Fantasy Primacy [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

There was a frustrating aspect to Kirsikka that she loathed: she could tease anyone for days without remorse, but as soon as they could mention intimate knowledge of her, she still flushed red as if it were some secret. Certainly among the reasons she also disliked letting someone else control those reactions.

She still snapped back as if she wasn't red, "You can dream about it, Draz," still stepped towards the door he was in front of and paused to place a chaste little kiss on his cheek, to whisper, "but I enjoyed your begging too much to give that up anytime soon."

Although she would lean away to move by him for the door. There was still a library that wouldn't ransack itself, after all.

~***~

Varick was right. Mikhail did indeed hold a grudge despite his words against such behavior. Not that Varick was surprised. Everyone was a hypocrite about something.

It was enough to end the conversation, though.

Varick was grateful for that. He didn't need the details. A man who lived as long as Dravon had, and was so powerful, was bound to breed grudges.

"As soon as Tamsin is ready," Varick answered with a sigh. He knew that was going to be a conversation that they needed to talk about when that would look like for her, and what more she felt needed to be done. It could wait until a little later in the day, though.

When this moment had passed.

 

[cleopat]

Drazhan knew there was a little victory in the beautiful red Kirsikka flushed, but his smirk didn’t last long with Kirsikka’s comment whispered in his ear. He shivered at the sensation of her breath trailing over his ear, and at the words she spoke.

He would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the thought and the promise of their future times together.

Before Kirsikka could leave the room, he wrapped an arm around her waist and gave her a not-so-chaste kiss on her lips. Pulling away, he whispered, “As long as that’s a promise.” He gave her waist a gentle squeeze before removing his arm.

Maybe she wouldn’t appreciate the sudden kiss, but he didn’t care. Not with how Kirsikka snuck away from him without a word. Not with how she was going to work herself to death to find all the answers.

But with that, he would let her go without another protest.

~~~

Mikhail nodded and accepted Varick’s answer with a hum. The bard may wait to tell Varick now was the time to leave until she felt everyone was absolutely ready to continue on their journey.

That could be tomorrow, or it could be another week. The poor Primal would be terribly cooped up by that point, and no doubt irritable to get back on the road. “And whenever that is, I’ll be sure that you all don’t leave without some supplies.” Food, potions, bandages, anything they may need or want.

With that, Mikhail bid Varick goodbye before he overstayed his welcome, and turned to head back in the house. Only a few minutes later, Tamsin came out, looking for Varick.

She had hoped his need for solitude didn’t extend to her also having to stay away.

“Are the horses behaving well?” she asked, unsure of how to start the conversation.

 

[Lucyfer]

Kirsikka wasn't at all displeased with the response. She'd be lying to claim otherwise and she didn't show any resistance when Drazhan pulled her close for a far deeper kiss. She returned the affection with much the same passion, wishing she could delay and linger…but Gods damn it all she still had things to do.

Ever the problem, really. A problem usually solved with stolen moments, but this one wasn't to last. Drazhan knew what she had to do and let the kiss break. "It's a promise," Kirsikka reassured him, hands sliding down his sides before she would turn away and exit the room to return to life in the cottage.

And Malina.

"My favorite heretic," Kirsikka greeted, too cheerfully, "thank you for taking teaching duties away," that was sincere, "would you like to go blow up some followers of the Council at their library? I need to check out a few books."

They could agree on violence. So certainly she's agree to join and Mikhail didn't immediately appear near. That didn't mean he wasn't but Kirsikka could hope so they didn't get a lecture until after it was done.

~***~

Varick really wasn't going to get any time to himself, it seemed. Yet another downfall of traveling with people, even those he liked. That long suffering sigh escaped him as he heard the steps before they were near enough.

And then Tamsin was in the stables.

"They're well," he answered, because it was true. "Need more exercise, but they're well," Marzipan wasn't accustomed to this at all, and he knew he should be more vigilant in taking her out.

He was preparing to do just that. Not ride her, but lead her around for a bit since there wasn't an enclosed pasture for her to safely roam. "That's not what you came here to check on," he pointed out. "You can say it."

Delaying it with small talk would only be more agitating.

 

[cleopat]

Malina glanced up from the book she was reading with a brow raised, not at all amused to be interrupted by Kirsikka and her little nickname. Even if it was true.

Before she could even ask what Kirsikka wanted, the other woman asked her to join her on an adventure that could only promise destruction and chaos.

She grinned at the promise of violence.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would love to.” She closed the book with a snap and stood up. “Please tell me we’re leaving now. Mikhail is outside, and I would prefer to leave without him knowing.”

Neither one of them wanted the lecture he was bound to give if he figured out their plan.

~~~

Tamsin could almost chuckle at the thought of their horses getting too comfortable with the sedentary life. They were used to traveling, with only a little rest here and there when they came to towns, but staying at Mikhail’s for a few days has surely spoiled them.

But there would be no more small talk about the horses, as Varick didn’t beat around the bush, which Tamsin both loved and hated about him.

“I just…wanted to apologize to you, for bringing up something that upsetted you.” The subject of Drazhan was obviously a sensitive one, and it weighed on her mind heavily that morning of how she brought it up, even if jokingly, when it had been obvious from before he wanted to leave it behind.

