Chapter Thirty-Nine A Day on the River (Patreon)

Hikari and Arlie found themselves on the deck together, watching the waters. It was just another peaceful day on the boat. Beside them, Arlie had a map, “Alright, see this main River trunk here?”

“Yeah, that leads right into Varixies. It’s the Vulkira, isn’t it?”

“Very good, now notice these north-south canals.”

Hikari nodded, recalling they’d entered a canal system yesterday, one they seemed to be leaving now. “I do, what’s it about?”

“They were formed by a contingent of earth and water mages over three hundred years ago to link the Vulkira river into the Solune River, with another set of canals feeding the Vulkira into the Senli River. These major water works were huge trade boons, but they are also important for figuring out where we are.”

Hikari nodded and pointed at a spot on the Solune, “We are about here, midway down the river and heading west toward the coast.”

“Very good.”

“Thanks, but can’t we practice some more spells instead?”

“Sure, but I felt now would be a good time for a geography lesson. Given you’re an adventurer, knowing a few things about the rivers of Ukova will be useful to you.”

Hikari had to admit that she’d learned a few things. Ukova had several major rivers, notably the Vulkira, which ran into Varixyies and split the neighboring region in half. The other big rivers were the Solune, which ran from the Syra mountains all the way to the coast. Where the capital city Kamiria sat sandwiched between the Solune to the south and the smaller Mirani river to the north, which was an offshoot of the larger Solune river. “So what’s the capital like?”

Arlie shrugged, “I’ve never been there, but I’ve been told its majestic walls tower over the rivers. Kamiria shares that area with several fortified towns, connected by a network of canals. While the harbor there doesn’t compare to the navy’s main harbor at Port Senli, it’s apparently one of the most impressive harbors in the kingdom.”

Hikari looked out, noting a fortified harbor town up ahead. Thick stone walls and several forts were placed around the town. A massive bridge sat not far past that. It was an intricate stone bridge leading to a sharp pillar with a gap right down the middle. If she’d not seen similar bridges before she’d have questioned the gap. Unlike in her own world Valiere had no drawbridges, nor did they build bridges super high so ships could travel under, instead bridges like this one were built with a gap hundreds of meters wide. Special magitech would be built into the bridge that would project a hardened bridge of pure dark magic that looked like swirling purple light. Given how dark magic was connected to creation, using it for temporary bridge structures was actually rather smart. Not only that, but it could support several carriages at once without issue. Presuming of course the magic stones were fully charged. 

Many mages clans made a living helping operate and maintain the various bridges over the many rivers in Ukova. She did notice that a castle was placed on either side of the bridge up ahead, complete with stone walls, several watchtowers and numerous heavy weapons on the walls. “Is there a reason there are so many forts on the shores of this river?”

Arlie pointed at the map, “Take a look, the border wall is just south of here. It’s about a two month march. That makes the Solune the kingdom's last line of defense before her rich heartland is open to raiders from the Dragon Clans to the south.”

Hikari frowned, “Um, might I ask why the capital is basically spitting distance from t...”

Arlie chuckled, “I wouldn’t call that spitting distance. Two months’ march translates to over a thousand kilometers, that’s a long march and quite the overland logistics challenge. Plenty of time for an invading army to be worn down. Still there are other factors for why the capital is located so close as you put it. The Solune is a major trade route and her shores are fertile. So many prosperous cities were founded on her shores. Notably most such cities are on the northern side of the river, but more recently fortified townships have been built on the southern shore as well. Kamiria was selected as the capital for several reasons. First, she is a large prosperous city with access to the ocean as well as our river trade network. It’s also close, but not too close, to the border wall. Which allows for swift military communication and responses. Besides, it has been more than three generations since the Dragon Clans last united under a powerful leader. Without someone to keep the various clans in check. They usually war among themselves rather than test our defenses.”

Hikari frowned. “Why not just go around the wall?”

“Our navy is matched only by the Elven Kingdom of Everglade, but the Queendom of Lepharia isn’t that far behind us in naval technology. The Dragon Clans however, don’t have anything like an organized navy. Hell, most of the clans don’t even know how to build a boat. Still there are a few clans bold enough to try raiding our trade routes, but actually attacking our shores? No, none of them would try.”

“Why not go through the mountains?”

“The terrain is treacherous and home to many monsters. Not to mention, numerous dragon nests can be found on the heights, and the Dragons do not take kindly to uninvited guests. Even the few passes are difficult to get through. It might be possible for a small band of adventurers, but marching an army through the mountains? Fool’s errand at best, and forget establishing a supply line. It’s been tried on more than one occasion, but every expedition ended the same, total failure. That’s why we built the border wall, we could keep the clans from our shores with a strong navy, and the mountains gave ample enough protection to most of our borders. But the wide grasslands between the coast and the edge of the mountains south of the Solune were an easy route for an army to march through. In fact, before the wall, many invasions were stopped on the shores of the Solune.”

Hikari watched the towers and forts as they sailed down the river, “That’s quite impressive when you think about it. The wall kinda reminds me of China, just maybe not as ambitious.”

“China? What’s that?”

Hikari glanced up at the sky, “Back on Earth. They were one of the most populous countries in the world. In the ancient past, however, they were actually a series of kingdoms and dynasties. In addition to their own conflicts with each other, they were also constantly dealing with unruly neighbors to the north, the nomadic peoples of the steppes, who’d raid and pillage their countryside for loot and plunder. To combat this, over the period of several centuries they built a series of linked fortifications almost twenty thousand kilometers long called the Great Wall of China.”

