A Bright and Shiny Life

I rush excitedly to the nexus centre and study group but stop short upon glancing upon a subset of said study group talking in a hushed but frantic manner with an unknown figure – a lean boy with short wavy bright blue hair garbed in mage robes – in a shady corner. I think I heard their voices faintly before seeing them, otherwise I would not have spotted them in their hiding spot.

Adrian and Erik are missing but the rest – Ser Terry, Emily and Clara – are present.

They don't spot me, so I make to leave them to their business but stop when I hear Clara mention my name.

"Are you sure you don't want to bring Malichi into this? You two seem close and he's rather capable."

Ser Terry speaks. "He's… acquainted with Bart."

"Ah, I see," Clara says with a wry tone, "you're afraid he might not choose you."

"Eh," Ser Terry responds, "it's more that I don't think it'd be fair to ask him to choose." He says, but there's a trace of tension that suggests she's right.

Intrigued at the chance insight into all the mystery surrounding Terry, I slink off to my own dark corner to cast concealment then creep back into listening range. Fortunately, it seems that Emily or the new mage lacks enhanced hearing and so they're forced to whisper loudly enough for me to make the words out at a safe distance.

Really if whatever they're talking about is secret enough to whisper in a dark corner then they should have taken better precautions – a private room at the least. Though they do have the sense to speak of their subject in cryptic reference, or at least I assume as much as I did miss some of the conversation while casting the spell.

"And you're certain it's in the capital," Ser Terry asks the new boy, "that seems unlikely. Suspiciously convenient even."

"Hey!" the new mage protests a little loudly, "it's me Terry; when have I ever steered you wrong? If I say it's here, then it's here. Though um… we have to get it tonight."

"Tonight?" Terry asks. "That's decidedly less convenient."

"Yeah, well um, you know how it is, some bullshit magic thing or another limiting passage."

"Says the mage whose job it is to handle the bullshit magic things," Clara says sceptically.

"Well, yeah, that's how you know it's really bullshit. If a knight calls something bullshit magic, then they're probably just ignorant." Clara glares causing him to smile innocently.

Bullshit magic thing tonight… he's probably talking about the lunar congruence…

"Are you referring to the lunar congruence?" Emily asks as I complete the thought.

The figure stares at her assessing then smiles wryly. "Yeah, I guess Terry didn't just pick you for your pretty face/nature breaking magic."

Emily continues as if impassive but clearly means it as a jab. "But hasn't that been going on for the last two days? Why do we have to go tonight rather than over the weekend when it would have been more convenient?"

"Er, well, you see um… Okay, I admit I only learned about it today. But hey, last day is still on time, right?"

"Yeah." Ser Terry says firmly before anyone else can speak. "So where is it, exactly?"

The new boy grins as if the information is some grand joke. "In the mausoleum of Archmage Galvium of course!"

"…Isn't that open to the public?" Clara asks.

"Oh, you're familiar? I didn't think you'd be interested in magical architecture..." The boy grins sardonically.

"It makes sense." Emily cuts off a response. "Most of the symbols in that place have obvious functions, but about ten per cent are baffling. Something to do with the unavailing of time and distance but I couldn't figure out what since it's clearly not a straightforward teleportation effect as it's far too small of an array for that."

She understates: Any teleportation array in history has been single-use enchantments the size of a city section and used enough gold and other precious material to bankrupt most kingdoms. It seems the Eye is content to allow us the effect in theory, but never in practice save for its few favoured lunatics.

"Yeah," the boy nods, "well I figured out the time part as being limited to certain astrological events of which the lunar convergence is one – specifically we'll need to meet there about an hour before midnight to do all the prep. The distance negation part is more… uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable?" Terry asks, uncertain how the descriptor could apply.

"… I'm half certain it siphons a god's domain."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The uncomfortable silence somehow seems to extend to the rest of the public area where people are merrily chatting. A god's domain? What could they possibly be looking for?

"… Well, that doesn't really change our need to go." Ser Terry states.

"Yeah," the boy chimes, "gotta get it before the opposition and all that."

"You're certain?" Emilly asks. "I mean going into a domain tainted space… Even if it's only partially aspected, whatever god associated with it could easily do a whole lot of unpleasant stuff to us that would be too costly to do in the mundane."

"You're welcome to stay behind." Ser Terry says, not in a rebuking tone though she seems to take it as such. "You don't have reason to be as committed as the rest of us; if you're going to back out it's best you do so now before you get in too deep."

She scoffs. "And miss out on the most exciting and important events I'm likely to have in my life? No, I'm not saying don't go, just figure out which god we'll be trespassing on before we do. You know, maybe if they'll curse us pro forma for the affront or if you guys have already angered them in your romp around the countryside? Maybe try to appease them?"

Ser Terry considers this with a reasonable nod and looks to the boy. "When is the next astrological event that'll grant passage?"

"Five months." The boy says without hesitation.

