M.D.Syl
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Chapter 63 colorless
🕑 Added 2023-03-18 16:59:41 +0000 UTCAuthor notes: This last chapter in volume 1 is dedicated to zeads_dead for supporting me on patreon.
Warm thanks for your support <3
This marks the end for volume 1 of Myrsha. The Law of Names and Souls is officially over. Wooo!
Thank you all for sticking around with my book and supporting it. Any gesture you’ve made for me during this time made me really happy.
Voting, following, rating, commenting, editing, reviewing, and messaging me privately.
All of it!
Lots of thank yous, it made my day better each time!
Thousands of thank yous for amazing people who supported me on Patreon. I’ve never actually believed in my own work enough to remotely consider people would want to support it.
Your support pretty much shattered my world view and the view I had about myself in more than one way, and helped me personally overcome a few of my own personal demons. You have no idea how much it meant to me.
So thank you! <3
Yes. I can’t say it enough times, because I’m excited but I don’t care!
Thank you <3
Of course, the first chapter of volume 2 (chapter 64) will be released as usual on schedule. No breaks or rest for the wicked. Kikikikiki…
Chapter 63 Familiar Faces.
Treasure your moments, treasure your memories.
Treasure the boring moments, treasure the happy moments.
Treasure sadness, and treasure surprises.
Treasure the small pieces of life you get.
Because at some point you won’t be able to.
Lokamesh, Father of Mortal Kind.
I run to the library. I have to prepare and take as many useful books as I can. As I move between the shelves I bump into an orange wall that wasn’t there before.
“AND YOU ARE?”
The shout is deafening.
I wince and look up to the two meters tall shirtless man who has orange scales for a skin. He wears a long necklace and a headdress packed with bones of all kinds and sizes. The belt around his wide hips holds a pair of fur leathers and a large gleaming axe. In addition to the axe, I notice a few wands and daggers all set up in a way that’d be easy to reach.
Before I can react, a scaled hand grabs my chin and forces me to look up at his face. His glowing green eyes are too far from one another, located where the temples would be if he was a human. He’s a Silio, a race of lizard people I’ve seen around Axero before.
“Inara…” I mumble quietly. I guess this is the last of my siblings. I hope he won’t give me too much trouble…
His scaled skin shifts color from orange to blue and he lets my chin go. “Ah you’re my little baby sister. I thought mother brought me a little gift to cheer me up hehe… Apologies.” He pats my head, ruffles my hair, and leaves the library.
Phew… the last thing I need is more trouble… I’m guessing that’s Shilfius…
“Please excuse my father, he has the patience of a pixie who saw gold.” A short gnome with purple hair surprises me from behind a bookshelf.
It makes me snicker.
The apologetic smile doesn’t reach the gnome’s blue eyes. “Um, that’s an idiom, it means…”
“I know what it means. I had a run-in with a pixie not too long ago,” I explain. “And it’s ok, I’m in a hurry too. Nice meeting you.”
Ignoring who must’ve been the Silio’s apprentice, I move toward the nearest bookshelf in order to prepare my books.
Five minutes later, I am disturbed by the bitch in the glittering gold outfit and the unmatched pink and blue eyes. The same one who killed master Navaro. “You didn’t tell the Maven, did you?”
Ah, still worried about that?! Good! Bolsia was her name? I better remember it…
I ignore her and keep looking for my books, I have a limited amount of time. She follows me around the library. “You know… we girls should stick together in this world of men. Even if you are technically my aunt, you’re… I mean you’re my pretty little aunt, and I think we should get along. There’s so much I can offer you…”
I’m not sure what our standing is, but from the fact that you’re coming to me to make sure I’m not angry means that as the hag’s own apprentice I outrank you somehow… even if you’re a full mage… that’s nice… I’ll definitely keep that in mind… but now I have to get my books! I keep choosing my books, ignoring her presence entirely.
She puts a hand on my shoulder. “Why won’t I invite you to a dinner and a nice evening at the temple of Mayan? We can do each other’s hair and you could meet the rest of the girls. Come on! It’ll be fun!”
