– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 216, Season of the Setting Sun, Day 57 –

“Hey there, old gal!” exclaimed Wallace cheerfully through the night. He walked up to Sigille, who was sitting alone on a tree stump.

“Wallace, what do you want?” asked Sigille weakly.

“Well…” Wallace pulled back his lips and hesitated.

“Speak if you will, fart if you must,” grumbled Sigille wearily. “Don’t waste my time, Wallace. You know better than to think me delicate.”

“Lovely,” exclaimed Wallace. “I was just wondering if you’re okay? Can’t be easy meeting your estranged daughter like that.”

Sigille shrugged. “Could have gone worse.”

“Huh,” blurted Wallace. “Is nearly stabbing family members a tradition or something?”

Sigille shot him an unamused look.

“Just saying,” mumbled Wallace. “While I’m glad the stabbing idea was discarded, I’m just… I’m kind of missing a few things that ought to be said between parent and child at such a reunion.”

Sigille only grunted as a reply.

“Even for an emotionally stunted reunion, your talk seemed awfully short,” said Wallace.

“What do you want, Wallace?” demanded Sigille impatiently.

“I actually wanted to commend you,” said Wallace.

“Huh?” Sigille had not expected that answer.

“‘I am happy to finally see my beloved daughter again.’” repeated Wallace. “That was good. I only want to suggest that you add on that.”

Wallace looked at his old friend with sympathy and sat down on the grass next to Sigille. “All these things you have told me about your beloved chipmunk, maybe you should tell some of that to her?”

“I don’t know…” Sigille smiled bitterly and shrugged. “I just feel like she hates me and I…”

Wallace raised his hand and patted Sigille’s shoulder. “You know, for someone that regularly stares down giant monsters without flinching, you sound surprisingly afraid.”

Sigille remained silent.

“I won’t pretend to understand the situation between you two,” started Wallace. “But I will say one thing: Sometimes speaking your feelings is not about any reaction it inspires. At least you will have said your piece and she will know it. You will have done what you can.”

Sigille sighed again. “Maybe later.”

“Later, huh?” Wallace leaned forward to be face to face with Sigille. “Just promise me that you won’t let her leave again before then.”

Sigille grumbled but nodded. “You can be a pain in the bum, you know that?”

“I seem to recall a few isolated remarks on that account, yes,” said Wallace and chuckled. “Seriously, though. You’ve already lost so much time with her. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain I would feel if Emily was gone for that long without any word or sign of life.”

Sigille only stared at the night-covered forest floor.

“Speaking of children, when do you intend to lecture Matteo?” asked Wallace. “I would like to add a few admonishments of my own to that little talk.”

Sigille gave a quick nod.

***

Awkward…

Terry looked around the camp and scratched his cheek. He had just returned from his morning training to find the rest eating breakfast, but in contrast to the usual cheery meals, things seemed very different this time.

Emaldine was quietly eating while occasionally scowling at Matteo or Sigille.

Matteo ate in silence with a gloomy expression. Emily was quietly eating next to him.

Sigille looked more haggard than Terry had ever seen her before.

Most of the dungeon scavengers were glaring daggers at Emaldine for which Emaldine returned the occasional glare of her own.

“Huuuaaahhhmmm…” Wallace stretched and yawned loudly. He scratched his belly. “Well, aren’t we just all bright rays of sunshine today. Maybe we should set up a few official matches so that everyone can get it out of their system. You know, something quick and honorable, like rock paper scissors or something.”

“Can’t you at least shut up in the morning?” barked Emaldine.

“Lovely,” exclaimed Wallace. “And thanks for asking, but no. Although, I have to admit I am not trying very hard, but what can you do?”

Wallace washed his bowl in the fresh water collected by their water catcher.

“Besides, little miss grumpy pants.” Wallace shot Emaldine a pointed look. “Some of us have been awake for quite a while.”

Sigille glanced at Wallace and snorted.

“Not me personally, mind you,” continued Wallace with a grin. “But I believe Terry has already been out and about since dawn. I don’t understand what our new favorite mana scout has against sleep, but who am I to judge?”

“Nothing really,” said Terry. “Just woke up and figured I could use the time.”

“Practiced aspecting again?” asked Wallace.

“Probably not.” Sigille snickered. “Since he’s doing that right now.”

“Huh?” Wallace blurted out. “From what I can see, he’s eating.” Wallace squinted at Terry. “What are you hiding, suspect Terry?”

Terry put his spoon in the bowl and lifted a throwing needle from his left leg strap. “I think I have the technique mostly down and it reduces the time to aspect an item significantly.”

Terry was examining the throwing needle. “From what I can tell, it is also suitable as an exercise in compressing mana. I thought I could combine it with training for hands-free casting. I’m trying to do it without my hands as a focal point.”

