Living in Me (Sequel to Not Gonna Die)

|Chapter 16| In all seriousness...

          The sorcerers' building was much more crowded than usual, becoming the main centre for all the sorcerers, both in Team Crafted's army and in the visiting allied armies, to meet and train and exchange information. There were young sorcerers who were just learning their craft as well as old men and women who were not the most agile of people but who watched and helped the younger perfect their skills.

          All this meant that Seto could have a bit more time to himself or, as he often ended up spending it, preparing for the impending war. That meant accounting for the number of sorcerers who had arrived, updating information on spells and knowledge, and working on a project for one of Notch's inventions that, if it worked properly, would combine magic and machinery in a way never done before.

          This was what Seto was working on now, comparing information from one of his many volumes with a book that Notch had loaned him on a complicated branch of theory that Seto couldn't even begin to hope to pronounce, and writing notes in a third book. The building was quite crowded with sorcerers and the chatter was at a moderate level, but Seto had successfully managed to tune all of this out to focus. In fact, he was so focused on his task that he didn't notice when the door of the building opened or realise that someone had entered until they were standing right beside him, peering over his shoulder.

          "I did not take you as one to be interested in these topics, young Seto."

          Seto automaticalled flinched but then turned with a start of surprise. "Master Aramis!" he said, standing up to face the much older sorcerer who hailed from the snow country. Though aged and with short white hair, Aramis stood tall and his eyes were the vibrant blue of a youth. A deep blue cloak fell from his shoulders and in his hand was a large leather suitcase. "I didn't think you'd be coming!" Seto said.

          "Well I had to vacate my usual residence and since there is quite a large gathering of people here, I assumed that there would also be more sorcerers, so I decided to come down and lend you a hand where I could." Aramis looked around the room. "Is this your average number of apprentices?"

          "Definitely not, I'd be grateful for any help," Seto said instantly.

          "Well then, it would seem that my arrival has occurred at an opportune time," Aramis said with a smile. "What may I help you with?"

          Elsewhere in the base, Jerome and Mitch were standing next to Notch and Steve, the four of them watching as a small group of Snow Strikers rode into the base, the rest of their force visible behind them, setting up camp outside of the base. The small group consisted of a few warriors clad in their snowy white gear but without the head coverings riding behind Captain Andreas, whose steady brown eyes looking around and analysing those nearest to them. He didn't have a hand on his sword but he seemed ready to draw it the moment that someone threatened the person who rode slightly ahead of the rest of the group.

          And that final person was, of course, Queen Anne. Her wavy chocolate brown hair was tied back in a ponytail that fell down her back and her brown eyes were also assessing the base, but she had a permanent small smile on her face as if she was thinking of something highly amusing that only she would understand. At her side was a long dagger and another one was strapped to her leg.

          Stablehands came and held their horses to allow them to dismount but Anne's gaze had become fixed on Herobrine, who approached and bowed to her, holding up a hand to help her dismount. Her eyebrows twitched up for a moment and her smile grew a little wider and without a word, she dismounted swiftly and easily and by herself and then gave Herobrine her hand. If he was surprised, he smoothly recovered.