Irwin's Journey 441: Scary meetings

Baytim felt his legs shake as he walked towards the small compound. 

Why did she have to ask me to do this, he thought.

It took all his effort not to scream in fear as he sensed the presence within, like a deep bubbling flow of magma, ready to rise from the depths and explode into a volcano.

He tried to compose himself as he reached the large door, failed, tried again, and after two seconds, decided he was just going to make things worse. The only tiny glimmer of joy he felt was that Brecka was inside.

Perhaps she will want to talk to me, he thought. 

He knocked on the gate before he could rethink his actions, as he had for the last month.

Why did she have to order me to reach out to him? he thought as he sensed the mass of soulforce move toward the door.  

He knew why; he just wished it hadn't been necessary. A month of investigating and searching had brought up nothing about the man, and the Empress had lost her patience. The fact that he had been communicating with her directly every week had been amazing at first, frightening soon after, and when she'd ordered him two days ago to approach him directly, he'd almost screamed. 

As the enormous soulforce seemingly flowed around him and the rest of the building, he shivered.

How had he even missed it the first time? Or had-

The door was pushed open, and he looked up at the towering Oxarite before him. Taller than Brecka, even more massive, but with slightly lighter skin, a mix of copperion and gold. His eyes were pools of molten metal or rock, a golden ring seemingly circling around where his pupils should be.

How many soulcards does it take to change one of us to this? Baytim thought with a shiver before another thought popped up. Perhaps he had more of those cards? Although he really liked his own pale, silvery-blue skin and the dark blue hair which he had inherited from his mother-

"Can I help you?"

Baytim shivered.

"I- Yes. Sorry, I… ah," Baytim took a deep breath, then stuck out his hand. "Elder Irwin, my name is Baytim, and I'm from the Bronzar Mercenary Group. I'd like to talk to you if that's okay?"

He almost hoped the imposing man would deny it, but he was surprised to see a quick grin pass over his lips, his eyes widening.

"Of course, it's been a while since I spoke to another Oxarite," the towering man said. "You can come in, though I don't have a lot of time. I'll be heading for the Cardschool later this morning."

Baytim swallowed as he followed the man into the small compound. The other's oppressive soulforce pressure made it hard to sense anything else, but he still managed to sense the other two people in the small courtyard.

As his eyes met Brecka's, he couldn't stop smiling. The frown and slight anger in her eyes only made her more beautiful, and she waved the Acenti away with her hammer. Had they been sparring?

I wonder if she wants to train sometime, Baytim thought as he managed to keep up with Irwin.

The towering man stopped at a table with some chairs. 

"Have a seat," he said, his grin gone but a glitter in his eyes. "Would you like something to drink?"

Baytim sat down, quickly shaking his head. "No, thank you. Very kind, but I'm just… here… to talk."

Why can't you just be a little less intimidating? he thought.

"Brother?! What is he doing here?" Brecka said as she came stomping over, glaring at him.

Baytim smiled, recalling what his mother had taught him. 

Bay, no pretty girl can withstand that smile of yours!

She'd been wrong, of course, but with nothing else to do, he still tried.

"Sister, be nice. He is just here to have a talk. I'm sure he doesn't need you looming over him."

"Fine. Talk fast so you can leave," Brecka snapped.

Baytim noticed how the Acenti joined them, sitting down across from him. He knew a little more about him, named Rinbus, who previously lived in Lindifel. According to what the Empress had heard, he was or had been part of some sect, though details were scarce. Apparently, he had decided to join Irwin and Brecka as a guide, though he doubted that. There was something odd about the man's behavior.

He was surprised when Irwin put a cup in front of him. He was about to say it was when he smelled the spicy hotness of Scorchi. His hand moved before he could stop it, and he quickly took a sip.

"Thank you," he said, nodding at Irwin.

"It's fine. Now, you said you wanted to talk to me about something?"

Baytim nodded, then swallowed. He'd prepared a whole speech, but under the pressure of Irwin's soulforce, he could barely think.

I'd really much rather fight an entire Burrow by myself, he thought.

"I… am here under the orders of our Empress," he said, quickly taking another sip.

--

Irwin felt his previous hilarity at the incredibly anxious man's behavior fade. 

So he's not here for Brecka.

He'd learned a lot about the Oxarite Empire over the last few months, mostly from Rinbus but also a bit from his initial conversations with Fireza. As he thought of her, a split-second thought about when she would be leaving her family's grove flickered through his mind, and then he focused on the nervous man.

