Hope

As the end of Irwyn’s first month back in Ebon Respite approached, another curious duo had come to their camp. This one rather less frightening to the average soldier it seemed, given they had bothered coming through the checkpoints and did not wear mystery like a veil. After briefly talking with Elizabeth they withdrew into one of the compound's corners and began to erect some kind of a platform.

“Do you want an explanation?” Alice spoke from behind Irwyn who was watching the two with a frown.

“You know what they are doing at a glance?” he did not look away. “One of them is a Realm mage, building. The second is just standing around for the moment. Obviously, they will do something at some point. Enchantments? I cannot perceive their element.”

“Time,” she said.

“You can feel that?” Irwyn frowned further. The mage had an iron grip in their mana. Irwyn could barely catch a trace. Perhaps the girl could with her own affinity lying in that direction but it seemed like a stretch.

“No, but it’s obvious,” Alice explained. “They are building a teleportation platform.”

“Oh,” Irwyn paused. “Is that needed?”

“Much safer than a portal, much less intrusive than direct displacement,” she nodded. “It swaps the Space above two different platforms, simplistically put. What matters is that it doesn’t need to flood everything with intrusive mana or risk portal-related complications.”

“Could you not just do that regularly?” Irwyn finally turned to her.

“It’s much harder than it sounds,” she shook her head. “Besides being about three orders of magnitude more mana intensive, the finesse needed to cast such spells on the fly… Saying I will have achieved that by the end of conception would get me called a hopeless optimist by most peers.”

“Not impossible, just impractically hard,” Irwyn nodded in understanding.

“Summary of all complex magic,” she chuckled. “That being said, I am hoping I might be able to glean something from seeing the spell inscribed into the stone - so I came to look.”

“Do you want to see the enchantments cast then?”

“No, just feel the flow of magic if I can. Most of the runecraft has already been done by the Realm mage deep within the stone,” Alice shook her head. “Presumably, all of it has a blueprint. They must have done this a hundred times at least since the Lich war was announced. The Time mage will just do the finishing touches that cannot be completed with mundane geometry, then start up the spells. These platforms usually run for years at a time or until maintenance is needed. Each is designed to bypass Finity.”

“I can imagine they would be in high demand during a Lich war,” Irwyn pointed out.

“What an understatement,” she snorted. “If not for Elizabeth, this camp would not have reached the top of the waiting list by the end of three Wars. In the first place, probably only the lieutenants will have the opportunity to even use it. I expect most will go to City Black for their time off.”

“Elizabeth had mentioned that,” Irwyn nodded. “I presume it will lead only to the capital?”

“Yes, the Beacon cuts the cost to a fraction of a fraction. This close to City Black even an average intention mage will be able to operate it with a bit of specialized training. Well, not really operate, more like keep functional.”

“Like you?” Irwyn noted.

“Far from average but ugh, you are right,” she grimaced. “I will probably be made to maintain it and check for tampering before every use. Trecha is not bad but he learned the hard way. That means he won’t be able to make head or tails of this.”

“The hard way?” Irwyn asked, dubious.

“He got where he is through years of effort, dedication, and relentless study,” Alice nodded. “Which means his talent is meager. He can only understand what he knows - what he has already learned. Meanwhile, talents like us can glimpse something more when we look. I can somewhat intuit when a Time spell is wrong, even if it is far beyond my ability in principle. You and Elizabeth are most likely the same in your own elements.”

“I suppose,” Irwyn nodded. He could not think of a specific example from the top of his head but he could not deny he certainly perceived some things most mages didn’t.

“Suppose, huh,” she rolled her eyes. “You sell yourself too short.”

“Humility is not a bad trait,” Irwyn hummed. “And I am not really that humble, just polite.”

“I wish I could test that ‘humility’ at some point,” she replied. “Unfortunately, I will not be able to leave camp if I end up being the only person who can maintain the platform. Elizabeth said she had already reserved a dueling room for you two while I will be stuck here.”

“Yes, she had also mentioned that,” Irwyn nodded. Not the exact detail about the sparing but what else were they going to do in City Black?

“How are you not keeping track of that?” she frowned at him. “I have had my time off marked down since basically the day I woke up from the stupor. You are just, what, vaguely aware you will be free at some point?”

“Scheduling has never been my strong suit,” Irwyn paused, feeling a bit defensive. “Just tell me where to be and when. I am not really doing anything that cannot be postponed most of the time anyway.”

“Unbelievable,” she scoffed. “You know, I used to memorize my schedule a month in advance most of the time and did my best to keep up with it.”

“Did you have a lot to do in Steelmire?” Irwyn cautiously asked since she herself brought the topic up, though Alice’s ring seemed to thankfully be working.

