Sorcerer in a fantasy world
Chapter 88

Chapter 88: Chapter 88

I walked the empty walkways through the underground network of Druid homes. Green mushrooms lit my way.

I wandered my lonely way around with no particular destination in mind. My walk of shame home could be delayed for now. I was taking the scenic route.

Dirt crunched under foot, and a cool breeze gently caressed through the ear and tickled wafting strands of hair. Bats flew by overhead, creepy crawlers ran about in all directions.

Soft green glow lit the twists and turns of the path ahead. The Circle of Druid had no logic, but was a maze only by accident. Cyclical routes, redundant roads and narrow corridors.

It was almost like walking down a forest path. A shame there was no view of the stars in the choking blackness of the underground.

I cannot fathom why they built this place, but it was a marvel to experience.

The quiet, personaless path kept me company. It didn’t help that I blamed myself, regardless of how much my current loneliness was my fault.

I wrestled with pain. Desperate to close the gaping tear. Emotional and mental suffering forming into a headache. I wasn’t quite ready to confront another face and be seen as weak.

I feared my weakness being used as a weapon against me. I wasn’t one to trust in the morals of others. I had seen the indifference back home where I had no people.

If these people saw I was weak I could lose. All I had came from the view of my absolute strength in the minds of others.

Now that I had their admiration, I desired it and feared to lose it. When I had none, and wanted none I suffered less from them. Without desire how much less would I suffer? But without desire what is there to live for?

Questions. Great questions perhaps. Better to question than to answer. But, they didn’t feel pleasant, however, deep they were.

I stopped at a public fountain full of drinking water: a stone carved oak tree plague above a small stream pouring in a cup. I drank my fill.

I decided I wanted to see the stars.

I strolled to the nearest exit I knew.

Climbing up the steep path and out of the circle the stars greeted me. I felt gladness in my heart at their sight. A gratitude for their light. I walked and kept walking.

I did not have a destination in mind, but subconsciously I directed myself towards some oddly familiar and foul mana I felt in the distance.

Trust me, to go to magic like a moth to flame.

I walked far out of the Circle and towards the farms. There I saw a cow dying. Neither age, hunger or wound was murdering it. No, disease was robbing it of life. It was the last living in the field of what was once dozens of cattle.

The foul magic felt like the evil eye. The spell of sickness was well within Umbra’s talents. To blame Umbra seemed the most obvious and clearest answer this crime. I had magical traces similar to hers and the method matched what she could do.

Yet, why kill cattle? What drove her to use a means that could easily be identified as her kind of magic. She had also been treating people, helping them and the only time I have known her to have killed was an evil man. These cattle did not fit her previous target.

I reached out and checked on Umbra. She was fast asleep in my bed, tossing and turning in nightmare, and the evil eye was still contained by our charm enchantment.

So the cattle were sick, and it was a magical attack. But, I couldn’t tell who and what their motive was. Without a motive it was hardly hard to tell who to investigate.

Fingers intertwined, I frowned deep reflecting my troubled thoughts. If it was peace of mind, I’d been hoping for then this nasty mystery disturbed that hope.

I returned back to the circle without clear intentions in my mind, just more questions. It started to rain as I approached the entrance into the Circle’s underground depths.

Climbing down the steep path, I spotted Iris at what may as well be called a coat check-in.

I could glimpse the stars, hear the pouring rain and smell the fragrance coming off the trees.

Iris stared at shadows on the cave wall.

There was just enough starlight to cast shadows.

It seemed she had almost gotten outside, but stopped. Maybe the rain.

I walked over to her.

"You can’t sleep?" I asked.

She shook her head, but said nothing.

She looked exhausted with bags under droopy, half-closed eyes. The night revealed, rather than concealed, the mental toll that she felt. The latest incident broke the illusion of peace like a pebble disturbing a still pool.

"You cold? You look cold and tired. How about we go inside?

She didn’t answer. A few moments later she sighed.

I wasn’t getting anything out of her. Stuck in her own head.

I gently touched her arm. She was looking down.

"Iris, can I take you to your place?"

She looked up at me with dull, empty eyes. All the passion, desire and hope crushed from her eyes. But, she wasn’t at peace. Turmoil brewed and fermented from intractable suffering.

She nodded.

I smiled. I felt hope. I was happy.

She didn’t respond in kind.

I escorted her home and to her bed. There I held her and hugged her until she struggled into sleep.

I sometimes forget how wounded Iris is, but I had been here. Late. I hoped I had not been too late.

I woke up with Iris dozing in my arms. A pleasant smile pressed upon her lovely face. She seemed to be having sweet dreams.

Morning wood pressed into her butt, but I had no real desire to fuck her in her fragile state. I wanted to see if she was alright when she woke up. Either way I wanted to be there for her.

It felt right having her in my arms, her warmth boiling me and her skin rubbing with mine. I listened to her breath. I watched the rise and fall of her chest. I nearly drifted back to sleep myself. But, then I would not be present with her and I had to be.

I noticed my cheeks heat up. The realisation hit my thoughts after my body reacted. Feelings. Some feeling not-quite-love-yet. What had Treator said. Crystallising. The feelings were murky and gaseous, but forming into an all too solid and clear shape.

