Dexter

Waiting was torture. Patience is not my strong suit, especially when it comes to stuff like this. We'd have to wait at least a week to get our answer, but one week sounded like forever in Snakhagr. I'd already spent two and a half months among them, but I was still out of my element. The Institute was even worse in that regard. Even after finding the Archive and fighting a living statue, I was still put off by the existence of magic. The assignments weren't much better either. They were theoretically easy, but without some form of quick printing, I was stuck having to write them out by hand. That part was particularly vexing considering my usual penmanship. Still, I spent the next three days diligently writing my overdue assignments and helping the guild make Amelia’s modification.

My leg bounced rapidly as we worked on the spell, my heel tapping quietly on the wooden floor. The day slowly drew to a close as we discussed how to accomplish the incantation. Dumag gestured to the roll of parchment in front of him as he explained. "This spell will not be without its cost. If we wish to draw out more power from the incantation, time will have to be drawn from elsewhere. This would greatly increase the time it takes to cast the spell. Mere moments could turn to minutes or even an hour if we attempt too great a draw."

Bruga nodded in agreement as she shuffled through the pages she'd written. "It would be wise if gradually altered the original spell, instead of jumping to the largest change we could muster. Thusly, we may learn the final spell while ensuring our understanding of the enchantment does not greatly affect our casting time."

I turned to Gremach, confused. "Is she saying what I think she's saying? Is it possible to reduce the casting time by learning similar spells?"

Gremach nodded in agreement as he gestured towards our stack of spellbooks. "Indeed. It is why wizards and mages must learn basic spells before moving onto more advanced incantations. They utilize their own as well as more basic techniques of mana manipulation. It would either be greatly difficult or impossible if you did not learn of prior enchantments.”

I nodded as I let out an intrigued hmm. “We’ll need to balance things out then.” I mused. “If we go too fast, it’ll take time to learn the next iteration of our modification. If we go to slow, it’ll take us forever to reach the end of the line.”

Dumag nodded in agreement as he gestured towards the papers. “We will discover this balance in time. For now, we should concern ourselves with creating this modification instead of utilizing this modification.”

I nodded as I gestured towards him. “Excellent point. We sho-” knock knock knock I suddenly stopped as someone rapted their knuckles against the barn door. We all turned to the noise as the intrusion echoed briefly before fading into nothingness. I turned to the others curiously as I felt my brow furrowed in confusion. “Is Brokil supposed to return today?” I asked curiously.

Gremach shrugged as he stood and peered towards the door. “ I do not believe so.” He answered. “The wisp fields are not so easily harvested. It would take much longer for him to return.”

I growled intriguingly as I stood and started walking towards the door. “Who could it be then?” I asked.

Dumag shrugged as I walked past. “Your guess is as good as mine.” He replied. “It is too soon for the Institute to have an answer. There are no others that have business with us. If it is neither them nor Brokil, then it must be another. ... Who would wish to request our services?”

I shrugged as I reached for the door handle. “There’s one way to find out,” I replied flatly. Another set of knocks sounded just as I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. A small gasp sounded along with the rusty creak of the sliding door. My eyes went wide with confusion as I saw what was beyond the door. A petite orc flinched back as she saw me looming over her. I tilted my hand and furrowed my brow as I saw her trembling slightly. “Can I help you?” I asked curiously. The orc swallowed nervously as she continued to tremble, giving me ample time to take in the sight of her. She was remarkably short, just coming up to my chest. If it weren’t for the green skin and thin tusks protruding from her mouth I could have mistaken her for one of those elves that attacked the city. Her dark hair flowed freely to her shoulders. A braid descended from her right side and ended in a gently wilted red flower. Her green eyes were reddened slightly. It looked like she had been crying. I glanced around as I tried to see if anyone else was with her, but the gradually sinking sun only illuminated an empty trail. I turned back to her as I gave her a curious expression. She was fiddling with her hands nervously in front of her. “Do you need my help with something?” I guessed hesitantly.

The orc swallowed nervously before looking down and responding timidly. “I uhh . . . I do indeed require your guild’s assistance.” She stammered. “What uhh would it cost to create a quest in this guild?”

My confusion grew from her answer and I gave her a concerned look. “You might have been misinformed,” I said cautiously. “We’re not a guild yet. We submitted the forms, but we still need approval from the Institute. I’m not sure we’re allowed to accept quests at this time.”

