Episode Twenty-Three: Conundrums Clarified, Secrets Cemented

Ivetta and Castor leave the room and wander aimlessly down the hall, both still in shock, minds reeling. They just so happen to pass Father Tobias who is reading his book in the window. He puts it down upon seeing them and prompts them on their concerned expressions, “are you two alright?”

“We, ah, just told Hollinzoller he’s Ivetta’s father. Well, I thought she had but she didn’t." She faces Ivetta, "You left upset-I-I thought he spurned you. So I confronted him and he didn’t know what I was talking about but then Ivetta explained. But then it also turns out my master knows him and has been searching for him? It seems there is much serendipitous-ness in our lives.”

Ivetta adds, “He didn’t quite take it the way I could have hoped.”

“I am sure it was a shock to him. Maybe an unnecessary one.” Tobias sighs.

“I’m sorry? I haven’t had my father in my life for a long time. I wanted to get to know him.”

“Haven't you already been doing that without his knowledge of who you are?”

“It's not the same. He has a right to know.”

“I’m saying you didn't need to tell him.”

“I don’t need you arguing with me about it, it was my decision to tell him.”

“I wasn't trying to argue. I simply meant to provide advice for future encounters. Encourage a little more tact.”

Innocent as ever and hoping to stop their heated words, Castor asks, “What’s tact?”

“It's being mindful of what you say so as not to cause others distress.” Tobias supplies. Ivetta shakes her head and turns, heading back to her room.

Some time later, there’s a knock at Ivetta’s door. She sits, writing in her journal speaking to her father. She asks, “who is it?”

“Hollinzoller.” She rises and opens the door. “Ivetta, can I speak to you? Can I come in?”

“Please.” she stands aside gaining him entry. He walks in and begins pacing at the window. He tries to speak several times. But Ivetta speaks first to save his loss for words.

“I realize now that telling you that you're my father was very selfish on my part. I… hope you can forgive me for letting you know like that.”

He lets out a breath, “I understand why you would want to tell me and there's nothing we can do now besides… nevermind. Nothing we can do to take it back now. I understand that you probably are my daughter but you aren’t. Not yet anyway. And you might never be, it's very complicated.” He pauses. Ivetta fidgets. “I uh, I've never been a father and I'm not much of a ‘people person.’ And I know even less about being the father to a grown woman. As I've been doing, I'll try my best to be there and do what I can for you and the others. But it is what it is.”

Ivetta exhales, releasing the tension she was holding, “I don't know what I expected. I don’t really understand anything that’s happening to us. But I know you understand more than I do so I’m in no position to argue with how any of this works.”

"There’s a lot that I know that you, Castor, and Father Tobias don’t. Elizabeth and I are inviting everyone to the gardens in about an hour to try to explain a few things. You can come, or not.  But I wanted to see what you had to say first.”

“I'll be there. Thank you for coming to talk with me.”

He breathes a sigh of relief and takes his leave. Ivetta waves bye then looks forlornly out of the window for several minutes before she goes to find her friends and tell them about the meeting.

She finds Tobias first. “Father, You were right, before. I apologized for telling him. I didn't need to, I just wanted to. Anyway there's going to be a meeting in the gardens soon. Hollinzoller and Elizabeth are going to explain some things.”

Tobias smiles, “That was very mature of you Ivetta. If Hollinzoller is half as mature, he will accept it. Let me put some things away and I will join you.” The pair depart and find Castor already in the garden meditating. The trio await the predetermined hour with bated breath.

Hollinzoller and Elizabeth enter the gardens. Gerrard trails in as well, yet stands a distance away from all. Hollinzoller has his hood up and Elizabeth is nervous. Neither of them are ‘take charge’ kind of people so there is an extended silence in the wake of their arrival. Eventually, Hollinzoller speaks first, “we wanted to clear the air. So that were all on the same page. I know I haven't exactly been the most forthcoming with information so we want to tell you all...things. Answer questions you might have.” He takes a breath. “To begin, I was a member of the Kaldien for a long time but then I left. Elizabeth is a chati she-”

She interrupts him, “There's a lot of information I could shed on you and your fine fellows.”

Castor starts, toying with her cross in her fingers, nervous, "I know I have a lot of questions but do you want to tell us something specific out of the gate?”

