Chapter 12 - Training and Gates

Chapter 12

Salran Mountains, Starnor Imperial Border Territories

Outside Airah's cave

Airah cursed softly as the arrow missed, and planted itself into the ground.

"Well, your standards of marksmanship haven't changed much." Said Stellyra as she popped another virtual cherry into her mouth. "Still missing elephants in hallways."

Airah gritted her teeth, notched another arrow, drew back the bow's string, let loose...and missed, again.

The dragon sighed as her AI chuckled, and threw up her arms.

"Fine! You can do it!"

Stellyra gave her a triumphant smile, before her expression became serious. She was perfectly aware that she shouldn't push her friend and bonded human too far. Besides, she'd have ample time to tease her later.

"Alright." Stellyra stepped behind Airah, and the dragon felt the AI's consciousness slip into her own. She took an arrow out of the quiver, notched it, drew...and began correcting her posture and aim as the AI fed her information and calculations, her avatar guiding her like an instructor would.

As a bonded human/AI pair, they could achieve feats of marksmanships few could ever hope to match. It was the only way to even be able to control the gigantic weapon systems that formed a Devourer's primary armaments, able to shoot down Conclave warships halfway across a star system.

The problem was that Airah had some wounded pride left over from the days she'd taken a liking to the range, early in this memory cycle. Her scores had been mediocre, but she'd been improving, and she'd insisted to do it without Stellyra's assistance...who had constantly backseated her the whole way, and when she'd allowed the AI to help, hit ever shot, dead center of the target, at half a kilometer. With a pistol.

Stellyra hadn't said anything then, but her smug look had stayed for a week straight.

She let loose, and the arrow buried itself straight in the middle of their makeshift target, which they had carved out of a tree whose sole crime was being the closest to the cave's entrance, and broad enough to actually offer a decent target.

"See? Much better." Said Stellyra as she stepped back into view.

"Right." Airah sighed. "Now the crossbow?"

"I think you should take a break first, recover some arrows, and read some stuff. We still haven't finished perusing Marty's manuscript after all."

"That's because his manuscript would be a maze, if his writing could be made manifest."

"I'm fairly sure that the spells are what happens when it is made manifest."

"Shut up."

Stellyra stuck her tongue out, and Airah rolled her eyes, before going for the target. The AI was right, might as well recover the arrows before she forgot.

*****

Airah was still reading her book when she heard a strange sound. She froze, and looked at the tunnel leading towards the entrance to the cave, all senses alert.

Then she heard it again. Like bone scraping against stone. Or claws.

There was some rustling, then a sound like a giant sniffing the air. A few more scrapes, moving away, and then nothing.

Airah slowly got up, stashed her book, turned into her dragon form, and made her way up the cave.

It didn't take her long to reach the place she'd heard the noises from. It was fairly obvious, after all, what with the giant claw marks on the ground. Much like her own, but the spacing was all wrong.

What the hell is that? Asked Airah over the mind link.

At a guess? Probably one of those 'wargs' we keep hearing about.

I'd pictured some big wolves, a la Tolkien, not...whatever that is!

Well, I'm fairly sure no one here ever heard of Tolkien. Anyway, I think we should consider blocking the entrance.

With what?

A giant rock?

Airah shook her head.

That would take forever to open or close. She stopped. But...we could buy a gate. Probably.

That would be costly. And take forever to make.

Yes, but it would be a good, permanent solution to keep unwanted visitors out. And we can still use the boulder until it's there.

Right. Point taken. So...how do you plan to do this?

Let's go to Kaisersgrenze. We need to have a conversation with that dear taciturn blacksmith.

*****

"You want a what?"

Victor had stopped his work, staring at her through his protective googles. Or at least that's what Airah assumed he was doing, because she couldn't see anything through them. They reminded her of the kind of low tech welder gear you saw in old historical documents, now that she thought about it

"A gate. Full iron, wrought iron if possible. Custom dimensions. Oh, and do you know a good, very discreet mason? I'd need to build the gate house alongside them."

"Discreet?"

