by Kyle Johnson
“That’s probably it, then,” Aranos nodded. “Once she found Phil, it wouldn’t have been hard to locate the rest of you; proximity in the waking world usually equals proximity in the dreamscape. And when you joined up, that gave her access to Saphielle and Rhys, as well.”
Aranos shook his head. “It doesn’t matter, though. I promise, we’ll start working on keeping her out tonight, but I doubt you guys are going to get the Skill in one session, much less with enough Skill to keep her out entirely. So – I need you guys to trust me.
“I know it’s asking a lot, but I promise, I have a plan, and it’s a good one. If it works, it’ll not only let us destroy Zoridos, it’ll free the entire city. It’s risky, and there’s a likelihood some of us will end up respawning, but I’ve been thinking about it for days, and it’s the only thing I can come up with.”
Longfellow sighed and rubbed his head. “Mate, I have no problem trusting you. You said it yourself: we’ve done more in this city than whole armies, and that’s been mostly on you. You tell me to jump, I’ll put air beneath my feet.” His face darkened. “This bit about that girl getting into my head, though? That’s dodgy, and I’m not at all okay with it.”
“That’s something we should take up with someone else, though,” Phil interrupted. “Aranos doesn’t have anything to do with that. He’s asking us to follow his directions without explanation. Does anyone have a concern about that? Say it now, if you do.”
“It would be foolish to doubt Aranos at this stage,” Saphielle pointed out with a snort. “We have all followed him to this city, into its depths, and faced its ruler at his orders. This is a war, and we are his soldiers. If he orders, we should follow.”
“Hooah,” Hector echoed. “Tell me where to go and who to hit. I’m in.” He looked at Martina, who snorted.
“I went into Zoridos’ damn throne room at his say-so. I’m not changing my mind, now.”
McBane sighed in frustration. “I don’t like it,” he admitted. “I hate being kept in the dark – but I can see why it has to be like that. I’m fine, so long as you start working to fix this asap.”
“Well, then I guess we’re all on-board,” Meridian laughed. “What, you thought I was going to argue? I’m the healer. I’ve been following orders since the very start. I’m along for the ride.”
Aranos sighed in relief; he hadn’t been worried about his party, but he was concerned about the players. “Okay, with that settled…”
“One observes that I have not spoken, yet,” Rhys interjected quietly, halting Aranos in mid-sentence. Aranos froze, startled, and nodded for the Druid to speak.
“I find it interesting that the Liberator was aware of the Summoner’s Ability all this time and never chose to share it,” the Druid said slowly. “Was he not aware of the danger a Dream Haunter can present? Or did he believe that only he could have been the Wizard’s target? Perhaps it is just that our welfare never entered his mind.”
“Druid, that is absurd,” Saphielle snapped. “Aranos has given us ample evidence that he treasures our lives – including sacrificing his own to allow us to escape from Zoridos. Have you so swiftly forgotten that?”
“Which begs the question if it is truly a sacrifice if one knows they will be getting what they have given back,” Rhys went on calmly. “However, I will grant you that the Liberator is careful with our lives. Yet, it is not our lives of which I speak, but our minds. Tell me truly, Liberator, could you have taught us to protect our minds before this, had you considered it?”
Aranos pursed his lips but nodded. “After we left the Stronghold, I suppose I could have. I could have taught you all how to Dreamwalk, which would have kept you safe from Lily. I honestly didn’t think she would be targeting you, though, since at that point, she didn’t even know you or Saphielle existed. Was I wrong?”
“It is difficult to say, is it not? One of the properties of a Dream Haunter is that the nightmares they give are difficult to distinguish from ordinary ones, and their terrors fade with the dawn. Nightmares are common in the Blightlands; were mine from the Corruption surrounding us, or from the attacks of this Dream Haunter?”
“It does not matter, Druid,” Geltheriel said quietly. “My Oathbinder could not have taught us the Skill, despite his words, as he I heard him promise the High Dreamer he would not. He has said that he has only been able to aid us since his Evolution – or do you ask him to dishonor his word?”
