Millennial Mage

Tala left the Constructionist Guildhall having concluded her business for the day with Master Simon.

While there was a lot swirling around in her head, she was rather curious about the last item that Master Simon had brought up.

A dimensional storage, recovery artifact.

In essence, if she died it would rocket the pouch to the closest human city.

Well, that’s just one of the more basic versions.

Most options wouldn’t take magical resonance into account, and thus, they would likely cause all sorts of frustrations for the city defenders for at least a few days, but it would get the dimensional storage to somewhere safe.

Assuming it is in Zeme when it activates…

Some had countermeasures if the storage was underground when the spell-forms activated. Others could account for massive volumes of water in the way.

In the end, the more situations they’d work in, the more expensive, at least generally.

These recovery items were usually paired with a magical tinter, much like her through-spike, which would draw power from the environment—or the city grid once it arrived—to power the dimensional storage for long enough to retrieve what was inside.

These mimicries were never perfect, so it would slowly break down anything it was used on, but the damage wasn’t permanent, if the Mage it was magic-bound to returned within a reasonable timeframe.

But if I’m dead, I’ll never return.

-And if you’re dead it won’t be your problem.-

That’s fair.

-Also, I’m fairly certain that Kit could adapt to a slightly off magical signature.-

Yeah… maybe? Kit is almost as much creature as item in how she works and how responsive she is.

-Isn’t that the truth.-

As to the recovery items, apparently the combination of transportation and magical tinting was often used when a Mage was hired to gather something of particular importance. The magics would ensure that the retrieved item would make it back to humanity, whether the commissioned Mage did or not.

It’s a bit morbid, planning for my own death.

-Yes, but it makes sense not to take that nice family down with you if you make a foolish choice.-

Or if something goes wrong.

-Which do you think more likely?-

…Hush you.

-So, to keep the family safe, beyond question?-

Yeah… She would consider it. There were also an almost infinite variety of options for the implementation.

Many were even teleport functions, which were more expensive, and they generally had other problems. Which explains why I thought it simply couldn’t be done.

-Well, it’s highly inadvisable, but still probably worth asking.-

Sure. I’ll do that in a bit.

The most common drawback was that nothing mundane, and nothing alive, would endure the teleport. On the plus side, such a method wouldn’t bring a tide of beasts in its wake.

Well, if I’m dead, that’s not my problem either?

Alat snorted. -I mean, you aren’t wrong, but it still seems a bit inconsiderate.-

Tala grunted. They’ll have all my stuff to pay for any damages caused.

-True… you don’t want anything to go to your siblings?-

I mean… maybe? I hadn’t really considered it.

-Most Mages—and almost all Archons—set up a will, you know.-

Of course I know… I—

Her magic, near her gate, vibrated with an inquisitive squawk.

Tala grimaced. “Oh, that’s going to take some getting used to.”

She opened Kit, and Terry flickered out to her shoulder.

As he perched there, he fluffed his feathers up proudly.

“Yes, you are very clever.”

He bopped the top of her head.

“Oh! I wasn’t being sarcastic.”

He trilled irritatedly.

“Fine, I was being a little bit sarcastic, but you are quite clever.”

He shimmied down into place and huffed contentedly.

“I’m glad that you can ask to come out.”

Terry chirped happily, and they continued on their way, together.

The next two days passed quickly, and Tala found herself back at the Constructionist Guild for two purposes.

First, Master Simon was putting the last of his work things into Kit, and it was simply easier for her to come to him.

Second, her sheath was to be finished by this point.

Master Simon met her in the entry hall and led her back to his workroom. There was very little left in the space, save the furniture which seemed to belong to the guild.

One thing was new, however. It was clearly out of place, and it positively radiated unattuned power.

The odd net of precious metals rested to one side on the main worktable, beside a simple, mundane, wooden box.

“What’s that?” She pointed directly at the small net.

“That is available to you, if you desire it.” Master Simon didn’t even glance at it, indicating that he’d expected the question.

