Chapter 98: Mistress Odera_Millennial Mage

Chapter 98: Mistress Odera

 T stood just inside of the out-of-the-way entrance to a restaurant that shed never havee across on her own, without directions.

 It was the night before her departure for Makinaven, just a couple of hours after her trip to the library, and she was finally meeting her minder, Mistress Odera.

 Before her, the establishments interior stretched out, filling the inside of a small rise in thendscape in a very simr manner to the Archonplex, if much smaller. Theyout hid and sheltered each table, offering privacy and seclusion, while maximizing the use of space.

 Every single patron that she could see was a Mage, and most of the staff were at least inscribed. What under the stars do they need with inscriptions? There wasnt a uniformity to them, as it seemed that each staff-member had something different augmented. Maybe, its just a deration of station? She didnt know enough to make a reasonable guess.

 A few tables held parties of Archons, if she was guessing correctly, and T found herself feeling a bit of social fear for what felt like the first time since leaving the cliques and in-groups at the Academy.

 What am I doing here

 She nced down at her elk leathers.

 Why am I wearing these?

 She had nicer clothes. Why hadnt she worn them? Why did I even buy them? She was getting too used to the elk leathers, and how they kept themselves in perfect, clean condition.

 She had an almost overpowering desire to step back outside, drop into Kit, and change.

 Unfortunately, or maybe fortuitously, a kindly gentlemen walked up to her and bowed. His inscriptions seemed to be around his ears, meant to amplify most sounds, while protecting his hearing in a simr vein to Ts own ear inscriptions, if more crudely implemented due to hisck of a keystone. It just constantlypresses the volume of sounds that reach his ears into a narrow range. A fascinating solution for hisck of a keystone. Mistress T, I presume?

 T gave a slight bow in return, Terry shifting expertly on her shoulder as she bowed. I am.

 He smiled. Mistress Odera arrived before you and asked us to keep an eye out. Right this way? He gestured for her to follow him and turned to lead her deeper in.

 Umm Am I dressed appropriately? She asked this as quietly as she could with any certainty of him hearing. She even took into ount his enhanced hearing, making her words a very quiet whisper, indeed.

 He paused and turned back towards her, regarding her with a critical eye. After a moment, he smiled, once again. You look lovely, Mistress. We dont have a dress-code, per se, but even if we did, you would be wee as you are.

 She felt herself rx, even if just slightly, as he turned and led her from the entrance. Nothing for it in any case I cant go change, now. Even if I wanted to.

 As they wandered through, she felt other diners nce her way, and she felt exceedingly d that shed taken the time to apply her iron-salve, earlier. Shed avoided doing so earlier in the week, given how she practically bathed in sand, involuntarily, every day. Rane is brutally effective

 The Mages they passed were of every quadrant. T even thought she saw quite a few bridging quadrants to some extent. The Archons all kept their auras under tight control, and what little of their spell-lines she could easily see with her normal vision, werent easy to decipher beyond the quadrant.

 T, for her part, held her aura in with ease. In thest week, shed only woken twice to find her aura unrestrained: the first night, and two nightster. After that, shed been able to maintain her containment even while asleep. Grediv was exactly right to have me focus on strengthening my will and my soul. Lyn still asionally slipped up, at least from what the woman had confided in T, but she was getting there. Neither of them doubted that shed have the unconscious mastery well in ce before T returned.

 The result was that Ts iron-salve was now virtually impossible to detect. Her restrained aura seemed to lessen the effects of other Mages power reflecting back at them. Though, it didnt eliminate itpletely. I dont know why my aura affects that, but it definitely seems to. Thergest change was that her eyes and palms no longer glowed to her, or others, mage-sight. At least, I dont look like some crazy abomination anymore.

 She was pulled from her contemtions when the server stopped beside an alcove, turning to gesture and indicating that this was Ts table.

 T stepped around the corner and hesitated.

