Millennial Mage

Chapter 288: A Fragile Peace

Chapter 288: A Fragile Peace

Tala left when Mistress Odera needed to lay down for an afternoon nap.

It had been an incredibly pleasant time, even with the morbid undertones.

-Mistress Ingrit has things ready for the enhancement of our Archive access range.-

Oh! Wonderful.

-She has a couple of questions, however. I could have answered them, but I thought youd want to participate, directly.-

Sure.

-She wants to know what range you were hoping for?-

Id like to be able to visit the moon one day. Tala glanced up at the portion of the moon that she could see. Even with her incredibly enhanced vision, she still couldnt see the monsters on the moon that Master Jevin had told her about. Maybe with a telescope? Or maybe he was pulling my leg.

Alat giggled happily. -That would be pretty fun. Alright. Shes shes a bit flabbergasted if her word choice is any indication. Shes wondering if thats really wise, and havent you had quite enough insane adventures for the time being. Im assuring her that these plans are for the future, and that you just want to make sure to never be out of range again. Why have to upgrade more than once?-

Tala smiled as she began walking down the street.

-Alright. Apparently, theres a way to give infinite range? Wait, that cant be right. Hang on.-

She took in the sights, not having spent much time in this portion of the living district.

Tala paused, noticing the oddity of two pastry shops, side by side.

What kind of name is the Lord Donut? She shook her head. Apparently, it was the moniker for some insane creation, meant to drive up business. It looked to be a donut, stuffed inside another donut and fried again, several times? The thing was massive, and apparently ridiculously fluffy.

Rather than competing directly, the neighboring shop seemed to have decided to go for a different audience. Their advertisement was for a lighter, more delicate dessert.

It wasnt glazed; instead, it was frosted with innumerable strands of varyingly caramelized white sugar. That sugar almost looked like hair or fur, but not in an unappetizing way. The caramelization process had left the strands white, black, and a deep almost red color.

Theyd dubbed their creation the Princess Donut.

It was quite lovely and well presented. It just needs a tiara.

Tala shook her head.

Lord Donut vs Princess Donut. She laughed. Well, the shops seem to be doing well, so I guess it works for them.

-Alright, it seems like she was being literal. In her words, this is extreme, but with a few mergings, our Archive ring can be split, and half left with them in the Library. The connection between the two pieces is our soul, so theres no question of distance. If you die, the ring in their possession will dissolve. So, well want to update our death clause. Of course, theyll have to move it when this city wanes, but they have procedures for that.-

This is too perfect. Why didnt we do this earlier.

-Thats the thing the material components, along with the housing within the Library, would run nearly five-thousand gold.-

Tala stutter-stepped, physically hitching at the amount. What the rust?

Alat continued before Tala could object too much. -But! With the books youve offered up to the Library, that cost can be covered. We wont have much goodwill to draw on from them after this, but apparently bringing home an entire Arcane Library made them very happy with you.-

Tala swallowed reflexively. Well, well never be stranded, outside of communication distance again.

-Thats for sure.-

So, how does it work, again?

-She didnt explain beyond simply stating: A soul is always in the same place as itself.-

Huh. Can it be blocked?

-Not without killing us, no.- Alat hesitated. -Though, Mistress Ingrit did say that she didnt really know how being in the Doman-Imithe or the void would affect it. In theory, there shouldnt be any issue, but she said that to her knowledge its never been tested, specifically.-

Thats fair, I suppose. Wait why couldnt we just leave the ring at the Library? Why go through all this?

-So, I asked that. Apparently, while any soulbound item is still connected to you, using it at a great distance isnt usually possible. In this case, the item, itself, will be in both places, the part we use will remain on your finger, and the part connected to the Archive will remain in the Library. Im vastly oversimplifying the already simplified explanation she gave me. Suffice it to say, this is the only real option.-

Huh alright then. So, to the Constructionist Guild?

-Yes, Mistress Ingrit will meet us there, and she will take the other half of our ring when were done.-

Less than an hour later, Tala walked out of the Constructionists Guildhall, waved goodbye to Mistress Ingrit, and found herself standing off to one side, a little bewildered.

It was done. Apparently, five thousand gold had been used, and she and Alat had infinite range on her Archive access.

That went off without a hitch. It was practically boring.

-Its nice to have something go so easily for us, for once, right?-

Tala lifted her right hand, willing the ring to fade into visibility.

It was now half as wide, turning from a somewhat hefty bit of jewelry to one that was almost delicate. Not that I let it be seen ever.

She shook her own head, and the ring faded from physicality; even the sensation of it being on her finger vanished.

This just feels anticlimactic. In theory, that was incredibly expensive, and our isolation in the arcane cities would have been solved instantly if we had this

-But now, its just done. Is that it?-

Exactly. I feel like I should have had to kill a dragon to get this. Or something equally insane. She sighed.

