Chapter: 156 - Aproa (Patreon)

Previous __________ ToC __________ Next

Tala woke early and moved through her standard routine, despite her late bedtime. If I let myself sleep in, I’ll just rotate my whole schedule around and muck up all my habits. And that was the best result she could expect.

When she finally exited Kit, she felt relaxed, refreshed, and awake. Ready to face the day.

As she climbed out into her room in Lyn’s house, she found herself frowning. I should just rent a closet or something. I don’t need the whole room when I’m staying inside Kit. Probably worth discussing with Lyn.

That would only become more true as time went on and Kit grew bigger on the inside. Speaking of which, that’s not a bad use of funds, if I have any to spare. She hesitated at that. No. I’ll need to buy some goods to trade on my next route.

She sighed. I should set aside some amount of gold for trades and use the profits from that to expand Kit.

She tilted her head to the side. That is an excellent idea. It would allow me to expand Kit at a regular rate, without taking from my other funds.

Terry flickered to her shoulder, giving her a soft headbutt and pulling her mind back to the present.

“Morning Terry.”

He trilled back, happily.

The sky was still dark outside, but Tala knew that dawn was near at hand.

“To breakfast!”

Lyn was awake but seemed much less chipper than Tala.

“Good morning, Lyn.”

“Morning.”

“What are you doing up?”

Lyn gave her a quizzical look. “I have work.”

“Ahh, right. When do you head in?”

She shrugged. “Any time now. You’re meeting your mentor at the Guildhall, right?”

“That’s right, but I need to drop through the work yard to charge the cargo-slots first.”

Lyn stood, heading towards the door. “Let’s go then; I don’t want to be late.”

They locked the door behind them and headed through the still dark streets.

As they passed the tavern, Tala was a bit confused, given that it seemed to still be busy.

“When did they build that place?” Tala gestured. “It seems quite popular.”

Lyn gave her an odd look. “Tala, that’s been there…” She shook her head. “Rust, I don’t remember a time it wasn’t there.”

Tala looked at her questioningly. “There is no way that was there before I left. We’d have eaten there, at least once.”

“Didn’t we?”

“No. We most certainly did not.”

They both stopped, looking at the tavern. After a long moment, Lyn turned and started walking.

“Where are you going, Lyn?”

Lyn glanced back her way. “To the work yard. You coming?” She glanced at the tavern behind Tala. “If you want, we can grab lunch there or maybe dinner.”

“Aren’t you the least bit curious?”

“Of course. That’s why I suggested eating there later today.” Lyn frowned, then shook her head. “Tomorrow might be better, and we definitely don’t have time, now. Come on. I don’t want to be late.”

Tala rolled her eyes. Whatever. I’ll get it out later.

They walked on through the cold streets. There wasn’t much snow on the ground and the melded paving stones felt fantastic to Tala’s bare feet. I love the winter.

They talked about small things as they went, but eventually Tala brought the conversation around to a topic from the night before. “Like I mentioned last night, I do have the thunder bull horns and skins.”

“So you said.”

“They aren’t tea, but I would like to sell them.”

“I can deal with the horns for ten percent. The skins, I think you should take to the Constructionists to meld with your elk-leathers.”

Tala was hung up on the first part. “Ten percent?”

Lyn shrugged. “I can get six gold apiece. You got five before, right? In a waning city?” She smiled mischievously. “You’ll end up with more in the end. Trust me.”

Tala huffed a laugh. “I do, I do. Fine.” After a moment, Tala frowned. “You really think I should use the thunder leather for myself?” Ooo, I like the sound of that… I wonder if that’s really what it’s called?

“Yes, and you should soul-bond those clothes, before you run out of luck and lose them.”

That was a very good point. She did intend to bond them eventually. And I can’t bond Kit yet. She tsked. Not for a long time, yet. “Yeah… You’re right, there.”

If she did, she could finally get some use out of Merilin’s other clothes. All I’ve ever really done is try them on. I want to wear them, but it isn’t worth the risk, either of damaging them, or ending up naked.

“Yeah. I think you’re right.”

“Oh, of course I am. I’m glad that you’re beginning to see it.” Tala laughed, and their conversation turned to more frivolous topics once again.

They reached the work-yard, and Tala did her duty, quickly refilling the dimensional storage items’ reserves of power.

