5.14 As in Black, so in Teal

Difference: Minimal

Desir watched from a distance as Irwyn and Alice experimented in the field outside the mansion. There was a single large stretch of flat ground and well-kept grass. Him and the rest of their party had taken up the large gazebo that had seemingly been set up specifically to observe people in said field. Though, because of the original seating arrangements, he and Elizabeth actually sat quite far apart.

First off, he tapped the arm of his bench in a specific pattern, letting Waylan know that he wanted actual privacy for what was to come. The signal system that had been drilled into the former Tears was indeed rather convenient, and not particularly difficult to learn or slightly adjust. He gave the handsome bastard a moment to flee, then walked over to where Elizabeth was sitting.

“So, I know you will probably not be happy to hear this, but we have to talk,” he broached, taking a spot at her side.

“What about?” She asked, already raising that disgustingly potent bubble of privacy. How in the world she had achieved it with Concepts focused mainly on the body was a mystery to Desir.

“Are you in the mood for smalltalk first, or should we rip the bandage right off?” He tried to lighten the atmosphere.

“Just get to it,” and she rolled her eyes with amusement, so that was a success.

“When was the last time you have eaten?” So Desir let his voice become

“Admittedly… not in a while,” she said slowly.

“Will I have to drag the answer out of you?” He shook his head. “My guess is, you have not touched any food since leaving the Trial. Am I correct?” Because he had already suspected, but the unfinished platters of snacks in the parlor had been the last confirmation he had needed.

“Yes…” she said with almost pained reluctance. But Desir had already learned that Elizabeth was allergic to admitting fault and would rather mutilate herself than show weakness, so that was already progress.

“I don’t know what happened, but even as powerful as you are, there is a limit to how far that magic can carry you. You are far from a Named yet.”

“I will get over it eventually,” she insisted. “Just a mental barrier. It shall be sheared through.”

“Sure, but I am acting as a physician here, not a psychiatrist. Your body will eventually give out on you at this pace. It sure would have on me already. So, I propose intravenous nutritional injections. Unless that is even more discomforting. Starting tomorrow, since I have to figure out where to requisition them first.”

“No. That sounds like a solid compromise. Just…”

“I won’t mention it, no,” Desir rolled his eyes to reassure her. “But you should bring it up yourself. Don’t make that decision now, though; let it stew.”

***

When the time came, there was no invitation or a vocal announcement. Just a polite buildup of mana that Irwyn had the distinct impression their host was allowing them to feel. A few seconds later, Irwyn was suddenly sitting in a waiting room. The instantaneous teleportation was honestly quickly getting as mundane as Waylan appearing out of nowhere.

Besides the obvious teal blue furniture, the room was actually not what Irwyn would expect. Chairs so uncomfortable it had to be on purpose, unpleasant lighting, thick and unpleasant burnt smoke, and only a single exit door. Certainly a choice, for what had to be a place arranged by a Named mage. The Archduke himself wasn’t in the room, though. Instead, they were greeted by a young man in formal teal robes.

“Come along, my master will be ready for you just as we reach him,” he said, turning around and immediately leaving through room’s singular door. 

He couldn’t have been more than 20, possibly less. Yet the youth held two Concepts, not even bothering to hide as much. That would make him a match for Alice, since she was a bit younger and closing in on her second carving. Which was only after she had imbibed Ambrosia along the way. But then, that only made sense if the man was indeed the apprentice of a Named mage.

The hallway they followed him into reminded Irwyn of the Voidways. A long corridor flickering with blue light seemingly coming from nowhere and walls of seamless Tea something. Except that instead of great archways, the architecture was simpler - blocky and unimpressive - and the doors on the side were far fewer. The Archduke also could have just teleported them directly in front of him. There was probably a reason he hadn’t, which Irwnyn didn’t yet understand. 

“Why is the dilation in constant flux?” Alice asked after just the first few steps. “It’s so needlessly chaotic that I cannot begin to make any sense of the magic.”

