Mark of the Fool

Chapter 691: The State of the Empire and Journey’s Preparations

Several weeks had passed since the king of Thameland had pardoned the Fool. Several weeks had passed since Alex Roth was freed from the threat of chains, Thameish priests, and kings.

But he hadnt spent that time resting, contemplating, or celebrating.

Hed spent it training.

By day, hed attended class and studied with Professor Mangal in her tower, preparing for his first relational contract summoning. By night, his time was spent teleporting across the Prinean, the Barrens of Kravernus, or building golems with Toraka Shale.

It became his steady routine until he was finally ready to travel to the Irtyshenan Empire.

Andon the morning of the first weekend after midtermshe prepared for his first journey to find Keldas sanctum.

Waterproof sleeping roll, check. Magical fire producer, check. Back up flint and tinder, check. Magical water purifier, check. Self-erecting tent, check. Potions, check. Alex stood in front of his kitchen table, taking careful inventory of his supplies. Enchanted rope, check. Weeks worth of rations, check. Cleansing supplies, check. Portable timekeeper, check. Mapping kit, check. Snow Blindness-Reducing goggles, check. Alright, I think this should do it. Oh right, and I cant forget you.

He picked up the aeld staff that hed leaned against the table, its many crystalline blooms glowing. A new one would blossom each time Alex introduced new magics into it and much like its wielder, it had grown considerably.

The aeld staff was giving off waves of anticipation, seeming eager for this new adventure, almost as eager as he was.

But not everyone was as eager about the journey as he was.

Are you really not taking me with you? Selina asked. Ill be helpful, Alex. I really will. I mean, look!

His sister was sitting at the head of the tablethe only place not taken over by his supplieswatching him pack as Brutus rested one of his heads in her lap.

The young girl raised a hand and spoke words of power.

Alex felt a tingling warmth as fire-tinged mana surged.

An orb of flame burst into life, floating above her palm. It was a simple first-tier spell, but he felt sheer power and heat emanating from it. The flame shone with a bright light that was barely flickering; it was unnaturally uniform and controlled.

See, I mastered Orb of Fire, she smirked.

I was there when you mastered it, he smirked back.

Yes, but its even stronger now. Look, the orb is bigger and its flickering less, she pointed out. Ive got better control of its heat.

Alex nodded. That you certainly do. He looked at his sister closely. Youve grown a lot havent you?

And she had.

Months had passed since her twelfth birthday party and during that time, Selina Roth had entered a growth spurt. She was eating twice as much as she used to, and was looking noticeably taller each month. Her voice was more mature, her face more angular, and she was starting to embrace most of these new touches of maturity.

Her shape was changing, andto her horrortreacherous pimples had started to erupt on her face like weeds in a flower bed. Luckily for her, Alexs alchemy skills let him craft potions that kept her face from being a complete crater of angry, unwelcome, pus spewing bumps.

I am growing, she said. Thats why I can be helpful. The empires cold, right? My fire can keep us warm.

He frowned. I know we should be spending more time together, Selina, but I dont think the Irtyshenan Empires the right place for that. Its dangerous, from everything Ive learned.

But youre not going into the Empire today, right? she said, pointing to a map spread over the table. Youre going to She frowned. Kymiland, right?

And Kymilands bordered by the Irythsenan Empire on three sides, he said. Its also the most forested realm in the entire continent, and those forests are full of monsters.

He paused, recalling a passage from a book Baelin had quoted from over a year ago:

We tracked the rune-marked, and within the Western Borders of Kymiland, with all of its foul and treacherous barbarians and savage monsters, we lost sight of the light of Mount Titarsios and we slipped from the gaze of The Virtuous Gods within the vile trees, the chancellor had read. For days we wandered, battling the hordes of barbaric elves, savage forest humanity and even the foreign firbolgs. We were tired and our guards were down. Our guideone of the Bloodwalkerscaught the movement before the rest of us. The beast was unknown to us: humanoidas though its form were mocking usstinger-toothed, and with great claws on its fingers. Its hide was like thousands of scabs and turned away good imperial steel. We lost Agreus, Zevchen and Bolg in the first few seconds. Our Bloodwalker went after it, and thanks to her enhancements, she managed to finish the beast off. She did take a mortal wound, and we had to retreat with her before the trolls came: they always arrive at the scent of blood.

If the passage was to be believed, then

Kymiland is full of monsters, Selina, andif Kelda was therethen she probably left traps or other things to stop the hidden church. Its too dangerous to take you there right now, not until I see things for myself, he said.

Awwww, she made a face. Claygon gets to go.

Yeah, well, hes over ten feet tall, made of metal and can probably pick up and throw this entire building. He can handle Kymiland, he laughed. Speaking of Claygon

Alex reached out mentally. Did you and Theresa find our guests, yet?

I did, fatherwe are on our wayhomewe should be theresoon, Claygon said in his mind.

And youre sure they dont want me to just teleport them here?Alex asked mentally.

Nofatherthey said they are finewith coming therethe old fashioned way, Claygon replied.

He looked at Selina. He said hell be here soon. Which means, we should be ready to go in an hour or two. Me, him, Theresa and Brutus. He said pointedly.

Ugh, I cant believe everyone gets to go but me. Selina rolled her eyes.

Its not so bad, Alex chuckled. Its only a day trip, really. He traced his finger along the map. I can teleport a hundred and twenty miles at a time now, so thats about sixteen jumps to get there using maximum power. That should leave me with plenty of power to get back home later.

