The Necromancer’s Daughter – Chapter ten

What does the future look like?

Meloreana V
Once Mel had made her way back out of the hideout, away from prying eyes, she let out a sigh. “It gets exhausting talking to children sometimes,” she said to no one in particular. She put up her hood, hunched her back slightly and used her staff as a walking cane as she stepped out of the alleyway and into the streets. It was still light out and she had places to be. She followed the road all the way out of town, where the briefly conversed with the guard, telling him all about her grandson she was going to visit who was getting married. After being let through the town gates without issue she followed the main road for an hour until she split off into a smaller, much less traveled road that led north. Even though her father didn’t know it, she was well aware of his plans. He was hoping to use the energy he was going to harvest with those gems he created to temporarily summon the door to another world. Mel had similar plans of course, but her methods were going to be a little bit more direct, so to speak. She chuckled to herself. Watching a woman filled with thoughts of vengeance like Scarlet always made her happy. What would life be without the primal urge to destroy those that stand in your way, after all.
There were a few more things she had to get in order in the next few days and then it would be time for a nice long vacation. Looking on from a distance was her favorite thing to do after all. With a swirl from her staff a tear appeared in a nearby tree and after looking both ways she stepped through it. The trader that would come down the road only a few minutes later would have no clue that there was ever a woman walking through here.

“It’s true that I’m no longer welcome at the Archipelago, but that’s not the only reason why I can’t be there to recommend you.” Lisanna stood up and started pacing around the tent. The day was over and everyone was getting ready for the night. Danae was probably already asleep aboard the ship, Lisanna had left Joffrey on a cot in the next room over in case she needed help or something strange happened during the night. Accipiter had spent the rest of the day walking along the beach, collecting his thoughts. If they went with Lisanna’s suggestion, he would be going to school. He wasn’t the studious type at all, but he had to admit that even as a young child he had heard stories about the Astrianara Academy and how some of the most powerful people in the world went there.
Layek put his mug of ale down and put aside the scroll he was writing. “And what other reason do you have?” he asked Lisanna.
“I don’t know who is involved with the sort of magic that happened the other day. But I have my guesses. We talked about this before, remember?”
“Yes, yes, powerful magic changing the weather and all that. I believe you said that only a handful of mages can use this sort of magic.”
“A handful of known mages, correct. I can discount most of them. There’s probably only three mages that I know that could reasonably be responsible for this. Two of them are likely impossible to contact. And if they’re the ones responsible, I’m doubtful they would tell me anything. The third person is less likely, but,” Lisanna paused. She’d paced to the exit and was facing the beach that was visible through the opening in the tent. “I have a checkered history with this person. More good than bad, probably, but not good enough to feel comfortable about the prospect of paying her a visit.”
“But paying her a visit is exactly what you’re planning to do?” Accipiter asked.
Lisanna turned around and nodded. “I think I would be a fool for not crossing the option off the list. Even if I don’t think she’s responsible for this, there’s a decent chance she knows more than us.”
“So you’re leaving the crew again?”
“For quite a while, probably. Lady Cayda lives in the mountains north of Zanian and even if I get to the mountain region itself, the hike to her castle is far from easy. I’ll likely be gone for half a year.”
“I don’t think I’ve heard that name before,” Accipiter said. He looked at his captain who shrugged.
“Lady Cayda,” Lisanna explained, “is one of a handful of mages who has no association with the Astrianara Academy. I don’t know a lot about her personal life if I’m honest, but I know that the magic she practices is very far removed from what the Academy teaches. Their magic is very structured and although many different theories and ideas are allowed, there’s always a structure to be found in the things they teach. A lot of what Lady Cayda is capable of is frankly unexplainable. That made her clash with a lot of other arcanists and eventually caused her to seclude herself in the mountains. My master and I visited her a couple of times throughout the years and she’s an incredibly intimidating person.” Lisanna chuckled. “So it should be fun to visit her again. For her at least.”
“Sounds tough,” Layek said.
“Want to come with?” Lisanna offered.
“I’m good, thanks. Besides, we have a lot of work to do.” He thought for a moment. “I suppose you need us to drop you off in K’tapur then?”
Lisanna smiled. “You’re far too kind.” 

