Shadow Clone Sorcery (Book 1 complete!)

Reporting to the Shadow Seeker's chapter house proved fruitful.

Lukas turned in a handful of knives and daggers that Eins had forged. The resident appraiser and artisans studied them before approving them as job rewards or mission equipment for newer members. The pay wasn't as high as if Lukas or the clones were to try to sell the pieces themselves or have merchants stock them in their stores. However, the guild was a guaranteed customer with fair pay, and most importantly, they saved on one of their most precious resources: time.

The job boards piqued his interest. Things were far better organized than in the Iskander chapter. The listings were divided by tier requirements and type. Most required venturing out of the city into the wild to investigate and occasionally deal with threats in the mountains or the valley.

The city didn't want monster nests or bandit camps close to its borders. There were also suspicions of organizations setting up bases or operations with the potential to harm the city's integrity or future. Many of these organizations were part of the Union or connected to it, and as a watchdog organization, it was the Shadow Seeker's duty to keep an eye on them.

A smaller section of boards was dedicated to jobs that involved working with other guilds, providing specialist services they lacked. It allowed the Shadow Seekers to maintain a working, if not pleasant, relationship with their contemporaries. Lukas suspected they also used the opportunities to spy and ensure they weren't getting up to no good.

Finally, there were domestic tasks that involved working within the city. Many required working with the constabulary or military to deal with organized crime or internal threats. A few were mysterious, and when Lukas asked about them, he got no response. Even though he was a guild member, he was an outsider to the chapter. He needed to earn their trust.

Two jobs caught Lukas's eye, and he claimed both. The first included a name he recognized. The Frozen Phoenix guild had a dip in recruitment and also lost several experienced members during an Elder Wyrmkin raid in the mountains. They needed someone who excelled in stealth. The requirements asked for a tier-three guild member, but Ogden believed they were desperate enough to accept someone of a lower rank.

The Shadow Seekers believed that hard times forced organizations down paths that went against the Union's ethos and ways, and wanted someone on the inside.

"I'll help on the job but can also take on a slightly longer-term task of installing a spy among their ranks," Lukas told the chapter master. "You just can't ask who or demand details. He's a travelling companion and ally."

"The Cold Fire Sorcerer trusts this person?" Ogden asked.

Lukas nodded. "With her life."

"As long as nothing comes back to us if things don't work out, I'm all good. Just don't have this person break too many laws, alright?"

"I'd never!" Lukas replied, feigning offence.

The other job was a standard escort mission that involved taking Union artisans deep into the mountain's cave system. Local enchanters sought to investigate a newly discovered arcane crystal, examining its potency and potential uses. Retrieving it would turn into an expensive affair, requiring the setting up of new mines, security, repelling of local beasts, and the Schwarzberg kingdom's involvement. The Union needed to ensure it was worth it.

Irma was one of the enchanters commissioning the job, allowing Lukas to kill two birds with one stone. Zwei alongside a mantle-wearing Stalker clone would do brilliantly, providing two bodies, building reputation, and learning plenty about the surroundings.

Both jobs came with the risk of the journal discovering or picking up on Lady Silverspine's local interests. Lukas was dreading the compulsory quest that would lock him out of the journal's privileges, but now he wanted to just get it over with.

Before visiting the Frozen Phoenix, he finally checked the parchment scrap sitting in his journal's storage space. Following its instructions, he was taken to the Gray's highest districts, where the snow was deep and the tram service didn't reach far past the border. The Frozen Phoenix's base of operations sat on its far edge, a collection of tall spires interconnected by bridges made of glass or ice. Lukas couldn't tell. He used it as a landmark while navigating the almost identical buildings. He knocked on a handful of wrong doors before reaching his destination.

"What took you so long to find me?" Liesel asked, eyes narrowed and hands on her hips. "I thought we were going to train our spells together."

"I'm sorry," Lukas replied, flashing an embarrassed smile. "It's not that you weren't on my mind. Finding a place to live, setting up my forge, finding suppliers, and then reporting to the guild kept me free. In fact, I took a job answering your guild's call for manpower just so I have an excuse to see you."

"Really?" Liesel's face softened. He could see that her lips wished to break into a smile, but the woman was fighting the urge. "Did you really follow through on your plan to buy a place in the Gray?"

Lukas shook his head. "The deposit alone for something that meets my needs would drain all my savings, and then I'd need a loan from the guild or Union. I ended up renting a two-storey building near the Western cavern's entrance. The ground floor is my workshop, and I live on the first floor. Penelope wanted me to live with her, but it's easier to stay and live in the same area."

