Published at 6th of October 2026 7:02 am

Chapter 179: Standing in the cold.

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The rest of my tests go smoothly with no flareups of potential violence between the orb seekers. Results wont be posted until next week, so I spend about half the weekend relaxing with Terry, going to plays and participating in an impromptu snowball fight on campus. After that, we go to a teahouse to warm up, having both reduced the warmth enchantments on our clothes to properly feel winter, as suggested by Emily. I must admit, it is nicer to cuddle with him after feeling the cold, though I dont know how often Ill follow her advice without him around.

We decide to read poetry to each other while we rest, with me having a selection of books prepared in anticipation. It just seems like something we should do, but neither of us lasts very long before embarrassment forces us to stop. Perhaps we shouldnt have done the reading so publicly? There were a few looks when we started, though were hardly the first that Ive witnessed doing so.

Unfortunately, none of the true wintery things are for a couple of weeks, so I spend the next day visiting clients. Divinations say that weather wont be good for the ice palace until about the new year, and the canals arent quite frozen enough for the races. I think Im most looking forward to going to the ice theatres with him, in which they perform various plays, but altered to be on ice conveying the story via skating and dancing. I have no idea if such a medium would add to things, but theres a particularly famous romantic tragedy that I hope to get tickets to.

Its a bit funny that I would never go to those sorts of things before unless Allan dragged me to them. But with Terry, Im actually anticipating it. Moreover, I think he might be the same way with me.

Clack clack clack clack

I stop mid step as I hear wooden divining rods fall over in my head. Ducking into an alley, I switch to a visual feed of my room and see the rods indicating an imminent meeting between Terry and his team. I rush back to campus, using my birds to track everyone down, then curse as they choose a room in the library whose listening token seems to have been removed since the last time I checked (I put one in each of the potential chambers). When I switch to the one that was in that room, all I see is the speckled light of the inside of a coin purse. What I get for disguising them as currency, I suppose.

I go to the backup one I slipped in a book just outside the room, but apparently the book I picked was too popular, as I find it stacked in a messy students room. It had so much dust on it too. And, for one final indignity, they finally had the sense to hold their meeting in a room without windows and far enough inside that I cant even catch stray words.

Still, Im not far from campus, and manage to get back just as the last person arrives. Unfortunately, it takes another fifteen minutes to get to the library, and the meeting is half over when I do. Once again, I have to pretend not to be in a hurry as I stroll past the librarian's desk with a smile, then walk briskly through the maze of shelves ignoring the ceiling mural of whatever god of knowledge it's supposed depict as I go.

Finally, I get to their room and slip a coin into a nearby book before hastily retreating.

Youre certain its there? I hear Terry ask, muffled through the wall even with the sound amplified to the maximum.

Carlyle answers with a resigned confidence. Its what our academic friends notes led us to. Found at least three references to it being there. So no, not certain, but it seems likely enough that we cant afford not to look. Especially if we think Bart might not know about it yet. Give us the advantage for once.

Hell know, Clara mutters, he always does.

Pessimism aside, Terry says in a tone that gives the impression of sideeying Clara, how do you propose we get there?

I figured wed ask Huxley.

Shit to that. Clara half shouts, though her protest seems more fluster than fervent.

Terry sighs. Clara, Huxley has been very helpful in the past.

Yeah, and Im still wondering if all my bits are in the same place.

Forgive my ignorance, but who is Huxley? Emily asks.

Carlyle answers. Oh, no one, just some teleporter we know, he says in a wry tone, very aware of the absurdity of treating such a person casually.

Ah and you let them port you? Emily says with hesitant horror.

Had to, Terry mutters. Not exactly looking forward to it again.

Ligryn chimes in, a serious tone that demands a serious answer. Do you trust them?

Terry scoffs. No. Who would? But Im not seeing a way in without them, do you?

No, but then again that might hold true for Vincent too, no? Perhaps we could wait for easier passage.

If it becomes easier for us, itll be easier for Vincent too. Terry counters. Really, Im surprised, Ligryn; Id expect you to go for whatever advantage we can get, and knowing a teleporter is certainly an advantage.

Perhaps, Ligryn says levelly. But its not that Im protesting; I just want to assess the risk. And it is a major risk. My homeland wont be served by how would you put it, Carlyle? Ah, yes, having our insides in the opposite hemisphere as our outsides. Im fine with actions that could result in my own death another would replace me but if we all die at once, then our alliance will be over, and my people will lose the chance to influence the orbs. And thats ignoring the fact that we dont even know how were going to get back.

Carlyle chuckles. Heh, that does sound like something Id say. You got me down, Ligryn. But dont worry, Huxley is a very stable teleporter er, I mean, is very stable for a teleporter Or at least he was. Its been a few months since weve talked to him. Who knows where hes been since then.

