It wasn’t the scales that made them nervous, or the signs of blood, the struggles, or the bandits. Or even the great chains that littered the crater, forged out of blood hardened steel. Or even the skeletons littering the floor, picked clean by blight beasts for spare parts. No, it was the massive welt of … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 13)
“There it is,” Lyn said. “You think?” Brighton asked. He held his hand up and cast his spell again. A single frame spun into action. A bandit exiting, and then it fell apart. “That was from half a day ago.” “Something wrong?” Dan asked. “I’m being suppressed.” “Actively?” Jacob asked. “Feels like the same as … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 12)
The dense undergrowth bore less and less friendly flowers or almost paths as the horses walked through it. There soon came a point, to Lyn’s relief, where they had to stop using the horses while riding them or risk having their legs snapped off. “We should abandon them,” Lyn suggested. Three pairs of eyes glared … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 11)
Brighton finished channeling his natural magic through the ley intersection of his heart. Excess magic leaked out of the corner of his eyes like tears that defied gravity, dripping rolling up his face before disappearing into the sky. It’d been a few days now, so the guard post had stopped burning or smoking. Instead, it … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 10)
Aer’s plotting and scheming was draconian. A last throwback to his heritage he hadn’t yet discarded in favor of mortality, it still served his purposes well. Accrual of power led to his investments being protected from those who might harm them. It didn’t mean he didn’t get surprised. There were six people standing at the … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 9)
With the sheriff informed, Scoured Reach moved slowly from a relaxed peace to a nervous anxiety. There weren’t that many civilians that weren’t hardened around Scoured Reach; businesses moved forward to cater to adventurers, mercenaries, sell-swords, and whatever rogues that needed to find a place to lie low. A week past. Fevered mutterings among guild … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 8)
Brensh found herself walking on the side path out of town. It wasn’t that she wanted to go that way, not really. Her mentor proper was still on a mission to the south, dealing with an infestation of blighted warriors that were harassing another border city. Aer’s guild was first pick in dealing with the … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 7)
Lannon and Landed Lannon was in the workyard when Aer met him. His feathers, a smattering of dyed reds golds and greens, puffed up at the sight of the guildmaster, a guilty look flickering across the toothed maw. Akri, were, perhaps, his favorite mortal race, barring the Grey elves. As someone else who had managed … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 6)
The part Lyn really likes, and the part she doesn’t. The page in the book burnt away, just ash in the breeze. Dan flicked blood off of his thumb and pressed it down hard against the leathery exterior of the cover. Until it stopped, and Lyn could take her eyes off of him. “Only have … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 5, Lyn)
First watch came and went. Second watch came and went. Third watch came and went, and Lyn woke her companions with a gently nudge. Nate required more than a gentle nudge, but she was delighted to be his alarm for the day, and soon even the noble blooded was on his feet. “We’re tracking today,” … Read moreGuildmaster’s Guidance (Part 4, Lyn)