The Magecraft Chronicles III Story Thread

[Monika]

"It's been a long time..." As the ship reached its destination, Lenore immediately recognized every piece of architecture and feature of the City of Light. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head and decided not to reminisce about them now. Instead, she needed a plan...

"Kazan," she called.

"Yo!" He was tossing a ball of lightning from hand to hand, accidentally hitting nearby passengers with small jolts of electricity every now and then.

"Give me your trenchcoat."

"What? It's kinda warm outside to be wearing one of these, Nori," he laughed, looking at his black trenchcoat and almost wondering why he was wearing it. "You'd be better off in your shirt and jeans right now."

"Just give it to me, Kazan. Right now, we're in my father's territory. If a single student, mage or senator recognizes me, the news of my arrival is sure to spread quickly. I'd rather not subject us to the danger that would follow."

"If you wanted the jacket that badly, all you had to do was ask!" Kazan replied, missing the point as usual. "It is a pretty nice trenchcoat, after all." He carefully removed his precious jacket and tossed it to Lenore.

"Thank you." Lenore quickly disappeared to the little summoner's room to change, being sure to hide her face as she walked past the other passengers. When she reemerged, she was dressed entirely in black, with Kazan's trenchcoat concealing her nicely.

I'll probably attract a bit of attention in all black, she thought, looking toward Veraask and the people ogling him. No more attention than we're getting with the Arkarris leading our group, though. We're going to get stares and glares regardless, it seems, so I may as well be unrecognizable for them.

[Razgat]

Deyanira's eyes turned flat. All playfulness drained out of her body and was replaced with a serious attitude. Seeing that she was in danger, she quickly drew the knife and held it up to Nathanial. "Just what do you think I am? A Necromancer? Don't make me become something worse."

She took a step back and drew her knife back slightly. "I may appear oblivious or stupid, but I'm not just going to be ordered around because of who I am. For years, I have lived on my own with my parents, never knowing anyone, and then you come along. You look exactly like me. You might not know why, but I'm going to find out, even if I have to take drastic measures..."

She placed the knife on her forearm and made a long, deep cut. Blood spurted out, but it was controlled. She formed it into a sort of series of whips that placed themselves in front of her, daring to strike forward. "Now, we can either be civilized and talk, or we can be resorted to fighting like this...which do you choose?"

[Myrdraxxis]

Nathaniel schooled his features to not betray the shock he was feeling. He had assumed this girl was, at best, somewhat taught in the ways of necromancy like most denizens of Nostia. But this...

'Not a necromancer. She's a damned Blood Mage!'

He cursed himself for not detecting it before. For not even remotely spotting it. He sighed, staring at the red weapons in the girl's hands. Blood weapons were a very potent and powerful blood magic. Not something beginners or novices could pull off.

"You've revealed yourself to an Imperial Mage Hunter, threatened men and revealed yourself as a Blood Mage." He said coldly. "Your chances of leaving here alive have gotten a great deal lower, girl."

His eyes drifted over her shoulder towards the door. It was closed, so nobody would be able to peer inside. But Xing or Faust or somebody would be along eventually to check in. Truthfully he suddenly found himself cornered. He'd dealt with Blood mages before. They weren't the best at defensive magic, and a bullet was usually faster than any spell or incantation by a large margin. But Nathaniel's gun still rested at his side, and any suddenly movements could set her off; he didn't know how well good she was with those whips. Damn it all.

"Very well." he said finally. He didn't sit, or put away his gun. "Talk, witch."

[Mizagium]

Jorsin whistled. "They sure didn't skimp out on the architecture of this place, did they?"

"It's not called the City of Light for nothing," Valendis offered. "That much is for sure. Wait, haven't you been here before?"

"No. No Gae'om has ventured beyond Ossen since Volitar's daughter centuries ago, and that was only to Altinor before it sealed itself off. Since then, those who inherited the Summoner's Gift have chosen to learn and teach at the school started by Adden."

"So then, I'm the first to leave home for hundreds of years." Valendis wasn't sure exactly how he felt about that. The thought was both exhilarating and frightening. It also meant that his Familiars, his spirit guardians, would be next to useless.