What kind of prepared answer is that?

-Clearly a hesitant one? He does seem to be avoiding the item just a bit.-

Tala sighed, shaking her head. “That doesn’t answer the question.”

“It is a dimensional storage retrieval mechanism. If you agree, it will meld with the outside of your pouch, and if you die—in this case this would require your soul moving on to the next world—your sanctum will be transported back to this guildhall.”

She gave him an incredulous look. “That has to be incredibly expensive. Why under the stars would this be ‘offered’ to me? Does it come with a price tag?”

“Now? No, but it does have one.”

She arched an eyebrow but waited for him to continue.

He finally turned to face her and the item. “The Constructionist Guild would become the owners of your sanctum and all its contents upon your demise.”

Tala opened her mouth to object but found herself hesitating.

All things considered, it was a very reasonable offer.

Kit was, possibly, entirely unique in the world, though the arcanes may have something like Tala’s sanctum. No two living creatures were ever exactly identical, even identical twins diverged.

And Kit’s value was even greater when considering all that she contained.

Still, everything in her sanctum? That was a lot. That is an obscene cost… that I’ll never have to pay?

-Yeah… It makes sense for them, because the value of what you’ve got in Kit is many, many times the cost of even something like this.- Alat hesitated. -Well, actually, I have no idea what something like this would cost.-

Tala shook her head slowly. “How long would the agreement last? What are the implications that I am not aware of?”

Master Simon nodded. “The agreement would last until you have soul-bound your sanctum. At that point, this artifact wouldn’t be able to move it. If you wanted something to this affect at that time, it would require an utterly different type of item. It’s not easy to gain access to, and breach, an untethered dimensional space after all.”

“I thought that dimensional storage items couldn’t be teleported? Even if it worked, wouldn’t it cause all sorts of damage and danger for what and who was inside?”

“Yes and no. Excellent questions. The easy answer is: The storage space, the actual sanctum, wouldn’t be teleported at all.”

Her frown deepened. “If that sort of distinction is enough to get around the difficulty of teleportation, then why… Why wouldn’t this be used to transport goods or people?”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Well, I was informed that if you asked that, I was to tell you something that is… outside my understanding,”

Tala cocked her head to one side. What the rust?

-Something beyond his comprehension? He’s been working for a top guild member for years. What on zeme could this—-

Master Simon continued without pause, “and if you have any questions, you should not ask them of me, as that could convey information that I am not… ‘ready’ for.” He grimaced at the last. “Are you ready to hear it?”

She gave a half smile, pulled out of her internal musings. “Well, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.”

“Good, because I can only say it once. Master Grediv assured those who gave me these words that you were knowledgeable around the topic, whatever it is, but they were skeptical.”

“You’re building it up too much, Master Simon.”

“My apologies.” He bowed slightly, then pulled his slate in front of him, clearly reading it exactly. “These magics would act directly on the fragment that is your sanctum’s anchor. The threads follow the node. It is—and can only ever be—a single use addition, though it can theoretically be re-made and re-applied. Finally, the magics involved make it a near straight trade in value for the items and knowledge that Master Xeel knows are within. He was consulted before this offer was solidified, and he recommends you accept, as does Master Grediv.”

Tala had paled. Direct manipulation of the nodes of reality again?

-That does seem to be the cornerstone of higher magics.-

Clearly, but it also seems like it doesn’t usually come into place until Archons achieve Paragon.

-Viewing everything from a ‘next world’ mindset? Could that factor in?-

That might be part of it. What if that advice is more ‘see things as they really are’ than ‘don’t sweat the small stuff?’

-I never thought it was meant in the vein of ‘don’t sweat the small stuff.’-

You know what I mean.

-Yeah, I do.- Alat sighed. -It’s probably a mix?-

Also, what the rust, Master Xeel? Did he go snooping through the whole sanctum?

-Well, we basically admitted to bringing taboo and forbidden weapons of war back with us. Are we surprised that they checked to see if we were hiding even more unconventional things?-

I suppose not… wait… the value of that is a straight trade for the value of everything in Kit?

