Abyssal Road Trip - 578 - Settled

Amdirlain’s PoV - Vehtë - Laški

Once she’d left the guildhall, the evening’s teaching and exercises with the family felt to Amdirlain like they’d finished in a blink. She pondered the situation as Vida and her children prepared for bed.

Why did today disappear so fast? Is it that after recovering nearly a million years of my memories, days will disappear? Yet what makes a day here different from the ones on Yúla? Is it that Sarah’s presence helps ground me there? Or that spending time with her, Rachel, and Azadi matters more to me personally, so I’m clinging to each instant?

Dobromir sat down across from her, his attention on her eyes. “You seem distracted?”

“Chasing old memories and trying to figure a few things out,” Amdirlain said.

“Except for your eyes, you appear very young,” Dobromir responded.

“Are you saying I have wrinkles?” Amdirlain folded her arms and scowled.

Dobromir twitched, his fingertips rubbing against the table’s worn varnish. “That isn’t what I said. I feel there is a weight in your gaze that conveys more years than your face, though Vida says I’m imagining it.”

“I’ve noticed that some people pick up on it, while others look past it.”

He reached out to fidget with the lighting stand in the centre of the table. With quick motions, he set up a fresh tallow-dipped rush they used for illumination. Its ignition scented the air with a hint of lavender from the tiny drops of oil Vida had added to the tallow. “Dare I ask how old you are?”

“Whatever answer I give is unlikely to bring you any happiness, Dobromir. I’ve got enough power that many would be jealous, yet I’m not as strong as others, and I’ve suffered things I wouldn’t wish on an enemy. There was a line from a poem I heard long ago: ‘If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.’ I don’t know how well that translates.”

“I think I get what you mean. Over the years, I’ve seen enough guards with better classes puffing themselves up. On the other side, some with Warrior or Guard get cranky when those with better classes grow past them.”

“They know how to fix that, right?”

Dobromir chuckled. “If they were too lazy to put in time to train when they were young, why do you think a few more years will change that? It’s easier to point a finger and blame others. Or are you trying to remind me that learning spells requires effort on my part?”

“I’m glad you understand that putting in the effort to improve is within your control. How did the guards react to the situation with the lord?”

“A situation beyond our control, and by the time we learnt he’d paying assassins, everything was over,” Dobromir shrugged. “We swore to protect the town and its laws, not get ourselves killed kicking up a fuss over a captured criminal. All those adventurers against us would have seen a lot of dead guards.”

“That would have been a terrible thing, so I’m glad it didn’t come to violence.”

“You didn’t need to lodge with us to save money, did you?” Dobromir asked.

“No, I opted to lodge so I could get to know people.”

“That’s what Zivena said when I spoke to her earlier today. That, and you find inns unsuitable for that purpose.”

“But you have concerns,” Amdirlain said.

“It doesn’t explain why you taught us to reach an Affinity, nor how you did it so fast,” Dobromir said. “It reminded me of the old myths about the lost goddess teaching a thousand women battle magic in the space of a few days.”

Amdirlain snorted with laughter. “I know the tales you mean. The elven versions include celestials teaching mortals by linking minds. I’m sure I didn’t hear your thoughts while I was leading the meditation.”

“True, but you seem fixated on giving us choices, so you reminded me of them. Why teach us?”

“Why not?” Amdirlain countered. “I’d like to help some people achieve more than they expected out of life, to balance all the violence my life contains.”

Dobromir squared his shoulders. “You implied to Vida you’d be open to apprenticing us all.”

“I didn’t mean to imply it; I thought it was a fairly direct apprenticeship offer. Yet, weren’t you happy as a guard?”

“I was until today. The guild’s turning everything on its head was a shock. Our employment with the town is supposed to be unaffected, but if they can overthrow a lord so fast, what else might they change? I’d at least like a say in how my life goes.”

“And taking my apprenticeship offer gives you a bit of control back?”

“Yes. What does the offer cover?”

“I’d cover accommodation, food, clothing, and training materials. Since you, Vida and Roksana have already gained the Wizard Class, I’d give you a stipend of two larger silvers a day. The children would receive a large copper each day. Magical things can get expensive, so they’d need to learn to save, and ready coin will show if they need instruction in that area.”

Dobromir twitched at her first words, and when she stopped, his words were barely a whisper. “That’s more than a small gold stipend each week.”

Ten large silvers to a small gold, so almost one and a half each week.

“Once you’re skilled enough, we’ll conduct training exercises to develop your levels,” Amdirlain added. “My goal would be to get you experienced enough that you can help train your youngsters and teach others.”

Images of dead guards flashed in his mind, with his wife’s face superimposed over them.

