Skyvenom: Chapters 34-35

Here are your chapters for this week.

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Chapter 34

They had only nine days from the melee to the next encounter, which could easily be trivial or brutal. Ordinarily, the best use of nine days would be soulcrafting, but both Nauda and Fiyu lacked the right sublime materials and were several steps away from substantial breakthroughs. What they could do, given that short time to change in a meaningful way, was train.

Nauda desperately backpedaled across their training room, throwing up line after line of wards. Her practice made it easier to create them with her staff, hands, or even feet, but Fiyu shattered through all of them regardless.

Clearly there was no actual danger, but it was still a bit intimidating to see Fiyu leaping toward her with her cantae blade activated.

In the beginning, she had done even worse, because her wards just weren't strong enough to compete with a powerful Authority. Nauda had taken time to carefully melt down and reshape her wardsilver into the shape of her staff, which improved that room. She'd filled the other top rooms of her staff tower with the wardplate from Theo and lesser warding materials, which wouldn't be there permanently, but provided a boost for now.

The result was wards that could stand up to Fiyu's lightstorm for several seconds, and her cantae blade not at all. Still, Nauda kept refining the chambers while practicing, making sure that wards came as easily to her as physical attacks and binding techniques did.

Suddenly Fiyu burst forward, shattering the last ward before Nauda could put up the next. Instead of trying for more, she stuck out her foot, which caught Fiyu's leg. The other woman looked startled for a moment, her combat focus vanishing, and she collided directly into Nauda. Her momentum threw them both across the room against the opposite wall.

Nauda had planned to laugh about it, but realized that her maneuver pressed them against one another. Without her cantae blade or killing intent, Fiyu felt very slender and vulnerable. She looked directly into Nauda's face and her silvery eyes were visible within her mask...

Was this too much? The last thing Nauda wanted was to seem like a pushy Tatian, so she pulled back and pulled her clothes back in order after the spar. Fiyu simply went still, her robes settling around her and obscuring her completely.

"It's hard to maintain all these techniques," Nauda said. She felt like a fool, but they were here for training, weren't they? "Sometimes I think the Blazekindlers might have it right: their entire soulhome focused on a single element. Simple but extremely effective."

"It is true that it is possible to go in too many directions." Fiyu's voice was a little stiff, but was that just her normal diction or something else? "The Deuxan who wore the multi-threaded robe was a good example, because he had so many techniques that it inhibited each technique's usefulness. But I think it is possible to be too focused as well. There are limited returns from using the same methods over and over."

"That's true. I might be physically stronger if I dedicated my entire soulhome to power, but not that much stronger. And no amount of physical ability will let me reach across a room to stop someone."

"I think your selection of techniques is not bad, Nauda. You must simply continue to train them all dutifully."

Sometimes their interactions were so easy, and sometimes they fumbled along like this. Well, at least training was always easy, and that was what mattered in the short term. Nauda rubbed a sore spot in the back of her neck and tried to think about how to suggest it.

"May I train my own techniques now?" Fiyu asked.

"Let's get started."

~ ~ ~

Their training had been meant to focus their minds and allow them to activate their underutilized techniques more easily, yet Fiyu found her mind instead filled with Friend Nauda's words. Even as she extended spears and tendrils of darkness, her thoughts wandered.

Was Friend Nauda trying to give her guidance or warning, referring to soulcrafting in too many directions? It was certainly true that Fiyu needed to juggle multiple techniques, especially until she finished the next step in her blueprint. Tatian subtlety could be a difficult thing. Once Fiyu would have wished they could simply say what they meant, but she had slowly come to understand there were Ichili subtleties that had escaped her as well.

Clearly something had shifted between them during this training. It had been much more pleasant at first, then awkward after the accidental contact. Friend Nauda had certainly tensed up, and though Fiyu now understood that was not due to unpleasant emotions, that was also difficult to manage.

When they switched to training Fiyu's intangibility technique, they only talked about it in stiff words instead of conversation flowing freely. This was not the first time, Fiyu reflected. Of course their relationship was still sound, but occasionally they struggled to communicate. Understanding the reasons did not necessarily make the difficulty any easier.

Attempting to use defensive techniques made Fiyu understand Friend Nauda's frustration with her wards fully. Friend Nauda always sparred while smiling, but she was still immensely strong. She could literally run directly through some of Fiyu's strongest attempts to stop her, and when she arrived, Fiyu had only a split second to shift her body incorporeal.