Although he'd seen some while eating or walking through the city, this was the first time he was this close to an Oxarite. He could understand why everyone thought he and Brecka were of their species. Although Baytim was much smaller and a different color, the gleaming skin and the eyes like molten silvery metal with deep blue pupils alone made for easy comparison. Even the blue hair seemed made of metallic strings, just like his, unmoving in the wind.

"I see," he said calmly.

He was curious what an Empress of an empire in the middle of a civil war wanted from him, though he had some ideas.

Baytim grimaced and quickly took another drink before seeming to realize his cup was empty. He put it down, then visibly steeled himself.

"She requests that you head for Teinnoran, as she would like to discuss something with you."

Irwin's eyebrow rose despite his best efforts to keep a schooled expression. 

"What about?" he asked.

Baytim visibly paled. “I… she…”

There are only a few reasons she would ask me to head there, Irwin thought as his mind spun rapidly. Either she knows I'm a smith, which is unlikely, or she has somehow learned that I have soulcards.

He'd only met a single heartcarded since arriving, and although he had sensed some obscured soulforce signatures throughout the city that suggested there were more, and perhaps even some soulcarded, he hadn't found anything even remotely as strong as a two-soulcarded. So, if the Empress had learned that he did have those, it was easy to understand why she would request his presence in a war she was rumored to be on the losing side of.

Which left how she'd found out, and as he watched Baytim sit before him, hands clenched and seemingly searching for something to say, he nodded. He'd thought the anxiousness had been because of Brecka angrily glaring at the smaller man, but perhaps…

One way to find out, he thought.

He very slowly let his soulforce pressure ooze out from him, building up around him.

The reaction was instant. Baytim's previously pale, silvery blue skin turned completely silver-colored, his eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. He looked like he was staring into the mouth of death itself.

Irwin quickly reeled back his soulforce, trying to pull it back as far as he could.

'Remember how I told you that you need a way to keep your soulforce pressure contained?' Ambraz grunted.

Irwin didn't, but it was definitely something he needed to figure out.

"So," he said, leaning forward to a gasping Baytim. "You are rather sensitive, I see?"

Baytim didn't respond, still breathing raggedly, and Irwin felt slightly bad. He'd been incredibly afraid before, and he'd just rattled him even more.

Though… if his soulforce is this sensitive, he thought, cocking his head.

"You wouldn't happen to be a cardsmith, would you?" he asked.

The question seemed to be odd enough to shock Baytim back into some form of normality.

"Wha… what? No- My family isn't rich or powerful enough," he said, his voice an entire octave higher than it had been. He coughed a few times before continuing. "Besides, I only have one of the requirements, and even if I did the others, the Volcano Academy doesn't accept anyone unless a sizeable donation of cards is made."

Irwin's eyes widened at that name, and he tried to ignore Ambraz's sudden laughter.

Well, I guess it makes sense as their entire country is built on volcanoes, he thought, pushing the odd coincidence away for now. He wondered what kind of requirements they would need beyond high sensitivity.

"Either way, we do have a little problem here," he said. "You can sense something from me, and you told the Empress this. Let's start with what you can feel."

"I… you have soulcards," Baytim blurted, shaking his head in confusion. "It's like staring into an active volcano."

So, he can even sense I have more than one?

Irwin scanned the man again, this time paying far more attention to his six handcards. It took him a few moments to determine they were all likely natural, not a single one touched by a cardsmith. One of them, a simple ruby-rank one, immediately stood out to him as he felt a slight resonance between it and his second soulcard.

That one increases soulforce sensitivity in some way, he thought, surprised to find such a rare card here.

"And the Empress wants to talk to me… why?"

Baytim swallowed. "You have heard that the Council of Steel was dissolved?"

Irwin had, but he shook his head because even Rinbus had known much. Apparently, the Council of Steel was the ruling body from which the leader of the empire was picked every few generations. Usually, they accepted one of the children of the previous Emperor or Empress, though Irwin had no idea how that worked.

"Well, the nobles have split up into three sides," Baytim said. "One part supports the claim of the Empress, while the others have denounced her. They have been slowly consolidating their power, buying the allegiance of the different mercenary groups, and have been openly fighting over some of the Eternal Mines."

Irwin nodded, listening to Baytim speak of the different families and mountain lords who had joined the different sides. None of them meant anything to him, but Baytim slowly calmed down as he rattled on, seemingly fully expecting Irwin and Brecka to know what he was talking about. 

