Chapter 51

  Artifacts and Questions

  Enough books lined the walls of the sitting room that it could be mistaken for a library. The small sprite had brought food and snacks for the party, but Sebastian and Yan found themselves more interested in these strange tomes lining the shelves.

  Books on spellweaving, modern magic theory, archives of rune locations and the like took over a few spells. There were also sketchy looking books like mage hacks and advice books. Mystia appeared to collect a copy of every book on modern magic ever printed.

  Hidden among the collection Yan was able to find a few interesting books. 'Library Sprite Lexicon' was among a few copies of mage hacks, and a book titled 'Calling and Mages' behind another set of tomes. She handed them to Sebastian without prompting, and the studious Evari took them back to his seat.

  Wolf had a serious look on his face, frowning in deep concentration at the items before him. He hummed, pursing his lips and furrowing his brow. This was an important decision.

  In front of Wolf there were three snacks. A cut piece of apple dipped in sugar, a fried potato wedge topped in butter, and a stack of four meats and cheeses between two crackers. After a moment of thinking, Wolf grinned, "I'll take you all!" He swept up the snacks with a mighty swipe of his hand and consumed them.

  Wolf started choking a bit on the third one, until Michael handed him some water to wash it down. Hyato shook his head, "Be more careful." The red swordsman chided.

  Michael leaned back in his chair, yawning. "It's been five hours." He said, "King Mystia is resting a long time."

  "How do you know the time?" Hyato asked as he looked around. "I don't see any clocks."

  "I can just tell." Michael said, "I try to keep track of time."

  Hyato glanced at his wrist, shaking his head. He didn't wear anything on that wrist. "Well, maybe we should nap too."

  "Or you could read." Yan said, placing a book in front of Hyato.

  "I don't bother with books." Hyato said, frowning.

  "Why not?" Yan asked. "There can be so many adventures and stories and things to learn."

  Hyato pushed the book aside, "They don't do it for me. And I can never remember where I was."

  Michael picked up the book and looked it over. 'Vurblade, the art of the magic swordsman' was the title. "Hey, this sounds interesting." He said, opening it.

  Hyato leaned back and closed his eyes. "Tell me if there are any pictures."

  Wolf recovered from his small choking fit and decided to take it easy on the snacks. Sebastian, Yan, and Michael all sat in silence as they read, while Hyato closed his eyes for another nap.

  Just when things seemed to be dragging on too long, the small sprite spun in place, making a noise like a whirring fan. “Attention, esteemed guests.” Fizz said in his diminutive voice. “Master Mystia requests your presence in the Chamber of Eons.”

  Wolf hopped up out of his chair, “Finally.” Sebastian took a moment to choose a stopping point before he rose, and the others all stood as well. Hyato yawned.

  The party were led back into the heart of the Tower, to the Chamber of Eons. They felt the weight of power once more as they entered the place, and all of their boredom was squashed away.

  In the center of the room Mystia stood, and before him were five pedestals covered in cloth. "Welcome, heroes." He said as the party stepped in close.

  "What's all this then?" Michael asked.

  "Five young adventurers sought advice from an old Mage, hoping for guidance on their noble quest to battle evil." Mystia said, "It is only fair that this old Mage help the young adventurers."

  Yan nudged Sebastian in the side, "Young he says." Sebastian shook his head, smirking.

  "To each of you, I would like to present a relic." Mystia said. "A gift, to help you on your way."

  "Gifts?" Michael wondered.

  "Relics? Are you really giving us Relics?" Sebastian asked.

  "I call them Relics, as I fashioned them after ancient objects of power," Mystia said, "But it would be more proper to call them Enchanted Items. One such as myself cannot conjure an Artifact, and a Relic implies extreme age of the item."

  Mystia pulled the cloth off one pedestal, "Behold, Sebastian, my gift to you." Atop the pedestal sat a small model craft. It was a sleek crystalline air skiff, modeled after a small fast airship that could seat up to eight people.

  "Oh, that's a detailed model." Sebastian said, picking it up.

