The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [49] They Are What We Make Them

Something in the air didn't sit right with Signe's familiar, Lillevenn. He seemed to be on alert despite nothing in particular going on. He wasn't talkative either which added to Signe's concern since he would usually ask to play or go on a walk or fly. His ears were perked, muscles tense, and his eyes constantly scanned the horizon. Signe had learned long ago to trust his instincts—he was rarely wrong.

Signe's gaze drifted over the landscape, taking in the contrast of Yuhia's natural beauty and the encroaching corruption beyond. On one side, the lush forests stretched out, serene and deceptively peaceful. On the other, the bleak expanse of corrupted land loomed. The mountains between them, with the fortified gatehouse and mountain fortress stood as a sentinel and marked the divide—a line between the glory of the Forest Father's blessings and the world beyond.

She walked across the top of the gatehouse and leaned over the battlements looking out over the scarce people walking through the checkpoint. She searched faces for something wrong, the unease she was feeling from Lillevenn making her second guess the security of the border. It was making her second guess many things that she wouldn't give herself time to process. If she had time to worry she had time to fortify.

"Lillevenn." Signe said but her voice also resonated through her familiar bond. "Go search the perimeter and tell me if you see anyone suspicious."

Lillevenn opened his wings and took off into the air with a single flap. "Okay, mom."

"Koll." Signe called out.

It took only a second for the royal knight to approach and kneel before Signe. The armored wendigo man was the immaculate pinnacle of what it meant to be a knight of the First Princess. He was the most highly decorated knight of her men, and a potential replacement for a Royal Hand should Signe or Thorfinn die in service.

"Yes, Hand Jet?" Koll said dutifully.

"Lillevenn is alerted by something, I want everyone ready for a potential monster attack." Signe said.

"Should we close the border?" Koll asked.

"No, there is no direct threat right now so having the border closed will just be disruptive." She responded with a wave of her hand. "Heightened alert for all of the royal knights. Have the border guard perform more thorough inspections especially for those entering the country."

"Of course, Hand Jet." Koll bowed.

After a few minutes the alert level of the border was increased yet, Signe still felt uneasy. It was as if she were missing something. Despite everything seeming normal there was an unsettling quality to the day. She was unsure how much her feelings were the influence of her familiar bond but that was irrelevant. She was missing something and it played on her mind.

***

Bjorn and Tanisha were both sitting across from each other in her wagon while Adelheid drove. A complex ritual circle thrummed with power on the floor of the wagon beneath them. They had only a few hours before they reached the border so they were taking the time to try communing. Bjorn and Failsafe were surprised to find out that Tanisha had gained Hydra Fire although she hadn't used it yet. Meanwhile, Bjorn hadn't unlocked a single one of his communed skills. He decided to assign his forty points of UCP and look over his menus to see what has changed. He was still going with the strategy to prepare for his larger size and increase his vitality and restoration.

Status Menu

Name: Bjorn Isin Scalebound
Species: Lernaean Hydra
Level: 37 < 41
Vitality: 145 + 15 = 160 / 195
Restoration: 245 + 25 = 270 / 270
Constitution: 125 / 135 < 140
Strength: 90 / 130
Dexterity: 80/ 100
Stamina: 90/ 115
Aether: 70 / 70
Aetheric Regeneration: 100 / 100 (+100 from bond)
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