The Governor left and walked to the trading house nearby. We all went over to the wagon to see what was inside. It was mostly filled with chests of gold, the tax money taken from the people of Brightwater. I could see why they were happy about our help. The Arcanist had taken a lot of gold.
Aside from that, we found his collection of Beast Cores and some magical equipment. The equipment appeared to be Maximillian's own personal equipment, whatever he hadn’t worn into battle. It all had a Nature affinity. I decided to give it to the Mistress to look after. If I ever gained a Nature affinity, it was possible that the equipment could be useful to me later, though I still wasn’t sure if I could use equipment, or how it compared with tattoos.
We took all the Beast Cores. They all had Fire, Cold, or Lightning affinity. Either these were more common elements for monsters, or the Arcanist we’d killed came from a mine where these were prevalent. I looked forward to being able to give my whole team upgrades.
As we finished going through the items in the Arcanist’s wagon, the Governor returned from the Trading House. This was it. I hoped he could give us good news.
“My assistant made the correct entry yesterday,” Arnold began, “and I was able to determine which mine Katlyn is being taken to.”
We all audibly sighed with relief.
“The bad news is, she is being taken to Blackrock Mines.”
Veronica and Jacques gasped.
“I’m sorry,” the Governor said.
“What’s significant about Blackrock Mines?” Amelia asked, voicing my question.
“Those mines are the most brutal toward slaves,” Veronica explained. “No one has been known to survive more than a few weeks in that place. The taskmasters are vicious, and the monsters are dangerous. It seems that your friend was. . . ” He paused to correct himself. “. . . is an Elemental Sensitive. All the slaves taken to Blackrock are Sensitives.”
Arnold’s words confirmed for me that Katlyn must have been an Elemental Sensitive. If she had the Fire affinity, that would explain how I’d unlocked it. I hoped I could get to her in time to get answers to these questions. And to rescue her of course.
“How far away are these mines?” I asked.
“About three days walk,” Arnold explained. “Five days for a caravan of wagons. I’d offer you horses to ride, but I’m afraid we don’t have any to spare. We generally don’t use them, since the roads around here are so rough. Ox-drawn wagons are the only common transportation, but they’re so slow that you’ll be quicker walking. If you hurry, you may still be able to catch up to the wagons.”
The caravan already had a head start, and I assumed that closer to the mines it would be harder to attack a caravan of slavers without attracting the attention of the Arcanists as well.
But that wasn’t going to stop me. I would do everything in my power to save Katlyn.
“Thank you for your help,” I said to Arnold.
“Thank you,” he replied. “You have saved us all from a menace in that Arcanist, and I’m glad to help you on your journey. I hope you are successful.”
We said goodbye to the Governor, then stopped outside the Sticks and Stones Tavern. Standing by the door was Sophie, the barmaid, and she was kind enough to fetch the Mistress for us. A number of tavern patrons crowded to the door when they heard that we were leaving as well.
The Mistress looked troubled when she heard that Katlyn was being sent to Blackrock Mines. “I do hope you can free her. While you are gone, I will seek out the whereabouts of the seer who can help you understand the prophecy. As soon as I do, I will find you.”
“How will you find me?” I asked.
“Don’t you worry about that; nature speaks to me.” She turned to the barmaid, who was still standing outside by the door. “Sophie, please fetch the satchels I prepared for our guests.”
“You’re very kind, Mistress Blossom,” I said.
“Not at all. You have been delightful guests; it’s been a true pleasure hosting you.”
The way she intoned the word pleasure made me smile. “It’s been a pleasure for us too,” I said.
“I know it has.” She gave a knowing nod to Veronica and me.
Veronica reddened slightly.
Sophie returned, bringing the satchels the Mistress had prepared for us. There were three of them, which Amelia, Veronica, and Jacques wore. I wore the rucksack with Amelia’s book and the Beast Cores inside.
“This should be enough food and drink for a couple of weeks,” Mistress Blossom said. “I do hope I will have news of the seer in a matter of days. When I do, I’ll want to see Katlyn by your side, William.” She gave me a stern look.
“I’ll find her,” I promised.
Several of the villagers standing outside the tavern raised their beers as we hitched our packs onto our backs and prepared to leave. “Three cheers for the Ink Mage!” they shouted. We smiled and waved. It was good to know we would be welcome in Brightwater again.
Just as I was about to turn and walk away, Mistress Blossom suddenly left the doorway of the tavern and ran over to me. I turned, wondering if there was something she’d forgotten to say. Instead, she put her arms round me, stood on tiptoe, and planted a warm, firm kiss on my lips.
“What was that for?” I asked, smiling.
She smiled back. “Just something to make sure you know this isn’t goodbye.”
I laughed at the obvious suggestion in her eyes. “I don’t even know your first name yet!”
She looked me straight in the eye. “Not many people do. Usually, I’m just known as the Mistress, but for you I’ll make an exception.”
Then she leaned in and whispered her name in my ear. Her sweet-scented breath was warm on my skin. “Lucy,” she whispered, then broke the embrace and stepped back toward the
