Alex nodded his head sympathetically. “I am sorry, master Rens. We have done our utmost, attempted to balance that spell construct with such exquisite care, and still it ruptures. I fear we will never be able to emulate the ancient spellwards of dream, requiring use of arts long lost to us, and even with our mastery over the elementalist tradition, bending the chords of power in ways so alien to their nature only invites disaster.”
Rens sighed, giving a sad shake of his head, his great crimson mane a powdered, chalky contrast to his shimmering robes of burgundy, their protective enchantments deflecting dust far easier than they would an uncontrolled arcane explosion, Jess sensed. "I fear you are probably right, young Alex. For all that we strove to stretch the boundaries of our art, in the end they snapped back with a vengeance." Rens demeanor took on that of the professor he was, as he strove to explain lessons of an arcane nature to Jess.
“As you both know, with our present level of understanding of magic, it mostly involves the use and transference of energy in various forms. Ancient arts of polymorphing, changing shape, creating castles in the sky, flying on griffon’s wings, charming others under your influence or other acts of fairy tales are still just that, tales for children. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t expand our own arts, limited as they are.”
Jess and Malek both nodded, well aware of the tactical uses of wizards in warfare. Powerful, masters of raining fire, lightning, and hail upon their enemies, the fount of all their arts involved harnessing the power of nature in its rawest forms. In summoning storms to hinder an opposing army, elementalists were particularly useful if they could use their magics at sea, sundering enemy ships or even a fleet if a squad of wizards acted in unison. Yet for all that wind wards could blow stray arrows off course, wizards were still vulnerable if cut off from the main force and forced to confront spearmen or swordsmen directly. For all that most generals took great care to protect their greatest and most fragile weapons, additional magics would be of great boon to the survivability of wizards pressed into war.
“And so,” Rens continued, “we ever seek to expand the depth of our arts, but are nonetheless limited as to what we can and can't do as elementalists. As we all saw today, straying too far from the path of power that we are aligned to invites great folly. And for all that I had hoped to somehow find a way around our limitations, to somehow forge a bond between the storms of air and ocean and the stormy seas of dream and nightmare, alas, such is not meant to be.”
Jess nodded. “That’s what Twilight thinks, as well. You guys shouldn’t be twisting your magics that way. It’s just going to twist around and bite us all in the arse, if you keep pushing in directions it’s not meant to go.”
Rens blinked, gazing at Jess curiously. “Twilight?”
Alex blinked in surprise, then nodded. “Yes, master Rens. Jessica’s cat is named Twilight. I will explain later, sir.” He turned to Jess and Malek. “The reason for our summoning you both here ties directly to the motivation for our desperate studies, and why the instructors have actively encouraged everyone to forget the details of the night when our enemies invaded Highrock through our very nightmares.”
Alex gave a sad shake of his head. “We are vulnerable, Jess, in ways you can barely imagine. As is all of Erovering, should war once more be declared. For our enemies did more than simply raid our innermost sanctuary, putting all our lives in peril. Those vile bastards made off with a priceless prize that might spell our doom. For they have stolen nothing less than the Wand of Dreams.”
Dead silence. Jess went utterly still, somehow knowing that this was a grave misfortune, for all that she knew naught of its details or specific importance. An ignorance Alex quickly remedied. “Unless we can find a way to protect ourselves, we are vulnerable to any infernalist mage with a talent for dreaming magics. He can strike at us at our most vulnerable, and we are all but helpless before him.”
Alex locked gazes with Jess. “We never worried overly about such things before. But if there is even the slightest chance that our enemies are not above trucking with practitioners of that vile art, our nation's universities and noble houses would be the first places that they would strike.”
Malek hissed. “Damn. I knew it. It’s all going to hell. Isn’t it, master Rens? Even the prince’s attempts at diplomacy are just blowing smoke up a bull’s ass.”
Jess turned to Malek. “What’s going on?”
