Chapter 80: Outside the Wall

Chapter 80: Outside the Wall

Stryg looked over the black gate as Loh spoke with the stationed guards. People of all sorts stood in lines, waiting to leave or enter the great city. Some of the folk wore fancy clothes and rode on centaurs. Others wore tattered clothes with various patchwork and stood on their own two feet.

The whole exchange reminded Stryg of when he first arrived in Hollow Shade. He had been so terrified, afraid he would be sold off in this unknown place. Now he was a mage novice, apprenticed to one of the most talented magi in all the Realm. How things had changed.

Stryg, come on! Loh waved him over.

The guards ushered others in line to the side to make room for the mage duo. Strygs lips curled, being a mage truly had its benefits. He gave one last look back at the city that had become his home. He would return soon enough, hopefully by then Plum would stop avoiding him and give them a chance to talk. He wasnt sure what to say to her, but he missed her company more than he would like to admit.

Come on lover boy, youll get to see Feli soon enough. Were losing daylight, hurry up, Loh called out.

Stryg frowned. He didnt know what a lover boy was, but from Lohs tone he knew he didnt like it.

Master? Rhian tilted her head back.

Lets go, Stryg sighed.

Rhian trotted over to Maximus and followed him into the black tunnel and through the gate. They emerged on the other side to the sight of a dirt road, tall green grass, and endless hills in the distance.

The open plains still unnerved Stryg to no end. How could people live in a place so open without any natural defences surrounding them?

Large crowds walked down the road, heading towards the city. Stryg even saw several clusters of wagons, each holding a flag. He supposed these were the trade caravans he had heard about. It was interesting how he knew what all these people meant now. When he had first arrived they had all just seemed strange and outworldly to him.

Let us get off the main road for now. We dont want a lot of people where were going, Loh said. She tugged on the reins lightly, directing Maximus to the Southwest.

Stryg tried emulating her and tugged on Rhians reins, but he accidentally pulled too hard, yanking her neck backwards.

Stryg cleared his throat. Uh, forward?

Her head leaning back, she stared at him upside down, Yeah, I got that.

She straightened her back and cantered over to the armored Maximus, away from the crowds of folk surrounding the city gates.

Stryg looked up at Loh, Where exactly are we going?

Away from people. The less people we see the better.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

I thought you were going to show me more of Dusk Valley, Stryg tilted his head.

Thats right, Loh nodded.

I thought that meant taking me to some of the towns or villages nearby.

Oh, well get to that soon enough, although I dont think youll like them very much. Lets just say goblins are treated worse there than they are in the city, Loh pursed her lips.

Ah, I see, Strygs shoulders slumped.

Rhian could tell something was wrong, but she didnt think it was the time to speak up. She wasnt sure really what would set the two off, sometimes they would smile or laugh and then a second later they would be choking her. The master and apprentice were an enigma to her.

Loh stretched her arms, Dont worry about it Stryg, you are a mage, youll just have to remind the common rabble of what that means. Besides, we arent going there just yet. First, we are off to find some root-bison.

What are those? Stryg asked.

Loh chuckled, I sometimes forget you grew up in Vulture Woods. Root-bison are an elemental species. They live in large herds across the Valley. They channel their innate life magic through their hooves into the ground as they roam the land. The bison are one of the main reasons the Valleys grass is still green, despite the cold weather we get most year around.

Are we going to hunt them? Stryg asked.

One or two, perhaps. Well observe the herds if we can, Ive always found practical experience better than books. You can learn quite a bit from the root-bison if you pay enough attention.

I will not fail you, Stryg swore. He was done with failing.

How is your meditation going? Loh asked with closed eyes.

Honestly? Stryg opened his eyes, Better than ever before. Its a lot easier to meditate without so much noise everywhere.

Loh cracked an eye open, I forgot, your ears are quite sensitive. It must be hard to meditate at home. How well do the rotundas at the academy help?

The meditation domes? Its true they do a nice job of blocking out sound, but

But?

Stryg eyes flitted over at Rhians chest, Lets just say they have other distractions.

Loh stood up and dusted off her pants, Well, enough meditating for now.

Stryg rose to his feet, You mean?

The suns light is almost completely gone, Loh reached into one of the packs next to Maximus and pulled out a firelog. She threw the log over the piled grass in the pit the centaur had dug.

I want you to light the fire, not with flint. I want you to use a flame spell, Loh finished.

Okay, Stryg took a deep breath and crouched next to the pit.

Rhian watched with curiosity, would she get a chance to see actual magic? Even Maximus looked interested.

Loh walked up behind Stryg, Remember what Ive been telling you these past few hours. What is your goal?

To light the fire, Stryg said.

And what exactly do you need to achieve that?

Stryg looked at his palm, Only a small flame.

Good. I know you havent been able to practice much with flame magic, but now is your chance. You have to control the amount of mana flow within your body, you only need a small amount of orange mana.

Understood, Stryg closed his eyes.

He imagined what the spell would look like. The size of the flame, its heat, how it would flicker above his palm. He then thought of the drow professor Rime and his annoyingly stern face. Orange mana began to flood from his heart and into his veins. It was too much. Strygs brow furrowed, he needed to lessen the amount, else the spell would fail.

Strygs soft-pointed ears twitched. A soft rumbling echoed in the distance. Do you hear that?

What? I dont hear anything, Loh arched an eyebrow.

I can hear something, its like thunder. Ive never heard anything like it, Stryg tilted his head to the side.

Rhian and Maximus turned in the same direction.

I can hear it too, Rhian said.

Same, Maximus agreed.

After another few moments Loh smiled, I hear it now.

She looked over at the horizon, the last rays of the sun were gone, and the full moon was in bloom. It wasnt much light, but coupled with her shadow spells, it would be enough.

Loh hopped on Maximus. Stryg, are you up for some night hunting?

Stryg grinned.

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