Chapter 101: A Calm, Uneventful Evening
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Chapter 101: A Calm, Uneventful Evening
Tala had no trouble finding the guards severed arm, nor the shield to which it was strapped.
It lay near the center of a circle of crystalline grass and dust. This is here, because of me He lost his arm, because of me.
That was silly, of course; he was only still alive because shed cut his arm free.
He had to tell me to.
Even so, shed saved his life.
She grimaced, shaking off the notion, and examining the area. The magics only affected living matter.
The guards shield, though made of wood, must have been too far from its time as part of a tree to qualify, because it simply had geological growths across most of its surface. The underlying material seemed mostly intact. Except the gaping holes that those birds punched through
There had been a terrifying amount of power in those little creatures.
Tala grabbed the shield up and turned back, jogging after the retreating wagons.
A moment later, she slowed to a brisk walk and felt her hair bouncing and swaying oddly. Right!
She ran her free hand through it, feeling crystals and shorn ends. She shuddered again. That was really close. She pulled out her comb, and experimentally ran it through her jagged hair. It worked as shed hoped, pulling the crystal out like it usually did to water. True, in some places that meant tearing the hair, but that was ok.
A moment later, her hair was clear of the magically grown material and she activated some of the scripts on her scalp, causing her hair to return to the proper length. There. That bit of vanity handled, she took a moment to examine herself and her grisly burden.
Tala, herself, was fine. Shed dismissed all of her void-channels save the one to her body, once her leathers were topped off.
Kit.
She stuck her hand into the belt-pouch and created a second void-channel to feed it. The dimensional storage guzzled power.
Almost empty? As Tala thought about it, that made sense. Kit likely had to shift itself out of the way of quite a few attacks. She once again was grateful that shed chosen a storage item with some self-preservation built in. Thats right, Tala. Never forget that self-preservation is key.
She pushed away the reminder of Mistress Oderas words. Im not afraid to live. Now was hardly the time for such thoughts.
Kit refilled, Tala looked at the shield and now mineralized limb. Every part of it was restructured. How can that even happen? It should have taken much more power than could have been imparted by such a small creature, or in such a brief time.
Multiple strikes? There had been several, obviously, but no, that wasnt the cause. Shed seen the magics feeding on the guards internal power, that which was coming from his own gate.
What would have happened if it had reached that gate, his soul?
She had no way of knowing, and if she was being honest, she wasnt sure she wanted to know.
I hope Terry came through alright. She had no reason to expect otherwise, but it was still worth checking. Terry? She called out loudly enough for her voice to carry, without the utterance being a true shout.
Terry flickered into being beside her. He was as tall as a horse, and he stared at the shield with obvious interest.
No, Terry. This isnt for eating.
He shook himself.
Not what you were thinking?
More shaking.
Curious about the magics?
He bobbed.
Yeah, me too. Ill let you know what Mistress Odera finds out if you arent around to hear it.
He glanced at her, then, quick as a blink, he was on her shoulder, smaller than most cats. He head-bumped her cheek before curling up.
Thank you, Terry. Im glad youre safe, too.
* * *
The last hour of the days traveling passed without further incident.
Mistress Odera didnt have the ability to regrow the guards arm, but she was able to treat, preserve, and prep the stump for the regeneration of that limb once they reached Makinaven. The other guards had already arranged to fulfill the mans duties until then; having the extra guards on this route made that a trivial thing.
I hope the need isnt a herald of things to come
The crystal remaining after the tiny birds magic completed its working was just mundane crystal, similar to that found within a geode, at least thats what Mistress Odera told Tala.
Once the injured guards health was assured, a large contingent of off-duty guards did a quick, wide-ranging sweep to gather the bolts that had been fired at the crystal birds, so they could be used later.
Mistress Odera had a tablet, and shed used it to advise the Caravanners Guild, at large, of the possibility of a new fount in the region.
The Mage was very glad that she didnt have to inform Tala or Rane about the founts. She let them know that, in all likelihood, a high-level Archon would be sent to investigate at some point, soon. At worst, caravans would have to be directed wide of the area for a time, adding significantly to the already uncertain route.