Rhys shook his head. “I ask nothing of the Liberator. I merely point out that he asks for trust, and it is only fair to question him and his motives before giving that trust. All here have offered their trust freely, but I am more cautious with mine. Do you begrudge me that?”
“Not at all,” Aranos smiled. “There’s nothing wrong with being wary, or with considering every point of view.” His eyes hardened. “Here’s the thing, though, Rhys: trust is something that has to be earned, yes, but it also has to go both ways. So far, I’ve led you to this place, I’ve done the best I can for you, and I’ve placed my trust in you to do the same for me. I’ve had your back since before we left Eredain. I’ve never once asked you to take my words on faith – but now I am.
“So, the question isn’t just, do you trust me? It’s also, can I trust you? Can I trust that you’ll do your part, even though you’re unhappy with how things are going right now? Can I trust that you’ll care for your fellow party members and look out for them, even if you aren’t sure I’ve looked out for you?”
Aranos stepped over to the Druid, who drew back, a flash of concern darting across his face. “My answer to that, Rhys? Yes, I do. I do trust you to have my back, even if you’re mad at me. I trust you to do your best for everyone, even if you’re grumbling at me when you do it. You’ve earned that trust, and this one moment? That doesn’t affect that in the slightest. Your doubt here doesn’t shake my trust in you.”
Rhys looked at the Sorcerer steadily for a moment before sighing and hanging his head. “I believe I said earlier that I had never wished for high Charisma. I withdraw that statement, as I was in error.” He looked back at the arcane wryly. “You are correct, Liberator. Just as I have earned your trust, so have you earned mine. I am unhappy to discover that this threat hung over us all along and you never spoke of it, and perhaps we shall discuss it later. But for the moment, lead, and I will follow.”
Aranos nodded at the Druid. “Thanks,” he said simply.
“Okay, so now that’s actually settled – or did I miss anyone else?”
“What about Silma?” Longfellow called out. “You never asked her!”
“He doesn’t have to ask her, Shortfellow,” Meridian replied. “She’s immune, remember? He can tell her whatever he wants.”
“Oh, right. Carry on, then.”
“Okay, so I hate to say it, but we’re going to have to split the party again,” Aranos said heavily. “I can tell you this much: we’re going to hit Zoridos from two directions at the same time. Thanks to our scouts and what I found in the Library, I’ve figured out Zoridos’ weakness, and we’re going after it.” He continued to explain as much as he could, leaving everything as vague as possible. It rankled having to do it, but since he had no choice, he did the best he could. At the end, he was satisfied that if Lily visited any of them that night, she’d learn nothing more than that they intended to assault the throne room.
When that was done, Aranos looked at the party contentedly. “Thanks for this,” he said feelingly. “We might as well start working on training you guys right away, right?”
“Huh, you were right,” Hector grinned. When Aranos looked at him in confusion, the Warrior added, “You know, when you said that everyone got some alone time with you. I like an officer that stands by his word.”
Aranos laughed. “I hate to disappoint you, but I’ll be working with – let’s see – I can handle four of you at a time, but to be safe, let’s stick with three. Before we start, let me tell you what you’re in for.” He took a breath. “The Skill you’re worki
ng on is called Mental Resistance. To gain it, you have to resist an attempt to enter your mind.”
“So, you’re going to try and enter our minds?” McBane asked skeptically. “How is that better than what Lily did?”
“Well, for one thing, I’m not going to torture you for information. That’s a big difference, right there. For the other, the Spell I’m using doesn’t let me read your mind or your thoughts. It does, however, let me control your bodies.”
“What are you planning to do with our bodies?” Meridian asked archly. “I mean, I’m usually up for anything, but…”
“I won’t actually use the control,” Aranos assured them quickly. “If I gain control, then you didn’t resist me, and I’ll let go and start again. There’s no need for me to do anything more than that.”