Passion, desperation and heroism carried me through many moments of quality with her. Those peak moments of intense emotions. But, for the duration of our time. Long term.

I had stuck around out of a sense of duty and lust. What about a promise to Iris? Can’t forget Morgana either. One with white dress, rings and dancing that is meant to last for life.

Perhaps best not to make life changing choices when I am in bed and sleepy be it night or morning.

I kissed her cheek. Nevermind tomorrow. I was happy with her at that moment. I knew it held during our arguments and in sickness.

Iris yawned, blinked in a half-awake state and stretched her arms. I got a nice elbow to eye.

"Ow." I said I barely felt a twinge, but the surprise caught me.

"That’s what you get for sneaking into my bed." She teased.

I laughed. "I can always go."

"And lose my hot water bottle? You can stay."

"It’s summer. I’m sure you will be fine."

"You’re comfy, you can stay."

"I believe I am a metal head. I can’t be too comfy."

She rolled her eyes, "So troublesome." She twisted around and kissed my lips. "Stay."

I kissed her back. Parting her mouth slightly. It was no french kiss, but neither were we chaste.

"Fine." I said with an exaggerated sigh. "If I must."

She smirked at my failed attempt at humour.

Her eyes were wide, bright with life and want. Safe and kindling with desire. Seeing her like this made me feel better already.

We never said a thing about last night. I didn’t have the confidence to broach the subject. We instead got ready for the day. Not that I had plans yet. I woke up Samiya so we could all have a morning meal together. I did start to jot down a few ideas for my city during breakfast.

I conjured a metal chair to sit on by their table. I cast an eye around the fantasy druid house.

A two single bed cave home with each bed separated by curtains. Though I knew Samiya sometimes joined Iris in bed when she was having nightmares. A fact that might help Iris as much as Samiya.

It was closer to a flat than a house with the kitchen and dining room squashed together near the door. Kitchen was a cutting bench with vents to clear the smoke in the ceiling and around the fire pit. Next to it was a wooden table and stools.

On the curious matter of waste disposal they had the ingenious solution of using a trained swarm of rats. Not your normal kind of rodents, these had been adapted to consume shit and drink piss. The vermin then disposed of it themselves elsewhere (where I never did find out).

Glowing mushrooms were the main source of light, but plenty of herbs dangled from the ceiling giving off powerful scents. Below the dangling greens, Iris lit the candle on the round table with a spark of her flames while she was placing down our morning oats.

I spun a few illusions to entertain Samiya once she woke up a little more.

Morgana joined us at the breakfast table. Umbra, Tulisa and Byrette came in after we had finished after our morning meal.

Our group was together again. Almost a family of sorts. How could I have let Donna tempt me? She wanted to pull me away from these people. A failure of responsibility, but also of myself. If I sought Donna, and gave in to what she wanted then I would ruin my happiness.

Anger, I frowned: nose scrunching and eyebrows knitting together and my eyes sharpened.

What a fool I had been. Never again, I swore to myself: I said the words the same way a person does after a hangover.

"Are you busy today?" Iris asked tentatively.

I had planned on planning the City of Magic now that the red tape was out of the way, "No." I lied.

"I’ve heard about a wizard from Ezsil one of my new druid friends. I think you could help him." Iris said.

"Any particular reason?" Morgana asked.

"He is probably the most knowledgeable person about magic in the city."

"And?"

"It is the right thing to do. We help people in need, don’t we?"

I nodded, but didn’t smile. Helping people came with a lot of hassle afterall.

"All the better if he has useful information to give." Morgana concluded.

"You coming with me?" I asked Iris. "I would like it if you did." I said perhaps too forcefully. But, I was keen to keep her company. Eager to show my feelings.

I wanted her to know I cared about her. However, many times she needed a reminder.

Guilt over sleeping with Donna without asking her how she felt about it. Maybe worry after seeing her low state last night.

I would confess later. She didn’t need my regrets added to her concerns. I conceived myself I was protecting her. Anyway, some adventures might perk her up.

"You sure?"

I was caught by her surprise, her insecurity that I would ask her along. We had gone on one before. But, what is the past compared to a scary future of rejection.

"With your power by my side nothing I can stop us." I said with a wink.

I almost died from the cheese, but I committed. Better to exaggerate than to not show feeling. I prefer the clarity of a crystal to the blindness grasping through a thick fog.

She flexed her hand into a fist and pumped her arm, her eyes blazed with her inner fire, "Oh, lets go. We’ll stop this monster from hurting anyone else."

Interesting, she used the term monster to refer to a person. So, it doesn’t have a specific meaning to magical creatures.

I grabbed her first and she held my hands, interlocking our fingers.

"Are you forgetting about me?" Umbra said sourly.

I had, in fact, left her to sleep alone last night.

"You are of course welcome." I insisted.

"Then, I’ll join." Umbra said beaming happily.

"The rest of us have work to do. Don’t have too much fun without us." Morgana said with a jealous smile.

"No promises." Iris replied with a laugh and a happy smile.