Tala, for her part, spent most of the hour alone, atop the cargo-wagon, keeping an even closer eye on their surroundings.
When they finally stopped, Tala was introduced to a new horror.
Instead of being able to relax through dinner and the evening, she was required to increase her vigilance, as every passenger was allowed out of their cargo-slot to get some fresh air and stretch their legs, while the last of dinner was prepared and served.
Unlike previous caravans, there was no wagon circle to provide even the illusion of separation from the wilds, nor to corral passengers, when they were prone to wander.
The two wagons were spaced to create a somewhat distinct space, and a few tables were set up there, keeping the people mostly contained. The only saving grace was that it was fairly cold out in the open, and the lightly falling snow added to that incentive for quick retreats, back into the safety and warmth of the wagon.
The scripts around her eyes were overwhelmed in an instant, pushed aside rather than burned away, and try as she might, she couldnt overcome the compulsion that prevented her from closing her eyes, not even to blink.
His face filled her vision.
Interesting use of iron. So, thats how you were able to move so freely. The sides of her head blazed with heat for a brief moment, before iron dust showered down on her shoulders.
The being briefly flicked each hand away then back to her head, clearing the limb of rust. Then, there was a renewed pulse of power.
Tala felt something try to invade her brain, but her very being rose up against the assault. She used every scrap of strength she could draw upon, barely managing to shelter her mind: a pebble before a hurricane.
Even so, the edges of her mind werent set, yet. Her mage-sight, coupled with her mental scripts, allowed her to watch, helpless, as her short-term memory was shredded into-
Why am I panicking? What was that daydream, again? Tala tried to shake off the lingering vestiges of an overactive imagination, but found her head locked in place, blood filling her vision. Not a figment? Brief shreds of memory came floating back. It was real?! It-
Power washed through her mind, and her eyes closed of their own volition.
There was an odd grunt, and something that was clearly a curse in a language she didnt know. A voice shed never heard before muttered under their breath. How heavy are you?
Her mind was hit, once more, and her thoughts-
There was a pulse of power, quickly fading into the distance, and Talas eyes snapped open.
She was laying on the ground, staring up at falling snow and clouds, which were just losing the last light of day.
Where am I?
Mistress Tala? Mistress Odera was calling her.
Tala jumped up to her feet, looking around. Why am I so far from the caravan?
Mistress Odera was standing near the cargo-wagon, looking up at its top, calling out. Mistress Tala!
Tala began to jog the couple of hundred yards back to the wagon.
On the way back, she wove around the deep, irregularly spaced furrows in the earth. What happened?
She examined within herself and found the bulk of her expected ending-berry power was absent; only the barest vestiges remained. When did I use that up?
She called out to Mistress Odera, and the other Mage turned towards her, irritation plain on the older womans face. Even so, she remained silent, until Tala stopped beside her. Why did you leave your post, Mistress?
II dont think I did.
Mistress Odera paused at that, seeming to understand a depth behind Talas words. What do you mean?
Tala looked over her shoulder. There is evidence that something sent me flying from the wagon-top. Some of my defenses are drastically drained, and the earth is churned in a line from the cargo-wagon to where I was lying.
Mistress Oderas hands flicked out, and a bubble of power quickly built before fully encapsulating the caravans campsite. Her shield. What did this?
I dont know, and I didnt lose consciousness. I have inscriptions to correct that, and they always notify me when they do. I believe I felt a power fading, retreating before I came to awareness
Mistress Oderas eyes were moving across their surroundings. There are the faintest, lingering traces of something with power, here. Her face snapped towards Tala. What happened to your protection, child?
Tala frowned as Terry appeared on her shoulder, crooning lightly. What do you mean?
Your iron is gone from your head.
Tala swallowed reflexively, feeling her face with her off hand. Thats not good.
Terry bumped her cheek with the top of his head.
No, Terry, I dont know whats going on She had the lingering impression of blood. Im not bleeding, am I? She examined herself, and Mistress Odera gave her a once over as well.
No, you are perfectly healthy.