-Like a Pillar? Or invading a major arcane House and stealing an entire library from their hold?-

Tala grinned at that. Fair, I suppose. I just dont feel like those things are directly connected to this in any way, but I guess thats just me being a bit silly.

-I can understand it. Youve a bad taste in your mouth because the House of Blood just gave you things, and this feels a bit like that.-

yeah. Tala narrowed her eyes. Are you getting this from Retson?

-This? No, but he is very insightful.-

I would hope so, being attached to a Hallowed and all. How long has he been around?

-I havent asked how old the alternate interface is, but I get the feeling that its been a long time.-

Tala nodded to herself, then grimaced. We should deal with our contract with the Carvanneers Guild, shouldnt we...

-That would probably be wise, yeah.-

Thank you for not pushing.

-Of course! I am happy to not do things whenever you have need.-

Tala huffed a laugh as she set off toward that guild.

As she walked, she opened Kit and called in to Terry. Hey, want to come with me to hopefully see Lyn?

Terry trilled excitedly and flickered out onto her shoulder before hunkering down.

Hed come out every so often over the past days, but he usually declined her offers.

He had refused to come out and see Mistress Odera, and Tala thought she understood.

Animals didnt see off the elderly. It just wasnt a part of who and what they were.

It would have been less than ideal if he decided to attack her in her garden, too.

-I dont think he would have, but yes, I agree. That would have been bad.-

Terry cocked his head at her and let out a little squawk before headbutting her cheek and hunkering down once more.

Yeah, yeah. She reached up and scratched under the feathers of his neck.

He closed his eyes, leaning into her scratches and cooing happily.

Thanks for coming out. I know this isnt as much fun as being in the Wilds, or in the sanctum for that matter.

He hesitantly cracked one eye to look her way. He then rolled that eye and began a condescending series of trills and squawks.

Stop, stop. I get it. She was chuckling. Its not bad to enjoy a time where we arent fighting for our lives. Ill keep that in mind.

Terry let out a contented exhale, bobbing once before he pushed into her hand once again.

Tala began scratching again and smiled. You are quite wise, you know that?

He trilled softly as if in obvious affirmation.

Well, Im grateful for it.

They arrived at the Caravaneer's Guild and pushed in through the broad double doors before closing them firmly behind.

Tala?

Lyn was further back in the large room than she had been when Tala had first met her, but the woman still commanded a great view of the entrance. Good afternoon, Lyn.

The Archon leaned over, spoke to Kannis who had been sitting beside her, and then stood to come out from behind the counter. Please, right this way.

Tala followed, and as they walked, Terry let out a short squawk, and wiggled grumpily on her shoulder.

Lyn glanced back. Hi, Terry. Its good to see you, too.

The terror bird preened, chirping happily.

Well grab a back room. I assume this isnt a social visit?

No I figured I should deal with my contract.

And we here at the Caravan Guild appreciate that.

Youve been more than patient.

Tala, think nothing of it. This shouldnt be a concern. As they passed an alcove with some food and beverages laid out, Lyn gestured. Want anything?

The coffee caught Talas eye, but she shook her head. No, thank you.

The room that Lyn led them to was reminiscent of the one in which Tala had renegotiated her contract previously.

Will I have to meet with someone else? To ensure theres no favoritism or bias?

That isnt necessary in this case. One of the severability clauses will be invoked, and those are always thoroughly reviewed regardless, so we just need to talk through it, and make sure you dont have any questions or concerns.

Oh. Well, that sounds much easier than what I was expecting.

Lyn quirked a smile. You figured wed press you back into service, eh?

Tala shrugged self-consciously. The thought did cross my mind, yeah.

The Guild representative pulled the door closed, and they both sat down. Now, the clause that I believe we should discuss is the Act of War clause. You were unable to fulfill your duties due to an act of war undertaken by one of the enemies of humanity. Do you agree with that assessment?

Tala frowned. I suppose? I mean, he didnt attack humanity. He targeted me directly. So actually no?

Lyn arched an eyebrow. Then she leaned forward and placed her head in her own hands and sighed. Tala Why not?

Tala shrugged. Because? My understanding is that there is a fragile peace between humanity and the arcanes. Wouldnt using act of war to nullify a contract cause some issue?

Lyn hesitated, lifting her head slightly. I I didnt actually know that.

Oh Yeah, apparently the humans and arcanes uncovered or created enough horrible things while trying to destroy each other that they had to ally to destroy all of those things and lock away those that couldnt be so destroyed. They just sort of never went back to war after that was done. Tala shrugged again.

Lyn frowned, blinking slowly as she processed that. Then I suppose I understand your hesitancy to agree that it was an act of war The woman grimaced. Banditry?

That could cover it. Taken in the line of duty? Tala grinned. Payment due for time served?

