Shards of Old

Reluctantly, she agreed and we started the process of cleaning up this mess.

After maybe about half an hour of silence, she finally gave in.

-Soo… you know about life magic…

-A bit.

-And you know about drawbacks.

-A lot.

-Arm?

-Maybe.

-Uh-uh…

Seeing as this conversation is not going to go anywhere without me telling her some more, I sighed.

-Well, I used to work at an institution that… was interested in all kinds of magic. That included life magic. My current state is indeed an aftereffect of one of our failed experiments. And I know you are going to ask - I said before she managed to speak a word - it doesn’t matter if the failure was connected to life magic. I am fine now, well, mostly - I gestured to my missing arm. - I have a question though. How were you going to leave this place? I thought you were somewhat stuck after a certain someone disappeared. You have a boat or something?

-Boat? No… also how would a boat help me get out of here? It’s not like we are next to the shore…

-Good to know.

-Ah - she bit her tongue. - So you really don’t know.

-Yeah, I constantly keep telling you that, yet every time you are surprised.

-Sorry. It’s just… just since you were from the mountains I thought you were just playing with me… Or is that also one of the… aftereffects…?

-Well, that’s not that far off, so let’s say yes.

-Hrm…

Clearly not happy with my answer she went quiet again.

-I know what you are thinking. How can I trust someone who apparently forgot half of what he knew, including his whereabouts. How can I be sure he won’t conveniently forget our deals and go sell out information about me somewhere? Am I right?

-Maybe…

-Well then, let me at least dispel those worries. I am pretty sure that the nature of my accident was not in the slightest related to my memory. Quite the opposite in fact, it never has been better. I'm just… lost, let's say. As far as I can tell I just got transported to fuck-knows-where, that's it. I thought you figured it out by now. You did try and bind me when you heard a certain name though, so I guess that's an issue…

-So you weren't kidding then?

-I know I sometimes am hard to read but damn…

-No, no… It's just… it doesn't make any sense… You are really from Mire?

-Yeah, but judging from your reactions that's not a good thing is it?

-No, it's just… you seem too… open to be one of them…

-The hell is that supposed to mean? Also, I, open? Ha!

-Your people are usually more of the "kill first, ask questions later". To be honest, I have never been able to have a proper talk with any of them really…

-Okay… I feel like there has been another misunderstanding… - I started rubbing my temples. - What exactly is that Mire of yours?

-What do you mean "of yours"?

-Just answer please…

-Okay… It's a remote village in the swamps on the continent. People living there are nameless wanderers, throwaways and other scum…. Ekhm, of course besides you. A lot of them are also assassins and mercenaries for hire.

-Huh.

-Something wrong?

-Well, I am pleased to inform you that you don't need to worry. That is definitely NOT the MIRE I was talking about.

-What…?

-Is it really that strange? It's not exactly a very unique name, first of all. I am glad I noticed that something was not right or I feel it would've ended like the whole Red Mage fiasco…

-What's yours then? A different village?

-Nah. It used to be an organization that I was part of. I felt like it was strange that you'd know what it was.

-Was?

-I'm just speculating here, but after the failure that was the last experiment I think it does not exist any more.

-That's how you lost your arm then?

-Yeah. Ah, by the way, I don't think it matters any more but I would recommend not mentioning that to anyone.

-The experiment or…

-Neither the experiment nor even the name. The name shouldn't be a problem since apparently there is another MIRE around, but to be safe, just don't. You never know who is listening.

-Okay… I guess everyone has their own issues… Man that experiment had to get really bad then…

-You have no idea - I said while scratching my stump. - That's for the better.

-Why are you even telling me that then?

-You asked. Consider it an act of trust.

-It's hardly trust while I literally have a slave mark and cannot defy your orders…

-Details. You said yourself, that magic is far from perfect.

Rest of the cleanup was spent mostly in silence. I think it took us about half an hour, give or take. Melle even managed to fix most of the broken furniture and door - her plants were especially handy for that. For example, the table that had a leg broken off, literally grew a new one. The door on the other hand, she straight up started weaving, like some sort of strange basket. Her magic was really something.

After we finally were finished with the mess, I sat down on one of the newly fixed chairs and asked the question that I am sure was constantly on her mind.

-So, what are you going to do now?

-My plan hasn't changed. I still want to go to the capital.

-Yeah, I figured. But what next? You said you have a suspect…

-Yeah… Don't worry. I am not going to just charge in like an idiot.

-That's progress alright. So what exactly is your plan?

-I will contact some of my husband's old friends. I suppose some of them should still live there… I just hope they remember his name…

-Reasonable. But there is another problem I think you failed to notice.

-Wha?

-How the hell do you want to get out of here? On foot? I guess we could, but that would be a major endeavor…

-We? Since when are you so helpful?

-Since my transport has fucked off to the capital supposedly and the alchemist is too caught up in her own problems that she forgot that she was supposed to make me some potions. Come on, do you think I'm just gonna stay here and what?

-Fair enough…

-So what type of transport do you have? A helicopter made out of plants?

-Heli… wha?