The two of them climbed back to the top of the cargo-wagon, and after another sweep of their surroundings, Mistress Odera let her shield fall. Tala, for her part, had pulled out an iron-salve bar and was desperately working the substance in, all over her head. I cant stay defenseless.
The older woman sat heavily. Something happened, of that much I am certain, but I cannot determine what. I can see everyone whos supposed to be out here, but we should check the passengers against the manifests.
Whats going on? Shed done a hasty job of her reapplication, but it would have to be good enough, for now.
I wish I knew, Mistress. Weve been losing caravans a bit more regularly around Bandfast, in the last half year or so.
More regularly?
Closer to one in a hundred, as opposed to one in a thousand. Though some of that is extrapolation.
Thatsa big difference.
Mistress Odera barked a mirthless laugh. Yes. Yes, it is.
Tala nodded to herself. Ill check in with each exposed cargo-slot.
Send Master Rane to me, when you can. Id like to pick his brain.
Something about that made Tala twitch, but she dismissed the feeling. Yes, Mistress.
Mistress Odera gave her a long look. Whatever happened, I am glad that you survived. We might just be able to fill in some gaps in our knowledge because of it.
Tala almost told her about the script at the base of her own neck, which would have recorded a lot of what transpired, for Hollys use, but something made Tala think that voicing anything about its existence would be a mistake. Instead, Tala simply gave Mistress Odera a respectful bow and dropped off the side of the wagon, Terry clinging to her shoulder as she fell.
All I wanted was a calm, uneventful evening. She shook her head. Now was not the time for weakness; she had work to do.
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Chapter 101: A Calm, Uneventful Evening
Tala had no trouble finding the guards severed arm, nor the shield to which it was strapped.
It lay near the center of a circle of crystalline grass and dust. This is here, because of me He lost his arm, because of me.
That was silly, of course; he was only still alive because shed cut his arm free.
He had to tell me to.
Even so, shed saved his life.
She grimaced, shaking off the notion, and examining the area. The magics only affected living matter.
The guards shield, though made of wood, must have been too far from its time as part of a tree to qualify, because it simply had geological growths across most of its surface. The underlying material seemed mostly intact. Except the gaping holes that those birds punched through
There had been a terrifying amount of power in those little creatures.
Tala grabbed the shield up and turned back, jogging after the retreating wagons.
A moment later, she slowed to a brisk walk and felt her hair bouncing and swaying oddly. Right!
She ran her free hand through it, feeling crystals and shorn ends. She shuddered again. That was really close. She pulled out her comb, and experimentally ran it through her jagged hair. It worked as shed hoped, pulling the crystal out like it usually did to water. True, in some places that meant tearing the hair, but that was ok.
A moment later, her hair was clear of the magically grown material and she activated some of the scripts on her scalp, causing her hair to return to the proper length. There. That bit of vanity handled, she took a moment to examine herself and her grisly burden.
Tala, herself, was fine. Shed dismissed all of her void-channels save the one to her body, once her leathers were topped off.
Kit.
She stuck her hand into the belt-pouch and created a second void-channel to feed it. The dimensional storage guzzled power.
Almost empty? As Tala thought about it, that made sense. Kit likely had to shift itself out of the way of quite a few attacks. She once again was grateful that shed chosen a storage item with some self-preservation built in. Thats right, Tala. Never forget that self-preservation is key.
She pushed away the reminder of Mistress Oderas words. Im not afraid to live. Now was hardly the time for such thoughts.
Kit refilled, Tala looked at the shield and now mineralized limb. Every part of it was restructured. How can that even happen? It should have taken much more power than could have been imparted by such a small creature, or in such a brief time.
Multiple strikes? There had been several, obviously, but no, that wasnt the cause. Shed seen the magics feeding on the guards internal power, that which was coming from his own gate.
What would have happened if it had reached that gate, his soul?
She had no way of knowing, and if she was being honest, she wasnt sure she wanted to know.
I hope Terry came through alright. She had no reason to expect otherwise, but it was still worth checking. Terry? She called out loudly enough for her voice to carry, without the utterance being a true shout.
Terry flickered into being beside her. He was as tall as a horse, and he stared at the shield with obvious interest.
