The Dreaming Land

Chapter 16: Reclamation

The town of Kalice, at the bottom of the mountain on the western side was a lot like Magaville, tiny and virtually only there for the convenience of travellers hoping to make it through the pass, but a lot dryer and full of dust. When Dean arrived and announced there had been a rockslide on Trasa's Pass, preventing any further trips over the mountain, the whole town went into a slump. A couple of men grabbed some pickaxes and hammers, and went up the path to see it cleared. It would likely take a day or two, so the whole town was essentially on standby for the time being.

Needing some time to figure out their next move, the group decided to stay in Kalice for a night and prepare themselves for the next leg of their journey. Orius had gone into town by himself, leaving the others to entertain themselves at the inn. The three sat together a table on the main floor, enjoying some lunch.

"I hope all of the cities out here aren't this boring." Misha sighed.

"Me too." Imara said, "There's dust everywhere, I'm so sick of it."

"You know," Quintir interjected, "it's been proven that some of this dust is from the moons themselves, not just from all round here. Right now your boots are filled with little tiny moon shards. Albeit powerless ones, but still, I find it amazing."

"Neato!" Misha exclaimed sarcastically.

"That actually is kind of neat." Imara said, looking down at her boots.

"Oh, Misha," Quintir said, "have you given any thought to our conversation yesterday?"

"Oh yeah." She thought for a moment, "I'm still not really sure."

"What is it?" Imara asked, confused.

"Misha's interested in learning about magic." Quintir smiled, "Perhaps she has the makings of a young magician in her, who knows?"

""Oh, really?" Imara said, "Not really interested in using a dagger after all?"

"Not really, sorry." She smiled awkwardly.

"It's okay," Imara smiled, "I'm actually kind of glad. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Me either." Misha shook hear head.

Quintir reached into the pack sitting next to him, and retrieved a rolled up piece of cloth, setting it on the table. Inside were six different coloured stones, they were moon shards. They weren't very big, but they held some power. Misha examined them, entranced by the way they sparkled in the lamplight all around them.

"These are from my personal collection." Quintir smiled, "They were a gift from my professor when I became a professor, too. Each professor has a collection of their own."

"They're beautiful..." Imara couldn't take her eyes of them, either.

"There's one for each moon here." He said, "Save for Tephim and Belial, of course."

"So which one can do what?" Misha asked.

"This one belongs to Umala," Quintir said, "just like mine. Deception of sight, illusion, and finesse were her gifts to humanity. You can use this one in many different ways, really. If I had to guess the power you'd receive? Perhaps what we call the 'shimmering figure'."

"Wait, so," Imara interrupted, "you don't chose what powers you get from the stone?"

"You do, and you don't." Quintir said. "A stone is only capable of so much, depending on its size. Then you must resonate with the lingering will of the shard, letting it read you. It will determine what power best suits you, though it is usually right. Either way, you cannot lose."