-Ehh… never mind. How do you want to get to the capital? While I don't exactly know how far we are from Arbo, judging from the terrain it is definitely not close.

She laughed dryly.

-You got that right. If you want to know, we are on a small island on the Inner Sea, about a… Well, a long while to travel by ship. If we had one that is.

-Inner Sea? Ah, right, I still can’t get used to those names. Kind of a poor name for a sea if you ask me…

-Pff. Don't blame me, I was not the one doing the naming. What would you call it then?

-Mediterranean.

-That's a mouthful.

-I guess… whatever. So you don't have a ship. How are we getting off this island then?

-With this - she pulled out a scroll that she was frantically looking for as soon as we arrived.

-Yeah, I thought that was important… What's the spell then?

-Check for yourself - she said, handing me the rolled piece of paper.

Slightly intrigued, I carefully unrolled the scroll and started reading.

It was not the shortest spell and I swear, half of it was straight up wrong, but I was able to get the jist of it.

-This is a portal scroll. Who made this?

-Who do you think is capable of that kind of magic?

-Your husband? Maybe one of his friends? Fuck if I know, that's why I am asking.

-I mean… - she scratched her chin - one of them probably would be able to… but no. That's just Il's creation. We made it just in case something would happen to her, and unfortunately I was right.

-You know - I said, feeling uneasy - suddenly I don't think using this thing is a good idea…

-Oh come on, you are still on about that portal from before? Told you that was just a silly mistake, there is nothing to worry about.

-Yeah… sure… But please go ahead and use this scroll yourself.

-So you're not going with me after all?

-Of course I am going. Just don't feel like using some random scroll, especially when its author is far from reliable. If you want to take the brunt of the failed spell then go for it.

-Rude.

-Maybe. Well, for her age I guess she's doing ok, but that's not the point.

-Yeah… - she looked at the scroll with teary eyes for some reason and went quiet for a good minute.

-Hey, snap out of it - I said, waving my hand in front of her face. - There is still stuff you need to do.

-Huh…?

-Potions, hello? Or are you really that out of it that you can't even mix some herbs?

-Ah, that. That's like ten minutes.

-Then go get to it. Then we will move out.

-I mean, sure… sort of thought that is not important for now…

-You kidding? And what insurance do I have that you will be even able to make those after we’re done?

-Oh come on, you speak like we are going on a suicide mission… - she said standing up and starting to prepare the potions.

-Correction: I am speaking as YOU are going on a suicide mission. I will manage just fine, I just don't want to look for another alchemist somewhere when I have one right in front of my face.

-Alright, alright…

-Dunno about you, but I at least try to repay my debts to other people. And I guess, ehm, "Contractors".

-Excuse me? - she looked at me, confused.

-Ah, you don't know. Here, look. - I said, raising my hand. - I think you are familiar with this mark - I pointed to the newest scorch mark, made after our deal.

-Yes, but I don't know how…

-And this - I pointed to the smaller one - is the one from my earlier deal with your friend… contact… acquaintance… however you want to call that woman.

-You even had a deal with her? - she asked with disbelief.

-Pfff, as if. It was a quick deal, but we signed it only thanks to the guy that is now lying unconscious pretty far from here. It's the least I can do for him.

-Hm.

-Don't you "Hm" me.

-No, no… it's just… hard to believe that someone who is actively hunting for slaves is actually a decent person.

-Okay, I am not actively hunting for anyone. It's just… been like this. I am adapting to your culture.

-Eh. You got that one right - she said with a sour smile. - Sometimes I wish elves had never appeared…

-And what do they have to do with anything?

-This magic - she pointed at her hand and the scar - is an elven creation. Without them, there…

-There wouldn't be slavery? - I shook my head with disappointment. - Sorry to break it to you, but humans always find a way to make someone's life miserable, be it with the help of others or not.

-You really have that little faith in humanity? That is sad.

-Ha. Sad? I'm just realistic. For an old person, you seem to be pretty hopeful…

-Hey!

-What? That was a compliment. Now stop brooding and the pointless talk and finish the damn potions. I want to finally get a move on..

-Right…

It did not take her even five minutes before she finished doing her thing. The process looked pretty funny from the outside - she literally was mixing the ingredients in a one large pot, standing right on the table. Just add a large bonfire under it and a black cat somewhere in the vicinity and I swear you'd say that it's just some witch trying to curse your family. Well, it was not all that off from what was happening…

Alchemy was not really a popular topic back at the MIRE, so I tried to at least take some mental notes of what she was doing. To be honest, it was a bit disappointing. It was more like cooking without heat than anything else. She just was mixing the infused water with some random plants and other weird ingredients, pulling them from freshly fixed shelves. The one thing that was worth noting was that every single item she submerged in the water almost instantly was getting completely dissolved. At first, it was taking a good second of mixing for anything to even change the consistency, but the more things she put, the easier it got. Finally, after a good chunk of her supplies got used up, from one of the shelves she took six small bottles. They sort of looked similar to little jars that you'd store your pills in, but with a thin neck. She proceeded to pour the contents to each of them - and to my surprise, it all managed to fit.

