24 – Dirt On Theirs Boots

“So let me make sure I have this, You. ” Asha turned her head towards Ren. “Come from somewhere a very long way off, without nexi, and managed to stumble through a portal, find a nexus and become refined, splitting your core between martial and artisan in the process, because you didn’t know any better? And you can make food that gives abilities to whoever eats it, but you’re not sure how it works and don’t have a good idea of how to control the outcome?”

They had spent the hour in quiet conversation. Once Ren confirmed with Kaylin that Asha truly was bound to silence, he shared the details of the little he knew regarding his fusion path, answering many of the questions she had. While he didn’t go as far to say he was from a different world, he couldn’t find a way to avoid the fact that he was not from anywhere remotely close by. Kaylin very helpfully deflected by saying that Ren was from a very long off, from a place that did not have mana or nexi and that Ren had stumbled across latent wild teleportation magic.

Asha’s response was much the same as Jax and Kaylin’s upon their first encounter with Ren, though more muted. She had appeared thoughtful more than anything.

“Umm, well.” Ren began. “It doesn’t sound great when you say it like that, but, yeah. That’s basically it.”

“I understand why you wanted me oath bound. That’s… a lot to take in. I didn’t think I would find something so fascinating here on the edge of nowhere. ”

Kaylin leaned forward. “That kind of magic, the long distance teleportation, I mean, it’s only something I’ve seen hinted at in the Meridian Archives, never more than a passing mention. Do you know anything of it?”

“I didn’t think it was possible.” Jax added as the others looked over at him. “I think I may actually die from boredom.”

“Just because you have the curiosity of dead horse does not mean the rest of us need to live in ignorance.”

Across the room, a small group of six or seven men and women entered the tavern, dressed in what Ren decided was local mining gear, their laughter cutting through the quiet murmur of the space.

“As I was saying,” Kaylin continued, “do you know anything of it or have you heard of teleportation magic like that?”

“Well, it’s certainly not common I—”

“Table for the lot of us iffen ya please, barman.” Asha was interrupted by the loud, rough voice of one of the miners calling over to Stubbs.

“Why, certainly, friend. And welcome to the Bee’s Bounty, I don’t remember seeing you around. Call me Stubbs.”

“Aye, we were brought in to gets the work back on track. Can’t trust leavin’ a group of rural dusters to do the job right. Itten that right boys?”

The group let out a raucous cheer.

“Well, we’re certainly glad to have you. How does a round of ale to start sound? Celeste!”

The serving girl was already moving.

“That’s fine as a warmer, but ‘urry on with the stronger stuff. We’ve been ‘ard at work for two days.”

“I’ll see what we can find.”

Asha examined the group. “They are going to be trouble.”

“I don’t imagine so,” Jax said. “Just a hard working group looking for a bit of rest and drink.”

“Could be, but I’ve seen enough of these types to trust my gut.” Asha shrugged taking a small sip from her tankard. “Anyway, that kind of teleportation spell isn’t common; for starters, it would take a huge amount of raw mana.”

“I thought of that, but if someone either had enough shards, or maybe some kind conduit?” Kaylin said.

“Nah, it would have to be shards, I think. Whoever did it would also need it to be a large ritual, no way someone below high master or grandmaster could channel that much through their core.” She smiled. “And it would send out a huge aura wave that would get all of the surrounding cities in a tizzy. Anyway, it isn’t common, it’s also not really my thing.”

Silently, Ren pondered what Asha had said. There’s a lot tied up in that, I’ll have to ask Kaylin about it I guess.

“So, where’s these refined folk we ‘eard about anyways?” The loud, rough voice called out again. Looking over Ren saw the speaker was a black-bearded man with a long scar across his face. “Anyones seen ‘em?”

“Like I said, trouble,” Asha muttered.

“Well, I don’t see the harm in a little more reputation.” Jax started to rise.

Kaylin snapped her hand out to grab his arm. “Jax, we aren’t looking for attention, I’m not sure putting on another display is in our best interest.”

“Says the woman who trounced that man last night in a raw display of strength.”

“That was different.”

“Cousin, it’s not as if we will be here much longer. Three days until the guild certification, then on to Meridia. Besides, I don’t see any aura, what could they do?” Without waiting for an answer, the big man rose fully out of his wooden chair, grabbed his own tankard, and called over. “Ho’, friend. I might be able to help with that.” He crossed over to the group.

Kaylin thunked her head down on the table. “Something like this always happens. ”

“Maybe it’ll go fine,” Ren offered. “Maybe they heard about the arm wrestling, and are curious, or just want some friendly competition.”

“I doubt it.” Asha focused on the group. “They’re here for a fight, look closer.” She gestured with her mug.

Ren studied the collection of men and women, all leaning forward around Jax. Now that he was paying attention, he noticed that several of them had hammers, knives, or small pickaxes strapped to their waists. Thinking back to the previous night, he couldn’t remember any of the miners carrying weapons with them. “They’re armed.” He examined a little longer. “All of them.”

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“Yep, and notice anything off about that big fellow in the green and the red-haired woman next to him?”

Ren concentrated on the two. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.”

“They aren’t miners,” Kaylin said. “They look like mercenaries.”

“Exactly.”

“But why bring trained fighters out for a drink?”

“Whys don’t you put yer fists where yer mouth ‘is cully?” The man sneered.

“There’s no need for that kind of talk here.” Stubbs took a couple of steps toward the group.”