“It was when you were still asleep.” Malek sighed. “The king’s youngest son had been striving to negotiate a treaty with Velheim in the hopes of staving off all out warfare, but it was to no avail. Velheim soldiers disguised as bandits flooded down from the pass. Men perished, and the prince just barely avoided being captured himself. Anyway, that’s what Eloquin passed along from one of the bards, and few people are as savvy with world affairs as the Adventurer’s Guild. All nobles know that, even if the Guild claims to be nonpolitical.”
Rens look was grim. “Indeed. Such being the case, we need whatever arcane tools we can find or create to add to our resources and that, my dear adventurers, is we summoned you today.”
Jess blinked, nonplussed. “What, dear Rens, are you talking about?”
He sighed. Glanced at Alex, who nodded. “The chambers are secure. It is just us four. My wards are not of your caliber, sir, but I believe they would sense whatever scrying magics our enemies can bring to bear.” He then turned to Jess and gave her an inquiring look.
Jess grinned, turning to gaze at a familiar presence upon her shoulder, still licking off powdered stone and looking slightly peeved by the entire affair.
Twilight arched an eyebrow. “Trust me, Jess. If any mage had been foolish enough to spy upon us, he’d be knocked senseless with blood coming out of his ears.”
Jess nodded. “We’re safe.”
Rens gave Alex an enquiring look. Alex shrugged and gazed at Jess. It was her call.
Jess grinned. “Twilight, my invisible cat that no one believes in, has assured me of our privacy. He doesn’t think any scrying wizards would be spying on us at present even if they could get through your wards, what with the explosion of sound that would have knocked them senseless had they been listening in, and that is assuming your shock wave of rather nasty energies hadn't flooded through, sending their shattered bodies screaming into lands of darkest nightmare.”
Rens blinked, nonplussed, and chuckled lightly. “Ah. Very good then. In any case, dear Jess, dear Malek, I have a proposition for you.” His bemused gaze turned deadly serious. “I am making this request outside the auspices of the Adventurer’s Guild. Rest assured, they will be speaking with you shortly, I have no doubt. I have it on good authority that there is a representative heading to the college even as we speak. And it is my sincere hope that you will take up our quest, on behalf of the college. For should the Guild get their hands on the artifact needed to secure the college’s safety, I fear we shall never see it again.”
Jess blinked. “Why, master Rens? If they retrieve the artifact, wouldn’t they be obliged to return it to you?”
Rens gave a sad shake of his head. “I am afraid not, dear Jess. For as much as it saddens me to admit it, we have ourselves made overtures to the Guild to come to our aid.” Rens’ eyes flashed in sudden heat. “Some damn traitor knowing our school's plight had already forged a contract with the Guild for that very artifact. And once a contract is made and agreed upon, the Guild is honor-bound to follow it to the letter, and I think we can all rest assured that if said party gets hold of that item, it will most certainly not be to our benefit.”
Jess exchanged a look with Malek. “So. Let's make sure we have this right. The Wand of Dreams was stolen, either during or before the attack upon our school that had locked so many of us in dream. We need that wand in order to protect our school from infernalist attacks manipulating dreams and nightmares, so it must have been stolen or dislodged or something before the original dream attack.”
Rens nodded. “Correct.”
Jes
s’s lips pressed together in a contemplative frown. “So, if only our enemies knew that the wand was missing before you had put in an overture with the Guild, why would they be hiring the Guild for an artifact we thought they had already claimed?”
Malek shrugged. “Division within the ranks? One group stole it from another?”
Rens shrugged. “We can only imagine. The point is, we are hoping to secure your services before the Guild representatives stop to speak with you. They will do all they can to make you full members of the Guild, and I cannot deny that for most that would be an extremely tempting offer. Yet, for all that, I hope you will think carefully before doing so, at least until serving your college in our time of need.”
“Why do you think we would be tempted to join them, sir? Especially when you have made it clear that Highrock needs us.” Malek quickly queried, exchanging a look with Jess, the pair sharing a grim smile. As if any outside force would ever entice them to betray their school.