The pair look at eachother. Hollinzoller says, “We don't know if traveling together is the best idea. As you know your powers are lessened. It is dangerous. We talked and Elizabeth is fine staying here.”

She agrees, “If you want me to come with I will and if you dont, I won't, it is up to you.”

“Yet the Kaldien are looking for you. They know you are here and will be looking for you. Looking doubly for two especially while weakened.”

"I thought the kaldien were supposed to protect chati." Ivetta interjects.

“I can tell you everything I know about the kaldien but we'd be here for a while. Is that what you want?” Hollinzoller asks.

“I think we should know as much as possible about them. They are trying to kill us.” She affirms.

He takes a breath, “The ones I know are sent from their temples, their places of learning and training. Their leader, Malum, rules with an iron fist. It is he who sends them out to every corner of the Caelium to find chati.”

“Why does Malum want to kill the chati?”

“I wasn't in a position to ask. Malum is an extremely powerful magic user. He has ruled over them for centuries. Might as well be a god. His followers are cruel, cowardly, and single minded. With the exception of my master.”

Elizabeth adds, “I’ve known some that were good. Besides Hollinzoller, there are a few others.”

Gruffly, Hollenzoller says, “Best to avoid them all.”

Father Tobias adds, “is it possible there was a split in the order somewhere in time? Perhaps not in your time?”

“It is possible. The Kaldien's history tells that Malum has always been the head of the order. His will always obeyed.”

“If they can approach the level of false idols, how can I kill them? Those who wield miracles.”

“I don't think there's anything you can do to take down Malum himself. You can weaken the Kaldien like what happened at the monastery. Malum is extremely powerful and has intense hatred toward chati. He might have been one himself.”

Elizabeth adds “As you know, the more chati in a realm the less powerful they become. The more chati in one place the less and less power they can use.”

Tobias looks contemplative, “What If we were to bring multiple chati to the same point with him?”

“It would only weaken them.”

“But if he were a chati he would also be weakened. It might give others the opportunity to strike.”

“Assuming Malum is a chati.” Says Ivetta.

Hollinzoller speaks again, “Father, you can't kill Malum. But you can kill ordinary magic users with your weapons. There's nothing I can do to stop a bullet unless I know it's coming.”

“What can I do to lessen the effects?”

“Magic glyphs, embedded in things. Into your clothing, on your weapons. They can stop minor spells. But not like that woman. Her magic was incredibly powerful.”

Ivetta asks, “Who is she?”

Elizabeth shakes her head. “I don’t know but she was very, very powerful. It took a lot to break her hex. But I did break it at great physical harm to myself.”

“Are you alright now?” Castor asks, concern written on her face.

“I am.”

Ivetta says, “Could Malum be connected to Mora vos Malus? I mean, Malum? Malus? It's so similar.”

“I've never heard of them before I met you.” Hollinzolelr replies.

“I’d never encountered them either,” says Elizabeth.

Tobais still wearing his thinking face says, “Hmm, an anti-magic cult springs up around the start of the great plague…When we were in Germany, the plague had been going on for some time. Perhaps someone blamed it on magic and started this group?”

“Of which our dead friend’s brother is the head.” Ivetta adds.

“Is he special?”

“He was the one who forced us to flee Florence. He believed magic was evil.”

“If magic started the plague, I can see why somebody would think that.”

Castor interjects, “But they can’t be the same group. The Kaldien want to kill chati. We don't know what the Mora vos Malus want but they kept us alive.”

Hollinzoller says, “Kaldien are supposed to be covert, not be noticed in the realms they inhabit. These Mora vos Malus operate oppositely, out in the open.”

“There could have been some Kaldien that started it, who didn’t agree with the secrecy. Or they may not be associated at all. Maybe some kaldien began it or they associate themselves with the name through a shared purpose.” Tobias asserts.

Elizabeth says, “I met a kalidien who said he served the chati and hunted those that he called Proditor Confisus- people who use magic for their own gain. They use magic to gain hold over others.”

“Like the Mora vos Malus. That cardinal at least.” Castor suggests, “But- How do they find us?”

“They have many ways. I never got high enough to know chati tracking methods.”

