A Million Roads to Nowhere

Two Magicians and a Shaman

Note: I can't believe we're almost done with this! It's absolutely insane to me. After this, there's one more chapter for you all, then a sappy author's note from me. I hope you all enjoy this one. <3

Patrick travels the rest of the way to Volcanta with Mislan in the little boat. As he suspected, it takes a couple more days, which pass by fairly quickly now that he has someone to listen and talk to. Between Mislan and Sunny, the company is good, but he remains impatient.

Patrick and Mislan reach Volcanta mid-day when the sun is high in the sky and the world is bright and filled with summer cheer. Patrick just about launches himself out of the boat in his haste, so excited that he can't contain himself. Mislan just laughs at him and flashes him a wide grin accompanied by an enthusiastic wave.

"I'll see you next time I come by Volcanta!" he calls.

"It was good to meet you! See you then!"

Mislan rows away from the bank and Patrick lets him go with a last call of 'be careful' before wrapping up Sunny's longer lead and taking her reins instead. He walks beside her through Volcanta, which is a bustling little mountain town. Just by being there for a few minutes, it becomes clear that this is a hot spot for many passing through this area of the pink.

Numerous vendors line the village and Patrick spots several taverns just along one street. One side of town has fancy houses- the kind that are painted bright colors and have delicate carved edging around the doors and windows. Farther away from the heart of town are the more cottage type houses and he starts toward those, but not before recasting the spell on his ring so he can make sure he's headed the right way.

The spell leads him farther inland and deeper into the trees- quite a bit away from the actual town. He passes other houses, but his ring leads him onward until he spots a field of bluebells bordering a dirt path. He turns onto that, giddy.

At the end of the path is a trellis covered in winding vines- a clear mark of an entryway. As soon as Patrick steps through it, a surge of magical energy runs through him and he shivers. Aodhan put a lot of spells around this place; he can feel his magic everywhere. Sunny doesn't want to go through the doorway, but after some coaxing, she calms down and allows him to lead her through.

The cottage the path leads them to reminds Patrick of a witch's house from one of the storybooks he got from the library when he was younger. The door is painted blue and obnoxious paisley curtains hang in the windows. A windchime hangs from the edge of the roof. A garden frames the right side of the house. By the looks of it, this garden has only herbs and flowering plants in it rather than foods for eating. The left side of the grassy area is home to a large walnut tree that would be wonderful to sit under. Various charms hang from its branches, still in the air.

Patrick ties Sunny to the walnut tree and speeds over to knock on the door, ring humming on his finger. It only takes a moment for someone to answer the door and Patrick wastes no time in throwing himself into Aodhan's arms.

"I missed you."

Aodhan laughs and he wraps Patrick up in a hug, pressing kisses to his cheek as he does so. "I was worried you wouldn't come. Clementine let you go?"

"She's in faery jail. I'm pretty sure. She got summoned, anyway."

Patrick pulls away, but doesn't move out of Aodhan's personal space. He takes off his necklace and returns it to Aodhan, carefully slipping it over his head. Aodhan smiles and takes his hand. His other hand cups Patrick's face. Patrick's breath catches as their eyes meet and he cants forward to smash their mouths together.