  "Upon activation, it will become full size and usable. It can last several hours before it needs to shrink down and recharge. It takes in mana from the air, and can take quite a while to recharge." Mystia handed Sebastian a small booklet labeled 'instructions.'

  "Are you serious?!" Sebastian held the model with great care, looking amazed. "This is amazing!"

  "And may it help you seek out Sky Reach." Mystia said. Sebastian held the Sky Skiff in one hand and looked over the instructions, hopping in place a bit.

  The others all looked amazed, and glanced at the remaining pedestals in wonder. Except for Hyato, who remained calm and relaxed. Mystia faced the calm swordsman. “The man out of time. I have something special for you.” The old mage pulled away the next cloth, revealing a small red bracer.

  Hyato picked up the bracer and latched it to his wrist, “Finally.”

  With a chuckle, Mystia explained, “The time of day, the day of week, the month, and the year. It also shows your location, based on where you’ve been.” Mystia said. Hyato looked at the bracer, activating a small screen of information. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah.” Hyato said, “I’ll need those instructions though.” Mystia handed Hyato the instructions, and the time traveler pocketed them.

  “It looks good.” Yan said.

  “Is that why you’ve been glancing at your wrist?” Michael asked, and Hyato nodded, “Well... cool.”

  Mystia turned to face yan. “For you, I had to think carefully. I had wanted to make you a mirror that could show you where your friends were, but...”

  “That wouldn’t be very useful.” Yan said.

  “Exactly.” Mystia said, “So I did some research, and came up with this.” He removed the cloth to reveal... socks.”

  “Oh...” Yan said, “They, uhh, those self cleaning socks I’ve heard about?”

  “Yes.” Mystia said, “But that is only part of it.” He handed Yan a set of instructions. “They will help you convert speed into raw kinetic force. They should allow you to deliver concussive kicks.”

  “Woah...” Yan picked up the socks. They were green with blue flowers on them, “These are probably the coolest socks in the world.”

  “I didn’t consider that, but they just might be.” Mystia handed over a set of instructions, which Yan started to read. Then the King faced Wolf. “The Champion of Fire and Lightning.”

  Wolf smirked and placed his arms on his waist, “That’s me, old man. What have you got? An indestructible armor? A magic sword?”

  “Nothing like that.” Mystia removed the cloth, revealing an amulet of woven metal threaded around a purple bead and a red stone. Wolf picked up the item, “To you, Wolf, I give you a gift with two purposes. For the short term, it will draw in your excess flames and lightning, ensuring that you do not exceed your limits and damage yourself.”

  “That’s amazing!” Wolf put the amulet on, “Even better than the best armor or sword. Thank you, old man.”

  “Listen closely, Wolf.” Mystia said, “This is a powerful spell, and required a condition. It taps into your lost memories, your amnesia, as a source of power. What that means is, it will only function until you regain your memories.”

  “Okay.” Wolf said, nodding, “I like that. So it’s like a sensor too.” The champion grinned, “And is there an instruction book?”

  “No.” Mystia said, “Would you even read it?”

  Wolf shrugged, “Probably not.”

  The last cloth was for Michael, and Mystia turned to face him. Yan and Michael both watched in silence, waiting for the reveal. “For you, Michael,” Mystia said, “I offer the gift of discovery. Much is yet unknown to you, and much more unknown about you. Therefore, please accept this.” Mystia removed the cloth, revealing a small purple ring with a tiny green pearl set into the top.

  Michael took the ring, and the small set of instructions with it. “What does it do?”

  “The ring will guide you to things, and attempt to draw in knowledge for you to tap into. Use it to learn about yourself, and the world around you. I call it, the Ring of Insight.”

  “Oh cool. The Ring of Insight.” Michael said.

  “Hey, don’t the rest of our items have cool names?” Wolf asked.

  “Certainly... uhhh.” Mystia said, as all eyes turned to him. “Of course. Yours, Wolf, is the Champion’s Pendant.”

  “Awesome!” Wolf said.