Ivetta says, “Maybe that spiderweb spell? In the library of the monastery, we went through a door and it felt like walking through webs. Castor, you said the same thing happened to her in the alley when you were attacked. Could that have tracked us?”

“That was likely some kind of glyph.” Elizabeth continues, “A record of who passes through the room perhaps? I don't know what that particular spell does. Did it do anything?”

“No, it just felt...odd.” Castor says.

Elizabeth says, “Depending on the glyph any number of things could have happened. I don’t sense any hexes on you so I’m guessing it was harmless.”

Tobias says, “The book also had an enchantment on it. We could not read its contents nor even hold it for any length.”

“I could try and crack it,” Hollinzoller offers. He then turns to Castor, “To answer your question, Castor, you can track someone with things from their past, something important to them.” Hearing this, Ivetta perks up her face growing concerened. "Something you have left behind." She contemplates, then puts her face in her hands. “I know we had rituals in certain realms, channeled our magic together to look for chati. You can sense to a degree in all magic users.”

“Anyone can? Is there a way to hide it? Hide our chati-ness so they cannot find us?”

“There are ways to cloak it. But if they are tracking you through an object it is much harder. With it they can track you through time especially if they are knowledgeable about you.”

“The higher in the Caelium the more plentiful normal magic users. The lower down, the number of rituals increases.”

Castor looks worried and asks, “Could it be a person that they use to track us?”

“No. People are not viable.” She breathes a sigh of relief.

Ivetta raises her face out of her hands. “They can track us using objects from our past?”

“Usually it has to be something important. Left behind in their timeline. Something they used more than normal.”

Anxiety growing, she asks, “Could they track it if the person it belonged to didn’t hold it?”

“What do you mean? The ones trying to track you have to be in possession of the object.” Ivetta bites her nail.

“Could…? I might have messed up.” Everyone looks at her as she takes out her bag. “I’ve had this, you know about this.” She pulls it out of the bag. “It’s my fathers journal. Sometimes I talk to him through it. Could this be how they find us?!”

Hollinzoller says levelly, “They would have to have it. Do you have another copy of it?”

Ivetta, thoroughly scared now, bursts, “I don't know, you do. Time is crazy! Who am I really writing to? Who is responding? Is it possible that my father can talk to me through this journal?”

Hollenzoller is taken aback and starts pacing. Elizabeth puts her hands up, “it's alright. It's just a very specific type of magic.”

“What kind?!”

Elizabeth says calm but wary, “It would mean the enchanter has to be dead.”

Terrified, Ivetta shrieks, "I know he’s dead!"

Castor pales, her eyes widening as she looks at Ivetta with shock. Elizabeth puts her hand over her mouth. Realization at what she said slowly dawns on Ivetta. She too gasps, covering her mouth so no more can slip out.

Hollinzoler turns on his heel. Storming away he launches a marble statue of an angel from its plinth. It flies into a wall crumbling into dust on impact.

Gerrard, who had been standing by, not saying  a word, lets out a dark chuckle.

Ivetta flees. Castor tries to stop her, grabbing her hand, “Ivetta, Wait!” But she pulls out of her grip and runs. Elizabeth goes after Hollinzoller. Castor hesitates for a brief moment then follows after Ivetta. Tobias follows Hollinzoller but loses him and Elizabeth. They have disappeared completely. He instead goes after Ivetta, close on Castor’s heels. Castor knocks. Ivetta responds immediately, saying through the door, “I need to be alone for a while.”

“Please let us in. It was an accident!” Ivetta is quiet but they hear rustling. Castor opens the unlocked door revealing Ivetta packing her things.

She speaks before they can get a word in, “I need to go away for a couple days.”

“Ivetta, no, please don’t.”

Tobias steps in, “Ivetta, I understand wanting to leave and if these were normal circumstances I'd be more than willing to support it, just for a few days. But we don't know what agents are running around in the city. Castor was already attacked and kidnapped and she had somebody with her. If you go alone we may not be as fortunate as we were retrieving Castor.

Hollinzoller has magiced himself away somewhere, I don't think you will run in to him."

Still pushing clothes into her bag, Ivetta insists, "I need to be alone."

"The Vatican is very large. We can have a room in the papal compound set up for you. Somewhere far away if you prefer. But traveling alone is dangerous even if there weren't mystical beings from different realms."

