Chapter 145: Abstract Guide_Millennial Mage

Chapter 145: Abstract Guide

 T, Rane, and Mistress Odera sat around a table, in the fading,te afternoon light of the forest campsite.

 Dinner was done, and the guards were bringing out the light constructs as the Mages continued to study Ts inverted Archon star.

 Rane scratched the side of his head. Every test Ive run seems to indicate that its identical in use.

 Mistress Odera nodded. I have to concur with Master Rane.

 T found herself nodding. Well, the only thing I can still reasonably test is rbining the two stars. She looked to the two other Mages. No way am I trying to form a bond using an inverted star.

 They each took a moment to consider, before nodding.

 So, whats the worst that could happen? She looked to each in turn.

 Rane shrugged. They could negate each other, and your soul could be harmed in the bacsh.

 Ts eyes widened, and Rane hurried to continue.

 But that shouldnt be much, given how weak they are.

 T grimaced. Soul damage is soul damage She looked to Mistress Odera.

 Master Rane is correct, that is likely the worst-case result. She hesitated. But some, even weak, spell-form interactions can be catastrophic. I once knew a dissolution Mage who could create devastating effects with the smallest amount of magic Ive ever seen. She shook his head. He imed that his theories would have allowed him to wipe out an arcane city, if he found the right materials to work with, but he died before ever bringing that horror to reality.

 Thatscertainly terrifying.

 She patted Ts arm. I highly doubt that your blood is that theorized material.

 That was smallfort, but T still chuckled, attempting to break the tension.

 Mistress Odera pointed to the iron vial in Ts hand. Do thebination in there, so in the worst case, it shouldnt blow up the camp."

 T blinked at the older woman. Would the iron vial really help?

 The Mage gave a small smile. The depths and wonders of magic should not be restricted. She shrugged. But we should be fine, yes. There is a whole range of things that could wipe out this camp but would be redirected by iron. The number of things that wouldnt be so deflected is vanishingly small. After another moments thought, she added, Ill put a shield around it as well, just in case.

 T nodded her head reluctantly. Thats not actually thatforting. Still, it was better and wiser to test this here than in a city. She briefly thought about walking a ways into the woods, but anything that would be negated by such a short distance that she could walk it, wouldnt have ever been a threat to begin with. Not with Mistress Oderas shields on hand.

 T moved both miniscule stars into the vial and held it above her head as they came into contact.

 Mistress Odera created a miniscule shield around the vial, hugging tight to Ts wrist, sealing off the space inside.

 After a long moment, it was clear that nothing was going to happen.

 Huh. T lowered the vial and looked inside, Mistress Oderas shield vanishing. The two drops of blood sat side by side, unmerged. Well, that was anticlimactic.

 What? Rane leaned closer, trying to take a look.

 Theyre just resting side by side.

 So, theyre acting as Archon stars are supposed to. Rane held out his hand.

 T grinned. I suppose. She handed over the vial, letting the other two Mages examine the contents.

 Finally, Mistress Odera sighed. Well, this tells us nothing except that they are no longer aspatible as your star normally are. She snorted. But that really doesnt say much. After another moments thought. The researcher were resupplying might be a good Archon to ask. Until then? She stood. I need to get some sleep. Master Rane, you have first shift?

 Rane nodded. Sure thing.

 The older Mage bid them goodnight and returned to the cargo-slot for the night.

 Terry lifted his head from the far side of the table where hed been resting.

 You nning on hunting tonight? The avian had been going out most nights, taking advantage of the caravans fixed location to range further than he did during the day.

 He trilled, standing and stretching.

 Well, be safe, alright?

 Terry flickered over and lightly headbutted her cheek.

 Thank you.

 Rane looked between them and smiled. What about you, Mistress T? Up for a bout before sleep?

 She grinned. That, Master Rane, sounds wonderful.

 * * *

 T swept Flow upward, towards the inside of Ranes right knee, even as one of her bloodstars dropped towards his right shoulder.

 Force, which had been about to p into the side of her neck, was jerked away as Ranes inscriptions moved him backwards, out of range of both strikes. Or, it would have, if T didnt push Flow into the form of a ive at thest moment.

 Flow impacted Ranes leg, throwing it outward and eliciting a pained grunt from the big man.

 Even so, Rane didnt slow, using his muscles to spin with the hit and reduce the damage he took. As he did so, his right leg, that had just taken the hit, shot out behind him, counterbncing his torso as he leaned forward, thrusting at her.

 Forces tip cracked into her sternum, throwing her backwards and the bone groaning in protest and only her ending berry power kept it intact. There was a nice little dip in the reserves, too.

 T gasped at the impact as shended, rolling with the momentum toe back to her feet.

 Rane had followed close after her, Force already descending for another devastating blow.

 But T had seen himing and anticipated his tactic.

 A bloodstar imposed itself in the striking line for the big sword, and T mirrored Flows defensive abilities into the star. I really need to have this in ce as standard.

