60. Seeking Fresh Starts

The Shadowsteel coil hummed as Lukas channeled a gentle stream of electricity through it. The pieces of scrap iron he had ‘borrowed’ from the ship engineer’s waste bin wobbled, inching toward it. He couldn’t help but grin. It wasn’t ideal, but functional. Lukas now had the means to make an electromagnet. A magnetized shield was an excellent defense against non-magical attacks, metal-tipped projectiles, and weapons.

Eventually, Lukas wanted to develop a coil gun, but he needed to find a source of copper or make Shadowcopper. Penelope believed the latter impossible, but Lukas didn’t want to write off the possibility of such a development yet. Coil guns and the more superior rail guns on Earth had known wear-and-tear issues. Conjuring the crucial parts using a shard ability would save on material costs.

Shadowsteel was perfect for the tube and the projectiles. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right material for the drive coil. Once he sorted out the issue, Lukas was sure he’d have the means to take on foes and monsters significantly more powerful than him with no issue. Either concept would cover his slow-developing skill in arcane projection. The Spell Sniper’s Focus significantly improved his range, but did nothing for his power. 

“Only a small fraction of mages have talent for Projection,” Esther had explained during one of their final lessons. “In fact, most arcane practitioners excel only at one of three fundamental techniques. The fact that you excel at both Shaping and Manipulation already makes you a rare specimen.”

“What about you?” Lukas had asked. “Where do your talents lie?”

“Manipulation and, to a lesser extent, projection.” Esther smiled. “You’re not the only rare one. We wizards usually make up for our shortcomings with smart spellscripting. A decent understanding of the universe’s physical laws can turn any half-decent Manipulator into a Projector. Sorcerers overcome their limitations with metamagic and intent-based casting. I imagine that’ll be your path.”

Esther was right to some extent. Metamagic and shard abilities were likely to help make up for his slow-progressing Projection abilities. In the interim, Lukas hoped to have blacksmithing clones make up for his shortcomings. They’d construct tools, weapons, and armors pumped with magic. He’d sell them. The profits would go into the research and development of coil guns and then rail guns, but he had doubts about the latter’s functionality and longevity. 

This issue on Earth was usually material limitations. We can overcome that with magic here.

Magnetism felt like a primarily unexplored concept on Fracture. Lukas had found no literature on it. In fact, most appeared to have written off lightning magic, too. They all considered it far too wild and unpredictable. Apparently, only sorcerers with lightning-focused metamagic used them for long-range combat. People primarily used the element for enchantments, and the rare had shard abilities related to them.

Penelope found Lukas’s research and studies fascinating. She had him journal all of it. He couldn’t wait for the opportunity to test everything he had learned and developed out in the field. The three weeks at sea didn’t offer many opportunities.

Their voyage was supposed to take ten days. Sea monsters displaced by a storm forced them to take a longer route as they avoided new hunting grounds and were forced to outrun something the sailors called a Dweller of the Deep. It was just a juvenile and apparently not particularly smart. The navigator and diviner led it into the path of a sea serpent instead, forcing a battle. As a result, they fled without conflict but doubled their journey time.

Lukas and Penelope had offered to help them fight off threats, but the captain rejected their offer. The man claimed that even if they successfully warded off the beasts or defeated them, it would result in far too much unnecessary damage to the vessel. He refused to risk the vessel or the crew. Much to his surprise, Penelope didn’t argue. 

Flame and ice spells at sea. They’ll fizzle out as soon as they touch the water. She can’t do much either if the monsters dive.

The vessel had just enough supplies to sustain them, and the captain was happy about not having to ditch any cargo for their escape. 

“Just one more day!” Penelope beamed as she stuck her head into Lukas’s quarters. He didn’t know what else to call it. She received the captain’s quarters while he got an empty storage cupboard. A hammock served as his bed and a low shelf his desk. The crew was nice enough to give him a stool. “I checked with the navigator. We’re a day out from port. They say if the sky is clear, we’ll see the mountains by midnight.”

“Good.” Lukas shut his new spell journal. He had theorized several spells that combined lightning and Shadowsteel, and was nowhere near sharing them yet. “I can’t wait to feel stone and dirt under my feet again.”

“Best to mentally prepare yourself for mostly snow,” she replied. Penelope appeared to be considering entry, but then hesitated. “You want to come on out? If we both squeeze in here, the crew will get the wrong idea. They’re already discussing the nature of our relationship.”

“Does it matter?” Lukas asked, amused. He donned his coat and secured the journal within the inside pocket.

“I don’t particularly care, but you know how Bass gets.”

“Possessive and jealous?”

She nodded before returning to the upper deck. Lukas donned his boots and followed.