-That’s what they said, yes.-

They know I have Io in there. That automaton should be utterly unique… what under the stars went into creating such an item!?

-Well, we can ask Master Xeel if we ever see him again.-

Yeah… we aren’t allowed to ask Master Simon.

Master Simon had just looked up from the slate, a clear lack of understanding evident in his features. “My apologies if that’s not helpful. I mean, I understand the bits about it being really expensive.” He chuckled. “I saw your sanctum, and I’m sure I didn’t even get to see the best parts. For something to match your sanctum in value?”

Tala nodded absently, still considering.

After a middling pause, he cleared his throat. “If I may be so bold?”

She glanced his way and saw how nervous he looked. “Speak your mind, Master Simon. Ideally, we’ll be working together for a while, and I’d rather you speak when you have something to say.”

He nodded. “Thank you, Mistress.” He swallowed, then continued. “I know it is poor form to try to sway a Mage on their bound items, but it would be a great comfort to myself and Mistress Petra if you were to agree to take this item. We know the risks, and we are willing to accept them regardless of what you decide. Nothing is free in this world, nowhere is fully safe, and these risks are worth the rewards, even with you being out of the cities much of the time.”

He was clearly rambling, but Tala didn’t interrupt. Let him get it out.

“Having a fallback, in case the worst should happen…” He shook his head. “I know that I could be out of the sanctum when you die, if you die. Our agreement means that I may come out to assist you in dangerous places, and this would strand me. But… but it would safeguard my family and remove any concern for their well-being from either of our minds.”

Tala found herself nodding. “That does make sense. Will it work anywhere? Or will I have to be careful if I enter an ether hold, or”—she stopped herself before adding on a list of things that Master Simon likely shouldn’t know about—”the like?”

“They said that it would return the dimensional storage to the appointed place from anywhere, in reality or otherwise.” He clearly didn’t really know what that meant.

“I mean, alright. Are there any implications or restrictions on Kit?”

“Your sanctum will not be negatively affected. You will have to provide a bit more power to… Kit than you would otherwise, but it will simply pull from the grid-node that we will install in the coming weeks. Until then, it will pull from the city.”

Tala thought about it before nodding. “I’m open to the idea, I’m even leaning towards acceptance, but I want to think on it a bit more, first. Is that alright?”

“Absolutely.” He placed the item in a small, mundane chest and closed the lid, seeming grateful to have it stored away.

After that, they basically tossed the remaining items through Kit’s door, and they were done.

“Well, I’ll see you on the inside I suppose.” He smiled and bowed.

“Yeah. Enjoy your research!”

His wife was already at work within Kit, and it wasn’t a school day, so Metti, Segis, and Karsa had joined their mother.

Without waiting longer, Master Simon stepped into Kit, joining his family.

The door shrunk, and Tala placed the pouch on her belt.

That left her alone in an emptied research workshop.

It was odd to feel the haunting quality of a room that was intended to be filled with activity, now empty.

There were a few odds and ends that Master Simon had collected into a box on one of the tables, along with the box containing the recovery net.

Not now. He left it here, so it must be safe enough in this room. Either way, it’s not my responsibility.

-Sure, sure. I do agree with you. It’s a good idea to take it.-

Yeah. Even so, I want to ruminate for a bit. I want to make sure I’m not rushing into anything.

-…who are you?-

Hush, you. That’s not very nice.

-Alright, alright. I suppose I’m glad that you’re taking a careful approach.-

Tala scanned the room one last time with her eyes.

There wasn’t dust or debris; it had obviously been well taken care of, and even if she hadn’t helped with the final move-out, it was obvious that the current state was recent.

The atmosphere of the place was just… odd.

And, let’s go!

A few minutes later, she knocked on the door to Mistress Airim’s workshop, and the woman called from within, “Come in!”

Tala opened the door and stepped inside. “Hello, Mistress Airim. I trust that the day is treating you well?”

