Chương 169: 4.36 Over

They traveled well into the evening and a bit beyond, getting almost to the border of House Azalea's lands before settling to camp. Though it had barely been discussed after the meeting with Bhaak, Elizabeth and Desir had succeeded in getting directions. They had to head much further West, then backtrack South slightly. The Duchess' former family was thankfully not the most remote from the Republic, though the distance they had traveled already would have taken weeks on foot.

And it was indeed only the edge of those lands they arrived at. Desir surmised for them that Azalea was positioned on the outer boundary of the kingdom's 'heartlands', where the oldest noble families bickered and schemed. Still a position of grandeur, yes, but far from the top of the pecking ladder, at least in theory. What the actual political situation there might be was yet unknown. Either way, it would have to wait, given that dawn was upon them.

Elizabeth bid a quick goodbye, opting to scout out the nearest town she had spotted in the distance before they had set down to sleep. The rest of them chose to wait for Bhaak.

"You look unusually tired," Irwyn noted Waylan's stance being particularly hunched as he sat in the grass. Lot of fertile plains and fields in the kingdom, Irwyn had noted.

"I have made a horrible mistake," the sneak mourned.

"What?" Irwyn looked at his friend fully, but wasn't sure what might have changed besides looking surprisingly worn out.

"I am almost certain one of my 'small' boons made my pillows always feel cool," the sneak sighed wistfully.

"And you were the only one to get that?!" Alice interjected with outrage.

"Who knows," Waylan pondered.

"Irw wouldn't even be able to tell."

"True enough," he nodded.

"But I would not have bargained for something like that." The withering and betrayed look Alice was giving him for that comment was rather unwarranted. Desir, in the meantime, was simply standing to the side with an amused smirk, occasionally glancing towards the horizon at the cresting sun. It had gotten high enough to technically be 'dawn' by then. And not long after that thought crossed Irwyn's mind, the familiar wagon appeared next to them.

"I am happy to see you have made this decision," Bhaak declared, already standing outside his vehicle.

"So, what would you each like?"

"A dose of ambrosiam, as offered yesterday," Irwyn declared, already holding said flower. He had examined it again the evening prior with his Concept and found a depth to it he could not begin to scratch. Not too surprising given it held the remnant of a Truth related to Time, but still a stark difference to when it had seemed wholly non-magical before.

"Wonderful!" Bhaak declared and there was sheer joy in his expression. Irwyn perhaps would not have noted it beforehand, but with Desir's comments about what trades invoked in the peddler, Irwyn found himself agreeing with the explanation.

"It is rare for even me to deal with items of this grade."

"When will it be ready?" Alice immediately asked.

"A month or so, I would expect," Bhaak nodded, then paused to think.

"Would you, by any chance, be heading North?"

"What a positively curious question," Desir immediately interjected as everyone else in the group frowned.

"Alas, I am afraid it might cause undue suspicion in my companions."

"I would get to the reason," the peddler smiled slightly at Desir.

"And will take the sudden paranoia as a yes. Not to mention it would not be that difficult to divine your course, even with Irwyn here - the rest of you are plenty followable - for the most part at least. But I digress, the reason I ask is that there is a small favor I have to ask."

"Now that is much more interesting," Desir smiled very wide.

"What do you need?" Irwyn asked after a short pause.

"And for how much?" Waylan did not hesitate to add.

"There is a certain farming community about two countries further North," Bhaak explained.

"I have contacts there that supply me with exotic spices and other goods that can only be grown in a few select places. Except, they have been dealing with a growing bandit problem for the past few months."

"Bandits?" Irwyn repeated with some befuddlement. It was not the kind of thing he would expect an ancient mage like that to ask a for favor about.

"What kind of monstrous band do you have in mind?"

"A few half-baked fools with a hint of honing, I would be surprised if there were even a single threat worse than early imbuement equivalent," Bhaak sighed.

"Unfortunately, that still makes them rather difficult to uproot in this region. I cannot directly offer an open bounty, and the farming community cannot afford one sufficient to deal with the group, thus leaving a moderate conundrum."

"But it would be different if it was instead an exchange of minor favors between you and your pre-existing customers," Desir spoke up.

"Exactly. Clever as ever," the merchant agreed.

"I am naturally willing to offer you multitudes more than my endangered suppliers possibly could."

"Wouldn't you be making a loss then?" Waylan questioned.

"Easier to get a different supplier."

"I buy their goods for a relative pittance, since the demand around these parts is minimal," Bhaak explained.