  “Yan has the Sonic Socks, Hyato bears the, err, Time Keeper. And Sebastian has the Sky Skiff... of course.” Mystia said. He smiled, and the party accepted the names.

  “I shall name it, of course.” Sebastian said, “It shall be called ‘Horizon Seeker.’ A name befitting adventure.” He held up the Sky Skiff, Horizon Seeker, as he said this.

  “It’s a good name.” Hyato said.

  Wolf spun towards the door. “We have our gifts, let us be off!”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Yan said, “We still don’t know where the Shards of the Sky even are, let alone have official permission to go there.” She said. Wolf paused and walked back over.

  “Yes.” Mystia said, “And now it is time to give you such permission. However, Michael, I must ask that you carry an additional burden. I have something that I need taken care of in the Shards of the Sky.”

  “Name it.” Michael said, “I’ll help you out.”

  “Hear him out first, Michael.” Sebastian chided, “You can’t just accept a job without knowing what you are doing.” Michael shrugged.

  “First, I shall explain.” Mystia said. “But this information is a secret, and must not be spread.” Mystia gave them all a sharp look, until the party nodded. “Within the shards of the sky there is a sunken ruin. That place houses the Wellspring of Purity.” Sebastian, Wolf, and Yan all gasped.

  “So it does exist.” Sebastian said. Michael felt out of the loop again, but he felt his ring stir.

  “Of course it does.” Mystia said, “I have in my possession a dangerous artifact. I have attempted to destroy it using other means, twenty eight other powerful methods. None have so much as scratched it. The Wellspring of Purity is capable of eliminating anything impure, any curse from any object. I do not have the vitality to make the trip.”

  “I’ll do it for you,” Michael said. “No problem.”

  “You must be careful not to wield it.” Mystia said, “Step back.” Mystia was left alone in the middle of the chamber and began to channel an enormous flow of mana once more. A section of the wall above opened, and a black metal sphere was brought out, floating on some crystal pedestal. The sphere was bigger around than Wolf was tall, Too big to fit through any doorway.

  The sphere was lowered before Mystia, coming to a stop with a heavy thud. The King of Cryston began to channel more mana, causing the floor to light up from the effort. He held his arms out towards the sphere and moved them, straining with great effort as he did.

  At first nothing happened, however after a full minute of strain the top of the sphere began to open, splitting open like a flower. It took intense effort by the Magi that created Modern Magic to open the vault sphere. The vault bloomed open as layer after layer of metal were peeled back, until Mystia lowered his arms and dropped back into a seat.

  Mystia took a moment to recover, drinking down some water Fizz brought him, then beckoned Michael over. “Here.” He handed Michael a long thin white cloth, like a scarf, or bandage. Michael took it.

  “It feels so smooth. And thin.” Michael muttered.

  “This is the strongest cloth in the known world, from the Annoph Aloriamora.” Mystia said. “Do not touch the sword with your own hands. Use the cloth.”

  Michael nodded, and turned to the blooming vault. It looked like an enormous black flower, with shard metal petals. Sebastian folded his arms. “It’s like an artichoke, how is Michael supposed to get in there?”

  “A ladder.” Mystia said. His sprite vanished, only to return carrying a ladder a hundred times his size. Fizz placed it next to Michael.

  “Thanks Fizz.” Michael said, and set the ladder up next to the vault. Hyato helped.

  “I need one of those sprites.” Sebastian said. Yan nodded. Michael climbed up to peer into the vault, then used the cloth to retrieve what was inside. He climbed back down and placed it on one of the pedestals for everyone to have a look.

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  A wicked looking sword had been sealed away in the vault. The blade was a sleek indigo color with a raised gold ridge near the guard. The tip of the blade had two concave tapers, the top tip beginning where the lower came to a point. This gave the sword an unusual point, abandoning structure to strike terror.

  The guard was a thick deep purple metal that would hide the entire hand, more like a small shield than a true guard. It looked as if made of large scales, coming to a spiked point four times as it wrapped from the fuller around the hilt, with the fourth spike sticking down from the pommel. Any way you looked at it, this sword was made for killing.