Ivetta stops, her face pleading, "Do you know how much I want to be a normal person? How much I want to have just one normal day?"

Castor chuckles mirthlessly yet it quickly devolves into sobs, "of course I can imagine. I've tried. I've tried so hard. I managed to fool myself into believing that I could have a normal life. I brought Gerrard, believing one day I could marry him, but I see now that can never be. God chose us for this quest. No matter how much we want it, we can't have normal ever again." She speaks through the tears streaming down her own face. Ivetta melts slowly to the floor holding her face in her hands and sobs. Castor joins her on the floor and carefully wraps her arms around her friend. "But at least- at least we have each other."

Father Tobias adds, "I know this is difficult for you both. You are asked to perform far above what could rightfully be expected of anyone else. For your age and in general I'd say. But if all those who found themselves in such hard times simply broke down and gave up then the world would be a much worse place than it is. All those born in hard times lament that fact, but lamentation won't help that. All you can do is rise to the occasion. Hollinzoller is angry but give him some time and I'm sure he’ll come around. It's been a rather eventful few days for him."

Castor rubs Ivetta's back. "You didn't mean to tell him it was an accident. You were scared they were using you. We needed to know. But now we do. It's not you!" She adjusts herself, pulling away from Ivetta, concern written on her face. "It's because of who I am, what I am. They hunt me and I put us all in danger. It's my fault."

"Castor, none of us chose this. Most especially you."

"I'm starting to think I did something terrible to deserve this. How I must have sinned…"

"If you have been given a task as punishment it is proof that the Lord believes in your ability. I believe it is a gift from him." Tobias says.

Her head is tilted down, her hair forms a curtain, darkening her face. "It's hard to accept that when I can't even use it to protect those I care about. We don't even know what our quest is about! We've found so many edges of so many worlds and He's not there." She deflates, "I guess all we can do is keep finding edges until we find Him."

"We should give Hollinzoller a few days to calm down and then after that it seems that we'll be leaving at least Elizabeth here and continuing on our journey."

Castor asks tentatively, looking up at him, "Is that alright father? Do you want to come with? I never truly apologized from stealing you from your time. I am sorry Father."

"It seems I make it back. And we'll have to keep going to get there. I suppose there's nothing to be done about that. Now, I can arrange a room for you, Ivetta, on the other side of the papal grounds if you still desire."

Castor interjects, "I think we should share a room so I don't wander off in the middle of the night without you… again." Ivetta laughs at this gleaning genuine humor from it. She agrees and Castor moves her things to Ivetta's room shortly after.

The next day, they've and seen nothing from Hollinzoller or Elizabeth but nurse who was looking after Gerrard knocks on their door. Castor answers it, "yes how can I help you?"

"I'm taking care of Gerrard. He asked me to ask if you had any knowledge of the whereabouts of his journal. He said it was from the mayor? An intricately crafted one with his initials. He said he has nothing in it as he is illiterate." A pang of confusion hits Castor as she knows about which journal she is speaking.

"I...I will look. If I find it I will return it." The nurse thanks her and leaves. Castor closes the door behind her. She leans on it for a moment befuddled and bewildered. She pushes off the door and crosses the room to her bag and begins rifling through it until she finds the journal. Ivetta asks, "What are you looking for?"

She pulls out the journal emblazoned with "G.S." in gold letters. "Apparently, this belongs to Gerrard."

"Wait, he's G.S.? What's his last name?"

"Streisand. His name is Gerrard Streisand."

"Why was it buried under the tent? The Mora vos Malus tent?"

"I don't know." Her tone grows heated, "But it probably means he's going to be another enemy." She throws the book onto the bed in disgust, accenting her words. "He's got some explaining to do." She grabs the book again and whirls toward the door, Ivetta close on her heels.

"I'm coming with." Castor does not reply.

They pass Tobias in the hall, again, reading his book. He pauses a moment seeing the fuming Castor pass by. He asks, "is everything alright?" Castor ignores him, bent on finding the truth.

"Ah. Going to see Gerrard I take it?"

Ivetta turns in the hallway, walking backward a few steps and says, "Yup, you got it." He sighs, closing his book and follows them.

She knocks on his door with force. "Who is it?"

