Chapter 239: An Excellent Plan
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Chapter 239: An Excellent Plan
Tala and Thron finished their larger-than-usual meal, chatting about small things.
As Tala finished up her portion and Thron nursed his third tankard of acid, they finally came back around to more serious topics.
The dwarf started, I did finally find an artificer who was able to give me more than platitudes and generalities about the white metal from that guilds hold.
So, you finally got an appointment with Cerdai? Tala grinned. That was the artificer whod helped combine the void-sword with Flow.
Thron quirked a smile in return. Yeah. He really does seem to be the best.
So, what did you learn?
Its an unknown alloy that responds to magic and will-power to change state and shape without the need for heat or outside force.
He pulled out the bar that she had given him. As he held it, Tala saw his magic move through it, and it changed form, lengthening into that of a crude sword.
It acts like an infused item, but without any spell-lines either forced or naturally imbued. It simply works this way by nature. It can be made harder or more durable. It cant really be flexible without joints, and I dont have the mastery to make something articulated. It seems to be its own skill, similar to aura, power, or will control, while being distinct from them.
Fascinating. Tala reached out and pulled a bar of the metal from the air. Thanks, Kit.
If integrated into items, it can theoretically have preset states that it will return to, allowing for self-repair without the need of a will to guide the shaping.
Huh, I dont suppose I ever left one of the automata alone with an injury long enough for it to heal.
-Yeah, you pretty much destroyed them once you engaged them. Except Io.-
Except Io, but Io was so different in all regards that I thought that its self-repair was a feature of the more advanced model rather than the metal itself.
Tala focused on the bar in her hand and tried to push power into it. She felt meta-physical pathways with the metal, that were similar to those in her elk-leathers and in Flow, but they seemedless defined? Rather than forest paths each leading off in a different direction, they seemed like a prairie after the passage of a herd.
The paths crisscrossed back and forth in seemingly random patterns, while all generally moving in a similar direction.
Fascinating.
-Well, we can begin experimenting with it. It would be good for our overall control.-
I knew you hated the magic-nest as much as I did!
Alat grumbled slightly. -Fine. Yes. That thing is devilishly difficult.-
Cerdai also made an interesting claim.
That got Talas attention. Oh?
He said that the void magics in your equipment should allow the absorption of this material directly into any item it is present in. He warned that it would likely do nothing for your weapon, except maybe change its color when not in void-form, but your clothing? He was quite sure that it should be integrate-able.
Her eyes widened. With expectant hands, she pressed the ingot to the sleeve of her left arm.
Nothing happened.
Thron cleared his throat. He did say that you would have to will the integration, specifically focusing on the void-power within the garments.
Tala grunted and did so. I suppose I shouldnt have it expected to just take in anything that touched it. I really wouldnt want that to begin with.
The metal seemed to liquify, being drawn down into her elk-leathers, where it vanished.
Does this mean? She tried to manipulate the clothing, to make armor, starting with a left vambrace.
White armor blossomed into existence around her left arm, but no more came.
So, Im limited by the mass of metal Ive absorbed? She felt like she could stretch it out some more, but shed specifically focused on it being armor, and so it wouldnt become too thin.
-It seems so.-
The armor itself was a bit odd. It seemed to retain some of its liquid properties.
Tala felt like she could force it into the form of standard plate armor, but the elk-leathers direct connection to her soul, to her will, allowed for something far moreflexible.
As she focused on the garments, she could feel the metal that was a part of it, like a reserve of material, all being utilized at the moment.
So, I cant grow more like I do with the leather. Good to know. She thought for a moment. Seven or eight of these ingots should be enough. To make a full set of armor.
Thankfully, Thron knew she had more than that. I think I told him that I have twelve?
-Yes, yes you did. How do you not know that? You have perfect memory.-
Perfect memory doesnt mean I remember everything all the time. It means I can remember everything, and that is what I was doing, when you supplied the answer, and made it unnecessary.
-Rust me, Im spoiling you.-
No, youre helping.
She quickly pulled out seven more bars and willed them to meld with the elk-leathers.
They melted into the material with ease.
Tala then followed her connection with the elk-leathers and flexed her power and her desire, causing her outfit to change, metal flowing over the surface of her clothing as well as her previously bare skin to cover her completely, even coating her head.