In the next round, Friend Nauda seemed particularly aggressive and Fiyu knew that she could not keep up. She shifted herself incorporeal and so felt Friend Nauda pass through her like nothing more than a wind, but her friend was already turning. Fiyu realized that she had instinctively shifted back and could not transition again in so short a time.

Instead she reached for her darkness technique, tendrils leaping up to grasp Friend Nauda before she could attack. Normally she expected Friend Nauda to snap through them effortlessly, but this time the darkness coiled around the other woman's body.

Fiyu's breath caught in her throat as she realized that Friend Nauda was relaxed. She had only flinched at first, but once she was bound, her body lost all its tension. Now that Fiyu had her in her grip, she was warmly aware of the other woman's presence. The idea of embracing the other woman left her overheated, yet touching her with shadows... without a conscious decision, Fiyu had wrapped the darkness around her waist and shoulders. To be so close that way...

"I require more practice." Fiyu pulled back all at once and turned away.

"Of course." Friend Nauda's voice was a little uneven and the tension in her lower back had returned.

"Thank you for training with me, Nauda."

"Always happy to train."

There was a trace of sadness in the other woman's voice - Fiyu might not have heard it before, but now it was clear. During this training, Friend Nauda had wanted a greater degree of closeness, and she might feel rejected. Even worse would be if she felt as though their relationship was not developing, if she wanted more immediately, because then it would not be a mere misunderstanding.

Fiyu felt as though their relationship was progressing wonderfully, but it might be very slow by Tatian standards. And if they both acted in good faith, and yet they were still unhappy, that was a terrible sign. If she demanded her own standards and forced Friend Nauda to meet them, she would be a bad partner, but the idea of rushing through such an important relationship...

Several steps away, Fiyu suddenly stopped. No. They must talk to one another.

"Nauda, are you disappointed? Do you wish we were more intimate? I know on Tatian this would not be normal and I wish to be with you but I cannot-"

"Fiyu." Friend Nauda took her hand gently and brought it to her lips. "A relationship on Tatian would go differently, but I didn't fall in love with a Tatian woman."

"Oh." Fiyu smiled and already felt much too warm, but she couldn't retreat now. "I just... I am afraid that when everything seems to be going well for me, you might think our relationship is 'stalled' or something of that sort."

Friend Nauda sighed heavily. "It does feel very slow to me, but... I never regret spending time with you. If we kept traveling like this forever, I'd cherish it. I just... we're going to be lifemates, right?"

"Of course, I want that more than anything! But such a relationship must be built slowly, over time." Fiyu took the other woman's hand in both of her own. "I love you very much, Nauda. The social differences are just confusing, and I am afraid I will make a mistake. But... if we do, we can talk about it, yes?"

"Of course," Friend Nauda echoed.

They started to part, and their lingering touch was very warm, but Fiyu felt as though it wasn't enough. Friend Nauda was being so patient, she needed to take a step as well. Instead of moving her body, Fiyu raised a tendril of shadow and caressed the other woman's cheek.

At least until her control slipped and it turned into more of a slap.

"Oh! Oh dear, I did not want to hurt you, it was supposed to be gentle, but I-

"It's fine." Friend Nauda rubbed her cheek with a laugh. "That's why we're training, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is important to train dutifully." Fiyu's somber tone broke into a giggle, and they laughed together, and all was well.

~ ~ ~

The last of the demons crumpled up and began to dissolve underneath Theo as he hovered above the ground. This group had tried to sacrifice several times, but the soulcrafters of Occoire Court were actually competent and had listened to his instructions, so it had been handled. As a whole, it was an efficiently conducted operation.

Of course, that was all irrelevant in a sense. Theo could easily have destroyed the higher stage demons or taken care of everything himself. He was only being a team player because Sartozi had ordered him to work along with the court.

Some of the other soulcrafters cheered or congratulated him, and Theo had been doing his best to remember their names, but it felt like trivia when his mind was occupied with so many other details. His soulcrafting, politics of the convocation, playing both Nourise and Sartozi against each other... and the Authority who had come along with him this operation.

Lalye hovered further back, as stern as she had been at the start. Their interactions before this had been limited to yelling at one another on opposite sides of a battle, and Theo instinctively resented her for fighting alongside Esaire. This mission had been a long, annoying test of his principles.

Yet when he flew up to join her, Lalye examined him thoughtfully. "You aren't what I expected."

"What did you expect?" he asked.

"I haven't known a lot of outsiders, but they tend to just smash through things. They don't care who they hurt, they don't follow the rules, they just ruin everything. But you've done us a good turn while we're technically still your enemies."

