Chapter 447 - The Mightiest of Chosen

Quite a long one today. Been a good few days. Feeling in the flow lately. Hope you like it! “Speak up then,” Aldric said, taking a seat bes

Quite a long one today. Been a good few days. Feeling in the flow lately. Hope you like it! “Speak up then,” Aldric said, taking a seat bes

Quite a long one today. Been a good few days. Feeling in the flow lately. Hope you like it!

“Speak up then,” Aldric said, taking a seat beside Hump at the table while the others he had arrived with were discussing over by the door. “What happened here? Why is there something different about you?”

“I advanced my soul,” Hump said. “I’ve yet to attempt any Tier 7 spells, but I think I’m a Rank 6 wizard in all other ways.”

Aldric let out a breath. “That will work well in your favour. There are some that are trying to urge Prince Gregory to seek out other guardians. Your strength will likely put most of that to rest.” The man shook his head, a bewildered look on his face. “Rank 6 and you’re still a teenager. I have a feeling most won’t believe you.”

“Perhaps it’s better that way,” Hump said. “Menos failed because he underestimated me and my party. I’d like to keep it that way.”

The man gave a nod. “Then keep it to yourself and those that need to know for now. So long as Prince Gregory wants you, there’s nothing anyone else can do about it. Come. It’s time we got ready to go.”

“Before that, there’s something that’s been on my mind,” Hump said. “Will Lady Kaisura see through my veil? Will she see the book bound to me?”

“There is no hiding anything from her eyes,” Aldric said. “Whether she recognises it is another matter, though it wouldn’t surprise me. It’s one of the reasons I’ve kept you away until now.”

“So this could be a problem?”

The man shook his head. “Lady Kaisura is an old friend of Master Dorn’s. He has assured me that your presence won’t be an issue.”

If she was an old friend of the master of the Three Eye’s, Hump wondered just how ancient she might be. Master Dorn was already the oldest looking person he had laid eyes on, perhaps only surpassed by Owalyn.

“Understood,” Hump said, rising from his seat “Will we be long? I don’t want to leave Nisha here on her own.”

“Bring her with us,” Aldric said. “This house may have been compromised. Otto, can you make the dragon look like a horse? Where we’re going, it’s best she doesn’t fly.” Aldric turned to Hump. “Otto specialises in illusion magic.”

“Useful,” Hump said.

Otto scrunched up his face and studied Nisha. “I can do that. She’ll need to keep her tail under control though, as all I can do is make it invisible. Can she do that?”

“I can ask,” Hump said. “That thing seems to have a mind of its own most of the time, especially when she’s outside, so I’m not sure it will work.”

“Let’s just hope she doesn’t bump into anyone with it then,” Otto said. “They might be rather confused.”

Hump smiled, imagining the reactions of the people on the street as they were brushed by an invisible tail. Then his smile faltered—the city had been attacked by demons and warlocks. They might not simply brush it off in confusion.

“I’ll be firm with her,” Hump said. “She doesn’t usually bump into people.”

It was fascinating to watch Wizard Otto at work. He was only a young man, probably in his early twenties, but his skill in illusions surpassed any that Hump had seen at work in the past. It was a specialty he’d made little time for and paid only half-hearted attention to in his studies. The techniques were all about finesse and creativity—the ability to fixate an image in the mind and bring it to life in the world. Just as painting had never been a skill Hump naturally took to, illusions were beyond him. He could create rudimentary veils like Hidden Veils, and likely wield some of the other lower tier spells quite easily, but not like this.

Otto weaves his magic masterfully. Layers upon layers of light and colour took form around Nisha. Already, she took the form of a horse, yet Otto continued to walk around her, adjusting different pieces of the illusion. Making the horse broader, lowering its back, adding a shake to its head. The entire time, Nisha’s tail stuck out of the back, whipping side to side as Nisha watched with her own amusement. She would approach the man, trying to sniff and lick him, only for Otto to hush her away and continue his work.

Finally, at the end, he added a veil over the rest of her.

“She’s completely invisible,” Otto said. “Even if the illusion breaks, Nisha herself won’t be seen.”

“What’s the point in the horse then?” Bud asked.

Otto shrugged. “She’s too big to pull off being a dog. If she’s going to be walking with us, a horse won’t draw attention and will help to prevent people bumping into her.

“Is everyone ready?” Karina asked.

Affirmations went up around the group, and they were off. Even in her illusionary form, Nisha barely fit through the front door now. Hump was going to need to look into solutions for that. She was outgrowing the city, and there was no way he would put her in a stable. What she needed was open space and places to hunt. This much time in Elenvine wasn’t good for her, especially if her growth was going to continue at an accelerated pace.

