The next six days were routine, with boring and dirty inns filled with grim people. The war with the trolls was clearly taking its toll on the population. Now in its 15th year there was no end in sight. Walcester had only made a few significant gains in the early years and now the lines had stagnated. People were weary of the increased taxes and constant troll raids.

In an open prairie with nothing much to see but grass and brush for miles. The sky never failed to break the monotony; with beautiful sunsets and night skies. Nita took every chance she could to appreciate the relative peace of the road between hamlets this late in the year.

“The moons looked pretty full last night. Think we are close to an awakening night?” Nita asked Cid as they plodded along.

“I’d have to check my charts, but I think you’re right. It’s either tonight or tomorrow: thinking about Lilly?” Cid said.

“Yeah, remember my theory?” Nita asked.

“This again!?” He said rolling his eyes. “You mean, that power is hereditary? That if you have two parents with different powers: and you only try one, and not the other, it’s your fault if you don’t get a power?” Cid said in a droning huff.

“Yeah, I remember the row you got into with my cousin Anna, when she didn’t get anything, and both her parents were mages. You blamed her for not trying for her mother’s glass power, because she was determined to be a fire. Even though her father is clearly the stronger mage and more likely to pass his power.” Cid continued; his voice clearly indicating that his cousin had done the right thing.

“Exactly! But I think it goes further than that. I think everyone has a potential power, but they are too focused on trying to get something they, or their family, want and should instead be trying for anything and everything because its biological. You only get the three 1-hour opportunities, when the moons are positioned just right, to connect to your power: you can try a lot in 3 hours. It’s not like there is a ridiculous amount of powers, only what, 23 or so primaries recorded, right? I’m sure you could try and manipulate that many things in an hour if you prepare properly. Lilly said that she already failed her first set of moons. So, she has two more attempts, tonight or tomorrow, and in a few months from now.” Nita argued.

“Did you ask her if either of her parents were mages?” Cid asked.

“Yeah, her father was a pretty powerful wind mage, but she tried that during her first set of moons, and it didn’t take. So, let’s say I’m right, and its genetic. We need to dig into her family history a bit, and see if she knows anything about grandparent’s, or other relatives with powers. She can try those first. Just wait, I’ll call her over, she’s getting too far ahead anyways.” Nita said, sticking her fingers in her mouth to whistle. Then waving Lilly over; when she had her attention.

“Genetic? What’s that? Another word from your home world?” Cid asked.

“Yeah, it means hereditary.” She said waving him off.

“There is too much prestige associated with having your parents’ powers. People are blind to the reality. They don’t think about great grandparents, or of what a null in the family might have had a link to. You can never be sure where you are inheriting your power from. My world had this whole thing about where people got their hair or eye color, anything really. We are just a mix of all our ancestor’s!” Nita continued.

“I forgot how passionate you are about this topic. I sometimes think it’s your way of blaming your flesh magic on something else.” Cid put in.

“Yeah… but think about the Elves! There must be a reason they have a population that is over 60% mages. I know they rarely have children, and they live for fucking ever, but they only get the same chance we do when they are 13. That ambassador your dad had visit confirmed it for me. A 10% average for the other races is abysmal. I think the Elves carefully track family history, and powers, and have their children try anything that has ever appeared. They are just not telling the rest of the world. You know how secretive they are. Honestly, I can’t blame them for wanting to keep the advantage.” She reasoned.

“What are you two talking about?” Lilly asked curiously as she rode up.

“Magic! Hey, I know you told me about your dad’s wind power, and that it didn’t work for you during your first awakening. But do you know of any powers that your mom or grandparents, even great grandparents, might have had?” Nita asked Lilly enthusiastically.

“Uh, hmm. I think maybe one of my great grandfathers was a necromancer. But that could have just been a rumor. My dad liked to boast a lot. Not much of what he said was true.” Lilly replied.

“Damn. Uh…yeah.” Cid grimaced.

“Hey! If it works, it’s not her fault. I mean come on you’re a fourth-generation fire mage! This has to run in the blood.” Nita said.

“Or, our family is blessed by the gods.” Cid reasoned.

