The continuation of 'That First Step' series.
Metamorphosis
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AN// This is a continuation of That First Step... (SI) if you have not read it yet, I recommend starting there as it's the start of the series or you may find yourself a bit lost.
Anyway, enjoy and on with the story and massive thanks to the people helping betaing this. You know who you are!
##############
I frowned at the crystal floating in the construct before me, "Well then," I said, "Ready to give this a try?"
"I am ready, master," the Augur of Dunlain answered, the crystal flashing slightly with its words.
Nodding, I lifted the simple gold and mithril ring before me, closing my eyes as I felt through its enchantments, running through each one, following each line etched into the solid diamond core, carved from a single flawless rock.
It was perfect.
Nodding to myself again, I took a step forward and slipped the ring into the receptacle in the silver and dwemer metal construct. The last one I still had - and I was looking forward to when I could get rid of it.
The holder tightened around the ring, and two of the crystals started to slowly spin to assist in stabilizing the magical flow.
Taking a step back, I crossed my arms. Nothing to do now but wait and see if it worked out.
Whirr. Click. Click. Crackle.
Energy started to play across the enchanting arrays built into the metal and the holder of the summon I got from the Augur of Dunlain.
It was an interesting summon. Not much use on it's own really as it needed a constant magical feed to stay formed and it had no real combat or reconnaissance use. But what it did have was a perfect recall, and it had been spending the last year or so reading every book I could feed to it while tied to a crystal and noble metal construct.
It worked as a database in my lab and had been doing it since well before I fought the Tree Bitch.
But a database was of no use if you can't access it. I needed it to be mobile, but there was a problem with summons.
They couldn't learn. Not really. Sure, Alexis' angel might be able to remember who I was, but ask her to learn… painting and it wouldn't work. Sure, she might be able to do it, but next time she was summoned she would revert to her original state.
So just summoning and resummoning the AoD wouldn't work.
Which is half of why I bound it in this crystal and construct before, as well as having it take over the mana drain of the damn thing.
Lightning crackled across the metal, striking the ring again and again before it all just kind of spun down, the glowing crystal that once housed the summon fading to dark.
Reaching over, I picked the ring from it's holder, turning it over in my hand. Slightly warm to the touch, I could almost feel it humming with power against my palm.
I slid it onto my finger and clenched my fist, "Augur of Dunlain, are you there?"
"I am, Master," the mental construct answered, projecting a small glowing light above my fist, "that was a most peculiar sensation."
"Now for the real test," I said and then let go of the summon.
I felt the spell seed that was the summon of the AUgur of Dunlain settle in the back of my mind, available to summon once more, "Augur?"
"I am still here," the ring answered, the glow above my fist remaining, "It appears you have managed to imprint the mind matrix of the Augur of Dunlain summon into the enchantments woven into this ring."
"I did," I said with a grin, opening my left hand hand and holding it up against the light, watching the light from the crystals lighting my lab play across the gold and mithril, "Augur of Dunlain no longer. I name you Library."
"I am Library," it said, seemingly trying it out, "I understand. I am different than the Augur of Dunlain was. More."
"More and different," I agreed, "What is the enchantment capacitance of gold?"
"Fifteen point twenty five."
I grinned, "And the knowledge you gained from the studies remained as well, not just the personality matrix. Excellent. Now, project a History of Stormwind, volume… six."
The light of Library faded away and was replaced by a holographic book floating before me. Reaching out with my right hand, I ran it across it, causing the binding to open. I flicked my hand, flipping it to a random page.
Yes.
I waved my hand, dismissing the hologram, "Library, I need a cure poison potion against… necrosis. Natural cause."
There was a second before the ring projected another hologram before me, this time of an open scroll.
The recipe and brewing instructions for how to cure necrosis poison.
"Power levels?"
"Holding steady by absorbing ambient magic," Library answered, "It seems like my enchantment and magic storage is more than efficient enough."
I closed my hand, the hologram of the scroll to fade away as I looked down at the ring.
Every piece of knowledge in our libraries condensed into the palm of my hand. I slowly started to grin as I clenched my fist again, looking around my workshop.
Now the real work could start.
Anyway, enjoy and on with the story and massive thanks to the people helping betaing this. You know who you are!
##############
I frowned at the crystal floating in the construct before me, "Well then," I said, "Ready to give this a try?"
"I am ready, master," the Augur of Dunlain answered, the crystal flashing slightly with its words.
Nodding, I lifted the simple gold and mithril ring before me, closing my eyes as I felt through its enchantments, running through each one, following each line etched into the solid diamond core, carved from a single flawless rock.
It was perfect.
Nodding to myself again, I took a step forward and slipped the ring into the receptacle in the silver and dwemer metal construct. The last one I still had - and I was looking forward to when I could get rid of it.
The holder tightened around the ring, and two of the crystals started to slowly spin to assist in stabilizing the magical flow.
Taking a step back, I crossed my arms. Nothing to do now but wait and see if it worked out.
Whirr. Click. Click. Crackle.
Energy started to play across the enchanting arrays built into the metal and the holder of the summon I got from the Augur of Dunlain.
It was an interesting summon. Not much use on it's own really as it needed a constant magical feed to stay formed and it had no real combat or reconnaissance use. But what it did have was a perfect recall, and it had been spending the last year or so reading every book I could feed to it while tied to a crystal and noble metal construct.
It worked as a database in my lab and had been doing it since well before I fought the Tree Bitch.
But a database was of no use if you can't access it. I needed it to be mobile, but there was a problem with summons.
They couldn't learn. Not really. Sure, Alexis' angel might be able to remember who I was, but ask her to learn… painting and it wouldn't work. Sure, she might be able to do it, but next time she was summoned she would revert to her original state.
So just summoning and resummoning the AoD wouldn't work.
Which is half of why I bound it in this crystal and construct before, as well as having it take over the mana drain of the damn thing.
Lightning crackled across the metal, striking the ring again and again before it all just kind of spun down, the glowing crystal that once housed the summon fading to dark.
Reaching over, I picked the ring from it's holder, turning it over in my hand. Slightly warm to the touch, I could almost feel it humming with power against my palm.
I slid it onto my finger and clenched my fist, "Augur of Dunlain, are you there?"
"I am, Master," the mental construct answered, projecting a small glowing light above my fist, "that was a most peculiar sensation."
"Now for the real test," I said and then let go of the summon.
I felt the spell seed that was the summon of the AUgur of Dunlain settle in the back of my mind, available to summon once more, "Augur?"
"I am still here," the ring answered, the glow above my fist remaining, "It appears you have managed to imprint the mind matrix of the Augur of Dunlain summon into the enchantments woven into this ring."
"I did," I said with a grin, opening my left hand hand and holding it up against the light, watching the light from the crystals lighting my lab play across the gold and mithril, "Augur of Dunlain no longer. I name you Library."
"I am Library," it said, seemingly trying it out, "I understand. I am different than the Augur of Dunlain was. More."
"More and different," I agreed, "What is the enchantment capacitance of gold?"
"Fifteen point twenty five."
I grinned, "And the knowledge you gained from the studies remained as well, not just the personality matrix. Excellent. Now, project a History of Stormwind, volume… six."
The light of Library faded away and was replaced by a holographic book floating before me. Reaching out with my right hand, I ran it across it, causing the binding to open. I flicked my hand, flipping it to a random page.
Yes.
I waved my hand, dismissing the hologram, "Library, I need a cure poison potion against… necrosis. Natural cause."
There was a second before the ring projected another hologram before me, this time of an open scroll.
The recipe and brewing instructions for how to cure necrosis poison.
"Power levels?"
"Holding steady by absorbing ambient magic," Library answered, "It seems like my enchantment and magic storage is more than efficient enough."
I closed my hand, the hologram of the scroll to fade away as I looked down at the ring.
Every piece of knowledge in our libraries condensed into the palm of my hand. I slowly started to grin as I clenched my fist again, looking around my workshop.
Now the real work could start.
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"Are you sure of this?" I asked Sheila, taking her hands into mine, "You don't have to."
Sheila smiled up at me and then went onto her toes to kiss my cheek, "I swear, Atreus, you are more nervous about this than I am."
"Can't really blame him," Zrazta said and pulled Sheila into a hug, "We're worried about you."
Rengosa nodded, putting her hand on her shoulder, "This is dangerous. We don't want anything to happen to you."
Sheila smiled and pulled Ren into a hug, "It'll be fine, I promise."
"See that you will be," I told her, "You're not allowed to get hurt, okay? That's a rule."
Sheila sighed and reached to touch my cheek, "I'll do my best," she said before she turned to Ren and Zrazta, "But if I'm not, keep him out of trouble. Zrazta, you're the oldest, you're in charge until I'm back."
Ren didn't look happy at that but didn't say anything. Zrazta nodded seriously however, "We will."
"No talking like that," I told her firmly, "Seriously."
Sheila smiled and ran her fingers through my hair before she turned and slid her robe off, handing it over to Rengosa before walking into the center of the chamber.
Kalecgos was lying to the side in the chamber in his real form, and I walked over to him, "Are you sure of this?"
"I made a promise," he agreed and shifted his wings, turning his massive head to look at me, "it worked with you and with my Jaina, Atregos. You assisted me with the chamber and we checked everything three times. It will work."
"...I know, I just…" I said before I closed my eyes with a sigh, "...Thank you."
He lowered his head and bumped me with his nose, "Go. This will be a long process."
I nodded and walked back to Ren and Zrasta, putting my arms around them as Sheila turned to face us in the middle of the construct.
She smiled and winked before the energy starting to flow into the ritual reached her, then she was hidden in a white glare that lifted her into the middle of the air.
I took a deep breath and pulled Zrazta and Ren close as I stared at the ball of light hiding her from view.
"Come on," Ren said, and took my arm, "We should leave"
Swallowing, I looked at the ball of light before I nodded, "I… okay, yeah," I agreed and let her guide me outside.
"Let's go flying," Zrazta suggested, "We can hunt down one of those mastodons. Get our mind off things for a bit.
"That sounds good," Rengosa agreed, and then smiled as she reached up to run her fingers through my hair, "Atregos, she wanted this. Kalecgos has done this before, she will be fine. And after she'll learn to be a dragon and it will be even easier for her than for you or Jaina, you two had not lived among dragons for years before."
"I know, it's just…" I started to say before I sighed, "I worry."
"I know, we're just as worried," Zrazta agreed, "We love Sheila too," she said before she smiled, "Just in a different way."
I smirked at her, "So I can't convince you t-oph!"
