Supreme Magus

Chapter 1138 Secrets and Plots Part 2

”Fine by me.” Phloria yawned as the familiar place allowed her to relax. ”Gods, with all that sunlight, I almost forgot that we departed past midnight. I feel so sleepy.”

”Of course, you can, Solus.” Tista said. ”Just remember that we are not Lith. A too intense mind link could give us mana poisoning.”

”Donʼt worry, Iʼll be very careful.” Solus felt on cloud nine. For the first time in her life, she could share her thoughts and feelings freely. She wouldnʼt be just a voice in Lithʼs head anymore.

”I donʼt know you but all this traveling made me hungry. Whoʼs in for our first breakfast in Jiera? My treat. And when I say my treat, I mean Lithʼs.” Solus giggled.

The motion was unanimously approved because cooks didnʼt have voting rights.

***

Faluelʼs lair, at the same time.

Tyris and Leegaain left the moment the Gate closed to return to their respective duties. The members of the Queen Corps protecting Lithʼs house had reported the full conversation between Baba Yaga and the Abominations hybrids.

Tyris had been glad to discover that one of her lost sons was alive, but on the other hand, it made the situation with the Master even direr.

ʼWhoever it is, they know everything about Guardians thanks to our own children. The Master knows our powers, where we live, and even our habits. His hybrids are weak compared to us, but seven of them are too dangerous.ʼ She said to Leegaain via their mind link.

ʼI agree. As it is, we only need Salaark to take care of all of them by ourselves, but as Baba Yaga said, their power grows by the day. I doubt we can summon the other Guardians from Jiera here without triggering another war with them.ʼ Leegaain replied.

ʼYou keep collecting all the data their spells left on Lutia and Iʼll examine them right away. Between my research with Balkor and seeing them in action, I think Iʼm getting closer to finding a cure for Zoreth, my daughter.ʼ

Faluel had no idea that the Guardians had agreed with her plan of sending Lith to Jiera because they were aware of her ulterior motive and because they had more of their own.

Leegaain needed an excuse to come to Lutia and collect the residual energy traces of all the Abomination hybrids.

”Thatʼs it? Theyʼre gone on Council business, but what about us? I thought you were supposed to test us as well.” Friya said.

”I mean to, but youʼre all too different and I donʼt know you very well.” Faluel sighed. ”The problem with wisdom is that unless a crisis arises, arranging a scenario for a single person is already hard. Let alone three of them.”

”What if I give you one?” Nalrond asked.

”What do you mean?”

”Thereʼs no need to feign ignorance. You know that Werepeople live inside Fringes and Iʼm no exception. I could go back to my village and bring the others along with me.” Nalrond said.

”Why would you do that and what would that prove?” Faluel said.

”Before I can start living again and planning my future, I need some closure. A Fringe exists only as long as Mogar needs a secluded space to pursue its agenda. If Iʼm the only survivor, then it should have disappeared the moment I left.

”Yet if the Fringe is still there, it means that either my tribe itʼs not extinct or that Mogar is not done with me and be more willing to communicate. By telling you this, Iʼm showing you my trust to you and the others.

”Maybe itʼs not wisdom, but itʼs still something.

”On top of that, if we find the Fringe, Iʼll show my companions how to access one of them. Meeting Mogarʼs will might allow them to grow as persons and if you take Friya as your Harbinger, you can ask her to share such knowledge.”

Faluel pondered both Nalrondʼs words and intentions.

ʼI would love to go with them. Only a handful of Awakened ever stepped inside a Fringe and the few that returned to tell the tale always changed for the better. Yet I canʼt leave Lutia without breaking my promise with Lith to take care of his family.

ʼNalrond knows it so itʼs obvious that he doesnʼt want me to come. Itʼs too soon to say if heʼs wise, but he sure is cunning.ʼ She thought.

”I agree with your proposal, but before taking my final decision we also need to hear Friyaʼs and Quyllaʼs opinion. Fringes are dangerous places for those who are not born there and they have the right to refuse.” Faluel said.

”Are you sure you want me to come?” Friya asked. ”As a potential Harbinger, you canʼt trust me more than you do Faluel. I bet thereʼs a reason why your people didnʼt take guests easily and once I learn about it, I will not be able to defend your secrets.”

”Thatʼs exactly the point.” Nalrond gave her one of his rare, little smiles.

”Faluel has respected my privacy so far, just like she respected Lithʼs, Solusʼs, and yours. She could have extorted the Forgemaster wand from you or Solusʼs abilities from any of us, yet she didnʼt.”

”I think itʼs time for me to return the favor and for you to realize how much youʼll lose by becoming a Harbinger. Only fools never doubt.”

His care for her flattered Friya, just like his words struck at her like a hammer.

ʼDammit! I know nothing about Royal Forgemastery so I always assumed that aside from my silver wand, Faluel couldnʼt hurt Dad much. But if she gets access to my memories, then Faluel will learn everything I know about Solus and about Menadionʼs legacy.

ʼBecoming a Harbinger might give me the ability to follow my friends, but will I still have friends once I become a liability for both Lith and the Ernas Household? How could I possibly be this stupid?ʼ She thought.

”What about me?” Quylla had never thought that Nalrond would show so much consideration for any of them.

Even though the Rezar spent most of his time in his human form, he seemed to trust only other hybrids. Nalrond had spent much time with the Ernas sisters, yet he didnʼt share with them much about his past nor did he teach them Light Mastery, no matter how many times Quylla asked him.

”How come you suddenly trust me so much? If I ever started growing on you, you sure made a heck of a job to hide it.”

”I donʼt really trust you or your sisters because I never needed your help in time of need. So far, youʼre just colleagues to me, if not fair-weather friends at most.” After months of living in Lutia, Nalrondʼs habit to never mince words didnʼt change.

ʼGood gods, heʼs almost as rude as Morok. The only difference is that Nalrond is much more reasonable.ʼ Quylla thought.

”Yet Iʼve come to at least respect you as mages and as people. Iʼve never seen anyone with so much genuine passion for the study of magic like you, Quylla. People usually consider magic either as a means to an end or as a weapon, whereas you love experimenting even on the most insignificant spells.

”I didnʼt miss how you stare at me every time I use Light Mastery, trying to understand its secrets, nor how hard you worked to match our Awakenedʼs companions results in the study of Spirit Magic despite the limits of your wand.”