Ends of Magic

It was late afternoon by the time the Heirs made it to Gemore. The gate guards had been warned what to expect with Harthi, and they’d finally worked out an efficient way to screen that Nathan was free of Soul Stealer influence. They just zapped him with a wand. If it didn’t do anything, he was free to pass.

It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it was good enough given that most Talents didn’t stick around after a person was taken over. The exact rules weren’t known - it wasn’t like they’d done experiments! But it was probably better than just asking Nathan a bunch of questions.

Though it does spread the knowledge of my magic-resistance further. But my enemies already know about it and I demonstrated it in front of all of the Adventurers at the Solstice, so I don’t see the value in trying to keep its very existence close, I just don’t want people to figure out the details.

Regardless, after entering the city the Heirs beelined for the Adventurer’s guild. Harthi had pulled up her hood, but was still very much wearing a Giantsrest Mage robe, albeit a student version. The purple apparently meant an advanced student, but the cut was distinctive enough that Nathan was pretty sure a few people on the street noticed.

The Adventurers inside the guild definitely noticed, and a wave of silence spread across the hall as they entered. The void was soon filled with whispers and pointed looks, while Harthi tried to hide from everybody at once. Nathan looked around warily for Eldred or Simla, but didn’t see either of them. A clerk scurried out from behind the desk, and Nathan recognized the short man.

It was Velek, who had taught him to read. He beckoned. “Come. The Guildmistress wants to see you before the embers cool.” He gestured at Harthi. “You too. Follow, please.”

They walked up the back stairs, headed to Sudraiel’s office. Harthi wanted to hesitate, seeming to sense that her fate was about to be decided. But she was boxed in between Khachi and Nathan, and Nathan prodded her forward when she tried to slow down.

They climbed to the top floor, to the waiting room in front of Sudraiel’s office. It was manned by Siltul, Sudraiel’s old Knuld secretary. He fixed Harthi with a gimlet eye and spoke in a scratchy voice. “Sit. The Guildmistress will see you in a moment.”

The massive battle-scarred door opened at Siltul’s wave, and the Heirs entered the Guildmistresses’ office. It was just as Nathan remembered it. Weapons on the wall that belonged to her dead family, and a recently-repaired window looking over the front of the Guild, and the walls of Gemore beyond. Sudraiel sat behind the battleship of a desk, her wizened fingers clasped on its surface as she examined them.

There were five chairs facing the desk, and the Heirs took their seats as the door swung closed behind them with a ponderous thud.

Sudraiel stared at the Heirs as if they were a puzzle to solve. Nathan was pretty sure she wasn’t mad at them. But they did present a problem for her. She voiced it aloud, “You have an Archmage of Giantsrest hoping to eat your livers. He can teleport himself and others, and has been ordered to capture Nathan by no less than a returned founder of Giantsrest. Somebody Faline believes is a Questor. Somebody who may take action on their own. You might have a Questor after you.”

At least Sudraiel wasn’t sugarcoating things. Nathan furrowed his brow. He’d heard that term more than a few times since he’d arrived in Gemore, but he’d assumed it meant Adventurers from beyond Gemore who traveled around taking on Quests. So asked what seemed like a pertinent question. “What is a Questor?”

The Guildmistress leaned back in her throne-like chair, rubbing at a chip in the wood from when she’d thrown it out the window. “Much detail about Questors is unknown, and we do not spread what is known broadly. But. You have need to know.

“Questors themselves say they come from a place called the Distal Expansion. We don’t know where it is, and even the travelled traders of Litcliff are blind to this question. I believe it is a place that has survived at least one Ending - perhaps more. Perhaps it lives above our heads.”

She started ticking points off on her fingers. “Through some dimensional Talent, enchantment or other ability, Questors can Travel immense distances instantly, without [Teleport]. Even non-mage Questors can do this. They’re all inordinately capable fighters, often with multiple classes, impeccable builds and extraordinary levels. I consider the Guardians of Gemore, all together and prepared, an even match against a single Questor. And some of the more powerful Questors could likely defeat them regardless.