From there, they quick-walked to the Guildhall, arriving about the time that Lyn needed to check in for work. So, they said a hasty goodbye, and Tala began looking around for Mistress Odera.

The older woman wasn’t hard to find she was waiting to one side, just inside the doors.

Lyn gave a slight bow to the woman as she passed, but otherwise headed straight for the back.

Tala walked over to Mistress Odera and her companion, ostensibly her great granddaughter. With a bow, Tala greeted the older Mage. “Mistress Odera. It is a pleasure to see you.”

“Mistress Tala, thank you for joining us for breakfast.” She turned to the side, indicating the woman beside her. “This is my granddaughter, Aproa.”

Tala gave a second bow to Aproa. “Mistress Aproa, a pleasure to meet you.”

Aproa bowed in return. “As it is to meet you, Mistress Tala. My grandmother has had many wonderful things to say about you.”

Tala gave a half smile. “Funny, I never took Mistress Odera to be a liar.”

The woman laughed even as Mistress Odera rolled her eyes, and Tala took that moment to assess the Mage, combining what she’d already seen with what she could detect, in the brief lull in the conversation.

The Archon, not Mage. She corrected. Almost Fused. Aproa was well ahead of Tala and Rane on the progression to Fused, though that was to be expected. By her looks, she was late twenties, but as Tala had well and truly learned, perceptions were only vaguely useful when trying to determine the age of a Mage.

She was traditionally beautiful, but more in the way a wine maker or craftsman was beautiful than the delicate beauty of a fairytale princess. Aproa’s beauty was strong and vibrant, her face nicely framed by her almost perfectly black hair.

She wore very traditional Mage’s robes, but they were made from sturdy leather rather than cloth. The clasps, at a quick glance, seemed wholly insufficient to hold the garment on, despite the perfect fit. There must be something else that adds to the security of the closure.

There was a sense about the Archon that made Tala feel like she didn’t have enough air, even though she knew that wasn’t the case; she could breathe just fine. What is her specialization?

Aproa was obviously a Material Guide, specializing in air, and she wore two heavily inscribed bar maces hanging from her belt, one on each side. The weapons were inscribed identically. From what Tala could see, each was meant simply to drive air away from themselves.

Tala frowned. No, it’s more nuanced than that. She’d have to study the inscriptions in more detail if she really wanted to understand them, but that wasn’t something she could do right then.

The moment passed, and Tala was pulled back to the needs of the social situation.

Mistress Odera was shaking her head. “Self-deprecation doesn’t become you, Mistress Tala. Come. Let us grab breakfast. There is much that we should discuss.”

What? She almost frowned before she remembered. Right. I joked that anything good said about me would have to be a lie. Tala just smiled as they began to walk.

The three of them moved towards the guild lounge. In the silence, Tala decided to go for nostalgia. “Mistress Aproa, what is your foundation?”

The other woman smiled genuinely, responding without hesitation. “Having the wind knocked out of you should be more literal.”

Tala gave her a quizzical look, then glanced down to the maces. She found herself chuckling. “Really?”

Aproa shrugged. “Yeah. Seems to fit, and it’s very satisfying to drop a magical creature by driving the air from their lungs.”

“I’ll bet.”

“There’s obviously other things that I can do, but that is the foundation of what I pursued.”

“I’ll be curious to learn about those other things.”

As they entered through the large, double doors, a vaguely familiar form stood up from a nearby table. “Well, as I live and breathe. Mistress Tala?”

Tala frowned for a moment before it clicked. “Master Cran, good to see you.”

The man bowed. “Life seems to be treating you well.” He grinned. “You don’t have the same timidity about you as you did when Mistress Lyn brought you in.” His eyes flicked to the two women beside her.

“Oh!” Tala cleared her throat. “My apologies. This is Master Cran. Master Cran, this is Mistress Odera and Mistress Aproa.”

He bowed to each in turn. “It is a pleasure to see each of you once again.”

Of course he’s met them before. Tala kept herself from rolling her eyes.

They gave bows of their heads in return, and the group exchanged mild pleasantries for another moment before Mistress Odera excused them politely, stating that they had quite a bit to discuss between the three of them.

Cran took the dismissal with grace, smiling and wishing them a wonderful day before he returned to his table and his book.

The three women took a table in a back corner, and Mistress Odera ordered a spread of food fit for a dozen people.

