Chapter 180 - INSERT -

Below is an edit of Chapter 180 to resolve the Raelia issue and has him taking the Apex Essence from Traeliorn to enhance his aether core. Working on the first Chapter of Book 4...maybe 2 days it will be up

Night descended upon us about halfway from the city. We made our camp in the center of some evergreens and used the thermal stone to cook. The stone was a huge boon as it not only provided heat to cook but also had no smoke or scent of burning wood to attract creatures. Still, with just the two of us, I remained on watch all night, and Maveith slept in short spurts with the amulet.

As Maveith entered a round of slumber with the amulet, I carried a glowstone a short distance into the woods. I listened for a while but only heard the soft crackling of snow refreezing from the mild day. I considered waking Maveith for this but decided against it. It was a bit of jealousy and fear that he may leave with her.

Raelia stood before me and crouched in anticipation. The glowstone shadowed her features, and she exhaled a cloud of steam in the chilly night air. She focused on me after seeing I was the only one. “We are out of the dungeon?” She finally asked with a relaxed posture.

“We are. We are about twenty miles west of Parvas. Do you know where that is?” I informed her.

With a note of sorrow, she asked, “I know where Parvas is. Did Maveith not make it?” I doubted she would have had the same concern for me in asking after me.

“Maveith is sleeping.” I added a little white lie to spur her, “My company isn’t far off with my mage commander. You should get going. I suggest traveling south, crossing the river, and then making your way home.” Her pack appeared in my hand, and I held it out for her. “There is food and some fragile items inside, so treat them with care. You should make haste.”

She sheathed her blades and took a few steps forward to take her pack, slightly surprised by the weight. She shouldered the pack and was about to turn but paused. “If you are ever captured.” She seemed to consider her next words, “Ask for General Clalyn Glavien. I will tell my brother you helped me and he will ensure you end up in a work camp instead of strung up with the other legionnaires.”

“What a generous offer,” I said with an undertone of mocking.

She rolled her eyes at me for the last time, checked the position of the moon, and tramped off into the snow. I remained still as I listened to her footsteps get further and further away. I actually hoped the elf girl made it home and wasn’t eaten by a predator. I wondered what her reaction would be on seeing the griffin egg.

Sure, she was gone. I returned to the camp and warmed myself with the thermal stone. The large pearl essence appeared in my hand. I placed the large sphere in my mouth and let the tingly feeling spread in my body as it dissolved. It was easy to swallow, like cool water, and chills spread from my abdomen to all my extremities. My heart pounded stronger, recognizing the potential power I was consuming.

My limited awareness of my aether core could feel it swelling. My aether channels flared in protest, and I was going to need to get them repaired. The core enhancement briefly distorted my spell forms as I lost connection to my slow aging before it re-established itself. I would have to ask Castile if I was endangering my spell forms by increasing my aether core.

When everything settled, I released a relieved groan. I showed restraint in not checking my attributes immediately. Once we reached safety, I could review my progress.

We started moving early in the day, walking along a stretch of the river. A barge with a sail came up behind us that looked to be loaded with soldiers from the regular and a handful of legionnaires contrasting them in their red armor. We paused, thinking we could get a ride the rest of the way to Parvas as it was almost thirty miles.

Even half a mile away, I could make out Benito jumping up and down and pointing at Maveith and me. He was yelling something that I couldn’t make it as the barge changed course and headed for us. The entire company was on the bow of the craft as it scrapped the sandy shoal below the bank where we stood. Castile couldn’t contain her smile. Konstantin was shaking his head. Benito was yelling about winning some type of bet.

We scrambled down the bank to board the craft, receiving pats and half-hugs. Curiously, I did not see one member of the company. Flavius was missing. The bargemen got the barge back into the river, complaining about the stench of the legionnaires they had picked up along their trip. The forty or so soldiers knew better than to complain about our unwashed bodies.