The Lightbearer's Gift

Chapter 29 The War Part 4

It had been 2 months since we started the siege on Suncrest's Capital city. The entire city was surrounded, cutting off any kind of supply or reinforcement. The baron was too impatient a man to simply starve them out. He wanted victory before the year ended.

During this short reprieve I worked to heal as many of the baron’s forces, back to fighting condition, as possible. Even with my considerable efforts there were still over 1000 men dead due to the previous battle. Morale was low and in the last meeting one of the baron’s commanders made the mistake of suggesting the baron take the coin and land offered for the end of hostilities.

The price had increased to 150,000 geldings and over a third of Suncrest’s territory would become the barons. The baron threatened the commander with treason for even suggesting accepting Suncrest's terms. That was enough coin to nearly bankrupt Suncrest, but the baron wasn't satisfied with simple bankruptcy. He wanted conquest.

I sat crossed legged in my tent in a shallow meditation, due to my abilities most of the baron’s force were at least in fighting condition. I had much more luxury than most. Unlike most soldiers I stayed in a large 4 post tent with an actual bed and writing desk. Meals were delivered to me by one of the baron’s many servants. The rest of the army, however, were not as well off. We had decent supply lines but thousands of people living in close proximity did not make for comfortable or sanitary living. I haven't managed to have a bath in two months.

“My Lord, Baron Vernon is requesting your presence for this morning's strategy meeting.” A male servant in a surprisingly clean uniform announced.

I gave him a nod and signaled him to leave. My wonderful purple leather armor didn't have the pristine sheen and deep color anymore. Dirt and the sun served to strip any splendor from it. Resources even for the nobility had to be rationed, so I couldn’t exactly have it cleaned or oiled.

It was early in the morning and servants were running around in haste preparing the morning meal. Our large force even started to attract merchants from neighboring baronies. They sold goods at an enormously inflated price. I paid over 30 gelding on a terrible bottle of wine, dried meat and a pouch of hard sweets that tasted like ginger, honey, and cinnamon.

I popped one into my mouth, strapped on my sword and made my way towards the baron’s command tent. My agreement with the baron was only for 2 months and we would need to discuss further payment. At this point I was working for free. My tolerable accommodations and access to better food than most of the army was enough for me to wait for an opportune time since the baron was constantly busy.

I entered the tent just in time to see a commander pointing to the city on the map and announcing.

“A frontal assault would be costly; they have high, well defended walls and as strong as…….”

He paused for a moment and looked at me. I gave him a cold stare, daring him to refer to me as ‘elf’ again.

He continued “Moon’s shield is, we can’t counterattack without exposing him and our mages to danger. Since they would be fired down upon from a position of advantage”

Martin started to add his own report, even his normally handsome features were showing signs of stress and exhaustion.

“Our tunnelers are still a week out from the wall and the engineers still need time to finish the siege tower.”

The tower was a large wooden structure as tall as the walls. It was a multi-story construct that allowed soldiers to travel up a flight of stairs and exit through the top via an extendable bridge. The engineers have been working around the clock to complete it.

“It will be little more than kindling for their mages” another commander said.

The Baron said full of confidence. “That's where Moon comes in. I doubt they can get through his shield. If we place him in the center of the tower, he would be able to conjure a shield that covers the entire thing, and once we start swarming the walls we can take the outer city.”

This was news to me, and I won't risk my life for something like this without a substantial price. I locked eyes with the baron hoping he would see my displeasure at volunteering me for this task. Even in the thick of the fighting I was relatively safe with both my shields, but if even one fireball got through, I would be trapped inside of a burning tower.

“Can you do this Moon?” He asked. Everyone in the tent looked to me for my answer.

Maintaining a shield that could withstand the bombardment of 5 mages, which was large enough to encompass the entire siege tower was not a small task. But I could if I pushed myself.

“Yes, it is possible, however It would be best to deplete their strength or at the very least divide their attention so I can conserve as much power as possible.”

“Very good then. Everyone return to your duties and get those engineers finishing that tower.” The baron said.

Everyone saluted and left the baron and I alone.

“You seem displeased?” the baron asked.

“I don't like being volunteered for things without warning. Regardless, that is not the cause of my displeasure.”

“Out with it then,” he said.

“Our agreement was for two months that ended a week ago.” I said, not bothering to show any kind of deference.

He sneered clearly displeased by my impudence, but I didn't care. His stupid war was an annoyance.