The orc dropped her head and nodded solemnly. “Of course, I should have known.” She muttered sheepishly. My face fell as I saw her trembling slightly. I noticed a single tear trailing down her left cheek. “It was foolish of me to come to you so late. I apologize for disturbing you.” She suddenly muttered, gripping her hands together tightly. “I shall leave you to your studies.” With that, she turned and started walking away.

I hesitated at the series of events for a second before stepping out and calling to her. “Wait!” I shouted, closing the meager distance she had walked. She flinched as she heard my shout and slowly turned to me. Tears were slowly dripping down her face. I stopped a few paces from her, giving her a comfortable amount of space, as I looked at her concernedly. “Why do you need a guild’s help?” I asked curiously. “Do you want something enchanted? Is there something important you want to be done?”

The orc shook her head timidly as she turned away. “It is nothing. I should not have bothered you so late. I am certain you have more pressing matters to deal with.”

She started to walk away, but I quickly closed the gap and gently placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She jumped as my hand touched her shoulder and she turned back once more. I let go and gestured towards the barn as I used a calming tone. “I never said we wouldn't help you. We have some time if you want help."

The orc shook her head and looked down timidly. "I have bothered you too much already. I should depart." She said that, yet she was just stood there quietly.

I tilted my head and crouched slightly as she let out a loud sniff. "What's your name?" I asked gently.

The orc looked up at me, confused. "W-What?" She stammered.

I shrugged slowly as she gingerly reached up and wiped a few tears from her face. "It would be rude if I helped you without learning your name first," I replied soothingly. I gestured towards her as I continued. "It would be rude to turn you away like this anyway. . . We have water in there If you want some." I finished encouragingly, pointing towards the barn.

The orc sniffed loudly once more before shyly muttering a response. "I... I am Uloth. . . Are you certain you can aid me?"

I shrugged as I held out my hand, inviting her to take it. "We won't know until we try," I replied encouragingly. "Come in. The rest of the guild is here save for one member. I'm sure we can piece something together."

Uloth hesitated for a moment before nodding and gingerly grasping my hand. Her fingers barely wrapped their way around my palm. "I certainly hope so." She remarked quietly. I nodded as I turned and led her back up to the barn.

The door had been left open and Salthu was standing in the gap that it had created. His brow furrowed as he saw me leading the orc up to the barn by her hand. "Is something the matter?" He asked curiously.

I shrugged as we approached and Salthu stepped out of the way to let us in. "That's yet to be known. The modification might have to wait for now though." Salthu nodded as we passed and he closed the door behind us. I looked around at the others as Uloth and I stopped and Salthu walked past us to join them. They had all stood out of curiosity to approach the door but stopped partway there. They were all now looking curiously as me and Uloth. Dumag's brow furrowed as he crossed his arms and gazed at Uloth. I gestured towards her as I explained the situation. "This is Uloth. It seems she needs our help with something." The others glanced at each other curiously as I turned to Uloth. Her head was bowed slightly as she gazed towards the floor timidly. She was still trembling slightly, whether it was from fear or sadness I couldn't tell. I looked up and pointed at one of the empty chairs as I spoke to her gently. "Go ahead and sit down. I'll get you some water."

Uloth looked up and nodded silently as she spotted the one I was referring to. "Very well." She muttered quietly, releasing her grip from my palm. I watched her walk towards the chair for a moment before turning towards our pitcher of water and moving to fill a goblet for her. Once I had the goblet I grabbed a spare roll of bread for good measure and brought them over to her. She grinned timidly as I handed the two items to her. "Thank you." She muttered gently.

I nodded as I took a few paces back and gestured towards her. "Take your time. Get comfortable if you have to. We'll be here once you're ready."

Uloth nodded again as she looked down at the water and bread she'd been given. "Thank you." She practically whispered, taking a bite. I let out a soft sigh as I stepped back and sat on the edge of a table, leaving her in the middle of a large ring created by the guild. Amelia had sat in a chair of her own, rubbing her lips thoughtfully as she stared at Uloth. Gremach and Salthu were standing next to each other, quietly discussing. Dumag was standing next to Bruga as she comfortingly stroked his arm. I could've sworn I saw the gears turning in his head. Meanwhile, I was gently rubbing my leg through my jeans, feeling a strange sense of calm focus come over me as I stared at the orc before me. I could see her leg jittering nervously as she sat there and ate the roll of bread sparingly. I let out a calming sigh as we all quietly watched her eat.

