Aperio looked at the projection hovering in front of her. What is any of this even supposed to mean? It certainly did not look like what she thought it would. She had always assumed it would show things that one could understand – at least when not under the influence of some concoction – but apparently that was not the case.

Is it broken? It would be fitting; besides the one on Ira’s card, all other runes had broken when she got close. Why would this one be different? She removed her hand from the stone and, after the screen had disappeared, repeated the process to activate it. Just as before she was presented with garbled mess. Glancing behind her she saw a confused looking Ira whose eyes were darting from the mess that dared to call itself a [Status] to the person it belonged to.

Besides only showing a senseless heap of things, this [Status] was missing a third column that she knew should be there. At least, she remembered there to be another part of the status screen. While she wasn’t able to read what was displayed the last time she had seen it, the section had been there nonetheless.

Despite not being able to glean much information from the obviously broken screen, one of her suspicions had been confirmed. She had a title now, or titles as it was. Sadly, the stone neither allowed itself to be read nor was it willing to provide any other information. Though if she was honest with herself, any description of either title the stone could have given would likely be just as scrambled as the rest was.

But maybe all of this is just showing up because it is broken, she thought. Probably because I touched it. But how are you supposed to use the thing without touching it?

She turned to face the mage behind her, pointing at the stone. "I think this is broken."

“I don’t think the stone is the problem here,” Ira said, shaking his head.

Aperio fixed her gaze on the old man. Being called a ‘problem’, even in oblique fashion, was definitely not something she enjoyed. Much like the last time she hadn't responded to his question, the man grew paler the longer she looked at him.

“So I am the problem?” she asked in a low voice.

“I mean... I can’t be sure. I just thought it would be the most logical conclusion,” Ira stammered.

Averting her eyes, she stepped away from the [Appraisers Stone] and gestured for the old man to move. “Then you try.”

Ira gave the faintest of nods, swallowing lightly before moving to stand next to the Elf. Once there, he inspected the black stone slate, even going so far as to pick it up with a heavy grunt to inspect the other side.

Having found nothing of note, he placed his hand on the black stone and recited the incantation. Just like the times she had done it a blue window appeared, but this time its contents actually meant something.

Seeing the mage’s result, Aperio had to agree the stone definitely seemed to be working, at least in a partial sense. The elusive third column had still not revealed itself. At least I didn’t break it. That would’ve been… awkward. 

Another thing that caught her eye was one of Ira’s titles: [Blessing of Edisicio]. A blessing from the God of Knowledge and Love was definite proof that they had returned. Or that the system that governed the world had broken which, considering the state of her own status, was definitely a possibility. 

While it was possible that the world had broken, it was highly unlikely. At least, she assumed so as the old mage seemed calm. Sure, he was surprised upon seeing the mess that was her [Status], but he was not losing his mind.  

“So it is only broken for me? Why?”

Ira remained silent for a moment, eyes fixed on the stone. “I think that your aura is simply too much for it to bear, even if you held it back.” He paused, seeming to want to add something more, but his continued silence suggested that he had decided against it. What that was Aperio did not know, nor did she particularly care what the man thought of her. As long as he did not try to force his will on her, she would be fine. Should he try to…  Well, he did not look any stronger than the other two mages she had dealt with previously. And while looks can be deceiving, she doubted it in this case. If her voice could make the man stumble there was little worry that her fist would not. 

Aperio was taken from her thoughts as Ira continued speaking. “Sadly this is the only kind of [Appraisers Stone] we have here. The more advanced ones are held by the [Grandmaster] in Ebenlowe.”

Ebenlowe? The name did not ring a bell; Aperio knew of neither a city nor a country that bore that name. Though, if her guess about the amount of time she had spent in the Void was correct, that was to be expected. Even more so if she considered the ruins she had returned to.

Neither had she heard of this [Grandmaster] the man kept referring to. Whoever it was seemed to either be in charge of or held great sway with the [Guides]. What exactly that group did was yet another thing she did not know, but she was fairly certain that they fulfilled a similar role to Scribes.

The sound of Ira’s voice interrupted her thoughts yet again. “I would like to ask you to accompany us to Ebenlowe.” 

He spoke so quietly, as if he did not want to hear her answer. Perhaps he feared it, or at least feared her response should she be less than pleased with his words. She simply tilted her head and looked at the man. “Why?”

“I believe it to be in your best interest.”

Aperio narrowed her eyes at the man. She definitely did not like what he had said. “How would you know what is in my best interest?”

“I do not know. I just thought you wanted answers,” he replied, holding up his hands. “And you are wearing the robe of a Vinmaier mage,” – he pointed at her chest – “something you shouldn’t be able to get.” He let his hand drop to his side before mumbling something in that unintelligible other tongue.

Aperio looked down at what Ira had so generously described as a robe. The only thing that would differentiate it from any other grey robe was a red double stripe that had been sewn in over her right breast where the man had pointed. She had thought it blood like all the other brown-red splotches that spread over the remaining parts of her garment.