Even if she thought those two needed to talk it out more, she wouldn’t force it on Varick. It would have to come naturally. “I truly didn’t mean to upset you, especially not when there’s so much other shit to think about right now.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Despite the obvious annoyance Malina felt towards her, she seemed quite willing to go along and cause violence. Which, didn’t surprise Kirsikka at all. Malina really was just a spitfire, after all, and a spiteful one at that. “We are indeed leaving now, there’s no point in delaying, is there?” As she said it, she formed a portal out with a twist of her wrist.

Obviously, it wouldn’t go straight to the library. That was simply suicide, and a threat to Mikhail’s peaceful residence. “You’ll have to open the way to the library, you know,” Malina ought to still have the ability to do so.

Kirsikka may be able to, but it would take a bit more scrying than she cared to do. And if there were any protections, then it would take time to crack those. Malina shouldn’t yet be on the list of people they were trying to keep out, and she ought to know the ways through any protections, anyways.

The real reason, of course, that Kirsikka bothered to ask Malina to come along: making it easier.

She would wait for Malina to go through the portal before she’d follow, and close it.

~***~

“I know you didn’t intend to upset me,” Varick said, which was true. It didn’t change the fact it had indeed annoyed the ever-living fuck out of him to have this brought up again. Nor the fact that no one seemed to understand they were only making him dislike Drazhan more and Drazhan hadn’t even done anything to earn it.

Well, besides Kirsikka. That, Drazhan had apparently asked for with the truth serum.

“I’m not angry with you,” he stated, “I’m angry with the idea that this may turn into a long scam and you will refuse to leave until I make a certain amount of peace with Drazhan. If that is the case, let me know. I’ll leave you to Drazhan and Kirsikka’s care.”

He wouldn’t stay around to play some game of ‘making peace’ in a confined space with people he disliked. If Tamsin was going to try and force his hand by drawing this out, he could leave her to other people who wanted to help her and get on his way.

It wasn’t a game he was going to play.

 

[cleopat]

Malina nodded in agreement that she would have to be the one to open the way to the library. She didn’t know if she had been gone unannounced long enough for them to suspect her of treason. They may certainly question her whereabouts though if anyone saw her.

Too bad she wasn't in the mood to talk to them.

She went through the portal first, and before she could verify that Kirsikka was through the portal as well, she began to craft the next one into the library. She decided on a dark, quiet corner she knew never had many students, except for the occasional lovers finding an isolated corner for a little fun break.

This would give them time to gather themselves and prepare for fighting. They will eventually encounter people in the library.

The portal worked. They hadn’t blocked her yet. Malina took a deep breath and stepped through, prepared for an instant attack, but then allowed her form to relax some when she saw there was no one to immediately see.

~~~

Tamsin immediately shook her head. “Of course I won’t do that. I care more about you and your feelings than I do them.” She still hardly knew them, while she and Varick shared in a lot since they first met.

That seemed like a long time ago.

But his words created a trail of doubt in her thoughts. She looked at Marzipan standing next to them, and she reached a hand out to gently stroke her hair, unable to look at Varick for her next question, afraid of an answer she didn’t want to hear.

“You…aren’t regretting all of this with me, are you?” Tamsin of course would be devastated if he said he was, with traveling with Drazhan being that final nail in the coffin, and that he wanted to leave to return to his solo travels. She wanted him by his side, but she wouldn’t force it if the entire situation bothered him way more than he could tolerate.

 

[Lucyfer]

Kirsikka followed after Malina, similarly prepared for a fight – but it wasn’t there, and that allowed Kirsikka a moment to regroup, and consider where they were in the library. “I need to get to the forbidden magic section,” Kirsikka said, almost idly, as she tried to recall her way around.

It was the old Ordo Sors library, after all. She assumed much was still the same. “Necromancy,” research purposes, of course, she figured she didn’t need to clarify with Malina, “Do you know if they moved that?”

As she finished asking, a librarian did turn the corner to them, “It’s forbidden to portal into the library anywhere except the entra—oh.” A pause. Confusion. Kirsikka had enough time to put her hands behind her back in case Malina wanted to try a lie. “Malina? I—Kirsikka?”

“Hi.” She resisted the urge to draw a hand forward and wave. Patience would be a virtue if Malina wanted to try lying.

~***~

Varick sighed at the question. At the way Tamsin didn’t look at him to ask it. He supposed mentioning he might leave would cause her to worry like that. “I don’t regret traveling with you,” the others, he was absolutely going to regret traveling with, but not Tamsin. He wouldn’t regret that.

“I won’t going forward, either. No matter how much of a pain the others are,” and he knew they would be.

Drazhan the traitor to the Primals, and Kirsikka the war criminal.

It was not a fun mix for him. Not to mention their…friends…Malina and Mikhail. “I wish our journey hadn’t brought them into the situation. I wish it made more sense. But I don’t regret traveling with you, Tamsin.”

 

[cleopat]

Kirsi needing the forbidden magic section was hardly a surprise. That would be a big reason as to why she wanted to break into this library, and not any other that any city would have. But the forbidden magic in question? Well, that was a cause for more curiosity.

Malina looked mildly surprised, as well as a little impressed. “Necromancy? What fascinating new hobby did you pick up recently?” But she started to lead her on. “And as far as I know, no, that section hasn’t been moved.”

But they didn’t make it far before one of the librarians found them and prepared to chastise them for portaling. Naturally, she recognized them both. Were you one of the ones who lied to me for years? Malina glanced to Kirsikka, to see if she would do anything, and she would do nothing more than place her hands behind her back before the librarian saw the movement.

Ahh, my prisoner.

“Yes, this is Kirsikka. I finally managed to capture her, and now I was bringing her in to stand before the Council at her judgment.” Malina grabbed Kirsikka’s upper arm. “And in my haste to arrive, this area…was my first thought to portal to.”

She hoped that would satisfy the librarian enough to leave them alone to find the forbidden magic section.

