Qent it seemed had already made a grave for the corpse, I lowered it gently in, taking care not to let them see the state its skull was in, less pulped and more shattered instead. I turned back to the tower, looking up towards the windows. Well… I hope you manage to find some peace…

[Why were they so intent on killing him?] Page asked. [He hardly killed anyone with what he had done. In fact he kept the town safe despite the demons.] I sigh. They didn’t read the journal, and I can hardly blame them. He desecrated their corpses, animated them in a crude facsimile of life, not to mention that as an Animus mage, he represents a far greater threat to them than us, since we lack a soul for him to tear at. Page was quiet at that. [I see. Do you think he noticed?]

He has to be a Sensitive to be an Animus mage, so I assume so. I reply. I doubt he’s going to tell anyone though, and besides, even if he did I could probably hide behind the Seraph’s copy… I thought. Not quite ready to start murdering people for knowing my secrets just yet if I can help it.

“I’ll be honest with all of you, I’m not going to go to the front.” I said, pulling out the Aen and flipping in my hand. “I have a lot of reasons not to go, but the main one is simple. I never want to fight a war, I’ve never wanted to fight in a war.” I said. “I can understand if none of you agree, but for now, this thing…” I said, catching the Aen in a reverse grip. “Isn’t enough reason for me to go up there.”

They stare at me for a moment, and I stare back, the silence stretches for a while until Rince speaks up. “I have no idea what you intend for us to do with that information.” I turn to face him, a smile starting to form on my face, and I start to laugh, shaking my head and leaning back. Ah gods, this is absurd isn’t it? I think, my laughter joined by several others as well, echoing in the streets.

I sigh. “So no real feelings either way then?” I asked, my head snapping back as I looked to the ground, a somewhat brittle smile still on my face. “Sorry, it’s just… haaa… there’s no way to actually explain it. Let’s go, we’ve spent enough time in this mass grave.”

“No offence, but I don’t think you’re really a one man army that’s going to somehow tip the scales of the war.” Rince said, as we walked back to where the horses were. “Besides, much as I hate to admit it you’re probably the most effective of us at dealing with all the jobs, and stronger… The only people you seem to have trouble with are mages, and that’s few and far between.”

“Even against Yira he held out pretty well though.” Qent said. I laughed internally. That’s a horrible nostalgia filter, I barely even held on during that fight, didn’t manage to fight back… I thought.

“I… do not believe that is how the fight proceeded.” Frejr said, glancing over to me. “He seemed mainly untrained against mages, perhaps… Azarint and I could rectify that.” She said, looking over to me. “It would certainly be a boon to you to know this.”

“It is strange that one as skilled as he doesn’t know of these methods though.” Azarint mused. Frejr and I shared a look. She and Gaven were the only ones to know of my origins beside the Seraph copy. “But it is true, we could train you against mages, and while rare, I see no reason to deny you the ability. Are you certain the Tower will not have issue with you specifically training him this way?”

“I doubt it. They will jealously hoard the knowledge they have, but they will hardly begrudge an external party doing this. Alongside that, one has to note that it is standard military curricula in almost every nation.” Frejr said. “Perhaps during our next stop.”

I laugh. “I see. Thank you.” We mounted the horses, making our way down back home.

We stopped early that day, Frejr and Azarint showing me their methods of dealing with mages. Throwing knives seemed to be something often used, most mages were canny enough not to let you close. The trick was timing it when they were already occupied, or just having it streak out of the plume of flame they had just fired forth. Some used crossbows, slings and the like as well, as Numen aptly demonstrated with her own bow back then. I fingered the sling I still kept with me, thoughtful.

“If ever you have to fight an Animus mage… Take care, if they touch you they will tear at your soul…” Azarint said. Qent looked over, chiming in.

“He wields an aether dagger, I believe him to be capable of resisting an Animus mage’s ministrations…” He said, looking down away from us.

“I see, I have never actually heard of such a weapon before, only in whispers that called it a failed experiment.” Azarint noted, nodding to Qent. “The other methods for mages tend to include battlefield preparations and ambushes, but those are fairly standard to you I’m sure. It hardly changes even if they can spew fire from their hands. Though pit traps would not hold them very long.”

Qent chimed in occasionally, providing some insight into how mages fought, as well as a few tricks they could pull. “Generally speaking, we’re not expecting dedicated mage killers. We might keep up a shield of wind, but it’s taxing, and we get very complacent as a side effect.” He thought for a moment. “Though the extra focus it provides might be a problem as well. I suppose it depends on the mage as well…” I smile wryly at him.

