The Birth of Fantasy

Chapter 59

I stared down at the pile of ash on the floor. I cursed myself for not asking someone first before I did my experiment. I looked at my Mana and saw It was only half gone. I thought back to Lastaf saying if I used two different elements in a spell, it would cost double the mana. Had trying to create five different Void storages compounded the mana required?

I stood up and groaned. I was exhausted. Looking out the window, I watched the night sky for a moment before getting undressed and putting on my sleeping clothes. If anything, I could sleep in tomorrow, with Hiroaki away on Guild business.

I was about to shut my eyes when a loud knock rattled my door. I picked my head off the pillow and stared at the door. Maybe I had misheard? Then a pounding did more than rattle the door. Luin jumped up and began to growl.

"I'm coming!" I shouted.

I opened up the door to find, Vylria and one of her students, Khis, the blonde one with her. "Hunters, and they have your description. They have been asking about you at the docks. We need to get you out of here now," said Vylria.

"How? It's been a bit over a week since I've been here." I said as I ducked back into my room, getting back into my armor.

"Hunters pay well for any information pertaining to Heroes, Zeal. Hiroaki had a few of the higher-ranking members keep our ears to the ground and alert himself or me if they showed up. As soon as they departed their vessel, someone informed us instantly. We will get you out of the city under cover of darkness, and you may go where you must."

Back in my armor, I began to toss my leatherworking tools into my backpack. Making sure I had everything. I pointed to Luin. "Do you have a cloak or something to cover her with? She's pretty easy to spot."

"Khis, can you go fetch something for her?"

The blonde nodded, but I stopped her. "Wait, I'm an idiot. I got something."

I took out the Shimmer Cape from the dead Kobold. Wrapping it around Luin, I had her climb on my back and handed my backpack to Vylria.

"A Shimmer Cape? The wonders, Zeal. Let's go. I will inform Obbah of your departure tomorrow."

The common room was pretty packed when we went downstairs. There were lots of drinks and laughter. I doubt anyone had noticed us. Vylria led us through back alleys towards the north gate outside. An hour later, she spoke with one of the guards on duty, and I caught the glint of gold passing between hands before the guard unlocked the gate and allowed me to slip through. I turned around and smiled at Vylria but couldn't think of anything to say to the woman before she handed me my backpack.

"We'll meet again, Zeal. Hiroaki will try and track you down, but it's best if you don't tell us where you're headed. The Hunters have some ability to track the truth. Best not tempt it."

"Thank you, Vylria. Can you leave a message at The Guild? It's for my friend Lastaf. Tell him I went to meet his friend."

"It will be done. Safe travels," she said before nodding to the guard.

The guard closed the small gate, and we were left under the light of a torch. I needed to head southwest towards Meckingmoor, the city with Lastaf's friend, Jarrax. Not wanting them to follow us, we followed the road north for an hour then cut west across the field of grass.

We stopped when Luin began falling asleep on her feet. I lowered us down to the ground and made a small room to sleep inside. Putting a dim globe on the ceiling, I raised the ground outside back up and made three small holes in the surface for air.

As soon as the bedding was on the ground, Luin got inside and fell asleep. I was exhausted as well, but so many emotions played across my mind. Who had sold my information to the Hunters? They have my description? So someone had to. It wasn't a fluke. How long has it been since I arrived in Mythtide? I really hadn't been keeping track. It had to be just over a week, right?