Mark of the Fool

Chapter 673: Shoulders that Bear

Alex had to be meticulous, checking a diagram for the summoning circle he was drawing.

It had to be perfect.

The afternoon had found the young wizard in his laboratory, bent over his desk, sketching a magical circle for a new fifth-tier spell

Summon Planar Ally, the very first relational contract summoning spell he would ever cast. And he was almost ready to cast it. Professor Mangal had worked with him, helping him prepare for this nextvery important stepas a summoner.

Until nowthe method he used to call allies was subjugation style summoning magic, making sure to treat the summons with respect. Not that he would have ever treated his summons with anything but respect, but if it ever happened and they wanted to get away from him, there was no danger of them escaping his control, as long as the spells were cast correctly. Those types of spells had a downside though; anything he summoned was limited in power.

The most powerful entities he could conjure were greater elementals, celestial dire tigers, and other monsters of a similar strength. While they were still mighty creatures, and would likely devastate many Ravener-spawn

they would also fall short when it came to standing against powerful priests or warriors of the hidden church. Even against certain Ravener-spawn,his summoned monsters were often torn apart with ease, nevermind the churchs human monsters.

If he wanted allies that could do more than just serve as a brief shield against monstrosities like the First and Third Apostles, hed need some with a lot more power.

Both Binding Style and Relational Style Contract Summoning would give him allies with that level of power, but creatures like that would also bring a certain amount of risk with them. Those spells, by their very nature, allowed greater freedom to any ally he summoned. And if the entity wasnt boundwillinglywith a relational contract, or tied unwillingly, in a binding one, the end result could be chaos.

Before such bargains or bindings were struck, anything he called would have to be contained within a perfect summoning circle; the slightest flaw could mean a very angry, very powerful monster escaping, taking vengeance on the summonerhim.

So, thats where the need for perfection came in.

Almost done, he told himself, calling on the Mark. I think this construction is about as strong as I can make it He paused, noting an image the Mark was showing him. ah, the left side of the circle was more symmetrical last time. Id better draw it again

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door.

Alex! Selina called. Theres a message for you!

Coming! he called back, teleporting to the top of the stairs and unlocking the door. His sister stood there, holding a butterfly-shaped messenger construct.

Thanks, he said. Huh, that must be from Professor Jules. She really loves her butterflies doesnt she? He looked at Selina with a raised eyebrow. You didnt open the message, did you?

She rolled her eyes. Youve been spending too much time locked away down there. Im not about to start opening your letters, Alex, she said, taking the folded parchment from the construct and handing it to her brother.

Thanks, Selina. Alex unfolded the letter.

Whats it say? she asked.

His breath caught when he read what was written by Watcher Hill on behalf of herself and Professor Jules.

Come to Professor Jules office at the University. Do not attempt to go to Greymoor. Theyve made their move.

Signed, Watcher Hill and Professor Jules.

He swallowed. Selina, whatre your plans for the day?

Um, I was going to go to Abuelas house. Why?

You can go, but get Claygon to go with you, Alex said. Theresa should be back soon. I need you to tell her that they might be coming.

Selina gasped. You mean She mouthed the words. the church?

Yes, Alex said. Im not going to lie to you, Selina; youre old enough to know whats coming for me. For us. Im going to try andOof!

She jumped on him, holding on like shed never see him again. I know you have to go, but be careful. Be careful.

I will, he promised, hugging her while mentally contacting his golem.

Claygon, I have to go to Jules office. The church made their move. I dont have any details yet, but protect Selina.

There was a pause.

MaybeI should protect youfather The golems thoughts came through their link.

No, Claygon, Im alright, Alex thought. I can defend myself if something happens. I need you to protect Selina. Okay? Promise you will.

Another pause. Yesfather

Ill be back soon, Alex thought, looking down at Selina. He kissed her forehead. I love you, Ill be back.

She hugged him tighter. Youd better be. Just be careful.

I will.

He teleported to his room, grabbed his staff, and vanished, reappearing in the hallway outside of Jules office. The door was open.

Inside, the alchemist paced back and forth, muttering to herself.

Professor? he called, startling her.

Mr. Roth! At last, come in and close the door.

Alex quickly went in, shutting the door behind him.

May every god and spirit in all of creation bless Watcher Hill, the professor gestured for him to take a seat, sitting down at her desk. That woman anticipated things wouldnt go well, and she was right. Im glad she sent you that message when she did. But, to the point. The kings delegation came to Greymoor today under the guise of easing tensions.

Alex swallowed.

When in fact, a military force now occupies Luthering, she said grimly. The church demanded that I hand you over to them.

She filled Alex in on everything that had happened since the night beforethe delegations arrival, the conversation, the presence of Mother Charityand what had happened afterward.

Watcher Hill has contacted Councillor Kartika, but we dont know when she will reply. It could be days, with her schedule, the professor said grimly. An increasing number of the expedition team now knows about you and this Fool business, she looked disgusted as she said the word. Rumours have been spreading through the Castle like fire through a chemical bath. Those who were on thestrike forcethose who hadnt shared what they knew until noware speaking out about your heroics to save Miss London.