“The Intercalate can only make so much Time for himself. The Hall of Dates ensures that those who reach him do so when it is the most expedient, among other things.”

“What should we expect from your master, then?” Desir asked.

“Hopefully, you can amuse him,” the man answered. His tone was very… aloof. Like he clearly did not care for the whole conversation and was just going through the motions. We may be here for up to a few minutes from our perspective.”

“City Black has a similar place,” Elizabeth said, also spotting the similarity. “Though this seems smaller in scale, at least from how few exits we are passing.”

“Yes, I have heard of the Voidways. Though this place is significantly less dangerous for the layman. I do not understand why your ancestors would ever make transportation so… vindictive.”

“To weed out the weak and unfated, as with many stupid traditions my home still keeps to,” she replied.

“I suppose such people exist everywhere,” he nodded, tone still flat. Then he turned towards Desir. “Are you aware there are beings of pure Time in your ancestry?”

“Are bloodlines so obvious to you?” Desir easily countered.

“Not to me, but the Hallways resonate with you in a familiar way. It is a shame you chose to walk a path not so suited to your talents. And impressive that you have seemingly made it so far nonetheless.”

“Now, now, you would be surprised about my gifts, if you could actually see them,” 

The Time mage finally paused, frowned, then raised an eyebrow. A moment later his expression turned dispassionate again. “Perhaps I should not judge prematurely. You are in rather august company. And please, don’t stray away to explore, it could take hours to find you as I would not dare bother my master over such matters.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Waylan said, clearly miffed at being found.

“Was that you or the Hall?” Irwyn asked on his friend’s behalf.

“Mostly the Hall, but I could find him now with forewarning.”

“Bet,” Waylan grinned, and vanished again. But the apprentice seemed disinclined to compete, ruining the sneak’s fun. 

Then there was a moment of awkward silence. Irwyn would have honestly expected Alice to be more talkative with who was basically her mirror image, but after that first question she had been almost glumly quiet. Desir also seemed reluctant to speak more since his bloodlines had indirectly come up. And be it coincidence or not, they reached their destination just then.

The mage reached for one of the doors, pulling it open. It was also rather humble, made of connected planks with a brass handle. Irwyn did not comment on that though, as their peer waved them through. The room they entered was just as humble and utterly empty. There wasn’t even a desk or so much as a chair. Only wooden walls and windows leading a what seemed like a vista of nature.

Two people stood inside. The first was a graying elderly man who seemed to not possess even a trace of magic. Which would clearly not be the case, given where they were and who they had a scheduled meeting with. Besides that, the Archduke wore robes very similar to those of his apprentice in style and adornment. Irwyn couldn’t tell what the few changes represented, but it was not more decorated, just in a slightly different way.

The second person was seemingly that exact same apprentice who had just accompanied them to the meeting. No, not just seemingly. Because Irwyn could still feel the first man who was just closing the door, and both of their magical presences were completely identical. He was no expert in magical cloning, but such arts should cause at least some difference he could spot. Yet the replication was uncannily perfect as he compared both in the moments before the door was closed, shutting out any attempts at perception.

“Clones?” Elizabeth voiced what they seemed to all be thinking.

“No, too perfect for clones,” Desir disagreed, frowning. And the shapeshifter would likely be able to tell better than Irwyn with his downright exotic social senses.

“A trick of chronology,” the older man answered. “While even Edicts do not allow one to go back in time on a whim, it is possible to create artificial systems that allow such journeys. At least to some extent. It is highly efficient once you master the rules rather than allow them to master you.”

“If I may leave?” The apprentice - who Irwyn was pretty sure had never introduced himself by name - asked.

“Of course. Of course. As we discussed.”

“I do not suppose this can be used in battle?” Elizabeth wondered as the man their age left the room through that same singular door. He still did not appear the least bit interested in their group.