"It's me, can I talk to you?" Ivetta flattens herself on the wall and gestures for Tobias to do the same. He does not. Gerrard opens the door cautiously. "Castor. And Father Tobias? You're here as well?" He opens the door further seeing Tobias. His face is mottled with bruises and his right arm is in a sling.

Castor's tone softens slightly at the sight of him, her heart aches. "Is this yours?" She holds up the journal. He reaches for it but she pulls it out of his range.

"Hey!"

"Is this yours?"

"How can I tell you if you won't let me see it?" She holds it closer. "It was found buried under the tent of the Mora vos Malus members in Stralsund after the battle. Why was it there?"

"What are you accusing me of?"

"Why was it there?"

"I don't know!"

"How do you not know where it was?"

Tobias says in a warning tone, "Castor, It might be from a different time."

"That's probably not even mine."

"Then why does your nurse tell me you were looking for it?"

"It was a gift from the mayor. I just wanted to know where it was."

"Where did you get it?"

"I got it after the battle when we all got our rewards!"

Castor pauses all anger fading away, "But that-" She shakes her head. "Nononononono then this isn't-"

"Just give me my journal back!"

He grabs it. This time she lets him take it. He examines it, "What did you do to it? It wasn't like this!

"I didn't- I told you it was buried…" her voice fades. "I-I'm sorry to have disturbed you." He shuts the door with a snap, jerking Castor from her puzzling. She turns and walks away, passing her friends without a word or a glance. She finds a place in the gardens and sits with a huff, assuming a meditating pose.

Ivetta and Tobias follow her. Ivetta sits beside her and waits to be told to go away. The words don't come, Castor is engrossed in trying to meditate, but the creases in her face suggest she is failing.

Ivetta talks to Tobias, "Wasn't it buried under a rune?"

"As I said to Castor, I'm guessing it's from a different time."

"But my memory is correct, it was buried?"

"Yes, it was found beneath the tent."

Castor interrupts, her eyes still closed, "I have just about had it with this time…nonsense. Nothing makes any sense. Nothing is in the right order!" She opens her eyes finally and looks imploringly at her friends, "Why was it there? If he's not there and not some evil part of it?"

"I have some theories."

Ivetta says, "It could have been used to track us. Us through him."

"So I should leave him here or I can't leave him here?"

Tobias says, "It's not worth thinking about. Whether or not you leave him here or take him with, there's no prediction what effect that would have on the future. There's no point in worrying over something that you have no way of predicting."

"I've already ruined his life enough. I promised him a life I can't give. I stole him from his home. Wouldn't it be better if I left him out of it? While he's still alive, still whole?"

"We could leave him, maybe come back for him one day." Ivetta suggests.

Castor shakes her head, "I already- we...seperated. The engagement is broken. I couldn't watch him be targeted. Besides we don't have the waypoint that brings us back here. They're tied to the realms, remember? That's why we can't go back to Mecca because I lost the cross."

Ivetta's face falls but she brightens again, "what about the new waypoint we found?"

"We have no idea where that will take us."

"But the buzz feeling is stronger, it might have multiple charges, take us to different places."

"How much more powerful?"

"You didn't feel it?"

"I haven't touched it. Everytime I touch a new waypoint I have some kind of vision and right now I have enough problems in the present without seeing something from the past."

"It's much stronger."

Castor sighs, "I'll touch it if you want." Ivetta nods and Tobias fishes for the chain about his neck and hands it to her. It does indeed vibrate more powerfully than other waypoints they've felt. Castor is surprised when nothing else happens.

"Maybe it has more magic? Possibly more than one charge."

"We should ask someone who knows more about them. I don't think we should get our hopes up for something about which we know so little. And the only people we can ask have disappeared." Castor sighs. "All we can do is wait."

They each go their separate ways. Ivetta goes back to her room, Castor stays to meditate, and Tobias goes to speak with Gerrard.

By the third day since the meeting, they've caught glimpses of Hollinzoller and Elizabeth. They talk in the gardens and such. The three don't approach them at all until Castor does so in the evening when they retire to Hollinzoller's room. She asks Ivetta to join her but is flatly refused even when Castor tries to cheer her by assuring her, "I'm not sure there's not much you can say that would make it worse." So she goes alone.