No, Terry. This isnt for eating.
He shook himself.
Not what you were thinking?
More shaking.
Curious about the magics?
He bobbed.
Yeah, me too. Ill let you know what Mistress Odera finds out if you arent around to hear it.
He glanced at her, then, quick as a blink, he was on her shoulder, smaller than most cats. He head-bumped her cheek before curling up.
Thank you, Terry. Im glad youre safe, too.
* * *
The last hour of the days traveling passed without further incident.
Mistress Odera didnt have the ability to regrow the guards arm, but she was able to treat, preserve, and prep the stump for the regeneration of that limb once they reached Makinaven. The other guards had already arranged to fulfill the mans duties until then; having the extra guards on this route made that a trivial thing.
I hope the need isnt a herald of things to come
The crystal remaining after the tiny birds magic completed its working was just mundane crystal, similar to that found within a geode, at least thats what Mistress Odera told Tala.
Once the injured guards health was assured, a large contingent of off-duty guards did a quick, wide-ranging sweep to gather the bolts that had been fired at the crystal birds, so they could be used later.
Mistress Odera had a tablet, and shed used it to advise the Caravanners Guild, at large, of the possibility of a new fount in the region.
The Mage was very glad that she didnt have to inform Tala or Rane about the founts. She let them know that, in all likelihood, a high-level Archon would be sent to investigate at some point, soon. At worst, caravans would have to be directed wide of the area for a time, adding significantly to the already uncertain route.
Tala, for her part, spent most of the hour alone, atop the cargo-wagon, keeping an even closer eye on their surroundings.
When they finally stopped, Tala was introduced to a new horror.
Instead of being able to relax through dinner and the evening, she was required to increase her vigilance, as every passenger was allowed out of their cargo-slot to get some fresh air and stretch their legs, while the last of dinner was prepared and served.
Unlike previous caravans, there was no wagon circle to provide even the illusion of separation from the wilds, nor to corral passengers, when they were prone to wander.
The two wagons were spaced to create a somewhat distinct space, and a few tables were set up there, keeping the people mostly contained. The only saving grace was that it was fairly cold out in the open, and the lightly falling snow added to that incentive for quick retreats, back into the safety and warmth of the wagon.
The scripts around her eyes were overwhelmed in an instant, pushed aside rather than burned away, and try as she might, she couldnt overcome the compulsion that prevented her from closing her eyes, not even to blink.
His face filled her vision.
Interesting use of iron. So, thats how you were able to move so freely. The sides of her head blazed with heat for a brief moment, before iron dust showered down on her shoulders.
The being briefly flicked each hand away then back to her head, clearing the limb of rust. Then, there was a renewed pulse of power.
Tala felt something try to invade her brain, but her very being rose up against the assault. She used every scrap of strength she could draw upon, barely managing to shelter her mind: a pebble before a hurricane.
Even so, the edges of her mind werent set, yet. Her mage-sight, coupled with her mental scripts, allowed her to watch, helpless, as her short-term memory was shredded into-
Why am I panicking? What was that daydream, again? Tala tried to shake off the lingering vestiges of an overactive imagination, but found her head locked in place, blood filling her vision. Not a figment? Brief shreds of memory came floating back. It was real?! It-
Power washed through her mind, and her eyes closed of their own volition.
There was an odd grunt, and something that was clearly a curse in a language she didnt know. A voice shed never heard before muttered under their breath. How heavy are you?
Her mind was hit, once more, and her thoughts-
There was a pulse of power, quickly fading into the distance, and Talas eyes snapped open.
She was laying on the ground, staring up at falling snow and clouds, which were just losing the last light of day.
Where am I?
Mistress Tala? Mistress Odera was calling her.
Tala jumped up to her feet, looking around. Why am I so far from the caravan?
Mistress Odera was standing near the cargo-wagon, looking up at its top, calling out. Mistress Tala!
Tala began to jog the couple of hundred yards back to the wagon.
On the way back, she wove around the deep, irregularly spaced furrows in the earth. What happened?
She examined within herself and found the bulk of her expected ending-berry power was absent; only the barest vestiges remained. When did I use that up?