After they finished their conversation with Layek, Accipiter joined Lisanna for a walk on the beach. Even though it was fairly dark outside, she produced a small oil lantern from one of the nearby tents and the two set off. It was a pretty long walk to circle the island, but it gave them some time to talk and to clear their heads a little bit before going to sleep.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Accipiter said, “why the hell did you suggest I go with the girl?”
“Well, I figured you’d like to spend some time at school for a change of pace.”
Accipiter glared at her. “You know I’m not the bookish type.”
Lisanna smiled. “There are many things you can learn in this world that you’ll never encounter if you always stay in the same place.”
“So? Why not give that opportunity to someone else in the crew?”
Lisanna stayed quiet for a minute before answering the question. “You’re a smart man, Accipiter. Sometimes I think your talents are wasted on a pirate ship. Layek is a good man, but he doesn’t have the same potential that I see in you. He’s too narrowly focused on his goals. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, quite the contrary. But that’s his goals, not yours. I don’t like the idea of your talents being solely used to further someone else’s goals, regardless of if these goals are good. I’d much rather you develop your own goals and grow on your own. If at the end of the road you decide you still want to be a pirate then that’s fine with me, but it’s a conclusion you should only arrive at after properly thinking about it.”
“But I like the seas, and I don’t like books.”
“When’s the last time you read a book?”
Accipiter thought. “I don’t think I’ve read a book since my dad told me stories from one.”
“Exactly. People change. We get older, wiser, and our interests change significantly as time goes on. There’s a reason some of the most powerful people in the world come from this Astrianara Academy. There’s knowledge and power to be found there that you can’t find anyone else.” She looked him in the eyes. “Trust me, I would know.”
Accipiter couldn’t argue with that. “So you want me to go read some books and then decide if I still want to be a pirate?” He chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll suddenly become an arcanist like you, if that’s what you’re planning.”
It was Lisanna’s turn to chuckle. “I don’t think magic is one of your talents. But there are many other things you can learn from books. Some of the best sailors who have ever lived wrote about their travels. There are many things you can learn in a library that you can’t learn on a ship. The same way that you can learn many things aboard a ship that you can’t learn in a library. And the Astrianara Academy isn’t a place you can gain entry into easily, so if you have the chance to get enrolled, you would be crazy to turn it down.” She stopped walking and turned around again. “Besides, there’s a good chance they won’t let you enter anyway, so you might as well try. If they say no, you can sail right back with the crew, nothing lost.”
Accipiter thought about everything Lisanna said. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t at least a little bit intrigued. “Fine, I’ll go.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Accipiter looked out over the waves. They were probably about halfway done with their walk around the island and the stars were high up in the sky, their reflections shimmering in the calm waves. “These are strange times we’re living in,” Accipiter said.
“Things are changing. It’s up to us to adapt or get overtaken by the waves. Sink or swim.”
“Well at least I’m a pretty good swimmer.”

Accipiter slept much better than he thought he would. The stress of the past week or so had definitely gotten to him, but being away from the busy cities helped. His chat with Lisanna also helped him properly process what was expected of him. Lisanna left the crew for months at a time regularly and she always came back and everything would be back to normal again. Things would be the same now, except he’d also leave the crew for a few months. Just like she always did. As he made his way aboard the ship he saw that Danae was already up, sitting on the bow of the ship. She seemed lost in thought and didn’t hear Accipiter approach until he was already standing next to her. “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
She jumped slightly, being suddenly snapped back to reality. “A bit better, but still quite bad. My head hurts and thinking is hard, but I’ve been worse.”
Accipiter thought about the state they met in and couldn’t argue with that. “If we’re to go to school together, I think we should get to know each other a little bit.” He grinned. “So I stole some of the good cheese from Layek’s chambers. We should find a nice spot and have some breakfast.” He held out his hand to help Danae up, which she took. “Do you know any nice spots then?”
Accipiter broadly gestured around him. “We’re on an island without busy crowds, this place is nothing but nice spots.” He stepped down from the upper deck. “Follow me.”
They walked a little bit away from the camp and the ship to a small lagoon that Accipiter found while he was walking with Lisanna yesterday. There was a nice spot that was sheltered from wind and that managed to keep some of the warmer temperatures captured, so it wasn’t cold. They sat down and Accipiter pulled out the cheese and bread he took from the ship. They both ate in silence for a little while before Danae asked him a question.
“What is going on?”
“Come again?”
“This all feels off. I know I’m probably not in the right state of mind, but I don’t understand going from a slave to being sent to a prestigious school in the span of a few days.”
Accipiter stared out at the waves. “You know, I don’t know either. Life comes at you fast sometimes, and when you hang out with important people, things happen. I try not to question it too much.”
“Important people?”
“Well, mostly Lisanna. She may not seem it, but she’s very important. She’s powerful, well connected and most importantly, a good friend. If she wants something, it usually gets done.”
“I see, so it’s because of this Lisanna that I’m going to school?”
“More or less, yes. Don’t get me wrong, the captain isn’t a bad person either, but he’s much more practical and rough around the edges. He sees the world differently. Maybe it’s because humans live so much shorter and they need to rush more than us elves, but he always acts like he’s out of time.”
“If you say so.”
Accipiter didn’t feel like he was really getting through to her, but he was happy that she was at least talking with him. As he sat there in silence, Danae asked him another question.
“And what about you? What is your opinion on all of this?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure what to think. I actually talked with Lisanna for a good while last night, about our plans and why I should go to the academy with you. I’m still not fully convinced, but I can’t deny that she made some good points. Besides, I would like to learn a little bit more about the place that she once spent a lot of time at. What does it take for a person to become so insightful and powerful.”
“So you’re not angry at me?” Danae asked.
“Why would I be angry at you?” Accipiter asked, confused about the sudden question.
“Well, it’s because of me that you have to leave the crew and go to this academy.”
“It might be because we found you, but that’s hardly your fault, is it?”
“I suppose.” The conversation died down a bit. 

