Defying Destiny

by Andrew Rowe

  Taelien shrugged. “Not that I noticed, but I suppose it’s always possible. Can you teach me to do more with it? Maybe starting with how to resist other people tearing out bits of my spirit?”

  Wrynn laughed. “Don’t think you’ll have to worry about that much, but sure. I can give you some basic lessons sometime, when we have a few weeks free.” She took a breath. “Thank you, by the way. I feel much better already. Your spirit composition is different enough that it should help hold for a while.”

  “Different?”

  Wrynn nodded. “You can see each of my spirit marks as being like a combination lock that the worldmaker has to crack if it wants to break out. The essence composition of each mark is the combination; the worldmaker needs to push opposing essence through to counter it properly. Your spiritual essence is sufficiently...odd...that I suspect it’ll take some time to negate.”

  “If it’s like a lock, does that imply it’s useless if the worldmaker figures it out once?”

  Wrynn shook her head. “Not exactly. The seals recover while I rest in stasis, as I mentioned before. Then the worldmaker has to spend the essence necessary to force their way through each and every seal to make progress. That means that every seal I add makes the process more difficult for the maker, but as long as they remember the necessary essence types for each seal, they can bypass the old seals relatively quickly.”

  Taelien rubbed at his shoulder more. “What keeps you from just adding a whole bunch of seals at once?”

  “I need variety in terms of essence types. To go back to the combination example, adding two locks with the exact same combination would add a bit of protection, but much less than an entirely different lock. Ordinary people only represent the same few hundred sets of locks, based on the types of sorcery they have available. Powerful sorcerers offer me the most value, but as I’m sure you understand, they also tend to be the most reticent to offer up a piece of their spirit to another powerful sorcerer.”

  “Couldn’t you explain the severity of the problem to a sorcerer’s college or something?”

  “I have.” She shook her head. “It usually doesn’t go over well, but I’ve succeeded from time to time. That’s why I do have hundreds of seals already.”

  “The ‘Witch of a Thousand Shadows’. They should have called you the Witch of a Thousand Souls.” Taelien grinned.

  “It’s seven hundred and eighty eight now. But close enough.” Wrynn stood and stretched. “Ready to go find a magic rock?”

  “You bet. I love magic rocks.” Taelien stood as well. “Where are we headed?”

  “The Blighted Woods.”

  Taelien wrinkled his nose and began to head back to the tavern proper. “Isn’t that place...uh, blighted?”

  “I can shield us from the disease. We’ll need to be cautious and get in and out quickly, though. There are things there that aren’t going to be pleasant to deal with, and even with your contribution to my spirit, I’m going to have to be cautious. Every time I use a spirit art, this thing,” she jerked a thumb at her back, “tends to struggle to break free.”

  “Spirit arts? Are those what your spells are called?”

  Wrynn nodded. “That’s about right. They’re a little more complicated and flexible than what you’d call a spell, but sure, go with that. I have a lot of spirit arts I’ve picked up over the years, but most of them are inaccessible, because I need to use them to maintain the seal. More recently acquired spirit arts aren’t as risky for me to use, since they’re further from the center of the seal structure, but most of my strongest arts are the old ones near the center.”

  “Meaning you’re at a significant combat disadvantage right now. That’s...unfortunate. Could I help you acquire more of these...spirit arts?” Taelien asked.

  Wrynn shook her head. “The piece of spirit you gave me serves a similar function, but broader. I could probably leverage a hint of your abilities, but given how...odd they feel, I don’t think it’s a good idea. And as I mentioned, your spirit piece is a useful lock. I shouldn’t discard it.”

  Taelien nodded. “Do you know where the thing we’re looking for is located?”

  “No,” Wrynn shook her head. “Not exactly. But I think I know who can help us find it.”

  They emerged from the vault and headed back into the tavern.

  Upon exiting the back room, Taelien spotted someone, stopped, and stared.

  “....Lydia?”

  ***

  It had been close to a year since Taelien had seen Lydia last. She’d left for Hartigan’s tower after the disastrous fight with Sterling, and he’d been assigned to his own tasks far from her. He’d wanted to visit, to see how her injuries had been healing, but...

