Good things come to those who wait. Or to those who just happen to be in the right place at the right time.
Home
We spent a little more time in the vault, each of us contemplating the artifacts and their meanings. The experience had brought us closer, not just to the history and power contained within the vault but to each other.
Finally, as we prepared to leave, Livius's demeanor was a mix of relief and contemplation.
We left the vault behind, the door sliding shut with a soft, resonant hum. The observatory felt different now—a place of deeper understanding, a place of centuries of secrets.
"Alright, Mose, Rolo," I said, "time to go home. Grab our things. And if you are at it, call Iris and Gil."
Rolo nodded. "Got it. I'll handle calling them."
Mose hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll grab our things. What about you?"
"I'll stay here for a bit," I replied.
As Rolo and Mose headed out of the observatory, I took a moment to enjoy the serene beauty of the room, the soft glow of the sun, and the lingering echo of ancient spells.
As I lingered in the observatory, the quiet murmur of magic in the air, I turned to Livius with a thoughtful expression. "Livius, let me ask you something," I said, leaning casually against the wall. "If I were to steal a couple of your apprentices, would you wage war against me?"
Livius's eyebrows shot up in mock horror. "Oh, stealing my apprentices? That's a serious offense, you know. It would require me to at least wage a little war against you—just a small, contained one, of course!"
His feigned irritation was undermined by the amused glint in his eyes, and he quickly broke into a chuckle. "But, seriously, I've known for a while how much Gil and Iris admire you. I can't say I'd be too surprised if one day they decided to go to your court for a short visit."
I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at my lips. "A short visit? You underestimate my charm."
Livius laughed, shaking his head. "Touché. It seems I'm the one underestimating you. From what I hear, they might just extend that visit to something a bit longer. You have a knack for making an impression."
"I do try," I said, leaning back in my chair with a casual shrug.
"But back to business," he continued. "I was actually curious if you'd be more open now to discussing an alliance. With the growing unrest and shifting power dynamics, it could be beneficial for both of us."
I straightened, the playful banter giving way to a more serious tone. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to have to decline."
Livius's expression turned contemplative. "And why is that?"
"As the Hueless King, my role demands neutrality," I explained. "Aligning with you would compromise that neutrality. Aligning myself with the White Mages—or any specific faction—would undermine that neutrality. I can align with individuals but not with fractions or their leaders. My role requires me to stay impartial."
Livius nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I see. I won't bother you with this anymore."
"However, if any of my subjects decide to align themselves with you, that's their choice to make. I won't interfere with their decisions," I added.
Livius smiled, a mixture of respect and acceptance in his expression.
As Mose and Rolo returned, Mose was practically buried under a mountain of bags and boxes, struggling to maintain his balance. Rolo led the way, guiding Gil and Iris to where I was standing. The sight of Mose's struggle was amusing, and Rolo couldn't help but smirk as he glanced back at his friend.
"Got everything?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, watching Mose's Herculean effort with mild amusement.
Mose let out a huff, finally dropping the last of the bags with a groan. "I think so. If I left anything behind, it will remain buried there forever."
I chuckled and turned my attention to Gil and Iris. "I need both of your phones for a moment."
Gil and Iris handed over their phones without hesitation. I quickly typed in my number and gave the phones back. "Here you go. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."
Gil looked touched, his gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Shay."
Iris nodded, her expression warm. "I appreciate it. I'll make sure to hold onto your number."
I gave a satisfied nod. "Good, good."
Livius smiled, but there was a new intensity in his gaze as he looked at Mose. "Actually, I have an offer to make. Mose, I would like to extend an alliance to you."
Iris and Gil exchanged glances, their eyes wide with astonishment at the unexpected turn of events. Gil shook his head, trying to process the information. Livius had chosen to align with Mose, a decision that seemed to defy conventional logic in the mage hierarchy.
Mose blinked, clearly taken aback. "An alliance? What? To me?"
Livius's smile widened. "I've noticed your struggles with stabilizing your magic. I'd like to offer you tuition and training to help you manage it better. Consider it a gesture of goodwill and a step towards a potential alliance."
Mose, still adjusting to the weight of the bags and the unexpected offer, looked up, his expression a mix of surprise and gratitude. "I—I don't know what to say," he stammered, clearly overwhelmed by the offer.
