Chapter: 494 – Hold!

Tala shivered involuntarily, grateful that Rane was by her side as she stood in the entrance of what had once been an arcane hold.

She was similarly grateful that Alat had kept her threefold perspective out of this space.

It was too familiar, even in its emptiness.

Even the fact that it had been conquered and laid at her feet evoked more echoes of her time with the House of Blood than she preferred.

The architectural style wasn’t exactly the same as she’d seen in Platoiri and Croi, but it was much more similar than she’d expected, given the separation in distance and time from those holds to this. Even the fact that it was obviously built by a different dominant race didn’t remove all obvious similarities.

I suppose when such long-lived—and even immortal—people are involved, styles and tastes don’t change as readily.

Then, as she considered it, she realized that she should actually be surprised by just how varied gated-human architecture was between cities in the cycle.

She posed the thought to Rane, and he nodded. “Well, the city leaders, for the most part, don’t make aesthetic decisions for the average citizen. I think that in the tree cities that’s not the case as they don’t really have as much to work with in terms of change from starting condition, but for most, so long as what you build is safe, it’s fine.” A smile pulled at his lips. “And with magic to build and reinforce—then verify and easily repair—all sorts of things are possible. Honestly, we’re still rather tame in what we build compared to what we could build.”

Grateful for the distraction, Tala leaned into the tangent. “Oh?”

“Yeah, Master Grediv said that they considered building towers instead of cities. There was talk about actually switching out the dimensionality over time rather than moving the towers to deal with the difficulties with abrading Reality, but the cost was deemed untenable for the time being.” He gave a thoughtful look. “Though, I do think that research into the needed magics is ongoing.”

Tala frowned, considering. “How would that even work? Move everyone out of an area, switch out the dimensionality, then bring them back in?”

“That, or shift Reality stone- or starward a fraction, essentially oscillating where the issue was occuring. Once it was shifted, the most damaged portion could be removed and brought elsewhere to heal… at least in theory.”

That sounded crazy… but actually might work?

In theory.

–Well, we could go as fast as Master Xeel—or even faster—in theory, but I don’t see it happening any time soon.-

Fair.

Theory was a wonderful thing.

All sorts of things worked in theory.

Then, existence got in the way in one way or another.

Tala took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The diversion had done its job, and she now felt far more level.

With the new mental state, she looked around more carefully, taking in the breadth of what she saw.

There were permanent magical constructs everywhere, all integrated into one another.

In this front entry alone there were more than two dozen garden boxes filled to bursting with magics that kept out unwanted plants, nurtured those that were desired, and helped what did grow remain visually more appealing.

As to the method of determining what was desired? It was simple: Those that had been purposely planted there.

It was so obviously arcane magic that Tala almost laughed.

“Even their flower boxes are alien to us.”

Rane, who had been running his fingers over the front edge of one such box grunted. “Yeah. This magic is something else. I’m not as familiar with arcane workings as you are, but I still get the feeling of… maintained purpose?”

She smiled, despite being reminded of her capture. “That’s essentially what I see too. It takes that which was purposely planted and maintains and enhances it toward the purpose it was planted there for. All else is dissuaded, once again, to maintain that which was purposely planted.”

Rane stood, grinning like a proud student.

Tala moved over and gave him a quick kiss. “That was well perceived.”

“Thanks.”

The entryway held fountains bubbling with crystal clear water alongside the flower boxes, still in full bloom. The walls were intricately carved with motifs of nature. “I think this belonged to an elven House, or one of the forest beast-kin.”

“That makes sense. It does look how I imagined such from the stories.”

They began their exploration, Rane’s presence a stalwart support at Tala’s side.

This part of the hold was beautifully appointed with mature trees woven in among luxurious accommodations, store rooms, work rooms, training yards, and other necessities for everyday life.

Rane had a thoughtful look. “I feel like this could be integrated into the Irondale dimensionality, the core of a new town?”

Tala hmmed. “I suppose so. One less exposed to the outside world, perhaps?”

“Exactly, yeah. It could be a retreat of sorts, or a more peaceful place for people to come and train or practice various crafts?” Rane suggested hopefully.

She smiled in return. “What would we call it? Ironwood?”

He chuckled at that, then seemed to turn contemplative. “You know…?”

“Oh, rust… I just cemented that as the name, didn’t I…” It wasn’t a question.

Alat answered it regardless. -Oh, yeah. I’ve already let Lyn know our thoughts and given her that as the name.-

…you vex me sometimes.

-Love you too, Tala.-

Well, self-love is important.

Rane chuckled. “Enar and Alat are conspiring again. Seems like Ironwood is going to be a thing.”

“So it would seem, yeah.” Tala let out a dramatic sigh, but if she were being honest, she was actually a little excited by the idea of expanding the ‘iron’ region.

-Oh… oh, that’s good too. Taking it!-

…Fine. She felt herself smile a bit. It’s definitely better than the ‘Sappherrous’ region.

Alat chuckled. -Yeah, that would be a bit much at the moment. Especially with the talk you just had with Ron. We should at least wait until we’re ancient and powerful, and let them rename it in our honor.-

…That’s a real possibility, isn’t it.

-Yes, Tala. You, me, Terry to a lesser extent, and soon Enar and Rane are essentially all powerful within this space.-

No, there’s a lot we can’t do.

-But from the average person’s perspective? Essentially all powerful.-

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

She sighed. Alat did have a point… Fine, but I’ll probably object even then… whenever then is.

-We’ll see.-

Rane and Tala continued their exploration, chatting about what they found.

There weren’t really any small items remaining in any of the rooms. Anything of use or value that wasn’t integrated with the hold directly had long since been taken for study, use, or sale to fund further research.

Those things that were integrated into the hold were now connected to Kit, not some other central powersource—be it vestige or Master Grediv—and that meant that they were fully under Tala and Kit’s control…

Tala stopped in the middle of a corridor that arched between stunningly ancient trees, a realization striking her. “Rane.”