M.D.Syl
patreon
Chapter 88 colorless
🕑 Added 2023-06-13 16:09:40 +0000 UTCAuthor notes:
No. I didn’t forget a dedication. I’m at the end of my list again.
Thank you all for your support. <3 Before this experience I didn’t actually believe that my work would be appreciated like this, you all have been a huge change on my life.
If anyone can think I can improve anything about my books, patreon, discord, or anything in general, please don’t hesitate to talk to me and talk about the issue directly. I’ll be more than happy to address it to the best of my ability.
Chapter 88 Palace Days III.
Too many mortals place their life at needless risks.
Too many believe they’re invincible.
Death is harsh enough, there’s no need to court it.
A cautious approach will prolong a life.
Brigit the Keeper of Life.
Contrary to my predictions, there are no riots. Only a deathly silence. I spend the whole night by Salik’s side, waiting to hear from his men where I might be needed to fight. I tense up and relax each time someone reports, but the report is always the same.
No one is rioting. Even the normal criminals that who are usually out at night spend this night in their beds.
I walk my gardens, waiting for a report, waiting for it all to start. In the darkness I cannot appreciate Tiom's work with the colorful flowers.
I shift, walking back and forth near the lavender shrubs. “What are they up to?”
“No clue, kid,” Salik replies, fiddling with his hat in his hands. “I expected the next guy in charge to take over and start killing. It’s too silent. Something is happening behind the scenes that we don’t know about. I’ll ask around.”
“You think they killed Ryon?” Did I send him to his death?
“Anything can happen, kid, they might…”
“Nah, ahm here.” My heart leaps to my throat with Ryon’s voice right behind me.
“How long were you standing there?”
He shrugs. “Long. Yah worry ‘bout me, aintchya?”
“I was. So what happened?”
“Schnee woman lead me to gang bosses like you say. Two of ‘em. Ah killed them. No gang fight, no one knows they dead. They underground hiding like rats. Do ah get da good food now?”
I let out a relieved sigh. “Yes! All the good food that you want. Get the kitchen stuff to cook for you.”
He nods. “Ye, good. You wanna snake later?”
Again?! Don’t you only like big jugs or something? “No.”
He frowns, green eyes roaming over me. “But yah worry ‘bout me.”
Right… he’s confused… he’s following patterns of women behavior to determine which one would be willing to sleep with him. It’s kind of creepy… but I get it. “Yes. But I don’t like you that way. I worry about you as a friend…”
“Friends? Nah friends stab ya in da back. You mah boss lady, and ah like this gang!” he exclaims and heads into my palace.
“So what now?” I roll my eyes and turn to Salik.
Salik eyes the closed door Ryon disappears into. “I was sure he'd snow this. He’s way more competent than I thought… How old did you say he is?"
I shrug. “No idea… he grew up in the streets of Axero, his mother was a whore, and he never met his father.”
“He… never mind.”
“What?”
“There’s no way to prove my theory. Let’s just say that if I’m right, he might’ve inherited some abilities unique to the drow. Would explain his survival. Namely to literally fade into a shadow of objects.”
“Drow? I thought he was a half elf.”
“Drow is a type of elves.” Salik shrugs with a snort. "There are actually a few types of humans and every other race, elves are just better at categorizing themselves."
“Ever met elves?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Of course. There are a few elven settlements at the Last Oak Forest. It’s north of Axero. North of Numila too and the Kresh kingdom. Beyond the Mountain State of Quagamil. If you ever meet with them, make sure you’re looking all pretty. They judge you by their beauty standards and these standards are quite high.”
“Last Oak Forest. That’s where Sharla is from. I’ll have to ask her when I see her. I’m looking for elves, I hope they’ll help me find my mother. But that’s a long time from now. We have to focus on this city for the time being.”
“Indeed. But let’s call it a night, kid, we should both get some rest.”
*
{28} Nuriss (March) the 20th
“My Queen,” Tasiya interrupts my studies. “Lord Olfgram Gemhand is here to see you. He’s waiting in the meeting room?”