“Mostly training, learning, then training disguised as games,” she smiled slightly. “But that was not the point. The point was making it a habit that I would always know when and what I intended to do.”

“I suppose I am much too whimsical for that,” Irwyn shrugged.

“Whimsical, sure,” Alice snorted.

“What?”

“You are too logical to be called that,” she said. “Whims imply randomness, flights of fancy. I have only ever seen you do things for a reason.”

“I am literally standing here because I got curious about the two strangers,” Irwyn pointed out the clear fallacy.

“Curiosity can be reason enough,” she agreed instead. “And you are not curious about two strangers. You are curious about two powerful mages. You know there is a difference.”

“I am sure you have a perfect grasp on my character from the few meetings,” Irwyn frowned.

“My grandpa taught me to look at actions rather than people. You have shown enough for a good guess,” she shrugged. “Anyway, it is beginning.”

And indeed, the Time mage was stepping up. A large platform had been raised by the Realm mage, though too small to justify the time it took them. Presumably, the fortifications and inner workings were deceivingly complex. When the Time mage started up Irwyn did try to grasp something… then gave up after a minute of barely being able to perceive the mana at work. One glance at Alice told him she was focused on something, so Irwyn left her to it and went to see Elizabeth. He really should figure out what day his vacation would be - for all he did very little actual work.

It was over two weeks later that their first ‘time off’ came about. Irwyn had even inquired about the exact date after his chat with Alice. It was a bit over a month since their arrival, which Elizabeth explained with the need to not leave their camp short staffed - the company’s lieutenants had indeed used the teleportation platform’s utility to spend their time off in City Black and had done so before the young prodigies who had first arrived days after them.

Alice was also indeed put in charge of maintaining it. Or, more accurately, making sure it was still in proper shape since actually tampering with the platform remained beyond her. She was also wearing the biggest scowl Irwyn had ever seen on her face.

“It’s giving me a brutal headache,” she explained when he broached the topic. She was already leaning over the platform, prodding it with her mana.

“Her Soul is trying to grasp magic that the physical body cannot,” Elizabeth confirmed what Irwyn already suspected. Elizabeth of all people had plentiful experience with that phenomenon. “It is exactly that which lets her tell whether anything is wrong with the spell though.”

“A thankless task,” Alice muttered. “And I cannot even go to the City since no one else can do it.”

“Then she is not the one teleporting us,” Irwyn noted.

“The arrays inside the platform do most of the directing and supply a smidgen of magic,” Elizabeth nodded. “The rest is taken care of on the other side.”

“I could operate it, if you let me,” Alice looked up from the platform. “Everything is in order. Now excuse me, I will go die in my bed over the next few hours.”

“No painkillers?” Irwyn wondered once she departed and they stepped on.

“Those are ill-advised,” Elizabeth shook her head. “There are cases in these situations when the brain retains something it really should not have. That will make the pain and negative effects gradually worse but it also lets you know there is a problem. If you numb the pain you may very well miss the signs until it’s too late.”

“Did that not cause issues during your long… sickness,” Irwyn carefully inquired. The cause of that had, after all, been exactly what Alice was experiencing.

“I was receiving some of the best healing this Duchy has to offer, Irwyn,” she smiled wanly. “For all diagnosis eluded for years, there were very few ways I could have actually died. The boundary between technically still alive and dead is multitudes wider than most realize.”

“I see,” Irwyn nodded unsure what to say. Then changed topic. “The platform will just activate?”

“We have a few minutes before our time slot,” she nodded. “Scheduling is rather tight with the Lich war.”

“Any more major battles?” Irwyn asked. “I have only heard of the one you showed us.”

“A few skirmishes,” she nodded. “All of them against ambushed forces the Federation found hiding around somewhere. On the other hand there are reports of small settlements and companies disappearing from all the Duchies. Much of the countryside is being evacuated closer to major military instalments now.”

“Isn’t placing so many people in one place counterproductive?” Irwyn questioned.

“There is no quantity of lesser undead that can breach a proper fortress,” Elizabeth shook her head. “And should the normal people be caught up in the War, it is far preferable if that happens within line of sight and range of artillery. Denying the necromancers biomass and large quantities of souls is as important as deterring them from attacking populations – they can make much more dangerous things if they have Time as well as resources.”

“Makes sense,” Irwyn said hesitantly. That had not been the direction in his mind, though it was sound in a cold logical way. That was followed by a short lull in the conversation during which Irwyn felt mana finally gathering and shifting beneath their feet.

