Cyrus Cullep, lord of the western district of the Crystal Cascade, slumped at his desk reading another report from Iron Mountain Plateau. His son still hasn’t been found and his brother failed in that attempt to grab power in the south. Cyrus was never squeamish about doing what needed to be done to secure his families power. Once the reports from the invasion started trickling into the capital, his majesty saw fit to order his whole family out of the Lord’s Senate. He said it was the least damaging thing he could do to show solidarity with the rest of the nobility, short of stripping him of his noble title all together. Even the House Taurant gave up their land rights at the Plateau to those damn Desentes. Cyrus still gets to manage his section of the city but is no longer welcome in court. This coupled with his only son going missing has left him in a dark mood.

Crossing the office to his fully stocked bar, he poured himself another glass of wine. If he couldn’t take revenge on whoever did this, he would at least get black out drunk. A shiver ran up his spine as breeze came through his fourth-floor corner office window. He turned quickly dropping his glass and reaching for the blade at his side realizing he never opened the window. What he could see shocked him. There was a figure with wings crouched in his windowsill. One wing was black and the other was white, the figure had a piece of cloth over his face that reached just below its upper lip. Upon the cloth was an eye drawn in blood with the image of a dagger piercing it. They arms and legs were tightly corded muscle and stretched out of human proportions. It wore tattered pants and a torn-up tunic. It had no boots on as it stepped slowly into the room on taloned feet. Lord Cullep raised his sword hoping his death would be swift as he opened his mouth to yell for his guards.

“Stop father. I’m not here to hurt you.” Hissed the creature who coughed up some blood after speaking.

“You are not my son, beast!” Spat Lord Cullep.

“Oh but I am. I know everything that happened at Iron Mountain Plateau. I come to give you answers and the gift of vengeance. Is that not the Cullep way?” Spoke Efimeo Cullep now clear throated and standing at a full seven feet tall.

“I’m listening.” Said Lord Cullep lowering his sword.

Deacon focused his aura inward and took in breaths consistent with his technique. He tried switching sources of power by mentally focusing on his trigger phrases. He struggled to do it feeling the air within him expel and draw in. Ultimately, Deacon was unable to trigger the change using his internal voice. Deciding to try it again later, he opened his eyes and noticed the others in the carriage were all attempting to sleep. He was filled with energy and decided to leave the carriage and get some air.

He opened the carriage door and climbed up onto the roof. They weren’t traveling so fast that it was a difficult option. There were still people on foot as well as riders. Behind them he could see the Deep Dwellers carts and wagons. Torches can be seen up and down the road. It would take a monumental idiot to attack such a large procession. That explains why the last days’ worth of travel has been uneventful. They’ll have to pull off the road soon to rest the animals but for now Deacon was enjoying the peace and quiet.

“What are you doing up here?” Elle asked. She was in the form of a large owl with antlers.

“I’m guessing that’s you Elle?” Deacon asked.

“Yes. I was out scouting the area. You know you look like a child dangling your legs like that.” Elle said shuffling a little to left on the lip of the carriage.

“Need I remind you I’m barely six months old.” Deacon said.

“Don’t be silly. Your age in this world is one thing but how old were you in the other world?” Elle asked.

“The ripe age of twenty-five.” Replied Deacon.

“So stop saying you’re six months old to people. It makes you sound ignorant when dealing with people. You are a champion and the things you say matter. I know things have been difficult for you since arriving here and you really don’t understand everything around you. I urge you to ask more questions. Learn more about this world. You keep saying weird things that people don’t understand. Typhus tells us it’s stuff from your old world. It keeps you from being invested in this one. Like some kind of armor. Just think about that. I’ve got to go pick a good spot to stop us for the night. Talk to you tomorrow, ok?” Elle asked, nodded, then flapped her wings and soared back up into the air.

Deacon sat for a bit in thought. He rolled up his sleeve and looked at his guild mark. The eye still hasn’t returned, and he hoped the dragon didn’t dissipate by trying to help him. He still has an open bargain with him. Deacon just has a list of abilities and skills, none of which include summoning a soul. Gaining that ability would allow him to complete his deal with the dragon. At this point he feels like he owes him one. The caravan started to slow even more as they pulled off into a nearby clearing. Deacon decided to drop in through the ceiling startling Amanda and earning a knife to the throat for his trouble.

“Sorry, sorry. Just took the most efficient way back in.” Deacon said watching Tantus rubbing his eyes.

“Are we stopping?” Amanda asked sheathing her dagger and looking out the window.

“Yea it’s time to rest the animals. I’m going to volunteer for watch. Anyone else in?” Deacon asked.

“I’ll come with you. I need to stretch.” Tantus said.

“Great. Let’s go.” Deacon said opening the door and hopping out. Ralph opened one eye and shut it quickly thereafter. Typhus just shook his head and leaned into the wall of the carriage. Amanda was just gone.

Deacon jogged up to the front to speak with Knight in charge. He offered his services for the watch and received a nod in return. Tantus had some papers strewn around the ground at his feet. He began chanting and pushed his arms out in opposite directions. He was standing in the dead center of the camp. A globe of air shimmered into being around the camp.

“What was that?” Deacon asked.

“A spell I’ve been working on. It’s just an alarm spell. It’ll make a loud pop if someone crosses the barrier that wasn’t in it when I cast the spell.” Tantus said.

“What if there are scouts out there that haven’t made it back yet?” Deacon asked.

“I didn’t think of that.” Tantus said.

“Good idea though. What else have you been working on?” Deacon asked.

“Well you remember when the spirit of the wind taught me that spell?” Tantus asked in response.

“Yes, I was there. It was cool.” Deacon said.

“Yes, yes, well the spell isn’t designed like other spells I’ve learned from books. It’s more primal. It doesn’t require the same level of concentration. It just does. I mean I make my intentions known and it just does it. I’m trying to figure out the difference.” Tantus explained.

“Sorry, I’ve got no insight for that. My abilities either do or don’t. I haven’t spent much time on how they work. Old Pai Mei had me solely focused on my aura…Pai Mei’s letter. I can read it now.” Deacon said slapping himself in the forehead. Realizing he gave it to Ralph he ran back to the carriage. Everyone inside was already asleep so he decided not to open the door. This time he would use Polterheist for its intended purpose, thievery. It tugged on the letter in Ralph’s pocket. Inching it out ever so slowly until it finally popped loose. He then slid it under the door of the carriage.

“Got it.” He said grabbing for it before Amanda snatched it out of the air.

“You suck at watch too.” She said pointing back to Tantus was standing around looking out of the perimeter of the camp.

“Shit!” Deacon said grabbing the letter and running back over to Tantus.

“Well? What does it say?” Tantus said sparing Deacon a glance.

“Haven’t opened it yet hold your horses.” Deacon replied while breaking the wax seal on the envelope.

“Deacon, as my only student I need to inform you to stay out of the Coliseum in the capital. Several of the fighting monk schools recruit from that arena. If they see you using your unique abilities, the results could range from a challenge to an abduction. The academies are very protective of their secrets and since you aren’t affiliated with any of them you also don’t have their protections. I cut ties with them many years ago and they would be livid to find out I’ve been training you. Emphasis on training. Make no mistakes you are barely half trained, and they make aura manipulation their lives. Stay away from the Coliseum in the capital. Have a good trip. Your mentor, Pai Mei.”

“Ok we are staying out of the Coliseum in the capital.” Deacon said to Tantus.

“Is that all it said?” Tantus asked.

“Yeah, it was a big stay the fuck away message.” Deacon answered.