The noonday sun assaulted Lukas’s darkness-adjusted eyes, forcing him to shield his face. It was tempting to call forth Shade’s Mantle for protection, but he resisted. The last thing Lukas wanted was for it to turn into a crutch. He blinked until his pupils adjusted, pushing through the discomfort. 

The crew rushed around Lukas as the first mate barked orders. Even though they weren’t due to arrive until the following afternoon, he wanted the vessel ready by nightfall so they’d only have to deal with final approach and docking procedures when the time came. Lukas had never taken the time to learn much about ships or vessels. It was something that had never interested him, and he preferred paying people for transporting him as opposed to figuring out the nuances himself.

While on the Realm of Greater Beings, he had taken several escort jobs with merchant caravans or airships, and generally avoided travelling over water. It bored him, and he often felt trapped. Minarv believed he had a fear of what lay in the unknown and the depths, but Lukas disagreed. He just disliked the lack of control.

“How is your progress with the new clone going?” Penelope asked. Lukas had given her some insight on how Shadow Clone functioned and grew. The specialities fascinated her, and she had given him several ideas for new spells and clones that would fit his purposes. “Any luck?”

Lukas shook his head. “I’ve tried several combinations, but nothing seems to work. I can’t tell if my creations are unsatisfactory or if it's a compatibility issue. Just one more rank and things will get much easier. I can feel it.”

“People often discount the mid-tier abilities, but they can prove invaluable. Empowered clone is impactful. When the time comes, you’ll have an option. Upgrade it or pick up something new. Give the first strong consideration.”

“I intend to.” Lukas sighed. “It’s just a matter of making this work first. I thought the lightning-enhanced Haste would be perfect, but I’m clearly missing something.”

“Some spells feel perfect but don’t quite hit the mark to the maker. Wizards can have colleagues look over their work. It's different for us. We don’t rely on spell scripts but feel, understanding, and intent. Tell me. Is this new Haste spell a cohesive structure or two separate spells working together?”

“I combined Haste with a lightning-based body reinforcement spell,” Lukas answered. “Maybe they’re two separate entities, after all. I’ve been mostly relying on Spellweaver for modifications. But this one—” He caught himself. Lukas had almost spilled that it was one of his favorite spells from his old life. He didn’t remember the exact details, of course, or how it was created. But recalled the feeling and thrill of use, and had called on the related memories to create the improved spell. “—It’s something I found in the research library and felt similar to Haste.”

“Maybe the issue is you’re wasting too much magic and energy casting Haste and then modifying it or tacking on the additional spell,” Penelope explained. “Go back to basics. You should know the base spellform. Start from the beginning instead of embellishments and improvements along the way.”

“Got it,” Lukas replied after taking a moment to think over the suggested process. She was correct. The Haste he used now was far different from the version he had learned from the now lost Runic Shortsword. Lukas had tweaked it for power and duration, enjoying either long Hastes or sudden bursts. “How are things with Shae’heed?”

“That’s the next topic on the agenda. Should we pay him a visit?”

The pair, currently masquerading as master and apprentice, descended below deck. They passed the crew quarters and the engineer’s workshop. Lukas had been inside a handful of times. The man was happy to let him watch and assist, but refused to leave him alone to use the equipment. Not even a bribe of crowns or magical metals had helped. Lukas didn’t realize how much he had grown to enjoy smithing—or the memories of it—until it was gone. He chalked it up to the lack of engaging distractions. It didn’t matter as much when he had heists to plan, upcoming jobs, delves, and training.

Shae’heed started his time on the vessel in the brig, but after the first week, the captain allowed him to move freely in the cargo hold. Penelope was made responsible for any trouble he caused or damage to their wares. Thus far, they hadn’t faced any trouble.

They found him in a corner of the giant space working at a corner table, sewing leather with a long bone needle and thread. Penelope had paid the captain for the materials, and the work seemed to keep him busy. The Elder Wyrmkin’s eyes lit up when he saw Penelope.

“Mistress! I thank you for your presence.” He held up a full-head-covering mask with goggles stitched in. It had a hooked beak like that of a medieval plague doctor. “This is good. Yes?  I blend into the city with this?”

“It’s excellent work.” Penelope smiled, running her fingers over the almost flawless artisanry. It was as well-made as the rest of Shae’s outfit. The fabrics were mismatched, making it colorful like that of a gleeman. He had also stitched in bits of fur and added layers. It looked bulky, but that was perfect for concealing his inhuman physiology and especially the tale. “You’ll fit right in and barely feel the cold.”

“Yes, mistress! Cold. I don’t like it at all.” Shae’s speech had come a long way during the voyage. He seemed eager to please Penelope. Bass wasn’t happy about it, but couldn’t deny that the Elder Wyrmkin was a valuable asset. He had already taught them more about his people, politics, and societal structures than any book either had ever found. “Crew say we almost on land. Yes?”

