Mark of the Fool

Chapter 723: Once Again, Preparing to Leave Home

In a quiet neighbourhood in Generasiin the wee hours of the morningall was still. Golem crafting carried on in Shales workshop as it always did at all hours of the night, while late night wanderers strolled down the magically lit street. Most windows were shuttered for the night, very few lights burned within the homes and small businesses in this part of the city.

Even in the Roth Family Bakerywhere Troy and the other staff would soon arrive to make preparations for the daynearly every room was in darkness.

All was still quiet.

Alex Roth, Theresa Lu, Claygon and Brutusaccompanied by Birger and Bjorgrundmaterialised in the dark dining area on the first floor. Aeld blooms glowed, giving off dim light from Alexs staff, until he conjured forceballs and Wizards Hands, illuminating the space.

Crimson light deepened shadows on his face, making him appear like a grim gargoyle carved of shimmering red stone.

Dammit, he swore quietly.

Whats wrong? Theresa whispered, not wanting to awaken Selina.

He shook his head. That powerthe connection I had with Hannah when I was so close to death, is gone. The Mark helped me The word tasted bitter, knowing how Uldars brand had nearly caused them to die. learn a bit about Hannahs powerfromhow we teleported to Merzhin. Alex shook his head.

He bit the inside of his cheek. And Im going to need a lot more power fast. Real fast. Anyway, lets leave that for now, Im just wasting time.

Alex looked at Bjorgrund. Could you do me a favour?

What is it? the giant asked, his eyes lingering on his surroundings in curiosity.

Could you take Claygons bag for me? It has the books we pilfered from Brightfire in it, and Ill want them when we find Keldas sanctum. AndIll also need to bring more supplies with us, and that bagll be too full for me to carry along with my other ones. Would you mind carrying that one?

Of course, the young giant said, turning to the shorter golem.

Claygon looked at the giant for a long moment; Alex sensed a storm of emotions rushing through their link. Anger, confusion, resolve, guilt, grief, frustration, reluctanceall struggled against each other, one consuming the next.

Slowly, he removed the bag of spellguides from his shoulder and handed it to the young giant, without a word.

Claygon Alex started.

Fatheryou wont take me with you? Toprotect you? Claygon turned to him.

If I doand I want to, buddywhos going to protect Selina? the young wizard asked.

A white hot spike of rage and guilt stabbed through their link, so strong that Alex actually winced.

I he started.

We had better hurry the golem said, in a voice that was ancient and stiff. ...if youre going to golike you said, fathertime is limited.

Alex shut his mouth.

Claygon was right, and nothing he could say would make him feel any better. Not now, anyway.

Alright, I have to get some supplies from the lab, Alex said.

What about Selina? Theresa asked.

The wizard cringed, glancing at the ceiling. Letslet her sleep for a bit longer.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward his lab.

Emotions took over, each step was heavier than the last. Rage and sadness were his companions, bringing to mind a stomach churning familiarity.

Alex quickly moved through the lab, deciding what to take to the Empire, remembering a very similar time in his life. He saw himself in his room in the Lu Family Innhis home for most of his lifegoing through his possessions, trying to decide what hed need when he left for Generasi to attend wizard school...and escape the church.

Just as hed done before, he was doing the same thing again, looking through his belongings, wanting to not bring anything that would be dead weight.

Here he was again, escaping the church, leaving his home at a time not of his own choosing, and, against his will, sorting through his belongingsthe physical symbols of his life and his place in the worldtrying to figure out what he would need.

Being forced, once again, to leave the life hed built

and, once again, the fault lay solely with a filthy, selfish deity and his dogged servants.

It made Alexs desire to smash Uldars corpse, his sanctum, the First Apostle and the rest of the secret churchs fanatics explode. He had no idea how long hed be away from his home. There was no way of knowing, no inkling of how long it would be: days, weeks, monthseven longer.

The young wizard tried not to think about it, using his meditation techniques to let those thoughts pass as he acknowledged them. He tried not to let those techniques remind him of his peaceful meditation sessions in his rooftop garden, or on Generasis green campus.

places he might not see for a long timeor maybe ever again.

I hate this.

The faster I find Keldas sanctum, he thought. The faster I can get started on fixing the Mark, and the faster I can start trying to fix the Mark, the better chance I have of killing those rat bastards, and the faster I can kill them, the quicker I can come home. Then, we can concentrate on finding the Ravener, destroying it for good, and getting our lives back.

Keeping those thoughts in mind, Alex selected everything he wanted to take with great care.

The first thing he chose wassurprisinglya weapon.

Hannahs sword.

I didnt take it with me before, but it could be useful in Keldas sanctum. And He glanced at the aeld staff. Even if I change the Mark from Fool to General, Ill still need to be ready if the church shows up again. What else do I need?

My alchemy tools; anything portable and sturdy should be coming with me. Then some potion making materials, probably enough to last a month or so if I use them regularly, and supplies for other alchemical creations.

Specifically

Chaos essence and dungeon core remains, he thought, carefully removing two small, magically-reinforced jars of powder from a warded cabinet in the back of the lab. Ill need enough for a bomb He paused, reconsidering, then taking enough for more chaos bombs. I cant use them yet, but if I fix the Mark, then I could bomb the ever-loving hells out of them.Theyd die the same way Carey did; Im no poet, but theres gotta be something poetic in that.