Rolo's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Livius, his gaze sharp and unyielding. The tension in the room was palpable. Not many mages would dare to give the Sorcerer Lord the stink eye so openly. It was a bold move that spoke volumes about Rolo's protective nature and loyalty to his friends. Haha, cheeky kid.
Livius seemed to understand the subtle message behind Rolo's piercing stare. I smiled to myself, observing the dynamic unfolding before me. Livius's choice was not just strategic but deeply insightful. It was clear he had calculated this move to win over Mose, knowing that securing Mose's alliance might indirectly influence Rolo.
Mose hesitated, clearly torn. Rolo, sensing his friend's indecision, interjected with a tone of irritation. "What are you waiting for, Mose? This is a fantastic opportunity for you. Just take it."
Mose looked between Rolo and Livius, then took a deep breath. "Alright. I accept the alliance."
Livius's smile broadened with satisfaction. "Excellent. We'll arrange for your training sessions."
As the group adjusted to the new development, I observed the dynamics shifting subtly. Livius had skillfully positioned himself to build a connection with Rolo through Mose. It was a strategic maneuver that revealed much about Livius's understanding of relationships and influence.
As the tension from Livius's offer began to settle, he cast a brief, effortless spell. A soft shimmer enveloped Mose's bags, and I watched in surprise as the weight seemed to vanish. Mose's eyes widened in astonishment as he lifted the bags with ease, clearly relieved.
"Thank you," Mose said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude.
Livius's smile was serene, almost paternal. "Consider it a small token of goodwill. We all have our burdens to carry, and it's only right to make them a little lighter when we can."
Mose looked at the now weightless bags with newfound appreciation and then back at Livius. Rolo, still observing closely, gave a curt nod. Livius seemed pretty satisfied by this development.
Livius turned his attention back to Mose, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Oh, Mose," he said, "I should give you my contact information as well. Could I borrow your phone for a moment?"
Mose, still adjusting to the new weightlessness of his bags, fished his phone out of his pocket and handed over his phone, still looking somewhat dazed. "Sure."
Livius took the phone gently and tapped a few commands on the screen. His movements were smooth and practiced, reflecting a grace that was almost as inherent as his magic. A moment later, he handed the phone back, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "There you go. You should have my number now. If you need anything—whether it's related to your magic or otherwise—don't hesitate to reach out."
Mose looked at his phone, where Livius's contact information had appeared. "I really appreciate it."
I watched with mild amusement as Livius extended his hand to shake Mose's, sealing the new alliance with a gesture that felt surprisingly personal. I couldn't help but reflect on the rare nature of this moment. The gesture was symbolic, a small yet significant act that marked the beginning of their alliance.
I mused to myself about how many mages had ever had the opportunity to shake Livius's hand, especially in such a seemingly informal way. It struck me that very few would have had the chance, and even fewer would have done so without some degree of formality or trepidation.
Livius was known for his calculated demeanor, and moments like these—where he displayed genuine warmth and personal connection—were rare indeed. Not many mages, especially clumsy ones like Mose, would find themselves in a position to share such a gesture with the Sorcerer Lord.
As Livius looked up at me with a smile, there was a genuine warmth in his expression. It was a rare moment of openness. His eyes reflected a mixture of amusement and something deeper—perhaps a quiet acknowledgment of the complexity of our shared world.
I met his gaze with a smirk of my own. I nodded back, letting the unspoken acknowledgment pass between us.
As Livius, Iris, and Gil worked on preparing the portal for my group to return home, I took a moment to pull out my phone and send a text to Alex.
[The evil Sorcerer Lord coveted our unlucky child now! How brazen of him]
Alex's response came quickly, his astonishment clear even through text.
Personal Masterchef: [What happened?]
[Livius offered an alliance to Mose.]
Alex's reply was swift and tinged with his usual sarcasm.
Personal Masterchef: [Drama queen.]
I couldn't help but laugh as I typed back. [He accepted, btw.]
Alex's next message was more measured.
Personal Masterchef: [Glad to hear you and Livius could settle things in a more civil way.]
I responded, [They're prepping the portal, so we'll be heading out soon.] I pocketed my phone, feeling a mix of satisfaction and amusement.
