“Gather around, everyone. New orders,” Ryker stated tersely into the skimmer cabin where Kite and Mtanga were both seated in meditation. The pair quickly rose to join the others in one of the smaller cargo holds which had become the team’s informal gathering spot as the skimmer’s interior and cabins - while allowing for additional passengers - was cramped and utilitarian at best.

  Kite made sure to retrieve Laevyeth from the weapon rack too, slinging her to his back. He could sense the gratitude in her aura even if she didn’t speak. The odd woman-spear hadn’t said a word or shifted back to her humanoid form since Christine almost walked in on their conversation the last time, her fear of discovery still at the forefront of her actions. But while it would be more practical for Kite to simply leave her in the cabin, their close aura contact had already shown him plenty of times that being left behind and alone seemed an even worse prospect.

  “Proof that the ambivalence and irrationality of emotions seem to be a universal constant at least,” he thought while he tried to project some comforting patience in return to the clingy spear. “I still maintain that seeking the help of my colleagues here would be the prudent action, and save you much trouble and worry.”

  The last part he had murmured aloud, softly enough for only Laevyeth to hear. But the subsequent, adamant refusal in her aura at the repeat suggestion had him not pressing the matter. Instead, Kite entered the cargo hold in question, joining Ryker, Christine, Mtanga and Linger in sitting down at one of the crates fastened to the floor or bulkheads.

  “I’ve got good news and bad news,” Ryker said, looking at each of the team members.

  “Bad first then?” Christine suggested.

  Ryker nodded, and sighed before telling them. “Our team has been one of those chosen to stay behind until the last of the contingent from Gauntlet leaves. Given the tension in negotiations with our magic society allies during this trip as well in the debriefing with the church of Season and its offshoots, I believe that we’re looking at at least a few days in Svyatograd before this contract is finally done and over.”

  While no one groaned aloud, the slight shifting in the auras of the rest of the team spoke volumes.

  “And the good news?” Kite asked, thankful that Laevyeth was most proficient in hiding her aura, as the frustration he felt from her at the delay was even more potent.

  “The good news is that it will be Sir Ilmaril who is staying behind. We’ll be acting as his guard detail and assistance. Not that a gold like him needs any guards, but in discussions like these it is more a formal statement through our presence than any practical need.”

  “Is it just me, or did that sound like pretty bad good news?” Linger quipped, all except Ryker chuckling or smiling in response.

  “The actual good news is that not all of us will be needed at any given time. I’ve discussed it, and Sir Ilmaril is not unaware of our situation. Only three of us will be on active duty at a time, leaving some room for rest and relaxation for those not with him.”

  “That’s… actually better than expected,” Linger said after a moment of collective silence. “We’ll have to act extra properly around our charge then. Show him our discipline, gratefulness and all that.”

  “Please do,” Ryker said. “And while I hope that it doesn’t need to be said, please make sure to be extra respectful towards the gods and churches during our stay. In Svyatograd, the balance of power is firmly leaning towards the churches and their clergy. I haven’t known any of you for a blasphemer, and it would be a very bad place to start such a habit.”

  Before joining task group Gauntlet, Kite would probably have been in complete awe as he saw Svyatograd’s skyline become more and more defined in the distance as the caravan of huge skimmers made its approach.

  The city state was nestled in the crook of one of the bigger rivers of the region, located just within the limits of a zone of higher magical density that cradled much of the settled lands to the south and west. It had begun its life as a trading post, but some - to Kite - unknown events of the past had led to the city becoming a place where the followers of both major and minor deities had gathered and built places of worship.

  And it was those very temples and other edifices to divine glory which made the city look so impressive, with each building dedicated to the major deities rising higher than the last as they seemed to war over who could be the first to reach the skies.

  But as things were, Kite took only a few moments to appreciate the grand architecture before his thoughts moved to other matters. Contracts of the past had shown him such a variety of wonders that he had found himself a bit inured to the experience, the sights not eliciting the same thrill like before. Now, being most aware of the spear slung across his back, Kite longed more to have more comfortable lodgings and to leave this place behind.

  In their few conversations since meeting, Laevyeth had at least sounded positive to the prospect of returning with Kite back to Hua-Xi as a first step to find her bearings in this world, seeming to find a sense of safety in the thought of a country where a silver-ranker was pretty high up on the scale of power.

  “And I do truly want to help her. It’s hard to imagine how lost and afraid one would be in her place. It feels like the least I can do,” he thought, glancing at his other team members who stood along the railing of the skimmer to his right. “Even if it feels like an unnecessary layer of subterfuge to keep it from them.”