“What sort of exercises?” Dobromir swallowed.

What sort of training exercises did the lord inflict on his guards?

“Ones where you use your spells against pest monsters while I maintain a barrier. For Vida, there would be opportunities to supply healing to those in need. The more injuries she heals, the more I’d reimburse her. These are just two examples. We can discuss each exercise and goals beforehand, and you each can decide if you take part.”

Though Dobromir’s theme resonated with a mix of worry and hope, his expression remained stoic."Will you give us a couple of days to think about it?"

“It’s a major decision, so I’d prefer you all think it over. I won’t reduce the terms no matter how long you take.”

“Thank you, Jay. Should we use a title?” Dobromir asked.

“Jay is fine with me. I’m not interested in titles or honorifics. Training tomorrow night will be shorter than previous evenings as I’ve got a sparring match after dinner at the guild.”

“That will give us time to talk your offer over. Where would we live? What would you want in return?”

“Let me handle those questions in reverse. All I’d ask is for each of you to teach people who want to learn magic for free when you can afford it. I imagine you have family in the area, so I see no need to move unless you wish to. If you accept, I’ll take over paying the apartment’s rent to the landlord.”

Dobromir nodded calmly before excusing himself to speak to Vida. Amdirlain closed her eyes, becoming the image of quiet meditation, though her attention was on the desecrated and cursed temples. The crystal device she had implanted beneath their shared courtyard had leached enough energy from the curse to flatten the town. Though the change was noticeable to her, even the insects and pests kept their distance from the complex.

At this rate of decay, it’ll take another decade for the curse to collapse completely. The outer buildings might be accessible in a year. I wonder if I can get the title to the land now for the family, though that would certainly draw questions later.

After the others settled down to sleep, Amdirlain sent a warning, then cast an illusion of herself meditating and teleported to the temple of Lerina. Seated at the kitchen trestle table, Aggie tucked a bookmark into a grimoire; the overhead lights cast a warm glow.

“Have you considered refurbishing?” Amdirlain asked.

“Perhaps I’ll consider it after I’ve rested.” Aggie set the book atop a thick stack. “Today was hectic.”

“And here I am disturbing your private study time.”

“You’re always welcome.” Aggie nudged the stack. “I found these in the temple storage, and no note to say why they were left behind. They could be duplicates, but it seems wasteful to have left them. I’m making sure they’re not a trap that someone slipped in for anyone returning.”

“You couldn’t contact whoever was in charge?”

“I checked, and he believes they removed everything valuable," Aggie said. “Perhaps it was just a mistake in the rush of packing.”

Amdirlain checked the top grimoire with Analysis and snickered softly.

Treasure maps in invisible ink are a cute touch.

Guided by their images, she took in the caverns near Laški and the sealed dwarven city. The corpses scattered throughout the place were a mixture of gnarls, goblinoids, and dwarves. The latter were the city's builders, and they had gone down fighting; the traps they triggered decimated the victors. Amdirlain’s amusement drained away when she located the first dwarven revenant and the incorporeal undead that haunted the place.

“Are you trying to make me paranoid about something?”

“The reason the grimoires were left behind isn’t directly visible, and where they lead to isn’t to be taken lightly. An illusion had hidden them, but it wore off in the years since the priests left. The rest of solving that mystery is yours. How would you like to take credit for breaking the death curse on the old temple complex?”

“A dramatic breakage?”

“If I leave my device in place, it’s going to erode over the course of a decade. If you perform a consecration ritual at the same time each lunar cycle, it will give people a reason for the lessening.”

“Especially since Lerina now carries your old association of breaking curses.” Aggie hummed in consideration. “It’s believable, and it lacks explosions.”

“It would also give justification for Lerina’s faithful to take the old complex over, and set up something new.”

“Okay, and what do you want created?”

“Since they’re concentrating on the rich, the university at Southgate needs some competition.”

Aggie grinned. “Will you leave funding it to me?”

Amdirlain returned her smile. “In part, but I’ve got some things to help. While I think I know the answer, can you confirm something for me? How many priests still have the knack of teaching affinities quickly?”

“On Vehtë, only me.”

“Then I figure we’ll fleece the rich parents looking to enrol children at Southgate University.” Amdirlain placed two different-hued crystalline candles on the table between them. “Focus crystals, which set an aura effect and should last a few hundred years. Proximity with the white one helps someone learn a random Tier 1 Affinity, while the blue helps them learn the Affinity they desire from the first two tiers.”

“Only helps?” Their frozen flames sprayed rainbows as Aggie turned each to examine the elemental images implanted in the stones.