*Flack!!!*
The loud slap throws the woman in the glittering outfit to the floor.
“Venomous jar. Who do you think you are?!” Balusha stands there with her hands on her hips. “I don’t care if you’re Kynator’s pet, you’re nothing! Don’t you threaten my sista!”
Like you care... I bet you’re just using this as an excuse to hurt her... not that I mind, I want her hurt too...
Kynator’s daughter wears a sweet poisonous smile in the direction of Balusha. “Hello to you too, succubus…”
“Zephyr!”
“Harpy!”
“Nymph!”
“Bug!”
Balusha doesn’t answer this one. She steps forward and puts her heavy boot on the other woman’s chest. She leans forward, looking down on Bolsia. Balusha’s braid hisses above her nemesis’ face.
The other woman licks her lips, eyeing the sharp braid with a gulp.
My eyes open wide when the braid strikes like a snake. The woman on the ground twists and wriggles, screaming in agony. The screams die a few moments later when she passes out from the pain.
Balusha gives me a dark sclera-less wink and steps out of the library without saying a word.
I give the unconscious woman a glance and go back to collecting my book. I hope I can get out of this snowy mad house as soon as possible...
*
After three hours, I am outside the hag’s shop, holding Loyal’s reins. The horse is packed with a small pile of bags, books, clothes, rations, and small daily necessities. I am fully prepared for this journey. I keep going in my head over things I may have forgotten or chose to leave behind.
The hag enters the alley. She does not exit the shop, she comes from the bustling street on the other way. A small group of people follows behind her.
“Lezere!!!” I run and hug the muscular woman. It’s so good to see her again!
The half-orc hugs me tightly, lifting me up a little before putting me down. “Hey, chief!” There’s a giant, sharp toothed grin on her face. Her hair is longer than I remember, but she’s not as tall as I remember, or maybe it’s me who grew a little taller.
The familiar metallic sound of the armor causes me to break the hug and turn around. “Kolag?!”
He looks different than I remember. The armor is a glimmering black metal instead of the bluish silver tint it used to have, and now there’s a gigantic steel claymore resting on his shoulder instead of the bronze arming sword. “Hello… Inara…” He echoes, averting his gaze.
Why doesn’t he use my name? Is he alright? Why is he here? Did the hag drag them here forcefully? There is a lot I want to ask and say to him, but now is not the time. I hug his metallic figure. He takes an awkward step back without returning the hug.
Aside from my two friends, there are a few other people here. “What are you doing here, Ryon?” I ask with a frown. Unsure why the hag had brought the lithe thief from the slums.
He smirks. “Your old boss lady got me some windy magic tricks.”
I fold my hands. “But why are you here? Just because she gave you some magic tricks?”
He tilts his head, still smiling. “Old boss lady say she gimme your magic trick if I work for ya a couple o years.”
I narrow my eyes at him. The hag had promised she’d teach him magic?! Unlikely… I don’t think he’s someone she’ll teach… Why not? He’s heartless, cunning, and a ruthless killer… the kind of person she likes… Just doesn’t feel right… and I don’t think he has any potential for magic… if he did… well there were plenty of times he was put in danger growing up on the streets… he should’ve had magic by now…
My eyes pass to Salik, and Berthold. I am a little surprised to see them here, but maybe I shouldn’t be. In Salik’s case, he was in the hag’s pocket since long ago. But: “What about you Berthold? I thought you had things to take care of in Axero? Are you going to leave your family behind?”
The short man tries to hide behind Salik’s tall figure. He sighs and shrugs, distracting himself with his bow. “You were right about your master. She healed my mother.”
I raise an eyebrow. “So the payment for that is being here?”
“Yes! Not only that, if I work for you for a couple of years, she promised to heal my sister too… not a bad deal, right?”
That does make sense… of course the hag used him like this… This is better than the alternative though, I just have to make sure he stays alive to come back home to his family…
“Jerro?” The strange gray robed farmer I encountered while passing on my way to Axero a year ago is an odd sight in this group. He seems tired, leaning on a cane like an old man. “Why are you are you here exactly?”