The woman didn’t turn around as she let out a huff. “You trust I’ve finished your sheath, you mean.”

Tala felt a smile pull at the side of her mouth. “That too, yes.”

“Well, I both finished your sheath, and I’ve been having a good day, thank you.” She waved her hand. “It’s there.”

Tala looked around and easily saw one table cleared of the otherwise-pervasive clutter, set up just inside the door to the left.

It was barely inside the workshop, so she shouldn’t expose herself to any deeper scans than she’d been subject to last time she visited Mistress Airim

In the center of the mostly empty table lay a sheath of truly massive proportions. How did I miss seeing that when I came in? “What is this?”

“A sheath. Is that not why you are here?”

Tala walked over and looked more closely at the sheath-like-object that was as long as she was tall and half as wide as the table. It was a construction that looked more woven than forged, and it was a purposely uneven weave of numerous precious metals, interlaced to make the artifacts spellform. “What’s with the sizing?”

Mistress Airim still didn’t turn away from whatever she was working on. “It’s a perfectly normal size.”

Tala drew Flow, pushing it into its sword form and holding it up. “Then what is this? A sword for ants? My weapon would have to be at least… three times bigger than this in order to not just fall inside like it’s a box.”

Finally, the constructionist turned around, her eyes taking in the sheath on the table. “What are you talking a—Gah!” She looked genuinely startled. “Well, that is bigger than it was a bit ago, or than is standard.”

“Is it this odd size because it’s a morphic sheath?”

“Well, yes. They change all over the place until bound to a weapon, but that is… that is a bit unusually big. Quite a bit outside the standard, but I suppose not actually outside of possibility.” She shrugged.

Even as they were talking, the sheath began to shrink, but somehow lengthened as well. Now, it looked like it was sized for a normal width sword, but one that was extended to be a full seventy-three inches long and slightly curved.

Tala gestured at the sheath.

“Why do you need this extreme range of shapes? See? Who could even wield a weapon like that?”

“I don’t know, some long-haired, pretentious moron who thinks himself worthy of judging others? But morphic is morphic. The only limit is power.”

“That’s… a highly specific example?”

“That’s the fun of making things up when you don’t know what you’re talking about. You can be ridiculously specific and no one can gainsay you.”

“Sure.”

“In any case, sheathe your weapon, and it will bond. That will fix its size and shape to your weapon.”

Tala shrugged, pushing Flow into the ill-fitting sheath. There was a magical pulse, and the intricate interweave of metals began to flow and rippled throughout the sheath along with waves of power.

The metal pulled inward, contracting the massive construction as it tightened to perfectly fit Flow’s sword form.

Tala felt a momentary surge of magical need from the weapon as it fed the sheath, and she didn’t interfere with the draw.

The increased pull calmed down shortly after.

Flow now had a perfectly fitted sheath that was incredibly thin, looking more like metallic paint on the blade than a sheath.

Of course, Flow didn’t have a blade in its sword form, but the wire in the shape of a blade was now completely hidden. The sheath also extended around the crossguard, locking itself in place.

Tala somehow knew that it would only take a thought to release that, but she didn’t need to remove the sheath at the moment.

She moved Flow through its other shapes, and the sheath altered seamlessly to match, only requiring a whisper of power to modify its shape.

“May I test the defusing properties?”

“Of course. Target that empty table, please.”

Tala nodded, pushing Flow back into sword-shape. With a practiced motion, Tala brought Flow down on the tabletop with incredible power.

An explosion of force radiated outward from the impact, and the tiles on which the table rested cracked, releasing puffs of dust and magic.

Tough table.

-Magically reinforced.-

Clearly.

She watched the tiles repair themselves, lifting the table a bit as they reshaped.

And a self-repairing floor?

-She knows what she’s about, it seems.-

“Well, Mistress Tala? Are you satisfied?” The constructionist had a self-satisfied smiled, completely confident in her product.

With a shrug, Tala hung the new sheath from her belt, tucking the old one into Kit. “It looks good, thank you.”