  Still, he would continue to respect Laevyeth’s wishes for now as long as things didn’t become untenable. Residing in Svyatograd should at least provide more opportunities to talk to her. Hopefully.

  As they finally drew up to the walled city, any further thoughts, worries or longing for home was put to the back of Kite’s mind as the skimmers became a flurry of activities. The ones making up their return transport were way too big to safely navigate any city streets Kite knew of - more akin to ships than the smaller models more common in some parts of the world - and thus the cargo had to be unloaded onto smaller wagons. The adventurers continued serving as guards, the teams spread out along the vehicles. While Kite suspected that few would be interested in stealing the objects of mostly theoretical importance, their presence still helped to keep up appearances and lend a look of importance to the small procession as it made its way throughout the streets towards the magic society campus of Svyatograd.

  “This almost feels like a parade of sorts,” he said to no one in particular as he and the other members of his Gauntlet team did their best to look alert and impressive where they sat at the sides of the open wagons. The procession drew a lot of curious onlookers, curiosity fluttering in the auras of the crows like the ripples of a lake beneath a sudden wind. And as the team’s wagon drew closer, the spirits of those nearby would also often be colored by a fair share of awe, the object of their adoration seated most primly at the top crate atop the cargo bed.

  “This young mistress feels that it is only suitable,” Glint said, making sure to look each and every inch the dignified lady in her pristine robes of pale pink and plentiful golden jewelry adorning fingers, neck and even the frills of her draconian form.

  “It isn’t every day we get paid to just look impressive. Better enjoy it while we can,“ Mtanga agreed, waving to the crowd as he shot them his signature pearly white grin.

  Kite might have expected Ryker to protest their banter, but apparently their team leader was too busy looking sternly at the surrounding crowds. Or perhaps he sensed what Kite did in the auras of everyone; vigilance, even in the face of their casual talks. They were Gauntlet-trained adventurers, after all.

  What Kite felt most distracting was perhaps Laevyeth’s mixed reaction to the crowds. On one hand, she seemed to retreat even further into herself, keeping her aura thoroughly and tightly withdrawn to the extent that none of the golds in the company had even looked their way in passing during the unloading. That was a feat beyond most silvers without further support of powers or other more grim consequences like the soul scars born by Dancer on the Broken River or Amica Steiner.

  On the other hand, Kite could also sense that the spear longed to sweep her own aura over the crowds, like a child reaching towards the swirling river from the side of a boat.

  “You’ll have the chance to meet plenty of people in the future, should you wish for it,” he thought, hoping that the spear would pick out his meaning through their close aura-proximity. If she did, Laevyeth did not show it, her iron control of herself never wavering.

  “Lord Van Sztramm,” Lady Ljublia greeted, approaching the gold ranker where he stood atop a set of stairs overlooking the unloading of the cargo after the man had waved her over.

  “Lady Ljublia,” he replied, activating the privacy screen built into one of his cufflinks without taking his eyes away from the crowds of magic society functionaries handling the unloading and the adventurers still standing guard.

  “I have taken what opportunities I can to look into the matter you broached with me before our departure,” Van Sztramm continued, giving the slightest of nods in the direction of the adventurer in question. “At first, I thought you mistaken, but after some more thorough scrutiny I had to revise that opinion. There is something to that spear. Even my aura senses can’t make it out fully, but the sense of spirituality is there. Should it prove true, it would be remarkable; the research opportunity of the decade. I thank you for bringing it to my attention. For that, you will be both commended and rewarded. The future within the magic society is a bright one for those with your perception and judgment.”

  “I thank you for your praise, Lord Van Sztramm,” Ljublia replied, making sure to channel how pleased she was with his praise into her aura to give credence to her words. Hiding her emotions from a gold-ranker was pointless, after all. Better to be forthright.

  “This is why, effective immediately, you will be moved to my personal staff. I will acquire that spear soon, and will need people of suitable discretion to help me uncover its secrets. People like you. Because as you may understand, it would be a project that would risk drawing undue attention from both rivals and concerned parties lacking the ambition and pioneer spirit of our kind. As such, we will conduct initial trials in my personal laboratory at one of my villas. Room for you is being prepared even as we speak.”

  Lord Van Sztramm’s words had Lady Ljublia straighten before she quickly curtsied once.

  “Thank you, my Lord. This will indeed be a remarkable opportunity,” she said, suppressing the traitorous sense of worry that was shoved to the back of her mind.