~~~

Tamsin visibly relaxed at Varick’s reassurance that he regrets nothing with her, and will not regret it in the future. She breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to look at him, a soft smile back on her face. Sure, seeing him irritated may become more common in the future when they head back on the road, but now she knew he wouldn’t regret traveling with her.

It was just too bad that they wouldn’t have as much time to themselves as they did before. Any nightly activities they would want to engage in would most likely have to be saved for the next time they reached a town.

“Nothing makes sense right now, does it?” So much so, that Tamsin almost wanted to break down and beg to talk to Dravon and find more answers that he seemed to have, if he was telling the truth.

“But we’ll handle this one day at a time. Together.” She stepped up to him until she was directly in front of him, but not quite touching. “And if those two are irritating you in any way, I’m sure I can find some way to get your mind off of things.”

 

[Lucyfer]

“The hobby that deals with Dravon, unfortunately,” Kirsikka sighed as an answer. Malina knew Dravon was undead. That meant there were answers in necromancy, somewhere. Kirsikka knew she’d have to keep reassuring people she wasn’t practicing it. And she didn’t plan to, but she’d heard the clarion call of forbidden magics before.

She’d resisted.

But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t slip.

That was a problem for later. The problem for now was getting through the library so she could grab what she wanted, before it devolved into chaos. Malina played along, and Kirsikka only gave a cursory resistance against the grab, before shooting a glare at Malina. ‘Good job.’

Unfortunately, the librarian wasn’t an idiot. “You brought Kirsikka here without the proper shackles?”

‘Ah, right, that’s why we didn’t use portals before.’ The shackles prevented that, because they dampened Kirsikka’s magic. ‘Okay, fine.’ Kirsikka broke from the fake hold and grabbed the librarian before she could realize this was more of a problem than she first thought, and put a hand over her lips.

“If you want to live,” Kirsikka said softly, “you’re going to take us to the forbidden section of the library. If you don’t want to live, try doing literally anything else. I may be creative. Or I may just freeze your blood. I haven’t had my coffee yet, so you’re looking at agony either way.” The librarian was still going to die, but they didn't need to know that.

The poor dear’s eyes were wide with fright, and she looked at Malina with such hurt, such betrayal.

~***~

Plenty made sense.

They just didn’t have answers.

That was the nuisance of it all, and Varick didn’t enjoy it. Tamsin was something special, something tied to the White Sun – whatever that really was – and her newfound dagger apparently had some terrifyingly interesting potential in its abilities they’d yet to test. At least, so far as he knew, there were no tests.

All the tests had been on her powers and he imagined they’d stay here until the dagger was understood, which was…frustrating.

He’d survive.

Tamsin would, as well, as she stepped closer and he turned from Marzipan to look down at her as she offered promises of what she could do for him when he was irritated. It brought a bit of a smirk to his lips, and then an eyeroll. He understood the offer, and though it certainly wasn’t needed, it was appreciated.

He wasn’t sticking around just to mess around with Tamsin, though that was a nice perk. “I’ve dealt with worse for less,” he reached out to touch her face, and brush back some strands of hair with his thumb, “but I’ll certainly let you know if they irritate me. If it isn’t obvious.” It would be. He didn’t hide that.

 

[cleopat]

Their cover was blown before they even had a chance to act it out. Oh well.

Malina felt nothing as the librarian shot her a look of betrayal. How could she feel something akin to regret towards someone who played a role in the lies fed to her? When she spent so many hours in these bookcases, studying in hopes of becoming greater.

“I would believe her. She’s a menace when she hasn’t had her coffee.” Malina crossed her arms over her chest, giving the librarian a deadpan stare.

The librarian conceded and led them to the forbidden section as best as she could with Kirsikka on her. “Specifically, show us where the necromancy books are,” Malina demanded, and the librarian shot them a look for the request, but as she had no other choice, she did as directed.