I rubbed my side where Zrazta had poked me before I smiled and sighed, "Flying does sound nice right about now. But I just don't know how I'll handle a month of this."
"Perhaps I can help," Jaina said as she walked up to join us, shifting her wings, "I just talked with Alexstrasza."
"Jaina," I said in greeting before I frowned, "About what?"
"Wrathion," she said and sat down, "She wants you to bring him back on the way back from your scouting trip."
"Well fuck that, I'm not going anywhere until Sheila is back," I told her, "He can wait where he is and I'm not going scouting new worlds!"
"...Actually…" Zrazta said and looked up at me, "I think that's a good idea."
I looked down at her in surprise, "What?"
"There is nothing we can do here," she said, "And it'll take our minds off things."
"Zrazta, I'm not about to…"
"I agree."
I looked at Rengosa in surprise, "You too?"
Ren nodded and sighed, "She's right. If you stay here you'll just bury yourself in your workshop and worry yourself to death. You know as well as we do what Sheila would say about it..."
"You're not coming?" Zrazta asked her with a frown.
Rengosa shook her head, "He's not completely wrong either, I think at least one of us should stay here."
Zrazta nodded and then looked up to me, "Well?"
"...Okay," I finally sighed and pulled them both close, "We'll go."
Sheila smiled up at me and then went onto her toes to kiss my cheek, "I swear, Atreus, you are more nervous about this than I am."
"Can't really blame him," Zrazta said and pulled Sheila into a hug, "We're worried about you."
Rengosa nodded, putting her hand on her shoulder, "This is dangerous. We don't want anything to happen to you."
Sheila smiled and pulled Ren into a hug, "It'll be fine, I promise."
"See that you will be," I told her, "You're not allowed to get hurt, okay? That's a rule."
Sheila sighed and reached to touch my cheek, "I'll do my best," she said before she turned to Ren and Zrazta, "But if I'm not, keep him out of trouble. Zrazta, you're the oldest, you're in charge until I'm back."
Ren didn't look happy at that but didn't say anything. Zrazta nodded seriously however, "We will."
"No talking like that," I told her firmly, "Seriously."
Sheila smiled and ran her fingers through my hair before she turned and slid her robe off, handing it over to Rengosa before walking into the center of the chamber.
Kalecgos was lying to the side in the chamber in his real form, and I walked over to him, "Are you sure of this?"
"I made a promise," he agreed and shifted his wings, turning his massive head to look at me, "it worked with you and with my Jaina, Atregos. You assisted me with the chamber and we checked everything three times. It will work."
"...I know, I just…" I said before I closed my eyes with a sigh, "...Thank you."
He lowered his head and bumped me with his nose, "Go. This will be a long process."
I nodded and walked back to Ren and Zrasta, putting my arms around them as Sheila turned to face us in the middle of the construct.
She smiled and winked before the energy starting to flow into the ritual reached her, then she was hidden in a white glare that lifted her into the middle of the air.
I took a deep breath and pulled Zrazta and Ren close as I stared at the ball of light hiding her from view.
"Come on," Ren said, and took my arm, "We should leave"
Swallowing, I looked at the ball of light before I nodded, "I… okay, yeah," I agreed and let her guide me outside.
"Let's go flying," Zrazta suggested, "We can hunt down one of those mastodons. Get our mind off things for a bit.
"That sounds good," Rengosa agreed, and then smiled as she reached up to run her fingers through my hair, "Atregos, she wanted this. Kalecgos has done this before, she will be fine. And after she'll learn to be a dragon and it will be even easier for her than for you or Jaina, you two had not lived among dragons for years before."
"I know, it's just…" I started to say before I sighed, "I worry."
"I know, we're just as worried," Zrazta agreed, "We love Sheila too," she said before she smiled, "Just in a different way."
I smirked at her, "So I can't convince you t-oph!"
I rubbed my side where Zrazta had poked me before I smiled and sighed, "Flying does sound nice right about now. But I just don't know how I'll handle a month of this."
"Perhaps I can help," Jaina said as she walked up to join us, shifting her wings, "I just talked with Alexstrasza."
"Jaina," I said in greeting before I frowned, "About what?"
"Wrathion," she said and sat down, "She wants you to bring him back on the way back from your scouting trip."
"Well fuck that, I'm not going anywhere until Sheila is back," I told her, "He can wait where he is and I'm not going scouting new worlds!"
"...Actually…" Zrazta said and looked up at me, "I think that's a good idea."
I looked down at her in surprise, "What?"
"There is nothing we can do here," she said, "And it'll take our minds off things."
"Zrazta, I'm not about to…"
"I agree."
I looked at Rengosa in surprise, "You too?"
Ren nodded and sighed, "She's right. If you stay here you'll just bury yourself in your workshop and worry yourself to death. You know as well as we do what Sheila would say about it..."
"You're not coming?" Zrazta asked her with a frown.
Rengosa shook her head, "He's not completely wrong either, I think at least one of us should stay here."
Zrazta nodded and then looked up to me, "Well?"
"...Okay," I finally sighed and pulled them both close, "We'll go."
Alexstrasza walked into my workshop.
This was not a common occurrence. To my knowledge, she had never been here before ́, she always summoned me when there was something she wanted.
"Alexstrasza," I said, putting down my satchel, pausing my packing as I inclined my head for her.
"Atregos," she greeted me in turn, running her hand along one of the work benches as she walked over, looking around, "So this is where you spend all your time."
"...Not all," I said, "But a lot."
She nodded and held her hand out towards me. I held out my left hand in turn and she took it, slowly turning it over, running her hand up along my forearm as she examined it, "You are planning on going exploring while your Consort goes through the ritual?"
"Planning is a bit of a strong word for it," I admitted, "More like I got it strongly suggested to me by Rengosa and Zrazta that it would be better if I did something other than worry."
"You should listen to them," she said with a small smile, "Your arm is looking good, the healing took well."
"It did and I plan to," I said, "Look at a new world and then we get Wrathion on the way back."
Alexstrasza nodded, "Good. It is time for you to bring him back home," she said before she looked at me, "But I don't want you to go exploring."
I blinked at her, "What, but…"
"I have a different task for you," she said as she let me get my hand back, "You are to travel to the plane of Ravnica."
"What? Why?"
Alexstrasza looked at me, "That is the Plane that we know for sure has the most information on Land Magic," she said, "We need that information, we need to know more about it."
"...I suppose you're right," I admitted and frowned, "We have mostly been doing our own research, very few of the Planes… none really... that the Azure Consortium visits really use it."
"What's more," Alexstrasza continued as she locked eyes with me, "you are to not research any artificing. You are to find information on Land Magic, mana and spells. You are also to focus on your own spell casting."
I gaped at her, "But… but I'm not nearly as good at that."
"Hence, why I want you to work on it," she said firmly, "Atregos, the elf that you lost your arm to destroyed your equipment, leaving you with very few options remaining. I forbid you from researching artificing until your spell casting abilities match your artificing. Be it summons or other spells."
"Alexstrasza…" I started before I shook my head, "I don't have that kind of talent in spellcasting. I can't do tha-"
That was as far as I got before the Dragon Queen apparently got tired of my bullshit. A small growl rumbled in her throat. It wasn't even the sound or the feeling, it was…
Even after, I wasn't sure what it was. As far as growls want, it didn't even sound that impressive. But… I could feel it in my bones.
Without my hand on my workbench, I would have dropped to my knees.
Alexstrasza stepped up, putting her hand on the side of my head as she moved closer, resting her forehead against the top of my head, being a head or more taller than me, "Atregos, you are in body and soul as close to identical as it's possible to be to my brother Malygos. He was crafted to contain the Aspect of Magic," she said softly, "The blood you were made from was taken from him after he had held the Aspect for over ten thousand years. The potential for magic in you is as great as his was, you simply need to stop limiting yourself."
I didn't move, I tried not to tremble.
This feeling… it was something I had not felt for…
I didn't remember. But it felt like…
...Mother. A memory flashed through my head. My mom. I didn't remember her, not really. But the feeling brought an almost memory to the surface.
Being little, a whelp. Being comforted by my mom after a nightmare. That feeling of protection…
Alexstrasza stroked my hair softly, "Will you do as I ask?" she asked softly, "Focus on your magic?"
I swallowed and then managed a small nod, "Artificing… it relaxes me," I admitted, "But… yes. I promise to focus my studies on spells and summons. If I artifice, it will be outside of study time."
She nodded and shifted back to smile down at me, "I suppose that is the best I can ask for, Atregos. I want you to get stronger and learn, but I also want you to enjoy yourself. Despite everything, you are just a drake."
I hesitated but nodded again, "...I'm not good at most magic…" I said with a sigh.
"But you could be, " she said and stroked my hair, "you very much could be. And that is part of my point."
I didn't argue with her about that. I did need to practice spellcasting more, "...Alexstrasza... I'm not Malygos. I'm not as good."
"No, Atregos, you are not." she said and smiled at me, "Your father… my brother… he was the carrier of the Aspect of Magic. He was once worshipped as the god of magic by many..."
"...But you, Atregos," she said, brushing a stray hair out of my face, "You have the potential to be Better."
This was not a common occurrence. To my knowledge, she had never been here before ́, she always summoned me when there was something she wanted.
"Alexstrasza," I said, putting down my satchel, pausing my packing as I inclined my head for her.
"Atregos," she greeted me in turn, running her hand along one of the work benches as she walked over, looking around, "So this is where you spend all your time."
"...Not all," I said, "But a lot."
She nodded and held her hand out towards me. I held out my left hand in turn and she took it, slowly turning it over, running her hand up along my forearm as she examined it, "You are planning on going exploring while your Consort goes through the ritual?"
"Planning is a bit of a strong word for it," I admitted, "More like I got it strongly suggested to me by Rengosa and Zrazta that it would be better if I did something other than worry."
"You should listen to them," she said with a small smile, "Your arm is looking good, the healing took well."
"It did and I plan to," I said, "Look at a new world and then we get Wrathion on the way back."
Alexstrasza nodded, "Good. It is time for you to bring him back home," she said before she looked at me, "But I don't want you to go exploring."
I blinked at her, "What, but…"
"I have a different task for you," she said as she let me get my hand back, "You are to travel to the plane of Ravnica."
"What? Why?"
Alexstrasza looked at me, "That is the Plane that we know for sure has the most information on Land Magic," she said, "We need that information, we need to know more about it."
"...I suppose you're right," I admitted and frowned, "We have mostly been doing our own research, very few of the Planes… none really... that the Azure Consortium visits really use it."