 The woman, already seated, was clearly a Mage but not an Archon. Maybe she is, and shes just perfectly hiding her aura?

 Her dark skin caused the copper inscriptions to be incredibly difficult to see with mundane eyes, especially in the dim, atmospheric lighting. There were no other metals visible. She appeared much older than T, to the younger womans eyes.

 The Mages hair was an almost silver-white, and she had deep smile lines, along with other, more subtle wrinkles that seemed to have been expertly ounted for by her inscriber. The style of those lines somehow did not seem like Hollys work, though T couldnt have defended the im with any rationality. The other woman was an Immaterial Guide, just as T was, but she specialized in air and water. How does that make sense? Those are clearly material

 Ts mage-sight was straining to discern what the woman could do, and as part of that strain, T saw the barest hints of power across the womans face. Her mage-sight is active?

 That didnt make sense, there didnt appear to be enough power to enact such a working. And if she was hiding her power, there should be none

 Something of her thoughts must have shown, because the woman smiled, a knowing glint in her eye. Mistress T, wee.

 Ts examination had taken less than a breath, but she still had the feeling that it had been a bit too long. T gave a slight bow. Mistress Odera, I presume?

 Just so. Mistress Odera smiled to the server and gave him a nod, which T noted was more than Mistress Odera had given her. Thank you, we should be ready to order in a few minutes.

 Can I get you anything to drink, while you decide?

 Mistress Odera nodded. Just water for me, please. No ice.

 T smiled at the man. Same for me. Thank you.

 The server, for his part, gave an almost courtly bow before departing.

 Please, child, sit.

 T was almost offended; she did technically outrank the woman, after all. On the other hand, Mistress Odera would be her overseer, until the Mage determined such was no longer necessary. T decided to not make an issue of it for the moment, instead turning to examine the indicated chair.

 Im aware of yourdifficulties with furniture. That seat should bear you with ease, assuming you arent prone to rocking back on two legs.

 T quirked a smile and settled down. The metal creaked just slightly but otherwise held perfectly well. This is bing more and more inconvenient No, she was going to give it a good try, before deciding if the increased weight was worth the inconvenience. At least through the start of this contract.

 Terry flickered to the table, examining Mistress Odera up close but still out of the womans easy reach. You are a curious creature, arent you, tiny terror bird.

 Terry settled back, locking gazes with the woman.

 You can choose. Her eyes never wavered. Terry, yes?

 Terry gave a slight bob.

 We can be civil, andrgely ignore each other, or you can attempt to attack me, and I will take one of your toes.

 T blinked at that, opening her mouth to object, but Mistress Oderas eyes flicked to her for the briefest instant, and the look was so intense, and full of authority, that Ts mouth clicked shut.

 Terry shifted between his feet for a moment, then nced down, seeming to examine his toes. When he looked back up, his eyes narrowed, just slightly, then he flicked back to Ts shoulder, where he settled down.

 Mistress Odera smiled, showing exactly how shed earned those crows feet. So, you are not only more intelligent than previously noted; you are also logical and reasonably civilized.

 Terry stiffened on Ts shoulder for a brief instant, and T found herself smiling too. Shes going to be around us a lot, Terry. We figured you couldnt pretend to be a hatchling forever, at least not without it bing tedious. She snorted a briefugh. Especially not after the disy in the evaluation room.

 Terry opened one eye, giving her a calcting look, then opened his mouth.

 T chuckled, then gave him a bit of jerky. She decided not to simply toss it to the side. No need to show all our cards. Not yet. So, is your mage-sight active? I cant quite tell.

 Mistress Odera nodded. It is, as is yours.

 You can see it? Did I miss something in my salve application? Is my aura-restraint not as good as I thought?

 Yes, and no. I can see the ripple effects in the air in front of your eyes. Whatever you have on your skin as defense is quite effective against my level of power, not to mention your aura control. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. As to your defense, the ripples of power Im feeling reflected off of it, from the other patrons here, is a bit disquieting.

 That opened so many questions. How?