Hesseppatt, who had heretofore been gliding ahead of the group airbraked and dropped down to flay alongside Raefe. "I have something to ask you, Raefe."

Incredulous, Raefe's cat eyes widened and her ears perked up. "Really? Not too often you ask me anything, Hessy."

Hesseppatt took that as agreement. "What is your opinion on the...Arkarris."

The fury hissed reflexively. "I'm not sure. It's been...a very, very long time since they've shown themselves. I can't remember the last one I saw; I think it was before the Avaveri family married into the Iestegon family, which is still two marriages from the Gae'om family. Back when we all lived on Mundas Veritas. He wasn't even doing anything: just passing through real quick. Before that...shit. Humans were young."

"We will have to wait and see. Keep your eyes open, Raefe. Valendis is young. We may need to protect him in the future." She flew off before the Fury could respond.

I wonder if Jorsin picked up on it. After all, he is the only one of us three who has been with the Gae'oms since Summoning.

[Razgat]

A drop of sweat slid down Deyanira's cheek. She knew she had pushed herself too much by making such a deep, long cut. She drew out too much blood. She was too small to use that much, but she would just have to ignore it. If she put down her whips, Nathanial would surely shoot at her.

"Who are you, exactly? Where are you from?"

[Myrdraxxis]

Nathaniel tried not to scoff at the question. "I would have thought that it was obvious by now...I am Nathaniel Sorian, Mage Hunter of the Vaer Empire." he said, a bit proudly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Veraask led the group through the streets, avoiding the large groups that would clog the streets. While the Bazaar was located in the Lower District, many high-end merchants and explorers displayed their wares here in the Upper District hoping to attract the attention of more wealthy clientele.

"Not far now." he said. Idly the Arkarris wondered why they hadn't at least been stopped by a guard, given all the looks and stares that they were getting. Soon enough, the large library loomed above them. The building was large, a series of interlocking pyramids and towers that stood for all to see. The Great Library of Kyros was one of Arcia's treasures, which obviously meant it was well defended. Veraask eyed the long line of Arcian soldiers that stood guard at the Library's entrance at the top of a long staircase.

"Well, here we are." he turned to Valendis. "Time to find your book, yes." he rasped.

[Razgat]

"You were born there?" Deyanira raised an eyebrow. If she had any connections at all to other nations, it wasn't Vaer. Not that she knew if her family had any connections at all...

[Myrdraxxis]

Frowning, Nathaniel shook his head slowly. He was mentally debating whether or not he should actually tell her. Though a small part of him, the part that was just as curious as Deyanira, compelled him to answer. "No." he said. "I grew up in Vaer...but my family immigrated from Ossen when I was very young."

[Razgat]

Deyanira lowered her shoulders a little in surprise. She didn't know much about other countries or nations, but she at least knew a little, and she recognized that nation. "Ossen was a magical country....and you became a mage hunter?! What magic do you know? Are you like me?"

[Myrdraxxis]

"I don't know any magic, and I certainly am not a blood mage." Nathaniel spat, feeling his ire increase as the girl asked more questions. "My family moved to Vaer for a reason, and they died before I would have had the chance to learn magic anyway. I am a Mage Hunter, not a mage." he growled. A distant sound caught his attention. There were frantic footsteps coming from the hallway outside his quarters.

[Sariel of Tevet]

"Shit shit shit shit SHIT!! WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?!"

Roluo pushed over some nearby chairs and hopped over a table as he sprinted, full pace, down the corridor with the two chatty guards hot on his heels. That information I just got from those Bozos wont mean anything if I get put back into custody, and I doubt that Specter character will bail me out twice. I need to distract them, and quick. If only I could stop to summon Liulfr.
The trio's frantic footsteps echoed through the ship and were likely to alert even more guards, Roluo was running out of time. "I keep pushing everything down I possibly can but they just jump over them. For a couple of smokers they sure can run, just my luck, dammit. I need a distra...WOAH!!"

Just then Roluo slid around a corner and right into a passing private, wheeling a food cart on his way to a senior officers room. The two collided and were brought to the ground in a four course shower and the entire hall became blocked. "Well...I guess that works. Eh, sorry guy." He dusted himself off and regained his berrings, pausing to pick up an apple and shove it in his mouth. "Maandm faankss fo dthuh hmood!"