"I bet you wanted your privacy, too." Liesel stood aside, leaning against the door, and waved him in. "Is this visit related to the guild, or did you want to see me?"

"Can't it be both?" A cozy room of stone and grey wood awaited Lukas. A giant hearth housing a pink flame warmed it. A kettle steamed above the fire, filling the space with a sweet floral aroma. "I wanted to see you and spend some time together, and also find out what's going on with your guild before I report for the job."

"If you think we're going to jump into bed after you kept me waiting for nine days, you're in for a bad time."

"Not at all. Would I be happy if the visit turned carnal? Yes. But am I happy to just see you and have a chat by the fire? Absolutely."

"Don't try to charm me, Lukas Zaun." Liesel's stern tone had already started to soften. "Let's talk about the guild first."

"What happened? What's going on? Why is the Frozen Phoenix reaching out to the Shadow Seekers?"

"That's a lot of questions. First, what kind of call have you answered? Do you genuinely want to help, but are you here to spy for your guild?"

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"The guild wants me to keep my ears open, ensure that hard times aren't forcing your people down a dark path, but I'm primarily here to help." Lukas took a seat at the square dining table by the fire. "There was a job requesting someone who excels in stealth and reconnaissance. Between my shadow golems and magic, I'm perfect for the role." He placed the parchment with the job listing on the rough, worn wood. "Two of my abilities are at tier two, and I have a provisional tier-three membership." Lukas tapped a mark at the top of the page. "The chapter master signed off on it, vouching for my capabilities."

"I can do the same. Snowmen are threats meant for tier-threes and higher. You dealt with them just fine." Liesel took the parchment and read through it before nodding. "I've seen the job. They need a mage with decent attack spells and also sensory abilities. I'll sign up for the role."

"Excellent." Lukas smiled, eyes drifting to the pink fire. It was enchanting. "I'm genuinely sorry for not coming to see you sooner after I promised," he said, returning his attention to Liesel's pale, almost gray, blue eyes. "I didn't intend to hurt—"

"I'm a stronger woman than that, Lukas Zaun," she interrupted, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "It's not the first time someone who warmed my blankets while on the road let me down. But I'm glad you're here now. Do you have anywhere to be?"

Lukas shook his head. "I intended to report to the guild while in the district, but there is no need to rush. Do you want to maybe go for a walk?"

"The chapter master and vice master are busy with recruitment meetings. They'll still be around in an hour or so. Have dinner with me?"

"I thought you wouldn't ask." Lukas smiled. "I walked by a bakery before getting on the rail. Their bison buns smell amazing. Maybe—"

"I meant that I'd cook you dinner, silly." Liesel sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Oh. I don't remember the last time anyone offered to do that for me."

Morph had a new job. He had spent the past seven days exploring the Gray's many districts and learning as much as he could, frequently changing faces and practising Biomancy. Now, he had a purpose and a long-term face. He marched into the Frozen Phoenix's guild house, standing tall and furry. He wore his dirty-blonde hair long and tied up in a tight topknot. Beads kept his similarly colored beard neat and together. He looked like a local, embracing the Viking look, but had also given himself a healthy tan, suggesting he'd come from afar and braved a variety of elements.

"Can I help you?" A meek young woman asked when he reported to the reception desk.

"I hear you're recruiting," Morph answered. "Can anyone join, or are there any requirements?"

"Ranks. Reputation. And fighting ability." The woman replied, her voice small. She struggled to maintain eye contact as she spoke. "You'll need to submit to a scan to verify your ability tiers. An interview and demonstration will follow. We usually ask for a letter of recommendation, but are currently willing to overlook the final requirement."

"Great. Who do I talk to to get the process started?"

"Me. I'm Elena Fischer. The vice chapter master." She raised a crystal triangle much like what the Shadow Seekers had used to scan El-Prime when he joined their ranks. "Two tier twos. That's sufficient." She nodded at a door leading toward the dome that all of the base's towers grew out of. "Follow me for the demonstration. We can do the interview during and afterward."

"Lead the way," Morph said, flashing a friendly smile and a playful bow.

It didn't break the ice as he had hoped or encourage the woman to let her guard down. She stiffened further, guiding him through the mostly empty entrance hall. It sat at the base of one of the largest towers. The Frozen Phoenix's chapter house had clearly seen better days. Grand sculptures and carved pillars of clear crystal filled it, but dust and stains covered most surfaces. The tapestries were in a similar form, and several wall decorations had rusted.