"But they have some of the best profit margins across all my dealings. And I meant it when I said these shrubs and trees grow in only a few other places, and nowhere on the same scale. Losing them to some dimwits with cudgels would be absolutely tragic. But if you could solve the situation, we all win: I keep my supplier, you get paid, and that poor community gets peace. And the timing being what it is, it could also conveniently align with the delivery of Alice's liquor."

"Still no price attached," Waylan pointed out.

"For something of this magnitude, it wouldn't be too much, and paying you each individually would be rather troublesome," the merchant seemingly spoke his thoughts out loud - or more likely pretended to.

"How about this: I will make you a compass that will point towards this farming community. Upon completion, I can recalibrate it to serve as a homecoming compass - always pointing towards the Duchy Federation."

"You can do better than that," Desir said, then audibly tsked.

"There is only so much I can offer for dealing with a gaggle of grunts," Bhaak scoffed right back.

"And the compass could be more useful than you think. With my ability, it would pierce even some very elaborate illusions or traps meant to disorient and trap you. Yes, there is a good chance it won't be of use often, but it could yield surprising benefits in some circumstances."

"It is acceptable as long as our participation is not binding," Irwyn decided after considering things and sharing a few glances with his companions. Alice in particular was looking interested at the prospect, though seemingly unwilling to speak up - so that by itself was probably good enough to accept a small detour. They could perhaps also purchase some of those 'exotic goods' while they were in the area.

"It would be inconsiderate to promise a guarantee when we might not even pass nearby. If the threat indeed is as you state as well. More danger would naturally entitle us to further compensation."

"I will call that bargain struck, then," Bhaak nodded immediately. Then Time froze again around Irwyn. It only took him a moment to notice, since he was on guard for it, that all outside sound ceased while his friends halted in place, Waylan even mid motion.

"Is there any other business you wish to discuss?"

"No," Irwyn frowned.

"Why are you doing this again?"

"Don't look at me all suspicious like that," Bhaak shrugged.

"It is far less intrusive for discreet communication than outright telepathy. Not to mention actually easier for me." Time returned to normal in between instants. Bhaak was also suddenly holding a very ornate compass. An art piece made of some golden metal, full of intricate carvings layered across the surface. Irwyn would have probably not even recognized what it was at a glance, had they not talked about such a thing just earlier.

"So, that will be all from me then," the peddler announced, placing the compass in the air next to him where it proceeded to seamlessly levitate.

"Keep in mind that I will be wanting it back if our deal falls through. Be well, all of you." And once again, Bhaak vanished faster than Irwyn could perceive alongside his cart.

"So, what did you get privately?" Waylan immediately broached.

"He froze Time for you as well?" Irwyn asked with a frown.

"All of us, I presume?" Desir guessed, looking at Alice who confirmed as much with a nod.

"It is very much his style to do things this way. I had nothing to buy at the moment though, my last dealing with him was not that long ago." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"I bought new shoes for some old plundered knickknacks that I realistically couldn't ditch with anyone sane," Waylan spoke up, shoving off that he indeed possessed new footwear. Sleek and sealed boots, seemingly made with some kind of pitch black leather. They were probably complimentary to the sneak's skills in some way.

"His no-questions-asked policy is wonderful," Desir nodded along.

"I don't really have anything to barter with," Alice admitted.

"Going into debt seemed like a poor idea, so I walked away before anything caught my interest."

"Nothing for me either," Irwyn hesitated as it had not really occurred to him at the time and he needed an explanation for why not.

"I lack a need for much of anything, in all honesty. With the blessing from yesterday, there are few things I want but can't just solve with my magic."

"Social skills," Waylan sneered.

"You should try and see if he has a suggestion next time," Desir advised.

"It might not be as effective for you, with the whole divination issue, but Bhaak is very good at determining what his customers need, even if they might not be aware of it themselves."

"We should tell Elizabeth he has left," Irwyn pointed out.

"Already done," Alice spoke up. Irwyn wasn't sure how exactly but didn't question it, the spacial facets of Time magic were known for range for a reason.

"I expect she will be back soon."

"So, what do you think we will be dealing with?" Irwyn turned to Desir, who seemed the most aware.

"Cutthroat politics, literally," Desir smiled.

"That is their style. From highest lord to the lowest peasant. As far as I heard, anyway. Poisoning food among nobility is actually a major part of etiquette."

