MAGNUS

Winter break arrived faster than I would have thought with how busy we all were. I had turned in my assignments, including what research we had completed on the runic patterns in spell binding, and received top marks. I was supposed to speak with Professor Siodha before we left, but I didn’t think that would take long.

I was packing a few changes of clothes to take back with me while I looked at the schedule of classes for after the break. The format had changed to slightly longer classes but not as many in a day. Integrated Combat first and third day took up my mornings, followed by classroom topics of history, law, and ethics after lunch for three days out of the week. The other two days that broke up the classes were the open study where I had chosen Advanced Binding Theory, and Applications of Engineering, but also some open time to complete assignments and projects. Dean Brenner had strongly suggested the theory class based on what I had come up with in my research. We had managed to figure out what each part of the spell pattern was used for, but the sigils used in those patterns was still a work in progress. Some, like the basic and intermediate elements: fire, air, water, earth, ice, lightning, plants, and metal, we had a solid grasp on; as well as the shapings such as ball, blade, and spike. It was the other portions that were still giving us fits. Luckily most of the student body was also looking into it and a second compendium was being created based on individual parts.

That wasn’t my concern though, my concern was that I had a veritable horde of people coming with me to the quiet tranquility of the mountain. Ezekiel and Selena were taking advantage of the fact that Kathrine apparently had a quick way to get them back to Calburn faster than the estimated four weeks. Mai and Takahashi had decided to join Jessica in Vara’s offer to meet the old man.

“It shouldn’t be too bad, you know Morgan doesn’t mind most people,” Richard said as he finished lashing down his own pack.

“I know, I just worry they will be people he does mind. I mean he never did explain why he hides on that mountain,” I replied.

Varis, who was leaning against a book on the bookshelf laughed and said, “I keep forgetting with how smart you are that you tend to miss the obvious.”

We both looked at her, and with a quick flap of her wings she floated over to look me in the eyes and said, “Alara is a Dryad. Her tree is on the mountain.”

I palmed my face with a groan. Richard didn’t get it though and asked, “What does that have to do with anything. Can’t she plant her tree in a summoning crystal?”

“Morgan is soulbound to both Alara and Fenris. He doesn’t use summoning crystals for them,” I said.

“Oh, why not?” Richard asked.

“He once told me that the only reason he will use a summoning crystal to bind a creature was to protect it from being bound by someone else. The soul bond does the same thing. And since the concentration of aether on the mountain is so high the soil is good for her tree,” I explained.

“But he gave you the crystal Varis is in,” he said after a few moments to mull it over.

“He doesn’t object to their use by others, just that he won’t use them unless necessary. He doesn’t need them for the most part. He actually has the ability to communicate with any aetherical creature; I’m pretty sure it's a Talent,” I said.

“Okay, that makes sense. So what is our plan for this trip?” Richard said changing the subject.

“As much as I want to ditch the others, It isn’t like they don’t know the way there. So I figure after I have my meeting with the Professor we meet in the courtyard and set out. Probably to Dun Tyr first, then continue southwest to Holt. After that it’s mostly just farming villages until Mountain’s Rest,” I said.

Richard nodded and said, “About five days to Holt by caravan, four if it’s just us pushing for speed.”

“I think Vara arranged for us to join up with the supply run headed back that way. Apparently her mother wasn’t a fan of the idea of the trip to the mountain, but agreed so long as she took what precautions she could,” I replied.

I cinched the straps on my bag and said, “I’ll meet you there, I don’t want to keep the professor waiting.”

“I wouldn’t either, she scares me,” he said as Varis flew to rest on my shoulder and we headed to the meeting.

I passed a few other students in the hall, including Kathrine who was sitting outside of Major Schmidt’s office. She flagged me down and I paused to say, “What can I help you with Kathrine?”

“I just wanted to thank you for figuring out the rune patterns for my spear,” she said a little sheepishly.

I smiled and replied, “Your welcome, but you should really thank Richard. He was the one that did the work on it, I just helped get it linked together for him.”

She nodded saying, “I already thanked him. I have to ask though, how do you figure this out so quickly? I see the pattern once it’s pointed out, but I didn’t even know to look for it.”