  By telling her what he had, Lord Van Sztramm had already made her part of it. It would clearly be a project of more… clandestine nature. Word couldn’t be allowed to spread, and Ljublia suspected that any attempt to decline on her part would end badly for her in the long run. People like the gold-ranker beside her couldn’t afford to have such loose threads running about, now could they?

  “It will indeed. Let us venture boldly into the unknown together then,” Van Sztramm agreed, giving a satisfied nod at her understanding. “To break new ground will always require hard work and some sacrifice, after all.”

  “-then the meeting is adjourned, for now. I will ask you to reconsider your stances on topics two and four on the agenda until next time. Neither Gauntlet nor the adventure society find such rates to be acceptable,” Ilmaril Thenston said, rising from his seat in the lavish conference room.

  In the bright light of day, courtesy of the wide panoramic windows providing an impressive view of the temples of the city, the frustrated creases on the faces of many of the meeting’s participants were easy to notice. Neither party was content at the moment, that much was at least clear.

  “Well, I suddenly find that this guard detail isn’t as bad as I first feared,” Kite murmured to Christine who stood beside him next to one wall, waiting while Sir Ilmaril mingled and talked for a bit in the crowd of the dispersing meeting.

  “Oh? Then you must truly have mastered the art of patience, Junior Brother. I was just about to create a statue in my likeness and hope that it would act as a decoy for long enough to make my escape. Because this had been more dull than watching paint dry,” the elf shot back, her smile looking a bit frazzled.

  “Patience is a lot easier when you find yourself glad to not actually have to be in charge of such a meeting, Senior Sister,” Kite replied, amused. “Just standing silent at least allows you to let your mind wander a bit.”

  Christine was just about to reply when someone cleared their voice at their side. Even though Kite had seen her approach, he was still most surprised that Lady Ljublia had stopped next to him. Given that they had barely interacted at all during the expedition except her either making demands or otherwise being most unreasonable, Kite had hoped that she too would have had little interest in any further interactions.

  “Still, politeness will ever be the sure way to not escalate things,” he thought, fondly remembering auntie Crow’s many proverbs as he turned to the leader of their previously attached research team.

  “Lady Ljublia?”

  The blonde woman, still dressed in the combination of magic society robes and enough gaudy jewelry to stock a small jeweler’s shop, drew herself up at the address, but the words leaving her mouth weren’t what Kite expected.

  “Adventurer Kite, wasn’t it?” she began, her face calm and composed. “On behalf of the magic society, I would wish to deliver a formal thanks to your team for a successful cooperation during the expedition. Given your team leader’s absence today, I hope that you will relay my words to him and the others.”

  “I… see,” Kite said, trying to make sense of the sudden pleasantries, even formal as they were. Lady Ljublia’s aura did give a hint of her feeling like she was currently being forced to poke something unclean and malodorous, which did feel more in-character for the woman.

  “I will be sure to do so, and I am sure that Ryker returns the sentiment” he continued, at least offering the woman a shallow formal bow to give a show of politeness to make up for the bald-faced lie. Imagining Ryker standing there and being forced by decorum to give similar words in return was entertaining though. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I believe that we are about to take our leave. Farewell.”

  Sir Ilmaril had indeed started making his way towards the door, Christine waving for Kite to join her in following the gold-ranker, so at least it provided a quick and easy escape from any further conversation. But Kite had just turned away when his expanded vision revealed a quick motion from Lady Ljublia who now stood behind him; her hand briefly blurring towards his back. But she froze as Kite quickly pivoted and locked his gaze on hers, aura sharpening in clear warning.

  “Is there anything else I can help you with, Lady Ljublia?” Kite asked, voice low in clear warning. The motion had been too fast for him to properly register, probably the result of an essence power or the like, but it didn’t seem to have been an attack.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “... No, I don’t believe so,” she eventually replied after a tense moment where it looked like she wanted nothing more than to shriek at him in outrage.

  This time, Kite only gave a curt nod by way of farewell, and he quickly strode and joined Christine where she walked behind Sir Ilmaril as he exited the conference room.

  “What was that about?” the elf whispered once he fell into step beside her.

  “Heavens if I know,” Kite replied softly, brow still creased in confusion and concern. “But just to be sure, I’m going to have a good and proper look that all of my equipment is in place and in order once we are done with this guard detail.”

