Chapter 65.

Sitting in a corner of this small cave, Nick unconsciously began scratching the stumps where his two missing fingers should have been. It was weird that, so much time had passed, and yet he still felt like it had happened only the day before. With the passing days, the itch had slowly decreased, but it was present nonetheless. Enora and Rose were the same in a way, softly touching their scars at night. They did not talk about it. They just knew what it was : a bunch of ugly proofs. Their collection of old wounds showed how weak they really were.

Their innate weakness was a good thing to keep in mind too. Just the day before, in their eagerness to get the reward for finding the missing militia squad, the trio had taken unnecessary risks. They had been so focused on the idea that they would not have to worry about money for the following week that they completely forgot about basic caution. They waltzed in the caves, killing every monster on the way without thinking.

Of course, this behaviour would bring trouble, and of course, they would attract bigger foes. Thankfully, they realised their stupidity soon enough, managing to have an advantageous position and take on the two Ash Trolls that came sniffing around relatively easily. And even without suffering any significant injury, they felt very wounded : in their pride. They had been through a lot of hardships, would they begin to go insane and risk everything for 'money' ? Really ?! They had thought themselves so smart and resilient, so much stronger and faster than their enemy, that they began disregarding the common sense that had saved them so many times. Ungrateful !

So, after receiving that wake-up call and settling down for a small break, they got to healing. Thanks to the recent peace they had earned and paid for at the inn, they had been able to continue training in the different magical energies they knew, to the point where they had all met a wall of some kind. Enora could not accumulate more fire energy for some time and, even though she had the most of it of all three, she did not feel significantly more proficient. She definitely felt like she did not know enough about the Mystic Arts to call herself a 'mage'. Rose had maxed out light and wild magic, her body probably too small and frail to contain more. She had gotten athletic by necessity, but that was all. As for Nick, even though he had been training wild magic for the longest and possessed a skinny figure compared to his lover, he was not close to the bottom. It scared him a bit too, so much so that he decided to train the other two instead.

Anyway, after two days of looking around for the lost people, they were again forced to go back to Sephayis empty-handed. They had not found a single clue about where they should go, walking randomly in the dark tunnels all day long. As they stepped inside the city, nodding with a smile to the Laeli guard Simmis that was on patrol, they began wondering in annoyance : what could have happened ?

(Enora) I mean, how could an entire squad, almost ten people, disappear without a trace on the Desert Road ? It's like the most secure path around here, regularly cleaned and all.

(Nick) Not even a drop of blood … feels like we should be even more careful than usual.

(Rose) What about trying an in-depth exploration ? A forty-eight hours dive into the tunnels. I think that whatever is responsible should not be lurking on the edge of the Desert Road anymore. At least it would not be smart.

(Enora) Smart ? The creature or group of creatures that attacked Sephayis people on patrol duty near the city ? What's smart about that ?

(Nick) Maybe it was ravenously hungry, but still not insane enough to leave hints behind ? I'm all for a two days journey, see the bottom of that story.

Silently nodding, they decided to go for it the following day.

Once they arrived at the inn, they removed their armours, stored everything in the room before taking a relaxing bath. Bath time was a delightful moment that they could not skip anymore, whereas they used to avoid going in the icy river back in the Maze as long as they did not need it urgently. In the inn, they could spend a couple of hours a day asking for the bath to be refilled with hot water and washing peacefully in exchange for a few silver. At some point during that moment, Enora began massaging around the arrow scar on Nick's back, as she could feel how itchy it was. Good times.

Afterwards, the three Earthlings went to the dining room for their evening meal, enjoying a tasty stew made of unknown meat and vegetables. It was paradise to them. When they got to the stairwell, Rose had an idea and went to the Palisci. On a whim she asked :

- Say Ischyra, could you show us some of your skill in magic ?

Clearly, the barmaid was surprised.

- I could. Why ?, she said with mistrust in her voice.

- Because we're stuck !, cheerfully answered the small blond. Enora has been unable to increase her fire energy for a few days, and I don't know what more to do with my light magic.

The non-human looked quite conflicted and interested at the same time. She finally talked after a dozen seconds.

- What will you do for me in exchange ? It is a magical matter, so gold won't do.

- What do you want ?, requested Enora on a neutral tone.

- You don't know I guess …, Ischyra mumbled while touching her chin with her right index. Let's go to the back courtyard. Nobody will bother us there.

- Why ?, quickly asked Nick.

- Because it's part of my private quarters.

Following the woman, they went through a couple of corridors and the busy kitchen before getting to said area : a two hundred square meters courtyard of fine light soil with a large house at the back. Only then did the trio realise how rich the barmaid probably was. She owned an inn and house that occupied quite a bit of surface within the city walls. They walked to a small table almost in the middle of the courtyard before sitting.

- So ! Yes, I can teach you some tricks, but, as a rule, mages don't make deals with colleagues for mortal currencies.

- Mortal currencies ?, said a surprised Nick. You mean like gold and silver ?

- Exactly. Those are useless for mages. It does not matter how much metal you have as it will never make you an expert in any magical field. Favours and gems, however, will.

That was weird.

- The favours I guess I can understand., slowly continued Rose. But the gems ? We have a few uncut ones though.

- I know., the barmaid said with a slightly mocking smile. You were not particularly discreet about it.