The poor woman occasionally shot Malina a look, as if she would have pity on the woman.

~~~

Tamsin smiled a warm smile, leaning her face into his touch. “You’re always obvious when something irritates you.” He wore his emotions well on his face. “It’s one thing I really like about you. You don’t hide when it comes to expressing emotions.”

She just wished those emotions were generally happier, as he always acted like he had the weight of the world on him.

Tamsin placed her hand over his, gently brushing his skin with her thumb.

“Do you want to be alone now? It looked like I may have interrupted some quiet contemplation time with Marzipan.” She looked away from him to look at the horse in question and gently stroke her mane.

 

[Lucyfer]

The librarian did her duty, even taking them down paths that had no people for her to call out to for help. She truly believed she had a chance of escape, or life. Kirsikka wouldn't suggest any different as they were led into the forbidden section, Kirsikka needing to relax her grip to let the woman cast, but she was very attentive to any spell that might cause harm.

None did.

The alarms were deactivated, letting them slip in, and the necromancy section was right there, tomes upon tomes of forbidden magic.

Magic the White Sun was using to preserve Dravon, somehow.

“Thank you,” Kirsikka let go of the librarian to approach the shelves, and shoot back an icicle. It cracked her skull and down she went, allowing Kirsikka to peruse the tomes without worrying about her.

“Another portal will still set off an alert, won't it?” She had to send the books to Mont Pellinor. Without being traced. This was going to be a nuisance, but she picked one book off the shelf about The Veil. It sounded sympathetic to necromancy. Her eyes continued to skim for authors she knew, famous necromancers and their ilk.

~***~

Varick couldn't say he enjoyed being that obvious, but if Tamsin enjoyed it, he'd accept that silver lining. That, and it was good not to be misunderstood, and it was definitely a part of him that wasn't changing.

As for being alone, he was aware he'd only left the area to avoid the issues with him and Drazhan being brought up any further. He didn't want to continue those conversations. “I don't need to be,” he said, “but I did intend to take Marzipan on a ride. You're welcome to join with Luna.”

Luna might need it, too.

They all probably did, but he wasn't touching Drazhan’s or Kirsikka’s horses to see about them. He'd leave their steeds to their care. “But if you have plans with your magic training first, I understand. That has to take priority,” if only so they could leave sooner.

And Varick really wanted to leave.

Of course, he didn’t know that Kirsikka and Malina went on a very impromptu and volatile trip.

 

[cleopat]

No emotion crossed Malina’s face as she looked down at the deceased librarian, blood slowly pooling out of her head and onto the floor beneath her body. “I’m going to assume that means this is the only section you’ll need access to.”

They won’t have luck again in finding another librarian that will lead them to their desired forbidden section. What were the odds of fooling another one twice regarding Kirsikka’s presence?

She turned her head back towards Kirsikka, and stepped closer to the bookshelves, idly browsing the titles. “You would be correct. You will need to be sneaky to get the books out of here without the location being known.” But she assumed Kirsikka had her methods, considering she managed to evade the Council of Light for several years.

“It probably doesn’t need to be said, but if you open a direct portal from here to Mikhail’s home…” She let the threat remain silent as she shot the other woman a look.

~~~

Tamsin was very pleased to hear that Varick didn’t want his complete solitude. He was okay with her joining him on a peaceful ride with their horses. Just like they were used to.

“I would love to, and something tells me that Luna would love that as well.” Her horse was nearby, so she walked over to Luna to begin preparing her for the ride. Her horse snorted when Tamsin approached, which she assumed meant that Luna was saying hello. “And hello to you too.”

As she prepped the saddle, she answered Varick, “I actually haven’t heard anything about magic training today. I saw them both this morning, but nothing was mentioned about training.” She hummed, thinking back to how Drazhan followed Kirsikka back into their shared room when she returned, and how Malina seemed to wish to ignore everyone around her.

“And so since I haven’t been told anything, I am going to go ahead and make plans for today with you.” She smiled at him as she came back over, leading Luna behind her.

 

[Lucyfer]

Getting the books out was going to be a pain, but Kirsikka had indeed been evading being found. She knew it was just a matter of making several portals, and continuing to do so for a while. Eventually, they’d get lost. Eventually, they’d stop being able to follow. The magic remnants of the portals would fade, the trail lost. Malina could help with that, too, as she started to make a pile of potentially useful books to transport.

At Malina’s threat, she gave her a dull stare, “Please. I like Mikhail.” She would never bring a threat to his door intentionally. She had no control over Dravon and his abilities. That hadn’t been intentional.

She still felt guilty for it.

“The strategy is deceptively simple, of course. Open multiple portals at once, go through one, open more, we split, you pick one, open more, and on and on for a while, until there’s no hope of them ever figuring it out,” Kirsikka shrugged, “Well, that, and a disguise, but I can handle an illusion spell on myself before we leave.”

And now that she had a decent pile of forbidden tomes, “But I did promise you some destruction, didn’t I? So long as we don’t harm the books,” and she opened a portal to let the books fall through, “I don’t see why we can’t draw some chaos to us,” the portal opening would do just that, if they didn’t flee.

~***~

Varick wasn’t sure if Malina had indicated anything else about training later that day after their morning session. It seemed she hadn’t, which was a bit frustrating. Perhaps she had been waiting for Kirsikka to see? That didn’t seem right, though. The apparent hostility between the two likely hadn’t softened near enough for Malina to care about that given the confessions of last night.

If anything, things may be worse with those two, even if they could grudgingly agree that Malina was a better teacher, and Kirsikka a better researcher.

Both had their merits.

Still, Varick wouldn’t comment on the inept mages as it allowed Tamsin to join him for a walk around their almost perfect sanctuary. He let her prepare Luna, and then stepped out, mounting up onto Marzipan once he was outside the stables. “I’m not sure how far Mikhail’s protection extends, so we won’t go too far away.”

He wasn’t sure how easily they’d find their way back if they crossed over the line. He liked to hope Mikhail might get an alert and come get them, but he couldn’t be sure of that.

He did ask, “How much more do you want to learn while we stay with Mikhail?” he wanted an idea of how much longer he had to stay here, but he couldn’t ask it that way.

 

[cleopat]

The plan was deceptively simple with the multitude of portals, but they had to be quick about it. Once the first portal opened up to transport the books, more of the Council would rush to the library to see what was going on. “Alright, sounds simple enough.”

Whether or not it would truly be simple was another story.

With the mention of the promised destruction, Malina grinned, fire already dancing on her fingertips. “Some books may be harmed, but your necromancy books will be flawless.”