  Laevyeth stood fixated to the spot as she gazed upon herself in the mirror. It was the first time since arriving in this world - because she was quite certain at this point that was what had happened - that she actually had the opportunity to really take a look at this new form of hers. Being hairless hadn’t felt odd at first, but the more other people she had seen combined with managing to break down and make sense of the knowledge she had received from Kite, the more she felt that it was something she was lacking.

  “Even though I could perhaps be taken for a runic, if not for mine distinct lack of said runes,” she thought, gazing into the silver eyes of her reflection, surrounded by a face whose coloration bore a distinct - if pale - blue hue. Seeing herself like this, the sense of discordance in Laevyeth’s sense of self returned. Not in full force, but suddenly having another body which she somehow knew how to use without ever before having had most of its features remained disconcerting to say the least.

  “Is there anything troubling you, Laevyeth?” Kite asked, breaking her out of her reverie.

  Her temporary guide and guardian sat hovering cross-legged above the bed of the private rooms which he had been assigned at the so-called adventure society campus, able to keep his meditation and focus enough even when cracking an eye to regard her. As before, the human caused mixed feelings within Laevyeth. Mostly gratefulness though. She wasn’t arrogant enough to disregard that she had been very, very fortunate that the first person she encountered was a kind one, even enough to take her on with only a few moments of conversation and spiritual contact to go on. But she also felt guilty for just that. She was the Lance that Pierces Iniquity, after all, yet she was forced to use him for protection and orientation both, even pleading with him to keep her a secret from his allies. But the fear wouldn’t leave her.

  “I will not be caged again. I shall not allow this opportunity to find actual purpose be taken from me. The apologies will have to come at a later date,” she thought, replying without looking away from the mirror.

  “Everything is simply so… different. From how I imagined. Or dared dream, perhaps.”

  “How so?”

  “First of all, this form of mine. I never imagined such a thing to be possible. But also the alterations to mine true shape,” she said, remembering seeing the blue veins suffusing both shaft and spearhead which she had glanced at in reflective surfaces while Kite was carrying her around.

  Laevyeth knew she had more to tell on that topic; instinctual knowledge hinting of changes deeper than the mere superficial. Her fear told her not to disclose it, to keep everything she could of herself close to heart. Or at least hidden from someone who did not fully resonate with her. But days spent in close contact with Kite and his spirit won out in that regard. The human was currently the only metaphorical rock to which she could cling, at the moment, after all. And probably deserved to know at least something.

  “So those weren’t part of you before? Strange,” Kite noted, either unaware of or unwilling to call Laevyeth out on her reservations. “For what it’s worth though, it does suit you.”

  “Alas, they were not. Not of mine original creation at least. Indeed, I am not sure yet whether to see them as boon or taint. But… there is more.”

  “Oh?”

  “Some capabilities of mine have changed with them. At least that is what my instincts say. The powers I bear are different in some ways, carrying aspects of… cold, I think? I most certainly did not possess such things before.”

  Laevyeth’s creator had swung her a few times after her forging, but the moment of contact had been few and far between since her creator resonated with Laevyeth’s bond and ideals most poorly. She had endured enough to test some of her creation’s capabilities, but little beyond the bare minimum. The feeling of discomfort in contact with Kite was nothing next to those faint memories.

  Turning to look at him, Laevyeth saw Kite seeming deep in thought where he floated, chin in palm as he pondered.

  “So you were changed… Perhaps by the ritual? At least that’s the obvious answer, if grossly incomplete,” he mused. “While I don’t regret my path, this very moment at least has me lamenting not spending at least a bit more time in studying the fundamentals of magic. Because I have absolutely no clue why or how such a thing could come to be. But…” he paused, looking to Laevyeth. “Would you like to try them out? Your powers, that is? Get a proper feel for them now? This campus has plenty of practice chambers. I could rent one and leave you to it?”

  Once more, Laevyeth’s fears told her not to; to not risk anything further. But this time, another sentiment was the one that won out. Curiosity, raw and - for the moment - unbridled.

  “That… wouldst be most appreciated,” she eventually said. “But it would once again have me leaning on thee for assistance. To access my powers, I need to be in my true form. Wouldst thou mind…?”

  “I would be delighted,” Kite replied, unfurling from his meditative pose to step down from the bed.

  He waited patiently as Laevyeth took one last look at herself in the mirror before changing back to her spear form. She could still see herself; a grand beautiful thing - even marred by the icy veins as she now was. This was and would remain her true self, the other form still feeling so alien. But…

  “I will admit that having hands of mine own is most convenient,” she thought even as Kite caught her before she could clatter to the ground in a most undignified fashion.