“Safer with you than by myself. I have to come with you to be with my soul-mate. I can see glimpses of the future, I’ll be of good use to you,” he explains. His voice is cold and direct.
Very well, but what about… “Sharla?” I furrow my brows looking at my shifty friend for the past year. Someone I enjoyed being around yet hadn’t trusted.
Each person in this group has some sort of combat skills that could be useful in a hostile environment.
Berthold is a remarkable shot…
Salik too knows how to fight, not to mention manage a small unit of men…
Ryon has his smoke tricks and I am sure he’ll be quite handy in a city environment…
Lezere is also a good archer, and she’s amazing with her axe…
As for Kolag, the guy is a walking piece of destructive metal!
And Jerro says he can predict the future… hence, telling me there are troubles before they even appear…
If the hag wanted to put a group of competent people that I'm acquainted with to serve as my bodyguards, it all makes sense. Except for Sharla. Is she here so I won’t get lonely? A handmaiden? Or is she meant to keep an eye on me and report to the hag?
“Yes?” she gives me a sheepish smile.
“Why are you here?”
She fidgets, twisting curls of her ginger hair around her fingers. “Because I’m yours, and I need to travel wherever my mistress goes.”
Right…
“Kikikiki…” The hag cackles. “You have a week to tell her the general notes about yourself, little mouse. You know what happens if you don’t.”
Sharla turns to the hag. “Mistress! I…”
“Silence!!!” Sharla’s protests are cut off by a violent shriek from the hag. “You will tell and show her everything. She will know. Everything.”
She backs off a step. “Ok ok. I will. Please! Just stop!”
“Kikiki… that’s a good little mouse. Now! My daughter… These seven shall serve you” The hag gestures at the group as she walks closer to them.
“A Knight.” The hag’s walking stick makes a metallic thud when it taps Kolag’s armored chest. I can tell he winces behind his helmet. What did she put you through?!
“A Loyal Wolf.” She pats Lezere’s muscular shoulder. The orcish woman’s face remains unfazed as if she does not consider the words an insult. I hope you’re ok…
“A Rogue.” Ryon seems to enjoy the hag’s touch. He nuzzles his nose against her palm like a cat. That’s just weird…
“A General.” The hag’s talons cover Salik’s muscular arm. The tall man grimaces and shudders. I’ve seen that man fight an eight meters tall Trinag without a flinch… and she makes him shake like a leaf…
“A Hunter.” The hag pats Berthold’s head, ruffling his dark hair. He doesn’t seem to like the treatment but endures it stoically. I’m sorry… I should’ve never brought her up as an option to you…
“A Prophet.” Jerro is unfazed by the hag’s walking stick that grazes his chest. I still don’t know what your goals are… and who is this soulmate of yours is… but we’ll see…
“And a Spy.” Sharla grimaces at the description. I know you’re a spy. I can’t imagine what big secret you think you’re hiding from me…
The hag finishes her circle and walks back to me, leaning on her stick. “They are talented individuals whom you have built rapport with, yes?”
She could say that… with the exception of Jerro, I barely know the guy and I got his mother killed… but having someone who can see the future on my side… that can be useful… Assuming he's really on my side... I nod at the hag’s words.
“Happy birthday, my child. I had other plans, but circumstances changed... yeeess…” I shouldn’t be surprised she knows that little detail about me… “I’ve written and crafted these myself.” The hag hands me two heavy books, but keeps the third in her hands. I eye Loyal worriedly. I already packed fifteen books on his back, and a small coffer with all of my fortune. I just hope my horse can carry three more books on him.
She taps on the thick book in my hands with a long curved talon. “This one contains instructions about your path. Training methods to strengthen and fully connect all of your mana pools. Answers to your questions, and guidelines on how to reach the pinnacle of the apprentice stage. This shall make you fully ready for ascendance as a magus.”
“The second book contains knowledge of alchemy. This is one of my specialties, and no child of mine is allowed to be ignorant on the subject! It has the recipe for your general’s glitter, his supply will last for six months. Study this book well, my child.”