After a few moments, she finally finished and washed her throat clear with a few mouthfuls of water. I scratched my neck absentmindedly as I watched her sit there quietly. "Feeling better?" I asked curiously.

Uloth nodded as she fiddled with the goblet in her hand. "Very much so. Thank you." She answered gratefully. "I suppose you will now wish to know my request, correct?"

I nodded as I sat up slightly, intrigued by her story. "Go ahead," I said encouragingly. "Just start from the beginning. We're here to help if we can. I'm sure we'll be able to think of something"

Uloth nodded as she looked down nervously. She let out a long sigh as she appeared to consider her words for a moment. She looked up as she began stuttering out her request. "I uhh I wish for your assistance in finding something, o-or rather someone." I glanced towards Dumag as he let out and intrigued hum but otherwise remained silent. Uloth's fingers clutched the goblet tight as she sat there and trembled. "I grow concerned for his safety. He has been missing for days now. I am worried that something terrible has happened. I have asked the Institute, they claim to have notified the guilds, but it does not quell the fear I have for his well being. There are innumerable dangers out there. He is capable of handling many, but I fear that he has succumbed to greater danger. The Institute knows of his disappearance, but their actions may be too late to help him. If he is to be saved it must be as soon as possible. Time is of the essence and I can no longer bear to silently suffer from worry. Please, I beg of you to help me. Find him before it is too late.”

I nodded calmly as I gazed at the orc in front of me. She was still trembling. I didn't know enough about her situation to make a judgment call, but I could tell she was desperate for help, help that she felt like she wasn’t getting elsewhere. I gestured towards her before crossing my arms as I spoke. “We’ll see what we can do. For now, we need more information. Can you tell us anything that could help us find him? What he looks like, how do you know him, his name would probably be relevant.”

Uloth nodded as she appeared to relax, an expression of relief washing over her face as she stammered out a response. “O-Of course. Thank you. I am relieved to hear that.” She straightened in her seat as she relaxed and began speaking. “I am hopeful that you will be able to find him. He stands out once you know what to search for. He stands half a head over all others. His skin is darkened from his tasks at his family farm. He has the most endearing face you can imagine. Oh, and his tusks tilt into themselves ever so lightly.”

Dumag let in a small gasp at the last description and we all glanced towards him. His eyes had gone wide as he gazed at Uloth. Her expression turned from one of comfort to apprehension as she saw his change in demeanor. Dumag took half a step forward, gently held back by Bruga, as he glared at Uloth. “What is his name?” He growled firmly. “How do you know of him?”

Uloth’s nervousness returned as she stared fearfully up at Dumag. He continued to glare down at her as Uloth stammered out another response. “His name is O-Orthan. He i-is m-my-”

She was interrupted as Dumag turned and threw his hands up in exasperation. “Of course he is the one you seek.” He growled, beginning to pace. “I have hardly had a day before my blasted brother has been reminded to me.” He continued ranting as I glanced at Uloth. She was shrinking in her seat as she gazed timidly at the aggravated Dumag.

I turned back to him as I raised my voice. “Dumag, Stop,” I said loudly. "You're scaring her."

He turned to glare at me, his milky eye seeming to stare daggers into my soul. “Do not command me, outsider.” He growled. “I am holding steadfast in my oath not to aid my brother. That ingrate would berate me even if I were to save his progeny.”

Uloth’s expression turned to one of despair as she gazed pleadingly at Dumag. “Does this mean you will not accept my request?” She asked in a panic.

I gestured to her calmly as I dropped down from the table and walked towards Dumag. “Sit tight for a second, we just need to work something out.” I turned towards Dumag as I stopped in front of him. He continued to glare at me as his face held a derivative scowl. I let out a sigh as I jabbed a finger in his direction. “You need to calm down. It doesn’t matter what your gripe is. She wants our help.”

Dumag shook his head as he let out a low growl. “Perhaps not to you, but I refuse to break the honor of my brother by going against his wishes. If he refuses my aid then he shall not have it.”

I let out an annoyed sigh as I pressed on the side of my temple. “You don’t have to listen to your brother. Others besides him are concerned for this guy’s well being.”

Dumag shook his head as he gestured dismissively. “That does not change the fact of the matter. My brother would continue to despise me if I were to aid him.”

I gestured towards Uloth as I felt my annoyance for his motivations. “Well, here’s someone that is asking for your help and will be very happy if you do interfere in this matter.”