“Yes, it still requires effort and an openness of mind. The person’s nature will lead the white to steer them toward a suitable energy. I’d suggest you restrict the blue to those who are suitable and enrol at Laški University. Use of either will take time and practice, and it’s also not something that needs to be completed in one session.”

“Oh, I see what you mean about fleecing the rich. For a fee, we give rich potential wizards access to them for an hour at a time?” Aggie stored them in a storage ring.

“Yes. The person only has to be within five metres of them. To hide their use, maybe put them in blessed statues of Lerina, and request donations to access a special mediation chamber you’ve set up.”

“How many people can use them at once?”

“However, many can fit within the range. Also, they’re keyed to you, so if they’re removed from your care for more than a season, they’ll shatter. You can also shatter them just by willing them to do so when you’re in range.”

At least I toned it down from the one I made for the Matriarch’s refugees, which you could use from hundreds of metres away.

“Thus preventing theft.” Aggie hummed in consideration as she lightly drummed the table. “There are some purification rituals I can get someone to use in advance to set them in the right open mindset. That should help people open their minds and feel they’re getting their money’s worth.”

“I shall leave the showmanship in your hands.”

“Thanks,” Aggie drawled. “You might not be the most subtle person, but you’re occasionally sneaky.”

“Shucks, you say the nicest things. Did you want to spar at the guild tomorrow afternoon? I’ve got a session against a team after dinner.”

“You’re being quite the social butterfly.”

Yet I’ve been avoiding meeting some people. Should I continue putting off seeing the Anar and Lómë? Those currently on Vehtë would probably be awake right now.

“I wish I were better socially.” Amdirlain’s smile turned bitter. “I’ve been unsuccessful in talking with the Lómë. I’m not even sure I want to risk it again.”

“You shouldn’t be so critical of yourself. There is a lot of history between all of you. I spoke with some of the older ones centuries ago, and well, let’s say I’m sure they contributed more than their fair share to the issues. You and Gail rescued them from eternal imprisonment in the Abyss. You have time to work on the issues that lie between you.”

“I’ve been avoiding them, just giving them and the Anar planets to work on. I’ve even sent details of new planets via Enyalië messengers instead of talking to them myself,” Amdirlain sighed. 

“You’ve not avoided all of them.” Aggie caught a flare of curiosity in Amdirlain’s gaze and shrugged sheepishly. “I heard from Gail that you’d been in touch with Roher and his family about the Formithian threat, along with other matters. Sometimes, the smart choice is to work within your limitations while you figure out a better way forward.”

“I got angry around them. They said I was a child in their eyes, and I flexed my strength. I’ve since remembered snippets of their petty, arrogant behaviour, and I think that was the source of my anger.”

“Can you hear them from here? I mean, in your Avatar form. Gail was talking about you sensing entire solar systems.”

“The range of my abilities is the same, but it’s too much information for an Avatar to handle. I keep the range of‌ abilities restricted to my proximity.”

“But could you listen to them from here? Not conversations but the nature of their personalities.”

“Yes. I see where you’re going. It’s easier to be angry or dismissive of a stranger’s concerns than those you feel connected to,” Amdirlain said. “Yet they’re not strangers. I don’t have the memories, but I know each of their souls, and when they’re grouped near me, an indescribable anger boils inside me. While I don’t yet fully know why, I’m working on experiencing my memories in the Outlands while I do easier tasks, but it’s going to take time.”

“Does your psionic training help you recall them faster?”

“That and Lethe,” Amdirlain shrugged. “Though I’m currently getting the condensed edition. We’re going too fast for it to increase my Knowledge rating. If not for that, my Profile would be out of control.”

“What does Sarah say about the Lómë?”

Do I need someone less biased? Is that part of why I opened up to Aggie more than I expected yesterday?

“Sorry, I shouldn’t burden you with our ancient lives.”

Aggie patted her hand. “My Dao is rejuvenation. Perhaps if I can help you find the steps to rejuvenate your relationship with the Anar and Lómë, I’ll find insights into my Dao. You avoided my question.”

“Sarah has her own guilt, which makes her view them harshly, though she’s tried to be unbiased.”

“We learn from the scars life leaves,” Aggie offered. “Yet most people flinch away from things that poke old injuries.” 

“Yes, I’m very abnormal, but apparently old pains can still push me into irrational actions.”

Is what I intend with Nüwa rational? I have so many old pains anchored in the Outlands. Is that why I chose it to host my Domain? I could have requested help to form a combined Domain where the lower planes cannot invade. I could still do that, but the more enemies I gather, the less chance I’ve got of deities being willing to take that chance, even knowing who I am. So many have their own agendas that might well endanger those I care about if they form one with Sarah, Livia, Lerina, or Kadaklan.