"What's more," Alexstrasza continued as she locked eyes with me, "you are to not research any artificing. You are to find information on Land Magic, mana and spells. You are also to focus on your own spell casting."
I gaped at her, "But… but I'm not nearly as good at that."
"Hence, why I want you to work on it," she said firmly, "Atregos, the elf that you lost your arm to destroyed your equipment, leaving you with very few options remaining. I forbid you from researching artificing until your spell casting abilities match your artificing. Be it summons or other spells."
"Alexstrasza…" I started before I shook my head, "I don't have that kind of talent in spellcasting. I can't do tha-"
That was as far as I got before the Dragon Queen apparently got tired of my bullshit. A small growl rumbled in her throat. It wasn't even the sound or the feeling, it was…
Even after, I wasn't sure what it was. As far as growls want, it didn't even sound that impressive. But… I could feel it in my bones.
Without my hand on my workbench, I would have dropped to my knees.
Alexstrasza stepped up, putting her hand on the side of my head as she moved closer, resting her forehead against the top of my head, being a head or more taller than me, "Atregos, you are in body and soul as close to identical as it's possible to be to my brother Malygos. He was crafted to contain the Aspect of Magic," she said softly, "The blood you were made from was taken from him after he had held the Aspect for over ten thousand years. The potential for magic in you is as great as his was, you simply need to stop limiting yourself."
I didn't move, I tried not to tremble.
This feeling… it was something I had not felt for…
I didn't remember. But it felt like…
...Mother. A memory flashed through my head. My mom. I didn't remember her, not really. But the feeling brought an almost memory to the surface.
Being little, a whelp. Being comforted by my mom after a nightmare. That feeling of protection…
Alexstrasza stroked my hair softly, "Will you do as I ask?" she asked softly, "Focus on your magic?"
I swallowed and then managed a small nod, "Artificing… it relaxes me," I admitted, "But… yes. I promise to focus my studies on spells and summons. If I artifice, it will be outside of study time."
She nodded and shifted back to smile down at me, "I suppose that is the best I can ask for, Atregos. I want you to get stronger and learn, but I also want you to enjoy yourself. Despite everything, you are just a drake."
I hesitated but nodded again, "...I'm not good at most magic…" I said with a sigh.
"But you could be, " she said and stroked my hair, "you very much could be. And that is part of my point."
I didn't argue with her about that. I did need to practice spellcasting more, "...Alexstrasza... I'm not Malygos. I'm not as good."
"No, Atregos, you are not." she said and smiled at me, "Your father… my brother… he was the carrier of the Aspect of Magic. He was once worshipped as the god of magic by many..."
"...But you, Atregos," she said, brushing a stray hair out of my face, "You have the potential to be Better."
Reality crashed down around me, and I quickly brought my hand up against the wall before me before I looked around, working to get my breath back.
One week to get here. I had pushed hard to get to Ravnica in time, but it still took a week with a stop. One week back.
It would be… very tight to get back in time to arrive before Sheila's ritual finished.
Looking around revealed that I was in an alley; the sound of the city filled the air all around, but nobody was in sight.
Reaching into my satchel, I pulled out Zrazta's soulstone and gave her a small pulse of magic. She reformed in a cloud of smoke and flame before she stumbled. I quickly moved up to catch her.
"We're here?" She asked and straightened up.
"Welcome to Ravnica," I said with a smile and let go, "A Plane that's completely covered by a massive city."
"...It smells," she said and took the bag I offered her to start pulling out her armour.
"It also smells," I agreed and eyed her, "You may want to wear something else than your armour for this."
Strangely enough, even on Ravnica a beautiful redhead in a scale mail bikini would likely attract attention that we didn't want.
Zrazta looked thoughtful and nodded, putting it back before she pulled out a white dress instead and starting to get dressed, "Do I need the ring?"
I had made her a ring to be able to pass for human for when we visited planes that didn't have elves. Especially elves that were from Azeroth, most elves didn't look like them.
"...I don't think so," I answered after a second of thought, "Last time I was here, I saw people with crab claws growing out of their shoulders. I don't think an elf with longer than average ears will stand out more.
I then looked to her, "Besides, with that dress, they won't be looking at your ears."
Zrazta smirked, "Oh?" she asked playfully, "Do you like it? Sheila helped me pick it out."
The white dress wasn't especially tight, just… form fitting down to her waist before flowing into the long skirt. The neckline wasn't especially low. But it just looked amazing on her.
"You look amazing. Like always."
She smiled and picked her bag up, "Thank you," after finishing putting a pair of boots on, "Are you going to stand out like that?"
I looked over myself. I was wearing a leather and mithril/adamantium mix set of armour. The vambraces had small moving parts for built in artifice and every piece of my equipment was heavily enchanted. My dagger was sitting at my belt.
"...Maybe," I admitted and touched a small dial on the back of my left vambrace, giving it a small turn, causing an illusion to wrap around my armour, giving it the look of a much more average and even a bit old looking set of leather armour, "Better?"
"Wouldn't say better, but you should stand out less," she said and adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder, "So where to now?"
"...Not sure," I admitted, "We have some contacts after the last time Sheila and I visited, but I'm not sure where to find them at this time. There is also the Gatewatch. It'd be nice to see Chandra again, but the rest are various levels of either arseholes or necromancer."
Zrazta nodded, "Better stay away then," she said with a small nod, "At least we have the money we need without any trade."
Last time I was here with Sheila, we had stocked up on a decent amount of Zino, the local golden currency.
I glanced up at the sun, "Seems to be afternoon or morning here," I said before looking around, "I'd say we start with finding somewhere to stay first."
Zrazta nodded, "Sounds like a plan to me. I know you plan to find a merchant with magic textbooks, but I would like to pick up a collection of different seeds too."
"Hoping for some magical plants?" I asked as we moved along the alley in search of a street.
She nodded again, "Some of the Azerothian ones simply don't grow well at our new home, I'm hoping to find replacements," she said before she smiled up at me, "Or even more fun, new plants with new substances!"
"Shouldn't be difficult to find somebody selling seeds," I said as we walked out onto the street, watching a magitech wagon drive past, electricity crackling and flashing across the hubs of the six wheels. It had a crackling whine as it moved along the cobblestone street on what seemed to be solid rubber wheels.
I looked after the construct for a long moment. I really, really wanted to follow and find out where it was going and who made it. How they made it.
Instead, I sighed and turned away with Zrazta and headed the other way along the street. I had promised Alexstrasza I would focus on spellcasting.
Zrazta reached and gave my hand a small squeeze with a smile, "Come on, let's find an inn."
I nodded, "Yeah, lets," I agreed and squeezed her hand back, "Then we'll find the market and see what we can find."
One week to get here. I had pushed hard to get to Ravnica in time, but it still took a week with a stop. One week back.
It would be… very tight to get back in time to arrive before Sheila's ritual finished.
Looking around revealed that I was in an alley; the sound of the city filled the air all around, but nobody was in sight.
Reaching into my satchel, I pulled out Zrazta's soulstone and gave her a small pulse of magic. She reformed in a cloud of smoke and flame before she stumbled. I quickly moved up to catch her.
"We're here?" She asked and straightened up.
"Welcome to Ravnica," I said with a smile and let go, "A Plane that's completely covered by a massive city."
"...It smells," she said and took the bag I offered her to start pulling out her armour.
"It also smells," I agreed and eyed her, "You may want to wear something else than your armour for this."
Strangely enough, even on Ravnica a beautiful redhead in a scale mail bikini would likely attract attention that we didn't want.
Zrazta looked thoughtful and nodded, putting it back before she pulled out a white dress instead and starting to get dressed, "Do I need the ring?"
I had made her a ring to be able to pass for human for when we visited planes that didn't have elves. Especially elves that were from Azeroth, most elves didn't look like them.
"...I don't think so," I answered after a second of thought, "Last time I was here, I saw people with crab claws growing out of their shoulders. I don't think an elf with longer than average ears will stand out more.
I then looked to her, "Besides, with that dress, they won't be looking at your ears."
Zrazta smirked, "Oh?" she asked playfully, "Do you like it? Sheila helped me pick it out."
The white dress wasn't especially tight, just… form fitting down to her waist before flowing into the long skirt. The neckline wasn't especially low. But it just looked amazing on her.
"You look amazing. Like always."
She smiled and picked her bag up, "Thank you," after finishing putting a pair of boots on, "Are you going to stand out like that?"
I looked over myself. I was wearing a leather and mithril/adamantium mix set of armour. The vambraces had small moving parts for built in artifice and every piece of my equipment was heavily enchanted. My dagger was sitting at my belt.
"...Maybe," I admitted and touched a small dial on the back of my left vambrace, giving it a small turn, causing an illusion to wrap around my armour, giving it the look of a much more average and even a bit old looking set of leather armour, "Better?"
"Wouldn't say better, but you should stand out less," she said and adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder, "So where to now?"
"...Not sure," I admitted, "We have some contacts after the last time Sheila and I visited, but I'm not sure where to find them at this time. There is also the Gatewatch. It'd be nice to see Chandra again, but the rest are various levels of either arseholes or necromancer."
Zrazta nodded, "Better stay away then," she said with a small nod, "At least we have the money we need without any trade."
Last time I was here with Sheila, we had stocked up on a decent amount of Zino, the local golden currency.
I glanced up at the sun, "Seems to be afternoon or morning here," I said before looking around, "I'd say we start with finding somewhere to stay first."
Zrazta nodded, "Sounds like a plan to me. I know you plan to find a merchant with magic textbooks, but I would like to pick up a collection of different seeds too."
"Hoping for some magical plants?" I asked as we moved along the alley in search of a street.
She nodded again, "Some of the Azerothian ones simply don't grow well at our new home, I'm hoping to find replacements," she said before she smiled up at me, "Or even more fun, new plants with new substances!"
"Shouldn't be difficult to find somebody selling seeds," I said as we walked out onto the street, watching a magitech wagon drive past, electricity crackling and flashing across the hubs of the six wheels. It had a crackling whine as it moved along the cobblestone street on what seemed to be solid rubber wheels.
I looked after the construct for a long moment. I really, really wanted to follow and find out where it was going and who made it. How they made it.
Instead, I sighed and turned away with Zrazta and headed the other way along the street. I had promised Alexstrasza I would focus on spellcasting.
Zrazta reached and gave my hand a small squeeze with a smile, "Come on, let's find an inn."
I nodded, "Yeah, lets," I agreed and squeezed her hand back, "Then we'll find the market and see what we can find."