Sudraiel continued, ticking down another finger as she spoke. “A Questor can discern hidden secrets and powerful Insights with the barest effort. This is probably through powerful skills from the Distal Expansion. Be careful of your secrets, for a Questor will learn them with the barest hint, and involve themselves without your request.” She ticked town with her last finger. “And last. They are very hard to kill, because they Travel away when in danger. The only Questors we have ever seen die were killed by other Questors.”

Shit. Scary bastards. And I was worried about [Teleport] being strategically dangerous. These guys sound much worse. And Badud is probably one? At least he’s a mage, and so less dangerous to me personally. Though he could probably just throw a mountain at me, and there’s not much I could do about that.

She leaned forward, placing both hands on the desk and conveying utmost seriousness with her words. “A Questor is a person you hope never to fight. They can appear from anywhere, at any time, with any purpose. They have their own games and politics on a level above our own. They usually match off against one another whenever conflict flares between cities. If Badud moves against Gemore directly, I expect a Questor will appear in Gemore to face him.”

Sudraiel sighed deeply and rubbed her forehead, which was creased with worry. “It’ll probably be Brox Thastus, he’s the Questor who comes most commonly to Gemore. And to Old Gemore, according to some murals we’ve found. Or it might just be a look-alike, but he doesn’t appear to age… so.”

She shook her head, still massaging her temples. “Regardless, it would be a disaster if Badud pushes the conflict and comes to blows with Brox, but we have no voice in the arguments of Questors. I’ve alerted the guard and all Adventurers to be on the lookout for Brox or another stranger who could be a Questor.

“If one does appear, it will be up to me, the elites and the other councilors to manage them. Under no circumstances are you to involve yourself with even a potentially friendly Questor other than to point them to me. People around Questors tend to die. Quickly. Brox’s sense of humor is unfortunate at best.”

The old Guildmistress looked up, a small grin on her face. “Do you know, I believed Faline a Questor for some years. She managed to discourage me of the idea. Mostly by being too slow. And too emotional. Questors solve problems in days, usually by leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Then they Travel away as quickly and as mysteriously as they arrived. Faline is strong, and… strange. But she is not a Questor.”

She waved her hand to encompass the Heirs. “The only way to deal with a hostile Questor is to not be found, and if you stay in Gemore to avoid Taeol, Badud might decide to take over. We must avoid a Questor trying to challenge Gemore’s defenses, unless we wish our wall pulled down and our guard slain.

“It is a good thing that Stella has learned [Message], for tomorrow morning you will be leaving Gemore, and you should not return for some time. Gemore is where they will look for you.”

The Heirs shot confused glances at each other. Stella asked the question. “Where will we go?”

Sudraiel shook her head to dispel the miscommunication. “I do not think you should leave the region around Gemore. You should continue with the Adventurer’s duty, protect the villages from the threats which ail them. Fulfill your Oath.” She snorted with amusement. “Those words carry more weight for you than for most.”

Then she grew serious once more. “But we will not give you instructions, merely inform you of the threats. You will have to use your own judgment to avoid traps like the one that Taeol set for you yesterday. Above all, you must level, and quickly. You should take tonight to see your families, and stock up on anything you will need for an extended trip into the wilds. Any questions?”

Sarah spoke quickly. “When can we return?”

The guildmistress shrugged expressively. “When something changes. Or when you become powerful enough to ward off a Questor.” She snorted again. “That would seem an impossibility for any other group. But your achievements are impossible to ignore.”

Her eyes softened, and she looked at them with a measure of pity. “I am sorry. I hope you will be able to return soon. But this exile may last years. We will certainly allow you to return whenever, but know that every time will be risky.”

Then Sudraiel reached out and slapped the desk lightly, signaling an end to the meeting. “Now. You have much to do, and little time in which to do it.” The guildmistress frowned. “And you have left me more work. I will determine Harthi’s fate. A Giantsrest-trained enchanter would be a boon, if she can adapt to Gemore.”

As they stood to leave, Khachi bowed his head to Sudraiel. “I have Faith she will. I hope to meet Harthi in Gemore next I return.”