  Lydia lifted a single hand, the one that wasn’t currently resting on her cane, and offered him a wave. “It’s good to see you, Taelien.”

  He rushed closer, wrapping her in a hug. “Hey.”

  There was a brief pause, then she lowered her head to rest it against his shoulder. “...Hey.”

  He pulled her a little tighter.

  “You’re crushing me a little.”

  He released her, backing away. “Sorry, sorry. You okay?”

  Lydia laughed. “I’m fine. Better, now that I can see you’re actually here.”

  Taelien raised an eyebrow. “You’re here for me?”

  “In part.” She adjusted her glasses, straightening her back and turning toward Wrynn. “Prime Lady Jaden, I presume?”

  “Ay-yep.” Wrynn flashed her a grin. “You can just call me Wrynn, though. I take it you’re the famous Lydia Hastings?”

  Lydia’s grin slipped a bit. “I’m not certain what you mean by famous, but yes.”

  Wrynn walked closer and gave Taelien a nudge. “You didn’t tell me she was a redhead. And cute! You and your dad have the same type.”

  Taelien and Lydia’s jaws both dropped just a little.

  Wrynn snorted. “You should see your faces.” She slapped Taelien on the back, then whispered in his ear, “It’s definitely true, though.”

  Taelien let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s not like that, she’s my commanding officer.”

  “Uh-huh. Nice salute when she showed up.”

  Taelien glared. “...And can you please never bring up my supposed father’s preferences again? I really didn’t need to know that.”

  “Oh, foo. Don’t be such a baby. It’s well known that the Impervious Forest Goddess had red hair.” Wrynn folded her arms. “And, you know, his other—”

  “Don’t. Want. To. Hear. It.” He put a finger over her lips.

  Wrynn tried to bite him, but he pulled his finger back in time to avoid it.

  “Well, you two seem quite familiar.” Lydia reached up and adjusted her glasses again. They’d looked fine beforehand, so Taelien was pretty sure it was just a nervous habit. “If you wouldn’t mind, is there somewhere I can sit?”

  “Oh, of course! I didn’t mean to be inhospitable. Please.” Wrynn waved at the nearest table. “Where’s Asphodel? I figured she was still helping out up here.”

  Lydia frowned. “She was supposed to be here, but I haven’t seen her. Admittedly, I haven’t been here long, though. Perhaps she’s just sleeping?”

  “Or maybe she knows something we don’t and she’s chosen to go off and do something secret. Again.” Taelien sighed.

  Lydia raised an eyebrow. “Has that been a particularly large problem of late, Taelien?”

  “She’s being even more vague than usual. Something’s bothering her, I can tell. Something serious. I think she’s afraid.”

  “Any idea what of?” Lydia tilted her head to the side. “Sterling, perhaps?”

  “Seems likely, but I get the feeling it’s more than just that.” Taelien shook his head. “I don’t know. But what I do know is that it’s fortunate that you’re here. Assuming you’re staying?”

  “For the moment, I believe I am. A certain irritating old sage directed me to Miss Jaden here.”

  �
�Old sage...?” Wrynn frowned. “Tarren? That old coot sent you to me?”

  Lydia nodded. “Indeed.”

  “Wait, Erik Tarren? Did he tell you anything about...”

  “Not much in regards to your background, I’m afraid. Some interesting revelations in the grander scale of things, but nothing I should talk about in the open. He did, however, tell me to inform you that he’s in Selyr right now if you’d like to visit after your business is concluded.”

  Taelien took a breath. “Got it. Do you have an address?”

  She passed him a note card. He slipped it in the pouch at his side. “Thanks.”

  Wrynn sat down on the top of a nearby table. “Well, if Tarren wanted you to come see me, we’re in for something big. And probably not in a fun way. You got any ideas on what that might be?”

  “I do, but...can we talk somewhere a bit more secure, if we’re getting to business?”

  Wrynn looked around the tavern, then sighed. “Fine, fine. Back to the back room. Follow me.”

  ***

  “Is this...” Lydia gestured at the door.