Just then, she heard footsteps growing closer. She walked toward them and away from Kirsikka. Two figures appeared, both of whom Malina knew she recognized from the Council, but she could hardly be bothered to remember their names. Their eyes widened when they saw her. “Malina? What are you doing here? Some have said you’ve been unreachable for several days now.”

Then they saw the fire in her hands, which drew more confusion. They possibility that she betrayed and left them hadn’t crossed their minds yet, but realization struck when, wordlessly, hurled a fireball in their direction, striking the one who failed to put up a defense shield in time.

~~~

Tamsin followed Varick, mounting Luna when they were outside the stables. She hummed in agreement at Varick’s suggestion. If they venture too far, who knows what would attack them. And would Mikhail even know if they were being attacked outside his land? Would they be able to find it again?

She had many doubts on that.

She thought for a moment about his question. “I’m not really sure, to be honest. I know I would like to have control over my powers, and I would like to learn a few things about them to be able to defend myself, and maybe attack those who attack me.” But it was hard to know for sure what she wanted, as she didn’t know the extent of these powers of hers.

“And learn all that we can about that knife,” she added. “I know you must be getting antsy. You’re not used to staying in one place for too long, are you?” And in close quarters to the same people, some of whom got on his last nerves. Poor Varick.

 

[Lucyfer]

Obviously the necromancy books would be flawless. They weren’t in the library. Still, Kirsikka pouted at the thought of such rampant knowledge destruction being possible, but she supposed it was a small price to pay for the destruction of more individuals of the Council of Light. Besides, who was she to deny Malina that kind of destruction?

She was cruel, but not that cruel.

So, of course, she didn’t get in the way of Malina torching one of the two who came to find them. The other, who turned to run, slipped on ice – right onto an icicle that impaled them through the skull. The sensation of magic was tingling through the air now, calling all sorts, who decided there was no point in not using portals either.

Only now, it was fairly obvious these were not oblivious librarians who just felt the pull of portal magic. They came out of their portals with spells prepared, and Kirsikka didn’t waste time in pulling up an icy barrier between herself and the spells, before breaking that barrier into several shards of ice and launching them to severe limbs, before she stepped back into her portal.

And created several more, aware they’d only reopen that one after it closed behind Malina, and follow.

Some would see the portal she went through – and reopen it. And find another mess of portal energy, and be uncertain which to follow. They’d have to guess. They’d have to try them all. And by the time they found the right one, they’d find another mess of portal energy.

Again, and again, and again.

Kirsikka did try to keep Malina along, until near the end, when she closed the portals too quick.

If Malina tried to follow, she’d be in the same mess of uncertainty.

Kirsikka didn’t need Malina following to Mont Pellinor, where she settled her newfound books in the broken tower she had used the other night. She left a simple note atop them for Rience.

The books don’t leave this place xo​

It was his head if they did, but he could read them.

She left there to another place, and then one more jump, before she’d return to Mikhail’s cottage.

~***~

‘Can’t you do that already?’ Varick didn’t ask that aloud, as he considered what he saw of Tamsin’s practice with Malina. She had started to actually have control, after all, unlike with Kirsikka who couldn’t seem to teach Tamsin to control it. She taught Tamsin how to lose that control of it.

Which was…perhaps a dangerous thing, if the control Malina was teaching didn’t stick.

Tamsin would know when her magic was ready. Sadly, Varick would not. “Not places like this,” he sighed. If it was Geot Draath, he wouldn’t be so bothered, but a strange mage who already poisoned him? No, he wasn’t comfortable here, “I don’t intend to rush you,” he added, “I wanted to know what you felt you still had to learn before you were confident in leaving. I know you may not know how long it’ll take.”

Unfortunately.

“Since it’s all new. And I don’t understand how it feels to have any control of magic, so I don’t understand how tenuous your newfound powers may feel to you right now. You seemed to be getting a grasp of it when I saw you practicing with Malina, but I don’t know how it feels to you yet.”

It may be weeks.

He hoped not, but he knew it could be.

And he’d suffer those weeks if he needed to.

 

[cleopat]

Chaos soon erupted in the library, as more portaled into the area once the figured out there were intruders casting magic inside. Malina allowed her anger to manifest in a whirlwind of fire, burning those who dared to cast a spell in her direction.

She didn’t know how many were killed, nor the extent of the damage in the library. But it felt good.

Anger and frustration from years of manipulation spilled out of her like the flames casted from her hands.

When the portal reopened and Kirsikka stepped through it, Malina followed, knowing there was a time to concede. Pity, she would’ve liked to see the entire building ablaze.

Portal after portal she followed Kirsikka, slowly losing their attackers in the process of the complicated tangled web of portal energy. Eventually, though, she even lost Kirsikka. Malina huffed out her frustration at the other woman, before creating several more portals to ensure that she wasn’t being followed anymore.

Satisfied, she portaled back to Mikhail’s cottage, the main area empty save for her brother, sitting in an armchair with a cup of tea in his hand, one brow raised in a questioning look.

~~~

Tamsin’s heart ached with the consideration Varick held for her needs and wants beyond his own discomfort. When was the last time someone had put that much thought towards her?

He deserved something special, but she didn’t know what yet.

“I think I do have a basic grasp on it, thanks to Malina, but I want another lesson or two just to make sure.” She couldn’t know for sure if she understood her powers based on one successful lesson. There had to be at least one or two more, and maybe the advice of Malina before she would be confident to go forward on their journey.