He took off down the corridor, leaving the private to collect his thoughts, and the meal. Luckily he hadn't noticed that Roluo was an escaped necromancer, but he was too distracted with trying to figure out just what the hell the strange man had just said to him. The private thought it best to assume he was saying thank you for the apple that he stole.

Roluo spied what he thought was a closet just yards away from him and thought it would be perfect to hunker down and summon Liulfr. He lunged for the handle and flung the door wide to reveal his safe haven, only to see that strange girl from earlier with whips protruding from her person and the leader of the group that arrested them all.

"Uh, I'll just be going....sorry about that you two. I..uh..yeah. K bye." Roluo turned to start running again, paused, and poked his head back into the room. "You know, I never noticed before, but you two really DO look alike. Just saying." And with that he clammered down the hall, finally finding a closet.

"Ok Liulfr here we go! Manes Turbidi Sollictique Vocam!!!" That familiar light engulfed the tiny room as the necro's companioni again came to life (sort of).
"Now boy, lets see if we cant escape this place."

[Sariel of Tevet]

"Hey where the hell did he go? He couldn't have gotten THAT far ahead of us," Brian scoffed as he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, "I'm just giving up. It's not like he can get off of the ship anyway. Let's go have a smoke."

Dennis brought his palm over his face and shook his head. "You know Nathaniel is going to have our asses for this right? Look you do what you want but I'm going after that kid. I'll see you later."

"Well ok fine then, but when you give up ill be back in the break room waiting. See ya." And with that Brian sauntered off puffing away on his cigarette.

Roluo cracked open the closet door to get his bearings straight and to see if the guards had continued to follow him. Just then he noticed one of the guards alone, walking in his direction. "This is perfect Liulfr, you can have him all to yourself. You up for it?"

Liulfr wagged his feral tail and started to pace excitedly around the room, it had been a while since he was able to cut loose. Roluo waited for the guard to pass the door and make it a good ways down the hall and then motioned for Liulfr to attack. The undead hound bounded down the hallway with haste, his padded feet making virtually no sound on the cold metal floor of the ship. Meters behind the unaware soldier he lunged through the air and snagged the man by his neck, and with a scream the guard was brought down into a pool of his own blood and the ever faithful Liulfr chomping at his throat.

Roluo exited his temporary shelter and ran to call of his companion. "Easy boy easy! I need those parts remember? Don't mess them up TOO badly."
Liulfr just wagged his tail and yawned, now bored because there was nothing else to slaughter.

"Now, I dont think he is going to be enough. Back at the village this spell used to take countless wild animals, but I am willing to bet that two humans would work just fine. I don't want to go too far because someone may find this body and call even more people while we are gone. Then we would never get out of here. Let's just wait until his friend comes looking for him at some po.."

"HEY!! YOU!! I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THAT! I DON'T GIVE A SHIT WHAT THE BOSS WANTS YOU FOR!" Brian had heard the scream and ran back down the corridor to see what had happened. His gun was now held up and moving back and forth between Roluo and Liulfr, not knowing who was more dangerous. Now, put your hands up and get over here so I can see your eyes when I kill you, I'm going to make you pay for what you did to Dennis!"

Roluo laughed, "I'm sorry, but your friend here startled my dog. He really should be more careful around animals, they just dont have the people skills that we do, you know not being able to talk and all. Would you like to know something cool?" He smiled and looked down at his companion, Liulfr was already tensed and ready to strike. "Because I summoned my friend here, we share a mental link. I can give him memories, commands, and even give him energy if I wanted. And do you know the best part? I just have to think it. I can tell him to do absolutely anything I want right now, and you wouldn't even have a clue. Like right now, we are talking about how stupid you look with that cigarette hanging out of your mouth, my friend here really doesn't like smoke, it bothers his lungs. Bad luck for you."

Just then another soldier walks up behind Roluo, gun positioned at the bag of his neck. "No kid, bad luck for you. And Brian, seriously, you do look like an ass with that cigarette in your mouth. Can't you put it down so you can atleast yell at the kid? Anyway punk don't you move, we may not be able to hear what you two have going on in your heads but atleast we can see you."