Aproa cocked an eyebrow, evaluating Tala again. “So, gran wasn’t pulling my leg? You really can eat that much?”

Tala shrugged. “Yeah. I almost have to, actually.”

“Fascinating. Your defense is in the ‘take the hit’ category, then? Rather than avoiding or mitigating?”

Tala glanced to Mistress Odera. “She doesn’t know?”

The older woman shrugged. “Your magics are yours. The curiosity of your eating isn’t a secret, but the specifics of your defenses?” She shook her head. “That is not for me to share.”

Tala actually felt a bit touched by that. Though, she wasn’t sure she’d have offered the same courtesy, in Mistress Odera’s position. What does that say about me? “Well, thank you.” She smiled, turning back to Aproa. “I have heightened regeneration, as well as a good measure of increased resilience.”

Aproa clucked her tongue. “Your regeneration pulls from your stores, hence the need to eat more.”

“Precisely.”

“Fascinating indeed.” Aproa bit her lip, seeming to be contemplating how to ask something.

“What is it?”

The woman looked to her grandmother, who smiled, but didn’t say anything.

“Well…” Aproa swallowed, glancing away. “I’m in need of martial practice, but opponents are in short supply, unless I want to spend half a decade in the wilderness.”

Tala immediately thought of Rane for a number of reasons and suppressed a smile. “Oh?”

Aproa nodded. “So, I was wondering if you would be interested in sparring on occasion.”

“Sure.”

The Archon blinked back a Tala. “Just like that?”

“Sure. I could use a greater variety of opponents. I’m going to the training yard after breakfast. You can come if you want.”

She brightened visibly. “That would be fantastic! Thank you.”

The food arrived shortly after that and put a damper on conversation. The words that were exchanged were simple, small talk.

As the meal was wrapping up, Mistress Odera turned the conversation to their next venture. “I think that we should go to Marliweather next.”

Tala stiffened. “Let’s go to Arconaven.”

Mistress Odera gave her an odd look. “Why?”

“I’ve never been that way?”

A single raised eyebrow was the Mage’s only response.

Aproa suppressed a laugh.

Tala frowned towards the woman.

“Excuse me, sorry. I just am used to being on the receiving end of that look.”

That made Tala smile and relieved some of the tension. “I’d rather not go to Marliweather, not just yet.”

“Why.” The inflection made it more of a statement then a question, almost a command to explain. Mistress Odera would obviously know that Tala had grown up in Marliweather, but she was likely unaware of Tala’s feelings about her family. They had danced around the topic on occasion, but Tala really hadn’t been interested in discussing it with the woman before, nor was she about to do so now.

“My reasons are my own, for now. As the forest cities are not reasonable options, I think Arconaven is a perfect choice.”

Mistress Odera frowned but didn’t press. “Most routes to Arconaven go through Marliweather, but there are a couple a month that go direct. I’ll look into it. Will Master Rane be joining us?”

“That is my understanding.”

“Good. I’ll see what is available.”

The three chatted a little while longer to let their food settle, but it wasn’t too long before Tala sighed contentedly, and pushed back from the table. “We should get going, Mistress Aproa. Master Rane is going to meet me for training, and now is as good a time as any to start sparring with you as well.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

The three stood in unison, the younger women bidding Mistress Odera goodbye and thanking her for the meal before departing.

Mistress Odera, for her part, sat back down and pulled out a book, content to sip her tea and enjoy the peace and quiet of solitude.

*      *      *

When they arrived at the Guardsman’s training ground, Aproa pulled up short. “Here?” She looked to Tala. “I’d thought you would have rented a training ground for Mages.”

Tala shrugged. “We’re primarily melee fighters, so Guards make good opponents.”

“Huh.” Aproa was frowning.

“What?”

“I mean…it seems unfair?”

Tala grinned. “Wait ‘til you meet Adam.”

Aproa still seemed skeptical but didn’t object further.

Tala returned her attention to the training yard, filled as ever with men and women going through various forms, exercising, or sparring. As usual, there was a scattering of healing focused Mages throughout, ready to attend to any injury.

Tala stepped across the almost invisible line between street and training yard, and immediately, the closest person stopped what she was doing and came their way.

She bowed low. “Mistresses. How can the Guard serve today?”

Tala cocked an eyebrow. A bit more subservient than before. She glanced to Aproa. Maybe, because there are two of us? “What is your name, please?”