“Well, I don’t happen to have a convenient bank nearby for transfer of coin and I'm not dipping into the pay chests.”

I couldn't care less if some peasants didn't get paid, but I had little need or interest in coin at the moment.

“If I don't get paid, I don't work. So, we need to come to an agreement.” I said.

“Very well the same price then, 3600 for the next 2 months once we take the city, we can use Suncrest’s branch to transfer a payment, or would you prefer that I send a rider to Vernon?”

He seemed casual about parting with that much gold, so I said.

“Not enough. What you ask that I do is dangerous, so I need more than just gold and for the last week I practically worked for free.”

The baron gave me a dangerous glare as I continued to be belligerent. But I was not one of his soldiers that would march to my death on his command.

“You think yourself so valuable that you can demand any price from me?” he asked.

“Do you think for a moment Denerim can sustain a shield of that power and size? I am your only chance to get that tower to the wall. Even now there are grumblings that you should have accepted Suncrest’s terms.”

He planted a fist on the table and stood up. From his greater height, he sneered down at me.

“What. Price. Then.” he said with a threat in his voice.

For a normal person the baron would have been an intimidating man. But to me, he was just a normal human that I could end with a flick of my wrist.

I had to marvel how easily he had forgotten that I am the only reason he can stand so proudly.

“5000 for the next two months I want first picking for any and all magical items, grimoires, gems, Mithrite, enchanted tools and weapons. I especially want unrestricted access to the lead mage's quarters. Every item inside will belong to me until I no longer have any use for them, let's say for a period of 2 months after the city has been conquered.”

Loot like that are usually doled out to his most trusted advisors and commanders. His mages would likely be exceedingly angry that I would get first choice for all the loot. It was beyond impudent and if I was being honest and dangerous. But I am tired of taking orders from these humans.

The rage in his eyes was palpable. But who was he going to ask to shield the tower? Without me any victory would be a pyrrhic or he would have to spend over a year or more starving the city out.

Still my request was beyond what most would be willing to pay. The baron realized that he had no choice but to agree for the moment. Whether he would follow through in the end remains to be seen.

“So long as it isn't an imperially assigned item.” he paused then continued

“You will not get a single coin nor non-magical items from the treasury, do what you will with the things in the mage's quarters. Now leave and prepare yourself for the upcoming battle.”

I wonder if I just burned a bridge. Regardless, I have grown tired of taking orders from this man.

Over the next few weeks, the engineers finished building the siege tower. The baron had been launching sorties to lob fireballs over the walls of the city to hopefully cause damage and sow confusion. I opted to rest as much as possible, limiting my healing to only serious injuries. I was no longer invited to the strategy meetings, probably due to the baron’s displeasure but in reality, I didn't care.

The day before we were set to attack the wall in mass I ate as much food as possible and sank into the deepest meditation I could sustain. For over 16 hours I rested until a voice on the edge of my consciousness woke me.

“Sir mage It is time,” one of the baron's servants said.

“Very well, now leave.” the servant rushed away at my terse tone.

As I made my way to the staging point, I examined the baron's army. They were decently rested though there was significant apprehension at the prospect of directly seizing the wall. I haven't seen anything of the bronze spears so could only hope they lived. The siege tower was a tall 100-foot structure made of wood with large wheels to roll it along the grassy plane. A guardsman saluted as I entered and walked up 3 flights of stairs halfway to the top of the tower.

This was something we had tested before and most of the men knew to not bother me. I was cross legged against a wall as soldiers ran up and down the tower going through their preparations. Eventually the baron, his command staff as well as his mages walked past me. Dressed in their best armor, most did not spare me a second glance.

It seems that as soon as the baron found displeasure with me, they all followed suit. A quarter hour later the structure began rolling. We were a considerable distance from the city but fortunately the terrain was rather flat, and the city had no moat to protect it. An hour later I could hear screams and shouts outside the tower.

“Shield” A soldier yelled.

At that signal I cast the radiant shield expanding it until it was large enough to encompass the entire tower. It took a large amount of energy to cast and maintain such a large shield, but I had energy to spare. I could feel spells starting to impact the shield draining me of a small amount of stamina. I sat down, closed my eyes, and focused entirely on the shield. Drowning out the sounds of explosions and death that happened all around me.

After what felt like an eternity there was a loud thud as the entire tower jostled to a halt. I was to maintain this position as the army flooded the walls. Hundreds upon hundreds of soldiers rushed past me to swarm the walls. Careful not to disturb the large glowing spell circuit that I held in front of me. 15 minutes later There was a loud ripple within the Ether which was no doubt a spell from Lira. There was a shout of victory that I assumed was Lira successfully destroying the main gate.