 Her smiled widened just slightly. How am I activating my mage-sight with so little power? Perfect understanding of what it is doing on a level far more fundamental than most Mages ever bother to learn. How can I detect the immaterial effects of magic on the air, as well as the impressively minute reflections from your defense? Her smile became slightly coy. The answer is the same.

 How are you not an Archon?

 Mistress Odera paused for a moment. That is a bit of a rude question. But she shook her head, when T opened her mouth to respond. Not an unwarranted one, but I would rmend getting to know someone better, before asking that of others. Are we understood?

 T felt her cheeks heat. How is such a light reprimand hitting me so hard? Yes, Mistress. T? Are you ok?

 Very well, the question has been asked. I do not have the right kind of will-power to be an Archon. My master was very clear on that, and no Archon Ive met since has disagreed.

 What does that even mean?

 To be an Archon, to win that fight over self, body, and soul, a Mage must not only desire power, and be willing to take borderline unhealthy risks to get it, but they must value their advancement over the good of others.

 Now, wait a minute- T felt her indignation rise, but again, Mistress Odera lifted a hand.

 It is a false choice, obviously, but it is still a choice. To be an Archon, you must deny your soul to the world. You must begin the process of forever sealing your power as your own, never to directly enrich the greater. We both know that an Archon can do much with their power to help others, but the power, itself, is not able to be used for such, directly. It is a subtle distinction that requires some fundamental characteristics in ones will, and ones soul, to ovee. I do not have that.

 T quirked an eyebrow. So, you are telling me you are too selfless to be an Archon. Are you too humble as well?

 Mistress Odera barked a short, quietugh. That is one way to look at it, and how it manifests in most. For me, however, I am too selfish.

 How do you mean?

 Why, my dear Mistress, if my power is suffusing the world, is my soul not, slowly, gaining dominion over it?

 T opened her mouth, thought about it, then closed her mouth again, frowning.

 My conscious mind would be gone, but my eternal soul, which is the real me, would gain a greater hold on this world than I could ever achieve otherwise. Mistress Odera shrugged. You see?

 T thought she understood, but it still didnt make sense to her. I suppose I understand in theory, but I dont get it, practically. If that makes sensebut, if it was logical to me, Id be in the same position you are.

 Precisely.

 Wait how do you know all this? Isnt knowledge locked to those who arent Archons?

 Mistress Odera waved that off. I am Forbidden from advancing, for as long as I can resist. In order to resist, past a certain point, I have to know what and why. Forbidden are told the basics, after they turn fifty. That seems to be the tipping point for most. I have earned more knowledge, beyond that.

 T grunted, thinking about what Mistress Odera had said, in conjunction with what Ingrit had shared about all Mages making the attempt, eventually. So, shell hit that barrier in the end, and her soul will begin conquering the world. T didnt really know how to feel about that.

 Mistress Odera cleared her throat. Now, we should get to ordering food.

 T nced down at the paper resting before her on the table. Yeah Food would be nice. She frowned. The prices were listed as simple numbers, no denomination mentioned.

 Do you have a question, Mistress?

 T looked up. I suppose. The pricing doesnt really make sense. Some things that I know are more expensive have a much lower number beside them, and I cant tell what denomination the menu is in.

 Ahh, I see. Did you notice the different ink?

 She hadnt. Well, she had, but shed simply thought it a stylistic choice. Now that she looked closer, and considered, therger numbers were all written with a silvery ink, the smaller with gold. Oh Her eyes widened. OhIuh

 Mistress Odera held up her hand. I invited you, child. It is an old tradition of mine, to eat a final meal, here, before I leave for a contract. Ill not impoverish you to suit my fancy. She smiled happily. In truth, it costs me nothing. I did a job for the owner somethirty? She shook her head. Fifty years ago. She snorted a chuckle. Its changed owners since, of course, but theyve all honored the agreement. She nodded happily. I get to eat here, for free, before I leave for any mission.