Eventually the rain started. First a little bit and then it steadily turned into a downpour. The lagoon they were in was out of the rain, but the walk back to the main camp would be quite far.
“I suppose we’re stuck here for a little while,” Accipiter said. He sighed. The mood was already a bit awkward before the rain started and now that they were completely stuck here he was feeling a little bit uncomfortable. To take his mind off of things, he took out his bow. He always had a bow and quiver on him. You never knew what kind of wild game could be lurking on the island. It was unlikely there was much here, but he just felt more comfortable this way.
“Are you an archer?” Danae asked him as he took out an arrow and took aim at a tree on the edge of the lagoon. He lowered his bow and looked at her. “I am.” He thought of something. “Do you want to try?” he asked her.
“May I?” He could hear the excitement in her voice.
“Of course, come over here and I’ll show you.” He waited for her to come close before he demonstrated how to wield a bow. “You see here, you hold the arrow loosely between your fingers until it feels stable. It needs to shoot out effortlessly once you let it go, so it’s very important you have a well carved bow.”
“Did you carve this one yourself?” Danae asked.
Accipiter shook his head. “No, this was a gift from Zalan, he’s a fletcher by trade.” He realized that Danae wouldn’t recognize the name. “Zalan is one of our crew mates, I’ll introduce you to him later.” He pulled the string taut and aimed at the tree. “Look down the arrow at your target and if you’ve done everything right it should soar to it.” He let go and with a satisfying sound the arrow whizzed through the air and struck the tree. He smiled. “See?” He handed the bow to Danae.
She was shorter than him and although it wasn’t a big bow, it was still a bow that required a bit of strength to handle. He helped her hold it the right way and then explained to her where the arrow went. “See this little groove here? That helps keep the arrow stable a little bit. That way you know you’re holding it right. Now pull the string back quite a bit. Further, further, further, like that.” He stood behind her and looked at the target over her shoulder. “Now aim at the center of the tree and it should shoot right at it.”
Danae peered past the arrow until she was certain she was aiming correctly. She let go of the string and arrow shot towards the tree. And then shot straight past it into the ocean behind it.
“I thought I was aiming right at it,” she exclaimed, disappointment in her voice.
Accipiter laughed. “It would be extremely impressive for you to hit a target the very first time you shot a bow. But your form was not bad for a beginner. I reckon you could become a pretty decent archer with a couple of years of training.”
“A couple of years?” She asked.
“Most skills take time to develop.”
“I think I’ll stick to one skill at a time. I doubt I’ll have time to practice archery and go to a wizard academy at the same time.”
Accipiter smiled. “That’s probably fair enough.” They practiced for a little bit longer before the weather seemed to calm down a bit. When the rain had reduced to light drizzle, the two quickly made their way back to the camp where building had already stopped for the day, due to the bad weather. Most everyone was sitting in makeshift tents eating and playing dice games. Some were sleeping and only a few were out and about. Accipiter spent the afternoon talking with several people and Danae quickly went back to the room she was staying in.

