“Right you are!” the large man declared. “But should you join me on this mission, you may have a chance to zap two critters with one spell, as it happens.”
“What do you mean?” Devol asked and glanced at Nauru for an explanation.
She beckoned to Zier, who retrieved a small box. He opened it and a large map appeared in mid-air to display the land of Renaissance. It shifted to focus on the city of Levirei. “This is where we got the mission request from,” she explained as the map changed to a massive ethereal depiction of the city. The large, spiraling tower in the center known as the Star Seeker Tower stood prominently in the image. “A lord from the town requested our aid in a matter that would be most shocking under normal circumstances, although we have become quite used to it over the last few days.”
“Which might be an issue in and of itself,” Zier noted.
“There has been some mystical disturbance in a valley not far from the city’s borders. They have not been able to discover what caused it or even what it is.”
“Is it the same thing Acha and the others are investigating?” Freki asked.
“I cannot say for sure but similar descriptions were given by completely different sources.” She extended a hand and moved the map to a large black patch. “It is some kind of dark magic and has either killed or incapacitated any who have attempted to dispel it or enter. In all areas, the best they have been able to do is contain it in a variety of ways but no one has managed to snuff it out.”
“So…do you think it is malefic-related?” Jazai asked and when a few gazes settled on him, he raised his hands cautiously. “I’m not trying to spook anyone. All I’m saying is that seems to be one of the more logical theories. If this was simply basic dark magic or ritual gone wrong, there are many specialists who could take care of it. Outside of perhaps a few cities that like us, there would be no reason for anyone to call on us for this.”
Zier, although possibly a little annoyed at his apprentice’s frankness, could not exactly disagree. “Malefic, blood magic, or a wicked entity are the current guesses.”
“Wicked?” Devol asked and drew a curious look from Asla as well.
“Basically a cursed person or creature,” the young diviner explained. “Rather like the awoken but generally of an even worse disposition. Usually, blood, dark, or abyssal magic is involved.”
“Abyssal magic?” Wulfsun murmured and stroked his beard. “I hadn’t thought of that. It would make some sense. Does anyone want to bet on it?” This was met by groans and chuckles throughout the room.
Devol raised a hand. “I think you might have a problem, Wulfsun.”
The captain sighed and waved a hand to dismiss the suggestion. “In any case, it’s all hands on deck right now. All experienced Templar are heading out to check on these things. We’ve had about nine different mission requests to look into ‘dark happenings’ of some kind over the last few days all across Arkana. And since they are ‘undiscovered’ missions, that means they are black-marked.”
“Before you ask, Devol,” Vaust interjected and drew the boy’s attention, “I assume you have yet to have someone explain a mission’s ranking system?”
“I have not been told anything but I can guess that it is similar to the missions my father would post for the other guardsman.” The young swordsman counted off using his fingers. “Green, yellow, and orange. Green missions meant they were simple and quick and orange were difficult and dangerous. Guards could earn extra coin if they took those missions that were outside the city, generally joining military soldiers.”
Vaust nodded, a satisfied smirk on his face. “Very similar, yes. But for guilds, it is a little more expansive.” He held a hand up and spread his fingers. Five small dots appeared above them and all except the one over his pointer finger turned a different color. Devol guessed it was due to a transmutation cantrip. Starting from his pinky, it went green, yellow, orange, red, then black. “We have two extra colors as you can see—red and black. Red is the most difficult, typically, which is what the missions you have done so far have been classified as.”
“Okay…” Devol said, a little surprised that they had been able to complete the most difficult missions themselves now that he thought about it. After a moment, however, he shook his head. “Wait—you helped with the first one.”
“Correction, I saved you during the first one,” Vaust responded and closed his hand. The mana spots disappeared. “But you all did well and I can’t take that from you. And before you get too excited about your last mission”—he looked at the wolf wildkin—“Freki, even though it was a red-marked quest, how would you rate it?”
“Eh, orange at best, no stars,” Freki replied casually before his gaze snapped to Asla and he assumed a fretful expression. “Erm…maybe one star?”
“Stars?” Devol interjected. “Is that another marker?”
“Indeed Like I said, our system is more nuanced.” Vaust held three pale fingers up. “Missions have a color and either no star or up to three. This is to help with planning and building teams and all that. Also, it increases the price for the clients, so you want to make sure you know what you are asking.” He leaned back in his chair and swished his gourd. “I asked Freki his opinion because as a hunter and someone who has been on numerous missions, he has a much better grasp of the difficulty of certain tasks. Sometimes, you get lucky and are given a higher marked mission that is easier than expected.”
“It seems a little dishonest to