Eventually the numbers slowed to a trickle, and I stopped feeling anything strike my shield. I cut off the spell and ran up the stairs to the top of the tower. I crossed the wooden bridge and set foot on the city walls. There were a few of the barons’ soldiers milling about but most were below in the city fighting.

The city itself was similar to Vernon, a large main street that branched off into side streets. There were only two sections, and the only inner wall surrounded the Keep for Suncrest. The men on the street fought viciously as the streets were soaked with blood.

I wasn't sure if Baron Suncrest overestimated his defenses or chose to reserve most of his army for his own protection, but his defenders barely numbered 5000, and months of starvation only served to weaken them further. I could see where Lira was launching spell after spell into the enemy defenders. The enemy light mage tried to raise a shield to block it, but it was quickly destroyed by an explosion of fire killing them and everyone around them.

From my vantage point atop the walls, I watched as the baron's forces decimated the defenders. Whether it was simple cruelty or to instill fear the now surrendering soldiers were killed, so many fled towards the main keep or deeper into the city. The half-starved force they left to guard the main gate was eventually killed to the last.

For over 3 hours I stood there atop the wall watching the violence and death. There were screams of victory across the army as they had successfully captured the city. I could see the baron standing on top of a wooden platform waving his sword around rallying his troops. They all screamed and cheered fanatically at whatever he was saying.

Honestly, I was slightly relieved that the fighting was over for the day. I'm colder than most but witnessing so much death in a short period of time made me feel uneasy. Eventually the baron finished his speech and there was another rousing cry from his army. They all began to scatter into the surrounding streets.

That was strange since I expected them to start preparing to breach the keep. I watched the men scatter for a few minutes until a cold chill ran up my spine as the baron's words echoed through my thoughts.

“In absence of clear victory sometimes a leader has to find other ways to keep the men motivated.”

From this distance I watched as the army began dragging citizens into the street. Those that fought back were killed. Men rushed into homes and places of business looting anything that was of value.

Sometimes the men would drag a woman out of a house kicking and screaming as they tore her clothes off. They laughed and jeered as they took turns on them in the streets. Some that fought too much were killed. Husbands, brothers, or sons regardless of age that tried to stop what was happening were cut down, some of the especially cruel groups of soldiers forced them to watch.

There was so much excessive rape and violence happening that I was stuck with indecision. Part of me was furious at the unnecessary cruelty and desired to use my ability to stop what was happening.

But how could I stop such violence on such a mass scale? The only thing that would happen is to make myself an enemy of the army. Part of me wanted to rush down the walls and slaughter every soldier I came across; damn the consequences. But all this effort would have been meaningless as I eventually would run out of energy and fall into an enemy blade or spell.

In shame I turned away from the violence looking out to the field looking at the bodies of at least two thousand of the baron's men. Men that he sacrificed for a swift victory. I shoved the shame, guilt, and rage I felt at my inaction and my contribution to this victory into a deep part of my mind.

Deep enough that I could no longer feel it.

Deep enough so it wouldn't cloud my judgment.

Hours later the violence had calmed down and the baron started to reign in his troops. There was general milling about as they gathered in the square.

a soldier caught my attention. “Sir mage the baron requests your presence.”

I turned to look at him. He practically jolted as I locked eyes with him. No doubt my irises were dilated; most humans tend to find it unnerving.

“I'll be there in a moment.”

I made my way towards the wooden platform, while over the past few hours the violence had simmered down. I could occasionally hear a scream in the distance. Screams that would likely stay with me forever.

The baron was atop the platform with a few of his commanders and a mage I've never seen before. A water mage by the color of her armor. She was a sweet looking girl of perhaps 16 with dark hair and blue eyes that matched will with her blue armor. While her armor was dirty for the most part it seemed that she was not assaulted. She gave me a curious glance as I stepped up the platform.

“Glad of you to finally join us. I thought you were going to spend the entire day on that wall.” Baron said.

“The shield was draining, and I don't care for city fighting. What is it you want?” I replied, not caring about propriety at the moment.

“Well, it looks like this is about to be over.” The Baron replied nodding to the young mage.

“This is Colette Suncrest Daughter of Baron Suncrest. She is here as an official representative of the Baron. I've already verified her identity.”

“What are his terms?” I asked.