  "This sword," Michael said, "It was Mexizu's sword. Shadowflare."

  "What?!" Sebastian said, taking a step back. Mystia looked shocked as well.

  "How do you know that?" Mystia asked.

  "I've seen it. The vision I saw of Mexizu, I saw it then." Michael said.

  "So that vision was real." Sebastian said.

  Mystia indicated the sword. "Nothing has worked to destroy this. It corrupts those who try to use it. Black burns scorch their bodies and eventually wither them to husks." The King explained.

  Wolf, Hyato, and Yan all took a step back. "Okay." Michael said. "So we need to go to the Wellspring of Purity and purify this." He placed the cloth on the sword and began to wrap it.

  "Be careful." Yan said. Michael nodded and spun the sword to wrap the special cloth around it. It was no heavier than his own weapon.

  "Now." Mystia said, "You still require these." He held out a case towards Hyato and Sebastian. Contained within were five medals, and a scroll. "Authority to enter the Shards of the Sky. As well as the location of the entrance. Memorize it well, as that scroll will not leave this tower."

  Sebastian took the scroll and Hyato passed out the medals. "This is quite a distance." Sebastian said, "I'm unfamiliar with Horizon Seeker. I don't think we should go there ourselves."

  "Please don't." Wolf said.

  "We'll need to head back to and ask Captain Rils for a lift." Sebastian said.

  "Do we have to?" Wolf put his head in his hands.

  "I suppose there's only one choice then." Yan said. Wolf groaned. "Michael and I will head back to tell Rils while you fly the others on Horizon Seeker to the city." She said.

  "Exactly." Sebastian said.

  Wolf blinked, "Oh."

  "Sounds like that is sorted." Michael said. "Hyato, you carry the sword." He had wrapped the sword with the cloth so that nothing was visible of the weapon. He picked it up and handed it towards the swordsman.

  "Must I?" Hyato asked, apprehension written on his face.

  "I'm not going to carry it through the Crystal City. I'll take it back when we meet up." Michael said. Hyato nodded and accepted the sword with great care. "Relax. It's not like you're going to hear voices." He glanced at Mystia. "Right?"

  "There has never been any evidence of possession or voices." Mystia said, "As far as I can tell, the sword is rejecting those that try to wield it, unleashing stored power against them."

  "See? Perfectly safe." Michael said. "Yan and I will head back through the gateway and ask Rils for a lift. We'll meet you there."

  "Alright." Sebastian said. "I'll figure out how to pilot the Sky Skiff and meet up with you soon."

  Michael nodded and left the Chamber of Eons with Yan, eager to continue their journey. Mystia chuckled at their enthusiasm.

  "King Mystia." Sebastian said, turning to face the man, "I have to ask. What... Why is your front door... Why all the peep holes?"

  Mystia grinned, "For fun."

  Darkness was not something you would often find in a city. The ambient light in buildings and on the wards of walls, even starlight and moonlight would light up a clear night sky. To find darkness you needed to make it, walls without windows, doors without drafts, a space enclosed for darkness itself.

  Silence was even harder to find. Together they could be elusive within urban areas. Hard to find, but not impossible. Where there was a need, there would be supply.

  Mien sat alone in the dark, the heavy walls of the room so thick no sounds could pierce it. Alone with his thoughts, away from the light and noise. So why could he still see them?

  Images of past clients of the sensory deprivation chamber roamed around in front of Mien. He could see them, hear them, listen to them work through their problems. When he was in Eterna Forest, the spectres were a great help. He had gone to Liniva as well, discovering the truth behind the attack. The strange power he had acquired was a great help.

  If only he could turn it off.

  The spectres did not leave him. Everywhere he went there they were. People going about their days, complaining about their lives, pursuing their dreams. He was accompanied by fragments of events he had no interest in seeing.

  Since arriving in the Crystal City Mien had already seen four muggings, six breakdowns, and a nasty fight between two drunkards. He was privy to information he had no use for, and no authority to process.

  He could not use a meditation hollow without listening to the mumbles of dozens of others. He could not sleep without hearing sounds of the waking, and would not risk stepping near the inns. Mien felt so very tired.