Rens gazed at them both. “They are the most powerful guild in Erovering with a lot of influence and wealth. The Guild, or institutions that serve very similar purposes, can be found in every kingdom of this continent. Such being the case, they can pull a lot of unseen strings. Any member, however modest a role, can always count on a roof over their head and a full belly, and a very light touch from the local constable indeed, save for the most grievous of transgressions. And if you are an adventurer working on their behalf, why, the streets are all but paved with gold as far as you need be concerned, for they own many of the best Inns and taverns in Erovering, and adventurers there are treated like nobility, free of charge, staying as long as they like, and not even a nobleman, let alone of a constable, would dare interfere with a Guild sanctioned Delver, lest he is actively invading the lord's own demesne.”
Rens chuckled softly. "For those of common stock, it is a dream come true. A life of comfort and indulgence, never troubled by a cold night's sleep or an empty belly again. Even attire can be provided for. The guild's demands are a light yoke on most adventurers in any case, rare a breed as you are. So for most Delvers, it is perhaps the best of all possible circumstances. They don't even make demands, counting on an adventurer's own hunger to taste that sweet world of dreams again and again, Delving ever deeper into the realms of Regio. And the more often you Delve, the more you crave the next adventure, even if only by the skin of your teeth did you survive your last."
Rens’ expression became solemn. “I regret that no one has yet taken the time to explain the dangers of the Delver’s life to you. To warn you of the hungers that can lead to your ultimate destruction. Even should your memory of specifics becomes clouded with the haze of dreams, the ecstasy, the exhilaration, will haunt you like a restless itch that can never be completely scratched. You will be ever compelled to take that next quest, embrace the next thrill no matter how perilous the journey, if you dare to adventure for any duration.”
Alex nodded. “For all the glory and power it promises you, for some it is a vice that locks one's soul in a grip tight as iron. An adventurer’s lust is like the richest of wines, the most luxurious of opium dens. It is a craving that can lead to bliss and enslavement both, if one is not careful.”
“Indeed," Rens agreed. "And it is a heady trap. Who could resist? The chance to enjoy the exhilaration of battling in realms of darkest Shadow and highest adventure, with the stamina of the greatest heroes, motivated by the lure of treasure, wealth, and lost artifacts of power. And far different from a poor soul enslaved by drink or poppy is the enticement of power and glory. For instead of appearing wasted and aged before one’s time, one only grows in vigor and health, the longer one Delves.”
Alex tilted his head. “Until, of course, one never returns at all. Lost in the realm of dreams, forever.”
Rens nodded. "Exactly.
The words sent a foreboding chill coursing down Jess's spine, even as she felt that odd tingle of desire even now, to embrace the magic and mystery of exploring the unknown yet again. She loved the half-remembered visions that faded like dream, reminiscence of moving with the grace and power of a heroine out of legend, just as she read about so avidly in the bard's depiction of the glorious tales of so many other heroes gracing the storybooks of fable and myth. Only now she understood that those tales were not myths at all, but dutifully recorded accounts of excitement and wonder in worlds of possibility that she could scarcely imagine. The ability to live a life of endless adventure, harrowing escapes, glorious discoveries, forever renowned in scroll and song; truly it seemed a wondrous life, whatever the risks.
Freedom. That's what it was all about. Jess could choose to embrace the thrill and excitement of exploring the world in all its mysteries, and any craving she had she would embrace or deny, as she saw fit. She smiled then, feeling much better, even as she fantasized of one day striding triumphantly atop the windswept peaks of possibility, ruling victorious over a realm shrouded in glory and legend. A realm of her own. She chuckled softly then, shaking her amusing flight of fancy away.
“But there is more to it than that, isn’t there?” Malek’s words were cold, almost angry. “And more than stamina, many an adventurer develops powers, don’t they? Isn’t that also in the tomes you lent us, Alex? Powers that would test the might of even a master magus, or a squad of a noble’s most loyal soldiers. And this is the real reason why adventurers are given such wide berth, and the freedom to live as they choose, without censure.”