The baron looked at the girl and she stated, “In return for full surrender Baron Suncrest requests that there is to be complete cessation in aggression, the lives of the Baron’s family will be guaranteed and be allowed to flee to his father’s lands to retire. If the Light Mage Moon can fully heal his eldest son Finnian Suncrest from his burns, he sustained in battle Baron Suncrest will formally sign a transfer of all titles and oaths of vassalage to Baron Vernon.”

I was far more relieved that there was to be an end to the hostilities that I had expected. Healing a man of his burns isn't going to be much of a problem regardless of the severity.

“It can be done but healing like that is expensive. Proper payment is required.” I said. She gave me a curious look then glanced at the baron as if he would simply order me to do it. But I didn't want to be his creature anymore.

In this situation if he responded it would seem as if he wasn't in control. The baron gave me a frustrated glance that I ignored. The girl seemed to be quick minded, so she said.

“What price do you ask for such a task?”

“I have expensive taste dear Colette and I know nothing of the treasures you keep so you would have to find something to match taste.”

I hope she got my hint. I'm sure a surrendering lord would secret away his most prized and powerful possessions. I didn't want to miss out on something.

Her eyes tightened for a second then brightened as an idea seemed to pop into her head.

“I know exactly what would suit your needs sir mage.”

She signaled to a man standing off to the side surrounded by guards. He was an exceptionally well-dressed nobleman in bright blues and purples.

“My lord this is my stepbrother Everic Suncrest and current Heir. He will see to the details of the surrender. If it is acceptable to you, Lord Baron, I will escort Sir Moon to see Finnian as he is in critical condition and both of our light mages are dead.”

The baron barely hid a sneer as he looked at me then said. “How long would the healing take?”

“I would have to see him to know, “I said.

“Damn mages never give a straight answer. Fine then at least get him stable before the day is out. Everic will remain here as a hostage now go.”

She bowed to the baron. “My thanks lord baron. If you would come with me Sir Mage.” The baron didn’t even offer to send me with a guard. It's not as if I needed one anyway. But that made it clear where I stood in his eyes.

“One moment.” I cast Radiant carapace on myself to refresh the spell. I made sure to overcharge it to its limits so everyone could see how much power I could put into a spell. Most of the Suncrest guards who accompanied the children of the baron had sack jawed expressions that turned to confusion as the drama of the spell was over in a few seconds.

“Let's go.”

I left with Colette and her guards leaving Everic to continue the formalities of surrendering.

“I must say I've heard of elven prowess with magic but to see it is something else.” Colette said as we walked towards the keep.

“That's just how elves are, I suppose.”

“All that power and you decide to serve a man like Vernon?” she said.

Usually, I wouldn’t care about such comments but after what I’ve seen it gave me some pause. I would have to save my misgivings about my choice of employers for later.

“He pays well. How did your brother end up getting burned." I asked. Changing the subject

“Lira, she caught him and his guards in a ball of fire, that's how we ended up losing both light mages.” Colette said.

“He survived but the burns were severe. We all thought that it was the height of stupidity to construct a siege tower against mages.”

“I suppose you never accounted for a light mage of my strength.” I said.

“Why is an elf working for a human and using human magic? Is this a question many of us are trying to answer?”

“Some things will remain a mystery.”

We passed through the gates of the richer parts of the city, the guards let us pass without any pause. They all bowed as soon as they saw Colette; most of the nobles in the city were residing in this area, unlike with Vernon the central keep for Suncrest did not have a wall to protect itself. Though it was a similar size with gray stone instead of the dark reddish brown. We passed through the large doors of the entrance to the audience chamber where the Baron Suncrest sat upon a deus.

He was a man of perhaps 40 with streaks of gray in his hair. Where the baron Vernon looked wild and dangerous, the Suncrest looked far more distinguished. He was in a suit of armor and a red and brown cape as he sat upon his throne. To his left sitting in a smaller throne was an average looking woman around the same age; she instead wore a dress of a dark red and brown. All around him were guards and nobles who were probably advisors.

As we approached his dais Colette bowed and said. “Lord Father, I bring you the Light mage Moon. Everic has begun negotiations for the end of hostilities.”

There was a rush as tension was released from the room. I knew enough from Baron’s libraries that an official surrender is something taken seriously. The safety of nobles in an official surrender is guaranteed by Imperial Law. As hungry as the baron was for victory, I doubt even he would risk a visit from the imperial overseer.