“So you shouldn’t have to suffer around here a few more weeks,” she teased, shooting him a grin. “Although I will miss these quiet moments, just the two of us enjoying each other’s company.” There would be less of that when Drazhan and Kirsikka joined them on the road. And they would still have their time together when staying at some inn for the night, but it was hardly the same as when it had just been the two of them on the road, alone.

 

[Lucyfer]

It was a few more portals to put distance between Mikhail’s cottage and Mount Pellinor. It was always best not to leave a trail there, before she returned outside the cottage and strode in to see a similarly confused Mikhail.

She lifted a hand in greeting. “Just took Malina on a field trip to the old Ordo Sors library to get some books. I stored them safely.” She said, fully aware Mikhail would know that meant they'd gone to a Council of Light location.

But it was over now. He couldn't stop them. He could just be disappointed.

Which, they could handle.

Probably.

“Maybe killed a few people, but I'm mostly just sad Malina destroyed other books,” Kirsikka sighed. “Some of those books only have a few copies left in the world.” The true tragedy. Not the people, the books. “Honestly, this is why fire is a wasteful magic.”

She couldn't really stop picking fights, either.

~***~

Varick managed an agreeable grunt. He understood well. “Learning to swing a sword isn't all there is. I know you need to be more comfortable with the magic,” but they also had a deadline. Her birthday was coming up, and it was a potentially critical one.

They needed answers.

They didn't have time for everything.

He was also going to miss the quiet moments, though he didn't share her assessment that Mikhail’s home was that. The time before, certainly. “The sooner we figure things out, the sooner we can go back to those,” he sighed out, knowing it couldn't come soon enough.

He was already tired of everyone.

“With the timeline, I suppose it at least won't last a year,” he hoped. He didn't want to deal with Drazhan for that long. Or Kirsikka. It was good to at least think that way, give himself a hopeful thought of a future in just under a year.

 

[cleopat]

Mikhail’s questioning and unamused look turned to one of disbelief, followed by anger. “You went where?” His usually calm voice was raised, as he thought of the danger the two put themselves in, and the danger they could’ve potentially put everyone else in if they didn’t successfully erase their trail.

“No one was able to keep up with us. Everything is fine,” Malina said casually, as if it wasn’t in fact a big deal that she escorted a wanted criminal into enemy territory. “And if you want to save those books so much, find the other copies and duplicate them or something,” she said with a huff.

Fire magic was powerful, beautiful, and mesmerizing. In her eyes, ice was the weaker form.

Mikhail placed two fingers on the bridge of his nose as he tried to not go off on the two mages for their dangerous stunt. Footsteps followed by creaks in the staircase could be heard as Drazhan left his room to investigate the commotion. He saw the two woman and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, even if one of those women was Malina. “Oh thank the gods you made it back safely.”

Mikhail dropped his hand and stared at Drazhan with betrayal etched on his face. “You knew?” The man in question only shrugged his shoulders in response.

~~~

Varick was right. There was more to swordfighting than just learning how to swing a sword. There was technique, there were proper stances, there was building the muscles to just simply hold a sword, among others. And likewise, Tamsin needed to learn the intricacies of her magic, so she didn’t accidentally hurt anyone or herself.

“Or you hope that something else won’t pop up and extend this adventure for another year.” It was meant to be a slight tease at Varick’s sigh, but Tamsin did wonder exactly how much more was there to…all of this. There were still so many unknowns, and it seemed like more questions piled on daily.

She nearly wanted to tease Varick about being around Drazhan longer, but she bit back her tongue. That would only cause him irritation, and she didn’t want that. Not when they were enjoying this moment together.

“It’s near impossible to think of the timeline of this, since we are still seeking so many answers.” Her nose scrunched in slight displeasure. “But I think for now, we should enjoy the present.” The gentle swaying of the leaves left on the trees that hadn’t fallen for winter. Water trickling from a nearby creek. The beating of the horses’ hooves on the ground.

“How long did you want to be out?” They couldn’t mindlessly wander out, since they had no idea of what the parameters of Mikhail’s spell were, but if they found a nice spot to sit and relax in each other’s company…she wouldn’t complain.

 

[Lucyfer]

For once, Kirsikka didn’t need to expect rage from Drazhan. Perhaps there was a benefit to keeping him informed of what she did, even if – well, she couldn’t share everything. He probably would be opposed to her working with a blood mage, after all. Studying necromancy was already pushing several limits, no doubt. Thankfully, neither him nor Malina seemed worried about that part of things.

Mikhail’s betrayed expression was almost amusing as she slipped over to where Drazhan was – a source of warmth she immediately wanted, and everyone in the room knew. What use acting as if she didn’t, right then? So she just wrapped her arms around him as she leaned into his side.

“I don’t hide everything, Mikhail,” Kirsikka said, “Drazhan trusted me to manage, even with Malina tagging along. And I’d never let your home be found intentionally.” Dravon was…an unexpected situation. One she should have somehow accounted for, but she hadn’t been in the habit of assuming he was alive for a while.

It was hard to think of him that way still.

“I have plenty of good resources now to start figuring out more about several of the problems that fell onto your doorstep, and that was desperately needed. And, no offense, I wasn’t going to find any of these things in any bookstore or thrift store in good time.”

~***~

Varick was not amused with the tease. Saying it like that was almost begging for something to pop up and extend the adventure, somehow. He didn’t want that at all. He really wanted to be done with the Mage and Drazhan as soon as possible.

“It may be difficult, but you can’t let the timeline slip your mind,” sure, it took away from the present a bit, but he did need to make that point. Tamsin couldn’t forget there was urgency to all of this. Perhaps it was one thing he was strangely grateful for. He sensed that Kirsikka understood urgency; the way she just worked through the night and arrived that morning proved she had some idea, even if it may do them some harm.

A tired mage was never a good mage.

Nor was a mage with any sort of mental instability from exhaustion or substances. Not that any mage he knew, ever seemed to care. Well, except Dravon. Dravon had been sane, before…well. Before something else got to him.

Varick couldn’t think of him as truly Dravon anymore.

At the question, though, he snorted. “As long as possible.” It wasn’t like he couldn’t just ride Marzipan in a circle around the area. “Or at least until Marzipan seems a bit tired.” Then he’d guide her back, brush her down, and see to her meal.

 

[cleopat]

In any other circumstance, Drazhan may have appeared more sheepish for keeping a secret from the owner of the house, and their current protector from outside enemies. But this was for the best of all of them.

He hoped.

There was still the nagging sensation in the very back of his mind that Kirsikka would keep something from him, but he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. Foolishly so.

Even more so as Kirsikka slinked her arms around him, and he reciprocated, drawing her closer to his body.

Mikhail still didn’t look pleased by any of it, clear by his arms crossed over his chest and the uncharacteristic frown marring his face. “There is some method to her madness. Some,” Malina drawled, walking towards the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea.

Mikhail’s gaze shifted from his sister and back to the couple. “And would you be willing to tell me exactly what these ‘good resources’ are, and how they solve some of our problems?”

