“The higher ranks have their own challenges. Bottlenecks are common and can require external assistance to overcome.”

Chapter 58

The day was bright and sunny as the Caravan travelled south towards Elbing and the Azure Coast. The roads were clear and dry. The snow quickly retreated from the sun’s warmth, and everyone was in high spirits as they journeyed across the northern province, before turning southwest.

They had set out early from Grand Falls, the wagons loaded down with goods from the North. Beast hides and materials, herbs and rare ores, all of which were in constant demand in the West. Quentin had filled every piece of available space with cargo for the trip home.

Wil sat on his horse, Snowflake, idly playing with the golden coin that had been returned to him. He was still wearing his Ursine fur cloak. Quentin had refused when he offered to return it to her.

The melted mithril crown had more than paid her back for the gift. She was carrying the crown’s remains to Elbing, the western artificers would pay a fortune for the rare metal.

Mithril was unique in that it retained Mana easily, without the need for runes or engraving. It was in high demand for crafting magical items.

Wil had been concerned when Quentin mentioned her plans for the item, but he had examined it thoroughly and couldn’t find a single trace of lingering Mana. He recommended that she have it reexamined in Elbing before she sold it, just to be safe.

Toying with the sun engraved gold coin, he thought about how strange it felt in his hand. It was different from any other coin he had seen. It was warm to the touch, regardless of the temperature around it. He had left it in a pile of snow for a few minutes as an experiment. When he picked it back up, it felt like he had left it lying the sun for hours.

The coin was also far heavier than it should be for its small size. It had a weight to it that was hard to describe, as if it was more than what it seemed to be.

Wil had shown the coin to Quentin, but she didn’t think it was too different than most gold coins, aside from the etchings and being slightly bigger. She hadn’t felt the warmth he described, nor the mysterious weight.

Whatever made the coin unique, it was obvious that it was somehow attuned to him.

Wil had taken to holding the coin while they traveled, rolling it around in his hands whenever he had an idle moment. As he rode, he thought about his rise to a higher rank in the church yesterday.

After his progression, he had spent the remainder of his time familiarizing himself with his newfound abilities. He had learned in the Academy about some of the changes that people would experience as they climbed the rankings, with Rank 3 being a sort of threshold.

Most of those blessed with Mana would stay at Rank 1 or 2. Rising above that required talent and determination that most lacked.

His sight had greatly improved, and colors seemed to be much more rich and vivid. He was stronger as well. He had tested his endurance and strength by sparring with Bell and found that he could now dance circles around the older man.

Although his Mana had significantly increased, allowing him to cast more powerful magic, his spell book only contained Tier 1 spell matrices. He had visited the Mage Guild in Grand Falls, but since he hadn’t graduated from the Academy yet, they were limited on what they could offer him.

He would have to make do with the magic he already knew for now, although he could cast his known spells significantly more times than before.

Quentin said she had contacts in Elbing that may have some spells for sale, otherwise he would have to wait until he arrived in Aachen. As an Auxiliary, the Legion would be obligated to offer him some benefits for his service. They usually had a few higher ranked mages willing to sell spells.

The greatest ability that his new rank offered was also tied to his increased vision. He could now see the Mana within others, it was visible as a faint glow around them. He could judge their Rank against his own without having to see them fight. It would be useful whenever he faced monsters or creatures in the future as he could stay within the limits of his abilities.

He had tested this new ability against Bell, finding that the other man had progressed, he was now Rank 2. Wil could see the Mana flowing through him, enhancing his strength and speed. Bell was hiding his new rank for some reason, and Wil respected his desire conceal it from the others.

The rocky mountain paths, with its steep inclines and forested valleys began to disappear, replaced with flat grassland as the days passed.

The formerly deserted roads began to fill with other travelers. Wil could see other wagons loaded down with goods. Farmers on their way to market. Craftspeople and tinkers traveling to nearby villages.

The warm spring air became even warmer as they traveled south, and the clear skies followed them for the duration of their journey.

Wil and the others began to stay in Inns every evening as villages and towns became more frequent compared to the sparse population of the north.

After nearly a week, the Caravan finally arrived at the Elbing, located on a northern peninsula of land jutting out into the Azure coast.

Wil enjoyed the journey west, the western grasslands were picturesque and beautiful, filled with life and wildflowers. The Western Province was most well known for their manufacturing, famed for their good quality steel. But he also found that they should be equally known for their horses and cattle.

Farms and ranches dotted the landscape, and from what Bell had told him, Western horses were some of the finest in the Empire. Snowflake was a southern breed, so Wil thought that the other man was perhaps a little biased.