"We were warned along those lines," Irwyn recalled Calm mentioning something of the sort. More importantly, he felt Elizabeth's return. She came back invisible, concealed within a shroud he could scarcely feel even with his senses, approaching at an incredible speed.

"What did I miss?" she asked a moment later, smoothly appearing in between them. They naturally gave her their accounts of events while they set off for another while of flight on Elizabeth's platforms. It took a bit of nudging to get her to accept that the bandit task in particular would be worth doing, but they reached an agreement eventually. Part of it was that she seemed rather excited at what was ahead.

"We actually have a few hours left to go," Elizabeth explained what she had found out while they had traded.

"The territory controled by the house is somewhat large and their seat of power is closer to the opposite edge from us."

"Now, I will ask the big question," Alice spoke up.

"Do we have to worry about gods and Chosen again?"

"Again?" Desir asked with both worry and amusement.

"And no, not in Venen. Their circumstances are rather unique in that regard."

"I thought they held to gods," Elizabeth frowned.

"The towns we went through had temples."

"Yes, they do keep to a deity," Desir nodded.

"Venen, god of intrigue and trickery. Dominant in the kingdom sharing its name, unsurprisingly enough. Known to only select Chosen to face other deities attempting to encroach upon its territory but generally not interfering in internal matters of the nation."

"Not even when the internal matters go against its interest?" Irwyn question.

"The entire culture of perpetual backstabbing their way to the top of the corpse pile is basically a form of worship, I think," Desir shook his head.

"Even people actively trying to oppose Venen would need to use those methods to achieve anything, and thus only offering more worship. Actively plotting their god's downfall probably counts as being faithful."

"I can see how this land produced someone like my mother," Elizabeth scoffed softly.

"Do we know how powerful their regular forces are, though?" Irwyn redirected.

"We have heard they should have mages, but what else?"

"Some honing practitioners, some mages as you said, a bit of rudimentar-ish firearms as far as I understand," Desir recalled.

"Unlikely we even encounter anything equivalent to a Concept. Venen is no war giant - hardly anything beyond border skirmishes happens. The surrounding nations have decided that if they stay on the defensive and just keep to their borders, the kingdom will be too busy squabbling to truly focus on outwards expansion - an assumption proven correct over centuries."

"Which presumes the neighbours are also too wary of invading," Irwyn noted.

"I assume that's because any invading army will starve when logistics perish to schemes?" Desir shrugged.

"I don't know everything, and it's likely been a while since any actual invasion was last attempted, as I have not heard about anything of the sort. Generally, if a nation with seemingly weak military is not getting invaded, it's probably because someone important on the other side of the border has at least read about the last time around going disastrously wrong."

"There is still one more prudent step to take," Elizabeth interrupted, looking towards the sun. It was still just above the horizon, barely moving since their meeting with Bhaak.

"Irwyn should carve a second Concept, today at noon."

"Is that a good idea?" Irwyn paused, frowning.

"If you are ready because of your vision, delaying now only pushes back the one after, and so on. There is no good reason to not do it as soon as possible," Elizabeth explained.

"More present Concepts will also nourish your Soul faster - if that is even necessary with you."

"You are right," Irwyn surrendered after giving it a single proper thought.

"I just expected to take a bit longer, given you were already close to your second before my first."

"As things stand, I could be prepared as soon as in a few more days," she smiled.

"My plans and insights are already gathered. Have you already figured out the intentions and their shapes?"

"I don't," he admitted.

"But there are hours still until noon, aren't there?"

"Hours?" Desir sputtered with some sudden outrage. Alice teleported to his platform to pat his shoulder in apparent mutual understanding. Irwyn pointedly ignored them as he focused his mind on the new puzzle before it. Luminous, radiance, incandescence, glare, shape, control, magic, strengthen, and empower. The last five were the same as for his Flame, though that was hardly surprising as he intended to merge the two.

There existed a good point of balance somewhere between overlap and efficacy, and halfway in the middle seemed just about right. That left for Irwyn to define what he sought of Light. And Irwyn had realized he wanted much from it. Too much. He wanted it to be his bastion, an unbreakable barrier that could protect him and anyone else he so desired from even the harshest of foes. But he also desired a weapon, a spear faster than lightning that would pierce even the most immutable fortress.

And yet another bit of him so desired to fulfill his old dream: Of omniscience where he perfectly beheld before him all that Light touched. Ultimately, it had been the planned merging that decided the direction. Irwyn had fashioned his Flame into a weapon. A brutal tool of annihilation. So, since he planned to make Star and eventually Starfire from it to mirror Elizabeth's plans, his Light too would be a tool of desolation.