Oh not again! I was finally done with all those annoying state matters! I want to study new spells, rotten venom! Not take care of another matter! ugh! “Let him wait a little while, I’m just finishing here.”
Let’s see… I still need to go over the spells on my list.
I wonder how the clones Prince Reynold used work…
Lako’s Light Clones.
Names: Shadow Clones, Light Clones, Mirror Image.
Element: Light
Sub element: Light
Level: 1
Words: Revatol revisoroar, revatol revisarisoroar, volni to atarisor ni orafoarni! Revatol revisoroar, Atudanar revisor at revangni!
Translation: Spirits of light, spirits of truth, split and multiply to show each of your sides! Spirits of light, become light and colors!
Quicken: Revisor, volni to atarisor! Soriler! < Light, split and multiply! Distort!>
Patterns: 16
Gestures: attach: thumbs, index, ring, fingers to one another.> Put index and ring fingers of both hands on the caster’s chest.
Offering: 10 lavender petals.
Requirement: X
Range: 100 meter.
Target: self.
Duration: 5 minutes.
Effect: Produce a clone of the caster (numbers can increased with alteration patterns). The clone/s will carry the caster’s mental orders. The clone/s are made of light, and cannot effect anything physical. The clones cannot go out of the caster’s range. Otherwise, they are the exact visual copy of the caster, they’ll cast shadows, and the caster can speak through the clone/s.
Cost: 50 light gems, 5 wind gems.
Bound cost: 30 light gems, 5 wind gems.
Altered cost: 5 light gem, 1 wind gem.
Yeah… I can’t handle that many patterns yet. Not to mention it’s a light spell that’ll drain me entirely. I’m wasting pages on this…
But I have lavenders, and it’d be a waste to just let them sit there without any usage… I’ll learn the clone spell when I can use that many patterns, it’s useful in any combat situation… but it won’t be any time soon…
One more try with a light based spell, then I give it up.
The lightning he used seemed rather powerful, I need to see how it works. With luck I’ll be able to cast it… and if it’s too much for me, then at least I’ll learn it later like the clones…
Rika’s Electric Channel
Names: Rika’s Electric Channel, Electric Channel, Sparks.
Element: Light
Sub element: Electricity
Level: 1
Words: Reviss. Rit atrevika/atrevisha kas tak. Kas koarr/shoarr oarofisia!
Translation: Energy. This man/woman needs you. feed him/her with your might.
Quicken: Reviss. Kas shoarr/koaar oarofisia. (Energy. Feed her/him with your might.)
Patterns: 8
Gestures: attach both thumbs and index fingers in both hands to one another to create a triangle. > Point finger tips at the desired target.
Offering: 5 lavender petals.
Requirement: X
Range: 15* meters, the closer the caster is to the target the stronger the effect.
Target: a creature within range.
Duration: channel spell.
Effect: Channel pure electricity from the caster’s hands, the electricity will attach to the closest easiest target, (despite the gender specification in the chant) If the electricity has to choose between two targets within the same range, it'll go toward the target of the caster's intentions.
Cost: 20 light gems for initial cast, 3 light gems per second to maintain.
Bound cost: 12 gems for initial cast, 2 light gems per second to maintain.
Altered cost: 5 light gems per alteration pattern, 1 light gem per second to maintain.
Notes: *If the target is directly below the caster, the range is doubled. If the target is directly above the caster, the range is halved.
Huh… I can probably cast it now.
8 patterns… it’s the lightning that Reynold used to electrocute me back at the inn… not the deadliest… but I don’t mind being able to shoot lightning from my fingertips like the bard’s tales… Let’s hope it works with my low light affinity…
Let’s see… I pick a handful of immature lavender petals, and weave the mana patterns while looking at my grimoire. I attach my thumbs and fingers, and point at my bathtub in the correct gestures. “Reviss. Rit atrevika kas tak. Kas koarr oarofisia!” <Energy. This man needs you. feed him with your might!>
Nothing happens, only my mana get drained.