Dumag growled as he glanced at Uloth for a moment before turning back to me. “Her gratitude does not concern me. The honor of my family and my broth-”

“Dude, Fuck Your Brother!” I bellowed angrily. Dumag seemed taken aback by my sudden outburst and I used his surprise as an opportunity to continue. I took a brief and calming breath as I forcibly muffled my anger. “If he doesn’t want your help, that’s his prerogative. If he’s okay with his child dying cause he’s too fucking stubborn, that’s his problem. But sitting here is someone that’s not okay with his death, someone that is so concerned about his well being that she approached a guild directly. If this, on top of the fact that your own family is missing, is not enough to get you to help her then you’re free to stay here. As for me, I want to help her because she’s worried and can’t alleviate that worry without the help of someone else.” I took another deep and calming breath as I felt my annoyance finally boil over. I turned to Uloth before Dumag could voice another protest. “We’ll help. Tell us anything else you know about his disappearance.”Uloth’s expression shifted to confusion as she glanced over my shoulder.

Dumag stepped around me and planted himself between me and Uloth as he glared down at me. “This matter is still unresolved.” He barked. “You cannot dismiss my desires so easily. If my brother does not wish for my help then he must face the consequences that come with it. He will not learn otherwise."

I growled as I gestured towards Uloth behind him. "What lesson are you trying to teach her then?" I spat. Dumag glanced behind as Uloth continued to tremble in her seat. Dumag's chest was rising and falling angrily as he glared at her and I continued my monologue. "What do you think she'll learn from this? Mages are petty megalomaniacs that won't help someone for personal reasons? What about the rest of Orthan's family? What do you think they'll learn about all of this? That you could have helped and didn't? That you tried to blame it on your brother? How well do you think that's going to go? How can you be certain that they’ll turn on him and not you?”

Dumag let out a growl as he turned back to me. “Because he is to blame.” He spat angrily. “I offered my assistance and he abrasively refused. He has made his choice now he must suffer its consequences.”

I shook my head as I gestured insistently. “You don’t know that.” I insisted. “Just because you see it that way doesn’t mean others will. There are a thousand other things they could blame, including their own choices. They have no reason to believe the outcome would be different if their father made a different choice. Hell, they probably see him as making rational decisions, all things considered. I mean, come on; his son is missing. They can’t be surprised if he acts aggressively.”

Dumag gestured angrily at the door as he practically shouted his retort. “Then I Shall Make Then Understand.” He roared. “If they must learn of his actions to understand the consequences, then so be it. I am not above revealing the venom others are capable of.”

I pinched my temple as I dropped my head slightly. “And what makes you think they’ll believe you?” I asked sharply. “How can you be certain of how they’ll react. What if they still side with your brother?”

Dumag shook his head as he let out an angry huff. “Then they must learn as well. They must learn of the consequences of my brother’s repeated injunctions against me; his insidious sabotage during my training, his insolent behavior before my rite, his refusal to acknowledge my accomplishments outright. They will know of his transgressions and will despise him for it, thus furthering his lesson.”

I shook my head as I let out a low sigh. “And what about Orthan?” I pleaded softly. “How does your plan take him into account?” Dumag’s brow furrowed briefly as he appeared to hesitate. “What’s he going to learn from all of this? Don't get unlucky and be born with your brother as a father? How could he possibly blame his father if he ends up dead?” Dumag’s shoulders slumped as his head dropped slightly. He stood there silently as I lowered my voice again. “Whatever your brother did, it’s not worth the life of anyone, let alone family. You don’t have to help if you don’t want to, but I’ll take whoever is willing and try and find him. If he’s in trouble he’ll need someone’s help, even if it’s from someone like me.” Dumag let out a long sigh as he stood there. I turned and walked past him to face Uloth once more. She gazed at me in fearful confusion as I approached. I gestured towards Dumag as I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry about him. He’s a little high strung right now. He’ll calm down after a bit. The rest of us will help you though; there are only a few other things to discuss.”

Uloth nodded as she reached into her shawl. “O-Of course. Do not fear. I have the savings required for a quest.” I gave her a confused look as she pulled out a coin pouch, filled to the brim with coins. She held it up as she grinned pleadingly. “Take it. It has to be enough for a quest. It just has to.”