“Joa, Mistress.”

“Well, Guardsman Joa, I am Tala. We are looking for Master Rane or Guardsman Adam. Are either here?”

“I’ll go check. Do you mind waiting, here?”

“Not at all. Thank you.”

Joa turned and jogged through her fellows, towards the nearest building.

Tala glanced towards Aproa with a smile. “She shouldn’t take long.”

Indeed, Joa had barely disappeared inside before a familiar figure stepped out, waving their way.

Joa appeared again shortly thereafter, returning the way she’d come. “Mistresses, you are expected.” She gestured to the main building. “Would you like a guide?”

“No. Thank you, Joa.”

Joa bowed to the Mages once more before returning to her exercise.

Tala and Aproa crossed the yard, careful to not disrupt anyone that they passed.

Adam, the man who had waved to them, was waiting for them when they reached the building. “Mistress Tala, a pleasure to see you.”

“Adam. How have you been? How’s the family?”

“Good, good. Thank you for asking. I stick close to home through winter. So, we’re all happier this time of year. I hear your adventure was more…adventurous than ideal.”

Tala snorted a laugh. “I’ll say.” She turned towards her companion. “Adam, this is Mistress Aproa. Mistress Aproa, this is Guardsman Adam.”

Adam bowed to the new Mage. “Good to meet you, Mistress Aproa.”

“Likewise, I’m sure.” Aproa gave a small bow.

“Master Rane is already here.” Adam turned, gesturing into the building.

They walked in near silence for the short way to a familiar courtyard.

Tala found herself grinning. “Hey! You got us the same one.”

“Indeed we did.”

“Thank you, Adam.”

He cracked a smile. “It was a small thing.”

They came out onto the surrounding, open air walkway, a few steps above the sand of the training yard.

Down in the sand, Rane was sparing against some eight guards, all on the younger side. Force was still at his waist, only evident by the handle sticking out of his dimensional storage. In the greatsword’s place, Rane wielded a longsword and shield.

The fight was near its end, so the three new arrivals simply watched as Rane was finally overwhelmed by the sheer number of opponents.

Even so, he eliminated four before they took him down.

Aproa was frowning when Tala glanced her way. “What is it?”

The other woman clicked her tongue, behind her teeth. “It just seems…odd to have guards take down a Mage.”

Adam smiled. “To be fair, he isn’t using his main weapon. We don’t wish deaths, here. And Master Rane can deliver death blows that are just that, more quickly than the healer in attendance can see to the injured.”

Aproa nodded but still seemed…uncertain.

Rane kicked up from the ground, landing on his feet before he laughed and thanked those who’d been sparring with him. He noticed the new arrivals, then. “Mistress Tala!”

Tala waved. “Good morning, Master Rane.”

He walked over, smiling. “I am Rane.” He bowed towards Aproa.

“I am Aproa.” She glanced to Tala. “Mistress Tala was kind enough to allow me to join you in your training, today.”

“Oh?” He looked to Tala, who nodded. “How did you two meet?”

Tala smiled back at the big man. “She’s Mistress Odera’s great granddaughter.”

Rane blinked at Tala for a moment, then regarded Aproa once again before clearing his throat. “Well, then.” His eyes took in her maces, then he looked back to Tala. “How did you want to start this?”

Tala shrugged. “I figured Adam could fight her. Give her a good picture of why we’re here.”

Adam cleared his throat, looking mildly embarrassed but not surprised. “It actually would be good for me to get a gauge on her abilities, if we are to incorporate her into the rotations.”

Aproa looked skeptical, but didn’t object, so Tala nodded. “That sounds wonderful. Mistress Aproa?”

“Yes?”

“We’ll have you use training weapons, if that’s acceptable. You can probably use your actual maces when fighting myself or Master Rane, but not against the Guardsmen.”

She shrugged, setting the maces aside.

One of the students came over, offering her a practice pair.

Aproa’s eyes widened slightly as she took them. “Thank you, these are a near match.”

The young man smiled. “I’m glad. They seemed the best of what we had on hand.”

She gave a slight bow. “Thank you.”

Adam walked out onto the sand. “Are you ready?” A student tossed him a short sword, which he caught with ease.

A resigned expression on her face, Aproa joined him on the sand. “I suppose so.”

Previous __________ ToC __________ Next