Chapter 287 – Thickening Mist

Chapter 287 – Thickening Mist

 

Kai grimaced as the cold air stung his face. Before awareness fully returned to him, his senses scanned across the empty room for threats. He was pleased with how quickly the habits he developed in the Sanctuary returned.

The arrays he had scribbled on the windows and door showed no sign of breaking or tampering, though he knew that wasn’t always reliable. Mana Observer spread through every inch of the newly rented house for any sign of intrusion.

Separated by a thin wall, Flynn slept, buried in pillows. Rain was missing from the adjacent bedroom and had already moved to the living space. He sat at the center table, browsing his growing collection of carved animals. When the skill brushed him, he tilted his head and waved through the wall.

How can he always notice…

The warmth of the bed enticed Kai to lay five more minutes and forget about the world. He considered relenting, then his worries crushed the temptation. Hallowed Intuition thrummed, low and ominous. The sign was so subtle he wasn’t sure when it had begun, sometime in the two days since visiting the Hall.

Demanding more clarity from the skill would be like asking a fish to recite poetry: utterly pointless. If he focused his Mind, he could brush a sea of tangled murmurs. Danger loomed near with no indication of its nature or when it would strike.

Kai suppressed a shiver when his bare foot touched the cold stone tiles. The day prior an apprentice tanner had gone missing, dispelling any hope that Herry’s fiery death had rattled the abductors into hiding. The girl lived in the northern outskirts. There were no witnesses or traces of struggle, just two heartbroken parents worried for their daughter.

If our numbers are right, there are over thirty missing. They must have left a clue somewhere. Where do they bring them…?

The abductors moved like wraiths, coming and going with the mist. A long sigh escaped his lips, creating a fleeting fog in the cold air.

I need to get some heating arrays.

The Red-3 density could sustain enchantments that would have required manual recharging in the archipelago. And empty houses for rent were another thing the town wasn’t lacking. Kea’s place had been too small to host them permanently. They found a nearby building that should be visible from across the street.

Kai drew back the frayed brown curtain, airy plumes of mist swirled outside the glass panes, an ever-changing pattern of monotonous white. It had been less than a week since they arrived at the Lake of Myst, and he could swear each day was colder than the last. An ever-present nuisance as if to remind him he wasn’t welcome here.

Don’t worry, the feeling is mutual.

He slipped into proper clothes, pressing his lips when the icy shirt touched his skin. The fabric had been enchanted to shield him from the cold, but only once he wore it.

Before coming to Limgrell, he had never wished that his Fire affinity were higher—satisfied with his lot—now that was becoming an everyday occurrence. Training was going slow. With his meager talent for the element, it might take months to cast the most basic cantrip.

I’ll just buy some heating enchantments. There was an enchanter shop near the square…

He already had too many side projects to engrave arrays himself. Studying the jagged runes he recovered at the tower and the diary from the Intrepid took precedence. There were also dozens of places and missing people to check, on top of the list of names they took from Herry. The tasks kept piling up with little reward.

“Morning.” Kai walked into the living room.

“Morning. I made you tea!” Rain perched on a high stool, wearing an unbuttoned half-sleeves shirt, unbothered by the cold. He proudly gestured to a steaming cup already set with an underplate and a spoon.

“That’s for me?” He took a seat. “Thanks.”

The siren grinned with expectant eyes, immune to Limgrell’s gloom. “I saw you were awake. And you drink tea every morning.”

“Yeah…” Kai sipped the dark amber liquid, hiding a grimace at the sour taste. The leaves had been infused for too long. “It’s perfect.” He let three sugar cubes drop out of his ring.

“Isn’t this what friends do?” Rain beamed. “Uhm… Do you think Flynn will like it too?”

“He’ll definitely appreciate it.” Kai smiled. After all, it would be cruel to douse such enthusiasm.

The siren picked the tea leaves from a tin box one by one. A cup flew out of a cabinet into his hand carried by a thin stream of water, more water condensed inside, and a blue fire sprouted under it.

“Is that Fire Magic…?” He blinked at the brightness.

The siren glanced at the flame heating the cup he was holding as if it wasn’t worth mentioning. “I’m not very good at it. Mother said it was a waste of time. You know, there is not much use for fire in the depths.”

“I see… then, it’s good you’re not there anymore.” Kai took another sip to drown the spike of jealousy. He had accepted they were born of two different worlds, but damn, did Rain have to beat him at everything?

The unaware siren peered at the strings of bubbles inside the cup with a studious look. “I can teach you if you want. Though I only know a couple basic spells.”

“I— if it’s not a bother.” Kai already owed him for staying in this cursed town to help his sister. He would bet his ring the siren definition of basic was very different from his own.

“No bother. It’ll be fun.” He added the leaves with the fire still going. “Minor affinities can be tough to use.”

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Kai bit his tongue seeing Rain butcher another tea with intent focus. They idly chatted about spellcraft till Flynn joined them.

“You both up.” His friend stifled a yawn with a hand. His smile turned stiff when he tasted the tea. “That’s good. Thank you, Rain.”

“Really? Think I can try making dinner tonight? I always wanted to try cooking.”

Oh, boy… Guess he’s not good at everything.

Kai rested his chin on his hand to hide a chuckle. They finished breakfast while Flynn diverted the siren from his culinary endeavors. It was nice to forget the crazy conspiracy infesting Limgrell, even if for just a few minutes.

“I have to go meet Niel.” Kai rummaged through his ring for a silver pocket watch—the sun outside would be no help to tell the hour. “I want to visit the location of yesterday’s abduction. Maybe there is something they missed.”

“Wait up!” Flynn downed the last sip of the tea and went to grab his coat. “I’ll accompany you.”

“It’s okay. I just have to cross a street.”

“People disappeared by crossing a corner. No one moves alone.”

“What about Rain?” Kai grabbed his scarf from a chair. “He’ll be stuck here by himself.”

The siren looked up from smelling the tea box. “I’ll be fine.” He materialized a pile of human trinkets on the table. “I need to make an inventory of what I’ve got. And Mari lent me some interesting books to read.”

He can probably take care of himself better than us… Memories of a dark forest resurfaced; rain and blood mixed in the mud, and so many bodies. Rain might be sheltered and inexperienced, but he was most definitely not defenseless.

Flynn threw on a black coat and a wide-brim hat. “Okay, stay safe. I’ll come back for lunch.”

“I’ll try cooking something,” Rain said with a bright smile.