I guess a bathtub isn’t a man? What’s the word for object in Reviss? I look up the translation, and repeat the spell. “Reviss. Rit at kas tak. Kas at oarofisia!” <Energy. This thing needs you. feed thing with your might!>
Blinding electricity surges from my hands, latching onto the wooden bathtub and the floor. Tasiya winces and backs off near the door.
“Your Majesty…”
“I’m not done yet. Gemhand will wait a few minutes.” I shout above the crackling energy in my room, wincing at the flashing lights.
I’m surprised by how fast it worked! Even gravity needed more tries than this! I keep channeling the electricity, letting the mana drain from my necklace. After a few more seconds my head pounds along with my heart.
I cut my mana from the spell, massaging my temples. Maybe casting a first level spell from an element I have low affinity to isn’t such a good idea after all. Only now the petals disappear with yellowish smoke, and additional twenty gems of light mana are drained from my necklace.
“Your Majesty. Experimenting in your room may result in an injury,” Tasiya chides.
“I know what I’m doing.” Do I? What if that headache is dangerous? What if I’m not supposed to cast spells from elements I have low affinity for?
A speck of yellow light circles my wrists for a brief moment, then appears as a tiny yellow man with buzzing dragonfly wings. “Takisha revisarisor. Rofisia revisarisor. Rofisia tonrevang.”
Argh… I bet he wants more flowers… I hate Reviss. This language is so complicated… I open my dictionary to translate. To my surprise, the elemental floats in the air, waiting for me to finish. At least light elementals are nicer than gravity… or more patient… weird, light is faster than gravity… I'd figure they'd have less patience?
It takes me at least fifteen minutes to fully translate the simple sentence.
<You (female) are truthful. More truths. More flowers.>
Is he referring to specifying an object instead of person? Or something else? Do I really want to bind this spell? According to the hag's guide, binding a spell can only be undone by paying a large amount of mana. The smallest amount is 100 gems... and It’s not like I can cast this spell for too long anyway. I can’t deny the power and range this spell has, and it can’t hurt if the elemental is patient enough to wait for me to translate… I wonder if I just got lucky with a patient elemental or light elementals are more patient… let’s try to bind this. I could use some experience with binding elementals on my own, and he's tiny, so he'll probably require 100 gems to unbind... something I have in my necklace.
I hand him a handful of lavender petals. The petals disappear in the yellow smoke instantly.
“Takisha quiri shin?” <you (female) ___ ____?> it asks, hovering in the air.
Again, it waits for me to translate, this time it’s faster.
<You (female) wish contract?>
“Vask,” <Yes,> I reply.
The elemental fly to the light mana pool in my chest, and places its hand between my breasts. Then it’s gone in a cloud of yellow smoke.
I grin, feeling the slight drop of light mana from the pool located in my chest. I repeat the gestures and chant. Pointing at my bathtub. Electricity surges from my hands. I already have quite a few cantrips to my arsenal, but a first level spell is something else.
“Your Majesty!” Tasiya calls out.
“What?!” I ask above the crackling lightning. Will she leave me be already?! I’m trying to work here!
“You’re bleeding!”
I blink, the combination of flashing electricity and the pounding headache isn’t good for me. Touching my nose I trace a trail of blood. I drop the mana weave and take a deep breathe. Tears flow down my cheeks. Why tears? I'm not crying? I wipe my cheeks, only to find out that my tears are actually blood. I really hope I didn't do any permanent damage to myself... I quickly drink a healing potion, but it does not help with my headache. At least the bleeding stops.
“King Luard often experimented in the same manner,” Tasiya notes. “He was wounded more often than not. Go to Jolla. She’ll take good care of you.”
“I’m fine. Just a little headache. I’m pretty sure I can handle other types of mana just fine.”
Ok. Enough with the light spells… I’m surprised at how easy this was… But the headache should be a warning enough not to push it. According to the hag's guidance book I should be fine casting other elements when I get a headache from one, so I should be ok with gravity, my gravity pool is still full...
Ok. What spells do I need to deal with the next hurdle… I need a defensive spell that blocks energy like fire or lightning… and it should be a gravity spell… easier to cast…
I place my hand on an empty page in my grimoire.