  He sighed and went to the door. After knocking twice, it opened for him into a dim room. Even the dark room had not helped as much as he thought, perhaps he should ask what Hyato meant.

  After adjusting to light and sound Mien left the room. "Already done?" The clerk asked. "Feeling better?"

  "Yes." Mien lied. "Thank you." Mien left the building, returning to the Crystal City boardwalk. He let out another sigh and began the trek back to the Skyport. If Michael's party was going to show up again, it would be there.

  The boardwalk had many cafes and taverns with open air seating, and all seemed busy as Mien passed by. All the people that had stayed away from the plazas must be here. The din of noise in the present was a welcome distraction to Mien as he took his time walking along.

  "It's a conspiracy I tell ya!" Someone shouted. Mien glanced over. Three people sat outside a cafe, chatting at full volume.

  "You think it's all a conspiracy. Everything." A Kuldo woman said.

  "Well this time it is," the first man, a Phanokai, insisted. "Whole towns going missing? Investigators turning up dead, this is all Necros I tell ya!"

  "If anyone is behind this, it's Xenroa. They've got spies in every Kingdom." The Kuldo said.

  "Xenroa? They're halfway to Tomuse. No chance, this is clearly the work of Necrosian invaders." The Phanokai said.

  The third person slapped the table, "The secret government of Shema is behind it." He declared.

  The first two looked at their companion. "There's no government in Shema. Thems wild lands." The Phanokai said.

  "That... Is what they want you to think!"

  Mien had heard enough, he stopped eavesdropping to hurry back to the nearest gateway. People claimed conspiracy over everything, there was no need to be such alarmists. Necros was at odds with Myrrh and Cryston, but the borders were closed and monitored. No one could breach the Mystic Wall that Mystia created at the end of the Dark War, and Necros had control over the seas.

  Xenroa was not involved. It was true that they were a secretive isolationist island nation, but even if they practiced espionage they would not be destroying towns. And Shema was wild lands.

  Vero was behind the missing towns. He had been after Michael since Liniva, and chasing the Revenant. These incidents were not a matter of some nation stirring up war.

  Were they?

  Mien frowned in thought. What was the origin of all this? Did this really start where he thought it did? Michael unleashed the Revenant in the Eterna Forest. 'But that's not the beginning!' Mien realized.

  Thoughts raced through his head and Mien took off at a dead sprint. Someone shouted as he passed by, but there was no time to stop. He was onto something.

  When Mien reached the skyport he heard a familiar voice call out. “Hey, Mien!” It was Michael, and he was here with Yan heading up to enter the Skyport as well.

  “Hey you two.” Mien said, catching up to them. He slowed to a walk and entered the building at their side, “Did you get permission to see the King yet?”

  “We just got back from that.” Yan said.

  “Already?” Mien asked, “Geez. You really did have connections.”

  “It took hours, we were gone for half a day!” Michael said.

  Mien scratched his hair. “Still, that’s pretty quick. I only got to see the King of Myrrh because he is my Father.” He shrugged and made his way to the airship with the others. “So, your task is already completed?”

  “We got permission, but now we need to head to where we need to go.” Yan said. “We are here to ask Captain Rils for a lift.”

  “Ah, you will probably need mobility...” Mien said, “I think I can take care of that. Leave it to me, you two!”

  Michael and Yan boarded the airship alongside Mien. The older Myrrhmidon took a few steps away, then paused and clutched his head. “Are you alright?” Yan asked.

  “I’m fine. You guys go get food or something. I’ll talk to Rils.” Mien forced himself to keep moving through a crowd of spectres. Many airships had parked here before, Mien could see that.

  With his vision swimming in the illusions of several spectres Mien stumbled across the deck. Every time he slowed down it became difficult to go anywhere. Maybe he should rethink his plan. If he went someplace with thousands of spectres...

  "There's my Mien, soon you'll be mine." The voice made Mien blink and refocus. "Hey, are you okay?" Mien felt Rils touch his arm.