"Find anything useful?" Zrazta asked as she sat down at my table with a cup of tea.
"Actually, yes," I admitted and closed the medium sized book before me, picking up my own cup, "It seems like the most advanced magic isn't spread outside the guilds or individual wizards/apprentices, the basics of magic, and here that means land magic, is commonly sold along with some spells. Some of this we have already figured out, some I learned from Ajani and Alexis but some of this is new."
Zrazta nodded, "That's good," and sipped her tea.
"And you?"
She looked thoughtful, "I found some interesting plants and seeds for sale. I also picked up a book from the herbalist on how to tend to them. That'll make things easier."
We had split up for our initial 'shopping trip' and then met back up at the cafe outside of the market quarter.
"So for anything advanced, we need to go to the guilds?" she then asked and sipped her tea.
"Seems like," I admitted and sighed, looking out over the street.
Ravnica actually had a fair bit of things we normally only saw on modern earth. Cafes for one thing. Subways, trams. Even a hotdog vendor of dubious quality.
Zrazta frowned at me, "Don't want to?"
"It's not that," I answered and shook my head, "It's just that the Guilds rule different aspects of this Plane. The Izzet for example, creates and maintains the infrastructure of this place. Like the trains. The Boros Legion handle the enforcement of laws and protection of the citizens. That kind of thing. They have a lot of power here. If something goes wrong…"
"Could be dangerous," Zrazta agreed, slowly nodding, "Would they even be willing to sell us the information we want?"
"I don't know," I admitted, "A lot of things seem to be limited to guild members only."
"There is an alternative, you know," Zrazta said softly, "We could contact the Gatewatch."
I scowled at that.
I didn't like any of them. Okay, that's not quite true. Chandra was okay and Lilliana… Lilliana was a necromancer creating abominations to magic and nature, but she had come and helped when almost none of the others would.
I suppose that got her a 'okay' stamp too even if I didn't like her methods. Or attitude really.
The rest of the bunch could take a long walk off a short pier, for all I was concerned.
"I don't know," I said and crossed my arms, "They're a bunch of arseholes."
"Arseholes that have things we need," Zrazta corrected me over the rim of her cup, "They weren't willing to help last time, but perhaps they would be willing to at least point us in the right direction?"
I glared at her for a split second before I sighed and nodded. As usual, she made way too much sense. I didn't want to, but it might actually be the best option.
"...We're quite far from their headquarters," I admitted, "I'll send a message to Chandra, see if she's willing to give some hints. But we're not staying past the end of the week before heading back. I don't want to be late."
Zrazta nodded and sipped her tea, "...I'm worried too…" she admitted after a long moment.
"I know," I sighed and reached to take her hand, giving it a small squeeze, "But I trust Kalecgos and Sheila is strong. She wanted to do this."
"Rengosa is watching over her too," Zrazta agreed before smiling faintly, "I still worry though."
"...Yeah, me too," I said and then slid the book into my satchel, "Want to head back to our room?"
Taking one final sip from her tea, Zrazta nodded, "Yes please," and then frowned, "...There are so many people here."
"Not a big fan of that either," I admitted, "Let's see if we can't take a less populated way back."
As it turned out, yes, there were back alleys and smaller streets we could follow in the general direction, only needing to go onto the main ones to cross bridges.
However, it was quickly revealed it wasn't an awesomely good idea to do so.
Five men blocked our path. Most of them wore some variation of leather armour, all of them tattooed. Their leader was carrying a quarterstaff, black and red tattoos running down his muscular arm and up along his thick neck to his bald head.
"Give us the girl," He demanded, "And put your money on the ground."
Zrazta growled at him and I snarled,
"Go fuck yourself."
They laughed, and he grinned. Magic whirled around him, going down his staff as he slammed it into the ground. Tendrils of shadow flashed towards us from the shadows of the alley.
I stepped forward and dumped two lands worth of blue mana into the spell from the new book, sweeping my hand to the side.
The Counterspell took hold and the energy in his spell grounded out, disappearing into nothingness. Finishing the motion, I pointed my right hand at his chest and pumped a full land of mana into my gauntlet, two fingers aimed at him.
The enchantment activated and there was a brief flash of light in front of him as the air collapsed, before exploding with a loud WUMP.
My version wasn't the tactical nuke of the original, nor was it as efficient either, but I didn't want to carry that around anyway in case it somehow got into the wrong hands. Didn't have the materials to make two of that gauntlet anyway.
But it still packed a bit of a punch.
The energy ripped through him, his armour not doing anything to protect him as gore sprayed across his companions, most of his upper body ripped to literal shreds.
They'd stopped laughing now.
Moments later, a trio of three large dogs rounded the corner at a charge, the three small riders carrying lances, "Everybody freeze in the name of the Boros Legion! Nobody move!"
"Actually, yes," I admitted and closed the medium sized book before me, picking up my own cup, "It seems like the most advanced magic isn't spread outside the guilds or individual wizards/apprentices, the basics of magic, and here that means land magic, is commonly sold along with some spells. Some of this we have already figured out, some I learned from Ajani and Alexis but some of this is new."
Zrazta nodded, "That's good," and sipped her tea.
"And you?"
She looked thoughtful, "I found some interesting plants and seeds for sale. I also picked up a book from the herbalist on how to tend to them. That'll make things easier."
We had split up for our initial 'shopping trip' and then met back up at the cafe outside of the market quarter.
"So for anything advanced, we need to go to the guilds?" she then asked and sipped her tea.
"Seems like," I admitted and sighed, looking out over the street.
Ravnica actually had a fair bit of things we normally only saw on modern earth. Cafes for one thing. Subways, trams. Even a hotdog vendor of dubious quality.
Zrazta frowned at me, "Don't want to?"
"It's not that," I answered and shook my head, "It's just that the Guilds rule different aspects of this Plane. The Izzet for example, creates and maintains the infrastructure of this place. Like the trains. The Boros Legion handle the enforcement of laws and protection of the citizens. That kind of thing. They have a lot of power here. If something goes wrong…"
"Could be dangerous," Zrazta agreed, slowly nodding, "Would they even be willing to sell us the information we want?"
"I don't know," I admitted, "A lot of things seem to be limited to guild members only."
"There is an alternative, you know," Zrazta said softly, "We could contact the Gatewatch."
I scowled at that.
I didn't like any of them. Okay, that's not quite true. Chandra was okay and Lilliana… Lilliana was a necromancer creating abominations to magic and nature, but she had come and helped when almost none of the others would.
I suppose that got her a 'okay' stamp too even if I didn't like her methods. Or attitude really.
The rest of the bunch could take a long walk off a short pier, for all I was concerned.
"I don't know," I said and crossed my arms, "They're a bunch of arseholes."
"Arseholes that have things we need," Zrazta corrected me over the rim of her cup, "They weren't willing to help last time, but perhaps they would be willing to at least point us in the right direction?"
I glared at her for a split second before I sighed and nodded. As usual, she made way too much sense. I didn't want to, but it might actually be the best option.
"...We're quite far from their headquarters," I admitted, "I'll send a message to Chandra, see if she's willing to give some hints. But we're not staying past the end of the week before heading back. I don't want to be late."
Zrazta nodded and sipped her tea, "...I'm worried too…" she admitted after a long moment.
"I know," I sighed and reached to take her hand, giving it a small squeeze, "But I trust Kalecgos and Sheila is strong. She wanted to do this."
"Rengosa is watching over her too," Zrazta agreed before smiling faintly, "I still worry though."
"...Yeah, me too," I said and then slid the book into my satchel, "Want to head back to our room?"
Taking one final sip from her tea, Zrazta nodded, "Yes please," and then frowned, "...There are so many people here."
"Not a big fan of that either," I admitted, "Let's see if we can't take a less populated way back."
As it turned out, yes, there were back alleys and smaller streets we could follow in the general direction, only needing to go onto the main ones to cross bridges.
However, it was quickly revealed it wasn't an awesomely good idea to do so.
Five men blocked our path. Most of them wore some variation of leather armour, all of them tattooed. Their leader was carrying a quarterstaff, black and red tattoos running down his muscular arm and up along his thick neck to his bald head.
"Give us the girl," He demanded, "And put your money on the ground."
Zrazta growled at him and I snarled,
"Go fuck yourself."
They laughed, and he grinned. Magic whirled around him, going down his staff as he slammed it into the ground. Tendrils of shadow flashed towards us from the shadows of the alley.
I stepped forward and dumped two lands worth of blue mana into the spell from the new book, sweeping my hand to the side.
The Counterspell took hold and the energy in his spell grounded out, disappearing into nothingness. Finishing the motion, I pointed my right hand at his chest and pumped a full land of mana into my gauntlet, two fingers aimed at him.
The enchantment activated and there was a brief flash of light in front of him as the air collapsed, before exploding with a loud WUMP.
My version wasn't the tactical nuke of the original, nor was it as efficient either, but I didn't want to carry that around anyway in case it somehow got into the wrong hands. Didn't have the materials to make two of that gauntlet anyway.
But it still packed a bit of a punch.
The energy ripped through him, his armour not doing anything to protect him as gore sprayed across his companions, most of his upper body ripped to literal shreds.
They'd stopped laughing now.
Moments later, a trio of three large dogs rounded the corner at a charge, the three small riders carrying lances, "Everybody freeze in the name of the Boros Legion! Nobody move!"
"And that's when you cast the spell?" The goblin asked, looking up at me, her pen tapping against her notepad.
I nodded, "Yes, ma'am. In all honesty, I didn't expect it to have that much of an effect. He was clearly capable of magic of his own. I expected him to defend himself."
She frowned and me and then glanced over at the remains of the body that by now had been covered by a formerly white piece of cloth. Now mostly red.
The other attackers were on the ground with cuffs behind their backs. One of the other riders had taken Zrazta some dozen meters away, talking with her in turn, an identical notepad in his hands.
"Low ranking Rakdos member," she said and shrugged, "he likely knew a couple of tricks and little more. Wasn't wearing the uniform so this clearly wasn't Guild business," before she turned back to me, "You came into the alley to get away from the crowds. Then what happened?"
I sighed and told her the entire story again.
"What spell did you cast?" she asked after writing down something on her notepad, "I don't recognize the effect."
"An airspell," I said, "That was actually the weaker version of it. I expected him to have some sort of defenses, not to just… explode."
She nodded, "Your accent is unusual. You're not a local?"
I shook my head, "We're from quite a bit away."
"Reason for visiting the sixth district?"
