 83: She’s a Scary Lady