At least the one he formed at this time – perhaps there would be space for a different form in the future.

"Just to confirm my thoughts," Irwyn started, feeling it was still several minutes before proper high noon.

"I should carve the second Concept very close to the first to make it easier to merge them, right?"

"I had the exact same idea," Elizabeth nodded.

"Though the actual distance will be up to you to figure out. If it even matters at all."

"The first Concept is said to be the hardest," Desir encouraged.

"I am sure you will have no trouble with this, given yours was already done in record time."

"Was it?" Irwyn inclined his head. A few minutes or so more to go, enough to sate curiosity.

"Elizabeth took hours, but I had lost track, and mine was followed by unconsciousness, so I have no idea how we compared."

"You took 37 minutes and 28 seconds before suddenly falling over right after completing the carving," Alice explained.

"Elizabeth took 6 hours, 20 minutes and 11 seconds, start to finish. Average time of a successful attempt is 7 hours almost exactly with very few deviations greater than 30 minutes either way, at least as far as I was taught."

"Really?" That gave him pause.

"Maybe there is something to this whole carving into flesh part."

"The pain is going to be too debilitating to most," Elizabeth shrugged.

"It certainly is more than I could handle with a reasonable time investment. The Duchy of Green might be interested in studying the phenomenon, but it might honestly be more you being strange than the method being that much faster."

"I could definitely see the benefit a Life mage could derive from having a Concept exist as a part of the body," Desir commented.

"Half tempted to go for it myself, actually."

"I feel left out," Waylan complained.

"Give me a knife so I can…"

"It's time," Irwyn cut the conversation short. The Sun was in the perfect position overhead. Without waiting for any response, he once again altered his flesh with a scalpel of pure Light. It was very different from the first time, since he had bargained with Bhaak for the boon that removed pain caused by self-alteration. Something he had briefly tested actually worked and afforded him the ability to actually focus on what was happening. And there was a lot, yet also little.

The shapes of the intentions he had formed in his head fell into place easily. He could not really visually see what was happening within his arm, but that was likely for the best as it would be more distracting than helpful. Perceiving the impossible geometry of the lines was thus made rather easy, the process leaving him enough willpower to spare to examine what was happening in real time. Which was less insightful than he had hoped, in all honesty.

What he was drawing was the perfect shape of an intention that he had outlined internally to be in an immaculate harmony with the other eight. There was nothing to really glean from it as all the information was already in his head. He finished the first line in what felt like less than a minute and moved on. The second and third went over just as easily. Was the process truly so simplistic, or was he perhaps just abnormal?

Idle thoughts wandered through his head, reaching for explanations of why he experienced not the slightest pressure doing something that seemingly pushed even an extreme prodigy like Elizabeth rather far. Still, he did not let himself become too distracted, waiting for problems to arise. When he started the fourth line, Irwyn noticed a counterforce try and push against his rapid progress… and then he felt it instantly flee in terror.

That was certainly surprising and made him wonder if that was similar to his first carving, which he had unfortunately been so focused for as to be practically unconscious. Not seeing any further problems, Irwyn carried on, even speeding up. Five, six, seven, eight, and there was no sign of struggle. It was only as he began to carve the ninth that the counterforce returned.

It tried to put the weight of mountains on Irwyn's shoulder, cloud his mind with bog mists, and imbue his steady hand with reverberating trembles… all for about half a second. Before the effects even properly settled in to upset his progress, Irwyn pushed back, and the force instantly shattered. Irwyn had not done that, there was not enough will in him for such an utter destruction to be wrought. Rather, he once again thought it seemed more like a retreat.

A farce of a defense while the real tribulation dared not remain, taking any excuse to break formation and run for it. For a moment, Irwyn remembered exactly what something so unfathomable might be fleeing from, then he intently ignored the Name in the corner of his mind and refocused on carving. With nothing to pressure him, it was finished quickly.

"Done," he announced without much fanfare when he was done, likely not much later. If his internal clock wasn't too far off, it had taken him even shorter than last time. The Sun, having barely moved, only supported that. Irwyn did not need to look to know it had scarcely progressed across its crest; he just knew without needing to think about it. A first effect of his Concept already making itself apparent.

"Fuck me," Desir cursed, staring at him.

"That, but more politely," Elizabeth chimed in, though there was a massive smile breaking on her lips.

"17 minutes, 20 seconds," Alice recited, glaring at Irwyn with pure incredulity in her widening eyes.