"Looking to learn more about magic," I told her honestly, "I'm mostly self taught."
She nodded and made a small note, "And you're staying?"
"Sendora Hotel. Do you know where it is?"
"I know it," she agreed as she wrote it down, "nice place, Selesnya run. You should try their baths, I heard they're good."
"...Might do that," I said, "Look… are we free to go?"
"One moment," she said and made another note, "So you left the cafe, then what?"
I told her the entire story again.
"I see," she said and nodded, flicking her big ears once, "And that spell you used? Was it lightning based?"
"Air," I sighed, "Air based. It basically makes a shockwave from the point of impact. I didn't expect him to just explode from it. Thought anyone with that much magic would have some defenses up, just wanted to fight him off."
"I understand, sir," she said with another nod, "And the spell he used against you two?"
"I don't know it," I said once more, "It was like tendrils of darkness. I didn't wait for it to reach us, I countered it and counter attacked to make him back off. Was a bit more effective than I expected."
Sergeant Kelmik flicked her ears once more, "Took this route to get away from the crowds?"
"Not a big fan of them, either of us," I said before I sighed, "...Look, it's been a long day. Are we free to go?"
"Just a couple more questions, sir," she said and looked at her notepad, "Where were you staying again?"
"The Sendora Hotel," I answered and crossed my arms, "We weren't looking for trouble, just trying to get back to our room for the evening."
She nodded again, "and your name?"
"Atreus. Just Atreus."
Kelmik closed her notepad and looked up at me, "Please remain here, Mister Atreus. I'm just going to confer with my colleague for a moment," before she wandered over to meet with the goblin that had talked with Zrazta. They talked for a couple of seconds before Kelmik motioned for Zrazta to follow as she made her way back to me.
Kelmik waited until Zrazta joined us before she spoke up, "To me this seems like a case of self-defense," she said, "Some Raktos punks played stupid games, and for once won stupid prizes. You two are free to go, but I advise you to stick to the main streets if possible, the back alleys aren't always safe, even during the daytime. Especially to people from outside the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Boros Legion Barracks at Selcora Street."
I nodded, "Thank you for your assistance, officer."
She smiled slightly, "Just doing my duty, sir. Of course, if you are looking to learn magic, the Boros could always use more guild mages. It's easy to sign up. In fact, two days for now there is going to be a recruitment drive in Gloster Square. There will be a parade of troops, and some of our mages are even going to hold a demonstration," she said before looking thoughtful, "I'm not involved in the planning of the event, but usually they even teach some of the basic spells so the public can see what they can learn if they join. You might want to check it out."
"We might do that," I admitted, "that does sound interesting. Not sure I'm looking to join any of the guilds, but that sounds like fun."
She nodded and put her helmet back on with a smile that showed sharp teeth, "You're free to go. Please, have a nice day… and please, stay on the main streets."
Zrazta nodded and took my hand as we quickly left the area, heading back towards the main street, "That was…"
"Professional," I agreed, "And ended way better than I expected."
I nodded, "Yes, ma'am. In all honesty, I didn't expect it to have that much of an effect. He was clearly capable of magic of his own. I expected him to defend himself."
She frowned and me and then glanced over at the remains of the body that by now had been covered by a formerly white piece of cloth. Now mostly red.
The other attackers were on the ground with cuffs behind their backs. One of the other riders had taken Zrazta some dozen meters away, talking with her in turn, an identical notepad in his hands.
"Low ranking Rakdos member," she said and shrugged, "he likely knew a couple of tricks and little more. Wasn't wearing the uniform so this clearly wasn't Guild business," before she turned back to me, "You came into the alley to get away from the crowds. Then what happened?"
I sighed and told her the entire story again.
"What spell did you cast?" she asked after writing down something on her notepad, "I don't recognize the effect."
"An airspell," I said, "That was actually the weaker version of it. I expected him to have some sort of defenses, not to just… explode."
She nodded, "Your accent is unusual. You're not a local?"
I shook my head, "We're from quite a bit away."
"Reason for visiting the sixth district?"
"Looking to learn more about magic," I told her honestly, "I'm mostly self taught."
She nodded and made a small note, "And you're staying?"
"Sendora Hotel. Do you know where it is?"
"I know it," she agreed as she wrote it down, "nice place, Selesnya run. You should try their baths, I heard they're good."
"...Might do that," I said, "Look… are we free to go?"
"One moment," she said and made another note, "So you left the cafe, then what?"
I told her the entire story again.
"I see," she said and nodded, flicking her big ears once, "And that spell you used? Was it lightning based?"
"Air," I sighed, "Air based. It basically makes a shockwave from the point of impact. I didn't expect him to just explode from it. Thought anyone with that much magic would have some defenses up, just wanted to fight him off."
"I understand, sir," she said with another nod, "And the spell he used against you two?"
"I don't know it," I said once more, "It was like tendrils of darkness. I didn't wait for it to reach us, I countered it and counter attacked to make him back off. Was a bit more effective than I expected."
Sergeant Kelmik flicked her ears once more, "Took this route to get away from the crowds?"
"Not a big fan of them, either of us," I said before I sighed, "...Look, it's been a long day. Are we free to go?"
"Just a couple more questions, sir," she said and looked at her notepad, "Where were you staying again?"
"The Sendora Hotel," I answered and crossed my arms, "We weren't looking for trouble, just trying to get back to our room for the evening."
She nodded again, "and your name?"
"Atreus. Just Atreus."
Kelmik closed her notepad and looked up at me, "Please remain here, Mister Atreus. I'm just going to confer with my colleague for a moment," before she wandered over to meet with the goblin that had talked with Zrazta. They talked for a couple of seconds before Kelmik motioned for Zrazta to follow as she made her way back to me.
Kelmik waited until Zrazta joined us before she spoke up, "To me this seems like a case of self-defense," she said, "Some Raktos punks played stupid games, and for once won stupid prizes. You two are free to go, but I advise you to stick to the main streets if possible, the back alleys aren't always safe, even during the daytime. Especially to people from outside the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Boros Legion Barracks at Selcora Street."
I nodded, "Thank you for your assistance, officer."
She smiled slightly, "Just doing my duty, sir. Of course, if you are looking to learn magic, the Boros could always use more guild mages. It's easy to sign up. In fact, two days for now there is going to be a recruitment drive in Gloster Square. There will be a parade of troops, and some of our mages are even going to hold a demonstration," she said before looking thoughtful, "I'm not involved in the planning of the event, but usually they even teach some of the basic spells so the public can see what they can learn if they join. You might want to check it out."
"We might do that," I admitted, "that does sound interesting. Not sure I'm looking to join any of the guilds, but that sounds like fun."
She nodded and put her helmet back on with a smile that showed sharp teeth, "You're free to go. Please, have a nice day… and please, stay on the main streets."
Zrazta nodded and took my hand as we quickly left the area, heading back towards the main street, "That was…"
"Professional," I agreed, "And ended way better than I expected."
I listened to Zraztas soft breathing against my shoulder as I stared up at the ceiling of our room. It was the middle of the night, the room at the hotel was almost pitch black, lit only by the slight light from the small open window close to the ceiling and small flashes of blue light.
I lay on my back, one arm around Zrazta as she slept with her head against my shoulder, one arm across my waist.
I had my right arm bent at the elbow, holding my hand lifted as I once again spread my thumb and index fingers, drawing a line of mana between them. One of the simplest magic manipulations in existence and one of the first ones Targos taught me.
Focusing my magic, the line of magic almost instantly unraveled and overloaded in a small flash of blue light.
Closing my hand again, I then drew out the line of magic again, trying once more with a tiny change in the matrix.
Flash.
Damn it.
"What are you doing?" Zrazta grumbled and cuddled closer.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," I said and ran my fingers through her hair, "Go back to sleep."
She groaned and stretched before relaxing again, "What was that?" she asked softly.
Sighing softly, I pulled her closer, resting my cheek against the top of her head, "Just me getting stuck on a stupid idea again."
"Doing what?" she mumbled softly, relaxing against me.
"Enchanting magic," I answered with a small sigh, "It's...almost impossible. The calculations and theory says it's possible, but in practice it is a completely different thing."
Zrazta shifted up onto her elbow enough to look down at me in the darkness, eyes slightly shining in the slight light from outside, "...A spell. What you are talking about is spells."
"It's not a spell," I protested, "It's enchanted magic."
Zrazta frowned before she settled down again, cuddling close, "I don't see the difference," she said, "You weave magic into an effect and then it's used."
"Couple of differences," I said and tickled her ear, getting a shiver from her, "For one thing, spells are temporary effects. Enchantments aren't. If I could make enchantments with nothing but magic, it would bypass any material restraints. Enchantments are already basically just channels of magic flowing through something. This should work."
Zrazta groaned and sighed, "You'll figure it out. But do you have to when I'm sleeping?"
"...Sorry," I said and sighed and stroked her back, "Couldn't sleep."
"Worried about tomorrow?" she asked quietly.
"Not worried, really," I said and frowned up into the darkness, "More like… concerned. But it will be interesting to see the Boros exhibition. But then there's… you know…"
"Sheila?" Zrazta sighed softly, "I know. Me too."
I pulled her tighter, "This was not well timed. We shouldn't have left."
"No, we should have," Zrazta argued, "We couldn't have helped, and all it would have done is to cause me to worry and you to camp out in your lab or outside the ritual chamber."
"Instead we left Rengosa alone to worry over the ritual," I sighed, "We shouldn't have left."
Zrazta growled at me, "No. This was the right thing to do, and both I and Rengosa agree that it was. It's better for all of us to keep our minds busy with other things. Rengosa is assisting Jaina, and is going to be at least as busy as we are."
I sighed and ran my fingers through her hair, "...I know. I know," I answered, "I just worry and think too much. Go back to sleep, I'll stop."
I could see her frown but she settled down again and I kept running my fingers through her hair, "I'll try to get some sleep."
"Mmm," she answered and closed her eyes, relaxing once more.
I looked up at the dark ceiling for a long moment. I couldn't help but worry, but the least I could do was to do it quietly so I didn't keep Zrazta awake. It wasn't fair of me to.
But I couldn't get the image of Sheila being obscured by the light of the ritual out of my head. I was outright terrified that I would never see her again. But Zrazta was also right, there was nothing I could do, and if I didn't focus on what I could do, Sheila would be pissed at me.
If I had stayed at the Wyrmtower and just retreated into my workshop instead of doing something healthy, she would have yelled at me when she found out.