  As Kite had expected, finding a private practice chamber wasn’t a challenge. He was not the only adventurer who wished for some privacy while letting loose, and given the number of fortified doors he passed while searching through the one matching the access key he had been given, they saw heavy use.

  Much like the city around it, the Svyatograd adventure society campus was a thing of splendor, with imported pale stone and dark woods mixing to give the place a mansion-like quality. Whether it was to match the splendor of the many temples or simply show off the affluence of the northern trading hub, Kite had no idea, but it was impressive nonetheless. As the city was often called the last bastion of true civilization before the tundra, that also left a thriving adventurer populace who ranged around the vast region where monsters could manifest in great numbers without notice.

  As expected though, the practice room itself was a lot more utilitarian, with windowless stone walls covered in protective arrays, and varied types of shielded targets and dummies stood against one side.

  “So, anything in particular you want to start with?” Kite asked Laevyeth as he unslung her from his back, holding her reverently in front of him. He had never once swung her as an actual weapon since their meeting, as there had been no need. The thought of swinging around a person just felt a bit… off. “Anything I should know?”

  Laevyeth seemed to hesitate a bit, but as they could both sense the dense aura shielding of the room, she eventually spoke; her voice created through her aura.

  “I was created with powers fivefold, even though my creator thought that I would manifest another once I reached gold rank.”

  “But she didn’t know, because you are the first? The ‘proof of concept’?”

  “Correct,” Laevyeth replied, bitterness clear in her aura as she spoke. “Also, my powers will each adapt and intertwine with those of a wielder who truly resonates with my bond. As this is not the case with thee, we shall have to make do with the basics. Through no fault of thine, of course,” she said, quickly adding the last as she apparently realized how her words might be received.

  “Well, the most important thing right now is that you familiarize yourself with any changes, no?” Kite asked, ignoring the potential critique. None of them could possibly have missed the slight dissonance between them after days spent in contact, after all. “Shall we begin then? Mind you, I might need to swing you properly if we are to simulate something vaguely realistic.”

  “I am the Blooming Lance that Pierces Iniquity, Kite. Even though thou art not one of my resonant wielders, thou art worthy enough. Go, thrust me into the dark and the unclean and let my blade cleave through lies and falsehood!”

  Feeling the excitement in the spear’s aura, Kite acquiesced. He began moving into an initial set of practice sweeps and thrusts, both to dust off his own skills with the weapon as well as make sure that Laevyeth did not mind or react adversely. But he needn’t have worried.

  “Yes, let me sing through the air! Darkness and deceit, thou wilt know what strikes thee down yet be unable to do nothing but perish!”

  From the tone of Laevyeth’s calls, the words seemed to have been pent up for a long, long time. Kite let her have her moment, only smiling in response as he sped up his motions to the full capacity of his silver-ranked body. The spear didn’t seem to suffer from any kind of vertigo or dizziness as she was swung around either, even though Kite found himself a bit silly for worrying.

  “That would have been a one impressive design flaw,” he thought amusedly to himself.

  They soon transitioned into basic thrusts, sweeps and strikes towards the different dummies, where Laevyeth soon showed off the first one of her powers.

  “Iniquity’s bane!”

  In the fraction of a second before striking, the sculpted flowers all over the spears seemed to come to life and unfurl icy petals which released a blinding flash of light which brought Kite’s thoughts to the harsh glare of the winter sun split into the whole color spectrum when reflected from the surface of a vast frozen lake stretching as far as the eyes could see, leaving nowhere for shadows to hide.

  While the light didn’t blind Kite, he could still appreciate its splendor as it ate away at the shielding of multiple target dummies.

  “Most impressive! How did that feel?” he asked, brandishing the spear as he continued some lighter thrusts and feints among the flickering shields of the practice equipment.

  “Wonderful! Again! Let me smite again upon these hapless constructs!”

  “Glad to hear that you’re enjoying yourself at least. Any notable changes?”

  His words did have a sobering effect on the spear, and he could clearly feel her pondering the question.

  “It would seem that the alterations of this particular power of mine were cosmetic only. The light seemed different compared to what I remember,” Laevyeth mused. “This brings me joy, as this particular power was one I was most fond of. It was inspired by this name of mine, after all. But as for now, another!”

  Mid-swing, Kite could see the head of the spear start emitting a faint inner light before a coating of gleaming frost covered it, trailing glittering particles as it moved.