Arlie blinked, “By the gods is that a long wall. Our border wall isn’t even close to that long.”

Hikari replied, “I noticed, the map’s scale gave that away, but being shorter has clearly made it far easier to actually defend and maintain.” Then she frowned. “But I do have to wonder. Why do you know so much about it?”

Arlie sighed, “Well while you have magic lessons. Emila has roped me into lessons of my own. Politics, local history, and bah, etiquette.”

Hikari gulped, “Ouch, that sucks.”

“Tell me about it, but Emila is of the opinion I’ll need the lessons. Saying that as a princess. I should have known all this already.”

Hikari frowned, “Um, you didn’t even...”

Arlie sighed, “I know, and I can guess why.”

Hikari noted they were getting closer to a dock, “So what’s your guess?”

“My mage training took priority, but I might have ended up getting this same training soon enough.”

“You might be right, but um? Are we docking?”

Arlie followed her gaze, “Hmm I think you might be right.”

“But we haven’t reached the capital.”

“No, but this might be a stop along the way.”

Just then, a female crewman, her breasts on full display, approached, “Hey girls. The captain wanted me to tell the passengers that we will be docking in half a handspan.”

“We noticed, any idea what for?”

“Standard stop for resupply, and to recharge the mana crystals. Might be a good chance to stretch your legs. We won’t be leaving until evening.”

Arlie nodded, “Thanks for the heads up. I presume after we depart it will be straight for the capital?”

“You’ve got that right.”

With the crewman departing, Hikari watched her shapely form for a moment before Arlie drew her attention, “This might be a good opportunity for you to learn your first combat spell.”

Hikari blinked, “You mean it!?”

“Sure do, Polca’s told me how well your theory lessons have gone. Let’s go get her and then we can work on the spell.”

____________The three mages took to the beach not long after the ship had docked for routine maintenance and resupply. While the ship and crew were taking care of that, they were going to enjoy the beach. Polca started by setting up targets, Arlie turned to address Hikari, “I’m going to show you a spell I don’t use much. It’s hard for me to cast, since I have no affinity for water, but I do have an affinity for Lightning. So as dual element spells go, it’s not the worst efficiency rate for me. For you however, you’ll likely pick it up pretty easily.”

Hikari blinked, “A dual element? You think I’m ready?”

“Sure, Polca and I already talked about it, but you are taking to spellcraft like a fish to water.”

“Um, thanks.”

“Now I’m going to use a chant. But keep in mind these are tools, not requirements. You can change the words.”

Hikari nodded, that lined up with what Polca had already been telling her.

Polca looked up from her targets, “Okay, all done. You can show off your spell!”

Polca quickly moved out of the firing line and Arlie raised her palms, words on her lips, “By the power of the sea, I command thee, by the power of Lightning I direct thee. Pierce thy foes, and leave them stunned, Hydro Shock Pulse!” 

From her outstretched palms, a stream of concentrated water, crackling with electricity shot forth, and slammed into the first target. A figure of hardened sand and ice, reinforced with defensive wards Polca had erected. The stream punched through the wards, pierced the armored sand figure then punched through three more figures behind it, only to stop when it hit the berm behind the targets. Each one now crackling as lightning arced through the figures for several seconds.

Hikari just stared at the destruction of one spell. “You called that hard for you?”

“Normally lightning spells cost me almost nothing to cast. Now it’s hard to measure how much mana a spell uses. But as a mage, you get a feel for it. That spell costs me as much as a hundred Lightning Strike Spells. Now it’s certainly more powerful than Lightning Strike, but the other spell is usually more cost effective.”

Polca interjected, “I don’t have either affinity; so for me that spell is just too expensive to ever justify using. And that is presuming I had the required attunements, which I don’t. Well, I have one of them, water and ice work well together. So while I don’t have a water affinity, I did bother to practice for a water attunement so I could use it in dual element spells.”

Arlie nodded, “It’s the same with Water and Lightning for me.”

Hikari took another look, “So how much would this cost me?”

“About three or four times what I spend to cast Lightning Strike,” said Arlie, “Those affinities do a lot to reduce mana costs. Understanding takes things further. Speaking of, it’s time to explain this particular spell. It takes advantage of the sheer destructive potential of water, and its ability to carry lightning. You start by creating a stream of compressed water and accelerate it towards your foe, while at the same time charging the water with lightning mana. The beam of water will punch through weaker wards, armor and flesh alike, while the lightning will discharge into the target, causing paralysis and secondary damage.”

“It seems like overkill.”

“Against a man sized target, most certainly. A simple lightning strike is usually more than enough to bring an armored foe down. Lightning doesn’t care much about armor. Not usually anyway, but some monsters out there have hides that would actually impede a lightning bolt. This spell is for use against large targets, heavier monsters like Spinebacks are huge with tough armored hides, bringing them down with spells like Lightning Strike isn’t going to work very well, but they can’t ignore Hydro Shock Pulse. Now, why don’t you try to cast it and we can work on it from there? I also have a couple other spells I want to show you.

“What spells?”

“Lightning Strike and Aqua Pulse. Oh, and don’t worry about messing up the spell I just showed you. I’d be surprised if you managed it perfectly on your first try.”

Hikari nodded and settled in to learn. What followed were numerous tries at three different spells, until she had them down. Down well enough that she could be declared minimally proficient with them. Mastery was still a long way off. Arlie, however, looked like a master every time she used them to demonstrate the spell. Her understanding of the spell formula on clear display. Hikari wasn’t sure if she’d ever catch up, even with her supposed advantage over water.