She knocks gently on the door. Elizabeth peers out and says, "Hollinzoller is not ready to talk quite yet."

"A-acutally I- could I speak to you a moment?"

She looks behind her into the darkened room then faces her again, "Of course." She steps out and closes the door behind her.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you but I- well I just wanted to know if he's alright?"

"He will be. We'd like to talk tomorrow, in the gardens."

"Sounds perfect. I wanted to ask you-" she sighs, "I think you're right, it will be too dangerous for us to stay together. But is it alright for you to stay here?"

"As I said, it's alright whatever you decide."

"But I mean, you…" Castor opens and closes her mouth several times then bites her lips looking worried. When words fail her, she moves her hands, speaking with gestures in front of her, "Master, do you love him?"

Elizabeth closes her eyes and shakes her head, dismissing the question outright. "But you spent all this time trying to find him again and-"

"He has a way to find me again." Castor breathes a sigh. Elizabeth smiles, resting a hand on the door handle, "Castor, it's late."

"Oh, I'm-I'm sorry I b-b-bothered you."

"You didn't bother me, Castor. But it is late, get some rest for tomorrow alright?"

She simply nods and returns to her room.

In the gardens at the appointed time, Hollinzoller cand Elizabeth wait, both with their hoods raised. Elizabeth has a nice light blue cloak, Hollinzoller, his usual brown. Gerrard is also present, looking out over a pond.

Tobias, Castor, and Ivetta are paused waiting to approach. Castor slips her hand into Ivetta’s. Giving it a squeeze, she pulls her forward gently to stand at the precipice. Ivetta takes the first step in what seems like the longest walk in her life. Very slowly she leads, trying not to startle or disturb them. Hollinzoller stands when the trio is about 10 feet away. They continue forward. Elizabeth takes down her hood. Hollinzoller does not do the same. He clears his throat and speaks after they come to a complete stop.

He speaks in monotone, "I have decided that I will continue my travels with you and act as your teacher. Castor, Ivetta, and perhaps you as well Tobias. That is all I will be. As we travel together…" he pauses momentarily, "It has been made my understanding that using my skills against those who might not be able to defend themselves…might cause undue attention. I might hault my magical abilities in such cases if that is what you desire."

Tobias chuckles, "I don't think I ever expected to debase yourself to the level of regular humans but I'm glad you will adhere to the laws of combat as the rest of the world knows them." Hollinzoller grits his teeth but does not reply.

Ivetta says, "I can't pretend that I didn't mess up. I was wrong to have said what I did. I was afraid, I didn't know what kind of magic it could have been…"

"It cannot be helped. We are master and student, nothing more."

Castor joins the conversation, "Thank you for coming with us. As for not fighting your magic? I-also should know when to hold back. It's hard to learn, know what to do." She sighs, "I have so many questions."

Elizabeth speaks in her soft, kind voice, "We know and we will share what knowledge we have."

"I will continue to teach you. I'll take you as far as I can."

"I appreciate that." After a deep breath she begins her questions, "Can I ask why you joined the kaldien in the first palace?"

"I was recruited a long time ago for my magic abilities."

"How did they know you had magic?"

Elizabeth answers,"In the untrained, magic can manifest in many ways. Everyone has a magical ability. Some are more naturally gifted. Untrained magic can appear as good luck, dexterity, uncommon strength, etc. It's hard to know but those who do, know what to look for."

"That's what my master saw and decided to train me."

"So you were trained for years to hunt chati but then left," she turns to look at Elizabeth, "because of you?"

"I was contracted with my unit to kill her. Obviously, I had second thoughts."

"I was just a child at the time. Eight or nine when I first came across them."

Concerned, Castor asks,"Have you killed other chati before they-?"

"It was my first time being sent to kill a chati." She nods.

"Is there some protocol or to hunt them? Some specific way to take chati down?"

"I was untrained in my aschar- I couldn't have fought them off."

"The kaldien are trained for many years, decades. Taught to destroy chati. I've known some who could take one down single handed. It is skill versus raw power in an untrained chati. Usually skill wins out."

Elizabeth speaks again, "Castor, achar protects you from harm but it can't protect what the kaldien throw at you. It can stop a small army of, well- normal people but an army of the magically trained people is a different story."

