Some 6 or so hours later, the newfound party settled into a grove with a small stream running the middle of its length. Trees' canopies covered the entire grove and provided a very nice shaded spot for them to rest up and test Kavon and Tom’s affinities. There was a nice breeze on the air, pushing the smells of nature past them. For as much as Sariah loved the smells of war, nothing could compare to the serenity of nature in its raw form.

“Srit, you haven’t spoken much since we left the library. What’s the deal?” Sariah asked the usually talkative Imp.

“Not much boss! I’ve been going through memories all morning trying to remember ever meeting a Gnome like this one. In our long lives, I’ve never even heard of one. Have you?”

“What, do you mean an abnormally small Gnome? What’s so surprising about that? Imps range from 2 feet up to four feet. So why would you question it?” Sariah genuinely didn’t know what had the Imp so perplexed. Granted, Srit had kept the Gnome knocked out for the entirety of the trip since he was an unknown, and they didn’t need unknowns to become a problem just yet.

“No boss lady, I actually like that he’s tiny. His size aside, what about the…oh yeah, I never told you about my experiments with his beard. So, check this out. I put that little dog next to this guy’s beard and it fucking ate the dog!!! Not the Gnome, the BEARD grabbed and ate the dog from his head down to his tail. It was AWESOME. He could control objects with his beard as easily as using his hands would be. It’s fantastic!” Srit was unusually happy at this information, he would never let it be said aloud, but Srit loved studying new forms of life. He was always the first Demon to experiment with new breeds of Demons, even though his methods were not very complex or well thought out. Usually he was crushed, burned, cut or chewed on. But he did get results.

“So, what do you think he is, if not a Gnome?”

“I think he’s a Gnome, just, maybe a combination of something else too? Have you looked at him with Magic Sight yet? It’s fucking incredible.”

In unison Kavon, Sariah and Srit stared at the little beast with Magic Sight.

Kavon being the youngest and least experienced magic user was still practicing his Magic Sight while traveling, at Sariah’s orders. “If you can’t see the magical layer of reality in detail, you can’t kill or defend with magic. You’re like a blind child fighting a master swordsman.”

The vision before them appeared as a very large and strong dark mass. The mass was obviously (to Sariah and Srit) very old and powerful. Flowing in, around and through the mass was a multicolored mist that reminded Sariah of something, she couldn’t put her finger on it. These were defiantly two separate auras combined into one unique being. Magical energy didn’t rely on body mass, so it was no surprise that the little guy was able to contain this much essence. The distortions caused by the multicolored aura were enough to not be able to identify the essence of the more powerful being. This wildly changing mixed mass was like other essences that Srit had seen, and caused, but paradoxical in its totality. “This guy is going to be so fun, all of that chaos will be fun to point at enemies. I bet that it’ll be more creative a killer that either of us Sariah!”.

Kavon was terrified to see the size of the essence in front of him. Though he could not make out any details, in the world of essence, mass mattered. His own mass was roughly ¼ the size of this monster’s mass. When he turned his gaze on Sariah and Srit he saw nothing but Srit’s unbelievable essence of volatile red and the strange color shifting hue he always saw when looking at the world this way. How could a being so obviously powerful as Sariah not give off any hint of her power? Amazing as it was, it made Kavon re-double his efforts to get proficient in the sight.

So far, they had only traveled to this place without stopping at any populated areas. Sariah filled him in on how the testing is going to happen. Step 1 would be testing his reflex defenses, once the type of magic used reflexively was determined, they would be able to teach him how to use it purposely. She told him to keep his guard up this entire time since attacks could come at any time, and she may very well attack him. For a seasoned killer like Sariah, this served to also boost her minion’s paranoia and reaction times. Though he thought he felt the pull of several hostile magics approaching him, he never faced any damage, but remained vigilant. The act of steadily using Magic Sight and keeping all his physical senses open and sharp was incredibly mentally taxing.

Step 2 would be to discover his offensive abilities. Most mages could wield 1-3 types of magics in varying degrees. There was no pattern to the types of magics they could use, some could use fire, golems and mind magic, for example. So offensive magic was rarely left to reflex testing. Many a mage had turned into a self-inflicted torch or an ice cube when provoked and not trained. The essence really didn’t speak of the types of magic so much as the type of person, so gaining any real insight into the offensive capabilities was made no simpler with Magic Sight.