~~~

Extending the adventure sounded amazing in Tamsin’s head, not thinking at that moment how Varick didn’t quite like their other two adventurers. What stories they could create! What stories and songs she could craft!

But Varick did have a point with their having a timeline, which Tamsin agreed with. “Of course not. And if the time does occasionally slip my mind, I have no doubt you will set me straight again, and I want you to.” Not that she would intentionally let it slip from her mind.

There was…a lot. To the point where she held a lot of anxiety over her situation. Sometimes, she allowed her mind to give herself distractions from the more unpleasant things she faced.

Like how she denied herself the abusive relationship she was in for several months.

“And Marzipan hasn’t gotten that soft in our time spent here, has she?” Tamsin chuckled, bending forward some to give her own horse a gentle stroke. “And we could always let them graze while we take a small stroll along the creek.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The warmth was ever-pleasant, ever-missed. A part of her mind nagged at her that she was using ice too freely again. She risked making her own situation worse, but she ignored it. She’d always do what was necessary, and ice was often necessary when it was the quickest bit of magic she could grab.

“Necromancy tomes,” Kirsikka answered Mikhail, which would prove exactly why he wouldn’t have any of those things, and why it would be difficult to find anywhere else. It wasn’t a legally practiced form of magic, but there were aspects of it that were ‘legal’, and the knowledge of it had to be retained.

There were always people willing to figure it out, after all.

“I’m not going to practice it,” she added, “I just need the information to figure out what’s going on, and you know there’s not many places to get that sort of information,” Malina hadn’t freaked out. Mikhail might – but even if he did, he couldn’t find where she took the books. The act was done.

She’d do her research.

~***~

Varick didn’t add he thought Kirsikka more likely to press on the timeline than him. He wouldn’t forget it by any means, but he was far more lenient. Likely, when Kirsikka figured out what she wanted to figure out, she’d start pressing on them to move on, regardless of how ready Tamsin was. Regardless of how ready any of them were.

Varick didn’t really understand why Tamsin wanted to take a walk. They were able to talk just fine atop the horses, and get the exercise in for them. He didn’t really plan to pause and let Marzipan graze.

So, of course, he had to ask, “Why do you want to take a walk?”

It was true Marzipan hadn’t grown soft in the intermittent time, but he didn’t think adding an extended break was going to help matters any. He could be wrong, of course.

 

[cleopat]

Mikhail opened and closed his mouth several times at Kirsikka’s answer. He wouldn’t have been surprised if a blood vessel burst in his brain from the rising mix of the emotional storm within them.

But Kirsikka said she wasn’t going to practice it, and for some inane reason, he believed her. Mikhailed sighed, pressing two fingers against his temple. “And what if they followed…”

“They didn’t,” Malina piped up behind him, a steaming hot cup of tea in her hand. “Even I hate to admit this, but she was careful. We both were.” And if Malina was vouching for Kirsikka, then Mikhail had to believe them.

He sighed, again, but ultimately, he caved. Damn them. They both knew he would. “And this is to help figure out what Dravon is, right?”

“Obviously,” drawled Malina.

