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Part 8: The Ice Fields Adventure
352 Robert Oster Deep Sea
“My dear friend, Professor Eenness, has gone missing,” Heilari said. “You must find her.” She opened a door. “Her office.” Essri studied the room, afraid to say that he couldn’t find a person he’d never seen before. “Eenness studies objects and species with natural magical abilities and properties. Much of our understanding of how magic works is because of her…” While she spoke, they entered the Professor’s lab, filled with strange objects, all neatly arranged. Heilari held out a message paper book that Quin accepted. “Her last report was from the ice fields.” Essri gasped. “I’m a thnek. I’ll freethe.”
353 Montblanc Irish Green
Heilari propped her fists on her hips. “Am I a first-year student? Warming enchantments only go so far, so you’ll need warmer clothing…” “I gotcha covered, little buddy,” Makhabesh whispered. “Don’t worry,” Quin added. Vika remained oddly silent. In Professor Eenness’s home, Essri felt like a thief, slithering around her belongings. Heilari provided a painted portrait and described her friend. “One more thing, and the reason I know she lives—a heartstone.” She held out a pulsing red stone. Essri touched it and tried to sense where the Professor was, but got nothing.
354 Cross Blue/Black
“It’th not working.” “You’re probably too far. Scrying isn’t working either. But surely as you get closer…” At the look on Heilari’s face, Essri stayed silent. She’s right, Vika said. We need to be much closer. “Well, we have to try,” Essri finally said. He almost winced at Heilari’s sigh of relief. For a day and a half, they learned of Professor Eenness, met her colleagues, received enchantments and supplies, and finally portaled to Icegate, the town nearest the ice fields. Vika said, My powers won’t be as strong with the ice separating me from Earth.
355 Robert Oster Grün-Schwarz
At the Icegate Inn, they discovered Professor Eenness’s two assistants. They told the same tale: a sudden blizzard came out of nowhere and separated them. After the blizzard, each saw the lights of Icegate in the distance and returned, a day apart. Professor Eenness had not yet returned. The next morning, after a hot breakfast, Essri touched the heartstone and concentrated. He inhaled sharply. “There!” He pointed, though they were still inside. Then, “No! She’s gone again. It’s like seeing a shadow in fog.” “It’s alright, little buddy. We just need to be closer.” “Let’s go,” Quin said.
356 Sailor Miruai
For a day, they trekked across uneven, frozen terrain. Dry snow blew across their path and settled in depressions. Vika felt as if they were marching to their doom. Already she found it hard to sense life and feared she’d lose all connection with the Earth once they stepped onto the ice. You’re being foolish, she told herself. The ice is part of the Earth, just as the oceans are. Quin stopped when they reached the edge of the ice fields. Makhabesh said, “We’re gonna need a lot of fireballs.” We should camp here, Vika said.
357 Noodler's El Lawrence
NOTE TO THE READER: In order to give Essri extra warmth, and facilitate access, Quin is wearing his pack on his chest, under a coat designed to accommodate that.
When Vika said they’d reached the ice, Essri commanded, “Cloak,” and waited as his custom cloak settled onto his back with a magical grip. Then he slithered out of the little room they’d made for him in Quin’s pack, and then up out of the pack. “Whoa!” he said, squinting at the bright white ice. The various warming enchantments kept him from feeling the full cold, but he still shivered. While Quin set up camp, Essri returned to his comfy room with its light globe, book stand, and warm bed. Reading Eenness and Heilari’s exchanges distracted him from the loneliness.
358 Rohrer & Klingner Verdura
After Quin had packed up the camp the next morning, Makhabesh said, “Guess I’ll go scout.” As he launched, Vika heard a whisper from the Earth, Stay together. Vika sensed Makhabesh circling for height. Come back! she cried. As Makhabesh landed on Quin’s shoulder, she said, We must stay together. Essri popped his head out from under the flap of Quin’s pack. “What’th wrong?” “If I don’t scout, we could walk right into danger.” I don’t know why, but the Earth is saying we must stay together. After a long pause, Quin said, “I guess we stay together.”
