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Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 58

It took me a few minutes to change into something more appropriate. Soft cloth pants and a shirt might be comfortable to sleep in, but they were not the most suitable thing to wear around town.

Lukas was happy to lend me an older set of his clothes that no longer fit well. Lila, by contrast, told me as politely as possible that I was an idiot. She thought the best thing for me was resting and recovering, not galavanting around an hour after waking up. Truthfully, she was right, b...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 57

I allowed myself several minutes of bemoaning and wallowing in self-pity. It felt reasonable, but I knew it would do nothing to solve any problems. There were too many problems before me, not the least of which was puzzling out this new, magical bond with Cat.

Lila soon returned with a steaming bowl of meat stew and another drink. I set aside my grand plans in favor of satisfying my now-enraged stomach and still-dry throat. My impromptu magical healing had taken far more from me ...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 56

Years of sleepless nights and constant training had led me to consider exhaustion an old friend. I had believed I had pushed myself to the limit before, going past the point where a normal person might falter through iron will and sheer determination.

I was sorely mistaken.

My rest was fitful at best, and I had forced myself back to consciousness only hours after passing out. It was all the time I could spare, and I might as well have not bothered for all the good it...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 55

The word hung in my mind, poised overhead like an executioner's ax. I knew I had not imagined it, but a part of me seized upon that idea. It was easier than accepting the far more disconcerting truth.

Some magical creatures gained the ability to communicate in a manner. Dragons, beyond a particular stage in their lifecycle, gained the ability to speak both verbally and telepathically. Legends claimed phoenixes could often do the same, though they tended to avoid humans. One Archm...

Rise of the Archon-Book 2, Chapter 54

Traveler's Armor was, by a good margin, my best spell. I had worked many hours to polish it, and it was by this point next to unbreakable, at least against foes near my level. It could block hostile magic, physical weapons, enchanted blades, and even temperatures to a certain extent.

But the one thing it could not stop was physics.

The explosion had thrown me into the water, the sheer force enough to disorient me even through my magical protection. I flailed in the f...

Rise of the Archon, Book 2, Chapter 53

Aiden was not much of a swordsman. In fact, he considered himself mediocre at best and poor at worst. His grandfather insisted that he learn it for self-defense and tradition, but Aiden had always felt it unnecessary. Pirates were rare, battles even rarer, and Aiden was a trader and captain, not a warrior. There were always more important skills to perfect, and swordsmanship fell by the wayside.

If Aiden lived, he would revise that opinion.

The captain defle...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 52

My blood chilled, and I blinked, "What? How is that possible? He was improving, right? How did—"

I cut myself off before I could ask something ridiculous and make a fool of myself. Rambling off a half-dozen silly questions was not the sort of thing that would make me look good, and Lysandra would tell me just as much as she felt I should know.

Master Lysandra seemed not to notice my almost embarrassed reaction, responding, "His condition was stable an...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 51

I made it back to my room without getting stabbed or blasted with a spell, which was better than I had expected. The moment my door closed, I began pacing back and forth, debating the merits of fleeing in the night.

After a few minutes, I closed my eyes and pulled more Aether into my lungs. My mind calmed, and I forced myself to think instead. If there was a plot to murder Lord Sinnett, what could I do about it? Nothing, of course. I was too weak and without the sort of ...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 50

Despite my strange encounter, sleep came quickly, and I woke up the next morning more refreshed than expected. I was still tired, as I had stayed up late writing up a few preliminary ideas for my martial arts style but awake enough for my tasks.

I kept one eye out as I went about my day, which mainly consisted of meeting with Master Lysandra, digging through her notes, and preparing the next set of treatments for Lord Sinnett. The healer had managed to craft a plan that mitigated...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 49

Over the next few days, I began assisting Master Lysandra in treating the prickly fortress lord. Sinnett's condition was strange, a mixture of multiple, severe symptoms, but the healer seemed more than confident she could treat him. Her demeanor was that of an experienced professional, and each day, she had me working to prepare various treatments to ease his condition.

Yet, as time passed, I realized something. Master Lysandra had downplayed the fire mage's condition.

