Chapter 6

Garman had led the group for three days into the Wilds, when they were stopped by a massive creature, made of stone and earth. It reached dozens of feet into the sky, its bulk completely preventing them from moving forwards.

Their group had been traveling slowly, stopping frequently to rest, to the point where Mara commented that she felt like she had joined a sightseeing tour. Garman’s rationale was that Wil would find them, so why should they rush deep into the Wilds?

Their constant bickering had ended once the creature had appeared. Drawing their weapons, they were preparing for a fight when Una stopped them.

“I recognize this creature. Wil summoned it when he was in Ur.” She called out, halting their preparations for combat. Her words instantly made Mara mistrust the woman. Anyone who knew about this creature had likely either fought with or against Wil.

“You never mentioned that you knew Wil.” She asked. Before Una could respond, the creature spoke, its rumbling voice seeming to come from beneath the ground.

“Master comes. Wait here.” It said, before falling silent and unmoving. Garman attempted to ask it questions about Wil, and how long it would take, but the creature refused to speak.

“Chatty bastard isn’t he. How long do we-” He was cut off as an intense influx of mana emerged from in front of the stone creature.

A line of white magic appeared, splitting the air vertically, before spinning to form a circular hole. Like a mirror, it reflected the group’s image back at themselves, making it impossible to see the other side.

After a moment, a figure emerged from the portal.

A handsome young man, dressed in Elven armor, with a white cloak over his shoulders. At his side was a long, white handled sword in a black scabbard. Wil Brookmoor took a look around for a moment, focusing on Garman and Mara briefly, before turning and speaking to someone behind the portal.

“It’s safe, you can come through.” He spoke. A moment later, a small girl stepped through, Serena, dressed in mage robes, had her hood pulled low over her head. Before Garman could greet him, Una and her companions rushed forward, surrounding the pair.

“Wilhelm Brookmoor! By order of the City Lord and Guild of Adventurers, you are to surrender the Tiefling and submit yourself for trial!” Una ordered. Garman and Mara could feel the strength flowing from the group, all of them were at Rank 10, highly experienced and coordinated.

If Wil was surprised, he didn’t show it. He merely blinked his eyes slowly, before lazily waving his hand. A massive spell matrix erupted from beneath his feet, covering the five adventurers in its light, before they were gone in a flash of magic. It happened in an instant, so quickly that Garman couldn’t feel how strong Wil was, his Rank was hidden from him.

“It’s alright, they won’t hurt you.” Wil whispered to Serena, frowning as he saw her withdraw deeper beneath her hood.

“Wil! I’m sorry! They were only supposed to escort us, we didn’t know they would try to capture you.” Mara said, dismounting her horse and cautiously walking forward. The display of power had been unnerving, even though she knew Wil would never hurt her.

“It’s fine, Mara. I knew they were here already. I just sent them back to Ur.” Wil explained, smiling at his friend. Encouraged, she dashed forward, throwing her arms around him. It had been seven years, and by the gods, she missed him!

“That gods damned City Lord lied to us! Teleportation does work in the Wilds.” Garman grumbled, dismounting as well.

“It’s good to see you as well, Garman.” Wil said, smiling. “He didn’t lie. It doesn’t work for most, but you live here long enough, you learn its quirks. Why does that upset you? Didn’t you enjoy the horseride?” Wil joked.

“My arse has been saddle sore for days, Junior. Cut the shit, you better appreciate my coming to rescue you.” Garman said, before slapping the younger man on the shoulder, hard. “It’s good to see you too. Things have been boring without you dragging us into your troubles.”

“I’m filled with gratitude at your presence, Garman.” Wil responded, his tone with sarcasm.

“And who is this? Hi! My name is Mara, what’s yours?” Mara asked, stepping out of Wil’s arms, and stepping in front of the hooded girl.

“Serena.” She replied, shyly standing just behind Wil. She looked at the young woman with her large, purple eyes, before she widened them slightly.

“You’re part Elf! Wil told me all about you!” Serena gushed, stepping forward and grasping Mara’s hands.

“He did?” Mara asked, taken aback. Her Elven heritage wasn’t something that she brought up easily.

“Yes! He told me how your people won’t let you visit your home, and that you’re special, just like me.” She spoke. Her words almost jumbling together.

“Serena, maybe slow down a bit.” Wil said, smiling. “She’s been excited to meet everyone after I told her you were visiting. I’m sorry if it’s a bit sudden, I just thought you both would get along. She wanted to know everything about you.” Wil apologized, eyeing Mara to see if she was upset. The young woman didn’t miss a beat, breaking into a smile and hugging the girl.

