Mark of the Fool

Chapter 669: Teleportation Practice and the Arrival at Greymoor

One instant Alexander Roth was hovering high above the sun-blasted wasteland known as the Barrens of Kravernus.

The next, he was gone, appearing in clear skies high above sun-kissed waves rolling along the Prinean sea.

Holy hells, he whispered. That was far. I think Im nearly ready.

In the months since Careys death, the Fool of Thameland kept practising, preparing for the Irtyshenan Empire.

Weeks earlier, hed broken through to fifth, then sixth-tier spells, leading Professor Mangal to offer to work with him one on one, and soon, hed be readyto conjure his first entities using binding contract and relational contract style summoning.

When he accomplished that, hed be ready to write the Exam for Credit for fourth year summoning, and if he passed, the plan was to work directly with Professor Mangal from then on. It was an exciting, hectic time that he wished he could have just taken some time to slow down and enjoy.

But that didnt happen. Not really.

He had a lot to do, though some of itlike breaking through to fifth and sixth-tier spellswas behind him, all of it was necessary. He had to be ready for whatever came, but he also knew he couldnt burn himself out. What good would it do if he pushed himself to breaking, achieved most of what he needed to, only to crack in the process, unable to enjoy or appreciate his successes. So, hed begun taking breaks while keeping them to a minimum, trying to strike a balance, not knowing when or where the church would strike.

He would have loved a nice long break, but there was only one of him, and much to be done that only he could do.

Like upgrading his staff.

More nights than he could remember had found him in his lab, infusing new summoning magics and other enchantments into his staff.

Hed added a magic that shifted earth and shaped stone so he could dig for Keldas sanctum or anything else, if he needed to. Hed infused magic into the aeld staff to warp ice, changing the shape of both snow and ice.

In combination, the magics would allow him to alter hostile terrain in the wilderness of the Empire so he could build shelter if he needed to. The Travellers magic should be able to let him vanish if he found himself in trouble, but there were lots of different magics in the world that he knew nothing about, and he wasnt so naive to assume that he did. If he went to such a hostile realmone of the coldest places on the planetwithout insurance, that would definitely mean he deserved to be called a fool.

To compensate for the frigid temperatures there, hed infused his staff with magic that could change the temperature of an area from well below freezing, to the warmth of a summers day, or turn an already cold night to a temperature so frigid, any enemy without shelter or a counter-spell, would become an ice block within minutes.

Hed also added magic that raised walls of force, providing excellent defence.

Everything hed done, had seen the aeld staff grow immensely, both in both power, and versatility, and it was all worth the amount of time and coin it had cost him.

His businesses had been thriving, which meant coin wasnt an issue. He and Toraka had fulfilled the citys golem contract in impressive time, generating a dragons hoard of profit. His new bakeries were popular and profitable, so much so that he was already considering opening one in another quarter of the city.

The magic item studio wasnt open yet, but the list of potential customers was growing. Folk were already contacting him, seeking both personal, business commissions, supplies, and more.

When the previous owner had retired, shed left a hole where customers were once able to get unique magical items, Alex was all too eager to fill it.

He was getting supplies, crafting stock for the shop, some he and Selina, like bird-like messenger constructs, had worked on together. They couldnt fill the entire place themselves considering all the items he wanted to carry, so he was looking at hiring some crafters to move things along; even with the Mark and his Wizards Hands, there was only so much time he could spare, especially since he needed to dedicate so much of it to his teleportation.

And that was progressing in leaps and bounds.

Alex looked up at the suns position, noting the clouds in the sky and the Generasi coast in the distance; he did some mental calculations.

Aboutfifty five miles, Id say, he said in the Irtyshenan tongue, practising the language. The longest jump yet. I could get to the Irtyshenan Empire, but it would take me using a whole lot of jumps, more than Id be comfortable withwhich means I need to keep improving the distance Im teleporting to preserve my energy.

He was thinking that if all went well, in another month or so, he should be able to reach the Empire in ten jumps or less. Not ideal, but ten jumps would still leave him with plenty of energy to travel the breadth of the cold, northern realm.

In another month, hed also have their language perfected.

Alex was fluent in the Irtyshenan language now, but he had to be more than just fluent; to travel through the reclusive land where looking down on, and being suspicious of foreigners was as common as snow, he couldnt speak with even the slightest hint of an accent not of the Empire.

That had been his focus for the last while, perfecting his accent so that he sounded like he was born there. Hed started taking meals in bars, taverns, and restaurants that served Irtyshenan cuisine or liquors from surrounding countries.

He kept to himself while he was there.

Speaking little.

But listening a lot.

He would focus on all the conversations around him, especially those in the Irtyshenan tongue. He picked out accents from different regions, slowly learning intonations placed on the same words.

Hed also started learning the body language of the Irtyshenans, though he could only go so far. Any former imperials were mostly folk whod fled the Empire long ago, and had been living in the city of wizards for many years or even decades, so their mannerisms and speech had long been mixing with the peculiarities of their adopted home.

Still, if Alex could mimic enough of their accents and mannerisms to get by, he could then immerse himself in the Empire and finish his training.

Or, at least, that was the plan.