She chose this. But she was my lead consort and my wife. I worried. I was allowed to worry.
But if I didn't get my head back in the game, I could get hurt or killed. Or worse, Zrazta could get hurt. I held her a bit tighter and she stirred in her sleep slightly again, nuzzling at my shoulder.
I couldn't let that happen.
I lay on my back, one arm around Zrazta as she slept with her head against my shoulder, one arm across my waist.
I had my right arm bent at the elbow, holding my hand lifted as I once again spread my thumb and index fingers, drawing a line of mana between them. One of the simplest magic manipulations in existence and one of the first ones Targos taught me.
Focusing my magic, the line of magic almost instantly unraveled and overloaded in a small flash of blue light.
Closing my hand again, I then drew out the line of magic again, trying once more with a tiny change in the matrix.
Flash.
Damn it.
"What are you doing?" Zrazta grumbled and cuddled closer.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," I said and ran my fingers through her hair, "Go back to sleep."
She groaned and stretched before relaxing again, "What was that?" she asked softly.
Sighing softly, I pulled her closer, resting my cheek against the top of her head, "Just me getting stuck on a stupid idea again."
"Doing what?" she mumbled softly, relaxing against me.
"Enchanting magic," I answered with a small sigh, "It's...almost impossible. The calculations and theory says it's possible, but in practice it is a completely different thing."
Zrazta shifted up onto her elbow enough to look down at me in the darkness, eyes slightly shining in the slight light from outside, "...A spell. What you are talking about is spells."
"It's not a spell," I protested, "It's enchanted magic."
Zrazta frowned before she settled down again, cuddling close, "I don't see the difference," she said, "You weave magic into an effect and then it's used."
"Couple of differences," I said and tickled her ear, getting a shiver from her, "For one thing, spells are temporary effects. Enchantments aren't. If I could make enchantments with nothing but magic, it would bypass any material restraints. Enchantments are already basically just channels of magic flowing through something. This should work."
Zrazta groaned and sighed, "You'll figure it out. But do you have to when I'm sleeping?"
"...Sorry," I said and sighed and stroked her back, "Couldn't sleep."
"Worried about tomorrow?" she asked quietly.
"Not worried, really," I said and frowned up into the darkness, "More like… concerned. But it will be interesting to see the Boros exhibition. But then there's… you know…"
"Sheila?" Zrazta sighed softly, "I know. Me too."
I pulled her tighter, "This was not well timed. We shouldn't have left."
"No, we should have," Zrazta argued, "We couldn't have helped, and all it would have done is to cause me to worry and you to camp out in your lab or outside the ritual chamber."
"Instead we left Rengosa alone to worry over the ritual," I sighed, "We shouldn't have left."
Zrazta growled at me, "No. This was the right thing to do, and both I and Rengosa agree that it was. It's better for all of us to keep our minds busy with other things. Rengosa is assisting Jaina, and is going to be at least as busy as we are."
I sighed and ran my fingers through her hair, "...I know. I know," I answered, "I just worry and think too much. Go back to sleep, I'll stop."
I could see her frown but she settled down again and I kept running my fingers through her hair, "I'll try to get some sleep."
"Mmm," she answered and closed her eyes, relaxing once more.
I looked up at the dark ceiling for a long moment. I couldn't help but worry, but the least I could do was to do it quietly so I didn't keep Zrazta awake. It wasn't fair of me to.
But I couldn't get the image of Sheila being obscured by the light of the ritual out of my head. I was outright terrified that I would never see her again. But Zrazta was also right, there was nothing I could do, and if I didn't focus on what I could do, Sheila would be pissed at me.
If I had stayed at the Wyrmtower and just retreated into my workshop instead of doing something healthy, she would have yelled at me when she found out.
She chose this. But she was my lead consort and my wife. I worried. I was allowed to worry.
But if I didn't get my head back in the game, I could get hurt or killed. Or worse, Zrazta could get hurt. I held her a bit tighter and she stirred in her sleep slightly again, nuzzling at my shoulder.
I couldn't let that happen.
Metal against stone made the cobblestones underfoot tremble with each synchronized step as heavy footsteps of massive suits of armour, flames leaking out around their joins, marched across the square in formation.
Griffon riders soared above us in formation before splitting up, swooping and turning, twisting across the skies. Some released smoke to draw lines after themselves.
I slipped my arm around Zrazta's waist as we watched the airshow. She shifted a bit closer with a smile, taking a small bite from the caramel apple on a stick in her hand. I had declined to buy one for myself, never was a big fan of caramel.
"I wonder how they did those suits?" I said quietly, "Wish I could put my goggles on."
Sadly, they would make us stand out more than we wanted.
"Not sure," Zrazta admitted, "But those flames… are you sure those are suits and not constructs?"
"Don't move like constructs," I said before I frowned, "But I suppose that it would be possible."
Nobody was paying any kind of attention to us, so I raised my left hand, "What do you think, Library?"
"I estimate that the odds are in your favour when it comes to them being suits of armour, sir," the mind construct answered, just loud enough for we to hear him over the crowd around us, "According to my information and analysis of known methods, I set the odds at approximately seventy three percent that they are armour and not constructs. Of course, there is always the possibility that they are both."
I nodded, "Good point, thanks," and went back to watching the show.
Zrazta shook her head a bit, "I can't believe you managed to create that thing."
"Most of the hard work was already done by somebody else," I said, and followed a swooping griffon rider with my eyes, "I just imprinted the mind matrix of the summon into the enchantment. It was already a magical intellect."
She smiled and nibbled at her candy, "Come on, let's go see the guildmages. It's what we're here for."
"Crowds getting too much?" I asked with a frown.
She shook her head, "I'm good," she said before she smiled again, "But the apple is making me thirsty, and it's in the same direction as the market stalls."
I laughed and gave her a quick kiss, "Come on, let's find something to drink."
Despite the crowds, it didn't take long to make our way over there. A few minutes in line later, we left towards the place the mages had set up for their demonstration with a wooden cup of hot spiced wine in our hands. I held mine in my left, giving me an excuse to hold my ring up.
"Library, record and analyse," I said softly as I pretended to sip the wine, "Let's see what we can learn."
"Proceeding," Library answered quietly.
Moving towards the side, I lead Zrazta through the crowd to a place near one side of the cordoned off demonstration area.
A pair of armored soldiers in full plate, carrying wooden broadswords stood facing each other. Behind each of them, about a couple of meters away, stood what I could only guess was one of the guild mages. They were wearing white and red cloaks, wearing mostly cloth but with strategic armour over their vital parts.
We watched for a couple of minutes as they got ready, before the soldier closest to us started the duel. His opponent blocked and counter struck. It went on four a couple of moments before the mage closest to us moved her hands quickly and white magic danced.
Her fighter suddenly sped up, his wooden weapon dancing. He flowed past the parry of his opponent, his sword seeking his throat.
It hit, but not the neck. His opponent's sword flashing up and burning with orange flames it slashed the other wooden sword in two. A kick sending the attacker stumbling back.
The fighter with the burning sword went in for the attack with a mighty slash that left a burning after image in the air. It didn't hit, it bounced off a white shield appearing in the air before the other fighter.
He recovered his balance and threw his ruined weapon away. A new one was tossed to him by an attendant and they were back at it.
They traded blows. Sometimes on their own, sometimes boosted by their mages. Sometimes protected by shields, sometimes erupting in cloaks of flame, driving their opponents back.
It was impressive looking. Flashy.
Exactly what you would expect from a demonstration meant to attract applicants to join the guild. What they used in a real battle may be similar, but I suspected they would be way stronger then.
What's more, it was all Land Magic. They seemed to limit their casting to White and Red spells as well. I suppose everyone has their favorites, but as it was a Guild, I also suspected that spells from those specific colours worked well with their doctrine and field tactics.
I glanced at Zrazta. She was watching them closely with a smile.
I sipped my wine. Zrazta wasn't all that interested in magic outside of her field of study. Which was potions and everything involved with them. She had learned just enough land magic to be able to bond to a swamp and create soulstones so she could travel with me, but that was pretty much it.
Not to say that she was weak in any shape or form, she was a dragon, and hell, likely smarter than I was.
Resting my free hand on her waist, I sipped my wine again and returned my attention to the demonstration, making sure to give Library as unobstructed a view of the fighting as possible. It didn't matter too much, the construct wasn't limited to such simple senses as mere eyesight, but every little bit would help.
Griffon riders soared above us in formation before splitting up, swooping and turning, twisting across the skies. Some released smoke to draw lines after themselves.
I slipped my arm around Zrazta's waist as we watched the airshow. She shifted a bit closer with a smile, taking a small bite from the caramel apple on a stick in her hand. I had declined to buy one for myself, never was a big fan of caramel.
"I wonder how they did those suits?" I said quietly, "Wish I could put my goggles on."
Sadly, they would make us stand out more than we wanted.
"Not sure," Zrazta admitted, "But those flames… are you sure those are suits and not constructs?"
"Don't move like constructs," I said before I frowned, "But I suppose that it would be possible."
Nobody was paying any kind of attention to us, so I raised my left hand, "What do you think, Library?"
"I estimate that the odds are in your favour when it comes to them being suits of armour, sir," the mind construct answered, just loud enough for we to hear him over the crowd around us, "According to my information and analysis of known methods, I set the odds at approximately seventy three percent that they are armour and not constructs. Of course, there is always the possibility that they are both."
I nodded, "Good point, thanks," and went back to watching the show.
Zrazta shook her head a bit, "I can't believe you managed to create that thing."
"Most of the hard work was already done by somebody else," I said, and followed a swooping griffon rider with my eyes, "I just imprinted the mind matrix of the summon into the enchantment. It was already a magical intellect."
She smiled and nibbled at her candy, "Come on, let's go see the guildmages. It's what we're here for."
"Crowds getting too much?" I asked with a frown.
She shook her head, "I'm good," she said before she smiled again, "But the apple is making me thirsty, and it's in the same direction as the market stalls."
I laughed and gave her a quick kiss, "Come on, let's find something to drink."
Despite the crowds, it didn't take long to make our way over there. A few minutes in line later, we left towards the place the mages had set up for their demonstration with a wooden cup of hot spiced wine in our hands. I held mine in my left, giving me an excuse to hold my ring up.
"Library, record and analyse," I said softly as I pretended to sip the wine, "Let's see what we can learn."
"Proceeding," Library answered quietly.
Moving towards the side, I lead Zrazta through the crowd to a place near one side of the cordoned off demonstration area.