Frejr and I spent some time on the throwing knives, her correcting my method and showing me where one might keep the knives for easy use. “You will have to obtain your own when we return. Even if you decide to use a sling instead, it is a good idea to have a backup you can easily use.” I nodded, wondering how much it would set me back in expenses. Guess I’m not using much of it anyway.

I can see snow fall as we return. That time again. I think to myself. Wonder how Soren is doing. Maybe I should visit? Would be interesting to see how Baer is taking care of the place. I wondered. Maybe I’ll pick up a job in that direction when I get back.

Frejr took the horses from us once we reached the town, leading them back to the Alliance’s man. He stared at us a little uncomprehending, and I waved back cheerfully. “Guess he didn’t expect us to come back.” I whisper over to Numen. “Maybe that’ll make them think twice before they send us another suicide mission.”

“Or they could send us on a worse mission next time because we ‘proved’ ourselves…” Numen muttered under her breath. “Is it really a good idea to let Republic people into the organization at this point?” She mused, frowning slightly. “I guess we can’t really prove it though.”

I chuckled. “Let’s head in, I’ll buy a round.” I say, loud enough for the others to hear as I tilt my head towards the entrance. Numen grinned, Rince smiled, Azarint nodded with Qent. Qent waited outside for Frejr, though not before he placed his order with me. “You sure?” I asked, arching my eyebrow at his order. He nodded. “Alright…”

“Here you go. Hope you like it.” Gen said, sliding the drinks onto the table.

“Thanks.” Rince said, gingerly picking up the almost overfull mug and taking quick sips at it. “Ah that’s good.” He sighed. I picked up my own drink, in this case the mead we were so often served, taking a deep draught. “Not bad is it?” He asked, giving me a large grin.

“I see you managed to start without us.” Frejr said, bemused, coming up from behind us. “I take it that’s mine?” She asked, settling into one of the empty chairs.

“Indeed, I know how much you prefer your wines.” Azarint noted, as Qent took his seat as well and took his drink. “Careful, don’t want to end up like last time.” Azarint cautioned with a smile.

“I’ll be fine, really.” Qent said sheepishly, I gave a snort, and he looked over to me. “Oh come on. It wasn’t that bad… I think.”

Gen swung by again once we’d settled in, bringing our second round. “So tell me, what kind of job were you all taken for?” He gave a large grin. “Have to admit I’m curious, all of you at once?”

“It was a town the Alliance reclaimed from the front.” Rince began. “They told us that there were golems in the town. It was one hell of an adventure…” He continued, glossing over the Aen, for which I was glad. He certainly knew how to tell a story, easily enrapturing Gen with stories of the man’s attempted necromancy, embellishing a few facts for the story to smooth it along.

I leaned back as he told his tale, thinking back to the mage that had lived in the tower. I had to wonder where he would go now, that there was nothing left for him there. Gen thanked us for the story, urging us to enjoy our drinks. “He’ll be telling that story to patrons for weeks.” Azarint observed wryly. “Perhaps we should tell the proper tale to Jeff. He would certainly appreciate having the source.”

“You could easily incorporate it into the next job you take.” Frejr noted. “More and more this is becoming the convergence point of a majority of the region’s requests. It’s the same with the other facilities as well.”

“We are dividing ourselves again then.” Azarint noted. “Not that I don’t understand, it was a pleasure to work with you again. Will we be split into two groups again then?”

“It seems for the best for us two to be in different groups. As Qent will be with me I would ask that Kael come with me.” Frejr said. “Rince and Numen will be with you then.” Azarint nodded.

“Don’t we get a say in this?” Numen asked, looking between them.

They looked over to her, nodding. “Of course, neither of us are willing to strongarm you into any course of action. I assume you have a different idea in mind?”

She falters for a moment, thinking, before asking. “Why split us like that in the first place?”

“You and Kael fall into similar roles, that of the scout, none of us others are capable of filling that role.” Azarint said, gesturing to the others. “As Qent and Frejr are already a team, Kael is more suited due to the more independent nature of his skills and combat ability, whereas Rince’s skills complement your own.”

Numen sighed. “Yeah, I get it.” She tilted her head. “Though I’d have thought we would have been put as two person teams. Unless we’re going to start fighting bandits again I wouldn’t have thought we’d be put together that way.”

Azarint cupped his chin. “Hmm, I suppose you are right. Who would you rather partner with instead?” He asked, turning the question back to her. She seemed a little startled by the question. I mean, we have been pairing them up a lot, but they’re too useful together. I thought to myself. I looked over to her, watching to she how she would react. She looked between us, eyes flitting across me, Rince and Azarint. I suppressed a smile as her face scrunched up in confusion.

Just as she was about to speak up I heard a great crash from outside. Huh, interruptions.