A Soldier's Life-Chapter 206: Just Rewards

Chapter 206: Just Rewards

I had done messed up. I was so confident the amulet was aetheric armor that I was at a loss for words. Zyna slid the amulet back to me in a show of trust. “So, what is it?” I asked dryly.

“It is an affinity amulet,” she said confidently. “It attunes aether to a specific affinity. The purer the aether used in a spell form or spell, the stronger the spell.” I immediately understood that this amulet increased the effectiveness of your spells.

“What affinity does the amulet enhance?” I asked excitedly.

Zyna studied me a moment before answering, “The charm affinity. It can enhance mind magic.” She pressed her fingers together into a pyramid, and raised an eyebrow. “So where did you get it?”

I tried not to reveal anything with my facial expression as I weighed my answer. She had earned my trust, but I was still hesitant. “It belonged to Traeliorn, the elven summoner. He didn’t need it anymore.” Zyna didn’t look as surprised as I thought she would be.

She slowly nodded, “It makes sense. Bending a creature to your will is the domain of summoners. Do you plan to keep it?”

I shook my head no. My charm affinity was just five, and I had no essences for the affinity, having given all the charm essences from the harpies to Raelia, for saving my life. I did think of something. “Can you trade it for me?”

“For an arcane armor amulet?” Zyna asked. “It is more valuable than a simple arcane armor amulet,” she scoffed.

“A channeling essence as well,” I responded quickly.

“Channeling essence? Why would you want a channeling essence?” Zyna studied me, trying to look into my soul.

I admitted my secret, “My aether channels are burnt. It happened when I encountered the elven summoner.”

Zyna seemed to reevaluate everything she knew about me. “Really?” She shook her head in sympathy. “Poor boy. You hide the pain well. Usually I can tell such things. How badly were your channels damaged.”

“I lost one point of potential,” I admitted. Zyna winced as I admitted it.

“It is not that this amulet is not worth the channeling essences that would help you restore your channels. But it would take three to five apex channeling essences to heal your aether channels—depending on the extent of your damage and the purity of the apex essences. No insult intended, but there are burnt mages in the Empire who are much more important than you.” She bit her lip and sighed helplessly.

I was quiet for a time, pretending to think. “Each major essence would alleviate some of my pain. How many major channeling essences could you get for me?” I asked.

Zyna nodded, “For major essences, it would take thirty to forty to heal your channels. You are not raising your potential, only healing damage to restore lost potential. It would take over a one hundred lesser essences to do the same.”

Zyna thought for a moment, her fingers interlocked and dancing. “I would be getting them for me. Only First Citizens can purchase major and apex essences in the Empire. I know a few mages who would have the resources to acquire this amulet in trade. But even then, accumulating five apex channeling essences would take them a year or longer.”

“How many apex essences is the amulet worth?” I questioned, thinking I could get some other apex essences.

Zyna seemed to understand what I was asking. “Ten would be a fair trade. However, just like channeling, most magical attributes and essences are difficult to obtain. What essences would you consider for the amulet?”

I considered briefly before listing off five options, “Channeling, shaping, aether pool, earth, and quickness. But at least one would need to be channeling.”

Zyna laughed, “Saturn’s ghost Eryk. The quickness might be possible. High Mage Dacian fervently seeks out all earth essences. Every First Citizen with a modicum of magical ability seeks aether pool and shaping essences.”

It took Zyna a while to stop laughing and compose herself. “I will inquire. Do you trust me with the amulet? I only have an idea of how strong it is as my charm affinity is so small. Any interested First Citizen is going to want to test it.” It would not help me, and if I could eliminate my aether burn by trading the amulet, I would take it. I pushed the amulet back toward her.

Zyna asked the inevitable question. “Do you carry anything else from Traeliorn that you want to part with?” She was expecting a reply.

“No. Nothing else,” I stated. I was sure she had intentionally not asked me if I had taken anything else from the elven summoner. I checked on the roast to break from her piercing gaze. It was medium rare, bloody pink. I sliced the roast thin, poured boiling gravy on the slices, and served it with rosemary bread.

Zyna focused on the meal, but she was obviously suspicious. Maybe she had already searched the packs in my room and knew about the other artifacts.

After Zyna finished the meal, she thanked me and retreated to the baths. Coming out of the baths, she was wearing thin white cotton clothes that were slightly damp. “I will be in meetings all day tomorrow but will be back for dinner. The following day, classes will resume, and Renna will be available to supervise you in the libraries in the evening.”

“What about Flora and Livia?” I said, keeping my eyes from drifting.

Zyna face twitched a little. “Livia has been moved into Antonia’s villa in the upper city. Antonia is rushing her agenda for her diplomatic mission. You will not have a chance to wish her well.” Her tone was heavy and maybe remorseful.