A quick look to the side showed that Brecka's eyes had glazed over, her glare gone. Rinbus, however, looked almost hyper-focused, his arms crossed, nodding at some points as if he fully knew what Baytim meant.

When Baytim finally finished, Irwin knew he'd not remember even half the names he'd just heard.

"So, as you can see, the Empress is in a bad position," Baytim said. "And with only two of the seven on her side, she is the weakest."

"So, she wants my help to fight," Irwin said.

Baytim nodded. "Yes, Elder Irwin. The Empress said she is willing to send Vaidara, the Teleporter, here to bring you to Teinnoran."

"A great honor, but I'm going to have to decline," Irwin said.

Baytim looked at him in absolute horror. 

"But without another soulcarded, the Empress might be replaced," he said.

"So?" Irwin asked, raising an eyebrow. "You just said that neither of the other sides is bad, right?"

"No, but-"

"Good, because I have another plan," he said. "I'll be going to the Cardschool today for the competition."

Baytim nodded quickly. "The Empress said that if you join, she can get you a position as a prime student in the Volcano Academy. She will pay for your instruction herself."

Irwin raised his eyebrow and hesitated for a moment. 

Whatever, he will hear it later today anyway, he thought.

"I'm not going there to become a student," he said. "I'm going to try for one of the smithing teacher spots."

Baytim looked back, his mouth opening and closing slowly, no words coming out.

"I understand the Empress wants my help," Irwin said. "But I'm not here to join some war. I'm here to learn and practice."

Baytim shook his head. "You are a cardsmith?"

Irwin nodded.

"You are a cardsmith with soulcards?"

Irwin didn't react as he watched Baytim's mind seem to try to catch up with what was happening.

"Why don't you have another drink," he said as he refilled the man's cup. 

Baytim drained it in a single gulp, causing Irwin to blink in surprise. He refilled the cup again, and Baytim raised his cup again, then stopped and lowered it after a small sip.

"But why won't you help the Empress?" he muttered, disbelief filling his eyes.

"Why should I?" Irwin responded. "The only thing that will do is stabilize the three sides and draw out that war."

'Kid, if they really only have that few soulcarded left, whatever side you join will likely win,' Ambraz said.

'Probably, but I'm not interested in another war,' Irwin said. 'We have one on the outside already.'

'Not saying you should join, but you could potentially prevent it from happening altogether,' Ambras said. 'Just go there, throw your weight around, and tell them to play nice.'

Irwin leaned back in his chair, contemplating Ambraz's words. He'd not thought about it like that, and there was something to be said about it. Even with his most optimistic guess, he would be here for years and years till he got to the level of creating cardseeds. One of the reasons he wanted to join the Cardschool was so he could teach others. Either he would learn from that, or perhaps someone else would find ways to improve the process. If he could have the other Volcano Academy join… 

Besides, there's always the problem of the war spreading, he thought.

He focused on Baytim, who was still staring at his cup as if trying to find an answer to Irwin's question.

"I'll think about it," Irwin said, drawing his attention back. "Ask your Empress if she can guarantee the war will stop if I join her side. Now, I need to prepare a bit, so I think it's time for you to leave."

"I… no, wait," Baytim said, looking panicky. "If the Empress is replaced, there is going to be an upset! The factions will pull away soldiers that are needed to keep the Burrows in check, and if the seven are not there to stop any Insectoid Queens that might appear… the last time this happened, millions died! If you are a soulcarded smith, you could order the Nobles to stand down!"

Irwin blinked as he fell back in his chair. He felt a headache crop up.

"What?"

"I don't understand where you came from," Baytim said, shaking his head. "But if you are really a soulcarded smith, they will listen to you!"

"Why?" Irwin asked.

"Because… you can make heartcards, right?"

Irwin didn't respond right away. Did they really not have anyone who could make heartcards? 

"There hasn't been a cardsmith that could do that for a hundred years," Baytim continued excitedly without waiting for an answer. "If you can do that, they will not want to anger you!"

"You are telling me that there are no cardsmiths who can make heartcards?" he asked in disbelief.

I knew they had lost knowledge, but this much? He almost couldn't believe it.

"The Viridians have some, though there's only rumors on how many, but there hasn't been an Oxarite Master Cardsmith since Hoibra died," Baytim said, looking confused. Although he didn't say so, Irwin could see what he was thinking. Everyone knows this, why don't you?

