Chapter 30
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Chapter 30-Interlude
Ezekiel paused in his story, taking in Marissas rapt attention, her quill scratching across the pages of her notebook. What kind of shape is your mindscape in?
Its confusing, Marissa said quietly, quill stilling. Instead of a series of floating islands, its a twisted labyrinth.
I cannot recommend enough someone like Ilore, Ezekiel told her. She was instrumental in restoring my mindscape. Without her, I dont think I wouldve ever been able to reconnect it.
I will do that next time I go, Marissa said with a smile. My mental assistant is a long dead Lich. Shes been helping me explore the labyrinth and defend my center from the monsters that roam it.
You really have a Lich as a mental assistant? Ezekiel asked in surprise.
I do. I had always planned on becoming a Lichit seemed like fun. Id just meant to undo it before I died on Earth. She heaved a great sigh. I guess I didnt get the chance. Lifes like that sometimes. Youre going along and then the next moment youre just dead.
I can drink to that, Ezekiel chuckled.
Whats the point when we cant taste anything? Marissa asked sourly.
Who said we cant taste anything? Ezekiel asked, raising an eyebrow.
You said you couldnt taste anything, she said.
Did you have anything you loved to do before you died? Ezekiel asked.
I used to be a reporter, Marissa said. I worked for a news agency back on Earth. I loved that job, even though it was what got me killed in the end. Digging up stories and recording them, sharing them with others, that was something special.
You could pursue that, Ezekiel said. I can see it now, Marissa. The recorder of all of historythe teller of stories.
That seems a bit much, Marissa said as she tentatively took a sip of the wine.
She let out a long sigh of satisfaction. Wine had been one of her passions. One shed missed since losing her sense of taste. Having it temporarily restored was blissful in a way she didnt know was even possible.
Ezekiel smiled in understanding. When his spell faded, she would go back to the bland, tasteless life hed lived for so long. It was good she had this moment to enjoy the sensation. He could tell her how to overcome it, but some things were best learned on their own. Though he guessed she would pick out how it was done by listening to his tale. Eventually, anyway.
Do you wish for me to continue? Ezekiel asked after several minutes of companionable silence.
Yes, of course. Marissa pulled out her notepad again. I guess if Im going to become a recorder of history, your story can be my first.
It would be my honor, Ezekiel said. Ill be honest, Im going to skip over the winter. Not much happened during that cold, cold winter.
Marissa thought she saw a shadow of something pass behind Ezekiels eyes. She said nothing, letting him keep his secrets. He was being more than gracious with her. There was no need to prod for more than he was willing to share.
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Chapter 30-Interlude
Ezekiel paused in his story, taking in Marissas rapt attention, her quill scratching across the pages of her notebook. What kind of shape is your mindscape in?
Its confusing, Marissa said quietly, quill stilling. Instead of a series of floating islands, its a twisted labyrinth.
I cannot recommend enough someone like Ilore, Ezekiel told her. She was instrumental in restoring my mindscape. Without her, I dont think I wouldve ever been able to reconnect it.
I will do that next time I go, Marissa said with a smile. My mental assistant is a long dead Lich. Shes been helping me explore the labyrinth and defend my center from the monsters that roam it.
You really have a Lich as a mental assistant? Ezekiel asked in surprise.
I do. I had always planned on becoming a Lichit seemed like fun. Id just meant to undo it before I died on Earth. She heaved a great sigh. I guess I didnt get the chance. Lifes like that sometimes. Youre going along and then the next moment youre just dead.
I can drink to that, Ezekiel chuckled.
Whats the point when we cant taste anything? Marissa asked sourly.
Who said we cant taste anything? Ezekiel asked, raising an eyebrow.
You said you couldnt taste anything, she said.
Did you have anything you loved to do before you died? Ezekiel asked.
I used to be a reporter, Marissa said. I worked for a news agency back on Earth. I loved that job, even though it was what got me killed in the end. Digging up stories and recording them, sharing them with others, that was something special.
You could pursue that, Ezekiel said. I can see it now, Marissa. The recorder of all of historythe teller of stories.
That seems a bit much, Marissa said as she tentatively took a sip of the wine.
She let out a long sigh of satisfaction. Wine had been one of her passions. One shed missed since losing her sense of taste. Having it temporarily restored was blissful in a way she didnt know was even possible.
Ezekiel smiled in understanding. When his spell faded, she would go back to the bland, tasteless life hed lived for so long. It was good she had this moment to enjoy the sensation. He could tell her how to overcome it, but some things were best learned on their own. Though he guessed she would pick out how it was done by listening to his tale. Eventually, anyway.
Do you wish for me to continue? Ezekiel asked after several minutes of companionable silence.
Yes, of course. Marissa pulled out her notepad again. I guess if Im going to become a recorder of history, your story can be my first.
It would be my honor, Ezekiel said. Ill be honest, Im going to skip over the winter. Not much happened during that cold, cold winter.
Marissa thought she saw a shadow of something pass behind Ezekiels eyes. She said nothing, letting him keep his secrets. He was being more than gracious with her. There was no need to prod for more than he was willing to share.
Chapter 30-InterludeEzekiel paused in his story, taking in Marissas rapt attention, her quill scratching across the pages of her notebook. What kind of shape is your mindscape in?Its confusing, Marissa said quietly, quill stilling. Instead of a series of floating islands, its a twisted labyrinth.I cannot recommend enough someone like Ilore, Ezekiel told her. She was instrumental in restoring my mindscape. Without her, I dont think I wouldve ever been able to reconnect it.I will do that next time I go, Marissa said with a smile. My mental assistant is a long dead Lich. Shes been helping me explore the labyrinth and defend my center from the monsters that roam it.You really have a Lich as a mental assistant? Ezekiel asked in surprise.I do. I had always planned on becoming a Lichit seemed like fun. Id just meant to undo it before I died on Earth. She heaved a great sigh. I guess I didnt get the chance. Lifes like that sometimes. Youre going along and then the next moment youre just dead.I can drink to that, Ezekiel chuckled.Whats the point when we cant taste anything? Marissa asked sourly.Who said we cant taste anything? Ezekiel asked, raising an eyebrow.You said you couldnt taste anything, she said.Did you have anything you loved to do before you died? Ezekiel asked.I used to be a reporter, Marissa said. I worked for a news agency back on Earth. I loved that job, even though it was what got me killed in the end. Digging up stories and recording them, sharing them with others, that was something special.You could pursue that, Ezekiel said. I can see it now, Marissa. The recorder of all of historythe teller of stories.That seems a bit much, Marissa said as she tentatively took a sip of the wine.She let out a long sigh of satisfaction. Wine had been one of her passions. One shed missed since losing her sense of taste. Having it temporarily restored was blissful in a way she didnt know was even possible.Ezekiel smiled in understanding. When his spell faded, she would go back to the bland, tasteless life hed lived for so long. It was good she had this moment to enjoy the sensation. He could tell her how to overcome it, but some things were best learned on their own. Though he guessed she would pick out how it was done by listening to his tale. Eventually, anyway.Do you wish for me to continue? Ezekiel asked after several minutes of companionable silence.Yes, of course. Marissa pulled out her notepad again. I guess if Im going to become a recorder of history, your story can be my first.It would be my honor, Ezekiel said. Ill be honest, Im going to skip over the winter. Not much happened during that cold, cold winter.Marissa thought she saw a shadow of something pass behind Ezekiels eyes. She said nothing, letting him keep his secrets. He was being more than gracious with her. There was no need to prod for more than he was willing to share.
