There are worse ways to spend time.


    The workroom was snug, almost cozy, and spoke of Yngvarr’s personality. Though he’d filled it with bizarre wizardly objects, everything seemed to have its own spot. Both she and Livia had found it interesting watching him work the metal, with the way it flowed following his will.


    “So no chance of anyone using these to trace their maker?” Julia asked, glancing from the objects on the bench to Yngvarr.


    “None what so ever. I’ve also removed all mana traces from them while they hardened. It will be clear the metal is from the material plane, but that’s all.”


    “Thanks for the help Yngvarr.”


    “It was a simple enough request. Let me know how well it works,”


    “As soon as I can,” Julia said, before turning to their mutual audience.


    “You’re going again, I know,” said Livia, her voice serious. “At least we had bells to talk this time. Your rescue tally has taken quite a jump,”


    “Indeed, though the tally isn’t why I did it,”


    “Because it was right,” Livia said, giving her a nod.


    “Yes. I chose to help them.”


    ((Choosing to act instead of reacting is the key to freedom. ))


    “An issue with your choices?” asked Yngvarr, gesturing to the pieces that had already finished hardening on the bench.


    “I had been wondering about my ownership of them lately.”


    Livia got another hug before Julia moved forward to store the pieces that Yngvarr had finished.


    “You’re in a dangerous place. With being focused on surviving, it may seem others are limiting your choices since you''re not taking the time to establish your own plans. Though given all you’ve told me, I’d suggest remembering you’ve made many that no one in the Abyss would desire. I’ll see about getting some magical theory texts ready for you, but maybe some philosophy books might be in order. Perhaps reading them might help with any crisis of self if it doesn''t stir more up,” Yngvarr said. With precise movements, he set about returning the tools to their proper places.


    “Thank you, Yngvarr,” said Julia, sitting back down next to Livia again.


    “Moke was playing at the Silver Chalice last night. He really is quite good for someone so young,” said Yngvarr, putting away the casting mould.


    “He’s nearly thirty,” Julia said.


    “Indeed, someone so young,”


    “That’s so rude. Technically, he’s older than me, and I’ll be telling Alfarr,” said Julia. However, Livia ruined her attempt to be pouty by giggling at her. With a stern look at the giggling girl, Julia pretended to tickle her.


    Yngvarr just gave them both a bemused look.


    “My husband is well aware of how the world of Humans looks to me, and I know how the Elven culture appears to him. Neither of us expects the others’ perception to be the same,”


    “I noticed you used the term culture for Elves and not Humans,” Julia said, amused at the phrasing.


    “Humans hardly have a culture,” Yngvarr said, giving a smile that clashed with his serious tone. With all the tools away, he offered a thin volume from a nearby shelf to Julia.


    “What’s this?”


    “A few spells to learn. One of them sounds similar to what the hag used to speak between planes. I''ve been pulling these together in the months since you left. Communication was always going to be a challenge since you couldn’t rely on passing a message. Though we received word from the plane of Judgement, it hardly allows for timely interactions,”


    “So I can speak to anyone whose name I know?”


    “It doesn’t work that way. The spells require you to have met the person and heard their name from their own lips. It uses the resonance of your knowledge of them to create the link, even if you cannot scry the person. There are risks involved in sending messages to anyone on the lower planes,”


    “So I can send one of you a message, but I shouldn’t expect one very often in return?”


    “Exactly. Though once you learn those, there''ll be options,” Yngvarr said, amusement colouring his words.


    “You’re being vague. Is that a wizardly thing? Do I need some lessons in that?” Julia asked.


    “It’s okay Julia, you can send me messages any time you want,” said Livia, tilting her head up to give her a grin.


    “You''ll need your sleep. It''s hard to keep track of your daytime. Some places don’t have a sun, or match with yours.”


    “Maybe not any time then, but whenever you miss me a lot,”


    She’d get so sick of hearing from me.