She called out to Mistress Odera, and the other Mage turned towards her, irritation plain on the older womans face. Even so, she remained silent, until Tala stopped beside her. Why did you leave your post, Mistress?
II dont think I did.
Mistress Odera paused at that, seeming to understand a depth behind Talas words. What do you mean?
Tala looked over her shoulder. There is evidence that something sent me flying from the wagon-top. Some of my defenses are drastically drained, and the earth is churned in a line from the cargo-wagon to where I was lying.
Mistress Oderas hands flicked out, and a bubble of power quickly built before fully encapsulating the caravans campsite. Her shield. What did this?
I dont know, and I didnt lose consciousness. I have inscriptions to correct that, and they always notify me when they do. I believe I felt a power fading, retreating before I came to awareness
Mistress Oderas eyes were moving across their surroundings. There are the faintest, lingering traces of something with power, here. Her face snapped towards Tala. What happened to your protection, child?
Tala frowned as Terry appeared on her shoulder, crooning lightly. What do you mean?
Your iron is gone from your head.
Tala swallowed reflexively, feeling her face with her off hand. Thats not good.
Terry bumped her cheek with the top of his head.
No, Terry, I dont know whats going on She had the lingering impression of blood. Im not bleeding, am I? She examined herself, and Mistress Odera gave her a once over as well.
No, you are perfectly healthy.
The two of them climbed back to the top of the cargo-wagon, and after another sweep of their surroundings, Mistress Odera let her shield fall. Tala, for her part, had pulled out an iron-salve bar and was desperately working the substance in, all over her head. I cant stay defenseless.
The older woman sat heavily. Something happened, of that much I am certain, but I cannot determine what. I can see everyone whos supposed to be out here, but we should check the passengers against the manifests.
Whats going on? Shed done a hasty job of her reapplication, but it would have to be good enough, for now.
I wish I knew, Mistress. Weve been losing caravans a bit more regularly around Bandfast, in the last half year or so.
More regularly?
Closer to one in a hundred, as opposed to one in a thousand. Though some of that is extrapolation.
Thatsa big difference.
Mistress Odera barked a mirthless laugh. Yes. Yes, it is.
Tala nodded to herself. Ill check in with each exposed cargo-slot.
Send Master Rane to me, when you can. Id like to pick his brain.
Something about that made Tala twitch, but she dismissed the feeling. Yes, Mistress.
Mistress Odera gave her a long look. Whatever happened, I am glad that you survived. We might just be able to fill in some gaps in our knowledge because of it.
Tala almost told her about the script at the base of her own neck, which would have recorded a lot of what transpired, for Hollys use, but something made Tala think that voicing anything about its existence would be a mistake. Instead, Tala simply gave Mistress Odera a respectful bow and dropped off the side of the wagon, Terry clinging to her shoulder as she fell.
All I wanted was a calm, uneventful evening. She shook her head. Now was not the time for weakness; she had work to do.