  “Beautiful,” Kite remarked at seeing the trailing, gleaming particles left in the wake of the spear. It was still odd to feel the weapon in his hand use mana and activate powers of its own, Laevyeth’s having her own reserves. But her next words brought his focus back to the present.

  “But… but it- that was not it. At least not how I remember,” she said, a bit subdued. “My blade was supposed to hum with the truth of justice, piercing mail and rending stone. Now… It is somewhat the same, yet not at all. As if what hath used to be is now viewed through a lens tinted with cold and frost…”

  “I… see,” Kite replied, not knowing what to say. And feeling that perhaps there was nothing that he could say, at least not to make the sad confusion which he felt from the spear go away.

  Whatever had brought Laevyeth to this world had changed her, at least in part. To Kite, that didn’t feel like an experience you just walked off and ignored.

  “How do you find it then? The power itself, without the comparison?” he eventually asked as the silence stretched onwards from seconds and was closing in on a full minute.

  “I… I am not sure. It… it is… I’m sorry, I believe that I need a moment. Let us take our leave of this place. But- but I thank thee for thine assistance, Kite. Truly, I am most fortunate.”

  The last part was added in haste, and Kite could once again feel the spike of fear that heralded the words.

  “Do not fret, Laevyeth. While I am definitely curious of what other wonders you are capable of, it will remain up to you what to show and when,” he assured her, slinging the spear over his shoulder again as he brought the training dummies back to the side of the room.

  He was just about to open the door and exit when Laevyeth spoke again.

  “Wait, please. Before we leave there is… something else thou shouldst know.”

  Even though he could see her just fine through his expanded vision, Kite still turned his head to look at her and show that he was listening.

  “It is another part of mine own nature. A new part. I know not how or why, but it seems like I am… obscured, for lack of a better word. Tracking magic will not find me, or so mine instincts tell me at least.”

  “I… see?” Kite began questioningly, about to ask more before it dawned on him. “Ah, you mean in case you are somehow lost? Or we get separated?”

  “Yes,” the spear confirmed, her aura feeling very small at that moment as it had been wont to do during Laevyeths more anxious moments. “Please do not misunderstand, as I am already most grateful for all the assistance thou have lent me. But the thought of being more lost than I already am…”

  “It does seem like a problem which can be ameliorated, at least temporarily,” Kite mused, picking up the conversation as she trailed off. “While we are on escort duty for the next two days, how about we take a trip to the trade pavilion and see if we cannot find anything there to allay your worries for the time being?”

  At that, Laevyeth was silent for a while before her aura pulsed in acquiescence; the spiritual equivalent of a nod. Hesitant, but there.

  “Yes, that would be nice. I thank thee again, Kite. Let us do so, even if just to allay my unseemly fears. A few more days like these should not bring any more troubles upon us, after all.”

  “Hmm…”

  “My Lord?”

  Lady Ljublia had stood silent so far while Lord Van Sztramm had performed his ritual, precious resources evaporating along with the magical lines of the diagram covering the floor of the ritual chamber adjoined to the gold-ranker’s office at the local magic society branch. She still felt honored to be included in the man’s plans so far, but the sense of displeasure in his aura had her worried.

  “It’s not working. The tracking stone remains inert, indicating nothing.”

  “I-I’m sorry, Lord Van Sztramm. Perhaps I failed in acquiring the aura sample there at the end of the last conference. I really thought I got the wand close enough-”

  Ljublia’s apologies were interrupted by a raised hand from the gold-ranker, and she fell silent.

  “No… No, the wand indicated a response. I saw it myself. And given the cost of it, the quality of the equipment is not in question,” Van Sztramm mused, looking back at the inert tracking stone. “Yet the ritual gives us nothing. Fascinating, if frustrating. It seems we will have to resort to more mundane means of tracking the spear’s location. But this is at least something… Yes, progress. Tentative proof that my senses weren’t misleading me. That weapon seems to have an aura of its own in some shape or form. Because I trust that you verified what I asked of you?”

  “Yes, my Lord,” Lady Ljublia replied, relieved. “None of the reports of the adventurer in question reports him having any spear conjurations, and his two familiars are accounted for. None of them should have been a confounding factor.”

  “Excellent. Then it is time for you to make preparations for an extended stay away from the city. Make sure you have a reasonable cover to stay away from your other projects for a time,” Van Sztramm said, twining the edge of his blonde mustache as he spoke. “I will personally make sure to acquire the spear in the days to come. Then, whatever secrets it holds will be ours to unravel.”