I nod.
“These two books aren’t gifts. They are merely my obligation to you as a mother and a teacher. You are required to study them, and I shall test your knowledge when you’re back home, yes? As for the third book…” She glances down at the book she still holds in her hand. “This is my birthday gift to you. It is not a book, but a grimoire. The Great White Egret Grimoire! I’ve made this myself kikiki… This Grimoire contains all my knowledge of cantrips and first level spells. To use it and unlock this knowledge: You have to put your hands on an empty page, and channel your mana into it while keeping a clear image of the spell you have in mind. I recommend that you put some time into healing magic, it is a hole in your education, yes?” She’s not wrong about that…
“Remember,” she continues. “Exploring all the option a single spell gives you, is better than learning many spells and stopping to think which one you want to cast when you need them. You shall learn to explore spells you already know. But first, enjoy bathing in spells, kikikiki…”
"Can I ask one last question before I go?" I shouldn't ask this... ask something else. It can't be real! I have to know... and if I won't see her again I'll never know...
Her wrinkled face crease into a smile. "Ask, my daughter. Ask, and I shall answer."
I take a deep breath before I dare to speak. "That day... when I entered your... shed? The cellar with your slaves. Did you made me enter that place by controlling my name? Or was it my own choice?"
She puts her talons on my shoulder, pride gleaming in her golden eyes. "Ahhh... now you are learning. Yes. I have. You did not walk through that door out of your own will. You walked through that door due to my will. My will and magic."
"What about my free will?" She violated my own choices! How do I know if I even make my own choices or hers? I'm just a slave to her! No... not a slave... a twisted version of a snaking daughter...
Her hand glide on my cheek. "Ahhh my dear daughter. A true free will is a privilege of unimportant fools and the strong. Free will is a lie told by Lokamesh, the father of lies. Everyone's will is bent to the will of those who are stronger than them, in turn, the stronger bend the knee before the strongest. To achieve true freedom, you only have one path, the path to power."
She pulls me into a tight strong hug that I cannot escape from, and caresses the back of my head gently. “Good luck, Inara, my child, may you find your path to power.” Before I can say anything, she turns around and enters the shop as if she doesn’t want to see me anymore.
Snakes!
“Hello, sister.” The stiff voice belongs to Firuk. I almost yelp. Only now I notice that he got mixed with the group of my friends or acquaintances.
“Hello?” I do my best not to show how startled I am.
There isn’t a hint of emotion on his cold pale face. “Mother requested that I send you and your people away. Anything else you should pick before we’re leaving?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m ready to go.”
“I’ll need a flock of your hair please.” he leans forth and cut a little bit of my red hair without waiting for my approval.
He takes out a square metallic plate and places it on the ground. He puts my hair on top of the gray metal, along with an odd piece of pelt that feels magical, an amethyst and six black gems that I recognize as onyx. One of the onyxes seem to suck the daylight out of the alley.
He moves some of his long silvery hair from his unnaturally handsome face as he stands up from the items on the ground. “For the record. I do apologize for what I had to do during your trial. But when mother demands something from you, there’s not much you can do. I hope you don’t hold a grudge…”
I doubt she forced him to do it with her magic... he's just a little momma’s boy. Don’t say that aloud! Don’t say that aloud! I nod silently, keeping my face blank. I haven’t forgiven you, and I never will. But I’ll let you think I did while you’re still stronger than me… and when the time comes…
He puts his hands together in a series of gestures. His chant turns his normally higher voice into a deep echoing bass. “Gash gash, besmuff mokbama mis balkus mik. Bakesh bal mokbama. Bulaf bal mokbama. Bakira bal mokbama.” the items on top of the metallic plate disappears in a thick golden smoke but nothing happens.
“Better get going sister. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.” He turns toward the shop.
“Go where?”
“It doesn’t matter. Wherever you go you’ll end up at the gray isles.” He replies with a shrug and closes the door to the shop behind him.
What the snake? I shake my head in confusion. Instead, I turn and face my group of friends and allies. “I’m sorry you all got dragged into this.”