I could tell that Zyna was not happy with sending the young woman on such a dangerous mission. The only reason she was selected was for her poor healing spell form. “And Flora?”

“She is getting personal tutoring by Mage Christus. She is no longer being considered a mage candidate as we need her to imprint the spell form for discern truth. Three Truthseekers were killed recently. We also need to clear beds for an influx of new students.” It sounded like the Empire was being assaulted behind the scenes.

“Did the displacement mage in Varvao live?” I asked after I processed everything.

“His legionnaires did their duty.” Zyna nodded. “All displacement mages are having their legion guards doubled.” She smiled slightly, “Castile’s company may be assigned to such guard duty when they return.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that, knowing Konstantin would go stir-crazy being confined to a city. I was sure he would find excitement somewhere and drag others along for the ride. Zyna headed into her room and intentionally left the door ajar. I stared at the door for a time before turning my back and heading to the alchemy lab.

Zyna was attractive for an 84-year-old woman, but there was an underlying danger of being intimate with her. Upsetting one of the most powerful mages in the Empire was only partly my concern. Although she didn’t appear manipulative with me, that possibility always stayed in the back of my mind. Was she playing nice because they needed me, or was she being genuine?

I worked in the alchemy lab until dark, and Zyna never left her room. Zyna had an aversion to alchemy, and I don’t think she has ever visited this room in my time here. I did my routine, and after my fitness and weapons practice, I checked on Zyna. She had already left—if she had even slept here.

I shaved, dressed in my commoner’s clothes, and descended the tower with the black blade in my dimensional space. I was hoping to pass for a common citizen. My dark clothes were dull compared to the bright colors the wealthy enjoyed in the upper city. I was going to break Zyna’s rules and head into the city and to the Adventurer’s Guild. The city was just waking up as I left the college.

Two Imperial legionaries stood guard. “When is the curfew?” I asked.

The legionnaire on the left looked me up and down, “Sunset to sunrise.” My real goal was to make sure these legionnaires remembered me when I returned.

“Where is the best place to get some snacks in the city?” I asked.

The two legionnaires looked at each before the one on the right spoke. “There is a candied nut cart in Neptune’s Tear Plaza. A blonde woman with braided hair runs the cart.”

The other legionnaires let out a friendly smile. “It is his cousin’s cart, but it has the best nuts in the city.”

“Great, I will bring some back for you. How long is your shift?” I said amiably.

“We will be here until two hours after midday.” The older legionnaire said, hopefully. “The nuts are a large copper each.” He started digging under his armor, and I held up my hand to stop him.

“It is my treat. I have a few errands to run for the mages but will be back in a few hours with your treat.” The legionnaires looked doubtful at my offer, but I moved past them into the streets. I figured my enemies in the city wouldn’t be watching the Mage College gates this early. I still remained on alert as I moved through the city.

The streets were sparsely populated, and those who wandered seemed on guard. A few servants in dull clothing hurried from shop to shop, running errands for their masters. I strolled leisurely along the roads to Neptune’s Tear Plaza. It was early morning, and the food carts were just beginning to set up. Among the sea of carts, only one blonde woman with braided hair stood out. I estimated her age to be in her early thirties and studied her cart. It held bundles of wrapped nuts, tightly shaped in heavy paper cones.

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I approached the woman, and she looked up. “You need some sweet and salty nuts to break your fast, good man?” Her eyes assessed my ability to pay.

She had a tray that was five-by-five, and could hold twenty-five cones. “How much?” I asked.

“Nine copper this early. Around midday, ten. Prices are high because honey is harder to get these days, but my nuts are freshly shelled, and I guarantee none are rancid.” She smiled, her teeth near perfect, an unusual sight in the Telhian Empire.

“If you have a bag, I will take your entire stock for two silver,” I offered. Her mind went into overdrive, trying to figure out how much of a discount I was asking for.

After she had done the calculations, she nodded. She could still go home and restock for the day. She had a heavy canvas bag and carefully folded the tops of the cones as she packed the nuts. I placed the coins down while she worked and headed off with my haul. I had stopped here first to make sure I had the nuts for the guards when I returned. I walked down the main road toward the lower city.

The city became livelier the further I traveled from the Imperial Palace. Citizens rushed through the streets, trying to finish their work before the sun set. There were more soldiers and legionnaires in resin-hide armor walking the streets than during my last visit.

I reached the Adventurers Guild without any difficulty. The interior hadn’t changed much since the last time I was here. I scanned the tables and looked for Guildmaster Icarus. I didn’t see him but recognized his daughter, Desdemona. She was playing cards at a table with four others. I was not drawing much attention until I approached her table. The entire table looks up, and Desdemona says, irritated, “Next round in about an hour. I will take your coins then.”

A thick-necked man to her right laughed, “Desdemona, you will be out of coin long before then.” It only made the ship captain sour even more.