"Your Majesty... I would ask that you stop for now and wait for Jolla to take a look at you." Tasiya insists, holding my wrist. "It won't help your experiments if you pass out."
"I know what I'm doing."
"I'm sure you do, Your Majesty. But it won't hurt if an expert take a look at you. It won't do you any good to pass out."
I sigh. "Fine. I'll go see Jolla."
*
I open my eyes wide and stare into the bright light from the gnome's odd lantern. "Hmpf." The short woman fixes her glasses and goes back to her desk. "Young mages pushing themselves, what else is new."
"So I'm fine?"
She doesn't even glance at me. "Oh yes. What element were you using?"
"Light."
The gnome jots down in her notes. "You must have a low affinity for light. You can manage a spell or a few without an issue. But if you start having a headache that means your crown can't handle the translation between the elements, and the reaction is similar to mana dehydration, because your soul draws more mana than it should need."
"And if I continue casting spells past the headache?"
"Any other element? Pha. Nothing will happen. Feel free to do so," she answers with a shrug.
Just like the hag's book... I give Tasiya a victorious glance.
"Of course, if you keep casting light spells and overdo it," the gnome continues. "You'd lose your eyesight and pass out, it may even lead to death. Just like mana dehydration lets you draw mana directly from your soul, but it will kill you. Bleeding eyes is just a step before losing your eyesight. By Tukado's beard, do be careful."
Tasiya's mouth form a tiny smile.
Fine. Whatever. I know what to watch out for. "Oh Jolla, before I go back to my spells. I've been meaning to ask: do you have anything about demons in here?” I ask the white eyed gnome.
“Demons? Pha, no. Books about demonology are forbidden by the church of Jalier. It’ll be hard to find such books on the gray islands. You may find some in the temple of Tukado, up north in Tolste’s Bay.”
“What about exorcism?”
“That’s demonology.” The blond gnome states as a matter of fact.
“Do you know of a way to remove a demon from a person’s body?”
The gnome's looks at me for a long moment. “Like Kolag?”
“Yes.”
Jolla scans me with her white eyes, glasses gleaming reflecting the light from the candles on her table. After a very long pause, she finally says. “I don’t.”
She’s lying… “Please! I need to do something to free him from that curse.”
“But I cannot help you. You may find what you need in the Temple of Tukado at Tolste’s Bay,” the reply is swift this time.
“I see… thank you.” I guess it’ll have to wait until I have access to more knowledge… Or until I convince Jolla to share her secrets somehow…
*~*~*
Interlude 88.1
Olfgram Gemhand
Arigald Redbeard enters Olfgram’s dining hall. The shifty bald man casting nervous glances at the chandelier and the décor. Olfgram knows that the man normally wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself, the only reason he’s not picking the mansion clean is Olfgram’s identity.
“So you’ve survived…” Olfgram remarks.
“You… you knew?” The red bearded man retreats, blue eyes opening wide.
Olfgram shakes his head. “Not before it was too late to stop things. Are you the only one to survive?”
“Dana may have made it? I’m not sure, I only found the corpses of Strongjaw and Terroraxe.”
Strongjaw, Terroraxe. Names each of these individuals were proud of, names with deeds to back them up, how swift they have fallen. “I doubt Dana made it. They probably got rid of her earlier or later.”
Redbeard sits down hesitantly, eyes darting everywhere. “I… I’ve received a missive from King Luard, it’s addressed to you, Sir.”
So Luard made contact. This is dangerous. But Olfgram has to know his options. Compared to this Queen, Luard was a better ruler. Olfgram gestures for his surviving underling to hand over the letter.
To my dear friend Olfgram Gemhand.
I have taken refuge in another city, in time, I shall return with my army.
If you stand with me, send your man to the northern groveyard at dusk of Nuriss (March) the 25th for further instructions.
If I do not see your man at the meeting location by midnight, I’ll assume you stand with Queen Inara in this conflict.
Yours truly, King Luard Tidal Wave.
“What now, Sir?” Redbeard asks.