I held up my hand defensively as I looked at the pouch. It seemed to strain against the contents inside. “You misunderstand. I wasn’t referring to-”

Uloth shook her head as she held the pouch higher. The coins inside clattered together softly. If I had to ballpark the contents, at most a thousand teef could have been inside. Any more would have needed a larger pouch. "Please. The other guild said it would be expensive. I could not afford their fees so I had to search elsewhere. Please tell me it is enough for a quest.”

I furrowed my brow and glanced at the others. They all stared at her skeptically. Salthu leaned forward and gestured towards the pouch. “Where on Kur did you obtain such savings?” He asked incredulously. “Saving for two months would not have afforded me such funds.”

Uloth shrank in her chair again as she pulled the coin pouch closer to her. “Does it truly matter?” She asked defensively. “I am offering this in exchange for the safe return of... Orthan. Do you require another reason to accept my request?”

I shook my head as I gestured towards the pouch. “You must have saved up for something.” I reasoned dismissively. “We have a lot of artifacts on that table, but a full bag of teef is not one of them.”

Uloth nervously tapped her fingers on the pouch as she sat there. "I-I do, but this is much more important. … I would have no use for it without him."

Amelia sat forward in response and furrowed her brow curiously. "That means your plans involved Orthan in some way, right? The both of you were somehow going to use that money." Uloth pursed her lips shyly, sinking further into her chair. Amelia gestured towards the pouch as she continued. “You don't have to be shy. If you two had a plan together I doubt we'd want to interfere with it. … Are the two of you together?" She asked gently.

Uloth let out a soft yelp as she somehow sank further into the chair, the pouch of coins now clutched to her chest. "O-of course we're not 'together.' Our parents would never accept our union. H-He is only … a friend. Yes, a friend. The two of us do not have such a bond."

I looked at her skeptically as I glanced towards Bruga. She stared wide-eyed at the trembling orc and glanced briefly towards Dumag. He in kind was staring in abject confusion at Uloth. I turned back as I gestured calmingly. "We're not suggesting otherwise." I voiced firmly. "We'll help you regardless of your connection to him. We just need you to tell us anything else that might help us. The money doesn't matter."

Uloth shook her head insistently as she held the pouch out again. "Of course it matters." She muttered desperately. "Why else would you accept the quest?"

I shook my head again as I held up my hand. "Honestly, we'll help you either way. You don't need to concern yourself about that. Just tell us what you think we need to know."

Uloth shook her head again as she held the pouch higher. "Surely you do not expect the rest to share your sentiment. Very few are so generous." I glanced around at the others. They all held an expression of unease as they watched Uloth sitting there pleasingly.

I let out a sigh as I pinched the bridge of my nose under my glasses. "I can assure you, they'll help. We just need everything else you know. The money is-"

I stopped as Uloth lifted the pouch again. Tears were welling in her eyes as she stared up at me. "Please just take it." She begged. "Orthan is worth more to me than this. I do not care for it. We can save up again once he is returned. Just find-" Uloth faltered as a loud ahem sounded. We all turned to see Amelia sitting in her chair, her body hunched forward and her elbows on her knees as her hands were folded in front of her. She stared interestingly towards Uloth. Her eyes seemed to glow from thought.

Amelia stood and let out a sigh as she walked over. "How about this." She began, her feet lightly gracing the floor as she walked. "We'll have an auction of sorts. Since we know Dumag isn't fond of helping out he won't be counted. As for the rest of us, we'll have an auction to find out how who's willing to go for the lowest cost. We'll raise the fee until all of us are willing to embark on your quest." Amelia stopped in front of Uloth as she crossed her arms. Uloth stared up at Amelka in confusion as her body continued to tremble. Amelia gestured towards me as she continued. “That way we'll be able to find the right balance of foolhardy generosity and appropriate compensation for our efforts. Does that sound like it'll be acceptable?" I turned to Uloth expectantly. An expression of relief washed across her face as she bowed her head and breathed a sigh of relief. She continued to gasp as her fingers gripped the pouch tighter once more.

Uloth finally let out one slow sigh before looking up at Amelia and nodding, her body now trembling with excitement. "I find that acceptable." She gasped. "When will this auction occur? Do you expect it to take long?"