"But in the alley- they- there were six of them. They had a whole trap. How could I have killed six expertly trained people?"

They look at eachother and shrug. Castor's shoulders sag, "How can we ensure they don't find us?"

"Travel light, ensure you keep track of your belongings." Elizabeth supplies.

"Don't get too attached." Hollinzoller states.

"By attached you mean... to people, right?" Castor looks over at Gerrard who is skipping rocks.

"Yes."

Castor takes a moment to stop the ache in her throat then continues. "What are these glyph thingies you told us about? What is a glyph?"

"It is a symbol, used to direct a permanent magical effect. Whatever the caster desires. Sometimes they're called runes. Usually attached to a building, on the ground, stone, wood, material. It doesn't move. The larger the area, the more difficult it is to maintain as well as how fast it dissipates. It can feed on inherent magic of surroundings or your own mana depending on the glyph you're casting."

Father Tobias asks, "Is there a way to detect glyphs without magic?"

"They would appear as symbols. If the caster is novice enough it will glow. As a rule, it has to appear on the outside of where the spell takes place.

Ivetta perks up, "That's what I saw in the library. The door was glowing."

"But the book wasn't so I wonder if it was enchanted by someone with more magical aptitude." Tobias inputs.

"You have the book?" Hollinzoller asks him.

"No, it burns when I touch it."

"As we travel I can take a look, try to crack the mystery.

Elizabeth adds, "there are a few exceptions. Glyphs cannot be used on people or living beings. They can be etched on a person's bones though."

"For what reason would you enchant someone's bones?" Castor asks.

"You can imagine."

"Someone has to interact with the glyphed object for it to activate. Sometimes you can feel the effect of a glyph."

That's probably what you felt in the library."

"What do people use them for most commonly?"

"They can enchant swords, armor, weapons. Make them stronger, etc."

"Erect a barrier like with the Mora vos Malus on the mountain top estate. It can also be used on moving objects such as a boat or a cart or similar such object to keep it safe while moving."

Tobias asks, "Can also be around people like a shield?"

"No, not on living people. It needs to be carved. Clothing is not a good material for such."

Elizabeth says, "While you can't cast glyphs on people, you can with hexes. Far more difficult than glyphs."

"Like the one the sorceress woman lady put on you?" Castor asks.

"Yes. Hexes leave a physical mark on the victim." She turns and pulls her shirt up revealing her back. Across it an 'x' is embedded in her skin. "It appears as red scars, like a wound. Either an x or a cross." Both Ivetta and Castor gasp seeing the mark then sigh with relief with her explanation. She notices the reactions. Pulling her shirt back down she asks, "Is something wrong?"

"I thought...that's not your…?"

"Brand? No."

"You have one though?"

"All of us do. A chati's brand appears in different ways. Mine didn't appear until many many years after I learned magic." She pulls her right sleeve up displaying a years old gash. At the very very tip of it is a lil bitty triangle. "I didn't realize I was a chati until I got this scar in battle."

"Do they all have triangles in them?"

Hollinzoller says, "From what the kaldien taught me, yes. But it's hard to tell with certainty."

Tobias steps in' "What's the significance of a triangle, I might ask?"

"One of the mysteries Malum never imparted." Both Elizabeth and Hollinzoller detail more about magic.

Disguise magic- difficult. Most only cast an illusion around. The height problem is constant with that version. Another way is more complex and dangerous. It actually changes the body physically. More permanent until cast it again to change back. Neither Elizabeth nor Hollinzoller can do the latter.

Time magic- both don't know a ton about it. Some users can track an individual through sequence but it takes someone very powerful to do this. They use trinkets that chati owned to track through time. Mostly performed by groups but one person is possible. Malum is likely such a person. It's said he can halt the flow of time using magic but Hollinzoller doubts that possibility. Elizabeth says she tries to destroy her waypoints. But it's not a worry if they only interact with an object for a small amount of time. One would have to be completely obsessed with something for a few days or indifferent for 20 years. It is all relative. Is there a way to see an imprint we leave on objects? There is a way but they don't know how.