Roluo smirked, "Oh can you now?" He suddenly ducked down and raised his staff, "LUX!" A flash consumed the hallway and blinded the two guards as they shot wildly. Liulfr took off towards the guard at the end of the corridor as Roluo turned around and ran the bottom of his staff through the man's chest. By the time the light disappeared Liulfr was already gnawing at the guard at the other end, but not for any reason other than fun seeing as how the guard was probably dead already. "Well that is one way to do it, and I even have an extra body to work with now, Liulfr drag that sap over here will you? It's easier if they are all in a pile."

The pair brought the bodies into a single heap and Roluo knelt down to pat his companion on the head, which was now covered in a thick coat of coagulated blood. "I'm gonna have to put you away for this little stunt, I wouldn't want to lose your bones, but I'll summon you as soon as I can ok? I promise. NUTU MAGISTRI SE RESOLVERE!" He picked up the remains of his pet and placed them back into his satchel. I guess I'm on my own for now, but I better hurry before any more guards come.

"I sure hope this works, I've never used humans before. But as long as I have seven limbs I can't really go wrong." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He raised his staff up and chanted, "Maius Attollere Creatura, Maius Attollere Creatura, Maius Attollere Creatura, MAIUS ATTOLLERE CREATURA!!!!" A startling wind emanated from the pile of bodies as a blue light swallowed the hallway. Roluo stepped back and anxiously awaited the creature to form. Slowly a black shadow began to rise from the pile as limbs and body parts began to slowly evaporate from the dead soldiers. The apparition stretched eight feet in height and began to spread out into a thick mass. Wings sprouted from the back along with a tail, and then the creatures claws and legs began to show form as well. When the light was cleared Roluo was confronted with his spawn, an undead gargoyle.

"Holy shi...uh...wow that really worked. It's a lot better than those gargoyles I used to make out of squirrels and foxes."

Roluo jumped on the bag of his newly formed creature and placed his satchel around it to give him something to hold on to. Good thing there are still a bit of bodies left, it will do.

"Alright kick the rest of those bodies up against the wall and step back." The creature effortlessly kicked the slop of muscle and tissue remains against the wall of the ship and stood back a great distance. "Here we go, you better not drop me. DISPLODO CORPORIS!!"
The gooey mass of remains exploded and punctured the hull of the ship, sucking Roluo and his creature through the opening and out into the sky and towards the outskirts of Helgras.

[Mizagium]

Great only scratched the surface in regards to the Library of Kyros. Grand would have been a more accurate adjective. It. Was. Huge. It took up two city blocks and towered three levels up, as well as possessing several basement levels for extremely valuable archives. The Federation government used the Archives to house their documents and decrees.

“Uh…Jorsin…any ideas on where to start?”

“No, Valendis. We haven’t been back to this land since it was Megolin. This library was constructed much, much later. I suggest we speak with the head librarian.”

The head librarian’s desk was a large circular structure in the center of the library. Were it not piled with stacks of books seven high, she might have been able to see down every main aisle and up every level. Alas, there was only a small gap which served at the service window. Valendis walked up awkwardly to the lady, who it turns out, looked to be about his age. His words caught in his throat and he made several noises like he was choking on his own tongue. By the way she looked at him after that, Valendis kind of wished that had actually been the case.

“Can I help you?” she asked slowly.

“Ah…uh…I…uh…we…uh…book…summoning…looking…us…for…it…”

Very slowly, her gaze drifted from the sputtering traveler to the tiny man in his pocket, to the cat at his feet, to the bird lazily flying around, to the bigger bird dressed in robes, to the group of humans that had entered with him. She nodded and very calmly said, “Tomes of magic are located on the second floor. Those relating to the Summoning Arts are to be found in Rows 7 and 8. If you are looking for books regarding individual summoners, then search here on the main floor under biographies, which are alphabetized according to last name, then first name. If you have any more questions, please ask. Oh, and this is a library so please try to keep the noise down.”

Raefe’s claws digging into Valendis’ leg brought him out of his comatose state rather abruptly. “Uh, right. Thank you…miss…”

“Garot. Felecia Garot.”