From the outside, she could see through her mirrored perspective. She looked like she had been dipped in metal, fully coated.
She knew it hugged her closely on the inside, but it seems that her desire for armor had influenced the shape, and the exterior was much more uniform, being thicker around her vital areas, leading to a much less nuanced visage.
Thatsdisconcerting. Thron was staring at her, wide-eyed.
It felt odd to move in it, and she was forced to maintain a constant connection and funnel of power into the armor.
She also couldnt breathe, but that wasnt too much of a problem. If she needed to, she could make air holes, or retract it from around her nose or mouth entirely. All the better to exhale destruction with, my dear.Witness the debut of this chapter, unveiled through Ñôv€l--B1n.
-Youre talking to yourself again.-
Im talking to you.
-So, Im your dear?-
Yes, my dear Alat.
Alat snorted within Talas head. -Fine. Have your fun.-
When she tried to withdraw her will, the metal locked into place. It was a terrifying moment before she reestablished constant control.
Gallof leaned back. And were off.
Tala nodded appreciatively. Fantastic inertial isolation. I didnt feel even a hint of movement.
Thron grinned. Wed be in a bad way if it wasnt. We hit full speed in under a second.
What is full speed?
About four hundred miles per hour.
So, just more than eighteen times gravity? That wouldnt have been pleasant, but I dont think Id have died.
-You would probably have died. You would have come back, but it would have been at least a low-level healing across your entire body, and Id bet Id have had to rebuild your mind from nearly scratch. Your brain would definitely have fared the worst.-
Well, Im grateful for the isolation, then. Tala smiled genially.
Indeed. Thron leaned back, pulling out a book.
Gallof and Be-thric did the same, so Tala decided to, as well.
What she really wanted to read was Automata, but doing that in front of the three other passengers would have beenunwise to say the least.
So, instead, she pulled out a random book, and had Alat super-impose Automata overtop of it, based on her memory of scanning through the entire thing.
The no-longer-Io body seemed to be nearing maturation, and Tala wanted to know what she could do with the automaton.
As they flew, Tala felt the reverberation of power coming through the opening and could only imagine the level of magical resonance they were creating outside.
This would be an insane way to travel in the human lands. Can you even imagine?
-Well, if there were squads ready to defend the occupants and cargo upon landing- Alat conveyed uncertainty. -I suppose it would depend on how it looks when we land. Here isnt exactly analogous to home, but it isnt that far off.-
Tala grinned, playing it off like shed read something entertaining. You know, it might be a good way to clear out a region.
-I do think the City Builders lure in all the magical beasts of an area before they start building, purge the lot of them to avoid issues later on.-
Yeah, I remember reading that. How do they make the purging permanent?
-We were going to find out when we visited the city construction sites-
Well get around to that. Tala put a bright spin on her thoughts. She needed to stay positive. This very trip was to arrange for the return to a human city. So, so soon.
-I know. Itll be fun to see.-
The rest of the flight passed rather uneventfully.
After nearly an hour, Be-thric looked up. Be ready. We should be impacting in less than five minutes.
They all put away their books, and Tala cleared her throat. I have a plan for our landing, based on what I understand of the situation and our capabilities.
The other three regarded her in silence, clearly interested in her opinion and plan.
Gallof will make a defensive structure in which Pillar Be-thric will wait out the fight in comfort with Gallof at his side. Thorn should provide a layer of protection overtop the creation, from inside naturally. I will deal with the magical creatures.
Gallof shrugged and began building a working.
The gray mans specialty was larger working, specifically with rock.
Thron cocked his head to the side. Yeah, that seems like a fine plan to me. There really shouldnt be anything above Elder, right?
Be-thric seemed to consider. No, there shouldnt be. Are you sure, my Eskau? We could all deal with the attacking beasts together.
I am sure. This is what I am here for. After a moments thought, Tala added, That said, you all will be locked under stone. Thorn should leave an opening in his defense on the far side of the first enemies we spot. If I get into trouble, Ill come around and cut into the stone. If you sense that, come out and support me.
Assuming I can get enough time to do that sure.
-Hey! That means Terry can fight with us. I think hes been getting bored.-
Be-thric nodded and grinned. That sounds like an excellent plan.