Ser Terry looks back to Emily. "Then you two have until an hour before midnight to figure it out, because one way or another we're going in tonight."

Emily sighs. "I guess this means I'm skipping study group."

Clara laughs. "As if you need it."

Emily smiles. "Well, probably not, but I would hate it if the Viscount threw in another impossible question only for Adrian and Malichi to get it without me. It would be so annoying if I fell behind those two."

"Not Denton and the Princep?" Clara asks, teasing.

Emily shrugs. "I don't know Denton and the princep is already annoying. I mean, did any of you think he took the class because he was good at it and not just to meet the famous war hero?"

A slight chuckle from Clarra and Terry, and a confused look from the boy. Ser Terry speaks, "Well, we know what we're going to do. We better get back before they wonder about us. See you two tonight."

I don't wait for them to disperse to rush to the Nexus Centre still under concealment. I need to arrive before them so they don't wonder what took me so long. I slow to a brisk walk just outside the room and drop concealment as I enter.

I spot Adrian et al almost instantly near the table we sat by last time. "Hey, where are the others?" I lie on approach.

"They spotted someone they needed to talk to," Erik explains, seemingly not catching my deception. "I didn't recognize him, did you?" He turns to Adrian.

They shake no. "Odd that – they seemed rather distinctive."

"Huh, someone you don't know. How unusual," I remark half attentively as I sit down, order some food and mime going over the new assignment.

I don't even try to focus, my mind going over the eavesdropped conversation. They're looking for something and so is Bart, and it – whatever it is – is important enough to be hidden in a god's domain. It sounds very interesting, not to mention a potential tool for my mission.

Moreover, it's finally a hint to Terry's mysterious supposed family.

As enticing as that is, it's also the sole cause of hesitancy for my prying into the matter. After all, despite suddenly being close enough to Emily to include her (When did that even happen? They certainly weren't that close at the party) I'm certain he would include me too if he wanted to.

…It stings a little. I mean, I understand not trusting me because of my association with Bart, I'd probably not trust me too. But Ser Terry isn't like me, he's not suspicious enough by far for someone engaged in plots involving the domains of gods… or just the one I suppose. But why not take another risk if he really thinks we're friends?

Besides, it was definitely a mistake not to include me if only because of how lousy their operational security is. Just whispering in a dark corner? That sort of lackadaisical attitude I'd expect from Emily and her sheltered upbringing where her greatest concern is her parents cutting off her allowance, but Ser Terry has shed blood – his or other's I do not know. It's astounding that he thought that place secure enough without magical concealment.

Bart would never be so lax. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if his organization resembled the resistance: Cells with limited knowledge of each other; the left hand not knowing what the right is doing.

So, Terry clearly needs me… but was he right not to trust me? I mean, not as much as Ser Terry, but I am fond of Bart. Despite knowing that he almost certainly will try to blackmail me should he get the chance, I find his general attitude refreshing.

If I had to choose between the two, kill one, could I do it or would I hesitate fatally?

Ser Terry interrupts my thoughts with his appearance with Clara in tow. "Emily had something come up suddenly," he explains as he sits.

"That's okay, we'll be sure to jump ahead of her while she's busy." I smile; playfully?

Ser Terry has a brief questioning glint in his eye and I instantly regret my words, or rather tone. Why did I do that? Hint at knowledge I shouldn't have?

"So, what did you have to talk with the teacher about?" Ser Terry asks.

"Oh, um… I've been invited to her research group." I can't believe I'd forgotten, though I suppose it's to be expected after learning one's friends are meddling in the affairs of gods without you.

Friends?... Yeah, I suppose I can include all of them in that category to some extent.

"Really?" Ser Terry says, stunned, "that's…"

"Astounding." Adrian finishes for him.

"Yeah, well," I scratch my head slightly flustered by their reactions, "I suspect it's half to do with the Headteacher finding me equal parts irritating and amusing."

"And the other half?" Erik says, oddly serious as usual.

"Why," I smile, "my natural ability of course. I am rather good at applied divination after all."

They're all charmed by my displayed hubris, though they dutifully pretend otherwise.

"Well," Ser Terry says, shifting to a warm smile, "congratulations, you deserve it." There's a trace of relief in his face, or rather release; from guilt? Does he no longer feel conflicted now that he knows I have my own special club to busy myself with?

This, more than anything, removes my indecision.

"Thanks," I say, not letting him know that I noticed. "It'll keep me busy, but I'm certain I can manage… Well, better focus on the assignment – I don't want to fall behind lest she change her mind after all."

I force myself not to think of my resolution to prevent its appearance on my face. It's not until after I excuse myself to attend my mandatory irregular lecture that I dare finalize my thoughts. Every consideration tells me to secretly follow them tonight: Most importantly whatever they're doing could benefit the mission, it may enlighten some of the mystery surrounding Ser Terry, I may be able to arbitrate between two people whom I am fond of, if not they still obviously need help if only evidenced by my discovering them and… Ser Terrance should not have excluded me.