    ((Moments of peace can ease a Soul. ))


    Julia returned the smile, remembering the feel of the child’s Soul sitting on her lap as they watched the stars together.


    “You should work on learning the more advanced spell forms, though some require a much finer touch manipulating the mana. There are ones that leave the message hovering near the intended recipient or cause it to manifest in other ways. When the target is ready, they can focus on it and hear the message or just read it. Though anyone using the ability to sense mana will know it''s there waiting.”


    “Can anyone that spots the message hear or read the content?”


    “Not as far as I’m aware, though there is the risk that anyone with enough skill can dispel it. Because of your Pact with Moke, you could message him to ‘bid’ you come forth. When he gives his permission, you should feel permitted to access the material plane,”


    “Have you spoken with Moke?”


    “Last night, I heard him sing at the Silver Chalice. Verdandi suggested he speak to me afterwards. That’s when he mentioned you’d asked him to keep a Pact with you. Given your situation and for his own peace of mind, Verdandi had suggested he confer with me,” said Yngvarr.


    “It’s not a Pact anymore. It changed to an Allegiance Bond when I sent Ki through it,”


    “I was only aware of celestials using them. The forging of such bonds is between mortals and celestials that serve their deity’s faith, though normally only used in times of great need.”


    “Oh, should I tell you I have one with Neferu as well?”


    “Did you do the same to him?”


    “After the Pact with Moke changed, the power also changed. I can only form Bonds, not Pacts now,”


    “As Torm would say, Interesting.”


    “You said I needed to learn one of the advanced spell forms. What’s the difference between them?”


    “Mainly the mana you use with them. You didn’t possess the mana affinities needed for any planar message last we met. I had collected a few together just in case you opened yourself to other energies first,”


    “You can’t just use the same spell forms with different mana?” Julia asked, puzzled by his statement.


    “How would you do that?”


    “It’s all energy; you just pass them through the same spell form. Some mana types manifest in different ways, but spells should respond when powered,”


    Yngvarr returned to his seat and looked at Julia for a moment before speaking.


    “Fire and water are opposing elements. Why would you expect energy so different to behave in the same fashion?”


    “Why wouldn’t you? The energy isn''t physically present until the spell form causes it to manifest. Until it does so it''s raw potential energy. For a Wizard, since it all comes from your mana pool, why should it matter?”


    So mana isn’t plug and play?


    “Goodness. I’m wondering if getting you any theory books is a good idea.”


    “I need to know what’s possible.”


    “Julia, you just rewrote what I’d considered a rule for centuries. I’ll have to experiment with this, but there are spell forms I’ve never tried simply because I don’t possess the right affinities. I never considered telling you about this. Since I learnt what mana affinities you had and taught you some basic spells that matched them. How did you find out spell forms could support other affinities?”


    “On my profile. When I learned those spell forms it showed which supported other mana types. Not all of though, just some.”


    “Your odd profile and analysis abilities you possess. I’d expect some spell forms it won’t help, no point casting water breathing with Fire mana.”


    “What do you normally cast it with?”


    “Water, of course, since you’re transforming it to provide you the ability to breathe in it,”


    “Most combat and protections ones so far don’t seem to care. Also, I’ve seen flit cast with both lightning and fire mana, and spatial.”


    “Will you be talking theory now?” Livia asked, sitting upright and looking them both over.


    “I’m sorry, honey. We’ll cover the theory side when you have to tend to things for Master Farhad,”


    “It’s okay. I was just checking, because if you are, then I’ll go practice now,” said Livia, her tone reassuring.


    Ouch, I keep getting schooled. Goes from giggle monster to mature so readily.


    Little miss pragmatic, not a sulky ‘hey, I want attention''. More hey mates, if you’re talking I’ve got stuff I could be doing.


    “Why don’t I go practice with you,”


    “Excellent choice, Master Farhad will be in the Temple garden. This time of day, we practice on the Temple grounds,” said Livia, frowning.


    “Maybe you should go ahead then,”


    “Alright, that might be wise. You won’t be leaving soon?”


