The Grand Weave

I politely knocked and took a step to the side. Few minutes passed with no answer and I was highly tempted to hijack the enchantment like last time but the door rattled open.

Isaac peered from out the door and I tapped him on the ear.

He jumped back clutching his head as if I stabbed him. "What are you doing?!"

"Don't be dramatic. It was a light touch."

He glared but dropped the act, choosing instead to cross his arms as he began to retreat back into the room.

"Out with it already; I'm not in the mood for your usual shit."

Before he could fully reenter the bedroom, I tugged on his collar and spun him around. His mouth dropped open, ready to unleash a new tirade but I shoved the bowl of layered pasta into his hands.

"You ba-wha? What is this?" he stuttered.

"Eodyne told me where you were the other day. I'm sorry."

He gripped the bowl of Inoria-style lasagna and looked up in confusion. "What's this? Pity?"

"No."

"A gift then? Sorry your friend is dead?"

I shook my head. "Not that either."

"Then what?!"

I grabbed his shoulders and forced him to look directly into my eyes. He resisted but not by much. When I had his attention I motioned to the bowl and tapped his chest.

"You're my friend and this is my way of trying to ease the burden. Eat it, don't eat it. Throw it against the wall in rage; I don't care. I can't say sorry for what happened or claim condolences that don't feel shallow. I didn't know her, but you did. So I'm sorry for the pain you feel."

"Y-you... Damn you," he whispered.

Gently and slowly, I moved into a hug, squeezing his back but ready to let go if he resisted. He didn't, his spine stiff before he eventually leaned into my shoulder.

No more words were exchanged, and neither of us spoke, but I rubbed his back and let go only after he straightened himself.

"Thanks," he said, scowling at the floor. "I uh... I'll enjoy the meal."

A tear dripped down his cheek but I turned away. "It's not exactly right. Your lack of tomatoes really made things difficult and the cheese variety just wasn't up to par but it's as close as I could get it. If you ever want more, just ask."

I paused long enough to see if he had something to say but I heard the door close behind him. A sigh left my body, including the awkward feeling in my gut.

Well that wasn't the worst experience. I hope he enjoys it.

Now, onto another stop, and if I was lucky, nothing crazy would happen. Maybe.

-------

When Syrreisha said that the crowds would be packed together, I had underestimated just how true the statement was.

Even from several blocks out, a veritable horde of people were in a giant line of four-shoulders deep stretching toward the healer's guild. Surprisingly, it wasn't just the adventurers and more average-looking residents in attendance, but also the peacocks from the upper ring.

Noble-kin by way of clothes and the general air around them kept to themselves in tight groups usually flanked by an individual or two on high alert. No doubty, bodyguards to accompany their charge while surrounded by the riff-raff.

It took some maneuvering but I had my mask on and the enchanted earrings to hide my identity as I pushed my way to the front of the line. Complaints hurled my way were drowned by the onset of constant chatter.

As I reached the gate there was a staff member, a receptionist who I've never met using a skill to funnel the people inside.

It was an interesting ability that conjured a wall of stone that apparently had selective permeability according to the user's will.

At least I assume that was what was happening according to my senses and the lack of enchantments.

"Sir, please get in line. We are sorry about the wait but we are trying our best," the woman explained, her voice flat and exhausted.

My mask hid my smirk, and I pulled the flap of my collar to reveal the pin Syrreisha had given me. Upon seeing it, the woman perked up.

"Oh, another healer. By the gods, thank you. Go ahead!"

That declaration earned several stares but I nodded and pushed through the wall.

So that's how it works. Neat.

The stone acted more like particles of sand, bending around me as I pushed through. It also explained how the receptionist maintained the skill for as long as she had. There was a small amount of mana used per activation but the stone itself didn't require much to maintain.

The mana simply moved out of the way, rather than reform.

As I entered the garden, another receptionist flagged me down. I took in the colorful tents and booths filled with patients. Some were private, others were open, but each one held a staff member and a healer.

"Hello," I greeted.

"I'm so happy someone else has decided to show up! We're getting swamped thanks to the dungeon disaster."

I was really happy I had my mask.

"Yeah, so where do you want me? Syrreisha mentioned something about a guard."

The beastkin's smile morphed into terror.

Ah shit.

"Oh you're him! One moment, I'll fetch her for you!"

They took off with a sprint into the building, running as if their feet were on fire.

That didn't bode well, but I was already here. All I had to do was get through an hour or two and be on my merry way.

I turned and faced the garden and watched a young elf dressed in torn leathers gently place his arm onto the table. The dog-man reached a furry paw and grabbed his arm.

Golden light condensed above their heads and dripped down as a stream of golden ribbons. They split into two, each entering the healer's hand before pushing through the elf's body.

It wasn't much mana but the healer sank his fingers into the elf's shoulder and squeezed tight. The elf grimace and closed his eyes as a loud snap rang out.

To the elf's credit, he didn't cry out. He slumped forward and clutched onto the table's edge as another snap came.

The healer's skill ended and he released his grip.

"Emergency Threads," Syrreisha said from behind me. She stopped next to my side with her hands behind her back. "Tier two and merciless, but effective. We try not to send kids or more fragile folks his way."

The receptionist skulked in the background, trying their best to not be seen looking our way.

"Galarion? Wake up, I need a link."