“Got it,” exclaimed Wallace with a deadpan expression.

“That’s great, Terry,” praised Emily cheerfully.

“Do me a favor, Terry,” said Wallace. “And don’t say such outrageous things so casually in the morning. You are making the rest of us look bad.”

“Huh?” Terry blurted out. “What do you mean?”

Snickering rolled over the dungeon scavengers.

“Don’t mind him,” said Emily with a giggle.

“That aspecting technique usually takes a while to master,” interjected Matteo. “And doing it with uncommon focal points is a whole other topic.”

Emily beamed when Matteo spoke his first proper sentence this morning.

“Poor Terry,” exclaimed Wallace solemnly while shaking his head. “If only you had not been cursed with such abnormal mana control, then you could have followed the noble path of dungeon scavenging, but as it is, I am afraid the Guardians will never allow you to leave their clutches.” Wallace raised a palm and pointed with a finger at the palm or rather at Sigille behind it. The palm was shielding the finger from Sigille’s gaze, albeit badly.

Wallace maintained eye contact with Terry. “Blink once if—”

“No,” interrupted Terry. “I’m happy to be a Guardian. Thank you, though.”

Wallace’s expression froze while Sigille smiled approvingly.

“Well done, Terry.” Emily giggled. “You have found Dad’s weakness.”

Emily’s voice caused Wallace to regain his wits.

“Terry, you can’t just thank me with such an honest tone when I am speaking.” Wallace shook his head in exasperation. “It throws me off.”

The dungeon scavengers snickered again.

“So? What did you practice this early in the morning?” asked Sigille.

Terry looked up while explaining his exercises without realizing that most of the dungeon scavengers were staring at him with mouth agape.

“Why do I get the feeling you did not listen before?” Wallace wondered out loud. “Maybe we should write you a list of all the things that sounded ridiculous in there?”

“Can’t you act like a normal boy your age?” asked Wallace. “Like catching squirrels, peeing from trees, playing with dolls…”

Terry raised an eyebrow.

“Just ignore him,” interjected Sigille. “If you feed the scrawny elf with attention at the wrong moments, the conversation will never get anywhere sensible.”

Wallace gasped in a dramatic display of taking offense. “Why do you have to go there, old hag? Here we were having a perfectly polite conversation about stealing dolls and peeing on squirrels and you—”

“Are you really training with the divine hammer inscription?” Emaldine was looking between Terry and Sigille.

Wallace was dramatically giving the stink-eye to Emaldine for the interruption, but shortly after, he grinned and sat down next to Emily and Matteo.

As soon as Emaldine raised her voice, things became more quiet at the camp. Many dungeon scavengers remembered her presence and that they were still pissed at her for attacking Matteo.

“Y-yes,” replied Terry. “But so far, I can only manage a single sheet underneath my feet and it’s rather brittle. If I lose my concentration, it fails to carry my weight, much less provide a jumping point.”

People were staring again while Sigille chuckled quietly.

“Okay, I give up,” exclaimed Wallace. “Someone else has to take over being exasperated. I’ll need a break.”

“Terry, you do realize that the divine hammer inscription is considered impractical by most people, right?” asked Cadence. “For all its potential, you can count the users on one hand. The fact that you are already able to create anything with substance is impressive. Take some pride in that.”

Emaldine stared at Sigille. “Why would you have him practice that hellish inscription with his legs? Isn’t that like trying to run before you can walk?”

“Normally, yes,” admitted Sigille. “But for Terry’s purposes, it works out better like this.

“While the offensive uses of the inscription are a benefit, the first goal is the utility it provides. Terry’s paths of attack are also slightly different than most people thanks to the way he uses his spell and imprints.”

Sigille was rubbing the palm of her left hand with her right thumb. “There is also the fact that he is already wearing inscribed gloves that cover the whole length of his forearms. This way, he can train the divine hammer inscription without having to change equipment or being forced to deal with mana interference on top.”

Sigille nodded towards Terry. “I also expect that he’ll be able to draw some insights for his hands-free casting and mana reach training.”

Terry had never heard Sigille lay it out so completely, but he hurriedly nodded in acknowledgement.

“You know, Terry, if you want to practice transfixing objects that come flying at you, we may be able to help you,” said Wallace with a taunting grin. “We could chase you around the forest.” Wallace tilted his head towards Sigille. “Like we do for the old lady when she comes visiting.”

“Only with less water and more smoke and arrows.” Wallace grinned menacingly. “If you are not careful, you might turn into a pin cushion and—”

“That sounds great,” exclaimed Terry excitedly.

Wallace’s mouth snapped shut mid-sentence. He creased his brows. “You are a strange young man, Little Terry.” He turned to Sigille.