  "I'm fine." Mien grumbled, shaking his head. "Rils, I've been looking for you."

  "Looking for little old me? Those are the words I like to hear." Rils grinned.

  "Rils..." Mien said, rubbing his left eye. "I want to pay for more airship time."

  "Ah..." Rils folded her arms. "You've already paid us, we don't need charity."

  "I paid you to take us here and pick up Michael's group." Mien said. Rils nodded, "But you took damage on the route. You need that money for repairs. And I want to make sure Michael can accomplish his goals. I want to pay your crew to take Michael wherever he needs to go."

  "Well." Rils said. "Okay, I won't say no to you. It's fun having you around."

  "I won't be around." Mien said. "I need to return to the Mystic Citadel."

  "I can take you there!" Rils said, brightening.

  "No Rils," Mien said.

  "I can take you there and then take Michael where he needs..." Rils didn't sound confident.

  "I'll charter a private ship back to Myrrh." Mien said.

  Rils frowned, "I just want to be useful to you."

  "You are useful, you're amazing." Mien said.

  "You finally called me for help in the mountains, and now you are leaving again." Rils said.

  "You need to live your own life too, Rils." Mien said. "And I wasn't the one who left the first time."

  "I am living my own life Mien!" Rils said, "Why can't you be a part of it too? I shouldn't have left, I know..." Rils took a few steps away, vanishing into a crowd of opaque spectres. She mumbled something, but it was lost in the din of stranger's memories.

  "What was that?" Mien asked, stepping forth. He had lost sight of her. Was that her speaking or a spectre? Mien strained to listen for her, using a bit of energy to his ears.

  "It's over. We're done."

  Mien blinked, "What? No, that's not."

  "It's time to get off the airship."

  "Rils, please." Mien said.

  "What are you waiting for? Get your stuff!"

  "I just wanted..." Mien said, dropping down. "I just..." His vision swam, and then it all went black.

  The Ring of Insight pulled in another mote of information, a small light glimmering in the pearl of the ring. Michael checked the instructions again. 'Open your mind to the archive of the ring, using water mana as a conduit.'

  Michael channeled water along his finger, it was even easier than using a Vibe. At once the new information flowed into his mind.

  Aero Crystals were used to power airships and give them lift. When the energies contained are siphoned in the correct way an object several times larger than it can be made buoyant in air. The crystals themselves were repelled by earth mana, which if fixed in place could be used to generate thrust.

  Michael fiddled with the ring a bit, still unused to wearing something there. It seems the ring decided to learn about airships. Was it because they were on one? 'I need to figure out how to control this?' He thought.

  A small commotion drew Michael's attention. Captain Rils and Medic Val came rushing out of the medical cabin. They rushed past a few sailors that were working on deck repairs, and headed straight for the cabin that Mien went toward. Michael frowned and followed them.

  "We were having a spat and then he started muttering and holding his head." Rils explained as she led Val over to Mien. "Then he just went limp."

  Val knelt and checked the man. "He's unconscious." Val said, looking back. "Michael. Help me carry him to the medical ward." Michael nodded and picked up Mien. Val nodded and led Michael and Rils back to the medical cabin.

  "You can help him?" Rils asked, fretting and messing with her hair as Michael set Mien on a bed.

  "Not with you clinging on. Pull yourself together Captain." Val scolded, "What if the crew saw you like this?"

  Rils bit her lip in a frown. "Is there nothing I can do?"

  Val gave her Captain a sympathetic look. "You know, Ma'am, you should meditate. You look like you need to clear some thoughts."

  Captain Rils nodded. "We'll get out of your way. Come Michael, we have something to discuss." Michael glanced at Val as she began meditation treatment, then followed the Captain.

  Once they were back in the Captain's cabin Rils faced Michael. "Mien has offered to pay me to fly you around wherever you need." She said.

  "Oh, that's awesome." Michael said. "Will you?"

  Rils nodded. "I will. It's an easy enough job, as long as there aren't more Skuzori attacks."

  "Well, I can fight off any more that show up." Michael said.