“Bringing glass ornaments into battle is a difficult proposition. The Rot would not willingly enter if they had any understanding of what is happening in here.”

“You forged this yourself?” She followed up, eyes widening in surprise.

“Not every wonder has been built by our ancestors,” the Archduke seemed amused. “They were only our equals in most things. The pursuit of a Name often leads to much inspiration and an Edict renders them possible to manifest. But enough about me, I am sure you can read a memoir. You are a rather fascinating group. Let’s see… how about the last survivor of Steelmire?”

“Yes,” Alice nodded nervously. “How about them.”

Then Irwyn, rather belatedly, realised the issue. Steelmire had been wiped out despite having a Truth mage in charge. That meant it must have been done by someone exceptionally powerful… like a Duke. With the Duchy of Black already ruled out, only two others had once neighboured the city-state. Teal and White. 

But the Duchess surely would not have sent them into the perpetrator's arms. There was no need to worry overmuch. Irwyn felt stupid that he had not realised the issue sooner, though. It was probably so obvious that no one had bothered to even mention it. And Alice with her ring could clump down on even overwhelming anxiety like few others. 

“Don’t be so tense. I had been a good acquaintance of your ancestor for many decades.”

“So was the person who murdered him, supposedly,” Alice retorted with understandable harshness, but her relief at the lack of hostility was clear. 

“True enough,” the Archduke nodded. “Though don’t speak the conclusion you are coming to out loud. Words leave ripples, and I expect there are still some trying to find you through them. This place is a closed circle, but elsewhere it may be dangerous. You wouldn’t happen to know why it was done, would you?”

Elizabeth interjected before Alice could answer. “My father has already commissioned an investigation of his own. I am sure he will be happy to answer any questions you might have.”

“Maybe I will,” he nodded. “It seemed he didn’t care to even investigate, then I suddenly find out he has enough confidence in the real culprit to send your group my way. Truly, the Duchy of Black has grown much subtler than I remember it under his father and grandfather. Especially when it comes to disappearing children.”

“The Void also conceals, for all my relatives have discarded that wisdom,” Elizabeth smiled.

“Expertise does not manifest over one or two generations. It must be nourished to prosper. You seem to be rather well taught in what to say and what to avoid yourself. Almost un-Blackburglike, or at least as this era knows your House. Did you know, I once tried to purchase a great secret from your grandfather, and he had spilled it out at my opening prompt before I could even mention willingness to pay? A very blunt tool, old Cilvriid. I think he had left your Duchy much diminished by making it fit himself. Then his firstborn son was turned out even worse, but with just enough talent and extreme lack to attain a Truth.”

“Has it ever been not so blunt?” Desir asked with curiosity.

“Who knows. I do not study the Duchy of Black, nor am I that old. Ask Conflagration when he takes interest in you, which he will. But we have strayed. You are all simply too curious, it distract me. Even the invisible boy. Such a degree of stealth should not be possible with so few years of Honing. I remember the studies that the Duchy of Green had conducted in my youth, and you seem to have already far surpassed what their greatest candidates had managed in a full century. Where in the world did you even find whatever manual you practice?”

“A bird gave it to me,” Waylan said, technically being truthful. There was a beat of silence, but the Named mage did not seem to take issue with what possibly amounted to disrespectful denial.

“I think Marmian will like you, if he doesn’t already,” the Intercalate sighed. “Though you should also be careful about attracting his attention in particular. Playfulness can sometimes go too far.”

“Is he the man who has brought us to the Duchy of Teal?” Elizabeth guessed.

“Quite so. A mage who means no harm, yet often causes it nonetheless. He will also command the Crusade of cleansing for which you are bound, so there will be plenty of opportunities to suffer at his whims. But I am speaking about other people again. I hope you can excuse me this. It is a terrible habit of mine.”

“I don’t think we have any right to criticize that,” Irwyn said jokingly.

“Though on the topic of people, a meeting like this is highly unusual during a Lich war,” Elizabeth interjected.