    “Not till late tonight. We’ll have more time. You can tell me about the silly boys in the Temple,”


    “Okay then, and the boys are silly. Master Yngvarr, thank you for allowing me to visit and talk to Julia,” Livia said, giving him a little bow after hopping off the chair.


    “You’re welcome,” said Yngvarr, nodding in acknowledgement.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Julia watched Livia’s flowing movements as she left the room. When Julia turned back to Yngvarr, his look of compassion was obvious.


    {{That spawn is fun, let’s get one of our own. Find someone to bounce. Forget it. Just find someone to kill soon. }}


    ((Cherish the children. ))


    Julia took out the Dagger of Tracking and set it on the table before changing into the Sisterhood standard uniform.


    “Can you use the steel to shape one of these emblems? I want it to appear one got ripped off fighting.”


    “Pointing foes at each other is dangerous, especially for those caught in the middle.”


    “There aren’t innocents in the Abyss to get caught in the middle,”


    “That''s enchanted. I’d suggest you keep it unless it’s cursed. I have some Abyssal steel,”


    “Why do you have that?”


    “Demon hunting has long been a pastime for Alfarr and me. There are certain detection and containment enchantments that require their steel to work, a similarity of resonance.”


    “You two are crazy, fun but crazy,”


    “Tell me of this Grotto and song you hoped Moke would hear,” Yngvarr said, looking over the crests on the Sisterhood uniform.


    <hr>


    As Julia completed the fourth repeat of all she knew about the Night Elves, Nox, and places like the Grotto; the room fell silent. After the first recounting, Yngvarr had sent off messages and shown Julia into a larger chamber. The size of it had certainly shown there were spatial tricks used inside Yngvarr’s house. The well-furnished room had comfortable chairs, set in a circle big enough that the front row alone could have held fifty individuals. Well, it would have held fifty before their escorts had removed the tables between chairs, so the guards had places to stand. Now it was closer to eighty.


    The spacious room vibrated with the energy of its occupants. With all the powerful Elves listening on, it seemed nowhere was safe to settle her gaze. None of them had introduced themselves, but that was hardly surprising, Julia found she was almost getting used to it.


    Names being power and all, why would anyone trust theirs to a Succubus. I might spam them from the Abyss, not that any need their beauty sleep.


    The room had filled with four Elven groups, quite distinct in their difference of main skin tones and clothing styles. The Spanish complexion of Sunset Elves, the deeper greenish-brown of the Wood Elves, whitish-grey of the Moon Elves, and the luminance of the Mountain Elves. Hair colours ranged wildly from dark loam brown, leaf green, shimmering bluish crystal, to liquid metallics, and so many colours in between. The Elves ranged in height, though all looked around the one hundred and eighty centimetres. Though varying in overall appearance, all had sharp features, piercing eyes, and builds that seemed lithe but hinted at taunt cables'' constrained force.


    She’d learnt some names and a few classes from Analysis, but the room held lots of unknown details. The ache had levelled Analysis further before Julia had stopped. Lastriel was also in the little gathering sitting between what Julia assumed were her mother and father. Certainly, their family names matched Lastriel’s, the male showed to her as Mithrilon, and the lady Caimatame, but otherwise unknown was all Analysis provided. The pair shared white-grey skin tone, and liquid silver hair, though both had far longer styles than Lastriel. Mithrilon’s was held back in a ponytail, and Caimatame’s restrained in intricately bejewelled braids. Caimatame had shown the most emotion of the three, holding Lastriel close and pressing their forehead against hers.


    The guardsmen with them clearly reading their mood had set three chairs together, and the couple had sat down on either side of Lastriel.


    “You believe we can trust this creature’s word, your Highness?” asked Mithrilon.


    Yngvarr’s been holding out. What are you doing playing at Jarl’s Wizard?


    “Uncle, I’ve felt a Soul from her, and it shone gold,” said Lastriel. The words came out seemingly a grudging admission.