So this is it, Alex said. This is their move. Theyre going to focus on me first. Maybe they think Im the most dangeroustheres a lot of bias against the Fool, and I think thats got something to do with Uldar changing the Mark.

Yes, but theyll likely strike at the other Heroes one way or another. Professor Jules rubbed her temples. Ive sent Miss Goldtooth to warn them. We should have some time, though; even if the delegation uses the fae roads to return to Ussex, itll likely be days before anyonecomes back to Greymoor. Im going to stall them as best I can.

Right Alex said, his mind racing. Whats been the expeditions reaction to me?

So far, its been overwhelmingly positive, Jules said with no small amount of relief. At least from what the Watchers and I have heard. There are a few asking if you were the reason the petrifier attacked the Research Castle, but others also pointed out that the enemy targeted Miss London as well. There are plenty of folk whose lives youve saved on the battlefield, Alex, and theyre actively vouching for you, as is the entirety of the research team. Believe me, youre not going to get a wave of your allies trying to cast you away.

Good, he sighed. Thats good. Thats something at least. He shook his head. I cant tell you the number of times and ways I imagined this day coming. I thought maybe Id accidentally let it slip, or a priest would pass me here in Generasiback when there were actually a good number of Uldars priests aroundor that someone from Alric would check records. And now, here we are

He shook his head, eyes unfocused. ...yet, it somehow doesn't feel real.

Nerves and terror slowly crawled through him, pushing rational thought away.

He imagined himself and his family being dragged away in chains, being cast down deep into a dungeon under Ussex, or executed for desertion or aiding a deserter.

He shivered, shaking the thoughts away, taking a deep grounding breath.

Thats not going to happen, he thought. This is real. But that thought? Thats not real.

Its alright to be scared, you know, Professor Jules said suddenly.

What? Alex startled.

She looked at him with sadness. I remember when I first met you, you were this skinny, enthusiastic young man. It seemed all there was in your head was curiosity, alchemyand that brilliant mind of yours. Her eyes drifted to his shoulders. Your shoulders are so broad now, in many senses of the word; your burdens have been heavy. And all because some dead god wanted children to fight his battles.

She looked at Alex. Its alright to be scared.

Ive prepared for this, professor, Alex said.

Its alright to be scared.

I cant be, Ive got too much to do, I

Its alright to be scared.

Im not scared, Im angry, if anything! Alexs voice rose. I mean, who do they think they are, calling you out? Demanding that I come with them like some common outlaw? Im very angry!

Its okay, Jules said softly, and at that moment, she seemed less like a professor of alchemyand more like a kindly grandmother. Alex, its okay to be scared.

I His voice broke.

He remembered the endless hours hed spent trying to make himself so important to Generasi, that they wouldnt just send him away. Hed spent nearly every waking moment preparing, gathering power, growing his reputation.

Even before that, hed already been pushing hard in his studies, entering the Games of Roal, trying to get his name out there. In many ways, hed done it out of anger; hed never wanted to ever feel like he had when he was being interrogated by those two Generasi investigators during the demon summoner attacks.

But, theres more to this, isnt there? he thought. What about Theresas family in the Rhinean Empire. What if the church decided to threaten them, and put pressure on them?

He swallowed as Professor Jules watched him with a gentle gaze.

Y-youre right, he said, his voice shaking. For a moment, he allowed his body language to relax. He allowed his mask to shatter. Professor, Im bloody terrified. But Ive done my best to prepare for this. Ive done everything I can.

Of course you have, she said.

But Im still bloody scared. What if nothing Ive done works? What if the city council decides Im too much trouble. I could leave, but I dont want to. I shouldnt have to. What about Selinas life here? What about Theresas? And what about her family? Whats going to happen to them?

Professor Jules nodded. Theres a lot on your shouldersyou, your friends, the Heroes. I dont envy you. The worst thing I had to worry about at your age was final exam results. I cant imagine what this must be like for you.

Itsits hard, but Ive got to keep going, dont I? Alexs voice shook. But bloody, hell, why cant they just leave me alone?

I know. I know. Professor Jules got up and rounded the desk. She spread her arms. Come here, Mr. Roth.

Alex looked at her for a long moment, before getting up and hugging his professor.

Thats it, she said. Were going to fight with you. Together. The university of Generasi is not in the habit of giving up its students.

Alex couldnt help but laugh; a little while ago, hed been hugging Selina and comforting her. Now professor Jules was doing the same for him.

What do you thinks going to happen now? he said.

We wait for Councillor Kartika to meet with me, Professor Jules said. Then Im going to do my damnedest to make sure the council doesnt do anything stupid. But what do you want to do? If you want, we will handle this until we cant. You can continue being a student.

No, Alex said, pulling away from the hug. If I can get my own meeting with Councillor Kartika, I will. And Im going to talk to my friends and were going to

He paused, a thought occurred to him.

...did you say Councillor Kartika might meet with the king and the High Priest?

Yes, Professor Jules said.

His jaw clenched. Any chance I could be at the meeting?