“Vinmaier?” It was not a name she knew of, but if they had their own uniform they had to be either an order of some kind or a noble house.

“Nobles. You likely know their type: hated by many but rich enough to not care,” Ira scoffed. “The only logical way for you to have gotten that robe is from the brat and his mentor and you said you had encountered Inerlius–” 

“Inerlius?”

“The paladin you met in the ruins, the one you said that fled. He and a ...friend of his accompanied the other two; the Vinmaier brat, and his mentor, and I know the man would never willingly give up his clothing.” He cleared his throat before continuing in a softer voice, “So the only conclusion I have been able to see is that you killed him and took his belongings. Possibly those of his student as well.” 

Before he could speak again, Aperio took a step towards the old man, no longer caring about the fragile floor she stepped on. The wood cracked under her feet with each step she took in her approach. Ira himself was frozen, unable to move. 

Not that she cared. 

“They wanted to put a collar on me!” she hissed through clenched teeth, every word driving the colour from the mans face. “Enslave me!”

Another step brought her within arm’s reach and she lifted the man up by his collar. “I will never let that happen again.” Having made her point clear, she let the man drop. It did not feel right to kill him, and she felt that she had to make her point crystal clear.

As Ira’s rear hit the ground, the door flew from its hinges quickly followed by an angry looking helmet-less paladin that had her sword drawn and ready. Right on her heels was the young man that had brought the [Appraisers Stone]. He hid behind the armoured form of Laelia and looked anxiously between the man on the ground and the broken floor behind the Elf.

Aperio turned to face the paladin, wings slightly unfurling behind her; ready to take flight if necessary, roof be damned. The attack of the woman in front of her never came however, she just slowly positioned herself between the old man and Aperio. She never let the Elf out of her sight, even as she asked the downed mage something in their meaningless language.

The young man rushed to help the old man up as soon as Laelia covered both of them. His voice sounded agitated as he talked to Ira who, contrary to Aperio’s thoughts, looked sad rather than hurt or vengeful.

It took a couple more moments for him to stand back up, but once he did, he placed his hand on the paladin’s shoulder and whispered something in her ear, causing her face to twist into an ugly frown.

“I am truly sorry for what has happened. I did not mean to imply anything,” he said, bowing slightly. “My offer still stands; you are free to accompany us to Ebenlowe. I must, however, warn you. I will have to report the death of Kereman Vinmaier and his mentor to the [Grandmaster]. If you have told the truth you have nothing to fear, should you have lied you will pay with your head.”

“I did not lie!” Aperio spat.

“I believe you, but it is my duty to inform you of the proceedings.” He turned to the young man, sending him off into the dimly-lit hallway behind the counters to presumably fetch something. “Thaddeus will prepare a room and a new robe for you. You have my word as a [Guide] and the bearer of the [Blessing of Edisicio] that no harm will come to you in this building.” As soon as the words left his mouth a rune – a circle split by two lines – appeared in the air above Ira's head. Its simplicity belied its true nature. The man had just given her a binding Oath. Should any harm come to her, he would have to bear dire consequences. She knew all too well how much it hurt to break an Oath; even ones that had been forced on you resulted in pure agony.

“I await your answer tomorrow. I cannot claim to know what you seek, but I believe the [Grandmaster] does.” As if on queue, the young man – Thaddeus apparently – came back carrying a folded bundle of cloth in his arms. He quivered slightly as Aperio focused her gaze on him, but as soon as he had garnered her attention he had lost it. The voice of Ira directed her eyes back to the old man.

“If you would please follow me.”

Aperio hesitated for a moment. Why is he helping me? ...I just attacked him! She wanted to deny the request, to just leave and fly away, but the little feeling in the back of her mind told her she had nothing to fear from these people, even if they decided to fight her.

She did not want to trust that feeling, not knowing where it came from, but so far it had not led her astray and the offer for answers was so tempting...

Maybe the man was right. Maybe it was in her best interest to go to Ebenlowe. She could always simply fly away if she should find the journey to be a waste of time. The thought of flying brought with it a feeling of joy she had rarely felt in her life. Simply gliding through the sky unbound by earthly rule was something that just felt right.

Another thing that felt right, in this moment, was wanting to be clean again. The lure of sleep was also appealing. Or, at least, she'd attempt it. She had not felt tired, hungry, or even thirsty since she had returned. As handy as it was to not be bothered by such things, it was still unnerving. Covered by the old man's Oath, she was as safe as she could reasonably be, and if ever there was a time to attempt to reconnect with her physical needs (if they even still existed) it was now.

Having made up her mind she gave Ira a nod and gestured him to lead. Laelia eyed the Elf, waiting for her to move but she did not. Only after Ira had spoken something and the paladin turned to follow the pair of men did Aperio go after them.

GamingWolf

Shits broke! Who would've thought? Probably everyone.