Chapter 663: A short rest (1/2)
Chapter 663 A short rest
A group of unlikely companions materialized from thin air within the domain of a crystal tree. Awe filed faces looking around at the present beings.
“A whole gaggle. Wonderful,” the Meadow spoke. “I’m glad you made it out. Pursuers?”
“Just the one,” Ilea said, holding up the core. “Can I leave it in your care for a little while. Don’t damage it too much, just get rid of the metal forming around it from time to time. Or you have a hostile level eight fifty machine at your hands.”
“What a curious find, I will take great care of it,” the Meadow spoke, moving the core closer with its space magic.
Flexing, alright, Ilea thought. “Verena, Dragonkiller, Hereven, meet the Meadow. A good friend of mine, scholar, charismatic teacher, and protector of Hallowfort.”
“Calm again?” Feyrair asked her. “Care to tell us what happened now?”
Iana and Christopher joined them too. “A mind weaver?” the woman asked.
“Indeed… yet you do not need to fear me,” Hereven said.
“I don’t,” Iana said, glancing over at the Meadow. “What’s that sphere?”
“She already noticed it. Noisy enchanter. They lose respect so quickly,” the Meadow spoke.
“Can you inform them about everything?” Ilea asked, looking at Verena with a tired expression.
“Of course,” the woman said. “Go take a moment.”
Ilea smiled, displacing herself closer to the Meadow. Only Feyrair would be able to come that close but he was already listening to Verena’s retelling of today’s events.
“That close?” the Meadow asked when she leaned against the tree.
She sighed, summoning a meal.
“You’re safe here,” the tree said.
“She was stronger than you,” Ilea sent. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
“You will meet more creatures like her if you continue on the path you’ve chosen,” the Meadow said.
“And one day I might not be able to escape,” she mused. “We only got out because she underestimated us,” she sent and paused, eating a few bites. “I know the risks… I’ve known them since I went back into the forest after finding Riverwatch. But if a creature I fight comes and destroys everything I’ve come to love…,”
“Not all those you meet will be your enemies,” the Meadow reminded her. “You brought me here, did you not? The Baron will be by your side as well, and so will the people of Hallowfort.”
“I know. I just need a moment to calm down,” Ilea said. How do you even fight a creature like that? It just nullified my charged beam, stopped me from teleporting, slowed my healing, and all that in what seemed like a playful hunt.
“Take all the time you need. My eyes are open, my magic is prepared,” the tree said.
She looked at the shimmering silver sphere, the metal forming at a faster pace now, likely due to the high mana density close to the Meadow. Barriers around it prevented it from taking form.
Violence appeared nearby and floated over, glancing at her before it came to rest on her hair.
They remained there for a few minutes, Ilea slowly finishing her plate before she stored it. “She called me an abomination. Because I use both ash and healing, fire and the flames of creation.”
“I don’t see a reason why you shouldn’t,” the Meadow spoke.
Strong
Combination, Violence confirmed.
“I hope the next dragon I meet isn’t that prejudiced,” she mused.
“A lot of power can bolster one’s self image. It takes a lot of wisdom and reflection to remain grounded, and beings that remind one of their standing in the world,” the Meadow said.
Dragon
Bitch
Ilea patted the Fae on top of her head, giggling to herself before the creature joined in.
Violence jumped down, landing in her palms before he pointed at her, still wearing his cape and armor.
Ilea
train
stronger
slap
dragon
“I guess I have to, now that you asked me,” she said with a smile.
Not
ask
ORDER!
VIOLENCE!
“Yes, sir, General Baron,” Ilea replied to the giggling creature. “Where did you get that armor from anyway?”
Nice
Smith
“Goliath, that is nice of him,” she said. “It looks good on you.”
“Everything does, to be fair,” the Meadow said.
The Fae looked up at the tree, tilting its head to the side.
“Your attempt remains ineffective,” Ilea mused, sliding down a little with her back to the tree. “I’m glad I met you two.”
The Fae appeared on her shoulder and hugged her face.
“I’m telling you, this tree wasn’t here the last time I came here. How could I have missed something that obvious?” Pierce asked.
Feyrair shrugged. “Your eyes are probably not the best, being human and all. I wouldn’t expect you to notice the obvious.”
“Shut it elf,” she said as lightning flared up around her.
The Meadow moved them both into a dome barrier, all the sound cut off as they went for it again.
“Just make sure to give them some privacy once they start fucking,” Ilea said, joining the group again with Violence in tow.
“Ilea, good to hear that you survived. So can we look at that core? And I assume you already know who’s missing?” Iana asked, Christopher nodding along next to her.
“I’ll get Aki shortly, don’t worry,” Ilea said.
“You recovered two additional keys,” Neiphato said.
“Yes. But I’m not quite ready to go to Iz yet. I’d like to finish up my third Class first. Maybe we can meet up with Niivalyr’s group and work through the Praetorian facility,” she answered.
“Or we could look for more of them. It will take time either way, and I’m told you’ve fought hundreds of Praetorians already. The experience won’t be as effective,” Verena said.
Ilea looked at her for a moment. You’re rather well informed, she thought and sighed. Oh well, she’s seen more than even Claire by now.
“Right, but I don’t plan to use the taleen gates for a while. Not just because of Audur,” Ilea said.
Neiphato hissed. “The Pursuer.”
“Yeah, and there could be more traps. If they decide to send a whole army after us, it won’t be quite as simple,” she said. “We know at least that our usage of the gates hasn’t gone without notice.”
“We can modify the key. But there is no way to make you completely invisible. We don’t control the network after all,” Iana said.
“I think we can just fly around for now, preferably alone. When I find something, we can go in together,” Ilea said.
“Reasonable,” Verena said. “Thank you, for not leaving us there.”
Ilea gave her a nod.
“Which means the Krahen Isles are off limits now?” Neiphato said. “You think this Audur, will be able to find it?”
“Who knows what she can do,” Ilea answered. “But I’m sure we can find a few more dungeons where you guys can train. Maybe even where the other keys are located.”
“Should we try to contact Isalthar? Or do you think it’s more reasonable for you to go to Iz alone?” Neiphato asked.
“We don’t really know what will happen. Always good to have backup. I suppose you could inform him of what’s been happening. Do you have a way to contact him or Seithir?” Ilea asked.
“Not quite as impressive as your marks, but we can leave messages in designated dungeons within the Navali forest,” Neiphato explained.