He thought that was a little unfair, given how much of the aggression had come from her side, but swallowed that frustration. "The demons don't care about politics," he said amiably. "Whatever happens between the courts, the people shouldn't suffer for it, right?"

"Yes, exactly." Lalye nodded eagerly. "So many foreigners don't understand and think we lord it over others. But the more you have, the more is demanded of you. There's a term... it may translate strangely to you, but we call it noblesse oblige. Even if it sounds-"

"They have a phrase like that in my world."

"Really? That's a first." Her smile faded a second later. "It's all games and dueling until you reach Authority, then the responsibilities start piling on. And it's so much worse for Sartozi, I can't imagine. That's why I hate seeing him get thrown into the middle of this and treated unfairly."

Theo smiled and nodded, hoping it looked authentic. He wasn't exactly lying or manipulating, but if all of this didn't hinder Esaire's plans in some way, he was going to be severely annoyed.

"By the way, your two companions... are they a couple?"

The question completely disrupted Theo's thoughts and he blinked. "Yes, they are."

"That's a shame." Lalye saw his expression and gave an ironic smile. "One of the traditional ways to unite factions, particularly foreigners, is engagements. But I thought the two of them were attached, and you... don't exactly seem interested."

"I have higher priorities," Theo said with a shrug.

"Again, it's just a shame. You'd be having an easier time if you had that option."

"Wait, are you trying to-"

"No, no!" Lalye waved her hands and laughed. "I've been married six years! We have two little ones at home, though I haven't seen them since the fighting began."

Huh, he never would have guessed. In any case, Theo was glad that no one was approaching them with marriage offers or other nonsense. He was far too old and cynical for that sort of thing... though he supposed that when it came to Nauda and Fiyu, that bitterness had somehow disappeared. Hopefully they were talking to one another in his absence.

"This is all for now," Lalye said. "You should take a day to relax, then I guess you'll head back."

"I'll see you after the next event," Theo told her. Of course, he was going to take that day to do more soulcrafting, but she was right: he needed to return to Accilonia and take on whatever challenge awaited him next.

If it turned out to be some sort of flirtatious Deuxan court event, well, he was going to find out just how old and bitter he was.

Chapter 35

It had only been nine days, but Fiyu and Nauda still greeted him warmly when he came back, and Theo was remarkably encouraged. Nauda gripped his arm and Fiyu hovered nearby, for a moment just like they had been at the beginning. Then Krikree leapt onto his shoulders, radiating [Theo-sister!] pheromones and gripping his hair.

Senka rolled her eyes, made a gesture he was very certain was rude, and went back to sleep.

"So did it work?" Nauda asked. "Sartozi obviously didn't try to kill you, but I can't imagine he jumped over to our side."

Theo could only shrug. "I think we've definitely reduced the chances that we start another long term vendetta, but I can't say he'll support us in the convocation. That's based on his self-interest, after all."

"On that note, Nourise seems to be fine with our actions so far. She's been very busy talking to other Strongholds."

"The more of them get involved, the more concerned I get. It's harder to control so many variables and they might begin to follow mob dynamics." Theo had never expected to see powerful Strongholds engage in politics like this, but he supposed if enough of them gathered together, normal psychology and sociology took hold. Hopefully the Deuxan variants weren't too different.

"There is..." Fiyu hesitated, but continued when they looked at her. "There are rumors that today's event will introduce us to more Strongholds interested."

Nauda smiled broadly. "When did you start hearing rumors?"

"I was looking for sublime materials in the palace market." Fiyu gave a slightly shy smile. "I did not find any powerful enough, but I thought that information might be useful."

When the invitation came not long after, they were told to bring their entire group. Theo was fairly sure that was targeted toward Krikree, but gestured for Senka to follow as well. She grumbled but hovered after them as they followed the steward through the palace.

It seemed that this event wasn't hosted by any other family, it was being held within the Accilonian palace itself. Perhaps by a group that didn't want to host their own... or perhaps as neutral ground. Given the previous melee and what Fiyu had shared, Theo doubted that they would invite much more violence, but it was always possible.

When they arrived, they discovered a vast hall modeled after a bloodhouse. Most of it appeared to have been emptied, perhaps due to their foreign guests, but a Stronghold sat in one corner in a pile of cushions, pricking himself with the addictive metal. A large bowl of needles sat beside him, many already stained with glistening Deuxan blood.