Lyn laughed. Now thats one way to think about it. Banditry would be a hard sell, though, because nothing from the caravan was taken, save you. We do have clauses in place in case of extreme injurywhich wouldnt applyincapacitationwhich might actually be the way to spin thisand trauma, rendering you unable to perform future routes.

Well, the trauma fits, but Im definitely not an invalid. I could perform future routes, in theory. I was subjected to a magical condition that took me this long to recover and return from. Would that fit?

Yes! Lyn manipulated her slate. Theres a reference to the table of severity Hmmm it looks like they didnt take into account being unable to find a healer. Cost of healing is covered, but you dont have any direct expenses to submit for that Hmm One obligated trip may be negated per three days of recovery required, at the choice of the Dimensional Mage.

Tala frowned. That could be nine months, give or take, three months, or a week? More, I suppose because Im barred from even sparring. Combat is right out for the time being.

Lyn nodded. You performed a total of eighteen trips, sixteen since your renegotiation. You were on your nineteenth when you were taken. With seventy contracted trips, that would leave you with fifty-one remaining in obligation.

So, one-hundred-fifty days due to the incapacitation and recovery would eliminate that?

Yes, and all time from time of affliction until full recovery is counted.

What if the time taken exceeds the number of trips covered by the contract? Am I to be paid out for harm incurred?

Lyn huffed a laugh. No. There is no such policy, and quite frankly, there doesnt need to be. For basically anyone but you, to be taken out of commission for this long would be a death sentence. If you were crippled, we would pay out a severance, but youre not, not permanently. Such is possible, but exceedingly rare. I think Ive only seen it happen once, and I was a mageling at the time. I dont really remember all the details, honestly, so I might be mistaken.

So?

So, I think that that is the right way to approach this. You were magically incapacitated while on the job, rendered unable to perform your duties or take on caravan routes for a protracted length of time. Per the contract, your time incapacitated and in recovery totals more than enough to negate all further required trips. Thank you for your service, Mistress Tala, and we hope that you consider us again, for your future employment needs. Her eyes sparkled with barely-contained mirth.

Yeah, Ill agree to and confirm that.

Lyn offered her the tablet, and Tala and the older Archon both confirmed the details. The branch manager will have to review this to finalize the approval, but I dont foresee any issues. You are free of any obligation.

That hit Tala like a runaway wagon, and she rocked backwards, eyebrows rising. Oh.

Lyn frowned in concern. Tala? Are you alright?

Yeah yeah. I just I just hadnt thought of it that way.

What do you mean?

Ive paid my debts. Ive no active contracts. I I have absolutely no obligations.

Is that good?

Tala bit her lip in thought. Im honestly not sure. What should I do with myself?

What youve been doing? Lyn suggested helpfully.

Tala waved that off. Until Im Refined, of course, but what about after?

I suppose thats up to you.

She looked at her friend, frowning. Thats thats terrifying.

Lyn laughed. Id say get a job, but youre practically independently wealthy at this point, and you could likely do anything you want. So? What do you want?

I think She thought about the ruins of the previous Arconaven. She thought about where Terry had come from; the plains with their moving villages; the great unpopulated northern part of the continent, supposedly the realm of gods and sovereigns; and of the cities she hadnt seen, those under construction, and those in new terrains. Ive never seen the coast, here. Ive never seen a city finally fade or one spark to life. There is so much out there. I think I want to see the wonders of the world.

Lyn frowned, seeming concerned, but before she could comment, Tala continued.

I want to be based here, but I dont think I want to be locked in here. She smiled to soften her words. I dont plan on taking multi-year expeditions, nor do I ever plan to be out of contact again.

That seemed to mollify Lyn but only just. If thats what you really want you wont go alone, will you?

Tala shrugged. I hope not. If nothing else, I need some help within my sanctum.

Oh. OH! She smiled as she realized that she could return to Alefast, Waning, and experience the dying of a city, then offer Adrill, Artia, and Brandon positions within her sanctum.

Two of them were gateless, so they wouldnt hurt the space at all.

-Hey, thats an idea Rane and Master Grediv will be there, as well. Its too bad that, we might have to see Furgal again, though-

Eh, that could be avoided. Also, shouldnt it be Master Furgal? Isnt he a Mage?

-If so, he doesnt deserve the honorific but were getting into the weeds. They might work for you, yeah.-

Honestly, now that I think about it, we could offer positions to any gateless. Right?

-So long as we had the space, sure. That would make us much like the villages, wouldnt it?-

Just a bit, but if we actually get the teleportation pads working? Wed remain connected to the gated human cities.

Lyn grinned, shaking her head. I can tell your mind is already working at it, but just to clarify, I hope you go with other powerful Archons, not just some people in your sanctum who cant help you if you get in a bind. Now, be on your way, free agent. Ill see you for dinner, but some of us still have to work for a living.

Tala stood. Thank you, Lyn. Truly. For For everything.

Lyn stood and gave her a quick, careful hug. Absolutely, Tala. Any time at all.