  “Yep,” Wrynn replied. “It’s a Xixian vault. Or, it was, at least. I’ve repurposed it.”

  Lydia seemed to look at Wrynn with a new appreciation. “That is...quite an impressive boast, Miss Jaden.”

  “Wrynn, please. Miss Jaden was my sister.” She gave a wink, as if making a joke that neither Taelien nor Lydia understood.

  “Apologies if I offended.” Lydia frowned. “Wrynn, then. You can open this place?”

  Wrynn opened the vault door. “And there you have it. Please, step inside. It’s secure.”

  Lydia glanced at Taelien.

  “It’s true. I’ve been inside a couple times.”

  They all stepped in. Wrynn whispered a few words and the vault doors closed behind them.

  “Okay. Secure, from both physical and sorcerous threats.”

  Lydia nodded. “May I check a few things?”

  “Be my guest,” Wrynn waved around the huge empty entrance room. “My vault is your vault. Except, you know, that it isn’t. Don’t touch anything.”

  Lydia nodded absently. “Dominion of Knowledge, illuminate your sources. Dominion of Knowledge, detect the presence of void. Dominion of knowledge, detect the presence of sight...”

  She continued mumbling spells for several more moments before nodding to Wrynn.

  “It is satisfactory.”

  “Glad my place meets your approval. Now, what was all that about?”

  Lydia sat down on the floor, then let out a deep sigh. “We were being scryed on. I detected multiple different spells watching us while we were outside. Potent ones.”

  Wrynn let out a string of curses. “You’re certain?”

  “Absolutely. At least one source from the direction of Selyr, another from...” She frowned, then pointed up and to the side, “This way. And a third I couldn’t trace. I wasn’t able to determine the specific person scrying in any of the cases. They all had countermeasures.”

  “Ordinarily, I’d have spirit arts active to detect that, but right now...” Wrynn sighed, shaking her head. “Your Mythralian magic is always so bothersome.”

  “Mythralian? Then, you’re...”

  Wrynn shrugged a shoulder and sat down across from Lydia. “Artinian, originally.”

  Taelien sat as well. “You were going to tell me about some of your background at some point.”

  “Sure, sure. Now’s not the time, though. If your friend here is up for it, we should be getting on the road as soon as possible.”

  “The road? Where precisely are you headed, then?” Lydia winced, stretching out her bad leg.

  “The Blighted Woods,” Taelien explained. “We’re looking for a crystal. One very similar to one you’re already familiar with.”

  Lydia’s eyes widened. “You found another one?”

  “Wait, hold on. Another one? What haven’t you told me, Sal?” Wrynn turned to Taelien.

  “Ah, sorry.” Taelien gave her an apologetic look. “I think Lydia would probably explain better.” He turned to Lydia.

  “I’m not entirely certain I’m comfortable discussing this matter, Taelien. She is not a paladin, or even a follower of our faith. And, meaning no disrespect, Prime Lady Jaden, but you are a somewhat infamous broker of information.”

  Wrynn waved a hand dismissively. “Why’d I be offended by that? ‘Course I am. Still, tell me all about your rock. I’m dying to know.”

  “We can trust her, Lydia. At least on this matter. Her interests are aligned with ours and, well...she knew my family. Or, I mean, the gods that supposedly sired me.”

  Lydia blinked. “Pardon?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Knew the Seven-Branched Sword Deity and the Impervious Forest Goddess. I’ll catch you up on all that later. Honestly, don’t need to know much about your rock unless it can help lead us to the other ones.”

  “Ones?” Taelien frowned. “There are more than two?”

  “Should be three total,” Wrynn explained. “Maybe four. We don’t need them all right now, but I have a feeling that we’re going to want as much information on these as we can before we leave.”

  “Why?” Taelien asked.

  “Because, given that we were being scryed on, I’m pretty sure we’re about to walk into a trap.”

  Lydia nodded. “I concur. I’ll trade you some information. I need to know everything I’ve missed that Taelien is already aware of, and then, I’d like some insight on whoever you believe might have an interest in watching us. Their strength, disposition, location, allies, assets, enemies, weaknesses...”

  “Excellent.” Wrynn rubbed her hands together. “I love trades. And then?”