“You’ve been talking to the crew?”

“No, mistress. Never, mistress. I hide when they come. They talk. Not even know I’m here. I listen. I learn.”

“That’s a good lizard,” Penelope said, petting the Elder Wyrmkin like he was a pet. Shae leaned into her hand. The feathers that grew out of the top of his head, the back of his neck, and the forearms trembled. Their movements and behavior seemed to change with mood. The feathers had differing happy, scared, and angry movements.  “Stay out of their way and finish your outfits as soon as possible, alright? I don’t want any slip-ups. Do you understand me?”

Shae nodded vigorously. “No talk. No hunch. No climb. I’m youses cursed serv—valet. I lift. I watch. I bodyguard.”

“No bodyguard,” Penelope replied. “No one will believe that I need you to protect me while I have Bass. Maybe messenger and errand boy, but not a bodyguard. Is that understood?”

“Yes, mistress. Whatever you say, mistress.” Shae’s eyes shot to Lukas. There was a hint of jealousy and contempt in them. “What he do?”

“I have my own work and objectives, Shae,” Lukas replied, studying the creature’s movements closely. He was beginning to trust the Wyrmkin not to harm Penelope. However, it felt likely Shae would try to undermine, if not sabotage him, in the hopes of climbing the ranks in his mistress’s eyes. “The priority is safely making our way to the Gray. You will continue serving your mistress. I’ll see if it's a good place for me to put down roots and find a new smithing teacher.”

“You stay in Gray?” Shae’s eyes widened as he glanced at Penelope before returning his attention to Lukas. “You not come with after?”

Lukas shrugged. “It depends on Penelope and whether she needs me for whatever job the conclave offers her, and whether it aligns with what I want. If I find a better deal or something else to do, we might part ways.”

“You traitor.” Shae spat. “You have no honor. I number—” He paused, eyes squinting as if struggling to recall what came next. “Number one valet.”

“His speech is improving at a ridiculous rate,” Lukas commented, turning his back on Shae and focusing on Penelope. “He’s going to be useful for sure. That’s assuming he learns to keep shut and doesn’t let jealousy or greed get the better of him.”

“Are you really going to go off on your own if something better comes along?” Penelope asked him.

“Maybe. I enjoy your company and appreciate everything you’re teaching me. But I still have my doubts about the conclave. There is much for me and the clones to learn about magic, smithing, and enchanting. The Gray, being a city of artisans and survival, seems perfect for just that.” He didn’t want to risk telling her about the possible quests the journal might offer him. He had no choice but to complete whatever it gave him next. “If you need to move on straight away, I might not be able to follow.”

“I suppose that’s fair.” Penelope sighed. “I like travelling and working with you, though. You’re good company, and I’m curious about whatever magic you’re developing and how the clones will progress.” She smiled. “Maybe we’ll get lucky. There is always something brewing in the surrounding mountains or just beyond the Gray’s borders. The conclave might need me there for a while.”

Shae seethed, glaring at Lukas, but he didn’t seem to dare interrupt his mistress. He watched and listened, fingers continuing to toil away. 

“There is a lot I want to learn from you, too,” Lukas said. “I suppose it's also nice having a friend.”

“Yes. I imagine you’d much rather talk to me over your clones. Does that even count as a real conversation, or are you talking to yourself?”

Lukas laughed. “I try too hard not to think about it. Sometimes it feels like talking to myself in the mirror. Other times, they assist in planning and brainstorming, coming up with viewpoints I haven’t yet considered. But, in all honesty, I’d much rather speak to you.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” Penelope studied Lukas for a moment. “I can tell your mind isn’t here. Return to your quarters. Work on your spell. Finish it. Get your mid-tier ability.”

“You sure you don’t want company?” Lukas asked. “If you want—”

“I’ll be fine. Go.” She waved him away. “Shae and I need to talk. We’re going to figure out how he can defend himself and me if and when necessary.”

“You’re not going to give him a weapon, are you?” Lukas frowned, flashing a concerned look at the Elder Wyrmkin. He pretended not to listen now, eyes focused on the leather and swiftly moving needle. “I know he pretty much worships you, but that’s too risky, in my opinion.”

“I know what I’m doing, Lukas Zaun. I’m the Cold Fire Sorcerer of the conclave with decades of experience under my belt. The clones might help you feel like you’ve lived several years through them, but I’m far more experienced and know what I’m doing. Now, run along. Do your thing. Shae needs instruction from his mistress.”

“You go,” Shae added, failing to conceal his eagerness. “We talk.”

Lukas complied. He didn’t care as much as he let it show. It was true, he couldn’t get Penelope’s advice out of his mind, and desired solitude for continued spellwork.