  Captain Rils chuckled, "If you say so. We can leave first thing in the morning."

  "As long as everyone arrives by then." Michael said. "Sebastian has the map of where we need to go."

  "Okay," Rils said, nodding again. "Was there anything else?"

  "Uhh, no?" Michael said. The Captain seemed to be staring into space. "I'll just... Take my leave." Michael departed.

  Rils stood with a vacant stare on her face for several long moments. She didn't need to ask herself why she was so fixated on Mien. That was obvious to her. He was great, kind, skillful, determined.

  So why did it always end up like this? Rils sat on her bed and began to meditate. Val was right, she needed to clear her head.

  Three people soared over the lands of Cryston in a Sky Skiff. They traveled at speeds most other aircraft could not reach, the small aerodynamic skiff slicing through the skies like a saber. The craft moved like an arrow, it's driver focused on the destination.

  "I still can't believe it. What a waste of money." Rex said from the centermost seat.

  "Shove off. It's my money to spend as I like." Fara said. She leaned over the side of the Skiff to get a good look at the grounds racing below.

  "Such a waste." Rex grumbled.

  Fara whipped her head at the sight of a natural crystal formation they zoomed past, a childish look of joy on her face. "Oi." Evan said from the helm, "Stop moving around so much."

  "This baby won't capsize that easily." Fara protested.

  "I know, but you're distracting." Evan said.

  "Well stop looking at me." Fara said. She continued watching the geography rush by. "This is the best purchase I've ever made."

  "Where are you gonna store it?" Rex asked. "This thing won't fit in a dorm closet."

  "Maybe I'll buy a house with my share of the bounty." Fara said. "Maybe I'll get a dog too. Name him Rex."

  The Kuldo in the middle of the Skiff, avoiding looking at the ground below, rolled his eyes. "Ha. Ha."

  "Rex Rascal." Evan said.

  "Rex Ruff." Fara said, chuckling.

  "Rex Rover." Evan laughed.

  Fara giggled and clutched her sides, "Rex Retriever." Evan chortled and Fara doubled over in laughter. Evan tapped his foot as he laughed. Fara was gasping to catch her breath, before dissolving into further fits of giggles.

  The only sound Rex heard over the mocking laughs was the grinding of his teeth. He scowled and flexed his arms, his armor rattling with restrained rage.

  Evan coughed as he laughed, then spoke through wheezes, "Rex Rabies."

  "Enough!" Rex slammed his fist on the bench, sending splinters into the air as the entire Sky Skiff started to roll. Fara fell off the side, looking at the ground far below for a moment, before she managed to grab hold of the rail by the end of her tail.

  Evan jolted in his seat and let out a yelp, moving at max speed to spin the control wheel and reduce thrust in order to regain control of the skiff. He avoided going into a tumble, but the whole craft rocked from side to side in drunken lurches.

  Dangling over the side of the ship by her tail, Fara screamed in pain and fear. The tail mace caught between the rail and a seat was all that kept her from falling hundreds of feet to the forest below. Even a Senne could not survive that.

  Evan kept his cool and stopped the rocking of the skiff, then stuck the lever to autopilot and moved to help Fara. Evan reached down enough for Fara to grab and crawl up the side, then free her tail from being wedged any further.

  By the time Evan and Fara sat to collect themselves they were panting and sweating. Their hearts raced with adrenaline, threatening to burst out of their chests.

  Having escaped their precarious predicament, the two hired students looked to their classmate and employer. Rex was fuming, and hadn't moved from where he sat. The heavy wooden seat had a fist shaped dent in it. Little flakes of Kuldo crystal embedded into the wood.

  Evan returned to the controls and adjusted course. Fara moved to her seat and buckled the safety straps in around her. The only sounds were the wind and the hum of the manos engine.

  "How much further?" Rex asked, no tone in his voice.

  "We're catching up. Might need to stop for the night." Evan said, an equal absence of emotion in his words.

  "Wake me when we get there."

  "Kay."

  The students of MAW flew in silence, following the locked gaze of Evan. They did not exchange another word.