Once this remarkable weapon had formed, it maintained its stability; I did not have to continue feeding Mana to keep it going, the way I did with my other spells. Experimentally, I pushed a little more Mana to it, and was rewarded—the blade extended and thickened, very quickly. Hastily, I withdrew my Mana, and it took a more practical size again.
This was certainly very impressive and could be very useful. I couldn’t wait to experiment with it outdoors. Would this allow me to use my new Lightning affinity even though I didn’t have a Lightning tattoo yet? The possibilities were huge.
“You’re forgiven, Jacques,” I chuckled, admiring the glittering ice blade.
He grinned. “Glad I could be of service.”
At that moment, the door opened, and Amelia and Veronica walked in. They were both washed and dressed and looked ready for the road. They were talking and laughing together when they opened the door, but they both stopped in the doorway and stared, amazed, at the elementally infused weapon in my hands.
“What is that?” Amelia asked, her mouth wide with surprise and not a little scholarly interest. “How are you doing that?”
I withdrew my Mana again, and the ice sword smoothly disappeared, the Mana which had formed it flowing back up my arm and absorbing back into my pool. I was left holding the tattooing dagger, which looked small and inconspicuous compared to the huge sword I had been holding a moment ago.
“This dagger is special, more special than we knew,” I said. “I can explain the rest later. Amelia, I told you it was a precious gift from my foster-father, but I didn’t know he got it from Jacques. I’m not sure why Gregory kept that secret.”
Jacques coughed. “You knew your old man; he liked to have a bit of fun, but he never wanted to know the details about how I’d procured my wares. The reason I gave it to him, well… That story will have to wait for the road as well.”
“Let’s get going then,” I said. I stuck the dagger through my belt and moved to pick up my pack, which still had Amelia’s book inside it. “If you’re all ready, we’ll go and see the Mistress about some supplies. Hopefully by then the Governor will be back in town and we can get our information and get on the road.”
With a final glance around the room to make sure I hadn’t left anything, I headed out. I held the door for the others then closed it behind me. The soft thud of the door closing on the comfortable room felt like closing the door on my old life. No longer was I an innocent farm boy with little knowledge of the world. No longer was I even a novice Mage experimenting with his powers in the wild. I was an Ink Mage, experienced at tattooing and using tattoos. I had three Elemental affinities and an Elemental weapon, and I also had two beautiful Rune Sorcerer companions and my old friend Jacques at my side. These three were committed to helping me on my quests now, and the obvious bond of respect and friendship which was developing between them was great to see.
I smiled. Perhaps rescuing Katlyn would not be so difficult after all?
We reached the common room of the tavern, which was strangely empty. Even at this early hour, I would have expected there to be some patrons eating and drinking. There weren’t ever any barmaids to be seen.
“Where is everybody?” Amelia wondered out loud. We stood in the empty room looking around.
“Mistress Blossom?” Jacques called out in a jovial tone. “Where can a man get a drink around here?”
There was no reply.
I was just about to suggest heading out into the square to see what was happening when the door burst open and a boy of about twelve rushed into the room. He glanced around, then his eyes fell on us and he ran over, calling out to us as he came.
“Are you the people who were looking for the Governor?” he panted.
“That’s right, lad,” I said. “What’s wrong? Has he arrived yet?”
“Oh, he’s arrived all right, sir,” said the lad, “but the Mistress sent me to come find you. They’re at the north gate. The Mistress says you’d better go quickly, and I’m to take you there.”
“What’s the trouble then?” I asked him.
“Oh, sir,” he said. “It’s that cursed Arcanist, the one who’s been staying at the Trading House. He’s gone and arrested Governor Arnold, and he says he’s going to execute him! The townsfolk are furious, and it looks like there might be a riot!”
I glanced at my companions, and three pairs of determined eyes met mine. This turn of events was bad. Not only did it endanger our chances of finding the information about Katlyn, it also threatened the town. If there were a riot, who knew what damage the angry, self-righteous Arcanist and his retinue of veteran soldiers might do?
Without a word, Jacques strode to the weapons rack at the door and picked up his own sword. It was a long, thin rapier with a deadly edge. Veronica and Amelia joined him, buckling on their own sword belts. The expressions of both women were grim.
After a moment’s thought, I picked up my own shortsword and buckled it on as well; I had my Elemental weapon now, and my tattoos, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a regular weapon to use if needed. In any fight, it was always wise to have options.
Veronica wasn’t wearing her breastplate, but I guessed she couldn’t use it anymore since she needed her tattoo uncovered for it to work. She reached up and loosened the collar of her tunic, ready to drop it and reveal her Lightning tattoo if necessary. Under her tunic, she was wearing the fine red leather top which covered her breasts but left her tattoo free to do its