Unlike the entrance hall, the dome was crowded. The bases of several towers sat within, and several small groups stood spread out between them. Many were in the midst of demonstrations similar to what El-Prime did when reporting to the Shadow Seekers. Morph wished to follow suit, but attacking the petite woman leading him left him hesitating. It wasn't her gender that concerned him, but her size and meekness. At the same time, Morph knew better than to judge a book by its cover.

"Let's start with your body ability," Elena said once they were far into the dome but clear of the others. "Show me what you can do."

Morph nodded, removing his coat. Her eyes widened, but she said nothing as he also took off his shirt. The hair on his body started to grow, and two extra limbs sprouted from his sides. "Wild Mimicry allows me to memorize the physiologies of creatures I have fought and mimic them to a limited extent." One of the grown arms changed shape, turning into the arm blade he had used against the owlbear. The other extra arm matched the bony gauntlet. "Biomass is a limiting factor, and this is the most I can manage without flesh, bones, or some sort of carcass to absorb."

"Impressive. Heart next."

A suppressed version of Shade's Mantle manifested. It wasn't long and bellowing like what the Stalkers and El-Prime favored. Instead, it clung to him like ink, darkening his clothes and forming a hood. He also granted it texture and tangibility, so it appeared more grey.

"It allows me to conceal myself easily, and there are mobility benefits next. Mind is more challenging to display. It increases my arcane sensitivity, resistance to mental strain, and also sharpens instincts related to wards and enchantments."

"That's a load of buzz words." Elena's tone remained meek, but her expression suggested a hint of annoyance. "So, it's mostly passive with some metamagic?"

Morph nodded.

"And your soul ability is your most powerful. What does it do?"

Instead of answering, he held out both hands. The air rippled around his palms and fingertips. "That's all I'm willing to share. It pairs well with my Mind ability."

The Frozen Phoenix's chapter master pointed her hand at Morph. He sensed an arcane presence build up around her palm. It was small, but the energy was pure and potent. Morph didn't need Spellweaver's active element to know that it was a red herring. A more powerful arcane presence built up somewhere behind him and to his right. When it moved, Morph dove forward, just about dodging a cloud of unidentifiable dust.

"Very good." Elena nodded, taking notes. She had brought a clipboard along, taking notes throughout the demonstration and their conversation. Morph had peeked at her writing. It looked like a cockroach had stepped in ink and then across the page. "Biomancy. Stealth. Metamagic. Attunements to go with them. Potent combination. How did you train your abilities to their current ranks, let alone awaken all of your pillars without registering with a guild?"

"I've served a string of generous employers and taken on jobs that should've ended in my death." Morph shrugged. "Dumb luck and the lack of self-preservation are probably the secret to my success and rapid growth. Oh. And my body ability also allows me to recover from most injuries in almost no time at all."

"Now, that's useful." Elena studied Morph thoughtfully, finally looking him in the eye. "Body transformations. Swift recovery. A talent for stealth, detection, and unnamed attunements." She finally smiled. "We can use you, I think. But you'll need to start at the bottom as a tier-one membership and prove yourself before advancing. Lucky for you, we're currently dealing with a shortage of bodies. There is scope for rapid progress and growth, and entry requirements are lighter than usual. However, if we get any hint of activities that might go against the guild charter or Union rules will result in immediate and swift expulsion."

"Assuming I can prove myself and continue performing, I imagine?"

"Of course."

"I'm in," Morph said. "Assuming I have some freedom regarding what jobs I take on. This is not one of those militaristic guilds where I have to take on regular and constant jobs, is it? You won't dictate all of my moves."

"Not at all," Elena said, taking more notes. "Although we require our members to take on jobs every few weeks for continued access to our facilities and resources. With reduced manpower and funds strained, the requirements are currently higher than usual." She crossed her arms. "I assure you, though, no other guild is currently providing such light membership terms. Especially for someone unable or unwilling to provide records or a history."

"How about we get the paperwork out of the way? Then we can discuss your first job. There are several expeditions coming up that desperately require bodies."

"I can't wait." Morph smiled, hoping El-Prime would report to the guild sooner rather than later and that they'd end up on the same job. "What was the thing you did earlier, by the way? The spell, shard ability, or whatever that was."

"As a guild member and as the vice chapter master, I have greater rights to secrecy than you," Elsena answered. "Let's get going. I have more potential candidates to meet and test."