Chapter 4 - 11th of Rebirth's Decline - [Orb]

[consultmybooks]

[The orb shows Giles, sitting in one of the fields on the outskirts of Schwanheim, but he's not looking back at the orb, nor showing any sign of his surroundings.

No, instead, he's looking at the mirror he found around his neck, when he woke up before the battle. It's hovering in the air, spinning very slowly, and shadows flicker across its silvered surface. But they're clearly very interesting shadows - Giles doesn't take his eyes off the mirror, even as he addresses the orb.

The only other notable feature of the scene is that Giles is wearing gloves, and occasionally and completely subconsciously tugs on the edge of them, as though reassuring himself that they're still on his hands.]

Um, apparently there is another kingdom, across the thorns. Or, um, there was. We have no way of knowing if it's still there, simply because...well, we have no way of knowing what's happening beyond the thorns.

But I thought, well, if we could get back in touch...

[He draws in his breath sharply, as though troubled by a grim thought. The mirror slowly stops spinning, and then falls to the ground with a soft chiming. Giles curses softly under his breath and picks it up, polishing its bright surface industriously with a sleeve.]

...apparently, um, whatever I am now, it involves the capacity to scry. I'm not sure what the extent of this new talent is, yet, but I thought I'd try and find out. Perhaps, um, if I can get good enough, myself and, and whoever else has this ability, we might be able to combine our talents and, and contact the rest of the world. For assistance, or for information...well, there's no way to know.

This, um, this might seem a silly question, but do any of you mind if I look in on you from here? Knwoing the name of who or, or what I want to see, that seems to help me get a lock on it. As such, I thought I'd ask your permission first, before I went snooping around on whatever you were doing.

Comments

[consultmybooks]

[Giles is honestly glad to see the wizard's hat bobbing determinedly through the crowd towards him, if only because...well, it's easy to pick out of a crowd, and he had been worried about losing Helios on the other side of the booth. The streets are already crowded as it is, and with Helios going out of his way to avoid touching anyone, it had seemed a possibility...

So he smiles in relief, gives a little wave, and goes over to meet the other man.] No, um, not long at all. Meanwhile I, um, I hope you weren't walking long.

[And here, by the way, is a small basket of fruit. Giles thought you might like to avoid the shopkeeper, Helios, your nerves looked a bit frayed as it was.] Um, where did you want to eat, then?

[folklorist]

[ Helios is doing a poor job of not at least grazing into people's arms, shoulders, whatever else. It's them to who he will apologize profusely and hurry along towards the designated spot of their meeting. Never allowing them a second glance as they note the oddly cool skin beneath the the long sleeved shirt.

He lets out a rather...relieved sigh when he's out of the crowd and smiling back at Giles and the offered basket. ] Not long at all. J-Just a lot of people out and a-about today it seems. And you, ah, d-didn't have to do that Giles. I-I could have picked some up later...

[ Even he doesn't particular like the way the owner treats him. He'll shrug and look around at the shops and taverns and things like that. ] We should try somewhere new, something different, hm?

[consultmybooks]

Maybe I didn't. [Giles knows that there isn't a lot that he has to do for Helios, strictly speaking.] But you reminded me that I actually quite enjoy what she has to sell, and so I thought I'd treat us both. Especially since you were good enough to remind me to take a break for something to eat in any case.

[So saying, he pops an apple slice into his mouth.] I agree. Anywhere new and different in mind, then, or shall we go wandering?

[folklorist]

Anyone who was concerned would have done that Giles. [ Helios laugh a little shaking his head as he looks around. ]

Wandering seems yield promising results here. You never know what you'll find a little off the well traveled path.

[ Helios takes a tangerine then as peels it, taking a slice and eating with an approving hum. ] She really does sell the best fruits.

[consultmybooks]

Yes, she does. Amazing - you wouldn't think tangerines would be in season at all, in this climate.

...perhaps they come from other countries. Funny thing, actually, I heard from a fellow sage that's had a bit more time to poke around the library that trading is still going on with other countries. Um, y-you'd think the thorns would put a damper on that.

[folklorist]

Back on Earth it was the same mystery to me. P-Preservatives and things like that were usually the case back home. But here? [ He's not sure how they do they. Importing might be the real reason. ]

Maybe there's...an alternate route or something like that? Magic is another way I suppose. [ Always can count on magic to defy things. ]

[consultmybooks]

I wish we knew what it was. In case things go impossibly sour...well, it would be a good idea to know which way to point people to run, wouldn't it? Before...whatever happens when people come into contact with the thorns happens.

[Giles has never before been faced with what is potentially an escapable apocalypse. It's a novel idea.]

There's, um, there's even an ocean here, and a kingdom on the other side of it.

[Shame Giles isn't likely to get turned into a dragon again any time soon.]

[folklorist]

Y-You don't...think they will, do you? I-I mean go sour that is. I-I just...hope that we can f-find a way to stop them before that happens. [ He looks a bit grim thinking about that. What does happen when or if they touch you? It's a scary thought none the less and one that Helios shakes out of his head as he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. ]

Another side to this world, yes. It makes sense at least. Luceti was the same. I just wonder why n-no other kingdom has tried to help...send real help that is. [ The fight with the Hero still fresh in his mind as he says that. ]

[consultmybooks]

My concern exactly. From what I remember hearing, from those of us that have, um, properly been out as far as the thorns, there aren't even any guards on the other side of it.

I've been trying to see out that far, to see if, if that's changed or not, but...well, no luck so far. I suppose I'm, um, not quite that powerful yet.

[A beat, and then Giles adds in a slow, thoughtful sort of voice:] ...they must know we're having this problem, yes?

[folklorist]

No guards on the other side. N-No way to fight them...

[ It seems like there really is no solution. ] Give it t-time Giles. You only just started using this sort of p-power. And, and it's not as if you've ever wielded it before this. I'm sure sooner or later you'll be more than capable of seeing things so far away...

[ Helios looks out towards the forest and then sighs shrugging at Giles' question. ] I asked the king the same thing d-during the ball. But, ah, h-he didn't seem to perturbed about it. I think other kingdoms do know. It's just...I don't know if they have the resources available to make the trip.