Hounds Rising

“Does anyone know how to harvest this?”

Leaf turned to see Myla sitting on the ground with the beast’s tail over her lap. She gestured to the stinger, and Mr. Muffins replied.

“I have a little bit of practice on poisons. I might be able to help. Just… Let’s wait until I have the energy to stand up again.”

Leaf checked his clothes for any cuts and was surprised that he hadn’t been injured. While the ambush was successful, for the most part, Mr. Muffins and Leaf’s observation skills gave them a leg up. He rested against a tree and watched Ana move through the party, healing everyone who seemed overly hurt. The magic moved from her staff to her body and then radiated out, and Leaf could tell that these were not her own spells.

He knew a decent amount about crafting magical items and was interested in possibly seeing that staff later and comparing it to the one he had made recently. The fulgurite that had hurt him just a week ago now sat on the top, sanded and rounded out so that it shined slightly in the light. He wasn’t one to let his ego get the best of him, but he was proud of his work. Beside him, Helena sat down and leaned against the tree. She watched as he looked over his staff and waited until his eyes stopped wondering to speak.

“I don’t know if you have someone, but if you need help with magic, I know an amazing Necromancy wizard you might love.”

“Speaking of Necromancy, what spell did you cast toward the beginning of the fight?”

“It’s a pretty special spell,” Helena smiled. “It took me a long time to learn it. I could teach you the theories, but it might take some time before you could learn it. You know, I wouldn’t be against another student in my life.”

“That’s some pretty specific help you’re offering,” Mr. Muffins interjected.

Leaf turned to see his face and noticed that he looked concerned. He wasn’t sure why Mr. Muffins would feel this way, but he felt like he needed to keep his guard up from something.

“Well, it’s more that it’s his specialty. There aren’t many Necromancers in the world that do good, and it would be nice to see someone change the perspective on how they’re viewed,” She replied.

“But…” Ana jumped in, a puzzling look coming over her face as well. “Have you ever told this woman you’re a Necromancer, Leaf?”

Leaf was confused. What was with all the questioning? Indeed, he hadn’t mentioned it, but she had looked at his spellbook.

Well… She only looked at that one page. That was only an illusion spell…

Leaf turned toward Helena and finally sensed that something about her was off. She was tense, and he noticed that she was quickly trying to come up with an answer but stumbled on her words.

“A… A mage knows a mage, right Archmage Leaf?”

His confusion turned to worry immediately.

How did she know I was the Archmage?

Before anyone could move, though, he saw a shadow step around the tree. Behind Helena, Myla had been creeping since the conversation started, making her way closer and closer. She sprung forward, kneeling to eye level, and grabbed Helena’s shoulders. She closed her eyes. They both slumped a little in their spot, and Leaf recognized that Myla had dived into Helena’s mind. Whatever she was hiding, they would know soon.