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 48

My breathing quickened and grew shallow as my heart began to hammer in my chest. I felt sweat run down my back, my vision shrunk to a tunnel, and sounds grew strangely muffled as my thoughts ran through a dozen questions in quick succession.

Was this a coincidence? Was it fate? Had I made a mistake somewhere? Had I, in my past life, somehow become assigned to this fortress? Was that why I had chosen this place to make my stand? And if so, did all this mean I was doomed to follow ...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 47

I almost expected Lord Sinnett to strike me down in some fit of petty rage even as I walked away. Thankfully, no attack came, and the door clicked shut behind me without incident. I stood there for a few seconds, feeling my heart rate slow as I caught my breath.

Once more, I was left at the mercy of some arrogant noble who had an issue with me for no understandable reason. And once more, I was left with more questions than I preferred. Why the hell had Lysandra brought me along? ...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 46

Ferris was a country driven by, in my estimation, fear. Nobles feared losing their power and status. Mages feared failure and mediocrity. Commoners feared death. All of these felt natural to me, but one fear above all else was that of the bestial creatures who had once ruled over the land.

We—or rather, our ancestors, had beaten back the wilds centuries earlier, and those hard-fought battles had left within us an instinctive fear. Even now, long after the great beasts of old ha...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 45

It did not take me long to make my decision.

I understood and even respected Master Lysandra's hesitation. A hasty mage was, often, a dead one. But that did not mean I agreed.

The harsh reality was too much caution would kill me quicker than anything. I could not afford to take the slow and steady route to grow as a mage. If anything, I was already progressing slower than I would have preferred, particularly since leaving the Academy.

Accepting Master Ly...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 44

"Shadow."

"No."

"Raven."

"He's a cat."

"Fine. Night."

"Terrible."

"Nightfall."

"Worse, actually."

"Nightshade?"

"You can't just add syllables to the same name. Also, maybe try moving off the whole 'black cat' angle."

I rolled my eyes, glancing up from the board in my hands to glare at Wallace, "You were the one who complained about his name. Why not t...

Rise of the Archon-Book 2, Chapter 43

Boots thudded on wooden boards, beating a strange rhythm that spoke of battle rather than dancing. The sound of metal clashing and sliding against itself occasionally filled the warehouse, a sharp noise that would be unpleasant at the best of times. And beneath either of those, only audible in the briefest moments, were the sharp sounds of exertion.

Wallace and I danced across the open space of our warehouse base, sparring with one another. It was a habit we had fallen into on ou...

Rise of the Archon: Book 2, Chapter 42

It took almost an hour to reach Lysandra's shop. Usually, it would take less time, but I had to move slowly to avoid jostling my hand too much. The appendage in question began hurting within ten minutes, and even a somewhat careless step caused sharp, stabbing pains to radiate up my arm.

I finally reached the healer's door and knocked with my right hand, wincing as even that small, simple motion tugged at my injury. Then, I stepped back and waited, hoping to any deities listening...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 41

Weeks vanished as Wallace and I immersed ourselves into our new lives within Aranth. I was keenly aware that my growth as a mage had stagnated, and I wanted nothing more than to master healing so I could move on to more fruitful ventures, yet I also knew patience was key.  

Becoming a healer was the sole reason I had bothered coming to Aranth. It was key to my long-term plans of permanent physical enhancements and, even if that failed, might help improve my strengthenin...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 40

Selene returned to her more reticent self as we walked through the city streets towards our final stop. I wanted to ask about what had happened, and it seemed my fellow student sensed my curiosity as she glanced over her shoulder toward me.

"What?"

I debated ignoring the question, then decided it would fill the time if nothing else, "Is it alright if I asked you a few things?"

"Sure," Selene replied as she shrugged one shoulder.

"Thank you. ...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 39

I arrived the following morning, fully rested for the first time in a long while. Lysandra wore a new set of robes, darker this time, and looked over from the shelves with a smile and wave.

"Good morning, Vayne. And how are we feeling on this fine day? You took my advice, I hope?"

I nodded, "Yes, master Lysandra. I made sure to get a full night's sleep, as you commanded."