The party members looked nervous, but Saphielle walked forward. “I am ready,” she said simply. “I trust you, Aranos, and if you tell me this is the best way to keep that Summoner from my mind, I am ready.”
“I’ll go, too,” Phil added quickly. “Maybe if everyone else watches the two of us, they’ll be more comfortable.”
Aranos nodded. “Go ahead and sit down,” he told them. “Close your eyes. Now, when I cast the Spell, you’re going to feel it, because I’m not going to try to be subtle about it. It’ll feel like a worm or a snake trying to wiggle its way into your head.”
“So, what do we do?” Phil asked a bit nervously. Aranos winced inwardly as he recalled that Phil wasn’t particularly fond of snakes.
“Imagine a wall around your mind,” Aranos instructed. “When I try to enter, push back with that wall. Refuse to let me enter. You’ll need to push with everything you’ve got, or it won’t work.”
The first time, predictably, both of his subjects failed to resist his Spell. He didn’t even feel an ounce of resistance from either of them as his mental probe slid into their minds and seized control of their bodies. He let go at once, and both of them took a deep, shuddering breath.
“That was – weird,” Phil admitted. “When you did that, it was like I was pushed off to the side. I was trying to fight back, but it was like trying to push a river out of the way with my hands.”
“I agree,” Saphielle nodded. “I had no chance to erect a defense.”
“I’ll go a little slower this time,” Aranos assured them. “If I go too gently, though, you won’t get the Skill, any more than you’d get Sword Mastery for stabbing someone who stood there and let you.”
“I understand the concept, Aranos,” Saphielle grunted. “I simply need more practice. Begin again.”
They kept at it for nearly an hour before Aranos finally felt resistance from Saphielle. He pushed against her defenses, and he smiled as she pushed back, holding him out. He could have broken through if he’d tried harder, but that wasn’t necessary, yet. “Good job,” he told her. “Did you get it?”
“I did,” Saphielle said wonderingly, staring at the air in front of her. “Truly, that is the fastest I have ever gained a new Skill. I received Mental Resistance – Trained, and at Novice 5. Learning from an Expert has granted me a bonus.”
It took two more tries for Phil to get the Skill, after which the others were happy to join in. Aranos worked with three at a time, using his Multi-cast Ability to infiltrate all of their minds at once. Each failed, at first, and each took around an hour to gain the Skill. He continued until they had all gained the Skill except Geltheriel, who had a similar but more powerful Ability from her Oath to him. When the training was finished, almost three hours later, most of the party went straight to their tents to rest. Only Saphielle remained awake, and the Warrior came and sat beside him.
“You will be keeping watch tonight,” she said quietly. “And while you need little rest, even you need some, Aranos. I will guard you while you get what rest is needful.”
“Thanks,” he smiled at her, a bit relieved. While he didn’t actually need to sleep, he did need two hours of uninterrupted meditation to avoid getting a Fatigued debuff. The others in the party had either forgotten about that, or – more likely – Saphielle had told them she would take care of it. He looked at her fondly for a moment, a smile creasing his face. The woman lacked diplomacy, certainly, but that wasn’t the same thing as a lack of concern or caring. Aranos guessed that people made that mistake about her a lot, thinking that her abrupt nature indicated that she didn’t care about anyone’s feelings but her own.
He knew, though, that they couldn’t be more wrong. Saphielle had dedicated her existence to helping and supporting others, whether it was remaining in the background so her sister could excel or choosing to fight the Darkness as a guardian of others rather than a fighter who actively sought battle. Everything about her screamed of how she placed the lives and cares of those around her far above herself. Anyone who couldn’t see that through her lack of tact, he decided, wasn’t really paying attention.
He leaned over and kissed her gently, the first time he’d initiated any sort of intimacy with her. Her eyes were startled for a moment, but they gleamed brightly as he gently touched her face. “Seriously, thank you,” he said with feeling.
“For what are you thanking me?” she asked, a bit puzzled. “Standing guard for you is surely no great sacrifice.”
“No, just for being you,” he smiled at her. “I appreciate that you don’t try to be anyone else.”