Step 3 is to learn applications and combinations of defense and offense. Very few mages were considered masters of their respective magic capabilities, and even less were physically capable in a fight. Kavon was already a hulking violent looking man, if he could not only harness his magic, but learn to be proficient with a melee weapon, his effectiveness as a subordinate would be amplified by a drastic measure. Of course, his Bonded would have to undergo the same treatment, but, given his stature…it may be a futile effort on the physical capability side of the house. Only time will tell.

“So, boss lady. When are you going to stop throwing magic at him and just punch him in the face?” Srit asked.

“Smashing his face in comes after I make him learn his magic.” Sariah was a bit pissed off that Srit announced the magic attacks she was making on Kavon. It ruined what she was doing. So far, Kavon’s defensive magic was incredibly reactive and adaptable. She had hit him with about half of the types of magic she knew and his reflexive magical defenses recoiled when the new magic touched them. Shortly after it would disperse the energy back into the surrounding area and harden to that type of magic like a barrier. It was a beautiful form of defense, one she had only ever seen one time. Of course, Kavon probably never even realized the threat with how weak the attacks were, but that was the point. His magical reflexes were amazing.

Sariah called a halt to their traveling and told everyone to set up a camp. They would stay the night here and continue to another location, still not disclosed to any of them.

Sariah could feel another piece of her armor, and the energy was fluctuation mildly. The implications were that it was being used by someone, NOT acceptable. She had been able to pull smaller pieces of the crystalline like armor off, infused with the type and mind of the main piece it was pulled from, and allow it to be used by her followers, but that was HER choice.

To think that someone could subjugate the will of her armor infuriated her, it was an insult to her that would not go unpunished.

First, she had to train Kavon and the beast that he bonded. If her armor had been subjugated, it may very well lash out at her for allowing it to happen. Not knowing which piece of it she was currently chasing would make it difficult to counter. At a minimum, she could use Kavon and his beast as fodder. Once she got her hands on the piece, she would most likely be able to sooth it’s anger and convince it to meld with her again.

Setting up camp had another purpose that she had failed to mention as well. 300 meters from their current location was a very well-worn trail that smelled like blood and shit. She could barely make out voices in the distance, most likely 3-5 people. Isolated woods like these would not attract many types of Humans. There were people seeking isolation, the exiled and criminals on the run. Sariah was hoping for criminals and left obvious trails for them to pick up on. Either the new duo in her employ were going to survive, or they weren’t. Knowing your subordinate’s limits is essential after all.

“Ma’am, we’re all set up now. Would you like to begin the training or would you like to eat? I’ve bagged a few squirrels and a fox along the way.” Kavon stated with obviously worn features on his face.

“Food and rest first, we will begin your training in the morning.” Sariah responded. When had that man managed to hunt for food during this travel? He would have had to do it on his bathroom stops, those were only 5 minutes long at most. “How is your bonded? Has Srit allowed him to wake up yet? I have questions for him and…”

“Yo! Boss lady, the little beard face thing woke up quite a while ago. He’s been following us in the branches of the trees. That little guy is actually pretty quiet when he isn’t trying to pop your head open like a can of worms!” Srit’s demeanor towards the little beast had become one of curiosity. During their halts, Srit would simply poke it with sticks, prod its essence with different energies or stare at it with Magic Vision. Experimentation and deduction were things unique to Srit as far as Imp kind was concerned. His place as the King was hard earned, but well deserved. Intelligence like his was just too far beyond the abilities of the typical shit stains.

“Very well, Kavon, call your Bonded.”

“Call him? I’m not sure how to do that. I wasn’t even aware that he was awake for that matter. Everything I remember says that we should share such a close bond that emotions, proximity and intentions would be felt.” He replied while roasting the skinned beasts. “The food is nearly done by the way. Please, come and eat with me. I also brought alcohol!”

“In order to call him, you simply grab the link between you with your mind and tug slightly, he will feel the tug and your desire.” Or, if I’m right, he’ll attack the shit out of you.

Kavon focused for a few seconds, suddenly his eyes went wide like someone just slapped him. He promptly passed out.

“Stupid human! Try to pull me! Bitch lady, what you want?!” Tom was, as expected, frustrated and feral as hell.

“Your terms were less than fair, weren’t they? I’m guessing that you took advantage of the weak link?”

Tom growled with eyes squinted towards her. He obviously had gotten the better of the stupid human and his fear, but how did this lady know?! Caught between having to lie to Sariah or tell the truth, he decided that this woman was far too scary to lie to.