Amdirlain rose. “Thank you, Aggie. You’ve again given me things to think about while seeking my own insights.”

“Just a thought about Rachel. There is a foundation of trust from your lives as Rachel and Julia. While there was also a billion of her as Mori, in how many other lifetimes did she disappoint you? Instead of trying to have things magically perfect with the Lómë, why not pick a few whose current natures seem approachable to you?”

“As you said, I have time,” Amdirlain smiled appreciatively, and then teleported south of the forest that the Lómë had seeded and maintained. 

Old-growth trees now cover all of what would have been Afghanistan on Earth. The lethal wards around its perimeter had driven the hydras and other serpentine species away from their territories and defended a long stretch of the West Wind’s lands.

Though her concealments held up against Anar and Lómë monitoring, she felt Bai Hu’s silent welcome. After sending a pulse of acknowledgement, she settled down and took in the superficial songs of the elves to narrow down possibilities.

One year, I’ll pay them all a visit.

She returned to the family apartment just before dawn, only to find that Dobromir was already at his post at the west gate. Breakfast was a quiet affair, Vida chewing her bottom lip as she distributed wooden bowls of bruised grains. The dish was a mush seasoned with a few herbs to give it a savoury bite. As the morning lessons started, Vida was still distracted. When Mieszko raised the first question about apprenticeship, he shot her a look as if he half expected a scolding, but Vida merely straightened.

“The duties of an Apprentice are not constant,” Amdirlain reassured the youngster. “You’d still have time to play with your friends, but I’d assign you daily tasks to perform. Over the years, as your literacy improves, you’d also have set reading to get through.”

Vida shifted. “What sort of tasks?”

“Initially, for the youngest children, it would be to practice their letters for a time each day, and exercises with the Mana orbs.”

Zlota jumped in, her eyes bright. “Would we get to move?” 

The question stiffened Vida’s shoulders.

“To make the best progress, apprentices should have personal study space, which ideally would be their own room with a desk and bookshelves. A larger space dedicated as a library with a few desks would be an alternative. While there is no rush in arranging either, I don’t want distractions holding anyone back. Worst case, we can keep an ear out for apartments that go vacant and turn them into dedicated study spaces. A group of apartments on one floor would be ideal.”

The tension in Vida evaporated.

She thought I wanted them to move to the forest.

“I won’t be here for dinner tonight, but you can ask a few questions about anything each day. For now, let’s return to the exercises.”

When Amdirlain arrived at the guildhall later in the morning, it was empty except for a single staff member. Olĭga, the silver-haired receptionist who’d scolded the adventurers, was behind the counter where she’d been the previous day. The sharply pressed light blue uniform she wore, with creases cutting through the grey trim at her cuffs and hem, lent her a militaristic air. She was working through a stack of papers, comparing details against the rows in an open ledger.

Amdirlain stopped three paces from the counter. “Good morning, Olĭga.”

Her eyes tightened, but she didn’t even look up from the papers. “Are you used to interrupting people, Jay?”

“Should I stand here until you’re done, or take a seat?”

Olĭga raised a finger before she placed markers in the ledger and the stack. “Have you read any of the rules I provided you?”

“I’ve memorised the booklet. Though some entries reference local bylaws for limits on the Guild Master’s emergency powers, with no details.”

There was a slight uplift at the corners of Olĭga’s mouth, though not enough to be a smile. “Those references are because those powers aren’t required in the central regions, only on the Republic’s borders.”

She retrieved four pages from under the counter and set them on the edge before Amdirlain.

“I assume it’s uncommon for these to be used.”

“Some situations are rarer than others.”

With a nod of thanks, Amdirlain collected the pages and turned towards the closest bench.

“What did you need?” Olĭga asked as Amdirlain stepped away.

“I’m not in a rush, so I’ll sit and think.” 

“This will consume my free time for the next few days.”

Amdirlain shot her a grin. “Were you hoping you would get me to react rudely? There is a rule in the booklet about mistreating and or verbally abusing guild staff.”

“You’re an unknown quantity; most elven adventurers have their guild record transferred from their homeland.” Olĭga tapped the ledger. “You came here with nothing, yet you’ve already completed scores of jobs in a few days.”

“To be fair, most of those were gathering jobs, and I could fortunately use materials from my storage.”

Olĭga's brows lifted. “Then what jobs were you after today?”

“Can I get the silver jobs from the stack Guild Master Marcin prepared? I figured I would get them out of the way with Gurn, before his team looks to go adventuring again.”

Olĭga retrieved the stack from Zivena’s cupboard and began shuffling through it. “Most adventurers start their day earlier.”

Amdirlain just smiled and didn’t bother with an explanation.