Less than two minutes later, a wave of power washed over them, and Tala found herself standing near the top of a rise in a relatively flat plain, surrounded by splintered wood.
Theres not even a crater from the impact. Fascinating.
A city was partially visible in the distance. And, were just over ten miles from the city, Id guess.
That was some pretty accurate targeting.
Thron, Gallof, and Be-thric stepped over to the side and Gallof released his working, causing a bowl to be hallowed out below them, and a thick dome of stone to grow over top.
It looked almost like a great hemisphere of stone, slowly rotating up out of the ground until it finally met new stone on the other side.
From Talas brief glance, she would bet that it was at least three or four feet thick.
Nicely done, Gallof.
A moment later, Tala saw power that was distinctly Throns wash over the surface, stabilizing and forming a barrier of corrosion.
She walked around the new, mini-fortification and found the gap in the acidic protection on the south-eastern side.
That makes sense, most of the creatures should come from the opposite direction.
In retrospect, assuming that theyd wait until the first creatures were spotted, in order to position the gap had been a bit silly.
Ill learn and have a better plan next time.
-Progress, not perfection. Thats the goal.-
Tala just smiled.
After a deep breath, she walked the dozen or so feet up to the top of the rise and looked around.
I dont detect any far seeing magics or anything else indicating observers.
-Neither do I.-
Tala saw the first magical beasts approaching from the surrounding lands. Theyll be here in less than a minute.
Most were coming from the north-west, along their flightpath.
With a smile, Tala opened Kit, looking down into it as she spoke. Hey, Terry! Want to do some hunting?
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 239: An Excellent Plan
Tala and Thron finished their larger-than-usual meal, chatting about small things.
As Tala finished up her portion and Thron nursed his third tankard of acid, they finally came back around to more serious topics.
The dwarf started, I did finally find an artificer who was able to give me more than platitudes and generalities about the white metal from that guilds hold.
So, you finally got an appointment with Cerdai? Tala grinned. That was the artificer whod helped combine the void-sword with Flow.
Thron quirked a smile in return. Yeah. He really does seem to be the best.
So, what did you learn?
Its an unknown alloy that responds to magic and will-power to change state and shape without the need for heat or outside force.
He pulled out the bar that she had given him. As he held it, Tala saw his magic move through it, and it changed form, lengthening into that of a crude sword.
It acts like an infused item, but without any spell-lines either forced or naturally imbued. It simply works this way by nature. It can be made harder or more durable. It cant really be flexible without joints, and I dont have the mastery to make something articulated. It seems to be its own skill, similar to aura, power, or will control, while being distinct from them.
Fascinating. Tala reached out and pulled a bar of the metal from the air. Thanks, Kit.
If integrated into items, it can theoretically have preset states that it will return to, allowing for self-repair without the need of a will to guide the shaping.
Huh, I dont suppose I ever left one of the automata alone with an injury long enough for it to heal.
-Yeah, you pretty much destroyed them once you engaged them. Except Io.-
Except Io, but Io was so different in all regards that I thought that its self-repair was a feature of the more advanced model rather than the metal itself.
Tala focused on the bar in her hand and tried to push power into it. She felt meta-physical pathways with the metal, that were similar to those in her elk-leathers and in Flow, but they seemedless defined? Rather than forest paths each leading off in a different direction, they seemed like a prairie after the passage of a herd.
The paths crisscrossed back and forth in seemingly random patterns, while all generally moving in a similar direction.
Fascinating.
-Well, we can begin experimenting with it. It would be good for our overall control.-
I knew you hated the magic-nest as much as I did!
Alat grumbled slightly. -Fine. Yes. That thing is devilishly difficult.-
Cerdai also made an interesting claim.
That got Talas attention. Oh?
He said that the void magics in your equipment should allow the absorption of this material directly into any item it is present in. He warned that it would likely do nothing for your weapon, except maybe change its color when not in void-form, but your clothing? He was quite sure that it should be integrate-able.
Her eyes widened. With expectant hands, she pressed the ingot to the sleeve of her left arm.
Nothing happened.
Thron cleared his throat. He did say that you would have to will the integration, specifically focusing on the void-power within the garments.
Tala grunted and did so. I suppose I shouldnt have it expected to just take in anything that touched it. I really wouldnt want that to begin with.