“It’s here,” Elizabeth affirmed. The next moment they stood on a different yet familiar platform inside City Black. Elizabeth did not so much look at the staff as she stepped ahead. They had to go through a short hallway which split into many other such platforms towards the Voidways entrance by a main lobby of sorts.

“Duel first,” she said as they stepped into the privacy of that endless corridor.

“Are we not early?” Irwyn asked. They had departed sooner than originally expected.

“Not overly so,” she shook her head. “Like before the Exenn, a vacancy is likely. Even if not we can wait.”

“Fair enough,” Irwyn nodded. They spoke for a bit more before reaching their destination, Elizabeth once again knowing exactly which door led where they wanted to go with unerring certainty. The lobby they arrived in was becoming rather familiar to Irwyn after several visits. The heiress was about to find a staff member and inquire when they were interrupted.

“Ah, Elizabeth,” a voice sounded from behind them. “Good thing I managed to catch you.”

“Johnson,” Elizabeth’s gaze snapped to it, clearly recognizing the man. A strange title and name, though the way of address suggested familiarity. Johnson was clothed in a simple light blue robe and wore a truly grand beard. “I was not expecting to see you here.”

“I wasn't sure I would make it,” the man nodded. “It would have been uncouth to arrange a meeting, then not arrive. Helping in Abonisle has been taking up most of my time.”

“In Abonisle of all places,” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “What would you even be doing there?”

“Plenty of work to conduct following an incursion,” the man chuckled, curling the forementioned beard. “And both Elanoir and Ebapell have been stationed there to help with the recovery efforts. Your mother wanted me to ensure their well-being.”

Irwyn frowned, trying to remember if he had heard those names and coming up blank. Elizabeth noticed and answered the unasked question. “My older siblings. Second and fourth in seniority.”

“Ah, but how rude of me. You must be Irwyn,” the doctor looked over. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Doctor John Johnson, a fellow retainer of house Blackburg.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Irwyn reassured as he shot Elizabeth a questioning glance.

“Doctor Johson has been my mother’s and then her childrens’ family healer for many decades,” she explained. “You may have met him sooner had he answered my requests during your bout of sickness.”

“Ah, yes, that was indeed regrettable,” the man nodded, turning to Irwyn. “Allow me to apologize. I have been in a strict information quarantine zone for the entire duration of your ailment. Otherwise, I would not have missed the opportunity to properly examine someone like you.”

“No need to worry. I know better than to feel entitled to anyone’s Time,” Irwyn replied politely.

“Alas, it still pains me to miss such an opportunity,” the man shook his head with visible regret in his visage. “Hopefully another opportunity will present itself.”

“I would rather not be sick in the nearby future,” Irwyn hesitantly said.

“The likeliness of you being in need of care again at some point is still quite significant, is it not?” Johnson smiled. “At that time it would be preferable if I had the leeway and was within reach. Just at a cursory glance, you are biologically fascinating, Irwyn.”

“Thank you?”

“You wanted to meet me for a reason,” Elizabeth interrupted.

“Ah, yes, sorry, my mind wanders,” Johnson nodded, reaching into the bag by his side. “I have come to deliver the material manifestation of my sincere regret.”

“Which is?” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow as Johnson kept rummaging in his bag for several more seconds.

“I swear it was right here somewhere,” the man was frowning at that point. “Ah, my mistake. Irwyn if you would step closer?”

“Of course?” Irwyn hesitated though Elizabeth gave him a nod which brought him the courage to push through the strangeness.

Some of that dissipated as Johnson quite literally reached behind Irwyn’s ear the next moment. “There it is!” the man pronounced with a smile, withdrawing the hand that was holding a ring. Forged from emerald-coloured metal with an eye like jewel. Irwyn was more focused on the fact that he had felt not so much as a smidgen of mana despite it happening so close to his skin.

“I see. Thank you,” Irwyn tried to not let his confusion seep into the sentence.

“Honestly, children used to love these kinds of things,” Johnson shook his head.

“We may be a few years too old for that, doctor,” Elizabeth suggested. There was a hint of amusement in it though, likely at Irwyn’s expense. “17 to be exact.”

“Are you sure you are that old,” the doctor frowned at Irwyn.

“I know nothing that would suggest otherwise,” Irwyn raised an eyebrow.

“Ah, my mistake I suppose,” Johnso shook his head. “You truly are anomalous. Tell me, did you go through something extremely unusual nine years ago?”

“Doctor, now may not be the best time for an interrogation,” Elizabeth interrupted. “The ring?”

“Yes, yes, at a later date then,” Johnson sighed. “The rings is my answer to your unfortunate lack of proper equipment, Irwyn. A fine work by all means, especially given I could only work on it in my free time.”