Irwin blinked, then looked at Rinbus, who shook his head, his eyes glistening with curiosity.

"I… It's heard that you are from a small town beyond The Fingers of Lasairean?" Baytim said.

Irwin frowned in surprise. He'd only mentioned that back in Lindifel.

"I tried to find out more about that place, but all I could find was that it borders the great Glittergold Desert… Are you from the lost lands beyond? From a lost Oxarite tribe?" Baytim asked.

"That's not something I'm going to talk about now," Irwin said. "But, I promise I'll think about what you said."

Baytim swallowed, and Irwin was actually impressed when he remained seated.

"Please go to Lasairean," he said pleadingly. "My mother lives near one of the Burrow Towns."

Irwin felt a stab of sympathy, but he shook his head. "I am not making up my mind right now."

Baytim's head lowered, and he nodded as he slowly got up. For the first time since he arrived, Irwin had the feeling he had completely forgotten about Brecka as he walked away.

When he left the building, and Irwin was sure he'd moved away, he focused on the others. To his surprise, Brecka was frowning at him.

"What?"

"I think you should help the Empress," she said. "If it can stop a war."

"And, if it's as he says, I will," Irwin said. "But don't forget why we are here."

"I'm not," she said. "Do you think he lied?"

Irwin shrugged. "I don't think so, but it's hard to be sure."

"He wasn't lying," Rinbus said slowly. "I was trained to spot lies, and… well, he held a few things back, I think, especially about the Empress, but I didn't notice any lies."

Irwin sighed. "Try and find out what you can about that civil war and those Burrows. I'm going to do one more practice round before heading to the tenth floor."

Rinbus jumped to his feet, and Irwin was surprised when Brecka followed him.

"I'll be there in time to see you crush that competition," she said.

Irwin waved as they left before getting up and walking to the old, highly misused anvil. He'd gotten it during his first week, and every time he used it, he missed Ambraz.

"Let's do a simple one," he muttered, picking a card from his soulscape. 

'If most cardsmiths here can't make any heartcards, you should probably be careful with how much you show,' Ambraz said. 'You are already drawing a ton of attention.'

'I know,' Irwin said. 'I'll stick to some topaz-rank sideways reforging. That should be fine.'

--

Irwin walked through the massive crowd of people, most of whom were Viridian, listening to their excited conversations. In the distance was the entrance to the Cardschool, a place that was nearly always off-limits to everyone but those who worked there. Only during competitions and special days were regular people allowed inside the school to see the classrooms and get a tour. Still,  the lines of soldiers that guided them across the main boulevard toward the school proper made it clear they weren't allowed to wander.

More so, none of them would be allowed at the competition, something that had confused him. Apparently, the competition was only attended by the teachers and the current students.

They spared no cost on this place, he thought, as he looked across the crowd and examined the beautiful wood-shaped buildings. Three or four stories tall, they came nowhere close to the ceiling. Vines, flowers, and plants grew everywhere, making him think of a beautiful glade.

As they reached the main square, there was a small section warded off by more soldiers, and behind it, he saw a growing group of people. He recognized them as smiths immediately; their soulforce resonance is balanced, many with hammers, and a few even carrying anvils. If he hadn't been told that anvils would be provided, he might be worried.

He glanced around, trying in vain to find Brecka in the milling mass of people. 

Well, I guess we are going to see how this happens, he thought. 

He gently pushed himself through the crowd, nodding at a towering old Viridian who let him pass. As he approached the line of soldiers, he saw a Viridian with slightly oversized hands look up and walk his way. His soulforce resonated nicely while Irwin felt the pressure of a heartcard from him.

"Ah, another Oxarite! I had wondered if we would have only one this time," the man said, presenting his hand.

Irwin clasped it in the odd tangle of fingers the Viridians used as a greeting.

"Name and skill rank?" 

Irwin froze at the sudden question.

"Irwin," he said. "But I'm unsure what skill ranks you use here."

The man's leafy eyebrows shot up. "Curious. You aren't from the Volcano Academy?"

"No, just a small town, far away," Irwin said, deciding to just double down on that explanation.

"I see… Well, that's a first. Technically, the skill ranks go from one to ten, though anything beyond five is mostly theoretical. Reforge a quartz card is skill rank one, sideways reforging a quartz card is two, reforge an Amethyst card, and you prove you are a rank three, and sideways reforging that is four. I think you see where this is going?"