I shrugged, “We all have things we are good at. I just happen to be good with seeing how things fit together. My grandfather always insisted that natural talent didn’t negate the need for hard work, so don’t sell your accomplishments short..”

She smiled and nodded to me as I continued on to my meeting.

When I entered the office I found both Professor Siodha and Professor Stormleaf seated at her desk. A quick wave to join them prevented me from stepping outside and waiting. As I sat Siodha started the conversation, “Magnus, do you think your grandfather would be willing to converse with the staff more directly?”

I shrugged and said, “Maybe, I remember him chasing you off the mountain back during one of my visits as a child.”

Stormleaf chuckled and Siodha said, “Yes, I remember. It’s kind of hard to apologize when that great beast of his won’t let me come back.”

I shook my head, “I can take a letter to him, Fen won’t chase me off.”

She smiled in a way the old wolf would approve of and handed me a notebook before saying, “Could you give him this instead?”

I examined the book; it had a binding similar to what I had placed on my research notes, but instead worked both ways instead of only one with a page set as send and the next page set to receive. There was also a little binding that would somehow notify the bearer if there was a new message.

I took the book and tucked it into an inner pocket on my coat. “I’ll deliver it, but I can’t promise he will use it.”

“That’s all I can reasonably ask,” she said.

Stormleaf however had more to say, “I would appreciate it if you gave him my regards as well. It’s been some time since we spoke, and I’ve been too busy to make a trip to the mountain. I know if I were to go we would end up reminiscing on old times.”

I grinned at the old professor and asked, “Would that be the Storm of Swarm or some other adventure?”

The old man chuckled a bit before saying, “Figured that out did you?”

“Takahashi figured it out actually, along with the fact that Vara mentioned that you were once a Shadow. It makes too much sense for one to accompany the Crown Prince at the time,” I said.

He clapped his hands softly and said, “Bravo, you passed the test. In fact only six of the ten applicants for my program did”

“Test, sir?” I asked.

“Yes, I made sure there were certain pieces of information available to the students. You had to figure out who I was in the past based on the available evidence and my own actions,” he answered.

“How does that work for those students that don’t have a class with you, like myself?” I asked.

“You had access to people that could gain that information. Talking to witnesses, putting clues together, and forming a theory are key investigative tools for an operative,” he replied.

“If we didn’t know we were looking into it, how would we know to speak to you about it?” I asked.

“I would have asked each student after the break. Investigative technique can be taught, but I wanted to see who had the knack beforehand,” Stormleaf said.

Siodha pointed, “It’s likely an aspect to his Talent for patterns. Or at least training that lets him do the same thing.”

I nodded to her and said, “My grandfather told me that there are always patterns, and to watch for them. People, animals, and even nature tend to form their own type of pattern.”

“That crafty old bastard has a way with words,” Stormleaf said, “At some point I really do need to go to the mountain and take a keg with me. For now can you deliver this to him? It's a rough outline to a project I could use his input on, feel free to look it over.”

He handed me a folder with a few pages in it. A quick look showed me it was intended to be used as a form of identification for operatives, and he wanted to make it difficult if not impossible to counterfeit.

“I’ll show it to him, it will make a good distraction. He always seemed to find something to keep him occupied during the winter months. I think they remind him too much of grandmother,” I said.

Stormleaf smiled sadly and said, “I can understand why. She was a wonderful woman, and always loved the deep snow of winter.”

I closed the folder and said, “Is there anything else you require of me? If we are going to catch the caravan we need to head out soon.”

They both shook their heads and I stood to leave, Varis waving farewell from my shoulder.

Stormleaf spoke up, “Oh one more thing. Integrated Combat is about combat binding. You may want to make sure your repertoire is built out a bit before classes start.”

I looked back to him and grinned evilly, “How do you think I’ve been testing the research Professor Siodha gave me.”

She turned a frosty glare at me and demanded, “I want copies of any new spells you’ve come up with young man.”

I pointed to the third book in her pile of my research books and said, “You already have them.”

I left the room to the chuckles of John Stormleaf, the Endless Blade, and the muttered swearing of Professor Augusta Siodha.