 Force stopped cold on the slightly ttened-out drop.

 Rane grunted again, in surprise this time.

 T grinned. It worked! Shed ensured that her aura was beyond the blocking drop, and pulled hard on the soul-bond even as Force was intercepted. The pull had prevented the drop from being knocked aside or forced down. Sheughed,unching back onto the offensive.

 They strove back and forth for another minute or so, before they called the engagement a draw.

 Ranes leg was beginning to give him difficulty, and Ts head was aching from mirroring Flows defenses into her bloodstars. I really should be doing this alongside my inertia and magical weight. Shed considered it before, but until now, those two aspects had been enough to exhaust her. Time to add in defensive mirroring.

 Rane slumped down on one of the benches still out from dinner, and awaiting breakfast, and drank deeply from his canteen. You are getting much better.

 T sat facing him on another bench and shrugged. Ive got more weapons than you do. I effectively have four hands, and still can hardly take advantage of any holes in your defenses.

 Rane chuckled. Thats a part of it, sure, but you are genuinely getting much better. Your form is better every day. You are well braced to take hits and move smoothly between attack and defense. If I had your skill after three months of practice with just one weapon, Id be proud. Youre working with three distinct forms, plus hand to handbat, and the use of your bloodstars. Youve only been learning this for, what? Two months?

 So, barely better than youd expect.

 He shook his head. You arent a prodigy, no, but your mental and physical enhancements are making this easier for you to both pick up and implement. In a year from now? Youre going to be a terror.

 T gave a small smile. Careful, Terrys the only terror we have forparison.

 Raneughed loudly, then. True enough. But even so, you might just be a match for him in a year or so.

 She fell into contemtion at that. Is it true? Maybe. Only time would tell.

 He frowned, then. Your maniption of your stars.

 What about it?

 How are you doing it through the iron on your skin?

 T cocked her head. What do you mean?

 The iron blocks magic, right?

 Yeah.

 So?

 T shrugged. An aura is, by itself, not really magical. It can be expanded via magic, Mistress Elneas lessons, and Master Jevin, prove that. But the aura, itself? Its basically just an area of rule and authority for one''s soul, and a soul cannot be stopped by iron.

 Rane was nodding by the end of her exnation. I hadnt thought of it that way. He smiled. That does line up with what Soul Work says.

 T grinned. Well, I have been reading that book quite often. Unfortunately, no other book had unlocked, along with Soul Work, but she had continued to read those that came to her, ready to read. I need to at least know where to go for information, if I need it. She grunted, then. Go, catch Mistress Odera before shes asleep and get that leg seen to. Youre on watch, and I want my protector in top form.

 He nodded his thanks as he stood. Even so, he had toment, The day I have to protect you from harm, is a day we will all fear whatsing.

 He took a few slightly hobbling steps away before pausing.

 That came out a lot darker than I intended.

 T nodded. Yeah, that was a bit grim.

 They both grinned.

 Hurry up. I want to get some sleep, too.

 As you say, Mistress. Ill be back, shortly.

 * * *

 T slept fitfully that night.

 Nightmares woke her up a half-dozen times.

 On the plus side, they were varied. She had the usual ones associated with her crushing debt, and her familys abandonment of her, but there were others that left her weeping, until she was able to wake up enough to get past them.

 The first was that her eldest brother, just two years younger than she, herself, was now in the exact situation she, herself was in.

 After she left home, theyd acquired more debt, and eventually sent Xale off to the Academy, saddled with the new debt.

 There, he tried to find her, but she ignored all messages from him or her family, and their paths never crossed.

 That was a silly fear for more reasons than she could count.

 Primarily, it would have taken long enough to build up such debt, that it would have had to be one of her younger siblings, if not the youngest. Also, if Xale had been sent to the Academy, then there was really no way that their paths would never have crossed. Unless he didnt want to see me and actively avoided me

 That was possible, but still unlikely. She shook that concern off.

 Another horror consisted of her returning to confront her family, and them simply not remembering her. Nothing she said or did could convince them that she was once a part of the family. They were polite, but utterly baffled as to who she was, and why she was bothering them.

 That had taken a lot longer to calm down from.

 A third new nightmare was much simpler. It was just that Master Jevin had been evil, and that she was still in Makinaven. He was manipting her senses, making her think that she was free, but in reality she was his prisoner and would be forever.

 She shuddered. It didnt help that the least realistic part of those dreams was that Master Jevin had made a mistake, which allowed her to realize the predicament that she was in.

 Nearly a week without nightmares, and suddenly, theyre back, and they brought reinforcements.

 Cups of chamomile helped, but in the end, she abandoned sleep well before dawn.

 Even after her morning routine, the sky was still dark, the gray light of pre-dawn barely beginning to color the sky.

 Even so, the cooks were in the chuckwagon, working away.

 She just had to charge the cargo-slots to be done with her required activities for the morning. Still probably a bit too early, though.