The metal seemed to liquify, being drawn down into her elk-leathers, where it vanished.
Does this mean? She tried to manipulate the clothing, to make armor, starting with a left vambrace.
White armor blossomed into existence around her left arm, but no more came.
So, Im limited by the mass of metal Ive absorbed? She felt like she could stretch it out some more, but shed specifically focused on it being armor, and so it wouldnt become too thin.
-It seems so.-
The armor itself was a bit odd. It seemed to retain some of its liquid properties.
Tala felt like she could force it into the form of standard plate armor, but the elk-leathers direct connection to her soul, to her will, allowed for something far moreflexible.
As she focused on the garments, she could feel the metal that was a part of it, like a reserve of material, all being utilized at the moment.
So, I cant grow more like I do with the leather. Good to know. She thought for a moment. Seven or eight of these ingots should be enough. To make a full set of armor.
Thankfully, Thron knew she had more than that. I think I told him that I have twelve?
-Yes, yes you did. How do you not know that? You have perfect memory.-
Perfect memory doesnt mean I remember everything all the time. It means I can remember everything, and that is what I was doing, when you supplied the answer, and made it unnecessary.
-Rust me, Im spoiling you.-
No, youre helping.
She quickly pulled out seven more bars and willed them to meld with the elk-leathers.
They melted into the material with ease.
Tala then followed her connection with the elk-leathers and flexed her power and her desire, causing her outfit to change, metal flowing over the surface of her clothing as well as her previously bare skin to cover her completely, even coating her head.
From the outside, she could see through her mirrored perspective. She looked like she had been dipped in metal, fully coated.
She knew it hugged her closely on the inside, but it seems that her desire for armor had influenced the shape, and the exterior was much more uniform, being thicker around her vital areas, leading to a much less nuanced visage.
Thatsdisconcerting. Thron was staring at her, wide-eyed.
It felt odd to move in it, and she was forced to maintain a constant connection and funnel of power into the armor.
She also couldnt breathe, but that wasnt too much of a problem. If she needed to, she could make air holes, or retract it from around her nose or mouth entirely. All the better to exhale destruction with, my dear.Witness the debut of this chapter, unveiled through Ñôv€l--B1n.
-Youre talking to yourself again.-
Im talking to you.
-So, Im your dear?-
Yes, my dear Alat.
Alat snorted within Talas head. -Fine. Have your fun.-
When she tried to withdraw her will, the metal locked into place. It was a terrifying moment before she reestablished constant control.
Gallof leaned back. And were off.
Tala nodded appreciatively. Fantastic inertial isolation. I didnt feel even a hint of movement.
Thron grinned. Wed be in a bad way if it wasnt. We hit full speed in under a second.
What is full speed?
About four hundred miles per hour.
So, just more than eighteen times gravity? That wouldnt have been pleasant, but I dont think Id have died.
-You would probably have died. You would have come back, but it would have been at least a low-level healing across your entire body, and Id bet Id have had to rebuild your mind from nearly scratch. Your brain would definitely have fared the worst.-
Well, Im grateful for the isolation, then. Tala smiled genially.
Indeed. Thron leaned back, pulling out a book.
Gallof and Be-thric did the same, so Tala decided to, as well.
What she really wanted to read was Automata, but doing that in front of the three other passengers would have beenunwise to say the least.
So, instead, she pulled out a random book, and had Alat super-impose Automata overtop of it, based on her memory of scanning through the entire thing.
The no-longer-Io body seemed to be nearing maturation, and Tala wanted to know what she could do with the automaton.
As they flew, Tala felt the reverberation of power coming through the opening and could only imagine the level of magical resonance they were creating outside.
This would be an insane way to travel in the human lands. Can you even imagine?
-Well, if there were squads ready to defend the occupants and cargo upon landing- Alat conveyed uncertainty. -I suppose it would depend on how it looks when we land. Here isnt exactly analogous to home, but it isnt that far off.-
Tala grinned, playing it off like shed read something entertaining. You know, it might be a good way to clear out a region.
-I do think the City Builders lure in all the magical beasts of an area before they start building, purge the lot of them to avoid issues later on.-
Yeah, I remember reading that. How do they make the purging permanent?