Sudraiel’s only response was a raised eyebrow, and then they were passing through the sitting room. Nathan gave Harthi a meaningful look as Siltul broke off his conversation with her and followed her into Sudraiel’s office.

Aarl spoke quietly as they descended, addressing Sarah. “We should speak to our father.”

Nathan’s response was dry. “I think we all have people we need to talk to. I’ll bet digging the latrine next week that at least one of the Guardians is waiting in the Guild Hall.”

Stella looked back bemusedly. “No bet. Even if that task is a candleflame to me.”

Stella’s parents, Dalo and Kullal, weren’t waiting. But Aarl and Sarah’s father Stanel was just pushing open the doors into the guild hall. He looked somewhat sweaty, as if he’d just finished a long run. And damn was it a look. Aarl and Sarah’s father was muscled like an olympic sprinter. His coppery skin was a touch lighter than his children’s and contrasted beautifully with his black shoulder-length hair and closely trimmed beard. The man had an air of raw physicality to him that Hollywood spent millions on.

Stanel’s eyes fixed on the Heirs, and he jerked his head in a wordless request to follow him. The Heirs did so, following the Adventurer with an olympian physique out of the guild. Many pairs of eyes watched them go, and Nathan spotted Orym Keephold of the Forest Rangers raising a mug in his direction. He gave a quick salute in return, and then they were gone.

The Heirs followed Stanel as he turned and started ascending the slope of Gemore. He turned and pointed at Nathan. “You should get to Beatred’s shop. She and Poppy have said they must speak with you. Come to the Caxols’ house when you’re done. We’ll be there. Don’t take long.”

Nathan nodded. If he was going to be gone from Gemore for a while, then he did need to talk to the blacksmith and alchemist he’d turned into gunsmiths. He’d been worried about proliferation of the weapons at first, but there hadn’t been any problems on that front so far. And he really couldn’t argue with the results Sarah had gotten from her new weapons.

I hope that I’m not about to be told that the secret is out.

He broke off from the group, knocking urgently on Beatred’s door. The broad black woman answered after a moment, waving him into her shop. It was sparser than Nathan remembered - half of the enchanted weapons on display were gone, and the barrels of arrows were mostly empty.

He followed Beatred past the barren displays, asking her about it. “Not making more normal weapons anymore? Any problems with your new projects?” He didn’t want to be more specific until they got within her warded workshop.

The burly blacksmith shook her head. “No. Busy with the new weapons. We need to talk about that.” She unlocked a new enchanted workshop door, then led him into her workshop.

It was more crowded than before, with magical presses, drills and a rifling table scattered around a space liberally coated with metal shavings. Beatred ignored all of that, calling out to Poppy and leading Nathan towards a set of storage drawers in the back of the room.

The orcish alchemist opened a door set into the back wall that Nathan hadn’t noticed before, and he caught a glimpse of coiled glassware beyond before Poppy closed the door.

I guess he did move in next door. Glad that worked out.

The alchemist hustled over, and confirmed Nathan’s guess by giving Beatred a peck on the cheek. Then he gave Nathan a quick nod and hustled for the front door. “I’ll go get Herdin.”

Nathan watched as Beatred began pulling open drawers and setting out cases. “What’s all of this about?” His voice was apprehensive.

Beatred pushed hair out of her face, quickly tying it back. “I’ll let Herdin explain. She is the one - well. We’re all worried, Nathan. But let me show you what I’ve been doing.”

Beatred went ahead and started opening up drawers and pulling out cases, showing Nathan what they’d been making. And that was guns. Lots and lots of guns. In different styles, with different kinds of ammunition. About two-thirds of them were long-distance rifles. She explained how they’d recently been prototyping new enchantments, trying to use dimensional ammunition holders with semi-automatic actions.

They hadn’t succeeded on that yet, but they had succeeded on a few other projects - including a large-gauge pump-action shotgun. He hadn’t really known how the pump mechanism worked, but now that Beatred had some experience with gunsmithing she’d apparently figured it out.