“Valendis Gae’om.” He nodded his thanks and signaled for his group to follow him. “First floor, biographies. We’re looking for one about a Summoner named Foelbraak.”

[Damien]

"Well," said Izaak, "while you're doing that, I'll go and check out their Elemental Arts section. Maybe I'll find a few new spells I can transcribe to my own spellbook for later use."

"No need to go up there," said Sorin. "I'll transport myself to the books and send back down everything they have. You can then study them at your leisure." He stepped away from the party, cleared his throat, and recited the incantation, "Vokun filok!" His shadow stretched up the wall, over the ledge and between the shelves to the location of the the Elemental Arts books. He fell into his shadow and appeared near the shelves. He then swept his hand in an arc that spread small motes of shadow across the books and cast his cantrip. "Feim!" The books slowly faded from sight.

A moment later, he heard Izaak call up to him in a forced whisper, "Thanks!", followed by a harsh "SHHHHH!!!!" Sorin smirked as he cast his shadow-walking spell again and returned to the party.

"You're very welcome," he said, smirking.

Izaak sat down and quickly began transcribing spells to his spellbook that he did not already possess.

[Razgat]

Deyanira swayed slightly, sweat drops rolling down her face. She couldn't keep using all this blood for much longer. It was taking too much out of her.

"This can't just be a coincidence. People don't just look alike! If you're anything like me at all, you have to be just as curious. If you let me get arrested and taken away, you will never get the chance to know who we really are. Are you going to let that happen?"

Just then, there was a loud bang that shook the ship, knocking Deyanira over. Her blood spilled all over the floor, slowly seeping back into her body, as she lay there. Her body had finally lost the energy, causing her to lay unconscious in a large puddle of her own blood.

[Mizagium]

As the airship started to go down, the Specter materialized in the Crow's Nest - having thrown the previous occupant to his doom. "Front row seats to the inevitable hellstorm of fire and death," he commented to no one. "Aw yeah."

[Myrdraxxis]

The ship lurched under Nathaniel's feet, nearly throwing him into the far wall. He swore, righting himself and running over to the small window. The ship was descending, far too rapidly. The door to his cabin slammed open as Xing and Faust burst in, weapons draw.

"Mi'lord! The ship-" Faust began. He trailed off, seeing the collapsed form of Deyanira on the floor. Xing looked at Nathaniel inquisitively.

"What's happening, Faust?" Nathaniel questioned, ignoring the looks and quickly gathering his things from his desk.

"Sir! Something's wrong with the ship-"

"Obviously."

"Er, yes. As far as I know someone depressurized the lower decks and we're losing altitude."

Nathaniel sighed, holstering his weapons. "Then I suppose we'd better get to the bridge." He stepped to the door, then paused, glancing down at the body on the floor. "...bring her." he said finally. XIng scooped the fallen blood mage into his arms and followed Nathaniel out the door.

The ship was in chaos as crewmen dashed to and fro, trying frantically to repair the damage to their ship. The bridge was in a similar state, Captain Corvinus was barking out orders, glaring out the viewport towards the ever growing city of Helgras.

"Captain." Nathaniel said, walking up beside his friend.

"Sir." Corvinus said shortly. "We're in a bit of a bad way here. Somehow we've lost stabilization and we're losing control." To prove the statement, the ship shuddered, listing to the right, the crew struggling to fight against the force of it. The captain swore. "Did anyone find the breach yet?"

"Not yet, sir." an ensign reported from his station.

"Well hurry it up! We're gonna end up falling right out of the sky!"

The tension on the bridge was thick as the crew jumped to obey. They knew what was at stake. Vaeran airships were of unique design, in that they did not use mana engines to lift and guide the craft. Vaeran ships used large balloons of gasses to lift the ship into the air, which made the entire ship an explosion waiting to happen in the event of serious damage. If the ship crashed, and those gasses ignited, the enitre crew would go up in a giant fireball.

After what seemed like forever, there was a chirp from the ship's communication array. "Captain," a voice said through the device. "We've found the breach, our boys are patching it now. We should stabilize in a few minutes."

