Mark of the Fool

Chapter 348: A "Triumphant" Return

A horde of monsters right under our noses? Ripp gaped. Just hiding in that old windmill?

Ya, I think they were using tunnels to hide from our patrols. And they were just outside our territory too.

Yeah, they were clever alright, hiding right outside our borders like they did. It seems they knew our land stops right before the forest.

They probably did. They actually had birds watching us all times of the day and night.

Birds? What kind of birds?

Regular birds, like crows and owls and such. Just local birds that one wouldnt really notice.

So, they had spies hiding in plain sight, the tricky bastards.

Yeah, well they wont be watching anyone anymore. Alex said.

The swiftling threw a glance over his shoulder at the imposing forest receding in the distance.

Alex and the guard had been walking for some time, making their way to the encampment. The forest was close to disappearing behind the rolling hills. A handful of surveyors whod accompanied Ripp to investigate the fire and explosion, were walking back to camp with them, but the majority had gone to the burnt out windmill. Thered be lots of monster horde remains waiting for them.

It would be a long, late night.

Alex had the clawed monster all trussed up and was dragging it behind him on a makeshift sled. There was no way he would have left it near the windmill to become scavenger food; that corpse might have a valuable story to tell him.

You know, I think Ive passed near that windmill close to half a dozen times. Ripp stopped and pulled out a map of Greymoor, tapping the diagram. Never saw nothingbut then again, I dont think Ive ever gotten closer than half a mile. Not close enough to see this thing.

He inclined his chin to the aeld tree comfortably nestled in Claygons arms. The golem stepped softly in the midst of the partyor as softly as a giant clay construct that weighed thousands couldswaying his arms to ease the impact on the sapling.

Surveyors were throwing uncertain looks at the tree. One apprehensively passed her hand back and forth through the green-golden light, and little sparkles danced off the aeld, like it was amused, adding to its well of emotions.

Nerves. Anxiety. Giddiness. Excitement. Curiosity. Fear. Amusement.

All bubbled from the sapling as it bobbed along in Claygons hands, reminding Alex of Brutus when he was a pup. He remembered those countryside excursions the Lus would take them on to the mill, or to see the sights in the next town over. He, Selina, Brutus, Theresa, and two of her brothers would be riding in the back of the wagon. The cerberus pup would bound around the back of the cart, barking at birds, sniffing the air, and excitedly following every sight with all six eyes. His tail would be wagging so enthusiastically, hed almost topple over. Yet, hed always return to his masters sidepressing against her for reassurancewhenever a flock of birds burst from a thicket, or a farmers bellow echoed through the hills.

He was curious, and young. New to the world and its sights and sounds.

And youth brought both excitement and apprehension with it.

So it was with the tree, Alex supposed.

He hoped it would be comfortable in its new home.

The aeld tree only came to be there recently, Alex said. Itsits a long story. Maybe it can wait until morning?

Wouldnt be so sure about that, Ripp said. There were a few awake in the encampment when we left. Not everyone heard the blast, but it was loud enough it got a few people up and moving.

Right Alex said. Well, hopefully there wont be too many questions tonight. Id love to see my bed.

Well hope that happens for ya, Ripp said.

At first, it looked like hed get clean away.

The front gates opened quietly, and though the sentries crowded atop the walls, they werent shouting questions, only talking softly to each other as they watched the procession come through. Two stone golems closed the gates, and Ripp went to report to the ranking Watcher of Roal on duty.

A few guards patrolling the interior of the wall peppered the young wizard with questions but he held up his hands.

Friends, everythings been resolvedIll tell you more in the morning, he said wearily. It feels like it's been a night and a half, and I just want to He froze.

Mr. Roth!

Professor Jules voice shattered the peace along with all Alexs hopes of crawling into bed. The straightforward and mighty alchemy professor marched out of the sea of tents, her robes in disarray, her hair wild, and eyes wilder.

What is that! She pointed to the aeld, which gave off a short burst of fear.

Professor, professor! the young wizard hissed. Not so loud, youll scare it.

Scare what exac Her voice dropped to a whisper as she strode up to him, his golem, and the glowing tree. She squinted, peering up at the sapling in Claygons hands. is that an aeld tree?

Uh yeah Alex said.

Why do you have an aeld tree, Mr Roth?

Uhwell, do you remember that report my survey team made at the end of summerright after we got to Greymoor.

Oh by every lord that ever wore a crown! Could you be any vaguer? I have a lot to think about! Professor Jules crossed her arms. Refresh my memory.

Alex reminded her of their encounter with the crich-tulaghs, blue annis hag, Gwyllain, and the promise the asrai had made.

I seeand so how did that translate to you getting such a tree in the middle of the night?

Well Alex explained the events of the evening, and with every word, Jules eyebrows rose higher.

You did what? she whispered.

Uhwell, I uh Alex stuttered. I uh

Uhuh, she said impatiently. Say it again. Slowly. Like youre explaining something to a child. A dull child. And listen to yourself when you do, very carefully.

I uhwell, I went for a walk.

Yes?

Then, I uhI met Gwyllain.

And Gwyllain is who?

The asrai faethat my team saved.

Right, so you met an asrai fae when you were out for a walk in the middle of the night.

Yeeeeah he said slowly.

And then?

I uhI went with Gwyllain and Claygon to the forest just outside Greymoor.