“Fine, fine,” Mikhail said with a dramatic wave of his hand. “But at the first sight of trouble…”

“We understand,” Drazhan piped up, squeezing Kirsikka’s side.

~~~

Tamsin didn’t immediately answer Varick. Instead, she paused, hopped off Luna, and took her reins to continue walking her horse by Varick’s side. “Is it so wrong that I just want to take a walk?” She reached up and squeezed his thigh, higher than what was needed, before just as quickly removing her hand.

“Or if you just want to continue this walk in silence, I can do that as well.” They both know her silence wouldn’t last long. Tamsin talked enough for both of them.

She didn’t talk, as she mentioned, but instead she hummed a tune, one she had been working on while cooped up in Mikhail’s cottage. Not that she didn’t mind the vacation, but it had been a while since she stayed in one place for so long. She was getting antsy as anyone else there.

She, queen of the kings, broken her cage, threw out the keys
She will be the warrior of the North and Southern Seas​

 

[Lucyfer]

Mikhail was definitely having an aneurysm thanks to the information, but Kirsikka let him get through it, as Malina also butted in that they did everything as safely as they possibly could, and showed she wasn’t surprised by the information at all. No one was, except Mikhail. Drazhan and Malina were in on it. “Maybe don’t mention it to Varick, though. I think he’ll have an issue.” She was pretty sure he would.

Especially since no one was on the “give Dravon information” side of things. They all wanted to know what he was, of course, but Varick clearly didn’t trust her much with that side of things. Or anything else.

He was sane.

“Don’t worry, I’ll destroy the trouble,” Kirsikka gave a casual handwave. “Now that we’re over your moral objections, do you have anything useful to the research? Or even anything to deal with the likelihood that at least five of the books I grabbed are cursed and going to try and possess my mind to do foul deeds? I can probably withstand three of them.”

It was a joke.

It was also, definitely, not a joke.

The dead did some twisted shit, and so did those who wanted immortality. Binding their soul to a book on necromancy was not a surprise.

~***~

Okay, Varick definitely got the message with where Tamsin laid her hand. At least, he assumed he did, as he noted, “It’s not. But I thought I’d ask,” even as he said it, he dismounted from Marzipan to walk alongside her, “I’m not sure Mikhail’s magic extends beyond the creek, so we’ll want to stay on this side of it.”

Bodies of water were natural barriers. He could imagine the magic ending right at it, or even before it, for several reasons. They were heavily trafficked areas by humans and creatures alike, extending the magic beyond it would likely cause some complications, but Mikhail also needed to safely get water.

As they walked to the creek, Tamsin began to hum. It was a tune that Varick didn’t know, but that wasn’t surprising anymore. He knew she wrote some of her own music, so he asked, “A new song?” as the gentle sound of water over stones reached their ears.

 

[cleopat]

With the mention of the elder Primal, Mikhail groaned and ran a hand over his face. “Of course he’ll have an issue! I’m having an issue!” But he relented with another groan of defeat.

“He’ll most definitely have an issue,” Drazhan echoed.

His eyes closed, Mikhail groaned once more before he waved a hand in the air. “You’re lucky I love you, and that you’re boyfriend is cute.” He could hear a small groan, but from whom, he couldn’t tell with his eyes closed for the moment.

He opened them and looked back at Kirsikka, another pained expression on his face. He knew her ‘joke’ was most definitely not a joke, and Drazhan had an expression of slight horror on his face.

They all knew what was within the realms of possibility.

“I actually may have something in the library that may help you. Everything is categorized, so feel free to help yourselves. I’m going to…do anything but this.” Mikhail glared at his sister as she snickered at him.

~~~

Tamsin smiled as Varick dismounted Marzipan to walk alongside her. She clasped his hand in hers as they strolled with lackadaisical steps on their path. She didn’t hint at anything more about her close touch on his thigh, but the thought was still very much present in her mind.

At Varick’s question, Tamsin hummed in the affirmative. “It is, but it’s not quite ready to be heard by anyone yet. Maybe by the time I perform next, it’ll be ready.” She grinned at him, letting go of his hand, and Luna’s reigns, trusting her horse to not go galloping away, to walk closer to the creek, but not daring to step on the rock in the middle that enticed her, nor daring to step over to the other side, where Mikhail’s protection may not have jurisdiction.

“I do miss performing though, it’s been too long since I’ve entertained the drunk audiences,” she chuckled. She stopped along the edge of the creek and sat right beside it, with one hand reaching out to lightly skim the surface of the cool water. “I can’t let myself get rusty.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Kirsikka could only chuckle at Mikhail’s dissolving resolution to be angry, with the comment on Drazhan being cute. The groans amused her. She was lucky, though, and she knew it. It wasn’t something she’d deny. This wasn’t entirely skill.

And she was lucky that Mikhail had something that could be of use, even as Drazhan was clearly about to panic over something he hadn’t considered. “I’ll go have a look. Thank you, Mikhail,” she wouldn’t linger to cause any more stress in the room, and she separated herself from Drazhan to head to Mikhail’s library.

Whether or not he followed was his decision, but she was intent to read the books that could help and prevent herself from being possessed by some spirit that wanted to live again after locking itself up in a necromancy tome.

~***~

Varick readily accepted Tamsin’s hand as she strolled and walked alongside her. It seemed the song was indeed a new one she was creating, and he wondered at the inspirations for it, since it seemed there were few here. At least, to him. Then again, he supposed all these people were new to Tamsin, save for Mikhail himself.

“I’m sure it will be,” Varick offered the vote of confidence, even if he rather wished it wouldn’t be, only because he wanted to leave that quickly. That wasn’t fair to Tamsin. And maybe it would even come along quickly.

He let go of Marzipan, though still gave the horse a glance back, half-wanting to tie it off to a tree, but hoping his trust wasn’t misplaced instead.

He took a seat besides her, and moved his arm around her side to keep her close.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to convince some of those in the house to drink and play audience,” though Varick sighed at the thought, “once we get on our way again, it shouldn’t be too hard to venture through a town. I’m sure you aren’t rusty yet.”

Nor would she be anytime soon, even if she was busy practicing magic instead of performing.