“Did he tell you that I was beautiful, talented and much better than him at practically everything?” Mara asked, lifting an eyebrow teasingly at Wil.

“Yes, I also told her you were extraordinarily humble. I guess things change over the years.” Wil mocked, laughing as the young woman faked a pout at him.

“But this isn’t the best place for a reunion. How about we go somewhere to talk, and you can both rest?” Wil asked, before stepping away from the others. In a moment, a large spell matrix hung suspended before them. Chanting, Wil drew symbols in the air, his incantation growing louder as the Spell took hold.

“Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion.” Wil finished, the Matrix burning with golden mana. In a flash of light, it was gone, replaced with another portal. This one was much larger than the one Wil had arrived in. Through it, they could see a beautiful room, opulently furnished, with a large table covered in food and drink.

After being in the wilderness for three days, Mara and Garman eagerly stepped through, the aroma of delicious food and wine filling the room.

“Please, help yourselves, it’s perfectly safe to eat. Washing areas are through those doors behind you, and there are rooms you can use to rest in upstairs.” Wil explained, already taking a seat at the table and filling a plate. Serena joined him, trying to fill up a glass with wine before Wil’s sharp look had her replacing it with fresh water.

Garman, not bothering to wash, started to feast, while Mara left for a few moments, returning with a face blushed red from scrubbing in hot water.

It took nearly half an hour before the meal was finished, with Garman eating enough for three. Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair, a mug of ale clutched in his hand. Belching loudly, he sighed in contentment.

“I’m glad you learned something useful, Junior. Handy spell to have.” He said, gesturing to the room around him.

“Something that I picked up from the book the Azure Lord gave me. I’m glad you like it.” Wil said. “Now, it’s wonderful to see you both, but you didn’t travel all this way just to share a drink with me. Why have you come?” Wil asked, his voice turning serious.

“Your father sent me. Your sister is getting married, he wants you back for the wedding. Told me to not take ‘no’ for an answer.” Garman explained.

“Tabitha is getting married?” Wil asked, surprised. “Who’s dumb enough to marry her? She’s liable to gut them once the marriage license is signed.”

Wil knew better than anyone how vicious his sister was. She tended to hide it behind a veil of cold arrogance, but he had seen enough evidence of her ‘predilections’ to know she was a complete sociopath.

“The third Prince. Useless idiot is in love with her.” Garman replied, shaking his head.

“The gods have mercy on him. But I’m not going home. My father can rot for all I care.” Wil cursed. Serena looked at him with concern, she hadn’t heard Wil speak of his family much, just that he didn’t get along with them.

“The wedding won’t happen without you. The Emperor himself is ordering you home. Sent a gods damned letter and everything.” Garman said, pulling out an envelope and sliding it across the table. Wil looked at it like it was cursed, not even attempting to reach for it.

“And what’s he going to do, send more people after me? Most of Lund is already searching for us, and I’m not bringing Serena into that Viper’s nest.” Wil said, his tone final.

“And Quentin? She’s here, in Ur. She won’t leave without you, and neither will I. Your friends want you to come home Wil. Please.” Mara asked. “If you won’t bring Serena to Brookmoor, Quentin and I will look after her. She’ll be perfectly safe in Ebling.” She gave the young girl a reassuring smile.

“Could we? With the ring Amora gave me, no one would know who I am there.” Serena asked, looking at Wil with her large, purple eyes with excitement.

“Ring?” Mara asked Wil, confused.

“Amora gave her a Ring of Illusion, it will conceal her appearance. It’s a failsafe in case we need to travel across Lund to reach her.” Wil explained.

“It’ll make me look human! I could even shop in the cities, and no one would know I was a Tiefling.” Serena said excitedly.

“Then what’s the problem? Let the girl wear the ring and we can travel to the Port with Quentin’s caravan.” Garman asked causing Wil to shake his head at the question.

“The Guild and the City Lord of Ur know I’ll be traveling with her. Even with the ring, it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.”

“Can’t you just teleport us all to the Port, or even all the way to Illyria?” Mara asked.

“It doesn’t work that way, every spell from the Wilds leads to Ur. From there I can take us anywhere, but it still means entering the city. Look, I appreciate you both coming, but we can’t go.” Wil said, standing up from the table.

“Get some rest. I’ll see to your horses. Serena, could you show them to the rooms upstairs?” Wil asked, already disappearing back to where they had left their horses and supplies before they could respond.