359 Diamine Aqua Blue
After lunch, a blizzard blew in out of a clear sky. “Get in!” Quin shouted. Makhabesh growled, then climbed in Quin’s pack. Can you shield us so I can set up the tent? Quin asked Vika. Maybe if we try together… Quin focused his will through Vika’s orb. “Shield!” A weak shield formed on his windward side. The wind suddenly shifted. In the end, he let go of the shield, put Vika in his pack, and finally managed the tent. The wind outside howled and the tent shook. “We may be crazy,” he said as Makhabesh and Essri came out of his pack.
360 Kakimori 01 Po
Quin and Makhabesh pulled the heaviest things out of Quin’s pack, making the small tent crowded and uncomfortable, but helping to anchor it against the wind. The rest of the day was lost as the wind blew and snow piled against the tent. When the wind finally stopped, Quin put things back in his pack and they slept until Vika woke them. After breakfast, Quin dug them out of the tent, packed up, and headed for the landmark he’d selected based on Essri’s directions. After several minutes, Vika said, Essri says you’re a little off course.
361 Dragontoots Turquoise
Essri called for his cloak and slithered to the opening of Quin’s pack. “That way.” He pointed slightly left of where Quin faced. Quin turned until Essri said, “Perfect!” “The mountain has a dip there, and a some exposed rock that looks like three fingers,” Makhabesh said. “Yep, I see it. That’s our new mark.” As Quin set out, Essri returned to his room and the message book. He was feeling more connected to both women. Eenness had a sense of humor that reminded him of Makhabesh. He thought the two would either hate each other or become close friends.
362 Rohrer & Klingner Cassia
After their third blizzard in as many days, Essri came out of Quin’s pack to point the way. “That way,” he said, pointing to Quin’s left shoulder. “That’s almost 90 degrees difference!” Quin said. “All I know is she’s that way.” Quin turned to look in the direction Essri pointed. “Impossible! She couldn’t have traveled that far!” Before an argument could start, Vika said, Essri, which way is Icegate? Essri concentrated, then pointed behind Quin. “That way.” “No. huh-uh,” Makhabesh started. Quin turned around. “This is crazy!” Wait, Vika said. She considered carefully. The Ice Fields must be enchanted.
363 Robert Oster Orlando Sunrise
But I have no way to know the nature of this magic, Vika said. After a long silence, Makhabesh said, “I’ll go scouting.” No! Vika cried. Suddenly she understood. Remember what the Professor’s assistants said? They were separated by a blizzard. And the Earth told me we must stay together. This magic is moving us, or the Professor. “Or both,” Quin whispered. “So do we keep going or turn back?” Makhabesh muttered, “And will it make a difference?” Essri said, “My magic feelth normal. And we’re clother than before.” Quin looked at Makhabesh, who shrugged. “I can’t leave her out there.”
364 Parker Quink Permanent Royal Blue (vintage)
Quin set out in the direction Essri had pointed. He didn’t know what to believe, but standing still wasn’t an option. Professor Eenness was presumably alive, and if so, she surely needed help. And he owed Heilari a life. He couldn’t give up after only three days. He couldn’t imagine facing her after quitting. But what about Makhabesh, Essri, and Vika? I owe them, too. How long could he continue to risk their lives for his debt? He decided that when the food supply was almost half gone, he’d turn back.
365 Parker Quink Permanent Blue-Black (vintage)
As he returned to his room, Essri tried to ignore his doubts. His magic did feel normal, and Eenness did feel closer. But what if he was wrong? What if the ice was deceiving him? He could get everyone killed. And what if they got separated? The others might never find their way back, and he couldn’t get back without their help to keep him warm - not that he’d want to go back without them. “I hate ithe,” he whispered. He curled in his bed and returned to the message book, determined to finish faster.
...to be continued, every Tuesday.