“Desdemona, is Tarvon available?” I asked, a little unhappy she didn’t recognize me. Then again, I was clean-shaven and not wearing legion armor.

“Ugh, kraken’s cock. What? You need an escort thirty feet? You want me to hold your cock while you piss too?” Desdemona threw her cards down, folding her hand. Her eyes ran over me and then narrowed. “You are that legionnaire from a few months back.” I smiled brightly at finally being recognized. She had barked out the words, and the entire common room seemed to go silent.

Desdemona stood, knocking her chair back to the floor. She was angry, and thankfully, Icarus barked from a doorway. “Relax, Desdemona. He didn’t order your ship locked down at the docks. Legionnaire, I will escort you back to see Tarvon.” I nodded and followed the Guildmaster.

“Thank you. Everyone seems on edge.” I said as we reached the hallway leading to the back rooms.

“The Emperor has closed down the Adventurers Hall. No one can leave the city or work postings. As you can imagine, a room full of Adventurers who cannot work might get a bit agitated. There were five fights last night.” We reached the door to Tarvon’s room. “I will talk to the room, but if you think of stirring things up yourself, I will not hold them back.”

“I understand. Thank you.” I turned and entered the room. The halfling was behind the counter, inventorying potions. Unlike Desdemona, his eyes lit up in recognition immediately.

“I never forget a face. Eryk Marko! More oblivion pills? Healing potion stock is pretty barren at the moment. Or did you decide to sell your—trinket?” The halfling stepped up behind his counter, wearing a merchant’s smile. I wouldn’t forget someone who brought in a dreamscape amulet, either. I was guessing he was hopeful I was selling.

I produced one of each of the orc potions. “Got these off an Orc Pathfinder. Do you know what they are?” He took both vials, studied them in the light, and nodded.

“There are rumors of Pathfinders running wild in the Empire. Is that where you obtained these?” The halfling asked.

I wasn’t sure what the local rumor mill was churning out, but I decided the truth couldn’t be bad. “Yes. They were across the river but a distance from the capital.” He nodded like he already knew and I just confirmed his suspicions.

“Lesser healing potion and an alertness potion.” He said confidently, handing them back to me. “The healing potion is the blue one, and I am told they taste like soured milk. The alertness potion tastes like vomit. I had the misfortune of sampling one myself once.”

“Alertness potion?” I questioned, making them disappear.

He puzzled out what I had done to make them disappear and smiled. “It is a powerful stimulant. It washes away fatigue and increases your clarity. It lasts about an hour, but not many people use them. Your heart beats twice as fast, and you need to drink a lot of water while under its effects. Also, you lose your sense of taste for days after. Are you selling?”

“No. I will hold onto them for emergencies. I want to purchase some revelation scrolls.” I said with a smile.

“You would, would you. You don’t strike me as having a strong affinity for clairvoyance.” He laughed at my confused expression. “The spell forms on the scrolls are from the clairvoyance affinity. You need to channel aether into them through your clairvoyance aspect, just like a normal spell form.” My plans started falling apart. I had planned to purchase a dozen revelation scrolls.

“Don’t look so upset,” Tarvon said, beaming at me. “Even if you could use the scrolls, interpreting the feedback from the spell takes years. I would be happy to identify anything you have. Rates have gone up a bit, one gold and three silver. I don’t know when I will get a resupply with trade ships being locked down. I am also out of healing potions. Always a run on those when the scent of war is in the air.”

“Fine. I have a few things I want to be identified.” The halfling stepped down, and I followed him into his office. It was more crowded than last time and smelled a little worse.

I took out the black jade chalice, not hiding my dimensional space abilities. Tarvon frowned as he handled the chalice. “Never seen its like.” He studied it for a bit longer before pulling out a revelation scroll. I placed the required coin on the desk.

“Can you make scrolls for any spell form?” I asked as the halfling prepared.

“No, just simple ones with a single array. Scrolls are two-dimensional while most spells are three-dimensional.” He eyed me, seeing if I understood. I nodded. He then focused on the chalice, and the scroll’s script flared and crumbled to dust.

“Interesting piece here. It creates a weak poison—some type of alcohol. May I?” He asked to use the chalice. I nodded my permission, and he filled it with water and activated the chalice. The water changed into an amber liquid, and the distinct smell of alcohol filled them as he sloshed the contents. The small man sniffed, sipped, swooshed, and spit. He seemed to think before repeating the process. “Elf’s Ambrosia, decent quality. It is elven whisky. It’s hard to find outside of Esenhem. It has a nutty, sweet flavor and is very smooth with no bite. He poured the contents of the chalice into an empty flask from a shelf and studied the chalice again.

He went through the process again. Pouring the contents into another flask, filling it. I arched my eyebrows at his boldness. “How many flasks are you going to fill?”