Enchantment magic- type of hex magic. lets someone do mind control. Requires extreme mastery over magic. Neither know anyone personally. The magic the sorceress used could have been this but more likely she used disguise magic on a large scale. Rare-ish

Summoning magic- creates temporary objects. Bigger and more complex things take the summoner longer and are more difficult to maintain. It makes holographic objects it is not bringing something from another room. Basically, it turns mana into an object for a certain amount of time. Sword, door, battering ram etc

To recharge the waypoint, meditate on it and hopefully reach a spiritual connection with it see visions know you're in the right place. Takes a fuck ton of magic. 200 mana or something.

Castor continues her questions, "Why can't Ivetta see the visions I do anymore?"

"Descending in the Caelium might have something to do with it."

Tobias asks, "what's the significance of descending?"

"Normal magic users descend their magic diminishes can't chase chati. Whereas chati become more powerful the further down they go."

"Where are the islands?"

"Seems just luck coming across the bigger ones."

Elizabeth says, "In the caelium there are thousands of islands. There are legends of those who live Inter caelium-between the clouds. Though no one has ever seen them, some say people can fly between the islands. They would have to be extremely powerful, like gods, but they're more likely chati."

Hollinzoller cuts in, "Yet it is a whimsical myth. It doesn't make sense. Time works differently in each realm, it can't be possible to travel between them like that."

Castor asks Elizabeth, "What about other chati you've met?"

"I've never met any others." Castor is taken aback, "Chati don't like to be seen. We've only ever been hunted. I learned all this on my own or with Hollinzoller. Now, I've told you everything you can. If you don't want me to travel with you, I understand."

"I want you to but I think it would be safer for you to stay."

Hollinzoller speaks up saying, "I'll be ready to depart whenever you are."

Castor hesitates a moment then speaks to Elizabeth, "If you're staying then I should warn you- when I first got here I had this vision-" she describes what she saw, fear etched on her face.

Hollinzoller clarifies, "Some kaldien use that- a fake vision to identify chati when they enter a realm. I'd say it worked but there is nothing to fear of it. It was not real."

They wait and rest a few more days while the pope charters them a ship. Gerrard insists on staying behind when they leave.

The last thing they do before they leave is to hold a funeral for Marco. They spread his ashes in the papal gardens, among the lush and exotic greenery. Castor speaks first saying, "Rest here, among the beauty of this holy place with God and under the stars which you so loved."

Ivetta adds her piece, "I'm thankful you were there for us. I'm sorry we didn't do the same. May you find rest here and in peace."

Father Tobias finishes, "May this poor soul find solace."

Packed and ready to go they stand on the docks, preparing to say goodbye. Elizabeth speaks first, "I haven't known most of you for very long but I hope I was of some help."

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth." Father Tobias replies.

Ivetta adds, "I didn't thank you for telling us all that you did. So, thank you."

"It was a pleasure."

Castor begins, stuttering as usual, "I'm- I'm glad you didnt kill me and I didn't- you, and that we didn't die at all. And we didn't get taken to-to another realm." She pauses letting her anxious shoulders relax, "But I'm happy we met and am grateful for all you taught me. Thank you Mast- E-Elizabeth."

She smiles and chuckles lightly at her statement. "You'll do great things, Castor." Castor returns her smile with her own crooked one. The three of them board the ship.

Elizabeth and Hollinzoller stay a few moments longer. She kisses him lightly and they embrace. Hollinzoller pulls away and follows them up the gangplank. She waves as they depart. As they approach the invisible edge, the pocket watch vibrating intensifies. They grab hold and Castor choses her companions: Ivetta, Tobias, Hollinzoller, and their horses. Gerrard is kept far away from her thoughts.

Purple spheres envelop them. For a brief time they float until the bubble bursts. They drop onto the ground with an "oof." It's dark and cold as frick. They face the gaping maw of a very large cavern. From within, light glows and sounds of stone being chipped echo.

They find themselves all dressed in rags. But the two young women of the group are quite different. Ivetta and Castor look at each other. Both gasp in shock at the other's appearance.

Ivetta's face is more angular, her muscles more prominent, and her chest is noticeably flatter. Castor appears slightly taller, her arm muscles bulge. The relatively new curves and contures of her body have flattened once more and her chin has sprouted a goatee, the same shade as the rest of her hair.

Castor speaks, her voice far lower than she remembers it being, "Ivetta you're-"

TBC

Episode Twenty-Four: Ablaut Reduplication