"The Watcher? What kind of name is that?"
Rath shot the elven ranger an incredulous look. Titles were uncommon in the frontier and typically reserved for powerful adventurers, or for noble lords who did little to earn them. None of these strangers were registered adventurers--not unless they conveniently lost their membership plates along the way. Most adventurers would pawn the shirt off their backs before even considering selling the plate for coin.
"... As far as your comment about not having a guide. I am particularly skilled at wilderness survival in all types of terrain. I asked as we simply have found ourselves suddenly and mysteriously where we should not be."
Rath blinked slowly as he pondered those words.
'Did he seriously just admit to being lost? There's no way someone can navigate these mountains without already being familiar with them. It doesn't make sense. The only folks capable enough to do that are the local Uldra tribes.'
He rolled his eyes in disbelief and shrugged casually.
"Right... I'm not going to ask, but you may want to invent a better excuse before you reach the lodge. One too many sudden disappearances has left everyone on edge." He shot a glance at Lena and Cain. "I don't know what your circumstances are, but you had best be cautious. The people here, like the mountain, aren't the compassionate type." 'Speaking of which, I should take my own advice and leave before any other weird strangers show up.'
He staggered to his feet and stretched his shoulder. The muscles were still stiff and sore, forcing him to stifle a grimace, but his bones certainly weren't broken anymore.
'Damn good healing! That Lena girl is going to be overwhelmed with work, if anyone else finds out what she can do.' A slight grin played at the edges of his mouth. 'I can't be falling for a pretty face though. There's too much for me to do still.'
Snow crunched beneath his feet as he sauntered over to his mount, and caught the bridle. He whispered a soft, nearly inaudible, sibilant tune--half prayer, have song. A halo of distorted air resolved around the horse as if something was boiling the air.
Rath leaped into the saddle before his mount could react, and took hold of the reigns. His steed was quickly recovering from its horrified trance.
"Sadly, I have still have emergency deliveries to make, and don't have the time to thank you all properly. But, if you folks are still in town when I get back, I'll buy you a dri-" The horse lunged forward into a run without being spurred on. Its instincts were still telling it to flee and moved its legs vigorously as if Death itself were nipping at its feet. Rath's final word trailed off as he flew down the mountain trail.
A cold wind blew down from the mountains as the galloping figure shrank into the distance. The adventurer's lodge loomed just ahead; the column of acrid smoke billowing from its chimney tilted towards the party with a windy nudge.
Out of sight.
Out of mind.
Out of sight.
Out of mind.
Out of sight.
Out of mind.
December chanted the words in her mind as if reciting a mantra to will away evil spirits. The ordeal with the guards left her dumbfounded to say the least. Her expression during the performance couldn't have been more incredulous. She had only heard of Beyonce during a historical documentary, and after this incident, she had no desire to look into it ever again.
Thankfully, Danielle's magic soothed the situation and allowed them all to easily bypass the city's security. The two exchanged knowing looks. December had a calm facade, but a deep appreciate shone through her eyes she looked at Danielle. If the situation had devolved into violence, she wasn't certain she would be able to hold back her urge to just freeze everything into immobile blocks of ice.
When they entered the main thoroughfare of Brightwing City, she sighed sharply, letting go of a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Exasperated, she just wanted to find an inn with an actual bath and wind down for the day.
She still had work to do however. Brightwing should have some kind of archive or library. The real question was how to gain access to it? Additionally, who maintained it?
She recalled a conversation she had with Bertram York, one of the merchant's traveling the main road alongside them. By his reckoning, the best place to discover more about magic would be the Magician's Guild. If any institution in the Dragonic Kingdom would have information on what she was looking for, that would be it.
December knew, however, that she was poorly suited to the tedium of research. It bored her in-game and it bored her in real life. It was necessary though. And she was not without help.
Just as she thought that a surge of power prickled her skin. Her hand unconsciously brushed against the silvered chain clasped around her neck. Akena is finally awake.
She turned to Lexus Dominiel. Her eyes were clear and held a thoughtful gleam, while her thin brows were knitted together pensively.
"Lexus?" She unhooked her necklace and offered it to her servant. A smooth, black river stone etched with symbols of arcane power hung from it. "Could you take Akena with you to the temple?"
December obviously looked troubled. There's no telling what the Magician's Guild is capable of, and I'll be damned if I let them get anywhere near her. She told herself.
"She is always vulnerable immediately after manifesting, and where I'm going next isn't a safe place for her. I believe it would be better if she stays with you for now." She pinned Lexus with a urging stare. "Protect her."
It was a selfish request.
She doubted any of the magician's at the guild could forcibly take Akena's heartstone from her, but it would be hard not for them to notice a magical artifact hanging from her neck. The real problem was December had no idea how to deal with Akena. She spent an excessive amount of time and effort to make an accurate facsimile of her real world sister, personality and all. Countless questions raced through her mind. How did the 'update' change Akena's AI? Would are relationship still be the same? What if she's too much like Phuong and grows to hate me?
Treating Akena, an expertly crafted homunculus, as her sister in-game helped a great deal in soothing December's regret over the hostile relationship she had with her sister in real life, but she had no idea how things would develop with Akena now. She wasn't even sure she wanted to know the answers at this point. Ever since they left the guildhall ruins, she had been quietly dreading the moment when Akena awoke.
She turned to Danielle and Himitsu. "I've some business to attend to with the local Magician's Guild. They are the most likely ones to have the information I want. Did you two want to join me?"
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