Halfling was taken aback, “Sorry. I should have explained. Transmuting artifacts like this usually have a limit on how many times they can be used in a day.” He handed me both flasks. “Hold them up to the light.”

I did and could see the first flask was a much darker, thicker, amber liquid than the second. “See, the second transmutation was not as strong. This artifact should recover its full potency in a day. If the liquid from the second transmutation was clear, it could have taken a month or more to show its power.”

I reached to take back the black jade chalice. Tarvon’s eyes betrayed his desire for the device. “I might be able to pull together 1500 gold for the artifact.”

“How much does a bottle of Elf’s Ambrosia cost?” I asked in reply.

Tarvon’s friendly mask fell a little. “Depending on the quality, between five and twenty gold a quart.” He looked reluctant to reveal his evaluation. “This quality is closer to twenty gold end. But it would take four transmutations to fill a bottle.” At least the halfling was being honest with me.

“I will hold onto it for now. If I need to sell, I will know where to come.” I produced another item, hoping it was less desirable than the chalice.

Tarvon was immediately interested in the pink quartz ring. I got this in one of the reward chests in the dungeon. It depicted elves hunting elks in relief around the surface. Tarvon turned it while he studied the images. “It is a hair clasp. Artificed to clamp comfortably. It also has a spell form artificed into it. Do you wish its function revealed?”

I placed the coin on the desk with the other coin, and Tarvon retrieved another revelation scroll. When he finished, he smiled, “Another dungeon artifact.” He looked at me suspiciously before revealing its purpose. “It has the simple spell form for a true strike. It is extremely useful for archers as it will slightly alter their arrow’s flight on release to help hit their intended target.”

“Does it have to be worn in the hair?” I asked, looking at its pink color. I had just trimmed my hair this morning and was months away from having long hair.

Tarvon looked at me, puzzled. “It does,” he replied slowly. He handed it back to me but did not offer to buy this artifact. My questioning gaze had him reveal the value: “At least 500 gold. There are many adventurers who would pay slightly more outside your Empire.”

I paused, trying to decide whether to reveal any other artifacts. While I contemplated, Tarvon asked in a friendly manner, “There are rumors that the Empire discovered a dungeon near Caelora.” I immediately tensed.

“I thought the Adventurer’s Guild managed all the dungeons in the Empire,” I ask with the proper level of confusion in my tone.

“That is the agreement, yes.” He said while studying me intently.

If the reward for finding a dungeon came from the Adventurers Guild and Castile’s company did not receive a share of the reward this time but was allowed to keep what we found in the dungeon instead, it suddenly made more sense. Someone in the Empire was hoping to monopolize the Shimmering Labyrinth for themselves. Was the company in danger of being silenced to keep the dungeon secret?

No, I doubted that, as I was certain Mateo and Benito had probably bragged to every legionnaire they shared a drink with. Tarvon was waiting for me. “I heard the same rumors. A dungeon called the Shimmering Labyrinth.” He nodded approvingly, and I thought it was time to leave, and I was glad I had not paid with any of the dungeon coin.

I checked his potion stock, and he had nothing I was interested in. I purchased another 100 oblivion pills as I pretended that was the main reason I had visited him, even though I had over ninety remaining. With the amulet, I found I didn’t need to use them.

Guildmaster Icarus escorted me out of the Hall under the scrutinizing gazes of those present. I locked eyes with Desdemona as I passed and winked at her. She scowled back at me. I couldn’t blame her for disliking the Empire and me by extension. The streets were a bustle of activity as I returned to Mage College. I was on alert and didn’t think it prudent for any side trips. The bells signaling midday rang in the city.

When I reached the gates, I held the bags of nuts in my hand and passed them off to the grateful sentries. We talked for a while, and I tried to get rumors of what was happening from them, but they knew very little, and I did not.

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When I opened the doors to Zyna’s apartments, I was shocked to find Renna there. She stood in her gray robes, walked quickly toward me, and slapped me hard across the face. I had not been expecting that greeting; otherwise, I would have defended myself. “That was for yelling at me to leave you behind.” I worked my jaw a little amused. She then slapped me hard again, “That was for not telling me you were alive as soon as you returned to the Mage College.”

I was about to protest this harsh treatment when she wrapped her arms around my neck. Or at least she tried to. I was done with being assaulted. I got behind her and wrapped her tightly, “Are you done now?”

She struggled fiercely but I had her hands bound, so there would be no magic. She huffed, “I was going to kiss you next for saving my life.”

“Oh,” I said dumbly. I released my grip, and she turned to face me, I lowered my head and accepted the passionate kiss. The long kiss was followed by her dragging me to my tiny bedroom, and she now straddled me. She looked down at me under her, and I think she liked being on top—in control. She smiled briefly, lowered her head, and I accepted her lips again…

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