Chapter 144 A Tracking Charm (1/2)

The next morning, Rassa called Sharli, Kit, Iah, Aegin and Ebony to one of the spare rooms. The five individuals sat tensely on newly acquired furniture as Rassa rose from behind the desk and rounded it to place six charms on the table before them, one for each of them.

”I haven't seen this run before,” Ebony stated as she picked one up to inspect it, ”What is it?”

Kit picked up another, ”It's not one rune, it's...five?”

Rassa nodded with a smile, he was impressed by Kit's progress. The young shadow magician was picking up the art of runes rather quickly.

”The first rune is the rune for Location or Locate, or even Track. Essential a beacon,” Rassa stated, ”The second rune indication connection, that it is one of many in a sequence, the third rune designates that sequence, in this case, Moonshadow is the sequence”.

The others nodded, though only Kit seemed to understand.

”I didn't realise you could place more than one rune on a charm,” Ebony stated.

”It depends on how specific you want that charm's job to be,” Rassa replied, ”Some things can be conveyed through a single rune, though it leaves more room for the mist to interpret as it pleases, as Kit will tell you, there are many layers to the meaning of each rune. The more runes you place on a charm, the more specific its instructions, and the less the Mist can interfere in interpretation”.

”What are the fourth and fifth runes?” asked Aegin, ”You said their were five”.

”Yes, the fourth rune is to designate a single individual as the wielder of the charm through blood, and the fifth that the charm will always return to the possession of the wielder, no matter if it is dropped, stolen or lost,” Rassa stated, ”My intention is to give each of you one of these charms, so that should the need arise, we can find one another. When activated, they will provide indications to the wielder where the other charms in the sequence are located, and considering the return rune, the wielder will always be able to locate the original holder unless that charm is removed from the sequence, which can only be done in the presence of the other charms, or if the condition of the wielder's blood changes”.

”Then, if we wish to hide from the others...?”

”This is why I am making it your decision as to whether or not you choose to enter this agreement. Because that is essentially what it is,” Rassa warned, ”We will not be able to hide from one another one the charms are activated”.

”Why?” asked Iah.

”Because I-” Rassa then turned to Aegin and Ebony, ”We, don't know how long we'll be gone. With no way to contact one another or check on your progress...I'm afraid we will only know when we return. But if something was to occur, something you couldn't fight against alone, you can use these to find us”.

They all thought for a moment, looking to each other, then Sharli picked up one of the stones and looked at it closely as she spoke.

”Then, in a way, this is a way of you inviting us into your, what did you call it? Moonshadow family?” she asked with a smile, ”Why not give one to everyone?” asked Sharli.

”They are still young, children, I will not force them into anything and give them to freedom to leave should they wish,” Rassa stated, ”After all, they will earn their own wages and be free to learn their own skills ones the business picks up”.

”They what about us and Kit? Do we have no choice?” asked Sharli.

”This is your choice,” Ebony frowned, ”Don't make it sound so awful. I'm certainly willing”.