“Then please explain your brother’s mind magic?” Nita enquired.

“My uncle was a mind mage, and fire didn’t work during Ander’s first awakening.” Cid said.

“There! You’re proving my point for me!” Nita chirped.

“I’m never going to win this argument with you, am I?” Cid groused.

“Nope.”

“Besides, necromancers don’t just animate the dead. The army also uses them for body disposal, and to help clean dead flesh out of infected wounds before healing. Undertaker is a valuable job.” She said.

“Anything else you can think of?” Nita asked turning back to Lilly. “Necromancy is considered even more unsavory than flesh magic to some, they ignore the fact that most bodies are disposed of by one. Narrow minded bigots. I say power is power, anything is better than nothing.” She reasoned.

“I think, mom may have mentioned a swamp mage somewhere in the family, but I can’t be sure. What can a swamp mage even do?” Lilly said.

“Swamp is a mix between plant and water. Like all mixes, they can’t conjure the elements spontaneously but can manipulate them in the environment. Swamp mages generally make good farmers and public works mages. The military uses them for environment manipulation; entanglement snares and whatnot.” Cid explained. “All useful careers.”

“You mean sewage mages.” Nita snickered.

“Ashville was in desperate need of a good one.” Cid pointed out with a nod.

“I smell Goblin’s, and blood.” Kit said, interrupting them, as she materialized from the tall grass at the side of the road.

“Shit, you’re right, I smell it.” Cid said eloquently, after deliberately sniffing the air. “The wind is in our face; how did I miss that?”

“It’s easy to miss, if exposure is gradual.” Kit observed. “And you have a human nose.”

“Yeah. Alright, we all know the law. We have to at least look, and report it, if we can’t handle it ourselves.” Nita pointed out “You’re a fire mage, if it’s a small tribe, you might be able to handle it yourself.” She said to Cid.

“Bloody semi-intelligent cannibals!” Rebeca spoke up with a shudder.

“Vermin.” Lilly agreed nodding.

“You any good at sneaking?” Nita asked Kit.

“I’m a cat.” She answered scowling.

“Ok, I'll take that as a yes. Think you could get close enough to see what we are dealing with? Without getting spotted?” Nita asked carefully.

Kit gave her an affronted look and took off.

“I swear she’s getting friendlier every day.” Cid observed deadpan.

“Rebeca stays with the horses since she’s only good at looking fantastic.” Nita quipped, dismounting and rooting around in her bags, pulling some potions out, then adjusting her weapons harness and armor. Tightening some straps and stretching.

“Alright, relax, and wait for Kit to report back.” Cid tempered.

Jumping up and down excitedly, Nita started shaking out her arms to get the blood flowing. “Might as well get your weapons ready, then get warmed up, in case Kit thinks we can have some fun.” She told Lilly.

“Arawn’s Wild hunt! I swear you’re always spoiling for a fight.” Cid observed.

“Remember try not to hurt me, even accidently. You don’t need any unnecessary wounds.” Nita said to Lilly. Remembering the feedback effect of the brands. 3-fold return was serious, in a fight.

Cid was digging in his own bags removing flasks and wine skins, fuel for his magic. While chewing on some jerky to get some extra energy.

A few minutes later Kit returned, materializing out of the tall grass. Nita and Cid both jumped a little when she suddenly spoke behind them.

“They are not far ahead. The road turns to avoid a gully; where they seem to be camped. It looks like they ambushed a Tinker, there is a cart, but no sign of horses or people, that I saw. Could be that they’re already in the cookpot. Also, a bunch of dead goblins, that they are just starting to butcher.” Kit said curtly.

“Shit Kit, don’t do that.” Nita said angrily.

Kit just smirked at her smugly.

“Fine, you made your point.” Nita said.

“So, how many are we looking at?” Cid asked.

“30 alive, and at least one shaman.” Kit replied.

“Let’s do this!” Nita enthused.

“30 is a lot Nita. That’s 10 to 1.” Cid moderated.

“Don’t be a wuss! I have a plan.” Nita said cheerfully.

“This should be interesting, and, probably suicidal.” Cid muttered.