"It's a secret project." She shrugged as he gave her a suspicious look. "Look, if you want, I can have the baroness vouch for me. I'm not doing anything illegal. But I like my privacy, and I don't want to be disturbed every morning if someone knew where I lived." She shrugged. "The gates are a part of that actually. It would prevent people from barging in." No need to tell the poor man that 'people' in this case meant 'giant wolves things with giant claws'.

Victor nodded. Wanting privacy and peace he could definitely understand.

"Alright. You know this will cost you, right? What's your budget?"

Airah tapped her bag.

"Five hundred gold. For the gate and the gatehouse." She'd decided that she might as well invest most of what she had in this. She'd rather not have to worry about being attacked in her sleep constantly. Or have her stuff stolen while she was away. Someone was bound to find her hideout eventually. She'd miss the warmth her soul crystal gave her as it drew power from the money, but she could always make more.

Victor whistled softly.

"That's a pretty large budget." He looked at the shop door. "I'll have to consult with my wife, but I'm fairly sure I'll be able to make time for it. And you'll have only the best iron for that price, you have my word. As for the mason..." He shrugged. "I know a few folks who can keep their mouths shut, but I can't guarantee they'll accept."

"Well, ask them, I won't blame you if they turn the offer down."

"Right. Well, in that case, come back in a few hours will you? I'll have a more definitive answer by then. And an estimation of the costs."

"Of course. I have other business in town anyway. See you later!"

"See you later, lady Starfire." He said, before heading into the shop.

Airah watched him go, and turned around. A few hours should be enough to take care of her other business.

*****

"Hello milady!" Said Marty as Airah came through the door. This time he was standing behind the counter, polishing a literal crystal ball.

"What, no 'oh mighty one'?" She said as she closed the door behind her. She had said it jokingly, but there was a definite edge to her voice as well.

Marty chuckled.

"I had gathered that you wanted to keep such things under wraps. Thus my use of more...mundane titles."

"Right." Airah made her way to the counter, and rested her elbows on it. "How did you know by the way? And don't tell me-"

"A true magician never reveals his secrets!" He laughed at her expression.

"...That." She sighed. "Are you sure you won't tell me?"

"Yes." He looked at her, and shrugged. "If it worries you, very few here could use the same...technique to find you out. And fewer would bother applying it to you. I was just lucky enough to catch a few snippets of the soldiers coming into my library before their officer sushed them, if I'm being honest, and that drew my curiosity."

"Ah." Airah relaxed. "Thank you, that is reassuring."

"Your secret is safe with me. Although for how long it will remain a secret -soldiers are soldiers after all- I can't tell you."

"What, can't look into your crystal ball and read my future?" She pointed at the clear sphere, and Marty laughed.

"If I could do that I would be a mighty archmage indeed! Perhaps even the mightiest, as none can know the future for sure, only possibilities." He patted the orb. "This is an orb of divination. It allows you to project your sight many kilometers away. Very useful for a variety of purposes, but unfortunately unreliable."

"Unreliable?"

He shrugged.

"This is a, quite frankly, small store in a backwater town. I got it off a Republic merchant who was quite desperate to get rid of it before the customs officers started checking his cargo. It's the only reason I got it for so cheap. And even then it doesn't work very well. Oh, it displays the image of other places alright, but never quite where you wanted to look, and always for a short time."

"Uh. And are you selling it?"

"Mostly everything here is for sale. Except for me of course, and my clothing, although I have received offers for both."

"Stars, is that common?"

Marty's eyebrow rose.

"Uh, odd. I have rarely heard people use celestial objects as oaths. But not really, no. My clothing is quite well enchanted, and I am a competent mage, both of which are a rarity on the frontier." He shrugged. "The offers were from caravans regardless, and I am not interested in moving."

"Why stay here? I mean, you should be able to learn far more in a larger city, correct? And your clothing is enchanted? I couldn't tell."