“Don’t look at me,” said Sigille and snorted amusedly. “You made the offer, even if you did it only to scare or tease him. You walked into it. Have fun.”

“Perhaps I did.” Wallace grimaced. “But what kind of person hears ‘pin cushion’ and goes ‘whee, let’s do it’?” He was shaking his head.

“I was wondering, Wallace,” started Dee. “Who is this ‘we’ you talked about? I don’t remember any of us volunteering to attempt and see who gets tired first – us or the boy that barely needs sleep.”

“A fair point,” exclaimed Bigsby. “Although, I guess I might be persuaded to protect the honor of your word, Wallace…”

Sigille snickered.

“...if you were to take over cleaning duty until you leave with Little Emily,” finished the dwarf.

“Mhmh,” agreed Dee. “And cooking duty, of course.”

“Of course,” agreed Bigsby with an enthusiastic nod.

“I think my bow could also use some maintenance.” Borf spoke up. “Especially if you expect me to put it to such intense and unexpected use.”

“Blood beasts!” exclaimed Wallace exasperatingly. “Scoundrels!”

Emily giggled.

Wallace sniffled and wiped something imaginary from his eye. “I’m proud of all of you.”

His face returned to a deadpan expression. “Fine then. On a completely unrelated note, if you find some spittle in your next stew, I want it to be known that it’s just a sign of my affection.” Wallace winked at them.

“Meh, we’ve eaten worse,” said Bigsby. He pointedly tilted his head towards Matteo.

Matteo rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“Yeah, as long as you don’t slobber over my bow, we’ll have a deal,” said Borf.

“Can’t make any promises,” said Wallace. “Who knows what sudden urges I may develop. Besides, I am trying to be more careful with my words.”

“Not too long ago, I got myself into an unexpected pickle when some strange young man took me up on an offer I had carelessly made.” Wallace shrugged. “Ask me again when that memorable lesson has faded.”

“So in an hour or two?” asked Borf a wide grin.

“Sounds about right,” replied Wallace with a deadpan expression.

***

The transportation scroll’s effect activated and everyone arrived on a familiar road that led directly to Libra City.

Terry immediately channeled mana to retrieve his oscillating throwing needles from his storage bracelets.

Emaldine slowed her steps to walk quietly at the back of everyone.

“That druid’s oak has become even larger,” exclaimed Wallace when he spotted the giant tree towering above the Libra Outpost. “Impressive.”

Wallace smiled at Emily. “Although, given its stationary nature, I hope you will pick a more peaceful location to settle down than right at the frontier of the Wasted Zone.”

Emily gulped when she realized that she was now right at the Wasted Zone.

“It wasn’t the frontier when Dhruv planted and raised the tree seed,” interjected Sigille. “And in my frank opinion, Dhruv and his oak are the main reason that this can still be considered the frontier. If it wasn’t for Dhruv, then the outpost and with it the city would have fallen years ago.”

“If you were trying to make me feel more at ease with sending my precious daughter to this place, then I want you to know that you are failing miserably,” grumbled Wallace.

“Take some solace from the fact that the place is full of Guardians,” interjected Cadence.

“What about the Guild?” asked Terry. “I mean they have a location in the city, too, right?”

“Yes, but the Guild will not set up shop in danger zones,” said Matteo. “Unless someone pays them for it, which Tiv generally doesn’t.”

“The Tiv Empire won’t shell out vals just to maintain a Guild presence,” said Sigille. “They begrudgingly pay the Guildheads for specific missions. Limited time. Specific goals. No perpetual guarding of a city.”

“The Guild may issue an emergency mission when it comes down to it, but the nature of Guild work tends to make it a matter of luck,” said Matteo. “Even if there was someone willing to take the mission, there is no guarantee that they are nearby or reachable. That is one of the reasons why people like Amelia or Jee have more sway in the Guild than other members.”

“Because of their transportation magic?” asked Terry.

“Exactly,” affirmed Matteo.

“I can see the appeal,” said Wallace. “Thank that friend of yours for me. I imagine that scroll would normally go for a fortune.”

“A fortune and then some,” interjected Cadence with a wry smile.

“You can thank Amelia yourself when you meet her,” said Matteo. “I want to introduce Emily to her and Dargones anyway.”

“Really?” Emily piped up in excitement. “I’ll get to meet the Magebane?”

Wallace squinted at his daughter. “I am going to pretend that I did not notice your suspicious focus on one of the two.”

“Much appreciated,” said Emily while beaming. “Thanks, Dad.”

Cadence and Sigille chuckled.

“No need,” said Wallace. He leaned to Matteo and whispered: “This Dargones, can you take him? Or would I need to help?”

Matteo rolled his eyes. “You do realize that Amelia and Dargones are spirit-bonded? Imagine it like picking your life’s chosen – only with a magic ritual to accompany the marriage.”