Once the chaos essence and dungeon core remains were safely packed away, he went through his supply bag, checking its contents.

Waterproof sleeping roll, check. Magical fire producer, check. Back up flint and tinder, check. Magical water purifier, check. Self-erecting tent, check. Potions, check. Enchanted rope, check. Weeks worth of rations, checkno, Ill need a lot more of those. Hmmm, alright, well that should be about a months worth. Bathing supplies, check. Portable timekeeper, check. Mapping kit, check. Snow Blindness-Reduction goggles, check.

He paused, then. Seems thats just about everything, except for the Irtyshenan coin in my chest, which should be enough to last me for a good while. Alright. Then Ill just

Alex! Theresa called from upstairs, her voice loud enough to make the young wizard flinch.

Yes? he called back, his stomach sinking.

Selinas awake, she said.

Oh, Hells, he muttered. Where are you?

In the dining room, the upstairs dining room!

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to steady himself and throwing the bag over his shoulder, teleported up to their dining room.

Theresa, Claygon and Selina were waiting there.

The golem and the huntress seemed to have been packing a bag for him, filling it with rations, fresh food, water, canteens and other supplies. Selina stood at the bottom of the stairs, her hair mussed and nightdress rumpled from sleep.

Her eyes were completely alert, while her posture was stiff and her head darted from side to side.

W-whats going on? she asked, looking from one of them to the next. Why are you all packing, you just got back?

Tension gripped her voice.

It was clear she knew something was wrong.

Waitwhat happened to your clothes? she suddenly cried. What happened to you, Claygon, youre all scratched up!

Alex winced; with everything that had happened, hed forgotten the ragged state of their clothing. Merzhin had healed their injuries, but their clothes were still ripped and burnt. Theresa had changed her shirt since theyd arrived home, but her trousers were now a series of burn holes, where cloth should have been. Alexs shirt was bloodstained and frayed from top to bottom.

Selina, youll understand soon, because I have something important to tell you and I need you to listen carefully, he said slowly, trying to sound completely calm and in control. Okay?

Alright, she sounded sceptical.

Do you want to sit down?

No, Im okay. Her fingers tightened on the railing. I thought you were doing everything you needed to last nightthe stuff for those people Kelda worked with? Did something go wrong?

Welljust listen.

He told her of the mission in Brightfire, of the four places that Warder had directed them to in the Empire andfinally, about the attack in the wilderness. Alex stayed calm, trying not to frighten her, avoiding details that might scar her. He ended his story with them teleporting to Merzhin for healing.

...and thats why Im going to have to go away for a while, he said. They have some way of tracking me, and I don't know what that is, so until theyre defeated, theres no way I can stay at home. I have to leave because I have to finish this.

No.

An uncomfortable silence hung over them.

What? Alex asked.

Youre not going anywhere, this is our home. She looked at him with fire in her eyes.

Selinatheres a chance that theyll come here looking for me, then theyll attack

Its okay. She nodded. Were safe here. Youll be safer here, and we can fight them together.

Selina, youve never fought anyone before, Theresa said gently.

Its okay. Alex can teach me more fire magic, and

Selina. Alex cut in. I cant. We nearly died; Ill be honest with you, I think the only people we know who could comfortably defeat themwithout any risk to themselvesare Baelinor Hobb, probably. Even if we had the entire cabal together, I dont think we could win that fight right now. If they come here looking for me, then they could hurt you, they could hurt Toraka, your friendsso many people we love. Im not going to let that happen.

Then Ill come with you. Well all go together.

She forced a smile. Itll be like when we went into the Cave of the Traveller together, Alex. Just like then, Ill come with you. Ill go get my

Not this time, Theresa said. When we were leaving Alric I told Alex youd follow him if he went into the Cave by himself.

Good. Selinas smile remained. Then Ill get my

But this is different.

The forced smile wavered. Slightly. Hows it different? Her tone was tense.

Because youre older now, Theresa said. Because we know whats waiting for us in the Empire. Because Alex isnt going to a city of wizards this time. Because we dont know when hell be able to come back.

What do you mean because Im older now? I can handle it, thats why I should Selina started.

Theresa was shaking her head. Selina, youre older now; youre mature enough to know why you need to stay here. We can trust that you understand and know you wont try to follow Alex now. Thats why you can stay here. Thats why this is different from before.

I dont want it to be different, then! the young girl cried. I want to come with you I Her voice rose. I dont want you to die! She faced Alex, tears running down her face. Youre my only brother! Mom and dad are dead, and now you want to go off by yourself? Alex, you could die, then what will I do?

The young wizard forced down a surge of emotion. He had to be strong. He had to be. Youll live, Selina, he said. Youll live, and that could be very, very hard, but I did it. I had to do it, after mother and father died, and youre smarter than I was at your age. Youre stronger, youre braver, youre more determined. Youll do it, Selina. Please, I have to do this.

Butwhat about our life? she asked, tears dropping on the floor. Were happy here! When are you coming back?

I He paused. I dont know. I just dont know.

Trembling, Selina suddenly ran from the stairs, throwing her arms around her brother. Nodont leave menot like this

Alex wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Its the best way for now, Selina. Its the only thing we can do.

Silence fell between them.

She buried her head against his torso; a torso thatmere hours agowas mangled and bloodied. Promise youll be back. Promise.