-Here - she handed me three of them.

If I didn't know already, I could easily just mistake them for regular infused water in a blue bottle, because only the color changed. Both consistency and the dim glow of mana infused water was still the exact same as before. Well, maybe it was a little bit brighter.

-What's with the rest?

She shrugged.

-Just in case.

-Uh-uh… Are you ready to go?

-Yeah. Let me close up the place.

We both left the house and she did something to the door. As she turned away from the building I could see the vines grow around the door and windows, covering them completely, then spreading to the walls. In a couple seconds the whole cottage got wrapped up like a large cocoon and you could barely recognize what it used to be. Just as I thought the "closing up" was finished, I got proven wrong. The cocoon suddenly sprouted leaves at the top part of it along with long branches. In a matter of minutes the whole building turned into a large tree, without even a trace, well besides the small garden surrounding it.

-I feel like this is a bit more than "closing up" - I said, appreciating her feat of magic.

-After what happened today I am not pulling any punches. Better safe than sorry.

-Whatever you say. Kinda surprising really.

-What?

-Nothing. Just open the portal, then we'll talk.

-Right. I need to clear the floor first…

-Oh come on, you're gonna open it on the floor again? Can't you just… I don't know, use a tree, or a wall?

-And what does that matter to you?

I sighed heavily.

-You know, maybe your monkey genes are still up and dominant, that would explain a bunch of things…

-Hey!

-... but I don't feel like crawling out of the floor or being tossed out by fucked up gravity. Speaking of, where exactly are we supposed to arrive? Please don't say "at the outskirts of the city".

-At the outskirts of the city.

I just gave her a look.

-What, you'd rather arrive at the palace directly? Be my guest and make such a scroll. And then explain yourself to the guards that would inevitably come to arrest us.

-Well, I have some practice with that… - I muttered to myself. - Fine, fine. Do what you will.

Even though she appeared not moved by my annoyance, she seemingly changed her mind and came back closer to the house-tree. She cleared out the side of the trunk with her sleeve and pulled out a small knife, the same one she used for the deal back at the cave, and started drawing with it in the ground right at the base of the tree.

Judging by the shapes, she was copying parts of the scroll onto the ground, although she did not write a single word.

-Ready? - she asked, hiding her dagger, apparently finished.

-Yeah. Not like I have to prepare or something…

She nodded and started reading from the scroll.

At first I thought something went wrong, because nothing was happening. It took her a whole two sentences before the spell actually started forming something. The familiar dim glow started spreading from the paper towards the tree and the ground, forming a circular purple opening in the freshly made trunk of the house-tree. Finally, the whole scroll caught on fire and disappeared, leaving just the flickering portal.

As it disappeared, she suddenly started trembling and almost fell on the ground, but caught herself.

-You all right? Earlier I wanted to say you are surprisingly resilient, but look at you, the exact same thing as all those other people…

-What…

-Nothing. Come on. Before it closes.

I grabbed her by the arm, trying to lead her into the opening.

-Take a deep breath now - I said and pushed us both through the opening.

Few seconds of confusion and disorientation later, we got spit out on the other end. To my surprise, it wasn't that bad this time. While the portal definitely took longer than it usually would, we landed the right way up and did not instantly get assaulted by flipped gravity. Turning back, I noticed that we arrived, similarly to my first portal here, from some random tree, on which now the portal was closing, while the spell written on its bark was being burned away. Couple of seconds later both disappeared, leaving us in a random forest somewhere.

-I hope this time we arrived where we were supposed to… - I muttered and attempted to help Melle from her knees, where she fell almost instantly after we arrived. - Come on, maybe take a bit of that potion you made? I don't need yet another vegetable to take care of.

-Come on, it's not that bad… - she managed to say before almost collapsing again.

-Uh-uh… come on.

I grabbed her bag and started digging through, looking for her batch. To be honest, I could have just given her mine, but I was curious about what she was dragging with her.

Besides the inside of the sack being severely larger than the outside would suggest, the contents were not that wild. Bunch of herbs, about five bottles filled with clear infused water… Why the hell would she want to drag that with her? … a bunch of scrolls, some empty flasks, another bag, and of course the potions.

I pulled out one of the bottles that looked familiar and gave it a sniff. I don't know what I expected, but the smell was just a mixture of some hard to recognize herbs.

-I assume that's one of the potions? - I asked, shaking the bottle right in front of her face.

She nodded. I realized that I needed to act quickly, her state was slowly getting worse. Just seconds ago, while she had difficulty standing she at least was able to talk but now I noticed that she was hardly even able to keep her eyes open.

-Well, down the hatch - I said while carefully trying to feed her the potion. It proved especially awkward with no hand to actually keep her head and body stable, so I first managed to lie her down next to a tree we arrived at. She did not try and stop me and started drinking so I assumed that it was the correct potion.

It worked even faster than expected. The moment she took a first sip, her eyes instantly opened and her whole body got jolted, like she got electrocuted. I immediately moved the bottle away, but not carefully enough - a few drops got spilled and, by some unlucky occurrence, landed on me.