  “And then,” Lydia sat up a little straighter, turning her gaze to Wrynn, then to Taelien. “We set a trap of our own.”

  ***

  Hm. One part of a seasonal goddess, eh?

  Taelien pondered what Lydia had explained to them about the stones as he walked.

  Maybe we could put her back together. Not sure the Tae’os Pantheon would appreciate more competition, though.

  ...Assuming they’re still around at all.

  It was only mid-day, but the forest grew darker as they marched. There was nothing sorcerous about it; they were simply getting into an area where the tree cover was so heavy that minimal light managed to break through.

  That did make it even harder to notice the shadows following behind them.

  One of these days, I need to take a vacation and just fight in a tournament or something. None of this subterfuge, just someone in front of me I can swing a sword at.

  Instead, he turned his attention toward Lydia. She was still walking with a cane, but she didn’t seem to have much difficulty keeping up with them. He could sense a metal core inside the cane, too, indicating a concealed blade.

  I approve.

  She had an ordinary dagger on her hip, too, but he wasn’t going to complain about someone having an excessive number of weapons. Wrynn had them both beaten in that regard; he could sense over a dozen knives in various parts of her clothing. And that wasn’t even counting whatever she had in her newly-reclaimed box.

  “How’d your training with Hartigan go?” He asked her.

  “It was quite productive. I’ve learned the foundation of a couple new sorcery types and improved my existing skills substantially.”

  Taelien nodded. “Any new tricks you want to show off?”

  “Perhaps when we’re not on a time commitment. I have a feeling I may need all of my strength for the Blighted Woods.”

  “That’s wise,” Wrynn cut in. “We should all conserve our strength. The Blighted Woods are dangerous, even without other concerns.”

  They caught her meaning. “What can you tell me about the dangers in the Blighted Woods? The barrier around them has been up for centuries — do you know what’s actually in there?”

  Wrynn nodded. “In generalities, at least. I wasn’t there for much of what happene
d, but I’m familiar with the origins of the blight itself.”

  Lydia gave Wrynn an appraising look. “There’s been a great deal of scholarly debate about that over the years. I would be appreciative if you could lend some insight.”

  “Sure, sure.” Wrynn paused, seeming to consider something. “Okay. Vendria told you about Rendalir a bit. Did she explain much about what happened there?”

  Lydia slowed her steps, giving Wrynn an odd look, “A bit. Are you implying Vendria is connected to the Blighted Woods?”

  Wrynn shook her head. “No, no. I mean, probably not? You probably know more about Vendria’s history than I do. But the Blighted Woods is a Rendalir-related problem.”

  Lydia made an odd expression, then nodded. “How so?”

  “Maybe start from the beginning, for my benefit?” Taelien asked. “I know Rendalir was another world, and that it was destroyed by one of its worldmakers. I know Vendria is from there. I don’t know a lot beyond that.”

  Wrynn nodded. “Right. So, Rendalir was destroyed, but some people managed to escape — and a number of those people ended up right here on Mythralis. That didn’t mean they were safe, however.”

  “They were followed,” Lydia added. “The Sun Eater came after them.”

  Wrynn turned toward Taelien. “So, the Sun Eater was the worldmaker that was directly responsible for Rendalir’s destruction — but he also had followers. Some were humans who simply chose to serve him to save themselves. Others, however, were entirely different species. The karna are body-consuming shapeshifters, for example. And most importantly for our destination, there were two related types of creatures — ruinshades and vek.”

  “Vendria mentioned ruinshades, though only briefly.” Lydia winced, bending over briefly to rub her leg. “A blend of a ruin elemental and a spirit, essentially?”

  “More or less. More shade than spirit, but some of both. They served as the bulk of the Sun Eater’s forces. They’re essentially shadow copies of individual people, but entirely under the Sun Eater’s control.”

  “Shadow copies of people. Lovely. And what were those other ones, then? Vek?” Taelien asked.

  “Vek are worse. At first, the people of Rendalir believed Vek were caused by a disease — they called it the ‘vek taint’. It manifested as strange symbols appearing across a person’s body, spreading across them over time.”