The group is a few days past E’armos and where Ethelred got his new set of scrolls. Ethelred has gotten a good night sleep, and Alexis is talking with him on the road before he’s quite started studying his new scrolls.
“Morning, Red. Collegium petitioner, if we’re being proper about it” Alexis takes on a brief mocking air of formality.
“Hey. Before you crack into those new scrolls, I’d like to hear what you pulled from the first set—and maybe what you think this next batch will reveal.
So tell me—what tools have you found for us? Perhaps a compass to Ezrin? Something to burn out cursed relics? A way to sniff out immortal energies using your lack-of-knowing as a tool?” Alexis leans in, clearly eager to hear what Ethelred is excited about.
“I am not a priest. ‘Souls’, ‘curses’, ‘immortals’. None of that… follows any order. None of that fits with in the world I see before me.
What I learned is that all matter, all things that are real, can be used. Magic is an extension of everything I already knew. To make a chair a tree must be destroyed.
To burn the dagger, the dagger is slowly being destroyed. Like a torch.
Magic has opened up a new way to use materials. Magic is like a set of tools that can be used to shape the world.
My hope is these next scrolls will delve deeper into building larger workings, greater understanding of control and how to avoid chaos.
My personal thoughts have been how to combine my past in mundane building with my future of magic crafting. I doubt that the Collegium will have much to offer in this way.”
Alexis stands with arms loosely crossed, an easy, good-natured boredom in his expression as Red lists what he can’t do. He nods along, waiting until there’s a gap before speaking.
“Yes, yes, I’ve heard the limits. But what have you been thinking about actually doing, my friend? With this new knowledge—these new tools?
That speech just now reminded me of Gus going on about how Sally isn’t his, or connected to him. Took us months to get him to stop denying what was right in front of him and start using his gifts for something more useful than just ‘no.’
So—beguile me, Red. Like you used to. Lay out the treasures, not the locks on the chests..”
“I believe it is all possible. There is no effect that could not be recreated. The method, the outcome, the risk might all be a bit different.
The trick is the time. I used to think it was materials. But there are always materials around.
If you want something stable and miraculous, time. Quick and powerful, outcomes vary.
But on a practical note I have been thinking about how to have a larger set of tools, and materials, but with less weight and bulk. Ideally making them smaller and lighter for a limited time. Imagine how much rope I could have if it was usually the size of string? Impressive.
On a more fun note, flying. Or floating? Launching seems simple, but dangerous. Maybe if we find a deep lake.”
Alexis flips a copper coin across his knuckles, eyes bright.
“Exactly. Yes.
What about a book that comes up with ideas for you? Fills itself with designs you’d never think of on your own. Or a pen that writes down what some craftsman in Lanos Port is sketching—right now, as he’s working. You’d never meet him, but you’d have his notes.”
He taps two fingers against the dark script on his neck.
“Or time magic. Stretch an hour into three while you work.”