Chapter 101: A Calm, Uneventful EveningTala had no trouble finding the guards severed arm, nor the shield to which it was strapped.It lay near the center of a circle of crystalline grass and dust. This is here, because of me He lost his arm, because of me.That was silly, of course; he was only still alive because shed cut his arm free.He had to tell me to.Even so, shed saved his life.She grimaced, shaking off the notion, and examining the area. The magics only affected living matter.The guards shield, though made of wood, must have been too far from its time as part of a tree to qualify, because it simply had geological growths across most of its surface. The underlying material seemed mostly intact. Except the gaping holes that those birds punched throughThere had been a terrifying amount of power in those little creatures.Tala grabbed the shield up and turned back, jogging after the retreating wagons.A moment later, she slowed to a brisk walk and felt her hair bouncing and swaying oddly. Right!She ran her free hand through it, feeling crystals and shorn ends. She shuddered again. That was really close. She pulled out her comb, and experimentally ran it through her jagged hair. It worked as shed hoped, pulling the crystal out like it usually did to water. True, in some places that meant tearing the hair, but that was ok.A moment later, her hair was clear of the magically grown material and she activated some of the scripts on her scalp, causing her hair to return to the proper length. There. That bit of vanity handled, she took a moment to examine herself and her grisly burden.Tala, herself, was fine. Shed dismissed all of her void-channels save the one to her body, once her leathers were topped off.Kit.She stuck her hand into the belt-pouch and created a second void-channel to feed it. The dimensional storage guzzled power.Almost empty? As Tala thought about it, that made sense. Kit likely had to shift itself out of the way of quite a few attacks. She once again was grateful that shed chosen a storage item with some self-preservation built in. Thats right, Tala. Never forget that self-preservation is key.She pushed away the reminder of Mistress Oderas words. Im not afraid to live. Now was hardly the time for such thoughts.Kit refilled, Tala looked at the shield and now mineralized limb. Every part of it was restructured. How can that even happen? It should have taken much more power than could have been imparted by such a small creature, or in such a brief time.Multiple strikes? There had been several, obviously, but no, that wasnt the cause. Shed seen the magics feeding on the guards internal power, that which was coming from his own gate.What would have happened if it had reached that gate, his soul?She had no way of knowing, and if she was being honest, she wasnt sure she wanted to know.I hope Terry came through alright. She had no reason to expect otherwise, but it was still worth checking. Terry? She called out loudly enough for her voice to carry, without the utterance being a true shout.Terry flickered into being beside her. He was as tall as a horse, and he stared at the shield with obvious interest.No, Terry. This isnt for eating.He shook himself.Not what you were thinking?More shaking.Curious about the magics?He bobbed.Yeah, me too. Ill let you know what Mistress Odera finds out if you arent around to hear it.He glanced at her, then, quick as a blink, he was on her shoulder, smaller than most cats. He head-bumped her cheek before curling up.Thank you, Terry. Im glad youre safe, too.* * *The last hour of the days traveling passed without further incident.Mistress Odera didnt have the ability to regrow the guards arm, but she was able to treat, preserve, and prep the stump for the regeneration of that limb once they reached Makinaven. The other guards had already arranged to fulfill the mans duties until then; having the extra guards on this route made that a trivial thing.I hope the need isnt a herald of things to comeThe crystal remaining after the tiny birds magic completed its working was just mundane crystal, similar to that found within a geode, at least thats what Mistress Odera told Tala.Once the injured guards health was assured, a large contingent of off-duty guards did a quick, wide-ranging sweep to gather the bolts that had been fired at the crystal birds, so they could be used later.Mistress Odera had a tablet, and shed used it to advise the Caravanners Guild, at large, of the possibility of a new fount in the region.The Mage was very glad that she didnt have to inform Tala or Rane about the founts. She let them know that, in all likelihood, a high-level Archon would be sent to investigate at some point, soon. At worst, caravans would have to be directed wide of the area for a time, adding significantly to the already uncertain route.Tala, for her part, spent most of the hour alone, atop the cargo-wagon, keeping an even closer eye on their surroundings.When they finally stopped, Tala was introduced to a new horror.Instead of being able to relax through dinner and the evening, she was required to increase her vigilance, as every passenger was allowed out of their cargo-slot to get some fresh air and stretch their legs, while the last of dinner was prepared and served.Unlike previous caravans, there was no wagon circle to provide even the illusion of separation from the wilds, nor to corral passengers, when they were prone to wander.The two wagons were spaced to create a somewhat distinct space, and a few tables were set up there, keeping the people mostly contained. The only saving grace was that it was fairly cold out in the open, and the