"Correct. But if I were to open a shop there, I would be quickly run out of business. Besides, this town is peaceful, and I feel vastly more useful here than in any larger city. Perhaps it is my ego talking, as I am one of the few mages here and thus the center of attention a lot, but it's how I feel. And yes, my clothing is enchanted, but I took great care to make it not appear so." He winked at her. "Many would be thieves' last action before ending in chains was grabbing me to convince me to hand over my goods."

She chuckled.

"Fair enough."

"So, what brings you here? Besides the small talk of course, which is always fine, don't worry."

"I wanted to have this appraised." She drew the enchanted sword from her bag, and handed it over hilt first. Marty took the blade, and looked at it, testing it with the speed and precision only someone familiar with such weapons could have achieved.

"Mmmmhhhh...Fascinating." He looked at the blade, tilting it slightly, as if you get a better look. He murmured an incantation under his breath, and his eyes shone for a brief moment, before nodding. "A simple enchantment, but an effective one." He tapped the blade. "This is a fire sword. A most basic type of enchanted weapon, to be sure, but extremely effective if used correctly. Provided the user knows how to handle it properly and do not burn themselves with it of course, which won't be a problem in your case."

"So it just....catches on fire?"

"Indeed! Observe!" He held the sword away from the counter, and the sword began to glow. For a second, nothing happened, and then the entire sword was wreathed in flame, then sputtered out. "I cut it out to avoid setting fire to anything, but yes. The flame isn't exceptionally hot, so don't expect to cut through metal with it, but strike exposed flesh, and well..."

"Whoever is hit will regret it."

"Oh yes. And then some." He looked at the blade again, before handing it back. "Out of curiosity, where did you acquire it?"

"From the bandit camp I liberated, alongside lady Vostner and her men a week or so ago."

"Ah, yes. That story has already gone around quite a bit. Few of those rescued where from the town, but I am told the villages sang your praises. You made quite the impression, slaughtering half of the bandits on your own."

"Please, I only killed four of them during the assault. Okay, five, if you count the one I knocked out for the others to finish off."

"It is not how much damage you dealt that is important, but how visible you were. And according to them you rushed in straight to save them, pushing straight through their defenses and then proceeding to wipe the floor with the guards. The prisoners had a front row seat, and they were most impressed by your performance."

"Right." Airah shrugged. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing to have her reputation inflated like that...but well, having a good reputation would only help. Especially as the truth of what she was would get out eventually, as Marty had pointed out. "So, do you want any payment for the appraisal?"

"Please, no. It is such a little thing. And you have done a lot for this town. Consider it a gesture for your service."

"Uh uh. And not positioning yourself to have a great dragon as a client?"

"Weeeelllll....maybe a bit of that as well. But can you blame me?"

Airah chuckled.

"No, I guess not."

"So, was there anything else?"

Airah shook her head, then stopped.

"Actually, yes. Do you know of an alchemist or potion shops in this town?"

Marty licked his lips.

"I....do. But the owner isn't in today. He went on the train yesterday to source some new ingredients from the core of the Empire. I do not know when he will be back."

"Ah, that's a shame. Well, I suppose I'll try to get him next time I pass by. Where is his shop?"

"A few streets away from there. Karl's Potions and Concoctions. Can't miss it. If you can't smell your way to it, ask someone, but be prepared for some fairly inventive cursing."

"Cursing?"

"He, ah, has a reputation. 'Damn the manuals and dump all of the ingredients into the vat!' kind of reputation."

"Ah. A mad scientist?"

"Of a sort."

"Right. Well, I'll be sure to pass by his shop next time I'm here. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to!"

"Of course, have a good day lady Starfire!"

"You too!"

Airah walked out of the shop, and quickly looked at the sky. She'd spent some time replenishing her stock of herbs and other necessities -she hadn't realized how much she'd missed soap until she'd taken a bath in a nearby stream-, and it had been a solid few hours since she'd talked to Victor. Might as well check in.

It took only a handful of minutes to make her way there...to find Stavros and a handful of guards standing in front of the shop, one of them immediately pointing at her as she rounded the corner into the street.

She sighed. Why did nobles have to stick their fingers into everything?