Baron Suncrest started speaking “I have heard many tales of your healing ability, I'm sure you have been informed of my request.”

“Yes, it is best that I get started immediately. Time is of the essence with these things.”

“Of course, Colette take him to Finnian.”

“I'll see to your payment for the task” Colette whispered to me.

Colette bowed and I simply turned and left.

After Colette had escorted me out of the audience chamber and we had some privacy I asked her. “So, what do you intend to give me as payment? And why didn't you mention it in court?”

“You were with the company that recovered the amplifier, yes?” She said,

“Yes”

“That wasn't the only less than legal item in our possession” she led me into a well-appointed room fit for a noble man. The guards bowed as we entered then closed the door behind us. On the bed was a young man wrapped from head to toe in bandages. By the smell in the air, they drugged him to keep asleep. The blood soaking through the bandages was a sign that the burns were severe indeed.

“Our Medicants guess that he has days to live. Rumors of your skill state that there is nothing you cannot heal. The baron fighting at full strength is proof of that. Tell me, can you restore him back to full health?”

“Most likely I can, I will begin the examination, you can go fetch whatever reward you think is worth your brother's life.” She nodded and left. she chafed at my disrespectful attitude. It must have hurt her noble pride or something, but I couldn't care less what this child felt.

I sanitized my hands with alcohol from my medicant satchel and began the slow process of removing his bandages, careful not to cause further damage to the flesh underneath. All across his body were 3rd degree burns, severe enough that I could see fat and muscle. I cast healing light and Disease Repulsion spells to hopefully prevent infection. I pushed massive amounts of ether and focused intently on the best way to heal. Slowly he stopped bleeding, and his flesh began to heal and scar over. 30 minutes later Colette entered, and I cut off the spells.

The young man still looked horrendous but wouldn’t die in the next few minutes. I looked at Colette as she carried a book in her hand. It was not a regular book, however, as the cover was elegantly decorated with gold writing on the cover was a symbol for primal Ether with a diamond embedded in it.

“Oh, what's this now? A grimoire?” I asked.

“Yes, it’s a primal ether spell only developed in the past year. My teacher was a journeyman mage and not even he was able to master it in the few months we had the book. We intended to flee with it. Do be careful simply possessing this is a crime” She finished as she handed me the book.

On the back was an imperial seal. It was heavy, likely from the large amount of gold decoration. It was at least 200 pages long. I opened the book and read the name of the spell.

“Telekinesis.” Underneath it was an estimation of its difficulty.

“Grand-Master”

I smiled and added the book to my satchel. In my distraction Colette went over to her brother brushing an errant lock of hair, from his mostly bald head, from his face. She had a clear look of grief and sadness on her face as she examined her brother. “You look a little better,” she said in a voice so soft that no normal human would have heard it.

“It is best I return to my work, Colette. I need privacy so make sure no one interrupts me. Have the kitchens bring me food and drink in a few hours. This will take time.”

She bowed and left. I looked at the door for a moment, a small amount of sadness welling up in me. I realized that there isn't anyone in this world that cared that much for me.

As the days passed, I healed most of his wounds and used life ether to slowly regenerate the skin and tissue to repair the scars. I strictly forbid anyone from watching me work but once they realized that I truly had the ability to restore his health I could ask for practically anything. I woke from another meditation. I was in a room next to Finnian and I have been slowly administering sleep shade to keep him asleep. At times he would wake up in pain and I would force him to consume some broth made with tiny strips of meat.

From what I knew negotiations were still ongoing. I made sure to mention to Colette what I specifically wanted. She seemed pleased to use that against the baron in the negotiation. They were still going to lose everything but having some of it go to me was somehow a small victory.

During the night I would read through the book in secret. It was an impressive spell that allowed for spatial manipulation of any nonliving object. The amount of energy needed to lift and move it scaled linearly with its weight. There are essential 6 axes of movement. Up and down relative to gravity left and right in an orbital path around me as well as forwards and backwards directly towards or away from me. Along with pitch yaw and roll controls.

The spell circuit was monstrously complex with over a hundred sigils. It would take some time, that I did not currently have, to master. A knock interrupted my studies.

“Sir mage Baron Vernon wishes to see you.” a servant said.

‘Finally,’ I thought to myself.

He had been in the keep for a few days completing the transfer of title and vassalage paperwork. Apparently, nobles warred amongst each other so often the process became standardized and only took a week or two.