Alex glanced to the northeast, toward thedirection of the Empire.

Then to the northwest, in the direction of his homeland.

When are you going to strike he muttered, thinking of the hidden church. I know youre planning something. But when, what, and how?

As the weeks had gone by, hed grown decidedly paranoid.

In the wee hours of the morning, he expected to wake up and find some church-sent assassin standing over his bed.

But none had come, so far.

How long? he wondered. I know you bastards are going to do something.

On one hand, the longer they took, the more time he had to prepare, and establish himself in the city. To keep himself and his family secure. But on the other hand, he just wanted the threat over with.

They would come, of that he was sure, and he would face the battle hed been preparing for for the last two years of his twenty years of life.

He just wanted it to end.

But, he shook his head. I cant get impatient: the more time I have, the better. By the Traveller, Im starting to lose my mind; maybe I should talk to Theresa. Shes usually so grounded. I think she should be back from The Arcane Archery by now. Maybe Ill teleport home and surprise her. Yeah, thats what Ill do.

Concentrating, Alex focused the Travellers power, teleporting to the living area of the bakery.

He saw Brutus first, gently nuzzling the person he saw second; his fiancee, leaning over the dining room table with her face buried in her hands. Her body was shaking.

Theresa? Alex called her name, alarmed.

The huntress shot up, the Twinblade in her hands in a heartbeat. Her expression was fierce, her lips drawn back in a snarlbut her eyes

They were troubled, her expression melted a moment later, eyes growing wide.

She rushed into his arms, dropping the swords on the floor. I almost did something terrible!

What? Its okay, its okay, talk to me, he said, holding her.

And so Theresa told him everything: meeting Maria, following her, the thoughts shed had, and what shed wanted to do.

Brutus and I killed those beast-goblins, every last one of them, she said, sitting at the table. Alex had brewed a hot cup of pine needle tea for her. Even now, as she sipped it, she was still shaking though his arm was around her. At least, thatll help her, but I still feel awful, Alex.

You didnt actually go through with it, he said.

But I was thinking about it. I just wanted to protect you, and I was so convincedso convinced she was from the church.

Honestly, I would have been suspicious too. He kissed her cheek. But you didnt do anything you have to regret. Weve all had bad thoughts.

I stalked her, like some weirdo.

Look, I get it. Was it the best thing to do? I wont lie and say yes, but living with the church hanging over our heads like some sword, of course thatd make us do extreme things. We just have to be better next time.

You really think that? she looked at him, her face flushed. You really think it wasnt so bad?

If youd attacked her, wellyeah that would have been a different thing.

But I might have, if her son hadnt shown up.

Alex shrugged. Look, were all acting a little crazy lately. We found our god dead on his throne, and learned that his church is conspiring against us. Thatthats a lot to handle. Truth is, Ive been getting pretty paranoid myself, honestly.

How do you deal with it? she asked.

Part of its not giving myself enough time to dwell on things; I just prepare.

Rightwell, Ill never do that again. Not ever, Theresa promised herself.

Thats key. Theres a reason I want to marry youwell, a lot of reasons, but thats one of them, he said softly.

She gave him a thin smile. Thank you, Alex, hearing that makes me feel betterbut, right, speaking of hearing things. That Fool stuffits getting around.

It is? Alex said, his stomach flip flopping as he thought about it. Well, better it happen like this than for the church to be the ones putting the story out. Maybe the rumours could even helpbut its still a damned frightening thing in many ways. A relief, but frightening all the same. Weve been carrying this secret for a long time, now its coming out.

I know, she said. I dont know how to feel either. Its not even my secret.

Well, well deal with it togetherand the real challenge is coming, he said. The church is likely going to make a move soon, I just know it. But who knows if itll be against me, the other Heroes, or all of us. But theyre definitely not going to stay silent. That bloody nose we gave them will stop dripping, and theyll come after us.

But we cant let that make us treat everyone like suspects, Theresa said, partly to herself. We just cant.

Yeah, I agree, he tightened his armaroundher shoulders. But, as much as I wish you didnt have to go through this, at least we wont be going through it alone. He looked out the window. The day when everyone knows who I am is coming, and Im glad well be facing it together.

Me too Theresa said, resting her head on his arm. Me toohold me for a while?

Of course, Alex said, putting his other arm around her.

Together, the young couple sat in silence, taking comfort in each others warmth.

That warmth would be needed for the storm that was brewing.

It was raining when they arrived in Greymoor.

A small army of the crowns soldiers, surrounding a mounted delegation, rode through the moors. They huddled beneath thick cloaks with hoods pulled high, hiding neither weapons nor armour. Swords were sheathed and bows unstrung, but they were a party ready for war if war came looking for them. They rode past the wizards outposts, horses hooves churning water, grass and muck, their breaths misting in the mid-autumn air.

Greymoors Research Castle loomed ahead and the procession stopped at a tall gate built into the Castles outer wall.

Who goes there? a Watcher called from the gatehouse.

A single rider urged their mount ahead of the procession.

We are here in the name of King Athelstan Merciex! she called. We seek the Thameish citizen, Alexander Roth. By order of the king, he is to be turned over to us immediately!