“I’m not!” Kolag’s echoing voice makes me smile.
“Thanks Kolag, but you know what I meant…”
He shrugs with a metallic clink. “Yes, mages do with us whatever they want. That old wench might think that free will is a lie, but free will applies to what you can make a choice about, not to what you can't control. I’m just glad I got to see you again…”
"I'm happy to see you too, Kolag..."
He nod silently and the atmosphere turns awkward for a long silent moment.
“Happy to see you too, chief! It’ll be just like old times again!” Lezere’s cheery voice breaks the ice.
“You don’t have to apologize, kid.” Salik says, “I made a deal with a devil, I’m facing the consequences. You did nothing wrong.”
“So, where are we going?” Berthold asks, ignoring my apology.
“Ye! Where are we goin’?” Ryon adds looking around. “I’m hungry!”
I roll my eyes. Of course he’s hungry… I’m sure he wants some sex too… As if on a cue, he approaches Lezere. “Ya got big jugs. Ya wanna snake later?”
“With you, skinny cat?!” Lezere sneers at the blatant lewd suggestion. “How about that. Beat me, and you can snake me.”
“I beat ya then! Right now?”
“Later when we camp, skinny!”
Kolag stomps forward in his armor. “I still haven’t heard where we’re going.”
“To the gray isles, come on let’s go!” I have no idea how we’re supposed to get there, or what does it mean that ‘wherever I go I’ll get there. But I have to pretend I know what I’m doing, I have to show that everything is under control.
I lead the party toward the city gates. But the moment we pass the corner from the alleyway to the bustling street the scenery changes.
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: formed: 1 gem replenished per five minutes.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 66
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: formed: 6 gems. Conversion ratio: 6:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 18 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 9 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 14 gems
Water: Affinity 6: formed: 27 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 4 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 9 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: formed: 40/41 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Sorladika's Lesser Heating.
Light: Noxi’s Light, Lako’s Blinding Light.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet.
Earth:
Wood:
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burst. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s lesser shield. Imari’s Minor Telekinesis. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pull. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body.
Spells known:
Gravity: Alino’s weightless bodyb.
Focus capability: 11 patterns
Social status: Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries.
Wealth: 1854 gems. 1421 golden peas, 7 silver scales, 37 copper bits.
Items:
Magical necklace. Contain a 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 simple healing potions.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keep the pouches’ content fresh.
Fresh rose petals, 25g
10 empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
Books:
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara.
Simple alchemical recipes. By the Maven of mysteries.
An apprentice guide. By the Maven of mysteries.
Felul to Toml’a full dictionary. By Jeriko Airfist.
Fotyr to Toml’a full dictionary. By Flaming hair Effrat.
Revis to Toml’a full dictionary. By Lako of Twilights.
Nim to Toml’a full dictionary. By Ayla Icy cloak.
Kush to Toml’a full dictionary. By The one great Alf.
Rod’e to Toml’a full dictionary. By The Loy of Laughter.
Myrsha to Toml’a full dictionary. By Leo, Wings of attraction.
From the darkest of the dark suns, encyclopedia for the dark spring fae. By Ayla Icy cloak.
Between twilights, a guide to the dark spring fae. By Lako of twilights.
Alteration patterns for dummies. By Cyan Olgaski.
Elemental deals for beginners, rank 1 to 3 elemental bind deals. By Alino the Fat.
Blood on the snow, combat magic theory. By Ayla Icy cloak.
With wand and fire, combat magic applications. By Flaming hair Effrat.
Forest of wonders, Bestiary of magical beasts. By Lako of Twilights.
Isles of wonders, Bestiary of magical beasts. By Lako of Twilights.
Companions:
Kolag of house Befar.
Lezere of the black fang tribe.
Salik.
Berthold.
Ryon.
Jerro.
Sharla.
Languages:
Toml’a <People’s tongue> Fluent
Sinteo <Speech> Fluent
Myrsha <Gravity> 6/10
Felul <Wind> 1/10
Injuries and scars:
*~*~*
End of volume 1
