AA3 30 - Records II (Patreon)

Verdan’s explanation had to wait a few minutes as some of the Keeper’s servants brought in food for all of them.

“So, I believe you were about to explain what it is you’re looking for?” The Keeper asked once they’d eaten and the plates had been cleared away.

“I have many questions, but the ones I hope you’ll actually answer relate to the Vespa.”

“Oh?” The Keeper’s lips twitched as she took a sip of her drink. “We’ll come back to them. What are the questions you think I’ll refuse to answer?”

Verdan hesitated briefly before deciding that admitting to curiosity wouldn’t be too much of a risk. “I’d ask about Glaichsteel. What makes someone a Chosen, and if I can meet the people who enchant the weapons the Chosen use.”

The Keeper’s eyes widened, and a grin spread across her face as she laughed and clapped her hands. “Ah, I see you have my measure already. Magnus, it would do you good to see how your new friend cuts to the heart of what a woman wants.” 

Magnus flushed slightly but said nothing, which seemed to amuse the Keeper even further. 

“To give an answer to each of your questions,” the Keeper said, her grin not fading as she focused on Verdan. “It is simply a traditional term for metal. I’m sure there is nothing you’d find noteworthy about Glaichsteel. Chosen are simply those in the Clan who pass a rigorous testing process, and the weapons are not enchanted. Sorcerers have stolen our weapons in the past and found them to be nothing more than mundane.”

Verdan bit his tongue, fighting back the desire to give some information of his own and see if he could draw the Keeper into exposing something that would tell him what he needed to know.

Her responses had been interesting, as he was fairly sure she’d spoken truthfully. Clearly, the Clans had experience with the avaricious nature of those with power and were prepared for Sorcerers to seek answers.

The part about Sorcerers failing to use the enchantments had caught Verdan’s attention. The only reason Verdan could think of why the weapons wouldn’t work for a Sorcerer was if the power came from the wielder, not the weapon.

The implications of that thought were staggering.

If the runes Verdan had seen needed to be powered by the wielder, it made sense that the aspected Aether that Sorcerers used would fail. However, it also meant that every Chosen was an Aether user.

It meant that he may have found some form of how Wizardry had survived.

“I hadn’t expected my words to cause such deep thoughts,” Keeper Barkstar said, her eyes narrowing as Verdan fought to keep his expression neutral.

“I apologise,” Verdan said as he took a deep breath and quietened his mind. He could deal with this later, right now, he needed information on the Vespa. “Thank you for your answers. However, shall we speak on the Vespa?”

“Perhaps,” the Keeper had a thoughtful expression as she rose unsteadily to her feet. “Please, join me in the library. The rest of you may stay here as my guests until we are done.”

A servant quickly entered the room and helped the Keeper step away from the table, providing support and stability as she made her way out of the room.

Kai and Barb both looked distinctly displeased that Verdan was going somewhere alone, but neither of them made an overt complaint about it.

Extending his Aether senses, Verdan swept his attention through the surroundings as a cautionary measure, ensuring that there were no traces of magic being used around them.

There was some lingering Aether disturbance to the rear of the building, but Verdan had noticed a training area back there on the way in. It seemed a reasonable excuse for it, but Verdan made sure to have a shielding spell at the tip of his tongue, just in case.

Fortunately, there was no immediate need for any kind of defensive spell, as the Keeper led Verdan through to a surprisingly large library, which had a table and chairs set up at the rear.

One of the chairs had far more padding than the rest, and the Keeper went straight for it, the servant helping to lower her down into it before swiftly leaving the room.

Verdan seated himself on one of the other chairs and waited as the servant returned with a pot of tea and two cups for them. Fresh herbal tea was poured for both of them before the servant whispered something to the Keeper.

“Have her join us here and shut the doors behind you; we’ll keep this private,” the Keeper instructed, the servant nodding and withdrawing from the room.