Alex nodded. "That is very true, Malek. Many laws that would constrain peasantry or even nobility, you are free of as a Delver, so long as you don't raise your arms against the king and Crown. It's pure practicality, really. Far better a tame lion happy with the state of affairs than one feeling oppressed and ripe for conversion, to serve an enemy state. Of course, a lot of that influence is due to the Adventurer's Guild. No noble is so foolish as to want to cross the Guild directly. For whatever is said, whatever is promised, however easygoing and friendly the Adventurers Guild is to the Delvers that serve as its backbone, the thought that dozens of half-mad explorers, blessed or cursed with supernatural strength and powers unlike anything even an elementalist might wield being brought to bear against any man that crosses the Guild is a nightmare every noble fears, even if none would shame themselves in saying it aloud. But an aristocrat or merchant would be a fool not to tread carefully when dealing with what is, perhaps, the deadliest force in Erovering, outside the king's own direct sphere of power. And as their abilities to strike unseen and to lethal effect can only be guessed at, absolutely no one would dare cross them outright, however powerful they thought their wards and defenses.
Rens sighed. “And therein lies our dilemma. For though the Guild lays a very light yoke indeed on its members, demands it does have. The first one is pure common sense. No Delver may kill another. A point of dispute is to be resolved in a non-lethal challenge only. When one considers how rare and valuable adventurers are, for them to kill themselves off foolishly would be the height of idiocy.”
“Exactly," Alex nodded. "Very much like treaties we wizards have with differing schools and nations."
Malek grinned. "I've heard of that! I heard that one nation's champion mage will duel the opposing nation's champion and the loser will agree not to use his mages in the upcoming conflict. Of course, history shows Erovering and Velheim never agreed to these terms."
Alex smiled. “Indeed. While it is true Erovering and Velheim's... differences have always transcended the adherence of that particular tradition, you will note that noblemen never brag about using their mages in maneuvers against his fellows. For as you well know, Malek, we wizards of Erovering do hold common cause with one another, and refuse to be killed off by fellows we may well have trained and studied with for years, as if we had no more value than a piece on some mad noble's game board. So for all that we may hire ourselves out to defend a noble's estates, should it ever happen that one wizard spies another upon the field of battle, both will immediately pa
rlay and recuse themselves from the conflict entire. And if any noble save the king himself dares to threaten his mages, he can rest assured none will ever work for him again, as well as gaining powerful enemies.”
“Yes.” Rens nodded. “All true, my students. All true. I have nothing but esteem for the Guild’s enforcement of policies that keep some of our most talented nation’s individuals from killing each other off. It is their second edict that I disagree with. And that, dear Delvers, is why you are here.
Jess looked on attentively as Rens gathered his thoughts before speaking. “The second edict of theirs involves the discovery of relics within the Shadowlands, or the Dreamrealms, if you prefer. An adventurer may keep any item he finds, or trade it to another adventurer. Should an adventurer choose to sell an artifact he or she finds, it is almost always done through the Guild. Long tradition has reinforced this custom, even if there is no law actually precluding sale outside Guild channels. Now, to be fair, we have never heard of an adventurer being shortchanged by the arrangement. In fact, some delicate inquiries indicate that the return is often quite generous, even when compared to the offers of various nobles or wizards also seeking to possess these mysterious artifacts pulled free from living dream.”
Rens shrugged and scratched his beard. “Of course, if the adventurer does not like the price, he is free to turn down the bid, yet this is almost never done. Adventurers can and often do accrue vast wealth and prestige among their elite circle, when selling their most exotic treasures through the Guild. However, the underlying fact, much understated, is still true. Even if it is simply due to custom and convenience, it is most often the Guild, not the adventurer, who determines who the ultimate purchaser will be.”
Malek looked grim. “Let me guess, they make their money charging the adventurers a ridiculous commission? Are adventurers really so foolish as to not form their own guild, if that’s the case?”
Rens smiled. “In point of fact, their commission is actually quite reasonable. Never more than twenty percent. It can even be negotiated downwards, or at least that’s what appears to be the case. And so far the arrangement has proven equitable enough that I have yet to find any record of adventurers wanting to break away from the Guild.”
Shadow Knight Page 24