lightly falling snow added to that incentive for quick retreats, back into the safety and warmth of the wagon.The scripts around her eyes were overwhelmed in an instant, pushed aside rather than burned away, and try as she might, she couldnt overcome the compulsion that prevented her from closing her eyes, not even to blink.His face filled her vision.Interesting use of iron. So, thats how you were able to move so freely. The sides of her head blazed with heat for a brief moment, before iron dust showered down on her shoulders.The being briefly flicked each hand away then back to her head, clearing the limb of rust. Then, there was a renewed pulse of power.Tala felt something try to invade her brain, but her very being rose up against the assault. She used every scrap of strength she could draw upon, barely managing to shelter her mind: a pebble before a hurricane.Even so, the edges of her mind werent set, yet. Her mage-sight, coupled with her mental scripts, allowed her to watch, helpless, as her short-term memory was shredded into-Why am I panicking? What was that daydream, again? Tala tried to shake off the lingering vestiges of an overactive imagination, but found her head locked in place, blood filling her vision. Not a figment? Brief shreds of memory came floating back. It was real?! It-Power washed through her mind, and her eyes closed of their own volition.There was an odd grunt, and something that was clearly a curse in a language she didnt know. A voice shed never heard before muttered under their breath. How heavy are you?Her mind was hit, once more, and her thoughts-There was a pulse of power, quickly fading into the distance, and Talas eyes snapped open.She was laying on the ground, staring up at falling snow and clouds, which were just losing the last light of day.Where am I?Mistress Tala? Mistress Odera was calling her.Tala jumped up to her feet, looking around. Why am I so far from the caravan?Mistress Odera was standing near the cargo-wagon, looking up at its top, calling out. Mistress Tala!Tala began to jog the couple of hundred yards back to the wagon.On the way back, she wove around the deep, irregularly spaced furrows in the earth. What happened?She examined within herself and found the bulk of her expected ending-berry power was absent; only the barest vestiges remained. When did I use that up?She called out to Mistress Odera, and the other Mage turned towards her, irritation plain on the older womans face. Even so, she remained silent, until Tala stopped beside her. Why did you leave your post, Mistress?II dont think I did.Mistress Odera paused at that, seeming to understand a depth behind Talas words. What do you mean?Tala looked over her shoulder. There is evidence that something sent me flying from the wagon-top. Some of my defenses are drastically drained, and the earth is churned in a line from the cargo-wagon to where I was lying.Mistress Oderas hands flicked out, and a bubble of power quickly built before fully encapsulating the caravans campsite. Her shield. What did this?I dont know, and I didnt lose consciousness. I have inscriptions to correct that, and they always notify me when they do. I believe I felt a power fading, retreating before I came to awarenessMistress Oderas eyes were moving across their surroundings. There are the faintest, lingering traces of something with power, here. Her face snapped towards Tala. What happened to your protection, child?Tala frowned as Terry appeared on her shoulder, crooning lightly. What do you mean?Your iron is gone from your head.Tala swallowed reflexively, feeling her face with her off hand. Thats not good.Terry bumped her cheek with the top of his head.No, Terry, I dont know whats going on She had the lingering impression of blood. Im not bleeding, am I? She examined herself, and Mistress Odera gave her a once over as well.No, you are perfectly healthy.The two of them climbed back to the top of the cargo-wagon, and after another sweep of their surroundings, Mistress Odera let her shield fall. Tala, for her part, had pulled out an iron-salve bar and was desperately working the substance in, all over her head. I cant stay defenseless.The older woman sat heavily. Something happened, of that much I am certain, but I cannot determine what. I can see everyone whos supposed to be out here, but we should check the passengers against the manifests.Whats going on? Shed done a hasty job of her reapplication, but it would have to be good enough, for now.I wish I knew, Mistress. Weve been losing caravans a bit more regularly around Bandfast, in the last half year or so.More regularly?Closer to one in a hundred, as opposed to one in a thousand. Though some of that is extrapolation.Thatsa big difference.Mistress Odera barked a mirthless laugh. Yes. Yes, it is.Tala nodded to herself. Ill check in with each exposed cargo-slot.Send Master Rane to me, when you can. Id like to pick his brain.Something about that made Tala twitch, but she dismissed the feeling. Yes, Mistress.Mistress Odera gave her a long look. Whatever happened, I am glad that you survived. We might just be able to fill in some gaps in our knowledge because of it.Tala almost told her about the script at the base of her own neck, which would have recorded a lot of what transpired, for Hollys use, but something made Tala think that voicing anything about its existence would be a mistake. Instead, Tala simply gave Mistress Odera a respectful bow and dropped off the side of the wagon, Terry clinging to her shoulder as she fell.All I wanted was a calm, uneventful evening. She shook her head. Now was not the time for weakness; she had work to do.