“Just checking,” said Wallace and leaned back.

“I’ve heard Ying speak of the spirit bond before,” said Terry.

“Who was Ying again?” interjected Wallace.

“Vampire mayor from Syn City,” replied Sigille.

“Ahh, that one,” mumbled Wallace.

“The spirit bond is an impressive feat of magic,” said Matteo. “And a great commitment. No matter where the two are, they can always hear each other’s voice and they can step to each other’s side.”

“Sounds romantic,” exclaimed Emily dreamily.

“Takes a lot of trust,” said Sigille.

“No kidding,” said Cadence. “I find it hard to imagine what it is like to never utter a single word without an audience.”

Sigille noisily cleared her throat and pointedly looked at Cadence.

Terry was unable to prevent himself from snickering. His aunt’s objection, which aimed at the channeler relationship was not one bit less obvious just because it was left unspoken.

“That’s…” Cadence stopped herself. “Fair enough. Point taken. However, I would still argue my relationship with the Bright Lady is different from sharing everything with your life’s chosen in a similar manner.”

“I, for one, hope there is an age requirement to that magic,” grumbled Wallace. “Preferably in the triple digits.”

Sigille snorted.

“Don’t know about age as a separate factor,” said Matteo. “But this particular ritual requires one party to be skilled enough in space magic to cast unanchored transfers and it requires the other party to be a magebane with a sufficiently large mana pool.”

Wallace leaned to Sigille. “Druids don’t learn space magic, do they?”

Sigille only spared a short glance for Wallace. “Who knows?”

“Meanie.” Wallace pouted.

“Instead of worrying about nonsense, you may want to worry about where you’ll stay,” said Sigille. She glanced fleetingly at Emaldine, who was still walking quietly at the back. “...however, if you want, we can find some room at the outpost. One or two more rooms should not be a problem.”

“As much as I’m tempted…” Wallace grimaced and heaved a long sigh. “I have to decline. I have no real business there and I don’t want to smother Emily with my presence. I’ll find a place in the city.”

“I’ll come visit, I promise,” interjected Emily instantly.

“Thanks, my angel,” said Wallace. “But don’t force yourself. I’ll just sit in my room all lonely and forgotten and—”

Sigille cleared her throat.

“...nevermind the last part,” said Wallace hurriedly. “You focus on your training. In this place, I’ll feel most comfortable if you’re as strong as you can be. If you can make time, that’s appreciated, but don’t force yourself. Just know that I am there if you need me.”

Wallace turned from Emily back to Sigille. “I still know a few people in Libra City. I’ll find a place to crash.” He grinned. “If not, I’ll just sneak into your room and you can sleep on the couch.”

“You do know I’m armed, right?” asked Sigille.

“Kinky,” exclaimed Wallace and puckered his lips.

Sigille groaned in response, which caused Cadence to snicker mischievously. Cadence was very much enjoying Wallace’s presence around Sigille.

The city guards nodded at Sigille and Matteo. The group arrived safely in Libra City.

Emily excitedly pointed and asked questions, which Matteo, Sigille, and sometimes Wallace answered to the best of their knowledge.

“City tour or outpost first?” asked Wallace.

“First the room,” replied Sigille. “And the outpost. Other tours can be done in the following days.”

“I’ll take a detour and join up with you later,” said Terry. “While I’m in the city, I wanted to visit the smith and place some new orders.”

“That reminds me,” said Sigille. “The metal-aspect reinforced wire you wanted should have been delivered, too.”

Terry grinned broadly.

They had barely passed the city entrance when a loud siren was echoing through the sky.

“...does that mean what I think it does?” asked Wallace and stepped closer to Emily.

“The city is under attack,” said Sigille and narrowed her eyes at some of the flares in the sky. “Demon army, that’s annoying. From the side of the outpost, that’s…” Sigille visibly relaxed. “Not much to worry then.”

“I find it difficult to share the sentiment,” grumbled Wallace. He looked at Emily and sighed. “These next years will feel painfully long.”

“No need to panic,” said Sigille. “They picked the worst spot to attack.”

The earth quaked and giant roots became visible in the distance.

“See,” said Sigille and pointed. “Dhruv got this.”

Bright flashes of light became visible in the sky.

“From the looks of it, Vhida’s defense system is going active as well,” said Cadence.

“Still, it won’t hurt to lend a hand,” muttered Sigille. She glanced at Matteo. “You stay close to Little Emily. You, Cadence, and Terry can watch over the district here.”

Sigille channeled mana into her equipment. Someone stepped next to Sigille, which took her by surprise. When Sigille turned her head, she saw Emaldine stretching.

Before Sigille knew what to say, Emaldine was already dashing towards the outpost.

Sigille swallowed her words and chased after her daughter.

***