The sun was instantly replaced by a pale cloud-veiled moon. It was night. That was the first thing that Therelin noticed after his Journey spell did its work. The waterlogged streets of Cobblestone Bog were replaced by the gentle vine-crusted walls of the Temple of Stone. He had reappeared right at his destination—the space where he had often trained with Master Myandin during his seven years in Keth City. Continue reading Therelin 20
The conversation with Master Gheran continued to sink in over the next few days as Therelin came to terms with the possibility—or even likelihood—that Master Myandin had kept such secrets from him. Continue reading Therelin 19
Rikisi Disease was an awful ailment. It covered the inflicted in sores, disrupted their eating habits, and burned off their body mass with fever. When the merchant’s wife first asked Therelin to take a look at her ill husband, Therelin had found a man near death. Now, nearly two weeks later, Master Mos’yim was able to sit up in his sweaty bed sheets. While Therelin sat in a chair nearby, his hand held toward the merchant, the nearly-healed man leaned against the headboard and calmly read from a book. At least he hadn’t commented how awkward it was to have a quiet Ketho man staring at him for hours each day. Continue reading Therelin 18
At the Lowtide Tavern, Therelin found a surprising turn of good fortune. The Lowtide offered a humble rate for the bare necessities—a bed and a door that locks. Supposedly, their renowned chef brought in enough income to discount the nightly rate to a point where Therelin could afford nearly a month’s stay. And to boot, the Lowtide was located in a mercantile district adjacent to the wealthier estates on the mountain slopes—well away from Cobblestone Bog. Continue reading Therelin 17
Two days ago, Therelin had appeared, stranded and disoriented on a mountaintop. Yesterday, he had seen smoke on the horizon. Today, he found its source.
The seaside road that he wandered led south-east, according to the rise of the sun, and tried to navigate the winding ridges of the cliff-ridden coast in as clear a manner as possible. In the afternoon of his second day he saw towers rising over the rocky ridges and scattered trees. As he neared the settlement, he found a hundred stone towers built up the slope of a mountain and down to the sea. This was a major port, he decided. He reached an outer wall that evening, where torches lit a gateway and contributed their smoke to the beacon of civilization that rose to join the clouds. Continue reading Therelin 16
The wooden chair made a thump as it appeared on the stony ridge. Therelin stumbled, his grip on Master Nolicrin’s forearm suddenly holding thin air. The Master had vanished—Wait, I vanished, Therelin realized. He was outdoors, on a sunny day, on a rocky hillside. The chair that had come with him tumbled downhill, splintering into pieces. Therelin’s staff almost followed suit, but he quickly grabbed it. Continue reading Therelin 15
The smaller moon, hovering halfway to its zenith, could not be ignored. On Keth, Caidolis was just another face of the sun and moon spirit. If it could be construed as any omen, it would be one of danger. Therelin could not decide, as he walked through the streets of Saanazar, rounding the sprawling estates near the Grey Temple, whether it symbolized the danger he had been in upon receiving the letter—or the danger he was in now by going to speak with Master Nolicrin. Continue reading Therelin 14
Therelin woke up groggily. Was the sun even shining? He had heard a thump in another room that had awoken him. His tavern was not as comfortable as his home in Keth city had been, but it served its purpose fine. He rolled up to a sitting position and rubbed his eyes.
It was the morning, but the glow on the horizon was from the shine of a hidden sun. He would be attending Master Ethraw’s market stall once again. The coin pouch on his dresser looked plump from where Therelin sat. The merchant’s generosity was certainly appreciated by the wayward magician. Continue reading Therelin 13
To Therelin’s delight, Maia didn’t lead him toward any of the archives he had studied in already. When they headed north of the Grey Temple and wandered amidst enormous, ancient, brick buildings, Therelin finally asked her where she was taking him.
“To the Library of the Atmos Septi.” Her reply took a moment to sink in for Therelin. The low-tier research pass he paid for through the Academy of Ular Graan did not allow access to this Library. When she saw the look on his face, Maia added, “Master Nolicrin’s pass,” and flashed a badge at him. Continue reading Therelin 12
Therelin was not certain if he would continue paying for his Ular Graan research pass after his already paid second month was expired. After all, he had several months worth of reading in the Hall of Three Winds and was a lot more eager to absorb knowledge under Master Nolicrin’s purview. So, for now, Therelin spent most of his evenings studying in archives belonging to the Academy instead of studying at his newfound shrine. Continue reading Therelin 11