    Okay, I struck out on one of them at least. Is Caimatame her aunt? Not sure about my Soul being golden, the light from the power was that''s all.


    “Julia has spoken true. So far, she’s helped save a Ljósálfar of the Lady’s court, and Lastriel,” said Yngvarr, his tone reproving.


    Yngvarr you sweetie you, smack his nose.


    “I have something that should save us some arguments.”


    The words sang out from an Elven lady in the front row, cutting off any reply. Soft murmurs that had started about the room died instantly. Though among the crowd of Elves, her beauty hadn’t set her apart. The moment she spoke, the room silenced. Movements of liquid grace carried her towards Julia, though when a ‘guards woman’ moved, the lady stopped to glance at them. It gave Julia time enough to use Analysis and regret it. Pain stabbed straight between Julia’s eyes, making her vision dot with floating colours and the room swim.


    “If you are coming with me, you can introduce us,” the lady said, their quiet syllables echoing through the room with pure crystal tones.


    “Yes, High Singer.” said the Guard.


    In the immediate reply, and Julia couldn’t detect even a hint of reluctance. Purely an acknowledgment of what she wanted would happen. When she stepped forward with the High Singer though, Julia’s Danger Sense whispered, and it was clear the guard was ready to react instantly to the slightest threat.


    “Julia, I present you to Lady Glingaerneth, High Singer of the Andún? court,”


    The moment she’d finished speaking, a single step set her off to one side, and the neutral stance changed. Perception revealing to Julia that the guard drawing their blade could cut through where Julia stood, with no risk to the High Singer. Glingaerneth''s features were exquisitely fine, hair the unsettlingly colour of fresh blood cascaded down across her green silken dress. In contrast to other clothes in the room, the High Singer’s clothing seemed almost plain, unadorned by gems, or metallic threads, only its cut and sheen speaking of its value.


    “My pardon, High Singer. I would suggest Julia show the effect of Master Farhad’s healing technique. It should provide some clear evidence.” Lastriel said. Words flowed hastily, as if Lastriel expected someone to stop her at any moment. Despite their speed, each word carried steel of determination, and no one actually stopped her.


    Goodness Lastriel, you have got guts. Everyone is still as church mice, and yet you''re speaking up.


    When Glingaerneth said nothing, Julia wondered if Lastriel was in her bad books for speaking up. When she finally spoke there was no sign of it, more a sense of having considered the words before replying.


    “As Isil Heir Lastriel has seen, please show for the rest of us,” said Glingaerneth, nodding slightly in Lastriel’s direction.


    Yeah, hair-trigger Anne right by me, let’s not startle her. Hand randomly glowing in power, perhaps not the best thing.


    With a polite bow of acknowledgment to Glingaerneth, Julia moved slowly and cupped her hands together.


    “I’ve only done this once,” Julia said.


    {{At least you’ve done something once. }}


    ((You’ll be fine Child. ))


    “Take your time Julia, it is best not to rush,” said Glingaerneth.


    Yeah, words of wisdom from the who knows how old Elf.


    Julia peeled back the Heat from her form and activated what she consider Reiki. The golden light from last time soon shone through her flesh, causing a soft murmur among the Elves that stilled at a twitch from Glingaerneth. With a graceful gesture, she presented Julia with a gemstone that shimmered with an array of colours that matched a dawn sky.


    When the guard’s hand tightened on their sword hilt, Julia reached out slowly with her still glowing hand, letting radiant fingertips cup under the stone. The moment her flesh touched the gemstone it rang with the Song of the Grotto, though wordless it was still the same music. As it rippled forth, it caused a stir among the Elves. When Glingaerneth raised the gemstone away, it continued to sing in crystalline tones, and all the Elves settled to listen till minutes later the gemstone finally ceased its singing.


    “I believe that resolves all those questions,” said Glingaerneth, before returning to her chair.