A pair of armored soldiers in full plate, carrying wooden broadswords stood facing each other. Behind each of them, about a couple of meters away, stood what I could only guess was one of the guild mages. They were wearing white and red cloaks, wearing mostly cloth but with strategic armour over their vital parts.
We watched for a couple of minutes as they got ready, before the soldier closest to us started the duel. His opponent blocked and counter struck. It went on four a couple of moments before the mage closest to us moved her hands quickly and white magic danced.
Her fighter suddenly sped up, his wooden weapon dancing. He flowed past the parry of his opponent, his sword seeking his throat.
It hit, but not the neck. His opponent's sword flashing up and burning with orange flames it slashed the other wooden sword in two. A kick sending the attacker stumbling back.
The fighter with the burning sword went in for the attack with a mighty slash that left a burning after image in the air. It didn't hit, it bounced off a white shield appearing in the air before the other fighter.
He recovered his balance and threw his ruined weapon away. A new one was tossed to him by an attendant and they were back at it.
They traded blows. Sometimes on their own, sometimes boosted by their mages. Sometimes protected by shields, sometimes erupting in cloaks of flame, driving their opponents back.
It was impressive looking. Flashy.
Exactly what you would expect from a demonstration meant to attract applicants to join the guild. What they used in a real battle may be similar, but I suspected they would be way stronger then.
What's more, it was all Land Magic. They seemed to limit their casting to White and Red spells as well. I suppose everyone has their favorites, but as it was a Guild, I also suspected that spells from those specific colours worked well with their doctrine and field tactics.
I glanced at Zrazta. She was watching them closely with a smile.
I sipped my wine. Zrazta wasn't all that interested in magic outside of her field of study. Which was potions and everything involved with them. She had learned just enough land magic to be able to bond to a swamp and create soulstones so she could travel with me, but that was pretty much it.
Not to say that she was weak in any shape or form, she was a dragon, and hell, likely smarter than I was.
Resting my free hand on her waist, I sipped my wine again and returned my attention to the demonstration, making sure to give Library as unobstructed a view of the fighting as possible. It didn't matter too much, the construct wasn't limited to such simple senses as mere eyesight, but every little bit would help.
"You know," Zrazta said, slowly flipping through her copy of the pamphlet she got from the Boros exhibition as we left the courier service, "I think we should visit the Izzet League."
"You think so?" I asked and finished putting my money away. It had not been cheap to send a courier with a letter to 'Chandra of the Gatewatch', but it had not been hilariously expensive either. Apparently we were quite far away from there, several districts over.
Zrazta nodded, "I do," she said before she closed the pamphlet, "I asked around a bit while you were busy in there. Apparently the Izzet not only makes spells and contraptions, they also sell them. In addition to making the technology of this place work."
"Could be risky."
"Could. But so is everything we do," she countered and put the pamphlet away, "I think it's our best chance to find what we want. Atreus, we could spend months wandering around this city and not find what we're looking for."
"...We don't have months, I know," I sighed, "three more days before we have to leave."
Zrazta nodded, "Hence…"
"...Hence why we need to go see the mighty wizard of the Izzet," I sighed again, "Did you happen to get some directions?"
She smiled brightly, "Of course I did, come on. It's not that far."
Unfortunately, we got a nasty surprise on our way there. Fortunately, however, it was nothing worse than the clouds that had been gathering for the last hour or so opening up and releasing a heavy torrent of rain on us just a dozen meters from the entrance of the Izzet compound.
The guard there, did a quick double take when he spotted us rushing for him, but quickly slapped a button next to him, making the gate swing open.
"Thank you!" Zrazta said as we ran past into the entrance hall.
"Y-my pleasure, ma'am."
I glanced at him briefly. That was a strange reac-
I looked at Zrazta. White dress + heavy rainfall equalled a… distracting sight. I suddenly didn't blame the guard for being put off balance, "Uhm, love? You may want to dry off a bit?"
She blinked at me and then down at herself before she sighed and rolled her eyes, muttering something about mortals under her breath before she started to channel some magic, sending it rolling across herself. The water steamed away and some thirty seconds later, she was dry.
She smirked at me, "Better?"
"...Now, I wouldn't say that," I admitted, "but at least not quite as distracting."
Zrazta gave me a slightly smug look before leading the way over to the circular desk in the middle of the large entrance hall. People walked back and forth, carrying notes or boxes or just talking. The place wasn't packed, but there were perhaps some ten or fifteen people passing through at any one time.
The room itself was interesting. It was coloured in blue and red, the colours of the Izzet guild. The soft humming of electricity could be heard somewhere despite the muted conversations and people walking around. On each side of the door a pair of massive metal golems were standing, what looked like tesla coils sticking out of their shoulders.
I wanted one.
Badly.
I turned to follow Zrazta. Wonder if they'll let me buy one of everything? Did I have anything to trade they might like?
"Hello," the woman at the desk said with a smile when we got close enough. She was an elf with short blonde hair and she was wearing red and blue robes, "Welcome to the Izzet League. My name is Sahala, Izzet something I can help you with?"
Hah! I like these guys already!
Zrazta smiled at her, "Actually, yes. I'm Zrazta and this is Atreus. We're looking to purchase some books if it would be possible. Primarily on mana theory and some on spells of all colours of lands?"
Sahala pursed her lips a bit and then nodded, "I think we should be able to handle that. Was there something you were especially looking for?"
I shook my head but let Zrazta do most of the talking.
"Not really," Zrazta admitted, "Just mana theory and theory of magic in general, something above the level you can find in any 'magic store'. Then some books and scrolls with some spells of each school. Something you can use as a basis for learning more?"
Sahala smiled and nodded again, "Ah, I see. I think we can help you with that," she said and pulled out a book. She flipped it open and ran her finger down an index before flipping it to the indicated page and copying something to a notepad on her desk. She repeated that a couple of more times before she tore the note from the pad and rolled it up. She slid it into a small bronze tube, which she sealed and put on a small circular pad on her desk. There was a zap of energy and it was gone.
She turned back to us, "Three books in total, one of medium to advanced mana theory, one on casting spells in general and one book with samples of all schools of magic. Now, I feel like I should warn you that the last one you could gather yourself, it contains a collection of the generally available spells as well as the spells each guild gives out to the general public for recruiting. You could gather all of that yourself for significantly less."
Zrazta smiled, "That's fine. How much?"
"Hundred and fifty Zinos."
Gulp. That was most of our remaining cash. So much that I was glad that we had paid for the hotel room in advance.
Zrazta turned to me with a small smile, "Atreus?"
"Of course," I agreed and pulled the small bag of money from my bag. When I was done counting, it was significantly lighter.
Sahala counted it out again and slid the money away before writing us a receipt for it, "Thank you," she said with a smile before motioning towards a bench by the right wall, "If you'll please have a seat over there, somebody will bring you your purchase shortly."
As we made our way over there, a small sound made me glance back to see a small cat sized golem following behind me. It crackled softly with faint power, tipping along on four rubber-tipped spider legs as it scrubbed the floor where water had dripped off of me.
"...Sorry…", I said to it, and then moved to catch up with Zrazta again.
"You think so?" I asked and finished putting my money away. It had not been cheap to send a courier with a letter to 'Chandra of the Gatewatch', but it had not been hilariously expensive either. Apparently we were quite far away from there, several districts over.
Zrazta nodded, "I do," she said before she closed the pamphlet, "I asked around a bit while you were busy in there. Apparently the Izzet not only makes spells and contraptions, they also sell them. In addition to making the technology of this place work."
"Could be risky."
"Could. But so is everything we do," she countered and put the pamphlet away, "I think it's our best chance to find what we want. Atreus, we could spend months wandering around this city and not find what we're looking for."
"...We don't have months, I know," I sighed, "three more days before we have to leave."
Zrazta nodded, "Hence…"
"...Hence why we need to go see the mighty wizard of the Izzet," I sighed again, "Did you happen to get some directions?"
She smiled brightly, "Of course I did, come on. It's not that far."
Unfortunately, we got a nasty surprise on our way there. Fortunately, however, it was nothing worse than the clouds that had been gathering for the last hour or so opening up and releasing a heavy torrent of rain on us just a dozen meters from the entrance of the Izzet compound.
The guard there, did a quick double take when he spotted us rushing for him, but quickly slapped a button next to him, making the gate swing open.
"Thank you!" Zrazta said as we ran past into the entrance hall.
"Y-my pleasure, ma'am."
I glanced at him briefly. That was a strange reac-
I looked at Zrazta. White dress + heavy rainfall equalled a… distracting sight. I suddenly didn't blame the guard for being put off balance, "Uhm, love? You may want to dry off a bit?"
She blinked at me and then down at herself before she sighed and rolled her eyes, muttering something about mortals under her breath before she started to channel some magic, sending it rolling across herself. The water steamed away and some thirty seconds later, she was dry.
She smirked at me, "Better?"
"...Now, I wouldn't say that," I admitted, "but at least not quite as distracting."
Zrazta gave me a slightly smug look before leading the way over to the circular desk in the middle of the large entrance hall. People walked back and forth, carrying notes or boxes or just talking. The place wasn't packed, but there were perhaps some ten or fifteen people passing through at any one time.
The room itself was interesting. It was coloured in blue and red, the colours of the Izzet guild. The soft humming of electricity could be heard somewhere despite the muted conversations and people walking around. On each side of the door a pair of massive metal golems were standing, what looked like tesla coils sticking out of their shoulders.
I wanted one.
Badly.
I turned to follow Zrazta. Wonder if they'll let me buy one of everything? Did I have anything to trade they might like?
"Hello," the woman at the desk said with a smile when we got close enough. She was an elf with short blonde hair and she was wearing red and blue robes, "Welcome to the Izzet League. My name is Sahala, Izzet something I can help you with?"
Hah! I like these guys already!
Zrazta smiled at her, "Actually, yes. I'm Zrazta and this is Atreus. We're looking to purchase some books if it would be possible. Primarily on mana theory and some on spells of all colours of lands?"
Sahala pursed her lips a bit and then nodded, "I think we should be able to handle that. Was there something you were especially looking for?"
I shook my head but let Zrazta do most of the talking.
"Not really," Zrazta admitted, "Just mana theory and theory of magic in general, something above the level you can find in any 'magic store'. Then some books and scrolls with some spells of each school. Something you can use as a basis for learning more?"
Sahala smiled and nodded again, "Ah, I see. I think we can help you with that," she said and pulled out a book. She flipped it open and ran her finger down an index before flipping it to the indicated page and copying something to a notepad on her desk. She repeated that a couple of more times before she tore the note from the pad and rolled it up. She slid it into a small bronze tube, which she sealed and put on a small circular pad on her desk. There was a zap of energy and it was gone.
