Chapter 29: Im starting a collection. (2/2)

//It can be profitable to branch out on the third step and return to your main path later, while still practicing the relevant skills.

//For example, novice, apprentice, mage, court mage, court archmage.

//Or novice, apprentice, mage, court mage, arcane advisor, council archmage.

“Ok. Hmm, you moved a lot today, what are your reserves like?”

//They are at 13%.

//In terms of time, I only moved for less than four consecutive seconds.

//Do not worry overmuch.

//We should still make sure that my energy levels are at least at 30% to guarantee several minutes of autonomy.

“Of course. I was invited, though invited might be inadequate, to visit the mayor and the resident mage tomorrow. Any advice?”

//You were wise to answer Farren’s call, Your Grace.

//Now, you will meet them because they requested your presence, not because you have something to ask.

//They will want to know where you stand, and what your goal is.

“Should I tell them that I need help for my wounded soul? Perhaps the mage knows something.”

//I would advise you to listen and remain evasive.

//They will seek to bind you to their cause.

//The more we know about their respective agendas, the better we will be able to navigate the treacherous waters of frontier diplomacy.

“Fair enough. I don’t think I can have you attend though.”

//You should ask Marruk to strap me to her back.

//Your meeting with the mage is a risk.

//She is the only one who can disable you with certainty.

“Fine. How about protecting this place? I know that runes can be placed on stones. Is there any way to secure the house while we live here?”

//Although I possess advanced knowledge on training, my spell collection is much smaller.

//I can, however, propose several alarm constructs.

//They will remain basic, but you should be able to create them.

//I will teach you now, and you can cast them tomorrow when you leave.

“Good idea.”

//There is something else, before we start with your evening practice.

“Do tell.”

It should be impossible to perceive Solfis’ mood, seeing as he had no facial traits, and yet, Viv found herself thinking that the Golem’s shining yellow eyes assessed her.

//Farren will fail.

That was unexpected.

“How do you figure?”

//When Irleven was young, he designed a canal network project for one of the capital’s premier engineer guilds.

//His team leader took credit, and got promoted as a result.

//Farren is brilliant, but naive.

//He left the political center of the church seeking opportunity, instead, he should have stayed and found a patron.

//Then, he could leave.

//As he is, a successful project will be taken over by his superior in the church.

“You expect the local church leaders to act in such a way? Farren himself seems mostly honorable.”

//He himself admitted to leaving Mornyr because of a lack of political support.

//Those who create new supply lines are administrators, not knights.

//The project will be taken over as soon as it looks promising.

//Although he may take some credit, the majority of the glory will fall to another.

“You seem confident.”

//From the databanks I have access to, this is by far the most likely scenario.

“I should warn him.”

//Absolutely not, Your Grace.

“But… why?”

//Observations show that the carrier of bad news shares part of the resentment.

//We might also be wrong, though the chances are slim.

//Finally, Farren has the mental profile of an idealist.

//Idealists show the most distress when betrayed by their own factions.

//After it is done, he will be ripe for the taking.

“What do you mean?”

//It means that we will be able to attract him to our cause.

//Although your… unique charm… has certainly attracted… interesting profiles… to our banner, you need talented administrators to handle the day-to-day operations.

//Farren will do nicely.

“Still on about the genocidal maniac skill?”

//It will merely be a beneficial side effect of my ultimate goal.

Viv froze in her tracks, her eyes going from the core to Solfis’ cold glare.

“Solfis, what’s your ultimate goal?”

She felt a smile.

//I could tell you if you ordered me to share.

//However, I would prefer to tell you at a later date.

And that was it. Viv drew the line at ordering Solfis to do stuff he did not want to do. To compel someone hard-wired to obey was closer to brainwashing than she was comfortable with. She finished charging Solfis and considered using the black mana core to keep going, then reconsidered. Charging Solfis would be a matter of months. She would go to the edge of the deadlands to charge the core on occasion, then use the energy trapped within to help her practice longer. Tomorrow. She would keep it charged as an ace in the hole in her meeting with Lady Varska and practice perception and absorption until it was time to sleep.

She missed the internet.

Her bed was reasonably warm after purchasing heavy sheets, and she meditated there for a while. Later, she was disturbed by a small form tapping something on her left knee. It was Arthur.

“Is that… the bestiary?”

The dragonling was holding the book in her front claws, using her opposable thumb to good effect. The sharp ends dug a bit in the leather cover, but Viv found it hard to get angry. It was so cute! And slightly disturbing.

Once more, the tiny monster bridged the gap between animal and toddler, really. She was not sure how to handle this.

“Sure, I’ll read it for you. Give it here.”

Arthur climbed on her lap. Wings brushed against Viv’s nose. The skin there was smooth and warm. Actually, her entire body was like a heater, nice and toasty. Viv started in her softest voice as if she was reading Snow White.

“Beastlings are some of the vilest, nastiest creatures to walk Param, spreading filth and stealing children wherever they go. Those debased monstrosities live in diseased dwellings…”

It was like telling a story to kids until they fell asleep.

Arthur watched her human, with her flappy mouth, who had done her usual soft borgle bargle sounds as she collapsed against her pillow. Her breathing was light and relaxed.

Arthur grabbed the precious image-thing between two light fingers, but the white flat things flipped and showed a different image.

She picked the item again and stopped when she saw something that piqued her interest.

There, on one of the flat things, wings spread wide, was a massive scaled creature roasting a contingent of metal-clad humans. The form was familiar. She counted the appendages.

Two front limbs. Check.

Two back limbs. Check.

A pair of wings. Check.

A tail. Check.

A majestic muzzle filled with proper teeth. Check.

Somewhere in her growing brain, connections were established.

She looked at the size of the humans. They were so tiny!

And the creature was so big.

“Squee?”