Nathan looked around at the display of guns that would have fit in at a Texas gunshow. He was concerned about all of this. He’d discussed a few more ideas, specifically suggesting the shotgun, but had specifically not brought up the idea of a fully-automatic weapon. But Beatred, Herdin and Poppy were smart. They’d taken what Nathan had said and run with it. And now he was looking at the results of their work.

Given what was on display in front of him, Nathan would be shocked if she hadn’t thought about it. He hesitantly asked, “Beatred, have you thought about making a weapon that can fire continuously as long as the trigger is pulled?”

She flicked a hand dismissively. “Yes. I could likely make such a thing, though not without tradeoffs. But to what purpose? The limitation here is ammunition. To supply such a weapon would require incredible amounts of it, and we do think that the true capabilities of this weapon lie in the distance they can shoot, and the increased penetration it provides. But, we should wait for Herdin for further conversation.”

Beatred continued pulling stuff out, until the workbenches in front of Nathan looked like a gun nut’s wet dream. He just watched, seeing that only a few of the weapons were enchanted. They showed a progression of design that spoke of an obsession to marrying form and function. His eyes lingered on some of the newest weapons. They were sleek and deadly in a way that the first few sets weren’t.

Then the gunsmith put four guns off by themselves, on a table just to the side. Nathan spent a moment admiring these new weapons. There was a rifle, two pistols and a shotgun. They contained an artistry that went beyond the clean efficiency of their lines and the glowing enchantments. The guns that Sarah had been using for the past few months were very functional weapons that were decorated by their enchantments, but these guns looked like something you’d see in an auction house, with lustrous wood and steel decorated by intricate scrollwork.

Nathan took in the spread of steel again. “How did you make all of this so quickly? This is amazing.”

Beatred took a deep breath. “I Developed my class. I’m a [Gunsmith Inventor] now. And that’s related to what we want to talk to you about.”

Yeah, that would do it. New class skills focused around making firearms? No wonder she can bang out so many, and with such fine details.

Then the door flew open, and Nathan saw the familiar figure of Herdin bustle in. The short woman’s cascade of white hair seemed alive as she stormed into the room, taking in Nathan looking over Beatred’s display. Poppy came in behind her and hurried to lock the door.

Herdin had caught the last words, and spoke up. “Let me handle this, niece.” Then she pivoted to Nathan. “When we swore that Oath, did we think about what would happen if you died? We didn’t, did we?”

She pointed at Beatred. “My niece was as pleased as a Muckgrabber in the sewer. So excited that she Developed her class to focus on gunsmithing. Without thinking of the consequences. If you died, her new class would be charred in the forge.”

Herdin stayed focused on Nathan, jabbing at him with two fingers on her hand. “These weapons could change how Gemore fights! Imagine a Ranger in the woods, hidden in a bush. Shooting at mages a half-mile away. Nathan, see the light in your eyes!”

“According to Sudraiel, you have fought three fights of life and death since last we spoke. Do not smother our fire Nathan, not when we can truly see its potential.” She waved expansively at the arsenal of firearms arrayed on the table.

“Hear me, but I understand your desire to control the Insights you have brought to Davrar. We understand the weight of them. But we want you to yield your control of these Insights. Allow the three of us to manage the Insights of guns. Let us decide who to teach, who to sell to.”

She spoke beseechingly. “We are natives of Gemore. We will hold these Insights tighter than a Dragon’s egg, hide them from our foes. But I beg you, do not let these weapons die with you, or make us wait for you to return to approve any new agenda. Allow these weapons to become an Insight of the Bho.”

Well. Shit.

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: Magic Absorption 8

Permanent Talent 2: Perfected Body 1

Talent 3: High-tier Slow Fall 5

Class: Spellbreaker Juggernaut level 72

Stamina: 756/820

Juggernaut's Wrath

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Juggernaut's Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Utility skills:

Battle Meditation 1

High-tier Earnestness 6

Mid-tier Sprinting 7

High-tier Spellsense 5

Mid-tier Notice 10

Mid-tier Identify 8

Mid-tier Dodging Footwork 6

High-tier Enhanced Memory 5

Mid-tier Lecturing 5

Mid-tier Tumbling 3