Olfgram moves a hand in his mustache, deep in thoughts. Is this another test? Is the letter faked?
No. He recognizes Luard's handwriting. If Inara can even fake something like that, he's dead anyway.
Which horse should he bet on? Luard? Or Inara?
Inara is more competent than Luard, he’ll prosper under her with some adjustments. But he’ll have to give up most of his liberties under someone like her.
On the other hand. Luard will be grateful for helping him retake the city, and Luard rewards his allies. Not to mention that under Luard’s rule he has more freedom.
Olfgram snorts. The answer is obvious. He’ll put his money on both of them.
“Amaros? Bring the man some wine, the vintage from Nulas Thorn 5754, please.”
“Ah. Some good wine,” Redbeard sighs. “I could use a good drink, thank you, Sir.”
Olfgram nods with a kind smile as Amaros pours the wine into the goblets. “Don’t mention it. First. You’re going to head to the northern groveyard on the 25th for me, make contact with Luard.”
“Of course, Sir!” Redbeard gives Olfgram a hesitant look.
Olfgram nods lightly, giving him permission to drink, and Redbeard empties the goblet. “Next. I want you to gather all the intel you can on this Inara. Who is she, where is she coming from, what’s her goal in here. Everything.”
“But Sir!” Redbeard protests. “We already did that when she first showed up.”
“And it wasn’t good enough,” Olfgram points out, waiting for the poisoned wine to take its effect.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Sir. I have no more sources to ask.”
“That’s alright. You won’t be the one doing the asking. You’re going to be my gift.”
“Gift, Sir?”
“Yes. Gift. For Queen Inara…” Olfgram smile turns predatory as Redbeard’s mouth fills up with foam. The man collapses in the couch, spasming.
“Cut off his head, Amaros. We’ll present it to the Queen tomorrow. Earn her trust so to speak. You’ll be meeting with Luard’s emissary on the 25th, we’ll support both sides and remain on top when one of them wins.”
“Yes, Sir.” Amaros bows silently. Unlike so many others, he had never let Olfgram down before.
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: formed: 1 gem replenished per five minutes.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 66
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: formed: 6 gems. Conversion ratio: 6:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 18 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 9 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 13/14 gems
Water: Affinity 6: formed: 27 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 4 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 9 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: formed: 40/41 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing. Aria’s Sonic Scream.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Sorladika's Lesser Heating. Nuriss’ Ignite.
Light: Noxi’s Light. Lako’s Blinding Light. Rika’s energy hand.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet. Ayla’s instant freeze.
Earth: Alice’s Oil Summoning, Reiko’s Acid Spray.
Wood: Arigor’s Lesser Vines. Kolosu’s Vegetable Summoning.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burst. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s lesser shield. Imari’s Minor Telekinesis. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pull. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body.
Spells known:
Light: Rika's Electric channelb
Gravity: Alino’s Weightless Bodyb.
Life: Brigit’s Lesser Cure Poison.
Focus capability: 13 patterns
Social status: The Queen of Red Cedar City. Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries. Sorceress.
Wealth: 1496 Magic Gems. 1421 Golden Peas, 5 Silver Scales, 12 Copper Bits.
Items:
Magical necklace. Contains 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
4 potions of Lesser Healing.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keeps the pouches’ content fresh. Each pouch may contain 10g of petals or six potion flasks.
Fresh rose petals, 45g
Fresh lavender petals, 13g
10 empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara. 13/100
Companions:
Kolag of house Befar
Salik
Zoe
Ryon
Languages:
Toml’a <People’s tongue> Fluent
Sinteo <Speech> Fluent
Myrsha <Gravity> 7/10
Felul <Wind> 1/10
Injuries and scars:
-
Kingdom’s treasury: 305 gems. 41,682 gold coins.
Kingdom’s citizen: 5,898 humans, 2,251 human children.
Kingdom's army: 700 footmen, 26 peacekeeper knights.
Notables at Court:
Tasiya Keyholder
Jolla SilverQuill
Talbot Bookkeeper
Marasi Chef extraordinaire (spymaster.)
Old Gardner Tiom