The Azure Sea lived up to its name, the water shone a deep blue and sparkled in the sunlight. The white beaches that stretched along the coast, combined with warm western climate, made for a beautiful and scenic area.

Elbing was a large walled city, surrounded by deep ocean waters on all sides. It was connected to the surrounding plains by a thin stretch of land that would almost disappear with the Night tides. This unique land bridge made for the perfect defense during the long nights when combined with its tall walls.

When Aachen fell, most of the sea trade moved up the coast, finding a home in Elbing’s large coastal docks. Unfortunately, the surrounding region was rife with sudden storms, making it less ideal than Aachen’s perfectly protected and deep-water docks.

The merchants made do with what they had, and for the last few years Elbing had grown. Many merchant families had made their homes here and hundreds of ships traveled from its busy port, across the Azure Sea to Lund and other countries.

With only a few days left before the suns fell and the black moon rose, Wil and the others arrived across the thin stretch of land separating Elbing from the mainland. The wearily entered its wide-open gates and crossed the cobblestone streets to the warehouse owned by the Quentin family.

Wil felt a moment of sadness as he dismounted his horse in front of the dockside warehouse. The journey west was finally over, Quentin and the others had arrived safely at their destination. He would miss Bell’s raunchy stories, Mara’s endless questions and Annabelle Quentin’s playful banter.

“Well Lad! We’re finally here, I told you it would be worth it for you to come with us!” Bell said, clapping Wil on the back before gripping him tightly in a hug. After a moment’s hesitation, Wil threw an arm around the man and pounded his hand against his back.

“It was, thanks Bell. I learned a lot from you.” Wil said, as he released the man and stepped back. Bell had a wide grin on his face as he looked at him.

“Anytime, my boy, anytime. When you’re done in Aachen, come back up here and see us. Maybe we’ll be ready to head back east? Khmer is a fun place to visit.” He said, before stepping close and whispering.

“The women there hardly wear a thing, and every one of them has just the right amount of…” He said, cupping his hands in front of him. He was interrupted as Mara elbowed him out of the way.

“Pervert!” She said to Bell, before pulling Wil into a tight hug. He awkwardly patted her on the back, before she let go and stepped back with a grin on her face.

“He’s right though, not about the women.” She said hastily as Wil laughed loudly. “About coming back to see us. Miss Quentin will probably be selling this stuff for a little while. When you’re ready, we’ll all go to Khmer. You can help keep Bell in check!” She said, laughing.

“I’d love to.” Wil said, surprised that he really meant it. “But I don’t know how long I’ll be in Aachen. You never know, maybe I’ll singlehandedly purge the undead. You all can come down and see me then!” Wil said, laughing at the unlikely scenario.

“Maybe you will, Lad. And maybe I’ll get sober and become a dancer.” Bell said, shaking his head at the boast. With a few more goodbyes, Mara and Bell left to help unload the wagons.

Wil gripped his horse’s reins as he walked towards Annabelle Quintin’s figure, standing in front of a group of drivers as she directed them in their offloading.

“Well! This is it. You’re finally rid of me.” He called out from behind her. She finished speaking to the drivers, before turning and approaching him.

“And not a moment too soon!” She said, stopping directly in front of him.

“It’s been a pleasure, Annabelle.” He said, his tone serious as he stuck out his hand to her.

She gripped it tightly, before stepping forward and giving him a tight hug. “It certainly has been. Thank you, Wil. I don’t think we would have made it without you.”

“With Bell around? Of course, you would have!” He said, squeezing her tightly before letting go and stepping back.

“You’ll be careful in Aachen? Don’t leap in front of any Drakes, or wear any strange crowns while I’m not around?” She asked, her face creased with worry and concern.

“I promise! I’ll try my best to stay out of danger.” He said with a grin, before it faded again into seriousness.

“Aachen isn’t going to be easy Annabelle. If I’m honest, I’m looking forward to it.” He whispered, as he rubbed his coin in his hand absentmindedly. “I need to get stronger, what I saw from the crown…What I became… I won’t let that happen. I won’t be controlled or used.” He said as his hand tightened around the coin.

“You won’t Wil.” She said, firm in her belief that he would never become a monster. “I overheard Bell saying that he offered you a job when we head back east?” Wil nodded at the question.

“I think that’s a great idea. Make sure you come to Elbing when you finish in Aachen. I should have everything ready to go in a few months. I might even have a surprise for you!” She said, her eyes sparkling.

“I know that look, Quentin. You’re thinking of something profitable again.”

“Of course! But you’ll have to come see me to join in on the fun.”

“I promise, I will.” He said, meaning every word.