There was a surge of relief from the crew, which grew as a minute later, the ship began to level out a bit. Some cheered, but Corvinus' expression didn't change. "We aren't out of the woods yet, lads. Unless we slow out approach, we'll crash right into Helgras." that froze the mood.

"Try, captain. Crashing an airship into the capital isn't something I was planning on doing today." Nathaniel spke up, eyeing the approaching capital warily. The city was looming up out of the distance rapidly.

"Aye sir." Corvinus grimaced. THe city drew ever closer. "Helmsman, deploy all the airdrags we've got. How many vanships do we have in the hangar?"

"Three sir." someone reported.

"Well get them out there with tow lines. Try and slow us down some more." There was a chorus of affirmatives from the crew. There was a tense silence on the bridge as they worked. Nathaniel could make out dark specks in the air around the city. Other airships coming and going, navigating the tall spires of the capital. Crashing into the city would be bad, worse than bad, but clipping another airship could set off an even bigger disaster. He felt the ship lurch beneath his feet, metal groaning as the attempts to slow the ship began to take effect.

"Come on, old girl.." Corvinus muttered, eyes narrowing. "Just a bit more..." The ship veered to the left, angling away from the center of the city, thankfully. They were over the outer edge of the city now.

The airship groaned and shuddered to a slow, clipping the top of a tower and sending a shower of masonry into the streets below. THe ship slowed to a stop. There was a sigh of relief from the crew. Nathaniel grinned at the captain.

"Welcome home."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Veraask looked around the large library, taking in the sights. "A fine place, this." he commented. "Surely you will find the answers you seek here." he spoke to Valendis. "Good center of magic, this." his eyes trailed to some older tomes on a nearby shelf. The Arkarris looked at them inquisitively for a moment before giving up any attention on them. "No Chaotic magic here, sadly. No humans seem capable of it."

[Mizagium]

"No, no, no, no, no...wait...no..." Valendis dropped a stack of book on top an already sizable stack not related to Foelbraak. There were two he found with Foelbraak in the title: Ethical Issues in Regards to Summoned Spirits by one Foelbraak Methesis; and an autobiography of Foelbraak's son (the legendary Foelbraak). Apparently, his son had become quite the accomplished thespian, which, while mildly interesting and hilarious, was not the required information.

"Maybe it's not here," Raefe said finally, casually leafing through Genealogy of the Common Housecat - impressive, being that she could without tearing the pages with her claws. "All we had going for us was a slim hope."

Jorsin and Valendis both shot her annoyed looks. She ignored them and continued, "Maybe this was the best shot, but there's plenty of other libraries in the world, and many more private collectors - any one of them could have this book."

"I find myself agreeing with the Fury, for once," Hesseppatt chirped. "It might not be here, but it is somewhere. Books that important don't get destroyed."

Valendis let out a long sigh and dropped his forehead to the nearest shelf. "Yeah, I know. But it felt like we were so close...but it was silly to think it would be that easy." Inexplicably, he smiled, thinly, at first, then wider, until it covered his face. He laughed. "Looks like I get to have a globe-trotting adventure after all!"

"That's the spirit!" Jorsin exclaimed, halfway between turning a page. "Foelbraak's book is somewhere out there, and it's just waiting for us to find it!"

"But," Raefe broke in, "how do we find it?"

No one had an answer. The depression welled up in Valendis for a moment before a woman's voice broke in.

"Um, excuse me." It was the librarian. "I don't mean to eavesdrop - which is difficult, since you're all rather - ahem - loud, but did I hear you correctly? You are looking for the work of the legendary Foelbraak?"

Hope burned away the despair within him and Valendis. "Yes, why? Do you know something."

She smiled mischievously. "I found this in the cellars a few weeks ago. I meant to put it away, but it got buried in the mess you saw earlier. Honestly, I don't know how the head librarian manages this place! I've only been substituting for a few weeks, and already...but here I am rambling." From behind her back, she produced a worn, leather-bound volume with the title embossed in gold. It looks positively ancient, but there was no mistaking it: The Arte of Summoning: A Compendium of Spirits and the Methods With Which to Bind Them, by Foelbraak.