More notably, Theo identified two Strongholds he knew: the Silver Gourmand and Queen Nyuba of Slest. The former appeared jovial, the latter cast an intense glance toward Krikree before ignoring her entirely. Aside from them and the Stronghold in the corner, Theo noted two others who had taken up their own positions.

So five Strongholds at once. This could get messy.

Esaire arrived with most of his Authorities in tow... and the notable exceptions of Amaeli and Lalye. Before they could say anything or clash with Theo's group, one of the Strongholds rose into the air and rang a bell to attract attention. It was a thin man wearing golden robes that appeared extraordinarily expensive, even by the standards of Deuxan.

"None of us are here to play games," the man said in a mild tone. "If you want us to support your war, much less participate in it, you must make a direct military or economic case for our involvement. All of us, one way or another, are opposed to the trivialization of convocations, which is why we have banded together t-"

"Speak for yourself, Treasurer!" the Silver Gourmand called out from the other side of the room. "What's the point of civilization if we can't resolve our problems in a better way?"

"As you have just heard, I am often derided as the Treasurer." The first Stronghold placed one hand on his chest and bowed exactly half an inch. "I accept the label without shame. All that interests me is Silver Crowns, and receiving a sum that would justify my involvement. I am no merchant, or if I am one, my only ware is my own strength."

Esaire immediately went to speak to the Treasurer and Theo listened in from a distance. It sounded as though he considered ten thousand Silver Crowns the floor to purchase his support, with an expectation for more if extended support was required. Of course, what he actually wanted was both sides bidding for his services, which would rapidly increase beyond their actual value... unless his support meant the difference between life and death, of course.

"Twenty thousand," Theo said casually as he stepped into the conversation. Esaire stared at him and the Treasurer raised an eyebrow.

"I will not entertain offers without substance," he said. "Do you mean it, or are you playing games?"

"Twenty thousand right now if you end the bidding." Theo reached into his soulhome to reveal the sack of Silver Crowns he held, and fortunately Fiyu and Nauda stepped up beside him to offer their own. Deuxans had many different denominations, but even at a glance it was clear they had a substantial sum.

"Roughly twenty one thousand." The Treasurer's second eyebrow joined the first and he seemed mildly impressed. "I must admit, it is an interesting offer, and it is good to see an Authority who understands the value of a Stronghold's power..."

"Not so fast." Esaire stepped in as if he could physically block the transfer. "We have considerable funds, but we didn't bring them in sacks like barbarians. Give us time to gather more."

"Of course, very reasonable. My offer will remain open until the final convocation."

Theo shrugged indifferently and pocketed his money, then turned away to talk to the others. That had been what he expected, of course. Someone like this "Treasurer" didn't want to receive fair compensation, he wanted as much as possible.

Before he could find someone else, Theo felt Fiyu's stealth slip over him. Or perhaps it was merely the aspect that suppressed sound, because no one else seemed alarmed by their appearance. Fiyu leaned very close, speaking in a low voice.

"I supported you, Theo, but is this wise?" Her gaze flickered back to the Treasurer. "This stranger has no loyalty, and would gladly switch sides if offered more money. And what if he had accepted your offer? We would have given up all of our money, which would be better spent on sublime materials..."

"Don't worry, it was just a bluff," Theo said. "I knew he wasn't going to accept now, I just wanted to threaten Esaire. Now he thinks we're interested and has to spend more of his own funds buying the Treasurer's support."

Fiyu hesitated, then gave a small smile. "That was risky, but perhaps it was a prudent risk. But... will we continue the bidding? It would be so easy to take a step too far..."

"Right now we don't have the funds for it, but I won't try unless it seems necessary. That means Esaire might have another Stronghold on his side soon."

"Yes, that is worrying. We must speak to the others."

Fiyu lowered her technique, and Theo noted that Nauda had already moved on. She spoke with another Stronghold, a middle-aged woman who introduced herself as Aima Rhiamin - Theo recognized Rhiamin Court from a map, but knew very little about it.

Unlike most Deuxans, the Stronghold of Rhiamin seemed relatively friendly, and as Nauda sensed this, they made several familiar touches. Yet there was something in her eyes, the way she glanced toward Esaire... no, Theo didn't trust her. If anyone could get her support, it was Nauda, but Theo didn't think they could rely on it.

He was more interested in talking to the Stronghold in the corner or finding out why the Silver Gourmand had returned. Before Theo could talk to either of them, however, Queen Nyuba stepped up to the golden bell and drew the room's attention to herself. Multiple Slescans entered from a side door and lined up behind her, ranging from ants to humanoids.