Livius, Iris, and Gil had finished their work on the portal, and they now stood by it, which was shimmering with an ethereal glow. I extended my hand expectantly toward Livius. He sighed with a small, resigned smile and handed me a credit card.
I grinned and thanked him, "Much appreciated."
I turned to Iris and Gil. "Come by sometime. See ya,"
With that final exchange, my group and I stepped through the portal, leaving the observatory behind.
As we arrived home, the familiar surroundings felt both comforting and refreshing. Before I could even fully take in the scene, the demon cat appeared like a streak of fur and attitude.
At first, it seemed to scowl at us, his tail flicking with indignation as if to say, "How dare you leave me alone again?" But as soon as it caught sight of me, its expression softened. It padded over with a mix of reluctant affection and curiosity, purring softly as it rubbed against my legs.
I sighed and crouched down, clumsily petting the demon cat. My movements were a bit awkward like I was trying to remember how to interact with a cat. It didn't seem to mind, though, it just kept purring and rubbing, obviously enjoying the attention.
Rolo called out with a gentle tone. "Mao."
The moment the cat heard its name, it bounded over with a joyous leap. Rolo caught it effortlessly, and it was almost as if they were exchanging purrs of contentment. Mao settled into Rolo's arms, clearly happy to be back in his presence.
Mose, now freed of his burdens, let out a weary sigh as he placed the bags down. He looked a bit worn out, but a soft smile tugged at his lips as he watched the reunion between Rolo and the cat.
From the kitchen, Alex's cheerful voice rang out. "Welcome back, everyone!"
Alex appeared in the doorway, his face beaming with a warm smile that instantly melted away any lingering fatigue. "Lunch's ready, just in time."
So we made our way to the kitchen. It was clear he'd missed us, and he'd gone to great lengths to prepare a delicious spread, even on short notice.
Rolo's attempt to keep his emotions in check didn't quite succeed; it was obvious he had missed Alex. His eyes softened, and there was a genuine warmth in his expression as he responded to Alex's welcome.
Mose, though a bit embarrassed by the grand display, couldn't resist the pull of good food and good company. He joined us at the table with a modest smile, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he took in the comforting sights and smells of the meal Alex had prepared.
As we sat down to eat, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of homecoming. As we settled around the dining table, Alex's eyes sparkled with curiosity and warmth. He looked at each of us in turn before asking, "So, how was your time there? Any interesting stories or happenings?"
Mose and Rolo, still buzzing from the excitement of the day, eagerly jumped in. Mose began recounting their experiences with Livius and the surprising offer of alliance, his voice animated and full of enthusiasm. "It was quite the experience," he said, his eyes wide with wonder. "The Sorcerer was… well, very different from what I expected. He actually offered me an alliance and even helped with the bags!"
"I liked the magical research conducted there," Rolo answered.
But Mose was the first to dive into the details. "You wouldn't believe it," he began, his excitement palpable. "The research facilities were incredible! The depth and breadth of magical knowledge they have there is mind-boggling."
Rolo nodded. "Yes. And the apprentices... There were so many of them, all busy with their own projects. It was like a hive of magical activity. The research they're doing—some of it is so advanced, it's almost futuristic."
Mose, still brimming with enthusiasm, joined in, "And the mage mentor who taught me briefly—he was so kind and knowledgeable. It was a bit strange at first, but he was incredibly patient. I learned so much in that short time!"
Alex listened intently, clearly enjoying the vivid descriptions. He leaned forward, a smile playing on his lips. "It sounds like you both had an amazing experience. I'm glad you got to learn so much and meet such interesting people."
As Rolo and Mose continued to recount their experiences, Alex's gaze shifted to me. I was sitting back, contentedly enjoying my meal and the lively conversation. It was a comfort to see them so engaged, and it made me feel at ease.
The conversation flowed naturally, with Rolo's detailed accounts of the magical research and Mose's heartfelt praise for his mentor painting a vivid picture of their time away. I didn't need to add much; the happiness and excitement in their voices spoke volumes. I simply savored the warmth of the room, the delicious meal, and the comforting feeling of being surrounded by friends.
When Mose decided to go home, I asked Simon to see him home.