Valendis took it gingerly. "This book dates from before the Mage Wars - before Nostia became a wasteland...this is it: all the lost knowledge of Summoning, what everyone has been looking for since the end of the Mage Wars..."

"Well?" Felicia urged. "Are you going to start making out with it or are you going to open the poor thing?"

"R-Right." He slowly pulled open the cover...

To real a blank page. Confused, he turned another, then another, then finally began flipping through the book. Hundreds of blank pages flew passed and with each one went a little bit of hope.

"I don't understand. How can this...what is this...?"

Jorsin offered a reasonable opinion. "It must be sealed somehow, to prevent the knowledge from falling into the wrong hands...but...I..." He narrowed his eyes. "Foelbraak...Benzeiah?"

"Benzeiah?" Raefe jumped over onto Valendis' shoulder. "My old family? What about them?"

"Foelbraak was in your family wasn't he, Raefe?"

The cat pondered a moment. "Yes, but he died before I was bonded to the family. Why?"

"Touch the book."

She placed a paw on the page. "You're right...I feel it, the Benezeiah blood, the power..." Without warning, she whipped around and bit Valendis' hand. He dropped the book with a yell and Raefe went with it, landing on her feet.

"What the hell, Raefe?" She had bit deeply and blood began to well in the wound. A few drops fell and splashed on the blank page. Light erupted from the book, a blinding, piercing light that filled the library and encircled everyone in it. When it cleared, all of them were standing together in what looked like a dungeon...or a tomb.

[Myrdraxxis]

Veraask wandered through the rows -no, that wasn't a very good way to describe it- the walls of tomes that gave the Library of Kyros the effect of a giant labyrinth of books and scrolls. Say what you want about the Arcians (and Veraask had heard a lot) but they were masters of grandiosity and style when it came to their monuments and accomplishments. Veraask marveled at the place as he paused at an intersection of rows, a small reading area lavished with couches and a small blue-stoned fountain. The Library of Kyros was the foremost center of magical learning as well as a vast archive of history and lore. The Colleges were built around it, the Battle Magi studied their crafts from knowledge in these halls. Politicians met here, business men talked shop within the many tiered lounge areas and small courtyards within outer edges of the Library's pyramid center. The place was teeming with academics and scholars, as well as the staff that held the honored position of the Library's upkeep. It was almost a city within a city.

A gem embedded within a masterpiece.

Veraask chuckled to himself as his clawed hand brushed the binding of a few of the tomes. Now he was starting to sound like his late master, so poetic and metaphorical.

Veraask picked a book from the shelf and wandered his way over to a nearby couch, plopping himself down and studiously ignoring the gaping looks he was getting from a couple of young college students nearby.

He flipped through a few pages. It was a book on the history of Nostia -one of the many thousands of such tales and speculations no doubt- but he was not truly paying it any attention. Instead he was more focused on expanding his senses outward, searching.

It was no mere curiosity that had led him to Kyros, or even Arcia. His mission was always on the forefront of his rapidly moving and thinking mind. His kind were special, even for Arkarris. Even for Sorcerers of the Chaotic Arts. The Keepers had long monitored the unseen boundaries of Mundus Magica. Veraask had always held the position in honor, if not a bit of disinterest. After all, there had been no disturbance in the Bind for centuries. There had been close calls, though. Veraask remembered the incidents a few centuries ago with the so called Mage of the Beginning. Veraask had been tempted to step in, then. But his master had always preached patience, and things had worked themselves out without the need for the Arkarris to reveal themselves. Years passed without incident and Veraask had grown complacent with his job. He had very nearly been to late to catch this recent disturbance. But unlike the last incident, he knew he would need to step in this time.

Things were wandering Mundus Magica that should not. Beings that did not belong.

Be it his connection to his homeland or his connection to the job of Keeper, Veraask was not certain. But he could feel the tainted presence of the Outsiders. He had come to Kyros to seek knowledge and allies where none could be found among his own people. And then he had sensed one. Here in Kyros.

'But now the presence is gone.' he thought, eyes scanning the passing humans. Any one of the people in this city could be his quarry. His prey could be hiding in this very library with him. it could even be watching him for all he knew.