“Normally it would be so. Yet I have managed to get enough Time out of a day to justify some relaxation. I do like to encounter fascinating people, and from experience, the young rarely ever get to grow old, so getting to know them in advance pays off more often than not. I am sure you, Elizabeth, also carry stories that I simply cannot see. So does the boy who seems to have both the cleanest and least clean bloodline of all time of an Element he doesn’t seem to use often. That being said, one of you is the most curious of all,” his eyes turned to Irwyn with a very deep smile.

“I wouldn’t expect to stand out too much in our little crowd,” Irwyn tried to downplay.

“Yes, you are merely the man who can miraculously smell the undead in a way even the Inquisition has no records of. Who is also immune to divination. And is somehow currently twisting my Edict, seemingly without even realising it.”

Irwyn stopped himself from explaining at that last point, but his mouth did open somewhat in surprise. He managed to take a second to compose himself and reply with a much more dignified: “I am?”

“Oh, just very slightly. Almost infinitesimally. If I had not Decreed it myself, no one would be able to tell, I expect. How fickle, that idle curiosity again turns to shock and unforeseen discovery. It’s like chronology is trying to constantly shift around you, but cannot because my Edict forbids the River’s grasp. So every fraction of a fraction of an instant, it begins the process of change, then disperses even faster than it had appeared.”

“It has been noted before that Irwyn has a slight effect on chronomancy affecting him,” Elizabeth said. “But that it could even attempt to affect an Edict is unexpected and will surely be of interest. Though that strays off topic again.”

“That is a poor attempt at deflection,” Intercalate shook his head. “But I will allow it. There are still only so many days and I already have too many ongoing projects. Not to mention you are not old enough to accept the price of curiosity. But with what my very limited perspective reveals, Conflagration will be extremely interested in you. Make sure not to die before you meet him, or the old flame may yet re-learn to cry.”

“I don’t suppose this could be kept…” Elizabeth started.

“Revelation of any secrets unraveled in my Halls will be at my discretion,” the Archduke immediately shut the attempt down. “Don’t worry overmuch. This is not something I would allow the Rot to learn, even second-hand. But I will certainly be watching with interest to see what you yet achieve before I perish.”

“I will try to not disappoint,” Irwyn said.

“All do, few succeed. Well, I think that is about my allotment of free time. No need to walk back yourselves.”

“Are we not going to receive information on our new assignment?” Elizabeth asked, surprised. “I thought that was why you wanted to talk with us personally. Something specific about the upcoming mission!”

“Expect a personal briefing from me?” the man chuckled. “I am sure you will be told everything. This was simply amusement. Farewell.”

Then before they could say their own goodbyes, they were elsewhere. Back at the courtyard of the mansion, where a different familiar man was standing. The same Truth mage that had originally transported them from the ruined fortress alongside the High Inquisitor.

“Aaaand, there,” he just said with a big grin, then their group was teleported again. Irwyn immediately realised that they were in the air and stretched out his magic to catch everyone. Which he managed quite easily, given how simple that spell was. He had caught even Waylan, who had the sense to lower his stealth instead of invisibly plummeting to the ground below.

Except that simple spellcraft was immediately assaulted by torrents of diverse magic. Irwyn didn’t have any time to react as the relatively weak spells shattered under the might of Concepts and more. Before he had so much as a chance to realise what had occurred, Irwyn found himself tightly restrained by several different Domains that almost dared him to try anything. He had been captured before even realising it was happening.

Because they had been teleported right above a heavily fortified military camp with hundreds of mages. Moreover, every single one of them seemed to hold at least a Concept from what Irwyn could see, so a gathering of genuine elites of the Federation. He even spotted Inquisitors and men with all kinds of coloured attire corresponding to different Duchies, not just Teal. Even as few people as there were, they were more than a match for any army.

And from the looks the newcommers were getting, their supposed commander had not sent a notice ahead of them.