Garth finished breakfast and went out to monitor the village. I got back on track, pouring over the different runes and images. Sometimes, I would get inspired and go into the backyard to experiment.
Otherwise, I sat at the table all day. Occasionally, some people would come in, but nobody needed me immediately, so I didn't move. The magic circle included multiple ancient languages and faded images, so it was a lot of work to restore and understand it.
I didn't need to understand it directly, but I wanted to. I could probably create my magic if I wanted to, but learning other people's magic was also a form of training so that you could counter that magic.
That was also a part of the reason why scrolls were so expensive. If a magician got a hold of a scroll, they could learn the magic. Most magicians didn't fancy other people knowing their magic without permission, so few made scrolls.
I'd learned plenty of scrolls in my time, so I could understand. It would be infuriating if other people freely used and distributed my magic. The government had its own magicians to create scrolls, but those were mainly common spells or only used by trusted people.
I'd heard about some magicians creating invisible magic circles to combat the theft of their magic, but I wasn't sure how well it worked.
Thankfully, this magic circle had no restrictions like that. I could study this magic without interruption for the rest of the day.
-----
Once again, the sun rose on another day. I'd made significant progress but had to take a break to fulfill my promise.
I got up just as dawn came to grab all my ingredients. I decided to make a nice omelet. We'd just gotten cheese that I could use as well. I grabbed a couple of ingredients from the storehouse.
Some fresh tomatoes, onions, and spices would go nicely with this omelet. I'd made this breakfast plenty of times before, so I turned my brain off as I went into autopilot.
'When have I actually made this before?'
I had made this breakfast before but was also positive I had never cooked an omelet.
'Past life?'
I thought maybe my memories were returning, but I couldn't recall anything besides these random thoughts that sometimes appeared. It was doubtful to think my memories were only coming back now.
After the first omelet, I had additional time, so I also made one for myself. Garth was up, but it was a couple of minutes before he would eat.
Just as I was finishing up plating, Garth came through the door to the kitchen.
"You're up?" Garth seemed surprised to see me in the kitchen.
"I didn't sleep."
"I meant up from your seat."
"Ohhh yeahhh… I promised to make breakfast yesterday, remember?"
"I didn't think you'd actually go through with it."
"Goes to show how much you know about me." I joked.
"You're always off doing your own thing, I rarely even see you anymore." Garth sat down as I brought his plate over to him.
"What we sacrifice for work.'
"Except your work is lazing around. I am the taking care of the village and doing everything." Garth complained as he ate.
"I don't laze around. I'm doing important stuff like scouting and reconnaissance. You're the one who took up the role of chief." I pointed my fork at Garth in an accusatory manner.
"I took up the role because no one else could. I proposed this hole thing to you because I thought making a successful city would be fun and a great "fuck you" to my father."
"You complain about not knowing me, but I didn't even know you did this as a rebellion against your father until now."
"I said you always do your own thing. I'm fine not knowing your past. I would appreciate a little help around the village is all." Garth snapped back.
"It was your idea."
"You agreed to it."
We fell into silence as we ate our food. It was true I wasn't precisely always of help to the village, but I thought Garth was doing a good job and left it to him. Looking at him closely now, I could see the toll of work weighing on him.
"This is really good." Garth broke the silence first.
"Told you I was good."
Our conversation paused there for a while. I finished eating and got up to put away my plate. In truth, I stored the food in my body for later without digesting it. I'd digest throughout the day, but I wanted to finish eating so I could talk.
With my back facing Garth, I spoke up to break the silence.
"You should divide up your work."
"What?" Garth was confused at my sudden statement.
"You said you would like a little help around the village. We already have the respective leaders of the different races, why not let them run the village."
"I'm fine with how things are now." Garth shook his head at my suggestion.
I paused before speaking again. This time, I turned to look at Garth. "What is your dream for Greyhound?"
He thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know. I just want it to be successful to show I'm successful. I guess making it self-sufficient is my goal for this town."
"My viewpoint is the same. At first, I agreed because it would provide me with a safe place to stay. Over this past year, as Greyhound has expanded, my goal has changed to make it self-sufficient.
I mean, I don't want to have to manage this town constantly, and I don't think you want that either. We're at the peak of our lives! We shouldn't be stuck managing some small town.
That's why I envision Greyhound as a superpower, a force comparable to nations, a center for the world!
And to do that, we'll need to let go. We will eventually step back, so why not prepare our town now?"
Garth looked wistfully for a moment but then shook his head. "I don't have such big aspirations for Greyhound, but it does sound nice.
I'll take your advice, but I don't think I'll be stepping away from this anytime soon."
"As long as you consider it."
Garth got up to put his finished plate away and walked out. As I stared at him going, I called out.
"Garth?"
"Yeah?" He turned back to look at me as I leaned on the counter.
"I know I can't do much for you on the logistics of the village, but if you ever need help with anything else, as you said, I'm always free."
"I know." He made a curt reply.
"Anything."
"Yeah."