Amelia shook her head as she gestured about. "We could do it right now since you're in such a hurry." She replied. "It also shouldn’t take that long. I have a pretty good idea of what everyone is going to choose. We're missing one other right now, but we can average him into the mix.” She gestured towards the pouch as she continued. “If you’ll let me …”

Uloth nodded as she held her hands out again, the pouch cradled in her fingers. “Of course. Please begin.” Amelia nodded as she stepped forward and pulled the string keeping it closed. I furrowed my brow and tilted my head as I watched her reach into the bag. I could tell she was up to something, but I couldn’t tell what. She suddenly stepped back and held up a single silver coin.

She turned on the spot and looked at the others as she held the coin high. “We’ll start this as humbly as possible. Who’s willing to go at the price of a single coin?” A wave of understanding washed over me as I saw her standing there. Meanwhile, Uloth looked up at Amelia in confusion.

Uloth grabbed at Amelia’s shirt as she protested the meager price. “Surely you are mistaken.” She pleaded. “It will take an eternity if you begin so small. No one would ever-” She stopped as she glanced around the barn. I glanced in kind as I pondered what made her falter. I grinned as I saw the mages around me. Bruga, Salthu, and Gremach all had their hands raised. Dumag was the only one that hadn’t moved, his scowl returned as he bowed his head. I continued to grin as I turned back to Uloth and raised my hand. Her relief grew and her shoulders slumped as she let out a long sigh.

Amelia grinned as she turned back to Uloth. “I think we have our price.” She said happily. “All that leaves is for you to tell us anything else we need to know.” She turned and handed the silver coin to me. “You have this from here, right?” She asked, still grinning. I nodded as I took the coin and Amelia walked back to her seat. I thumbed the coin absentmindedly as I turned back to Uloth.

I chuckled softly as I saw her gaze at her still full pouch. “Now that that’s out of the way.” I chuckled, causing Uloth to look up in amazement. “Is there anything else we should know about Orthan? Do you have any suspects? Any mysterious sightings? Maybe where he was seen last?”

Uloth let out a relieved sigh as she nodded. A smile crept across her face as another tear dripped down her cheek. She stammered out a response as she pulled the pouch closed and slipped it back into her shawl. "I-I do not know much." She admitted. "I-I know he had left to repair the road some way north, but neither he nor his cart was found after. I attempted to find him myself, but I know nothing of tracking. I could only stumble about the road he had repaired … I am afraid that is the extent of my knowledge." I nodded and let out a sigh as I palmed the coin thoughtfully. It wasn't much to go on, but it was a start. Knowing where he was last would expedite the process of finding him.

I scratched my chin as I let out a sigh. "That's alright. We should be able to work from there … We'll do what we can. Go home for right now. We'll find you if we have any results."

Uloth let out another sigh of relief as she dropped from her chair and bowed. "Thank you ever so much." She said quietly. "May the gods smile on your endeavors." I nodded as she turned and rushed towards the door. She pulled the handle and disappeared into the dimming light beyond.

I glanced at the others as the door was pulled closed with a muffled boom. Each of them held an expression if intrigue as they considered our dilemma. Dumag was still scowling angrily as he stood there silently. I let out and intrigued hmm as I turned to Amelia. She was grinning wide as she sat comfortably in her chair. I glanced at the coin in my hand as I replayed her actions in my mind. "Nice thinking." I voiced intriguingly. "That was better than trying to convince her the hard way. We might have been going back and forth for an hour."

Amelia chuckled as she stood and stretched. "Don't mention it." She grinned. "She needed assurance so I provided it. I'm sure she's happy about keeping her savings. She and Orthan must have been saving up for a while."

I nodded as I ran my thumb over the coin, its metallic surface giving the object a strange weight. "They had something big planned." I mused. "Hopefully they'll get to follow through on that plan. She sounded pretty enamored about him. I'd hate for her dreams to be quashed so suddenly."

Amelia nodded as she glanced at the now empty chair. She turned back to me as she squinted curiously. "Why do you think she was so dismissive of their relationship?" She suddenly asked.

I tilted my head and scratched my nose as I let out a low hum. "You think?" I asked curiously.

Amelia nodded as she jabbed a thumb towards the door. "She dismissed the idea pretty quickly. If she was head over heels about Orthan I would have expected her to be more enthusiastic about their coupling. … then again…"

I glanced towards Dumag as Amelia fell silent, deep in thought. His palm was gently rubbing against his chin as his fingers drummed on his cheek. Bruga was gently gripping his arm and gazing up at him in concern. I gestured at the two as I turned to approach them. "We could always ask them," I said thoughtfully.