"As I advised," Lysandra corrected with a raised finger, "Did you do anyth...

Book 2, Chapter 38

Wallace reacted with...well, not excitement, but he certainly had a bounce in his step as we returned to the inn for our savings. I found myself already second-guessing my decision the entire way back, unsure if this would prove a worthwhile investment or a waste of gold.

The warehouse was alarmingly cheap and relatively isolated, both of which were advantages as far as I was concerned. It was also about to fall apart, which meant repairs would eat into my savings further. Duelin...

Rise of the Archon-Chapter 37

I walked through the densely packed streets of the residential districts, passing by houses and small shops without much direction. Though I had a goal, namely staying busy and progressing in whatever ways I could find, I had no real idea what to do. I had not explored Aranth and, in the absence of training partners or quiet and safe locations, had no concept of where to go.

Then again, there was one thing I had put off seeing in person for days.

I glan...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 36

Hours passed as I threw myself into my readings. I started off focused and alert but was soon confronted by a new problem—one I had not encountered in weeks if not months.

I was bored.

Magic was a mystery near-impossible to solve. Everything, from the simplest of tricks to the most complex, involved spells, had an appeal to it. There was always something new, from new talents to master to new wisdom to glean from reading or practicing. Even things that did not suit...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 35

Wallace was already asleep when I returned, or at least I assumed as much. I knocked on his door several times, but my traveling companion did not answer.

The only alternative was that he was out exploring Aranth, and I had precisely no interest trying to track him down in an unfamiliar city. Not when I had work to do.

So, I went to my room and got changed, collapsing onto my bed half-dressed and with Lysandra's book propped up on my lap. Cat had already claimed one-...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 34

The coastal city of Aranth was one of the twin jewels of Southern Ferris, a trade hub legendary for wealth, prosperity, and excess in equal parts. Gold flowed like water within its bounds, and it was not for nothing that their ruling family, the Southbornes, were the wealthiest nobles alive.

Girem had spoken about the city several times, both in detached lectures and the rare, almost wistful recollections from his personal visits. He spoke of its trade goods, typica...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 33

Our last few weeks in Colkirk were tense but uneventful. I found myself eager to get back on the road, half to explore more of the world and half to escape a city that had started to feel more restrictive than anything. While I did not regret my time here and still felt my plan to ingratiate myself with other mages and learn from them had some merit, it fell short for one simple reason.

I was a nobody.

No one cared to work with me yet because I was, at my core, a com...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 32

Several days after striking my deal with Darius, I found myself neck-deep in training with Wallace. I could not say if it was his narrow defeat, a lack of other options, or an entirely unrelated burst of motivation, but the former noble had thrown himself into practice, seemingly determined to reach Haze before we set off. For my part, I wanted to get his looping trick down, at least enough to use it for a few minutes at a time.

Unfortunately, only one of those goals seemed withi...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 31

Wallace stared at me for a long time. I watched as he reached up with one hand to dab at his bloodied lip, pulling his fingers away to stare at his reddened skin. Then, he looked back up to me, his face unreadable.

Finally, he tilted his head back and laughed.

"Damnit. Thought I had you for a second," Wallace muttered, shaking his head.

I held out one hand and smiled, "You almost did. I had not considered you could flow your mana into my sword with direc...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 30

Wallace's eyes returned to the purse, lingering for a long time. I counted the seconds, waiting for him to break either way.

Finally, his gaze wandered back to meet mine, and he said, "Double that, and you've got a deal."

"Double it? You are already getting enough gold to last you months."

"Sure, and you're asking me to ditch this city and take it on blind faith you're not going to ruin my life," Wallace replied, folding his arms across his chest.

...

Rise of the Archon- Book 2, Chapter 29

I found Wallace halfway through a glass of something amber and faintly noxious smelling. It was the sort of drink I loathed, but the man seemed to enjoy.

He saw me coming from the corner of his eye, turning towards me from his seat at the bar and raising his glass.

"And here I thought you'd left town," Wallace remarked as I sat beside him, "Haven't seen you in days."

"I should have spoken with you first, but I have been busy with...well, something that s...