Private Tales Enough of Our Disease

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria's face showed signs of straining, the concentration of keeping her magic flowing as the process of undoing this particular work required a hand of delicacy. "A collector that boasted fae culture and histories. Loved to talk but I was not in the mood for discussion nor did I have the time to dawdle. Had to apply some pressure but he suggested this book... I have his card should this not prove fruitful and I wish to return."

Because Vittoria would return, perhaps not physically, but her presence would be felt. She had allies closer to the Empire that were in debt to her, and would not falter at the chance of intimidating a rich male or rob him.

She loosed a breath, giving herself a chance to breath before taking a slow and deep inhale as her magic finally undid the first lot of connected strings, but the second string she began to work on gave way to the more complex puzzle.

"Proctor... all the strings are connected and tangled..."

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Hmm, it would seem Alistair may have to brute force this a bit. He nodded before reassuring Vittoria, "It's fine. I'll assist more directly...Just follow along and I'll help take the pressure off."

While Alistair had largely allowed Vittoria to break down the wards in their recent endeavors, he had been breaking down runes without her for years. It was just her magical talents were more aligned with this sort of work, but it was time for him to stretch his own muscles.

Alistair's magic at its core without the runes to guide it was not nearly as free-flowing and malleable as Vittoria's or the Fae's magic. His magic came out in clear color, crawling along the formula almost like a thin layer of frost during the first signs of winter.

It crawled over the strings before slowly forcing them apart giving space in between the knots. This would allow for Vittoria to easily force out the strings to unravel, giving her room to operate.

Vittoria Larrainth

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria simply lifted a brow at the assistance Proctor Krixus gave, but it was an effective maneuver on his part. With the gaps, her magic was able to suffocate and control the magic beneath it.

Her magic followed on the heels of the Proctor's, not leaving enough breathing space until she began to take over. She poured more intention into it, her magic now pulling it all apart, stretching the strings until some naturally fell off others, separating into individual strings that now hung suspended in the air.

"Almost there." She breathed, eyes alight with the reward of engaging her magic had brought her.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair simply nodded, driving her forward as he did his best to allow her to do her work. Vittoria's focus was likely solely on her work, so she wouldn't notice the sweat already appearing on Alistair's brow.

The reason the young man practiced rune magic in the first place was because of preparation could often make up for ability and talent. One talent that Alistair was sorely lacking was that his magical reserves were distinctly below average to the common mage. He could make up for it with skilled mana efficiency but sometimes there just wasn't a workaround.

This was one of those times. Although he was able to push back the tight knot of wards, the fae magic was still aware enough to contest him. It felt like some gigantic orc was trying to forcefully hug him and it was taking all of his concentration to push back.

Yet he did his best not to show it to the initiate.

"Very good, please continue."

Vittoria Larrainth

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria found it easier to work, to spread the devastation that was her magic.

A minute later, the strings came undone.

The Initiate released a breath, watching as the projected magic began to fade with it's brilliance, and the detection of magic clinging to the book was no longer present. With confidence, Vittoria went to retrieve it and flipped through some pages. "No more burning..." She smiled, a genuine one, although small.

"What about this...?" She hummed, holding the book out for the Proctor to glance at however he chose. "The ley lines are circled here. Perhaps a start?"

The fae indeed loved the use of ley lines, often using it to strengthen their spells and oaths, she had read in one of her texts.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair was thankful when the last of the strings fell away and Alistair was able to take in a deep breath that he realized he had been holding. It felt like he had just performed a rigorous short-form workout, while Vittoria seemed to just be pleased with herself. Oh the joys of being monsters, if she took her time to improve her efficiency then his assistance with these matters would become unneeded.

Even at this moment, Alistair called over one of the eyes to read the book that Vittoria was showing him rather than activate his eyes once again.

The fae did love their ley lines, as did most wizards, that area had an intersection of three different ley lines. If they managed to tap in there then that place would be a fountain of magical energy. The perfect place to hide and power an artifact.

"Yes...a perfect starting point."

Vittoria Larrainth

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria smiled.

"It is not too far of a journey from the territories, but perhaps I send word to someone I trust to at least investigate on our behalf. Get a lay of the land, so to speak." They both had duties here, as Proctor and as Initiate. To take time to investigate would be a while in order to get all the right permissions. Perhaps an easier feat for the Proctor, citing his teachings as reason for this excursion, but for Vittoria, she was a threat of an Initiate. There were rules to her leaving Vel Anir, and only once did she break trust.

But perhaps with the Proctor's presence, the Academy would be more lenient in allowing her to accompanying him.

"And with this gift of time and preparation, we could further study anything else that may help our search. This book has languages I do not know. You may borrow it if you would like, Proctor Krixus."

 

[Alistair Krixus]

"Yes, I'll start learning the languages and begin the process of the necessary paperwork for such a venture. You may call in your contact, and while we wait for approval, please begin looking for our exit route. Let's have that down to the day and the time because we are going to want to do this as quickly as possible."

He would certainly be categorizing this as a scholarly venture, but in actuality, it would need to operate more akin to a special operations raid.

They would be going into another kingdom's territory to remove a magical artifact from beneath their noses that most likely had significant military applications...Wars were started over less.

"In the meantime, find us one more initiate or other competent individual. Someone you can trust to watch our backs while we do our work."

@

 

[Vittoria Larrainth]

Vittoria knew an exit plan would be easy to manage, but she had just come from a mission in the Empire that certainly made her face recognisable. Marcia and King had also been present, but the former was shorter and easy to notice at such a curious height, whereas the latter had pale features and stood out the most between the trio. Vittoria had the dark hair and a complexion that did not arouse suspicion so easily, and her Kaliti was near perfect.

No, for something this important and crucial, Vittoria need not resort to comforts such as King. Her dearest and closest friend, she could not expect him to return to the Empire so soon again, nor subject him to the harsh sun.

They needed a thief. There surely were a few options to choose from in her class, but Vittoria needed more time to think on it.

"Alright, I shall leave you to it, Proctor. Time for me to seek out Proctor Urahil and get my hands mended."