When the ritual completed, the Marnovians' roots intertwined, and the grassy mounds floated toward each other, reforming their raft to continue transporting Chuck and his friends to their destination.
Whyth stared at Chuck. “Still can’t believe you didn’t die in that explosion.”
Chuck shook his misshapen head. “I’m not sure what happened. The Structure told me a little. I need to get back to it soon. I gained some new magic in all of that, but I'm not sure what I have yet. The Structure summarized things with the promise of more details when it all settled down.”
The others nodded. Rahmys shuddered. “One of us needs to stay alert from now on, just in case. Chuck, I sense you need some time with the Structure. The three of us will figure out who and the rotation. Go lay down.”
“Not arguing with that.” Chuck crawled to one of the mounds and laid on his back. Spi?
<
Since you have a better understanding of what might be most important, you decide.
<< STATUS
>>
So, you did a little manipulation to allow me to survive that attack?
<
Loopholes again. That sounded like a complaint. It isn’t. I am grateful for loopholes, beyond belief. I just hope I’m not using them all up.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
<
That seems like a dangerous ploy. You’d have to be confident that you have what you need in place.
<
Fire Magic Master, with all my fire spells listed under it?
<
Does that free up two spell slots?
<
Soooo, worth it then.
<
What was left?
<
Yeah, remember that now that you mention it. I can’t recall any of the questions, though. Here’s a different one. How far in the past can you put me when you send me home? Seconds, minutes, days…um…years? Chuck held his breath, waiting for the answer.
<
Chuck’s exhale hissed. Anything would be appreciated. I just thought I’d found a way to fix something.
<
My fiancé died in a car wreck two years ago. Thought you might put me in a place to keep her from getting in the car. Several seconds of silence passed.
<
It’s okay, really. It may take me a few minutes to recover, but I’m in a good place overall. The idea of being able to change the past got my hopes up a little.
The Structure remained quiet. The sound of gurgling water pulled Chuck towards sleep. He snapped his head back and forth, trying to shake the drowsiness away.
Which one should I pick?
<
Mmhmm. Have to take Marl, he’s the only fighter type in the group. Guessing I have to go, so is the third Whyth or Rahmys. Pros and cons for both. Whyth brought me here. Rahmys seems to have an edge in strength as a mage.
<
I think I’ll ask them which one should go with me. That might be a bad idea, though.
<
“Landwalker!”
Chuck scrambled to his feet, looking from side to side, shouting. “Glyrgaph? How? Where?”
<
A pink grassy mound bumped Chuck’s shoulder. “I have been told your magic helped save me from termination. I am most grateful.”
“You can fly?”
<
“Flying is fun. Bigger marsh to move in.” Glyrgaph swirled, his root-tentacles flinging outward.
Chuck laughed at the pink and purple grassy jellyfish-looking thing pirouetting before him. That would’ve sent me screaming to the psych ward a few days ago.
<
We’re pulling all the info we can together, but as of right now, we can’t explain it. We speculate that he will be able to go with you and not count against the three limit. Of course, that will have to be tested when we get to the gate.>>
Are you saying Glyrgaph and I are linked somehow?
<
How, I'm glad, but how? Damn, had a horrible thought, could this be something a different Structure set up? Connect something to your new surprise, to sabotage or even eradicate?
Hey, that is my line.
Woah, insults now? Was that a giggle? Sip, I believe you’ve let your sense of humor make an appearance.