The family planned to leave in the coming week based on how long healing their son would take. Baron Vernon sat on his new throne, while Suncrest stood off to one side.

“About time you got here come with me to the treasury so we can sort this out. I’ve made arrangements with the head mage to give you his office and personal possessions for the next two months.”

The Suncrest family were in the chamber as well but with the transfer of titles that had no power by law anymore. I followed the baron through the halls into a room that had a metal door that was guarded by his men, since all of Suncrest’s forces were dispersed. They saluted and as the baron approached, they opened the vault door.

The room was about 50 feet deep and 10 high. There were at least 60 of the chests filled with gold coins. On pedestals around the room were expensive diamond and gold jewelry. There had to be at least 100,000 gold in those chests alone. As much as the massive amount of wealth was wonderful to see, I had no real need for it. I switched my vision into the ether and a few items near the back caught my attention.

On a white pedestal about chest high were two etheric gems. Water and earth, they both were no larger than a gelding. They seemed to be quite powerful, so I pocketed both of them where I kept the drakes air gem. There was a smaller chest that seemed to have strange fluctuations within the ether.

It was least a footlong and six inches wide. Flipping open the lid I saw 10 small ingots of pure Mithrite. They were roughly three inches by five inches wide and 2 inches thick. Picking one up they felt light in my hand almost like aluminum. I pocketed 4. The baron grumbled but said nothing. Taking a glance at the sound of the room. I spotted a few other items. Mostly enchanted nicknacks that nobles would buy to show off. There was an enchanted Mithrite sword similar to the barons but an imperial seal on the hilt caused me to ignore it. Taking one last glance around the groom I spotted a small Mithrite ring with a purple diamond and stuck it on my left index finger.

“I’m done.” I said as I turned to leave.

“Here” the baron said as he tossed me a key.

“It's for the lead court mage's quarters.” I caught it and left, not bothering to show any politeness. No doubt the baron had his own mages go through it already. But a little message from Colette in gratitude for healing her brother let me know of a secret hiding place where they kept all the grimoires, they used for studying. I returned to Finnian to finish his healing.

“My sweet boy.” the baroness said. She and Colette had joined me in the room as I informed them the healing was complete. There were large bald patches, but the hair would grow eventually. I wanted knowledge of my skills to spread so I made sure that he would have full functionality when he regained all his lost muscle mass.

The baroness wrapped him up in a hug smothering him with her bosom. “M, Mother?”

She finally let him go. So, he could breathe. “We thought you wouldn't make it,” she said with tears in her eyes.

“What happened? Last thing I remember was fire”. He was on heavy drugs for the last week so it's not surprising that his memory was foggy.

“You were caught in a fire spell Moon here healed you?” Colette said.

“Sister, it's good to see you're safe” he turned his attention to me, noticing me for the first time.

“I thought you were a dream. How bad was it?” he asked.

“Most of your body was a burned ruin. You have lost a significant amount of mass. Fortunately, with a proper diet and exercise it can be regained. Your hair will regrow as well.” I said.

He looked at his arm. It was a bright pink and hairless but that would fade in time.

“There aren't even scars. How can I repay you?”

“Do not fret about the price that has already been paid.”

The door opened and the former Baron of Suncrest walked in.

“Father I'm……………. sorry” the young mad said, unable to meet his father’s gaze.

He walked over and put a hand on his son's shoulder.

“It's alright Finnian. It's good to see you in good health. Everything has been prepared. We leave for Rosendal in a few hours.” The family shared a few smiles between each other, and Colette went over to hug her brother.

Not wanting to intrude on the family anymore, I made my way to the exit. Why would this seeming loving family bother sparking a war with Vernon to begin with? It's not as if they lacked for coin. Perhaps it's time I start asking these types of questions.

“Sir mage.” The baron said before I left.

I turned to look at him.

“You have my deepest gratitude. If you ever find yourself Rosendal I will ensure my family greets you warmly.”

I nodded and said. “My thanks, I wish you good fortune.”

Unlike with most people I actually meant it.

I made my way to the head mage's quarters and used the key to enter. It was as large as a nobleman's room, but every wall was decorated with bookshelves. There was an unlit fireplace. I immediately went over and started to remove the kindling grate and logs. Unsheathing my sword, I dug around the bricks until one popped loose, I eventually got all of them out to reveal a metal chest. I took it out and flipped it open. As Colette said inside there were 23 Grimoires a smile came over my face in anticipation of the secrets they held.

It was almost worth all the suffering I had seen.

Almost.