“The ring to enhance my cognitive ability,” Irwyn’s eyes widened slightly in sudden anticipation. Elizabeth had promised she would request a better one for him.

“Were you not busy in Abonisle?” Elizabeth questioned, though more curious than heated.

“I was quite occupied by needing to be there in case I was needed,” he nodded. “Not so much so that I could not work on a side project. Go on, try it on.”

“All right then,” Irwyn nodded, made sure Elizabeth did not protest, then put the ring on.

The power of it was incomparable to the one Old Crow had given him. Irwyn found his thoughts racing at speeds beyond anything in the past. The leap – yes, a proper leap this time – was almost staggering in its potency. Yet like the weaker ring it did not run into any issues with overwhelming his ability to adjust to faster thoughts.

“How is it,” Johnson asked with a smile. His gaze however was locked onto Irwyn with incredible intensity.

“Incredible,” Irwyn gaped for breath. “This has to be something around... 50 percent?”

“That is too high,” Elizabeth immediately frowned, turning to Johnson. “What did you do?”

“Just made a small guess,” the man grinned, not looking away from studying Irwyn’s expression. “I merely estimated that Irwyn’s Soul outpaces his body to an absurd degree from the information given to me. Therefore, instead of wasting any of the ring’s power on enhancing or protecting the soul as most such items do, I completely devoted it towards the flesh. Well, grey matter in this case.”

“What if you had been wrong?” Irwyn had to ask.

“Well, there is a reason I delivered it personally,” the man laughed. “Worry not, Irwyn, the last time a patient of mine suffered permanent damage or death was over two centuries ago.”

“You also take very few patients,” Elizabeth pointed out with a slight frown.

“It would not do to admit in any lost causes and stain my record,” Johnson nodded. “Though there was really no need to worry. I would have been well prepared for even the worst-case scenario of self-perpetuating synaptic collapse.”

“Is it even safe to use when you are not around,” Irwyn asked, frowning. He did not like even the implication that it could have gone wrong.

“The only question was whether the foundational hypothesis was correct,” Johnson explained. “I would advice against using it if you sustain severe spiritual injuries. Otherwise, it is even safer than most other items of the kind.”

“I see, thank you for the gift then,” Irwyn gingerly took the ring off. Either way, he would heed Elizabeth’s advice and use such items scarcely rather than become reliant on it. The exact circumstance only added to his caution.

“Alas, for all I enjoy the chitchat I must hurry away,” Johnson sighed. “If we ever find ourselves in the same room again, I would be happy to speak more. Bye for now.”

“Goodbye…” Irwyn said but by the time his words left his mouth Johnson was already gone. He had moved with that completely uncanny speed of very powerful mages. Domain at least, most likely. Irwyn could feel nothing throughout the conversation though. “That was certainly an encounter.”

“Johnson can be a bit… particular, yes,” Elizabeth nodded.

“You seemed well acquainted,” Irwyn noted.

“He has been my family’s physician since before my eldest brother was born,” Elizabeth nodded. “Johnson has also spent much time keeping me alive through my sickness and was eventually the one who made the connection to its cause. The exact how is a longer story but I am - despite his personality and loyalty to my mother - reasonably fond of the man.”

“Why ‘doctor’ though,” Irwyn mused. “I have read the term used in the past - and presume it means healer - but not once since stepping into mage society.”

“It is a title from the North, outside the Federation,” Elizabeth nodded. “Not often used here, though it is practically synonymous with healer or physician.”

“Is Johnson from there then?” Irwyn wondered.

“Apparently he had been born in the Duchy of Green, then decided to spend some Time away from the Federation. There he was being employed by my mother’s old family and ended up following her to the Duchy of Black when she made the move. I only know the roughest shape of everything but both my parents seem to trust him implicitly despite all the eccentricities. That likely means a lot of manipulation and impregnable oaths are involved.”

“And what does he get from it?” Irwyn asked. “He seemed powerful enough by himself.”

“Protection of House Blackburg? Funding, probably. Johnson supposedly spends much of his time on ‘personal research’ though I was never privy as to what that entails.”

“He certainly seemed curious,” Irwyn nodded. “Experimentally inclined, even.”

“Johnson definitely up-played the risks,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Irwyn’s implication. “He is still the healer my mother sends to all my siblings and me. Such a person cannot be prone to recklessness with his patients, as few of them as there are.”

“I hope you will excuse that my first impression is still not the fondest,” Irwyn sighed.

“He can grow on you with time,” Elizabeth smiled. “Anyway, we did come here to duel, did we not?”

“And coincidentally we are no longer early, are we?” Irwyn mused with a smile. He had been looking forward to it.