[Royal guard.] Krikree appeared at his elbow, antennae twitching wildly. [Strange. Different hives.]

There was no time to respond, because at that moment Nyuba began speaking.

"Both sides in this war claim to have experience with my home world of Slest," she said in a voice that was much smoother and more Deuxan than he expected. "I am curious to see how much you have learned. Therefore... if you want my military support, I want support from you. Behind me stand potential royal guards of many species, who have yet to reach their full potential. Each side may pick any Slescan they desire, train and soulcraft them, and then return them to me. I will judge your ability by how much progress you can make."

"What does that prove?" the Silver Gourmand asked. He didn't seem antagonistic, just curious.

"I am less interested in strength than potential," Nyuba answered. "Soulcrafting is an art that cannot be cheated, at least not far. The ability to raise an ally is a measure of true ability... and of course I would welcome the new royal guards."

Esaire appeared to be consulting with his Slescan mercenary, no doubt considering strategy. The challenge involved soulcrafting and knowledge of Slest, but it also depended on Nyuba's psychology. Unfortunately, Theo wasn't sure he could read her properly, and Krikree had suppressed all her pheromones once the queen began talking.

Honestly, he wanted to attempt the challenge. There were a wide variety of Slescans present, ranging from first tier to Ruler. He was certain that the ants were a trap, since they couldn't soulcraft far beyond what they already had. Most interesting were the potential royal guards, more humanoid beetles, and ants from a species similar to the queens and princes.

Eventually Esaire chose a first tier guard, who obediently went to stand with him. Nyuba's compound eyes gave absolutely no hint as to what she thought as they turned toward Theo.

"And you?" she asked. "Which Slescan will you choose?"

Before Theo could answer, he heard a very faint [Not] from Krikree. Queen Nyuba's long, frilled antennae twitched instantly, leaving no doubt that she had picked up on it, but she gave no other indication.

Was it possible that she wanted to see how he would respond? While it was conceivable, Theo didn't believe it for a moment. Every queen he'd met on Slest didn't care about the species underneath them and actively scorned workers like Krikree. There was no chance that he would be rewarded, but Krikree seemed so anxious...

"I'm afraid I already have a Slescan ally," Theo said, putting a hand on Krikree's shoulder. She remained very still, eyes flickering between them.

"And an unusually strong one," Nyuba said. "I never said you needed to choose from among my options. If you assist her soulcrafting and give her to me as a guard, I would accept that. Welcome it, even."

"She isn't for sale. But you said the test was of our soulcrafting knowledge, right? Let me show you what I can do with her and you'll see my potential."

Nyuba stared at him and made a low clicking noise, the first time she'd broken from Deuxan civility. "You must realize that is a foolish decision. Scouts rarely ascend to Ruler, and are incapable of reaching Authority. It would be very difficult for you to show your ability with someone so stunted."

"That's my problem." Theo kept his hand on Krikree's shoulder and didn't look away.

After another pause, Nyuba chittered sharply. Several of the Deuxans jumped, and Esaire's group flinched as if it was an offensive sound, but Theo recognized it as a Slescan laugh and simply smiled.

He didn't think he was getting any credit for this in the queen's merciless calculation of the world, but at least he'd made an impression.

As the group split apart and the Slescans departed, Theo bent down beside Krikree. [What do you think?]

[Scary,] she emitted. [Can't read. But... Krikree soulcraft?]

[Absolutely.]

As Nyuba left the room, the Silver Gourmand got everyone's attention and began to speak about the glories of sublime food. It sounded like he was just angling to be given more rare dishes and Theo was skeptical that he would ever declare for a side. The man did have money and resources, though...

"I've talked to the Stronghold of Rhiamin." Nauda nudged up against him and spoke out of the side of her mouth, her whisper barely audible over the speech. "She acts friendly, but I think she's the most treacherous Deuxan I've met so far. She's offering support in exchange for favors, but..."

"You think she won't honor the deal?" Theo asked.

"I think she'll collect as many favors as she can, then join the winning side regardless. Not a good bet."

And another variable that Theo would have to juggle. Theo glanced toward the middle-aged woman before deciding that he wouldn't second-guess Nauda's judgment. He'd conserve his energy and presume Aima Rhiamin would be switching sides based on the currents of politics.

As the Silver Gourmand finished his speech he displayed a variety of materials and other rewards, but none of them particularly caught Theo's attention. While he could technically jump across multiple worlds to find sublime delicacies, that struck him as a fetch quest for an inadequate reward. There were so many other things he could prioritize that would offer both support in the convocation and power in the long term.