The Keeper waited a few moments after the doors shut, sipping from her tea before looking over to Verdan. “So, what do you want to know about the Vespa?” The Keeper’s eyes twinkled with hidden mirth as she continued. “And what do you offer in exchange for my knowledge?”

“As I understand it, they are causing issues at the moment. The city I’ve come from recently had a similar issue last year. I’d like to understand if the two problems are linked in any way. If they are, I can offer information about what happened in Hobson’s Point.”

“And if the events are not linked, then you gain something while I gain nothing,” the Keeper said, shaking her head with mock sadness. “Is there nothing else you can offer?”

Verdan knew what she was angling for. He could tell from how she’d perked up at the mention of his title. If he could frame it just right, he could perhaps earn some goodwill and also get some information. 

“Do you know what a Wizard is, Keeper?”

“It isn’t a term I’ve come across, no. Please, call me Bronagh. I’m not one for much formality.”

“Thank you, Bronagh. Please call me Verdan, then,” Verdan said with a genuine smile. He found himself warming to the older woman. There was something about her unashamed hunger for knowledge that struck a chord with him. “I offer an explanation and a demonstration of what a Wizard is.”

“What exactly would this demonstration be?” Bronagh’s eyes narrowed slightly as she tapped a finger on her chin.

“Nothing harmful, but to tell you anything further would lower the value of what I will show you,” Verdan said, enjoying the suspicious look she gave him in response.

“Hmm, and would you consent to share this knowledge first so I can judge its worth?” Bronagh asked, her voice carrying a hint of smugness. Clearly, she thought he’d been planning to offer something less valuable and now assumed he was on the back foot.

Proving her wrong would be amusing and was also a good test of how trustworthy she would be.

“I can agree to that, but only if you agree to share as much knowledge with me as you think is equivalent. Do we have a deal?”

“Deal,” Bronagh said, reaching over to shake Verdan’s hand with a frail grip that was so at odds with her keen mind.

The Keeper went to pull her hand back, but Verdan kept hold of it, motioning for her to wait. “The title of Wizard is given to someone who manipulates raw Aether to create spells. Sorcerers do the same but use aspected Aether, so they are more specialised. Wizards can do almost anything, as long as they know the Words and have the Will to see it through.”

“Strong words, but you promised a demonstration,” Bronagh said slowly, her brow furrowing as Verdan kept hold of her hand.

“Iacha nercreth,” Verdan said, enunciating each word clearly and firmly as he pushed a good amount of Aether into the spell. This particular spell had been one he created the year before while bleeding out on the street after being struck by an Elder Vespa.

It seemed oddly fitting that he would now use it in pursuit of the source of that conflict.

The Keeper gasped slightly as the healing Aether swept into her, focusing on dealing with the many issues that were draining her vitality. At the same time, the fortifying Aether that was woven through the spell went to work, strengthening her body and refreshing her.

Verdan had put a good chunk of Aether into the spell, having wanted to make an impact, but he was shocked when she lurched forward and threw up on the floor before collapsing to one side as she gasped for breath.

The stench of herbs was strong, but there was an underlying floral scent to what the Keeper had thrown up that made Verdan pause in shock. 

He recognised that smell from working with Natalia when they had been testing a toxin-removal potion. Verdan had been concerned about more subtle attempts by the Weeping Death to take control, so after the defence of the city, Natalia had shown him several common poisons.

One of them, known as False Blossom, was a particular favourite of assassins as it slowly weakened the subject, making it look like a bad illness. Natalia had explained that the poison was often used in tea to mask its fresh floral smell.

All of this ran through Verdan’s mind as he quickly rushed over to the fallen Keeper and knelt down next to her, reaching out to cast another healing spell as he did. 

Checking Bronagh’s health, Verdan was relieved to see that she was recovering quickly. She would be unconscious for a time; her body had struggled with purging the toxins, but she was in no danger.

Getting to his feet, Verdan turned back to the entrance, only to find the door open and a woman standing there with an expression of incandescent rage.