I was gently pulled to a stop as Amelia grabbed my arm. She brought herself up to mutter quietly into my ear. "Now might not be a good time." She whispered, pointing at the two. "Dumag is going to need some time after what you said to him. It might be best if we move onto the quest."

I glanced towards Dumag again. He did indeed seem deep in thought. Bruga's expression of concern was loudly apparent. I cursed myself as I let out a sigh. "You got a point," I admitted. "It's not ideal right now … We'll have to put your modification on hold though." I said, turning back to Amelia. "Orthan is now our priority. We can try to work through it while we find him, but we won't be able to work on it as much as we could. I'm sorry if you were eager for the new spell."

Amelia gestured dismissively as she let out a short laugh. "It's not that big a deal." She protested. "The quest is more important by a long shot. We'll only have one chance to find this Orthan guy." I nodded as I glanced at Salthu and Gremach. They were quietly having a discussion of their own. I glanced at my watch and let out a sigh as I saw the time, 5:47. “Can’t work a lot on an idea, but we can at least think of a strategy. I just need to think of a way to find out where he went. We know where he was, but we need to know what happened afterward. If only there was a way to-” I glanced towards one of the tables as a faint memory floated through my mind. The rite had provided exactly what I needed. It was one of the brothers that had voiced the factoid. They could track anyone if they had a sample of their essence, an essence that seemed to be strongest with blood. “You don’t have a sample of his blood.” I reminded myself. “Even if you did you’d only have a couple of days to find him. I doubt DNA can survive once the cells die. You’ll have to find another way. … Unless…”

I pointed towards Salthu and Gremach as I snapped my fingers. “I have an idea,” I said loudly. Everyone turned sharply towards me. I tilted my finger between the two mages. “Do either of you know an essence tracking spell? I recall someone mentioning it being possible to use it to follow someone. If we can pick up a trail we can follow it and find out exactly where he went.”

Gremach hummed and scratched his head curiously. “Perhaps.” He mused. “I do not know the incantation outright. However, I could search the library for such a tome. Salthu, you frequent the library. Perhaps you know where to find it?”

Salthu nodded as he glanced towards the door. “I believe I know of the proper section. I would need to visit the shelf to verify my memory. If it is not there, I recall several other sections that may hold the correct book.” He suddenly shook his head as he turned to me. “In any regard, why would we need such a spell? We have no sample of his essence. It would render our efforts moot if we did not possess the vital ingredient.”

I nodded as I rubbed my head and stretched my neck. “We won’t need the accuracy I’m assuming it’s having,” I replied thoughtfully. “If it operates how I think it operates, we can get samples from his parents and make an analogous of him from there. Though I’m hesitant about the effect mutations have on his genetics. If it makes a large change-”

Amelia shook her head as she stepped forward. “There aren’t that many mutations.” She countered. “In the grand scheme of things, only a handful of markers receive a change. It shouldn’t affect it too much.”

I let out a hesitant sigh as I glanced towards Gremach and Salthu. “Another reason to reduce the accuracy.” I supplied. “Margins of error will be our friend in this regard. There’s a risk of false positives, but if we start where he went missing it shouldn’t be that bad.” I turned to Dumag warily as I thought about how we were going to get the necessary ‘sample’. “Where does your brother live?” I asked reluctantly. Dumag looked up and scowled in my direction. I gestured calmingly as I explained. “You won’t have to tell them your involved. Hell, you don’t have to help us at all.” I held up the silver coin still clutched in my fingers. “But this is someone that has asked and I intend to help her. To do that, I need blood from his mom and dad. Again, you don’t have to come, but we’ll need to know where to find him.”

Dumag let out a low growl as he glared at me. After a moment, his face finally softened and he let out a defeated sigh. “It is blatant that no force on Kur can sway you from this endeavor now.” He growled. He hesitated from another moment before gesturing towards the door. “I know the path she spoke of. It is wrought with weaknesses and failures. It oft falls into disrepair and requires soil to restore. My brother’s farm is a mile or two North East of where the path begins. At this time of year, his fields should be barren save for a few patches of budding vegetables. I expect his other offspring will be tending the fields, preparing for this year's crops.”

I nodded gratefully as I gave Dumag a satisfied grin. “Thank you. That exactly what I need.” I habitually glanced at my watch as I began enumerating everything I needed the task ahead. “The samples, the spell, a starting point, and probably a couple of combat spells in case we encounter anything on our way. . . . I wonder how long it’ll take for me to learn that Impact spell.”