Bloodflowers Bloom (The Astral Wanderer Book 2), D'Artagnan Rey [essential reading .txt] 📗

and used vello to snatch the handle of the blade before he was somehow dragged over to it. “Whoa!” he exclaimed from where he appeared next to the dagger and pulled it from the stone. “It lets me blink?”

“It’s faster than blinking,” Rogo proclaimed and smiled at Jazai. “At least for most people. That cobalt has your mana tucked into it, so you merely need to call to it and you’ll appear next to the dagger. Nothing can stop ya.” He tossed the empty cloth over his shoulder and clapped briskly “That was probably the trickiest to complete. Macha helped with it—oh, speaking of which, when you guys return, she wants to see you all and get you outfitted with proper armor.”

The three young magi looked at their garb. Beyond some light chainmail Devol wore under his jacket, none of them exactly had armor to speak of.

“I am grateful but I am not sure if that would work for me,” Asla responded cautiously and shifted her feet a little. “I prefer to be light so running isn’t hindered.”

“Yeah, me too. Being weighed down can lead to complications with some spells,” Jazai agreed and looked at Rogo. “Like blinking.”

“Not a problem,” the smithy assured them with a smug grin. “Macha knows something as basic as that. You merely have to work with her and she’ll fashion something that will keep you protected and that’s to your personal tastes.”

“That sounds great.” Devol nodded enthusiastically, flipped the dagger, and tossed it at a point close to the smithy’s feet before he warped to it and took one of his hands. “It’s much appreciated, Rogo.”

“Eh, don’t mention it. This is what I do, after all,” Rogo stated and shook his hand. Devol picked the dagger up and sheathed it before he attached it to his belt as he and the others joined Wulfsun.

“All right. Are we heading to Fairwind?” Devol asked.

“Fairwind?” Nauru asked. “Why would you start there?”

“Isn’t that the closest anchor to Monleans?” he responded and recalled his adventures on his journey to the order. “That’s where the map led me.”

The grand mistress smiled gently, turned to the large rock filled with various portal runes, and pointed to one near the middle. “The map you used was a little old. It is true we unfortunately lost an anchor point near Monleans a few decades ago, but we wouldn’t let it remain dormant forever.” The rune activated and a portal opened to reveal lands very familiar to him beyond the gate.

For once, he felt peeved although still slightly elated at the familiar sight. “Honestly, I wish I had known about that before I came here.”

“Think about the memories you made along the way, not the inconvenience.” Nauru laughed, stepped to the side, and ushered them through. “Be safe, all of you. They are in your hands, Wulfsun.”

“And they will be very safe with me,” the captain declared, picked a large knapsack up, and stepped toward the portal. “All right, you three. The real adventure begins now.”

Chapter Thirteen

Devol exited the gateway onto a field of wavy green grass and ran forward until he had to stop on the edge of a ridge. His home stretched before him, bounded by longstanding marble walls, spires, and towers that surrounded the central castle. The large structure gleamed as the sunlight caught the jewels and stained glass windows that displayed moments in the history of the kingdom of Renaissance. He was a little surprised that it was so visible even as far away as he was.

After being gone for so long, it was probably the first time he was ever truly amazed by Monleans, the capital of the kingdom.

A sharp whistle sounded behind him as Jazai approached and stared at the panorama with him. “Man, it’s been a while since I was last here.”

“So you’ve come through before?” the swordsman inquired and his teammate nodded.

“Yeah, a long time ago with my father.” The diviner smiled. “I could barely handle cantrips then. I was very young.”

“It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” he remarked and smiled again at the city in the distance. “You know, Jazai, I don’t think you’ve talked much about your childhood and where you came from.”

The boy shrugged. “Well, I moved around often so have many different stories. But I was raised in Quealva for the most part.” He pointed behind them to Asla and Wulfsun. “But that’s something for later, don’t you think? You’re the guide again this time since you know the area best.”

“Not a problem.” He turned and waved at the others. “Come on, guys. I know the fastest entrance into the city so it shouldn’t take any time at all.” He bounded off the hill and used a little vis to cushion his fall before he raced on across the plain.

“The lad is mighty excited.” Wulfsun laughed and stroked his beard as he absorbed the sight of the city. “It’s best to not lag too far behind. The process to enter the city can be time-consuming.” With that, he leapt off the ridge and pursued the swordsman as he yelled at him to slow down.

“Process?” Jazai checked his robes before he took out a small blue book and opened it to reveal his identification papers. He sighed with relief. “So Zier did slip it to me. I would have forgotten, which is dumb of me given that I should be used to this.” He looked at Asla’s comically large travel bag and smiled. “I’m sure Freki put your papers in there somewhere?”

She sighed and nodded. “It’s in the lower left pocket. He gave me a thorough explanation,” she admitted and hoisted the backpack. “Well then, let us go.” With a flare of mana, she bounded off the ridge and caught up to the other two quickly. The diviner put his book away and blinked after them.

Fortunately, Devol’s knowledge and possibly his position as the son of a guard captain was indeed a big help as the small team was able to enter