-We were going to find out when we visited the city construction sites-
Well get around to that. Tala put a bright spin on her thoughts. She needed to stay positive. This very trip was to arrange for the return to a human city. So, so soon.
-I know. Itll be fun to see.-
The rest of the flight passed rather uneventfully.
After nearly an hour, Be-thric looked up. Be ready. We should be impacting in less than five minutes.
They all put away their books, and Tala cleared her throat. I have a plan for our landing, based on what I understand of the situation and our capabilities.
The other three regarded her in silence, clearly interested in her opinion and plan.
Gallof will make a defensive structure in which Pillar Be-thric will wait out the fight in comfort with Gallof at his side. Thorn should provide a layer of protection overtop the creation, from inside naturally. I will deal with the magical creatures.
Gallof shrugged and began building a working.
The gray mans specialty was larger working, specifically with rock.
Thron cocked his head to the side. Yeah, that seems like a fine plan to me. There really shouldnt be anything above Elder, right?
Be-thric seemed to consider. No, there shouldnt be. Are you sure, my Eskau? We could all deal with the attacking beasts together.
I am sure. This is what I am here for. After a moments thought, Tala added, That said, you all will be locked under stone. Thorn should leave an opening in his defense on the far side of the first enemies we spot. If I get into trouble, Ill come around and cut into the stone. If you sense that, come out and support me.
Assuming I can get enough time to do that sure.
-Hey! That means Terry can fight with us. I think hes been getting bored.-
Be-thric nodded and grinned. That sounds like an excellent plan.
Less than two minutes later, a wave of power washed over them, and Tala found herself standing near the top of a rise in a relatively flat plain, surrounded by splintered wood.
Theres not even a crater from the impact. Fascinating.
A city was partially visible in the distance. And, were just over ten miles from the city, Id guess.
That was some pretty accurate targeting.
Thron, Gallof, and Be-thric stepped over to the side and Gallof released his working, causing a bowl to be hallowed out below them, and a thick dome of stone to grow over top.
It looked almost like a great hemisphere of stone, slowly rotating up out of the ground until it finally met new stone on the other side.
From Talas brief glance, she would bet that it was at least three or four feet thick.
Nicely done, Gallof.
A moment later, Tala saw power that was distinctly Throns wash over the surface, stabilizing and forming a barrier of corrosion.
She walked around the new, mini-fortification and found the gap in the acidic protection on the south-eastern side.
That makes sense, most of the creatures should come from the opposite direction.
In retrospect, assuming that theyd wait until the first creatures were spotted, in order to position the gap had been a bit silly.
Ill learn and have a better plan next time.
-Progress, not perfection. Thats the goal.-
Tala just smiled.
After a deep breath, she walked the dozen or so feet up to the top of the rise and looked around.
I dont detect any far seeing magics or anything else indicating observers.
-Neither do I.-
Tala saw the first magical beasts approaching from the surrounding lands. Theyll be here in less than a minute.
Most were coming from the north-west, along their flightpath.
With a smile, Tala opened Kit, looking down into it as she spoke. Hey, Terry! Want to do some hunting?