She turned back to us, "Three books in total, one of medium to advanced mana theory, one on casting spells in general and one book with samples of all schools of magic. Now, I feel like I should warn you that the last one you could gather yourself, it contains a collection of the generally available spells as well as the spells each guild gives out to the general public for recruiting. You could gather all of that yourself for significantly less."
Zrazta smiled, "That's fine. How much?"
"Hundred and fifty Zinos."
Gulp. That was most of our remaining cash. So much that I was glad that we had paid for the hotel room in advance.
Zrazta turned to me with a small smile, "Atreus?"
"Of course," I agreed and pulled the small bag of money from my bag. When I was done counting, it was significantly lighter.
Sahala counted it out again and slid the money away before writing us a receipt for it, "Thank you," she said with a smile before motioning towards a bench by the right wall, "If you'll please have a seat over there, somebody will bring you your purchase shortly."
As we made our way over there, a small sound made me glance back to see a small cat sized golem following behind me. It crackled softly with faint power, tipping along on four rubber-tipped spider legs as it scrubbed the floor where water had dripped off of me.
"...Sorry…", I said to it, and then moved to catch up with Zrazta again.
10
I channeled a bit of Red mana and ran my hand through the air, sparks of amber fire trailing behind it, then flicked my hand towards the unlit candle before me.
The wick burst into flame before settling down to burn normally.
Sitting across from me, Zrazta held up a hand, a bright white light hovering above her hand. She had only claimed one land of mana, a swamp. So she was limited to trying the black and white spells in the book as the area we were in gave off White mana.
I had a bit of everything.
"Not sure this was worth the money," I admitted and channeled a bit of Blue as I looked at the fire, snapping my fingers in the numbus of blue light around my hand. The candle snuffed out as it was hit by a tiny splash of water, "A lot of these books seems to speak in board terms and then say 'Join the Izzet League if you want to know more.'"
Zrazta bounced the ball of light between her hands and shrugged a bit, "It's only gold. I know I learned things just from reading through them once."
"...Me too," I admitted, "But a lot I had already figured out on my own or been taught by Ajani or Alexis."
I turned the page of the book to look at the next blue spell. Butterfly illusion. That was… that's an odd way of doing an illusion.
"What do you think, Library?" Zrazta asked and canceled her light spell, "Worth it or not?"
"I believe so," my construct answered from my hand as I went through the instructions in the illusionary book he projected for me, Zrazta had the real one in her lap, "The information gathered has been interesting and has filled in several holes in the knowledge about land magic known to the Dragonflights and Azure Consortium."
I focused on my magic, letting it flow into my hands as I wove the spell, channeling it between my hands to reveal a purple and red butterfly the size of a small dinner plate.
The illusionary construct fluttered it's wings and took to the air. I could feel the air shift as its large wings beat.
Zrazta watched it with a smile and held out her hand. It circled the room before coming in to land on it, "It feels real."
"That's because it almost is," I explained, "It actually has enough of a solid structure to have a physical form..."
She looked closer at it, "That doesn't sound like an illusion to me."
"Me neither, but that's what the book calls it. But apparently, it has a weakness. So if I…"
I channeled some more Blue mana and cast the water spell again. The magic hitting the butterfly, made it disappear into a sparkle of spell light, "The impact of shaped Mana completely disrupts the form."
"Oh."
I nodded and frowned down at the book, "I can see the use of these kinds of illusions, but it took a lot more mana to do than…"
I flicked my wrist and wove a quick spell. One of the first ones I learned actually back when I became a dragon. Usually used to teach young whelps or children to control their magic. For a tenth of the mana of the butterfly illusion, I sent a swarm of butterfly images through the room, their wings shimmering in the slight light of the candles.
Zrazta grinned and channeled her white mana again, holding the light up high and bright, letting the colours of the butterflies play across the walls.
The spell slowly faded away as I watched her with a smile, "I can see a use for those kinds of illusions, but it's not the same as the ones I have learned so far."
"Using Azerothian terms," Library spoke up, "That spell could be classified as a form of mage-construct, not an illusion. It has an internal magical structure, not just an optical or auditory illusionary effect. It has more in common with my original self than it does with an illusion as known to Azerothian mages."
"Thank you, Library," I said and turned the page in the book.
Black mana. This spell could accelerate the decomposition of a minor object, maximum mass, half a pound.
I frowned at it and then continued on. That was closer to necromancy than I wanted to get. Knowing that there were at least two guilds here in the city that went heavily into necromancy made my scales crawl.
The Orzhov Syndicate ran the banks. They used ghosts and animated the dead. Animated, mutilated dead made into constructs.
They were… disgusting.
The second was the Golgari Swarm, who were even more disgusting. The Orzhov were bad, but the Golgari was what really made my scales try to flake off and run away.
The book of spells didn't only contain spells. It contained descriptions and information about all the Guilds of Ravnica.
I didn't like the Orzhov and the Golgari made my scales crawl. The Rakdos sounded like a bunch of dangerous maniacs.
Zrazta had even a stronger reaction to the description of the Golgari than I did. They turned death into… they animated the dead. They twisted fungi and decay into a way of life.
I thought it was disgusting. She did too, but what really set her off was the Simic Combine. She had been growling at the description.
Twisting abominations to nature and life, she called them.
I wasn't completely sure I agreed as long as what they did was consensual, but I could see her point. They weren't as bad as the necromancers in any case.
Even so, we took the thing with a pinch of salt. The book had been written by the Izzet, so of course it would make their guild out to be the nicest of them.
"Ready to leave tomorrow then?" Zrazta asked and closed her book. I flicked my left hand and Library stopped projecting my illusionary version,
"Yep, ready to go," I agreed, "Too bad we didn't get an answer from Chandra."
"For all we know, she might not even be on this Plane right now," Zrazta said and got up from the floor, stretching, "Come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."
Now that was a plan I could get behind.
The wick burst into flame before settling down to burn normally.
Sitting across from me, Zrazta held up a hand, a bright white light hovering above her hand. She had only claimed one land of mana, a swamp. So she was limited to trying the black and white spells in the book as the area we were in gave off White mana.
I had a bit of everything.
"Not sure this was worth the money," I admitted and channeled a bit of Blue as I looked at the fire, snapping my fingers in the numbus of blue light around my hand. The candle snuffed out as it was hit by a tiny splash of water, "A lot of these books seems to speak in board terms and then say 'Join the Izzet League if you want to know more.'"
Zrazta bounced the ball of light between her hands and shrugged a bit, "It's only gold. I know I learned things just from reading through them once."
"...Me too," I admitted, "But a lot I had already figured out on my own or been taught by Ajani or Alexis."
I turned the page of the book to look at the next blue spell. Butterfly illusion. That was… that's an odd way of doing an illusion.
"What do you think, Library?" Zrazta asked and canceled her light spell, "Worth it or not?"
"I believe so," my construct answered from my hand as I went through the instructions in the illusionary book he projected for me, Zrazta had the real one in her lap, "The information gathered has been interesting and has filled in several holes in the knowledge about land magic known to the Dragonflights and Azure Consortium."
I focused on my magic, letting it flow into my hands as I wove the spell, channeling it between my hands to reveal a purple and red butterfly the size of a small dinner plate.
The illusionary construct fluttered it's wings and took to the air. I could feel the air shift as its large wings beat.
Zrazta watched it with a smile and held out her hand. It circled the room before coming in to land on it, "It feels real."
"That's because it almost is," I explained, "It actually has enough of a solid structure to have a physical form..."
She looked closer at it, "That doesn't sound like an illusion to me."
"Me neither, but that's what the book calls it. But apparently, it has a weakness. So if I…"
I channeled some more Blue mana and cast the water spell again. The magic hitting the butterfly, made it disappear into a sparkle of spell light, "The impact of shaped Mana completely disrupts the form."
"Oh."
I nodded and frowned down at the book, "I can see the use of these kinds of illusions, but it took a lot more mana to do than…"
I flicked my wrist and wove a quick spell. One of the first ones I learned actually back when I became a dragon. Usually used to teach young whelps or children to control their magic. For a tenth of the mana of the butterfly illusion, I sent a swarm of butterfly images through the room, their wings shimmering in the slight light of the candles.
Zrazta grinned and channeled her white mana again, holding the light up high and bright, letting the colours of the butterflies play across the walls.
The spell slowly faded away as I watched her with a smile, "I can see a use for those kinds of illusions, but it's not the same as the ones I have learned so far."
"Using Azerothian terms," Library spoke up, "That spell could be classified as a form of mage-construct, not an illusion. It has an internal magical structure, not just an optical or auditory illusionary effect. It has more in common with my original self than it does with an illusion as known to Azerothian mages."
"Thank you, Library," I said and turned the page in the book.
Black mana. This spell could accelerate the decomposition of a minor object, maximum mass, half a pound.
I frowned at it and then continued on. That was closer to necromancy than I wanted to get. Knowing that there were at least two guilds here in the city that went heavily into necromancy made my scales crawl.
The Orzhov Syndicate ran the banks. They used ghosts and animated the dead. Animated, mutilated dead made into constructs.
They were… disgusting.
The second was the Golgari Swarm, who were even more disgusting. The Orzhov were bad, but the Golgari was what really made my scales try to flake off and run away.
The book of spells didn't only contain spells. It contained descriptions and information about all the Guilds of Ravnica.
I didn't like the Orzhov and the Golgari made my scales crawl. The Rakdos sounded like a bunch of dangerous maniacs.
Zrazta had even a stronger reaction to the description of the Golgari than I did. They turned death into… they animated the dead. They twisted fungi and decay into a way of life.
I thought it was disgusting. She did too, but what really set her off was the Simic Combine. She had been growling at the description.
Twisting abominations to nature and life, she called them.
I wasn't completely sure I agreed as long as what they did was consensual, but I could see her point. They weren't as bad as the necromancers in any case.
Even so, we took the thing with a pinch of salt. The book had been written by the Izzet, so of course it would make their guild out to be the nicest of them.
"Ready to leave tomorrow then?" Zrazta asked and closed her book. I flicked my left hand and Library stopped projecting my illusionary version,
"Yep, ready to go," I agreed, "Too bad we didn't get an answer from Chandra."
"For all we know, she might not even be on this Plane right now," Zrazta said and got up from the floor, stretching, "Come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."
Now that was a plan I could get behind.