    “Julia has yet to accept any reward for her vital part in freeing the Ljósálfar. Let us not freely award suspicion now, even if others could force her to betray. We should reward Julia for what she has learnt and shared,” said Aldaron. He spoke the words with a firm and approving conviction. Julia had learnt his name from Analysis, but he was the first of the Wood Elves she’d actually heard speak. The inflection of his speech was different to the other Elves, the tones softer as if he wasn''t as used to speaking aloud.


    Not like I can trust to keep anything they give me. I’m not taking anything special into the Abyss.


    “If you could help the adventurers,” said Julia, shrugging.


    “Adventurers, this isn’t a term I know. Is that your mortal tongue?” Aldaron asked.


    “Sorry the Charter house members, those I rescued with Lastriel. They’ve lost all their equipment, I’m not sure what reserves any of them have,”


    “Very little, and nothing close at hand. The Chapter House leaders are in talks with the Jarl, and the local companion''s hall, about earning some equipment,” Lastriel said. “At present, we only have clothes the Temple of Tyr has organised.”


    “Then together we will see to assisting these Adventurers you rescued. Are you sure you wish nothing for yourself?” asked Mithrilon, giving Aldaron a nod of acknowledgment even as he interjected.


    “I’m reluctant to take anything special into that place,” Julia said.


    “You mentioned you had found an isolated location. Could you not use things to make it fit for use?” asked Yngvarr.


    “I’m gaining resources. I’d prefer disposable furnishings native to the plane, so the chamber will draw no attention if stumbled upon. Once I have time to stop, I’ll furnish it for use,”


    “Very well, we’ll organise with the Isil court equipment for these Adventurers. To assist those you rescued and ensure their safety, would be our pleasure.” Aldaron said.


    “I’ll organise with Julia to travel to this Grotto, if there are Night Elves alive there I shall send word,” Yngvarr said.


    You are a crazy boy Yngvarr.


    “Perhaps we should pause here to consider what we have learnt. I’m sure there will be a need for further discussion,” Glingaerneth said, nodding to Yngvarr. As soon as Glingaerneth rose, she vanished with her guard.


    With her departure, others left and quicker than the Elves had gathered, the room was nearly empty. Only Yngvarr, Lastriel, Caimatame, Mithrilon, and their escort remained behind.


    “Are you sure there is nothing we can provide you Julia?” Mithrilon asked when quiet had settled on the chamber.


    “Do you have transportable liquids that burn really well? Preferably something that will cling and burn hot.” Julia asked.


    “How much are you after?”


    “As much as I can get. I can easily transport about eight thousand kilograms,” said Julia, translating the weight to Elvish terms.


    “Dwarves have something that will melt even stone while it burns.” Caimatame said, raising a finely lined eyebrow, “Hosting a party?”


    “I’d like to be a warm hostess,”


    “Then we’ll see what we can arrange from Stoneheart,” Mithrilon said, before looking at Lastriel, “Will you be coming home or continue being an Adventurer?”


    “Please daughter, your Father and I understand the pressure you felt over the choosing,” Caimatame said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “The artifact’s magic responded to yourself, it barely glimmered for your siblings. Some say the very fact you don’t want it means you’re the right person to wield it. Your Father needs to train you, so you’re not left uncertain of its abilities in a time of need.”


    “Very well Mother, someone said I’d run out on my people. Perhaps she was right,” said Lastriel, not even glancing at Julia as she spoke.


    “She might have been cruel in putting it that way,” Julia said, her words attracting Lastriel’s gaze.


    “Perhaps she was merely responding to rudeness previously offered,” said Lastriel, extending an arm towards Julia.


    With a smile, Julia just clasped her forearm as she’d seen the others from the Charter house exchange.


    “I’ll get in touch with the Dwarves for you. Though I do not know how much they’ll have for sale,” Caimatame said.


    “I had planned to head back tonight, but it would help my plans, so I’ll wait longer,”


    “We’ll see if we can prompt the Dwarves to act with unusual haste,”


    Nodding farewell, the family and their escorts vanished.