Then why do you have all this camping stuff? Selina asked.

Alex sighed. Because you never know, Selina. You never know.

Before she could answer, sounds of a door opening, followed by hushed voices and massive, metal feet coming upstairs reached them. Ah, there they are. Welcome everyone!

Hellofather Claygon said, stepping into the dining room.

Behind him was Theresa, Captain Fan-Dor, First Mate Gel-Dor and Lucia. The shipping company head and the captain were already deep in discussion despiteas far as Alex knewhaving met only an hour ago.

Good.

With the pair getting along so well, his plan would be easier.

Welcome, sit down! Sit down! he gestured to the table, then paused, remembering his pile of supplies. Ooops, just give me a moment, folks.

Holding up his staff, he summoned a swarm of Wizards Hands, and in no time, they gathered the camping gear, moving every piece of it out of the way.

Theresa giggled. Now that the tables available, make yourselves at home, she said to the two selachar and the former sky-gondolier.

Thanks so much, Lucia said, sitting across from the captain and first mate. And thank you for introducing us! She gestured to the twins. Ive learned much about nautical travel in the last hour that I never knew.

And Ive learned a lot about negotiations, pricing and currency exchange! Fan-Dor said, cracking his knuckles and rubbing his hands together. You really know your stuff, Lucia.

She does, doesnt she, Alex said slyly. But well get to that in a bit. Lets get to the first reason I wanted you all to come here. Fan-Dor, Gel-Dor, while I get you all something to drink, can you tell me more about the current situation in the Empire? Youve been there recently, right?

The selachar twins quickly glanced at each other.

Well, weve mostly been pirate hunting in Thameish waters for about a year, but before that wed sailed to the Empire on quite a few occasions, Fan-Dor said cautiously. Theresa said you were heading there, today?

Oh yes, Alex said. Were going to be looking for certain artefacts and information. If you have any insight you could share with us on the state of things there thatd be real helpful.

Fan-Dor said. Its the least we could do since we still owe you for saving the Siren, after all. Right, so the Empire. Basically, what you need to know is wars brewing. The new emperors looking to flex his muscles and show that his spines nice and sturdy, their godsup in that big mountain of theirsare looking for more worshippers, plus the lords and ladies of the realm, as well as the governors are keen to prove themselves to the new rulership by expanding.

Kymilands resisted being conquered for thousands of years, and Im willing to betthe Empireskeen to bring that realm back into their territory, permanently. Gel-Dor added. Which means, the Guilds getting aggressive.

The guild? What is that? Selina asked.

Oh, thats what we call it, Fan-Dor said. Its full name is the Guild of the Red Mouse. Its uh, a thieves guild.

Why would thieves need a guild? Selina said.

To organise themselves, Gel-Dor explained. Theyre not so much thieves as they are an organised group who want to obtain and trade goods that might not be exactlylegal. Theyve stolen from one noble and sold to another, they offer protection, but theymost importantlysmuggle weapons. Word has it that theyre getting aggressive, trying to smuggle as many weapons in and out of the Empire as possible before the borders tighten even more. I suspect the guilds going to be in Kymiland.

Right, Ill keep that in mind. Alex prepared cups of hot cider for everyone. Well, heres where were starting, he pointed to the map. Right here, in the town of Tursinki; its near where were going to begin our search.

Ah yeah, thats on the western border of Kymiland and the western part of the Empire, Fan-Dor said. Careful. Theyre a port town, so theyll be used to some outsiders, but war will make them more cautious.

Thanks for that. Alex passed out the cups of cider. Now, for the other reason I invited you here. Lucia, I would like to recommend that Captain Fan-Dor join your company

Oh! Lucia said. We already discussed hiring the Red Siren.

theyre an experienced, brave crew, whove sailed just about every sea there is Alex continued, launching into the speech hed prepared.

Yeah, if she wasnt going to offer, I was gonna ask, Captain Fan-Dor said. Her operations sound like they could work great for us, and itll be steady work.

and Lucias company is one of the best in the region, you wont be able to do better. I think together Alex kept going.

We were already working out a verbal contract and pretty much all we have left to do is get everything down in writing then sign on the dotted line, Gel-Dor added.

then youll be unrivalled on the Prinean and beyond. And Alex finally stopped. Wait, you already made an agreement?

Yeah, I mean we are adults, after all, Fan-Dor pointed out.

O-oh. I wasI was planning this big pitch, Alex said. I thought, it could be likea thank you for how much youve helped me in the past couple of years

Silence fell on the room.

Im sure they appreciate the thought, Theresa stifled her laughter.

Stop, Alex groaned, his cheeks blazing.

You should continue with your big speech, Alex, it was fun to listen to, Selina grinned.

Somebody, please kill me, the young wizard groaned, looking sheepish.

###

Alright, are we all ready? Alex asked, looking at Theresa, Brutus and Claygon.

They were standing on the roof of the bakery, sheathed in protective magics and flight spells. Behind them, Selina was seeing them off.

Iam readyfather Claygon said.

Me too, Theresa said.

Brutus licked his hand.

Be careful, okay? Selina warned.

We will, Alex promised. And well be back by nightfall. If we dont, get a sky-gondola and go to Khaliks.

With that, the young wizard looked up at the clear, blue sky and called on the power of the Traveller

then the wizard, the huntress, the golem and the cerberus vanished.

The journey to find Keldas sanctum was starting.