She walked along beside him, her ‘hooves’ clacking away. Hump could imagine himself walking alongside Prancer if not for the occasional bump of her tail against his legs, or the eager bursts of excitement through their bond when a person looked her way.

Hump was nervous as he followed Wizard Aldric and the others through the streets. Despite Wizard Aldric’s assurances, he was uncomfortable that his spellbook would be revealed to another person, especially one as powerful as Lady Kaisura. If she decided it, there was nothing he could do against a ninth circle Chosen. Not even after all his advancements. Not even with his party and Nisha at his side. The difference in strength was simply too great. He did his best to conceal his soul with the Veil of Infinite Reflections anyway. Even if his couldn’t hide the Book of Infinite Pages from her, there would no doubt be other powerful people where they were heading. At the very least, he could hide it from them.

“Sorry to show up banging on the door,” Otto said, falling in line beside Hump. “Karina likes the dramatics.”

“I had a feeling you were coming,” Hump said.

“You did? How?”

Hump didn’t want to give away the fact that Wizard Charles had let it slip, so instead he said, “It always struck me as odd that so many of our most powerful people were leaving Elenvine when they were needed most. After what we discovered from Menos, I suspected Aldric might come knocking.”

“That so?”

“You’ve worked with her often, have you?”

“No, but it doesn’t take long to get a sense of her. Karina is direct as a hammer. She gets things done.”

“You’ve been hunting warlocks?” Hump asked.

“How’d you guess?”

“Not my first time dealing with a city under attack. I did the same in Sheercliff City.”

“Ah. Of course. Yes, we’re part of a combative response team. Most of the time we’re crawling through sewers or cellars.”

“And occasionally you find a lord or lady with dealings they shouldn’t have,” Hump said knowingly.

The man gave him a surprised look.

“I told you I’ve done the work,” Hump said with a smile.

“I can neither confirm or deny your words,” Otto said cautiously. “Once we’re done today, maybe I can tell you more. I’ve heard a lot about you, you know? If half of the stories are true, I look forward to seeing how you work.”

“I’m afraid the real thing is hardly so impressive.” Hump grinned. “My party though—they’re the reason I’m where I am.”

“I’m not sure I believe you on that first point,” Otto said, then glanced discreetly at the rest of the group. “As for the latter, I could tell the moment we stepped inside that I wouldn’t want to be caught on the wrong side of any one of you.”

They moved through the familiar streets of Elenvine. They were busy at this hour. There were recruiters on every corner, trying to sign up anyone and everyone of age for the war to come. Soldiers marched in full armour. Chosen were out on patrol, capes billowing behind them to show which god the represented.

“We’re heading toward the temple district,” Dylan said, eyeing their surroundings with a slight frown.

“Where else did you expect?” Emilia asked, her voice alight with excitement. “We’re meeting Lady Kaisura. She wouldn’t be anywhere but the temple district.”

“You going to stop by to see Lorissa?” Celaine asked him.

“Do you think I should? She seemed quite upset last night. I was thinking she might prefer I give her space.”

“Show your face,” Emilia said. “Bring some flowers. If she doesn’t want to talk, give them to her and then leave. Worst case scenario she knows you’re worried about her.”

Dylan nodded. “You’re right. I’ll do that once we’re done here.”

When they reached the main square, the Temple of Emirai was the first on the left. The great building rose before them in a gleam of white marble and gold, its towering statues watching silently over the faithful gathered at its stepped. Sick, injured, and desperate people prayed there while Chosen and priests walked amongst them, aiding in their ailments. Dozens of stone figures lined the steps and walls—historic figures, adorned in robes, armour, or clothes made of the wild. Above them all, looming over the grand entrance atop the rooftop, was Emirai, poised with a sceptre made of a long, spindly branch.

Guards and Chosen flanked the perimeter, their gazes following Hump’s group as they approached until they caught sight of Karina. Then they looked away. Even Nisha, marching at Hump’s side, passed without issue. The fact she was the only horse around brokering no concern.

They didn’t enter through the temple’s grand archway like most. Instead, Karina led them around the rear where there was a small door entering into a quiet corridor, far removed from the congregation’s eyes. A narrow staircase awaited them, plain steps that descended into darkness. Yet as they approached, Hump sensed something… wrong. his eyes tracked the stairs, but his mind recoiled. Doubt fogged his thoughts, and he fought to remember why he had come at all.

He shook it off, forcing himself forward. The feeling returned immediately, like a veil drawn over his thoughts. He focused his will, and that feeling was pushed back, but still it took his full effort.