Irwin nodded, and he was about to say five when Ambraz snorted.

'So, that means your skill rank is between twelve and fourteen,' the Ganvil said, laughing softly. 'Better not shock the man.'

Irwin nodded. "I see, and what skill level should I demonstrate to be allowed one of the two positions?"

"Ohoh, someone is sure of themselves," the Viridian said with a wide smile. "Good, so am I! There's a position for a rank three to teach the first years, and we are looking for a rank five to teach the fourth and final years."

Irwin nodded. "I'll go for the rank five position."

The Viridian's eyes glittered, his grin widening. "Now I'm very curious! Fine, find a spot to wait; we will be setting out as soon as the others have arrived." 

The Viridian walked away, and Irwin realized he'd not even introduced himself.

Guess I'll find out later.

He looked around to find a few of the others staring at him. Some seemed curious while others were talking softly among each other.

Well, let's just wait then, Irwin thought as he walked to the side of the group and leaned against the wall of the school. This reminds me of when I was going for my official Smith Rank.

It didn't take that long before the same Viridian who had welcomed him returned and beckoned them all to follow him. 

Irwin walked somewhere in the middle of the group of what had to be over a hundred wannabe teachers.

They were guided through a smaller entrance, away from the extremely busy main gate and through spacious hallways. Everything exuded age, with the wooden floor gleaming as if it had been recently polished. Beautiful mosaic patterns and runes were carved on the floor of each crossroad.

"For those who have not been here before," the Vridian said from the front. "These show where the different classrooms or smithing areas are."

They continued further into the seemingly endless building until they walked through an archway and into a spacious room. Wooden pillars shaped like trees held up the ceiling while a raised dais stood at the end. Two long tables stood on it, and behind them sat a host of Viridians, two Onxarites, and an Ignitzian. A rather nondescript older Viridian woman sat in the chair between the two tables, smiling at everyone.

In between the pillars stood dozens of anvils, all with a quartz card atop. 

Irwin let his soulforce senses spread out, rapidly examining the cards as best he could

'Oh, there are actually some interesting things in here,' Ambraz crooned. 'I'll see what I can find, but for now, I think you should go for the anvil next to the third pillar to the left.'

Irwin focused on that card, noticing its faintly familiar resonance. 

'Some form of teleport?'

'Yes, I think it's an indirect teleport, though, at only quartz, it's hard to be sure,' Ambraz agreed.

Before they could continue examining the cards, the constant chatter died down as the older Viridian woman clapped her hands. Irwin focused on her, only now realizing something.

She's got at least one soulcard!

Curious, he examined her before focusing on the others. He quickly found two more soulcarded, while over half of the others had heartcards. He didn't see any of them looking back at him, though he did feel weak auras passing over the group.

'Something is blocking our senses,' Ambraz muttered. 'It has to be runes, as I can't imagine a single soulcarded being able to somehow dampen the resonance of this many.'

'Keep a lookout for any trouble,' Irwin replied.

The entire room fell quiet as the Viridian woman rose from her chair.

"Hello! It warms my sap to see so many of you, yet again, ready to join our ancient school," she said, her voice easily able to echo throughout the vast chamber. "Now, for those who don't know me, I am Cardsmith Flowrishin Kil'nead. I have been elected to lead this school for another year."

Interesting. So they change their head teacher every year? Irwin thought.

"Now, I recognize a great many of you, and I hope you have all practiced diligently. For those of you who are new, the competition is actually not truly a competition. In reality, we are searching for the best teachers, not necessarily the best smiths. However, we still need to validate your ability."

"She always says this," someone a few rows behind Irwin whispered. "It's not like we don't know."

There was no response, and Flowrishin continued.

"Please find an anvil and reforge the best cards you are capable of for us. As soon as you are done, move towards me so I can examine your card."

Is she going to examine every card by herself? Irwin thought.

'Move!'

He blinked as he saw smiths rushing around, finding spots. He barely made it to the anvil Ambraz had pointed out, though a young Viridian woman frowned, seemingly having wanted the same spot.

"Now, you can start when you are ready, and please… no cheating. You will be watched, and if we find you cheated, I fear you will have to be blacklisted."

Irwin heard the first hammering start, and he hummed thoughtfully as he looked around.

'So… rank five, or shock and awe?'

'You want to get the spot, and you want to start teaching the best here how to create seeds, right?' 

Irwin grinned as he examined the card.

'Rank six it is.'