>>6027085Costella attempts to speak up, but her eyes widen and her face pales in alarm as no words emerge. She clutches in fear at her face and throat, trying to cry out… But still, nothing.
“it’s okay,” you comfort her, reaching out to squeeze her arm, and stroke her hair. “It’s just a quieting spell. It’s temporary…”
You squint, focusing your second sight.
“…And she cast it at a low level.”
Still, it’s undeniably rude. You wheel around to glare at your master. She doesn’t flinch, or apologize, or even register your displeasure.
“I see you still carry my gift to you, Apprentice.”
You look to your staff, a splintered and lightning-charred tree, branches bound together by bands or gold-plated orichalcum-iron alloy.
“I will gladly give you more such gifts,” she says, without honey or vinegar in her voice. “Coin? Certainly, I can supply coin. But the degree of your reimbursement is commensurate to that which you provide for this Tower… This Academy… To the human race, and Hawksong. To me.”
You slowly nod, acknowledging your understanding.
“To be able to ENSOUL a <Clone>… THAT is, loathe as I am to admit it, beyond me,” the Archmage continues. “but not YOU. No… No, I saw what you did with that demonic fragment… And I’ve heard that she was not alone. That she was the fruit of a ritual which produces two more such bodies. A goblin… Capable of magic.”
Your eyes widen. You wonder how much Izirina really told her, and how much is guesswork.
“I know you traveled to the ‘Goblin Wastes’, too,” she continues. “What did you discover there? You brought back more of their ilk… But to what end? What can you LEARN from them?”
You hold your tongue. You try to decide what to share—and what to keep hidden, secret.
“…OR was it even about the goblins” she speculates upon your silence. “Was it… Trolls, you went to research? Or something ELSE?”
You hold her gaze, and do not tremble, but your mind is moving a mile a minute.
“What did you find for me, in your wanderings, my Apprentice?