 Mistress Odera was on second shift for the night, and T waved to her, deciding to head towards the smell of cooking food, first.

 Amnin greeted T warmly as she approached. Good morning, Mistress.

 Good morning, Amnin.

 The chefs eyes flicked to Mistress Odera, sitting on top of the cargo wagon, but quickly returned to T.

 As T considered it, she hadnt been around the woman without others around this whole trip.

 Would you be willing toe inside for a moment?

 T smiled. Id love to. She kept her breathing steady. Im being invited into a cooks wagon! She walked around to the back of the vehicle, where Amnin opened the door and ushered her inside.

 As T stepped in, she suddenly remembered that she needed to charge the cargo-slots, and that she was hungry, not really that interested in whatever was in here. I have so much I need to do. Hey, could I get something to eat? Ive got a lot to do this morning.

 Amnin grinned, holding out an inscribed wooden coin. Here. The wood was nearly the same color as the copper inscribed within it, making the magic nature of the coin hard to discern.

 T nced at it, then sighed, shaking her head. I really have a lot to do-

 Amnin cut across her. Hold this for me, and Ill grab your food.

 T sighed. Fine. She took the coin.

 Amnin looked at her expectantly.

 So, are you going to get my food?

 Amnin frowned, then closed her eyes, putting a hand to her forehead. My apologies, Mistress. I need you to power it.

 I dont know what it does. I have no mental construct. T grimaced. I just want food, Amnin. I can get myself something if youre not willing.

 Amnin held up her hands. I know it will be inefficient, but please? Ill get you an extra chocte puff-pasty.

 T considered. Those are really good. Finally, she sighed and connected a void-channel to the coin. Power pulsed outward from the inscription, and T blinked. What was that? She looked down at the coin. What is this?

 Better?

 T frowned. Whats going on, Amnin?

 Wee to the Guild, Mistress. She was grinning. I was asked to officially induct you to some of our more obvious secrets.

 More obvious?

 Well, those that would be, without interference.

 T looked around, seeingsomething in the air with her mage-sight. You will tell me what is going on. Now. She didnt raise her voice, but Amnin visibly paled.

 Right. Right. Amnin swallowed. Abstract Guide spell-forms.

 Thats Conceptual magic.

 It is.

 T had Flow in her hand, in the form of a sword before she could think. The de pointed at Amnins chest. Exin."

 Amnin raised her hands. Please, put that away. You are in no danger.

 How are you affecting me? Is the magic so pervasive, so powerful, that its getting through my iron salve?

 Were not, at least not as it was described to me, and not as was guessed.

 Well?

 The cook looked down at the sword. Can you put that away? Please?

 T thought back to Brand, how hed tried to knife her at nearly their first meeting. Is this how that will end? She frowned. One moment. She took the wooden token with her and stepped back out, sheathing Flow. Mistress Odera.

 The Mage nced her way unnecessarily. Yes? She didnt shout, but the word carried to T with ease.

 Can you and I chat in a quarter hour or so?

 Certainly.

 T nodded and stepped back inside, sure that the older woman had seen her enter the chuckwagon. Id had said she was seeing me in the chuckwagon, but these scripts probably make her uninterested in what is happening within.

 Was that really necessary?

 If anything happens to me, she wille looking.

 Amnin sighed. She really wont.

 T frowned. Exin.

 I cant without making you jumpy again. She held up her hands as T ced her hand back on Flows hilt. Can I just exin from the beginning, please?

 Be quick about it.

 The interior of the wagon is inscribed to make it uninteresting, not worth examining, and easy to forget. Its a kitchen. Everyones seen a kitchen before. Amplifying that isnt hard. It also tones down the interest added by it being a mobile kitchen. The working isnt sufficient on its own to make those genuinely interested forget about us, like the Wainwrights. She gave a small smile. They make overtures in every inter-Guild meeting for ess to our wagons. The other guilds dont understand the Wainwrights obsession.

 T felt herself smile, but it was without mirth. Because they see nothing interesting about your wagons at all.

 Precisely. Amnin cleared her throat. I say that we arent affecting you, because you never let it drop. Brand conveyed that you never lost interest or stopped talking with him about what we do.

 Ts eyes widened. But other Mages

 Amnin nodded. By Brands report, just as expected, the other Mages in your previous caravan slowly lost interest in the oddity of eating arcanous meat, and never investigated further. If you were to bring it up to them, it wouldnt be new information, simply something that theyd never gotten around to investigating.

 But I didnt lose interest.

 No, you didnt.

 My iron-salve. So, passively the scripts make everything about your Guild seem uninteresting.

 Not the whole Guild, just parts of our facilities and our wagons.

 T waved off the correction. And actively, you push on Mages minds so that even if they do notice something, they wont ever get around to investigating.

 Amnin nodded.

 T sighed, falling into contemtive silence. This doesnt make sense. How is this possible? She didnt know, but she would find out.

MillionNovel

Chapter 145: Abstract Guide