The journey back to the mainland was very uneventful. So much so that Accipiter spent most of his day just walking up and down the deck talking to people here and there. The route for the first little bit wasn’t super familiar, but there were no reefs on their way out so they didn’t have to be particularly careful. Danae spent most of the journey in her room but would leave once or twice a day to get some fresh air. Accipiter mostly left her alone, she didn’t seem like she wanted to talk to him. Lisanna stayed in the same room and the two of them talked quite a bit according to her. When Accipiter asked her what they were talking about Lisanna just chuckled and told him that it’s none of his business what they talked about in private. Accipiter understood that but he did feel a bit left out. Especially considering he wouldn’t be seeing Lisanna for a while after they parted ways in K’tapur. Layek was busy as always, planning things in his room when he wasn’t out on the ship giving orders and helping out. He was more inside than outside considering the uneventful trip. The day they would reach shore, Lisanna finally found some time to talk with him.
“We haven’t talked much since we left the island, how are you doing?” She asked.
“Not too bad, the sea breeze has always comforted me.”
“You know you’re not going to be stuck at the academy forever, right? You look like you’re being sent to your certain doom when you’re just going to learn.”
“I know, I know. It’s just so out of nowhere. Just when I thought I’d be spending time helping with the new base and getting all of that off the ground, now I’m suddenly expected to babysit some girl we found going to school.”
Lisanna chuckled. “So the idea of studying up on the Azura Lagara there didn’t convince you?”
“I’m not stupid, I know that’s just you trying to console me. If the library at the Astrianara Academy had clear information about the Azure Lagara then someone would have likely found it already.”
Lisanna’s face turned serious. “Not necessarily. I know what you’re saying, but there is a lot of information that has been found but not properly investigated. We don’t know if anyone has taken the time to thoroughly investigate the subject, especially considering that most people who go there already have their own goals in mind. You might be surprised about what you can find.” She smiled. “But you’re right, that’s secondary to you just keeping an eye on Danae. She’s a pretty smart girl. It’s a shame what happened to her, and that she can’t recall anything, but I have a good feeling about all of this. More than what I have to do.”
“Is it that bad?”
Lisanna nodded. “When I still worked with Fesquera, he and Lady Cayda didn’t get along well. I believe she was pretty angry at us when we last visited her. Now that he’s passed away, I don’t know how she’ll react to seeing me again.”
“Do you think she did something at the auction to spite you?”
Lisanna shook her head. “I’m not nearly significant enough in her life. But if I suddenly appear on her doorstep, now that’s a different story.”
“Sounds rough.”
“It is rough, so you best suck it up and deal with things on your end.”
Accipiter smiled. “I suppose you’re right.” He looked up at the horizon. He just barely saw the shoreline, they’d be there before too long. Lisanna looked as well. “I’d best start packing my things, I’m leaving quickly.” She smiled.
“Do you want to at least get a drink in town before you leave?”
“That I can do.” She smiled. “See you when we reach port.”After landing and going through the motions, Accipiter joined Lisanna in a fancier bar a little bit further into town. He usually went to the cheaper ones near the docks due to convenience, but for an occasion like this he didn’t mind taking a stroll through town to get there. Lisanna was already sitting at a table, her bags off to the side and an expensive looking drink in front of her. She waved him over when he entered the building. He felt a little bit out of place in his sailing clothes, but no one seemed to pay him too much mind. After he sat down a waiter came over and he ordered some rum.
“Tell me something about Fesquera,” Accipiter said.
Lisanna looked at him with surprise.
“Well,” he clarified, “you’ve mentioned him so many times throughout the years but I never learned much about what kind of person he was. Now that I no longer get a chance to one day ask him, I am a little bit curious what the man you respect so much was like.”
A nostalgic smile washed over Lisanna’s face. “A grumpy old man.” She chuckled. “That’s probably the easiest way to describe him. He was one of those people that seemed prickly if you didn’t know him all that well, but he was a kind man most of all. Maybe a bit too focused on his own goals to notice others, but he would never be unkind out of malice. His biggest flaw was his love for friends and family, in more ways than one.” Accipiter could hear in her voice that there was more to this statement, but he wasn’t in a position to question it.
“He was my teacher and my friend. We studied together for many years and traveled together for many more years. He was an incredible arcanist and I’m willing to bet those mages at the academy are still mad they missed out on his expertise.” She reached into one of her bags and pulled out a ring with a sapphire on it. “This is a ring he once gave me, a very long time ago. It contains some of his magic. Take it with you.”
“Are you sure? Isn’t this a gift from an important person.”
“It is, but it’s not the only gift he’s given me. He loved his magical trinkets but after he was bored of them he’d often give them away to people.”
“Did he make them?”
Lisanna shook her head. “That wasn’t his expertise. He was more interested in the human condition and healing magic. How to fix diseases and wounds.”
“Did he want to be immortal?”
“No, I don’t think that was it. But he had big dreams and paid his price.” She stood up. They’d been drinking and talking for quite a while. “I’ve got a long journey ahead of me, so I’d best get on my way.” She smiled and hugged him. “Good luck at the academy, I’m sure you’ll make me proud. If you see Professor Ludwig tell him I said hi. Maybe after you’ve been allowed to enroll. If you tell him you know me first he might send you away immediately.” She laughed.
“Safe travels Lisanna.”
After she left he finished his drink and made his way to the port. He was in a weird melancholic mood, humming the tune to a fun sailor’s song he heard a few ports ago. When he made his way to the ship there were two figures standing near the plank, unfamiliar to him. They seemed a bit lost. “Can I help you two?” he asked as he approached.