My familiar rose from his post-food lethargy and sent a mental tendril toward Syrreisha's aura. It connected and the link formed.

"I thought you weren't supposed to tell me about people's skills," I said.

"Why normally true, Mr. Fullern prefers we share his prowess. In his own words: 'the more fame I acquire the better the jobs.'"

"Gotcha. So why did the receptionist over there freak out."

She glanced at the receptionist who nearly jumped in fright. "Ignore Nenn. They were merely concerned about bothering me. With that pin you are a V.I.P."

Syrreisha motioned to follow and lead me deeper into the garden. We went past the booths and toward the private tent before taking a detour down a hedged path blocked on both sides with emerald walls filled with a variety of flowers.

"This is a little private, are you sure about this?"

She didn't answer and I stopped walking. It was faint, at the very edge of my perception but I noticed a blip of mana graze my senses.

"Galarion. If anything attacks, crush their mind," I ordered.

This time, my familiar rose to full alert.

The chances of Syrreisha leading me into a trap was pretty low; she had the trust of Teddy's parents. But it didn't hurt to be cautious. Especially considering Celenae's comment about how there has never been a need for a bodyguard.

Syrreisha stopped, turning around slowly with her hands pushed together as if in prayer. "My apologies, Cyrus. I understand if you choose not to associate with the healer's guild after today."

"You want to tell me what's going on?" I said while readying my mana.

"It was a favor requested by a close friend, one of whom I trust with my life. And I believe they know you."

She hasn't revealed my skills or vital information; I'd know. So what the fuck is all this about?

The blip appeared once more but this time directly behind me. Mana rushed into my channels and I summoned my spear, swinging it sideways as Zharia appeared.

The blade met a wall of roots that deflected my attack. Zharia unleashed a torrent of flames that bathed the person in golden fire but mana rushed forward and intercepted, creating a burning mass of drying wood that crumpled to the ground.

But Zharia's new skill came into play. The flames that hit dirt rose from the mass and shot into the air to form smaller fireballs. They impacted the person's side in a barrage of miniature explosions.

Mana rushed through my chest and into a second skill. Magnus appeared before me as I broke him down and activated Spirit Lord's Invocation.

Fur sprouted, crystals grew, forming all the way up arms and across my chest. I flexed and the crystal breathed with me, tasting the mana in the air.

I lowered my center of gravity and kicked, launching myself at the attacker.

Their form was a writhing amalgamation of roots, that settled as the tip of my blade reached their palm. They pushed it away but I was close, reaching for their head.

"Stop!" they commanded.

Sadly for them, whatever pressure they tried to assert over me was like a puff of air. I ignored the command and slammed my palm into their face.

The crystal drank greedily as I tore the layer of mana away, stripping it from its owner's control. The receptacles drank deep as thick power rushed to fill the containers.

Fuck. Tier three.

A thick tendril slammed into my chest and pushed me away, pinning me against the wall.

The person's face was exposed, revealing a woman with blonde hair and blazing emerald eyes. She looked shocked and angry.

"Avaline! Continue this idiocy and I'll drop you!"

Mana surged, a deep well coming to life as the usually placid beast stretched her wings. Syrreisha had her fingers pointed with her thumb and middle finger bent.

Avaline...

The guildmaster of Solunaria pulled back her skill, the layers of thick bark peeling away and retreating into the ground.

Zharia returned to my shoulder as I absorbed the roots holding me back. They withered and died as the energy rushed into my chest.

Avaline lost her fury, holding her palm to the light as she rubbed her cheek where I had touched.

But I wasn't done. As I dropped to the ground the absorbed energy rushed down my arms and into my claws. But instead of sending the slashes out I sent them into the soil and stones below.

The energy flowed and I traced it's trajectory. Avaline stopped her idle inspection and snapped to her feet but it was too late.

Roots surged and spikes as thick as my torso launched her high, slamming into her legs. Blood dripped as she crouched, having dodged the attack with only a scratch.

"That... I deserve. Using my own attack against me is fitting I suppose," she grumbled as she stood up and dusted off her robes. "I meant no harm."

"My chest says otherwise," I spat.

She winced but a wave of green light settled over my body. It moved to repair the injury. I stood and found the ache along my ribs disappear.

"Thank you," I said to Syrreisha.

She nodded. "It's the least I can do for such a mess. My apologies Cyrus. If you want me to lead you out, I will."

"Hey now." Avaline interrupted. "You s-"

"And didn't think you would attack him. You promised no violence yet here we are. Silence or I break your bones."

The hexagons inside Syrreisha's eyes spread like scales along her skin. The growing tide of mana became hardened spikes that bent against an unseen wind before sharpening toward the guildmaster.

Better to get this over with.

"Am I still healing people?" I asked.

Syrreisha turned. "Yes. If you desire I will facilitate the flow of people and stop whenever you decide. Foolish guildmaster aside, the people could use all the help they can get."

I sighed and pointed to Avaline. "And her?"

"She'll be a good little bodyguard. Isn't that right?" Syrreisha said, her voice allowing no arguments.

Avaline slumped and tapped her chest where I sensed an enchanted amulet. Her face shifted into that of someone else, someone male. Her chest did the same, her breasts flattening as her shoulders broadened.

Huh. She looks like Brelten now.