“That would be utterly foolish, as I can only be what I am,” she shrugged. “Yet, I am grateful for the thought.”
Aranos kissed her once more and leaned back against the wall, delving once more into his mindscape. He spent the next two hours expanding the area of the mindscape, adding more SP into his hanging Spells, and practicing his newest Spells to raise their levels a bit. The day ahead of the party promised to be a difficult one, and the training helped keep his mind off it.
After he rose from his mindscape and let Saphielle go rest, Aranos spent a couple of hours doing his physical training with the training crystals. He wouldn’t be getting any Stats bonuses from the training today, thanks to his new race’s penalties, but hopefully he should be getting two points tomorrow. If he missed the training tonight, he’d have to start back at the beginning and only get one point tomorrow.
In the midst of his training, he got a message from Silma that Lily and a large force of undead at least a hundred strong had left the city through the front gates. Aranos grinned at that news – taking the Summoner out of the equation vastly improved his plan’s chances for success, since he had a feeling that Lily might realize what was happening before Zoridos did.
When his training was finished, he spent the rest of the night Enchanting. He’d had an idea for a new type of weapon that Longfellow or Martina might be able to use, one that would help make up for the fact that he wasn’t going to be with them in their battles tomorrow: exploding arrowheads. It was a fairly common item in most games, and they weren’t terribly difficult for Aranos to Enchant.
He created a few different types of arrowheads and bolt tips – he didn’t honestly know if those were called heads or not. Most unleashed explosions of fire or light mana that would damage everything in a 10’ radius or so. He made a few with hauratite cores that held a larger mana charge and thus gave a much wider explosion, plus he fashioned several pure hauratite, blunted heads that were filled with gravitational mana and would create a brief gravity well, drawing everything nearby into it. Those would be harder to aim, since the spatial mana in them gave them a tiny wobble that Aranos couldn’t eliminate, but he figured they would make the other arrows much more effective. Finally, he crafted three large arrowheads that would cast his Radiance of Life Spell; he couldn’t get those into a crossbow point, since the Enchantment was too complex for that. Martina would have to be responsible for using those to best effect.
In addition, he forged a pair of matching rings, linking the two with strands of spatial and mind mana. He carefully etched matching runes into each, varying only the tinier supporting s
tructures so that each ring’s focus was the other. When he was done, the twin rings would allow their wearers to sense each other’s location precisely and to communicate mentally. As a test, he donned one of the rings and tossed the other out into the hallway. Sure enough, a beacon on his mental map glowed gently with the location of the second ring. He reclaimed the ring with a smile; these would both make it much easier to coordinate the twin assaults tomorrow and be a failsafe in case things went horribly wrong for either group.
He moved to Spells next, creating a floating shield that was filled with mind, life, soul, and spirit mana. That wasn’t easy, since the soul and spirit energies kept wanting to meld together into astral mana – and Aranos didn’t think it would be a good idea to create a shield that could suck his awareness from his body temporarily. Still, he deemed it fairly necessary: he had to assume he’d end up battling Zoridos at some point, and that meant he needed a way to protect himself against a massive blast of necrotic energy like the qualintar had used before. He didn’t think the creature would be joining the main battle if it could help it – if he was right about how Zoridos was sustaining the necrotic zone and itself for all these centuries, it wouldn’t want to spend any energy it didn’t have to – but if it realized what they were doing, it would move to intervene.
The resultant shield was a weave of life and mind mana that was carefully crafted to carry two strands of soul and spirit mana, circulating them through the shield without ever letting them touch one another. He’d also had to work to keep the mind and life mana from joining, since apparently those two would also readily combine – something to look into another time. He’d constructed the weave in a roughly layered fractal pattern that filled almost the entire space without actually having to touch each point in the shield; that saved him a fair bit of mana and made it easier to keep the mana strands separate. When he finally finished, the resultant Spell seemed to be exactly what he needed:
Spell Created: Greater Mage Shield
Rank: Novice 1