“Just follow us,” Karina said. “It’s always like this the first time.”

The rest of Hump’s party seemed to struggle, other than Celaine, while everyone else walked with purpose, seemingly immune to the strange compulsion. They descended the stairs where a great door stood that looked as if it had been woven from the forest itself. Branches twisted together in natural formation, their bark smooth and alive with magic. Leaves still clung to them, fresh and green, glowing with soft light like the sun filtering through a canopy.

Karina pushed the doors open, and beyond was a wide antechamber filled with activity. Robed priests, Chosen in polished armour, nobles in fine silks and and many other figures in ordinary attire filled the room. Papers moved from one place to another, jobs were assigned, maps were studied. It reminded Hump of the staging room in Sheercliff where Natalie, the Chosen of Vesta working under Sir Ricard, had commanded the defence of the city.

“This is the Sanctuary,” Karina said. “Follow me closely. Do not stop for anything, and do not wander.”

Otto dropped the illusion over Nisha as they stepped inside, or rather, the illusion was dispelled. Hump felt a weight to the air that made essence feel out of reach to his usual means, though not entirely. In fact, in some ways he felt better for it. It was as if he were out in a forest rich in essence. If he wanted to, he could call upon the nature essence here. There were plants everywhere. Essence stones filled the ceiling like stars, but they shone with a bright, warm light as like windows on the roof, filling the chamber with light that was almost indiscernible from daylight. Vines climbed the walls. Trees towered almost to the ceiling, thriving in the light.

Dylan drew a deep breath. “I should have come here sooner. This is lovely.”

They passed through the crowd, unchallenged but clearly observed. She led them to a side chamber, where a lone figure knelt before a modest shrine of Emirai.

“I have retrieved the wizard and his companions,” Karina said.

For a moment, Hump thought they might be Lady Kaisura, but upon turning it was a man in his fifties. He didn’t respond immediately, finishing his prayer before slowly rising. His presence was calm yet commanding, even while silent. Hump sensed nothing from him, which only made him guess that his power must be great.

“I am High Priest Alagthar,” he said. “The Lady is expecting you.”

The priest led them up another staircase—this one narrower, winding, clearly rising into one of the temple’s towers. “You may leave your dragon here. As much as I’m sure my lady would appreciate the visit, we may have some logistical issues.” He gestured to the narrow space.

“I’ll have her wait here,” Hump said.

“They don’t waste any time, do they?” Hump whispered to Celaine.

“This Kaisura lady, she’s that important is she?”

Hump looked at her with a frown. “She’s a ninth circle Chosen. What do you think?”

Celaine nodded. “She’s important.”

Hump snorted. “Some would argue there is nobody more important in all of Alveron.” He squeezed her hand. “Those people don’t know about you though.”

They were led up a quiet staircase, climbing what Hump realised must be one of the towers of the temple. They were above ground again, that much was sure. As they reached a door, High Priest Alagthat let them in.”

They emerged into light again, somewhere high above the city streets. At the top, the priest paused before a door and pushed it open. Hump followed him through and looked around in confusion.

He had expected grandeur. A throne room perhaps, or a ceremonial hall. Instead, they entered a quiet, sunlit chamber that felt more like a private home than a seat of power. Potted plants crowded the space, their leaves lush and thriving. The scent of herbs and fresh soil hung in the air. Golden afternoon light streamed in through a tall arched window, washing the room in warmth.

And nestled in a canopied bed of white sheets, barely visible behind gauzy curtains, was a woman who looked as though she had not moved in weeks. Her skin was paper-thin, her frame frail and sunken. Her hair hung in sparse silver strands, and every wrinkle spoke of centuries.

“My lady,” the High Priest said, bowing his head. “I have brought them.”

“Come and stand before me,” came a voice—soft, brittle, but unmistakably firm, filled with a presence that Hump felt compelled to obey.

He stepped into the room with his party. Hump could feel the air shift as they entered. It wasn’t pressure in the usual sense. It was warmth, thick and suffocating. His breath caught. The moment her eyes fell on him, he felt seen. Not observed. Known.

Lady Kaisura did not look at him. She sifted through, probing at his soul. Her eyes lingered on him longer than the others. He held still, heart thundering. She was checking for corruptions—for signs of a warlock in their midst. To fail here was to die.

Hump’s mind went to the dragon imprint he had overcome last year, to the Book of Infinite Pages, and to Nishari. Under her eyes, he realised there was no chance she would not see through his defences.

Behind his back, he crossed his fingers. Chosen of Emirai were healers and carers, not killers.

It’s going to be fine, he told himself. Everything will be fine!