With that done, there was only one Stronghold left in the room. The man still sat on his cushions, his eyes half-lidded as a needle penetrated one of his veins. But when Theo went and sat down opposite him, the Stronghold fixed an intense gaze on him.

"They mock me as the Immortal," he said in a grating voice, "because that is exactly what I am not. As you must have seen, this region is very short on materials that could be used for an Immortality Conduit. Sadly, that is true all across Socirro."

"I noticed that it wasn't included in the Three Masterworks," Theo said.

"Indeed. There are only a few... one of them is actually the Treasurer. He doesn't want this to be known, but it is an open secret: he has an Immortality Furnace that must constantly be fed Silver Crowns, or his health will begin to decline. That is... not what I want."

"You're offering your support in return for an Immortality Conduit?"

"Even I am not that greedy." The Immortal let out a hacking laugh. "But you have traveled far, so you may have the answer I seek. I will pay handsomely for information about this lost Masterwork, and if you can provide it for me, I will support you in your war."

Theo nodded to buy time as he considered the offer. The unfortunate truth was that there was no easy answer, especially for a man who appeared to be in failing health with his soulhome fully soulcrafted. One unethical and risky tactic would be to offer false promises, but Theo discarded that out of hand. There was no way of knowing how long the conflict would go on, so the consequences would come sooner rather than later.

But would Esaire make the same decision? He had support from the Demon Court and Theo had no idea the full extent of their resources. Ignoring this was absolutely not an option, the problem was that he had relatively few angles.

"The Demon Court will lie to you," Theo said calmly. "No doubt they will promise that immortality can be achieved with a single sublime material, but this is impossible. If you really want immortality, you would be better off talking to the Mercury Court representative."

"You cannot poison the well," the Immortal told him flatly. "I have spent my entire life searching and found every well already poisoned. A little more poison will not hurt me."

"It's the truth. All I can offer you is my knowledge of Immortality Conduits."

"Tell me, then. I have been able to discover very little."

Theo explained what he knew, beginning with the basics and then even including the secrets Senka had told him about keeping the materials and formations in the soulhome through ascension. "So your best option is to take the many materials you've no doubt accumulated," he concluded, "and remodel for a Conduit now, then find some way to ascend one more time. Anyone who offers an easier answer is lying to you."

"Heh." The Immortal shook his head slowly. "I am not as ignorant as I appear, but I always begin there to see how many lies I will be fed. The majority of what you told me was sound theory, so I am inclined to believe these new words about ascensions. Though I must note that you have promised me a solution just beyond my grasp, exactly like so many charlatans."

"I could offer more knowledge, if you let me bring my allies."

"Do so, then. This is more promising than I've heard in years."

When Theo went to the others and explained, they seemed to understand immediately. He'd been worried that Fiyu would be secretive, but she seemed willing to show diagrams of her relative's design for a three floor Immortality Conduit. Senka grinned when she heard the task, then began demanding cloth from them. Soon she was draped in robes that made her look mysterious instead of like an obnoxious urchin.

They returned and Fiyu sketched out a blueprint, which seemed to impress the Immortal. But it was Senka who truly won the day, making pronouncements in somber tones, without a sporp or fumpet to be heard. Aside from her advanced knowledge, the presentation alone had to be worth something. When the Immortal showed his own blueprint, Theo and Nauda joined in with suggestions.

In the end, they walked away with a surprising fourteen thousand Silver Crowns. It seemed that money was no concern to an "Immortal" facing down his own mortality.

Now that all five Strongholds had been met, they departed. Over his shoulder, Theo saw Esaire talking to the Immortal and suspected it wasn't going so well. He couldn't know what might be promised, but hopefully Theo had already sold him more soulcrafting knowledge than Esaire knew. This might be the first time they had the advantage in funding.

"I found that very sad," Fiyu said. "There is nothing wrong with a life that ends, and it is tragic to ignore the life you have for one you cannot. If... if we cannot become immortal soulcrafters, I do not want to become like that."

"Of course we won't," Nauda said, taking her hand.

Theo agreed with them, but he said nothing. Of course immortality was a draw, especially as it was something that he could never find on Earth. The idea of finally reaching that point, of having an eternity to soulcraft and explore the Nine Worlds... that was a dream that had tormented him during his decades on Earth.

But there was no Immortality Conduit that saved someone from being violently killed, and in the short term, that was Theo's first concern. He'd already been a tired old man once and he had no intention of becoming one again.