Chapter 239: An Excellent PlanTala and Thron finished their larger-than-usual meal, chatting about small things.As Tala finished up her portion and Thron nursed his third tankard of acid, they finally came back around to more serious topics.The dwarf started, I did finally find an artificer who was able to give me more than platitudes and generalities about the white metal from that guilds hold.So, you finally got an appointment with Cerdai? Tala grinned. That was the artificer whod helped combine the void-sword with Flow.Thron quirked a smile in return. Yeah. He really does seem to be the best.So, what did you learn?Its an unknown alloy that responds to magic and will-power to change state and shape without the need for heat or outside force.He pulled out the bar that she had given him. As he held it, Tala saw his magic move through it, and it changed form, lengthening into that of a crude sword.It acts like an infused item, but without any spell-lines either forced or naturally imbued. It simply works this way by nature. It can be made harder or more durable. It cant really be flexible without joints, and I dont have the mastery to make something articulated. It seems to be its own skill, similar to aura, power, or will control, while being distinct from them.Fascinating. Tala reached out and pulled a bar of the metal from the air. Thanks, Kit.If integrated into items, it can theoretically have preset states that it will return to, allowing for self-repair without the need of a will to guide the shaping.Huh, I dont suppose I ever left one of the automata alone with an injury long enough for it to heal.-Yeah, you pretty much destroyed them once you engaged them. Except Io.-Except Io, but Io was so different in all regards that I thought that its self-repair was a feature of the more advanced model rather than the metal itself.Tala focused on the bar in her hand and tried to push power into it. She felt meta-physical pathways with the metal, that were similar to those in her elk-leathers and in Flow, but they seemedless defined? Rather than forest paths each leading off in a different direction, they seemed like a prairie after the passage of a herd.The paths crisscrossed back and forth in seemingly random patterns, while all generally moving in a similar direction.Fascinating.-Well, we can begin experimenting with it. It would be good for our overall control.-I knew you hated the magic-nest as much as I did!Alat grumbled slightly. -Fine. Yes. That thing is devilishly difficult.-Cerdai also made an interesting claim.That got Talas attention. Oh?He said that the void magics in your equipment should allow the absorption of this material directly into any item it is present in. He warned that it would likely do nothing for your weapon, except maybe change its color when not in void-form, but your clothing? He was quite sure that it should be integrate-able.Her eyes widened. With expectant hands, she pressed the ingot to the sleeve of her left arm.Nothing happened.Thron cleared his throat. He did say that you would have to will the integration, specifically focusing on the void-power within the garments.Tala grunted and did so. I suppose I shouldnt have it expected to just take in anything that touched it. I really wouldnt want that to begin with.The metal seemed to liquify, being drawn down into her elk-leathers, where it vanished.Does this mean? She tried to manipulate the clothing, to make armor, starting with a left vambrace.White armor blossomed into existence around her left arm, but no more came.So, Im limited by the mass of metal Ive absorbed? She felt like she could stretch it out some more, but shed specifically focused on it being armor, and so it wouldnt become too thin.-It seems so.-The armor itself was a bit odd. It seemed to retain some of its liquid properties.Tala felt like she could force it into the form of standard plate armor, but the elk-leathers direct connection to her soul, to her will, allowed for something far moreflexible.As she focused on the garments, she could feel the metal that was a part of it, like a reserve of material, all being utilized at the moment.So, I cant grow more like I do with the leather. Good to know. She thought for a moment. Seven or eight of these ingots should be enough. To make a full set of armor.Thankfully, Thron knew she had more than that. I think I told him that I have twelve?-Yes, yes you did. How do you not know that? You have perfect memory.-Perfect memory doesnt mean I remember everything all the time. It means I can remember everything, and that is what I was doing, when you supplied the answer, and made it unnecessary.-Rust me, Im spoiling you.-No, youre helping.She quickly pulled out seven more bars and willed them to meld with the elk-leathers.They melted into the material with ease.Tala then followed her connection with the elk-leathers and flexed her power and her desire, causing her outfit to change, metal flowing over the surface of her clothing as well as her previously bare skin to cover her completely, even coating her head.From the outside, she could see through her mirrored perspective. She looked like she had been dipped in metal, fully coated.She knew it hugged her closely on the inside, but it seems that her desire for armor had influenced the shape, and the exterior was much more uniform, being thicker around her vital areas, leading to a much less nuanced visage.Thatsdisconcerting. Thron was staring at her, wide-eyed.It felt odd to move in it, and she was forced to maintain a constant connection and funnel of power into the armor.She also couldnt breathe, but that wasnt too much of a problem. If she needed to, she could make air holes, or retract it from around her nose or mouth entirely. All the better to exhale destruction with, my dear.Witness the debut of this chapter, unveiled through Novl--B1n.