Right.

And then I summoned a bunch of monsters.

Right

And uhwe foughtuh a small army of monsters.

You, your summoned creatures, and the asrai youd met? only once.

Yyeah. Wait, no. Claygon was there too.

Right, and soyou fought an army of monsters, a Hive-queen, a pair of hagsby yourselves. In the middle of the night. Miles away from help.

Well, you knowthats not, Alex coughed. I mean, thats one way of putting i

And then you started an immense fire, she continued. In the middle of the forestby yourself. And you put it out with a bigger fire?

Yeah, that uhyou summed it all up pretty well.

Are you out of your mind? she hissed, stepping forward so she was less than a foot away from him. You couldve gotten yourself murdered in the fields like someones prey!

I had my training, professor, Alex defended himself.

And you also had plenty of people to help here. That is why the university organises expeditions, not solo quests. Leave such things for knights-errant and other fools!

Alexs lip twitched; one day shed understand the irony in that statement. I assessed the situation, professor, just like Baelin taught me. And just like you taught me. I had plenty of resources: I was fresh, and my mana was fully charged. I had Claygon with me. Meanwhile, my friends were exhausted from the days battle and my cabals mana had run completely dry. Completely.

There are others in our camp.

Yes, professor, Alex said. But most of them were exhausted or were recharging their mana. Andthis wasnt really part of the expeditions mandate. How would it look to the universitys board if they found out that I convinced expedition memberswho have no other connection to meto go out on a potentially dangerous side-mission for my purposes? Plus, I couldve been on a time limit andthis might be out of line, but Ive been trained for combat. I did what I thought was best.

Oh dear, youre starting to sound like Baelin. Professor Jules gave him an unhappy look. I supposeyou do raise some valid points though, and I can see that you did give this some thought, at least. Butin future could you avoid doing such things alone, especially in the dark of night?

Yeah, if I can avoid it, Alex said.

She peered at him for a long moment. What's done is done, but remember, Mr. Roth, safety first, always.

He looked at her, considering what shed said.

I know professor, but with all respect, the world isnt always a safe place. Im never reckless and I think thats a way of keeping myself safe.

She muttered something about Baelin and corrupting influences before her eyes lit up.

By the way, what is that youre dragging behind you?

Alex thought fast. Keep the details limited.

Its this really interesting looking monster that I dont remember seeing in the Thameish bestiary. Look at its claws, just those alone would be worth studying, I think. It might be rare, so I brought it back so scavengers wouldnt get it.

She looked it over, all smiles.

Ill have it taken to the research tent, she rubbed her hands together, turning back to the aeld tree.

Hello there little fellow. Welcome to Generasi territory. I hope Mr. Roth takes the very best care of you.

Actually, I wanted to talk to you about thatand some other things I left out. But for now, would it be alright if I plant the tree here, right in the middle of camp? I think itd be a boon for everyone.

Of course you can, thatll be a good thingI suppose it would be wrong to badger you for more details right now. You look like wild bulls trampled you. We can talk tomorrow, Mr. Roth. You can just leave the specimen right there.

Right, thanks, Professor, Alex left the clawed cadaver, and he and Claygon made their way toward his tent.

Behind him, muffled muttering came from Professor Jules: The reports about this are going to bewait, are they even necessary? He did act on his own after all, and

She quickly strode through the tents, heading in a different direction.

Alex stealthily picked his way through camp, trying not to awaken anyone. His pace was slow and steady, with Claygon trying his best to be stealthy, but failing with every step. Alex was thinking about the morning, certain itd be filled with questions from his friends and others, so the longer he could delay them, the better. Ahead, his tent waited, seeming to call to him like heavenly bells.

He quickened his step.

He was almost there.

Then a menacing shape loomed out from the dark, blotting out the moon.

Alex whirled toward the shape, but its moves were swift, blocking any route for escape.

Grimloch. The menacing shape was Grimlochs.

The shark man grunted, his black eyes focusing on the wizard.

Huh, was sleeping. The light woke me up. Thought we were under attack.

Jeez, what is with everything trying to scare me to death tonight? Alex asked, his heart pounding.

Dunno. Maybe dont make scaring you so much fun, Grimloch growled. We being attacked?

No?

Good enough for me. He paused. Why do I still feel so much fear then? His black, doll-like eyes turned to the sapling, it was shedding waves of panic. Why is this tree scared? Its a tree. Not meat.

Alexs mind whirled. He was too mentally exhausted for this. Yeah, Grimlochnot meat. Can I go to bed now?

Sure you can, the shark man said, making no effort to move.

...uh okay, thenand uhplease dont wake anyone else up.

I wont.

Especially Theresa.

I dont have to.

Okay theWait. What do you mean you dont have to?

She does life enforcement, Alex. Grimloch growled. Even longer than me. Her senses are sharper than mine. So if you woke me up, you really think shed still be asleep?

Alex gulped. Whatyoure telling me shes standing right behind me or something, arent you?

No.

The young wizard glanced backward. No one was there. He sighed in relief. Okay, then. Then Ill

Shes standing right behind me. Grimloch grinned.

A familiar form slid out from behind the towering shark man, one that moved as quietly as a silence-spider. Eyes flashed in the dark. The look of a death stalker marked her face.

Evening, Alex. nice night for a walk, Theresa said, her voice dangerously calm.