 That was an expensive payment.

 Mistress Odera shrugged. Their daughter had wandered off with a miner, and the miner hade back alone, dazed and clearly underpulsion of some kind.

 T felt her eyes widening, once again, and even Terry lifted his head to pay closer attention.

 It seems that they somehow wandered into an older tunnel that led outside the citys defenses. The girl was a new Mage, and something decided to snap her up.

 What happened?

 What happened? I know you are capable of thinking for yourself. What do you think happened? Mistress Odera shook her head, returning her attention to the menu before her. I went and got her back.

 T let out an irritated breath. Thats not a very good retelling of what must have been a very harrowing adventure.

 Im not a bard, girl.

 You could work on being a better storyteller.

 Im a great storyteller, but Im hungry, and we need to order. Besides, you may be an Archon, but that doesnt entitle you to all secrets.

 Typical. Even so, T huffed augh. Fair enough. What do you rmend?

 No idea. Ive never seen you eat before.

 But what do you like?

 Walks in the forest, under a cloudless, night-time sky. Mistress Odera gave T an utterly serious stare. Fictional tales of starships and sma swords, and epics imagining worlds in which magic functions differently.

 For food, Mistress. From the food offered here. Is she purposely trying to be irritating? Testing me, for some reason?

 The bread is delicious.

 As if on cue, the kind gentleman returned with their waters, a basket of bread, a te of butter, and two small tes. Would you two care for some bread, while youre deciding?

 Im not sure I could bnce all that, that well. It was impressive.T smiled and epted. Yes, thank you. What do you rmend from your menu?

 Mistress Odera silently epted the bread as well,thering hers with butter to what seemed an unhealthy degree.

 Well, Mistress, that depends. What type of food do you prefer?

 T almost snapped at the man, but realized that her irritation was with Mistress Odera, not their server. Instead, she took a deep breath. Im not partial to any form of fish or water-life. Other than that, I just enjoy good food.

 Certainly. Are you looking for a light or a heavy meal, tonight?

 The heavier and more filling the better, I think. She smiled a bit self-consciously. I eat a lot.

 We have an endless soup and greens. Often, soup can be a light meal, but ours are of the richer variety, in general, and by virtue of being endless it should be quite filling.

 T perked up at that. Oh? What soups are avable?

 Cheesy-Potato chowder. Tomato Basil. Broli Cheddar. Chicken Barley. White bean, chicken noodle, and He nced down at a small notepad. Ahh, yes, crawdad-bisque, which I imagine you wouldnt prefer.

 OhI dont know how I would decide.

 You dont need to decide. You can have as much as youd like of any or all.

 T felt immediately guilty. That seems like a poor deal for you all. I can eat a lot.

 Mistress Odera reached out her hand and tapped the menu in front of T, causing her to nce down. OhAlright then. Mistress Odera had pointed out the price: ten silver ounces. Yeah. They usually pull a hefty profiteven I might struggle to get that much value from it. Can I start with the chicken barley?

 Very good, Mistress. And for you, Mistress? He turned to Mistress Odera.

 Id like the long pasta, with chicken and the white sauce, please. And a sd to start.

 The server got the particrs for their sds and departed.

 So, now that food is on the way. Will you tell me that story?

 Maybe on the road. Were going to be working together because of your previouscontracts. How about we start there? Tell me about the route to and from Bandfast. Her smile was kindly, but there was an almost predatory glint in her eye.

 Alright, I suppose

 The evening passed quickly after that. Mistress Odera asked prating questions but never pushed, if T showed any hesitation about sharing. The food was excellent, and T ate an almost insane amount of each kind of soup, except the crawdad bisque. The greens were also an amazing counterpoint, and Mistress Odera had been correct, the bread was to die for.

 All in all, even while sharing her dangerous experiences and somewhat foolish choices, the dinner was a pleasantst meal, on her final day in Bandfast.

MillionNovel

Chapter 98: Mistress Odera