-Youre talking to yourself again.-Im talking to you.-So, Im your dear?-Yes, my dear Alat.Alat snorted within Talas head. -Fine. Have your fun.-When she tried to withdraw her will, the metal locked into place. It was a terrifying moment before she reestablished constant control.Gallof leaned back. And were off.Tala nodded appreciatively. Fantastic inertial isolation. I didnt feel even a hint of movement.Thron grinned. Wed be in a bad way if it wasnt. We hit full speed in under a second.What is full speed?About four hundred miles per hour.So, just more than eighteen times gravity? That wouldnt have been pleasant, but I dont think Id have died.-You would probably have died. You would have come back, but it would have been at least a low-level healing across your entire body, and Id bet Id have had to rebuild your mind from nearly scratch. Your brain would definitely have fared the worst.-Well, Im grateful for the isolation, then. Tala smiled genially.Indeed. Thron leaned back, pulling out a book.Gallof and Be-thric did the same, so Tala decided to, as well.What she really wanted to read was Automata, but doing that in front of the three other passengers would have beenunwise to say the least.So, instead, she pulled out a random book, and had Alat super-impose Automata overtop of it, based on her memory of scanning through the entire thing.The no-longer-Io body seemed to be nearing maturation, and Tala wanted to know what she could do with the automaton.As they flew, Tala felt the reverberation of power coming through the opening and could only imagine the level of magical resonance they were creating outside.This would be an insane way to travel in the human lands. Can you even imagine?-Well, if there were squads ready to defend the occupants and cargo upon landing- Alat conveyed uncertainty. -I suppose it would depend on how it looks when we land. Here isnt exactly analogous to home, but it isnt that far off.-Tala grinned, playing it off like shed read something entertaining. You know, it might be a good way to clear out a region.-I do think the City Builders lure in all the magical beasts of an area before they start building, purge the lot of them to avoid issues later on.-Yeah, I remember reading that. How do they make the purging permanent?-We were going to find out when we visited the city construction sites-Well get around to that. Tala put a bright spin on her thoughts. She needed to stay positive. This very trip was to arrange for the return to a human city. So, so soon.-I know. Itll be fun to see.-The rest of the flight passed rather uneventfully.After nearly an hour, Be-thric looked up. Be ready. We should be impacting in less than five minutes.They all put away their books, and Tala cleared her throat. I have a plan for our landing, based on what I understand of the situation and our capabilities.The other three regarded her in silence, clearly interested in her opinion and plan.Gallof will make a defensive structure in which Pillar Be-thric will wait out the fight in comfort with Gallof at his side. Thorn should provide a layer of protection overtop the creation, from inside naturally. I will deal with the magical creatures.Gallof shrugged and began building a working.The gray mans specialty was larger working, specifically with rock.Thron cocked his head to the side. Yeah, that seems like a fine plan to me. There really shouldnt be anything above Elder, right?Be-thric seemed to consider. No, there shouldnt be. Are you sure, my Eskau? We could all deal with the attacking beasts together.I am sure. This is what I am here for. After a moments thought, Tala added, That said, you all will be locked under stone. Thorn should leave an opening in his defense on the far side of the first enemies we spot. If I get into trouble, Ill come around and cut into the stone. If you sense that, come out and support me.Assuming I can get enough time to do that sure.-Hey! That means Terry can fight with us. I think hes been getting bored.-Be-thric nodded and grinned. That sounds like an excellent plan.Less than two minutes later, a wave of power washed over them, and Tala found herself standing near the top of a rise in a relatively flat plain, surrounded by splintered wood.Theres not even a crater from the impact. Fascinating.A city was partially visible in the distance. And, were just over ten miles from the city, Id guess.That was some pretty accurate targeting.Thron, Gallof, and Be-thric stepped over to the side and Gallof released his working, causing a bowl to be hallowed out below them, and a thick dome of stone to grow over top.It looked almost like a great hemisphere of stone, slowly rotating up out of the ground until it finally met new stone on the other side.From Talas brief glance, she would bet that it was at least three or four feet thick.Nicely done, Gallof.A moment later, Tala saw power that was distinctly Throns wash over the surface, stabilizing and forming a barrier of corrosion.She walked around the new, mini-fortification and found the gap in the acidic protection on the south-eastern side.That makes sense, most of the creatures should come from the opposite direction.In retrospect, assuming that theyd wait until the first creatures were spotted, in order to position the gap had been a bit silly.Ill learn and have a better plan next time.-Progress, not perfection. Thats the goal.-Tala just smiled.After a deep breath, she walked the dozen or so feet up to the top of the rise and looked around.I dont detect any far seeing magics or anything else indicating observers.-Neither do I.-Tala saw the first magical beasts approaching from the surrounding lands. Theyll be here in less than a minute.Most were coming from the north-west, along their flightpath.With a smile, Tala opened Kit, looking down into it as she spoke. Hey, Terry! Want to do some hunting?