“Yes. Human is stupid. Mi..Gnome smart. Not my fault he is so dumb. Idiot could only bring small piece of Tom to Human Realm, see?! Even Tom is mostly stupid right now!! (He may be afraid of Sariah, but he’d named her Bitchy Lady and planned to stick with that name for as long as he could. It’s the little things in life) Bitch lady! Why is Tom so small and stupid, aside from dumb human’s inability to do anything right?!? You know answers!”

Sariah always loved feral things, this “Tom” was quickly becoming her favorite minions. “Your essence is great, but it’s being shared by something else. I’m not exactly sure what since I’ve never seen it before, but the Imp will probably figure it out. I know you aren’t a Gnome, your essence is too dark and wild. You must be a creature from the Darkness Realm. The way that you went for Srit’s head, reacted to my mental call that I’m directing towards my armor and the way you attacked with your “beard” suggests a Mind Flayer.” Sariah stopped, waiting for Tom to reply. However, he just sat and stared at her with a blank look on his face. No, he was concentrating on something…ohhhhh. Tom’s trying to mentally attack me! How fun! I suppose it’s time to set the pecking order around here.

Without pomp or ceremony, Sariah threw a moderate psychic wave at Tom and shut it off after about 2 seconds. Moderate from Sariah was kind of like dropping an anvil on a fly, but, he was in no danger since the energy behind it was pushed with no ill intent. The most that would happen is that the little guys brain wouldn’t be able to handle it, shutting itself down in defense.

Instead, Tom’s defense caught the entirety of the attack and redirected it to Srit. “FUUUUU…” Srit screamed before promptly falling on his face in a heap a few feet away.

Both Sariah and Tom had a good laugh at the spectacle as Kavon and Srith both laid, face in the dirt, drooling.

Sariah picked up Kavon’s alcohol as she sat down on a rock closer to Tom. She beckoned him down with a grin and wave. Tom, seeing no threat in the actions quickly hopped off the tree and seated himself on the ground facing her. Food and drink flowed freely between the two, small talk included what each of them could remember and was willing to lay bare, plans for the upcoming days, a startling revelation about Tom being an accomplished alchemist and overall friendly conversation.

“Why you leave trail for bandits to follow us? I see markings on wood and trash thrown behind. I cleaned it all up because I think “Bitch Lady stupid and want us to die.”, but, I think that not totally right.” Tom, as expected, began to like the lady before him. After all, the psychic energy she directed at him earlier had penetrated enough of his mind to unlock and amp up his intelligence for a time being. Maybe, he hoped, she would be able to cure his current state of being a dumb ass.

“You’re right that I left a trail. I must test Kavon’s offensive capabilities so that he doesn’t kill himself trying to use it in a pinch. I want to lure in the people that are camped close to us, hopefully bandits, and see what kind of combat he currently uses. Mages were always trained in basic hand-to-hand, it’s not good enough for what we must do.” Sariah felt oddly comfortable disclosing these things to Tom. The little creature was fast, agile and had proven to be quite adept at sneaking. He would defiantly serve as a good assassin when the need called for it.

Tom bounded off into the forest almost faster than she could track. After a few minutes he returned with a wooden golem in hand. “He is maker. Been putting tiny golems in woods to hunt and guard since we leave town. Not very good, no brains, just move a lot.” Tom spat on the ground and tossed the struggling golem to Sariah.

Creation magic was incredibly taboo in Sariah’s time. Nobody liked the idea of a mage being able to animate objects around them and turn them into an army. Tom obviously hated them because they had no real brain to speak of, and therefore were not subject to his magic.

“Filthy things, but, make good slaves. No brains though, just pocket of energy stored in middle by tiny stone thing. Stone in all of them, stupid Human have many stone with energy already packed in bag. Keeps making more.” Tom said, drinking the remaining alcohol from the bottle.

“Thank you, Tom, this helps me greatly and will save a very good amount of time. Can you please round up all of them and retrieve the stones? When you’re done, I’d like for you to lure in the bandits. Can you project violence and desperation into their minds?” Sariah quietly hoped that Tom retained is psychic abilities and skills even though he was dumbed down during the Bonding.

“Of course, Bitch Lady! Don’t like stupid golems, happy to kill them and more Humans. Can I eat the brains when done with the Humans? Tom is hungry.” He replied enthusiastically.

“Sure, aside from testing his prowess, I have no use of more companions right now.” I like this little guy. Time to wake up Kavon.

Tom flew off into the woods without further preamble and began his work.