    Yngvarr looked at Julia for a moment before he spoke.


    “Any more surprises?”


    “Remember how I told you about the spike the Order used. They look like the blades the Nox fingers twist into. So I collected a few of them,”


    “A few?”


    “Twenty, along with sections of the armour that forms over them. It seems an unpolished version of the box''s plating.”


    “Julia!”


    “I figured I’d need materials for research,”


    “What were you planning if you got one enchanted in the same fashion?”


    “I planned to stick at least one straight up Naz’rilca’s cunt,” Julia said, giving him a sweet smile that made the words shiver up his spine.


    “At least one?”


    {{Remember to save some for the Lady }}


    (( Their essence is already rotten. ))


    “Figured it would depend on how many I ended up getting. So at least one, but I’m open to higher bids,”


    Yngvarr considered her for a moment, as Julia''s memories provided a few more reasons to stab others in the Stronghold.


    “I''ll have a look at them. What else have you acquired?”


    “Some odds and ends,”


    “Let us see what we can discover about your odds and ends,” Yngvarr said, gesturing towards the door.


    <hr>


    “Yngvarr while Julia doesn’t need food or sleep, I would suggest you need a break,” Alfarr said, leaning against the doorframe as he looked over the pair.


    “What time is it?” Yngvarr asked, looking up from his examination of the cleaned Nox armour material.


    “Well after sunset, nearly seventh bell,”


    “You’re right, we should eat,”


    “I’ll stay and study the message grimoire Yngvarr, I seem to attract a lot of attention now,”


    “You have a sexed-up, anytime, anywhere air about you now Julia,” Alfarr said. “Especially when you’re not doing the hooded mysterious lady, and let them gaze upon your sweet lips, lush clean skin, and the swell of your hips in tight leather.” He added the description with an obviously faked breathiness.


    “I thought you were with Yngvarr?”


    “Doesn’t mean I’m blind to the drooling of others," dismissed Alfarr, before he quickly continued. "I heard it was quite a display you and Master Farhad put on.”


    “Great!”


    “It was the talk of the Jarl''s Hall yesterday, and the Silver Chalice last night. Moke even composed some poems in honour of the display,” offered Yngvarr, with a teasing smile.


    “I’m sure I don’t want to know,” Julia retorted, rolling her eyes in disbelief.


    “You might be quite right there. He seems quite taken with your… beauty,”


    “Hit him for me next time you see him okay,” requested Julia, shaking her head in frustration.


    “Likely he’s singing again tonight, promised a tale of daring danger to be shared. Perhaps you''re the heroine of the story.”


    “Hit him hard.” Julia insisted with a low growl.


    When Alfarr laughed and let the door close, Julia just swore under her breath.


    “Are you sure you don’t wish to come along? Torm will probably be there with Livia since she wanted to see you again.” Yngvarr said, immediately tucking tools back into drawers as he stood.


    “If you could let Livia know, that I’ll join her for practice in the Temple square tomorrow morning," Julia asked, ignoring the repeated offer. "We’ll have more time than I had expected.”


    “Very well. There are wood and steel disks in that drawer if you want to practice inscribing runes. Though use the spell chamber across the hall,” Yngvarr instructed, motioning to another workbench.


    “Yes, of course, your Highness. I believe I’ll start trying to get the message spells working, perhaps I can look to heckle Moke at all hours.”


    “Brat. I’ll let Moke know you plan to whisper in his dreams. I’m sure it will inspire him,” grumbled Yngvarr, giving her a mock frown.


    “Yngvarr, don’t you dare!” protested Julia, as she waved her hands in protest.


    “I won’t even mention you activated his bloodline.”


    “Go, your husband is likely waiting for you,” Julia growled, motioning towards the door repeatedly.


    “He’ll have gone ahead to order, and find seats,” said Yngvarr, though he was already moving towards the door. “So I won’t tell you about your other admirers either.”


    With that parting remark, Yngvarr closed the door behind him.


    Fuck!


    {{Tease. }}