Veraask felt a chill run down his spine, his feathers ruffling uncomfortably. 'Perhaps it is I who is the prey here.'

It was not a comforting thought.

His thoughts were interrupted by a blinding light that appears from further in the library. People stopped and murmured, taking in the sudden spectacle. Veraask stood, discarding his book and he rushed through the isles towards the light. It engulfed him, and when it cleared he found himself in a dungeaon of some sorts, near young Valendis and his familiars.

He cocked his head to the side curiously. "I take it you found what you were looking for."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Nearly a day later, Nathaniel found himself at his desk, sequenced away in his quarters deep within the spires of Helgras. The apartments provided to the Imperial Mage Hunters weren't as large or opulent as the many surrounding manors and buildings, but it hardly mattered to Nathaniel. He spent most of his time in his quarters aboard the Vandred anyway. Be that as it may, all Mage Hunters were required to maintain homes near the Imperial Palace, where they could be easily contacted and conduct their work when not in the field.

Which brought Nathaniel back to his work, a veritable mountain of paperwork that -despite and hour of struggle- didn't seem to be getting any smaller. He sighed, rubbing his temples. While the good citizens of Helgras had been very glad that the Vandred hadn't crashed into the city quarter in a raging fireball, he still had to account for the damages that were made to both the masonry and the ship itself, not to mention the breach in security of approaching Helgras directly, or the mishap with the escaped prisoners and the many deaths and injury to the crew.

And he still had yet to file his report on the Nostia mission.

He groaned softly, just as a knock sounded at his door. "Enter." he muttered through his hand. Ishabel, his team's Scryer, stepped into the room carrying a steaming mug of coffee. She smiled warmly.

"Thought you might need something to keep you going, boss." she said cheerfully. Where the woman found all that energy Nathaniel hadn't a clue. He nodded thankfully to her as she set the mug down on his desk. She scanned the top file. "Faust will probably be in here soon enough, apologizing immensely for his 'failure'". Ishabel rolled her eyes. Nathaniel always maintained a strict discipline with his crew, and they did so in return. Save for this woman. Somehow she managed to get away with blatant flippancy and lack of any distinct seriousness in his presence without any punishment. It was immensely irritating. But Nathaniel supposed that if he really minded, he would actually punish the girl for it one day.

"He didn't fail at anything." Nathaniel said.

"Oh I know. But try telling him that. I swear, that man is the most pig-headed Vaerian I've ever met. And that's saying something."

The corners of Nathaniel's mouth quirked into a grin, which he covered instantly. "I'll deal with him, Ishabel. Thank you." he nodded towards the mug of coffee. On her way out, Ishabel paused.

"The Steward came by earlier. Said that his Majesty wanted to speak with you when you're done here." Nathaniel nodded, slowly this time. The fact that the Emperor deigned to wait for Nathaniel to finish his work before speaking with him showed how much the Emperor actually valued his services. Looks like he wasn't in as much trouble as he thought.

"You know, that girl. The blood mage? Doctor said that they managed to stabilize her. She'll wake up soon." Ishabel said offhandedly as she left, closing the door behind her. Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, exhaling wearily. A part of him knew that dealing with this girl would be nothing but trouble. For him specifically.yet another part couldn't help but be a little bit relieved.

[Razgat]

Sunlight drifted in through the window onto Deyanira's eyelids. They fluttered at the brightness and caused her to wake up. She winced and attempted to raise her hand to cover her eyes, but she found she could not move it. "That's...strange..."

She attempted to turn her head to look, but she suddenly felt dizzy from the movement and fell back onto the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. It was a clean white, and the air smelled like chemicals. "Where am I? What happened?"

Deyanira tried to remember the events that could have caused her to end up there. She remembered being arrested and taken onto the airship, then she was let go by the Specter, and then she went to find that boy. "Oh!"

She immediately shot up and was immediately met by pain. She felt a sting in her wrist from whatever was holding it that kept her from totally sitting up. She looked down to see handcuffs securing her to her bed. She tugged on it a few times, puzzled. She looked up and saw guards surrounding her bed, staring at her. A quick look around got her all the information she needed. She was a prisoner in a hospital.

And she wasn't dead...yet.