Ligryn sighs. So reassuring. That does raise another point. How are you planning to contact them?

Gave us an anchor, Carlyle says smugly.

I see and what chance encounter convinced him to do something as stupid as that? Ligryn says in a voice of incredulity, very much meant to be an insult to Carlyle, though he takes it as playful.

Oh, you know, just my charming personality.

Indeed Very well, Ser Terrance, an anchor does change our chances a little. Enough for me to vote for this plan if you concur with Carlyles assessment of this Huxley being very stable for a teleporter.

Its not a vote, Terry says firmly. Im going with Carlyle no matter what. Anyone can stay behind if they want to. In fact, that might be good since it might throw Bart off the scent. But I wont ask anyone to stay who wants to go.

Ill go, Emily says indifferently.

Youre sure? Terry asks. Youve been a great ally to us, Emily. While happenstance may have brought you to us, youve proven your place on this team time and again. We wont think less of you for staying.

Emily scoffs. Since when did I care about that stuff? I just want to see what all the trouble has been about. She speaks frankly with no sign of bravado, despite the audacity of her indifference to such absurd danger. In fact, she seems mildly confused that Terry would even think otherwise.

Ah I guess I should have expected that.

Clara sighs. I guess I couldnt forgive myself if something happened and I didnt go.

Id want you to, if that happened. Terry counters.

Heh, yeah, thats why its true. Im going.

Theres an uncomfortable silence as I assume they all look to Ligryn. Oh, right, of course Im going. She says as if taking a moment to realize that the matter was in question. Itd be pointless not to, since everyone else is going. Our hope for the orbs is currently dependent on at least one of you surviving. So, thered be little difference between me dying with you and not.

I see well, theres no reason to delay then. Well prepare tonight and leave in the morning. Terry says, obviously trying to project a confidence he doesnt feel.

You sure you dont want to take a few days, Carlyle asks, more empathetic than worried. You know, prepare ourselves mentally and spend time with certain people?

Yes, Terry says without hesitation. The more we wait, the worse itll be. As for spending time with people well, better to not have to pretend everything will be fine. Besides, well need as much time as possible to figure out a way back. Preferably before winter break ends.

I guess that makes sense. Poor Malichi, though. Carlyle tries to be light about it, but an uncomfortable silence descends anyways. Sorry.

Its fine. Just everyone rest up and meet in the alchemical garden at dawn.

They disperse, leaving me staring at the books Ive been pretending to peruse in fuming anger. Besides the frustration of them not conveniently mentioning the name of the place theyre going to this time, I have to live with the knowledge that hes getting there via a chance damned teleporter. A teleporter! Of all the fool stunts to pull. Just after I went through all that trouble getting him that armour, he willingly walks up to one of the few dangers that it will do nothing to protect him from. Putting his life fully in the hands of an insane person who might snuff it out purely by carelessness.

I snatch a book at random and storm down the row, ignoring the start I give a random passerby at an intersection. Why would he do such a thing? Er not why I know why but well, why? Forget the physical dangers. Forget the chance that the teleporter forgets that your heart needs to stay in the same place as the rest of the body to function, or something else equally stupid. Forget that. What if the person who enters the teleportation effect is different from the one who exits it? What if that person doesnt care for me?

It can happen, right? A sort of accidental switching of the realized and the potential? Im certain Ive read it theorized in a book Not one written by a teleporter, of course, but I think it was a well respected theorist.

Damned stupid, stupid I dont even know what I know anymore. What fears are real and whats half remembered nonsense, as every titbit Ive heard of teleporters rush me all at once... Im going to talk to him. I dont care if hes suspicious of me being here. I have every right to be here. In fact, its less strange for me to be here than him. Classes may be over, but I will always have new spells to research.

So, instead of hiding like I do every other time one of their meetings ends, I deliberately cross paths with Terry. Im carrying a stack of books. Some are random, but others are things related to my interests, which I select more carefully. I am here after all; might as well look some stuff up.

I emerge from the rows of books towards the central tables, through which I correctly predict him to head to the exit. I spot him heading my way with Emily and Carlyle in tow the other two presumably having split off to not draw attention. I school my face to neutral, then, upon seeing them, to a delighted smile with no trace of the anger Im shoving down. Easier than I expected as despite my anger part of me is genuinely happy to see him. A small part.

Terry! I didnt know youd be here. Researching something with Emily and? Oh, I dont believe weve met.

Carlyle Nankere. He makes a polite and deferential bow.

Ah, Carlyle I think Ive heard that name. Another noble from the north? Its hard to place his accent, though maybe a little similar to Terrys, if a bit looser.

Hm it is somewhat common in the north.

Oh? From around where Terry grew up, maybe?

Ah Yes, pretty close, in fact. He has the audacity to say that with some irony that he thinks he can hide from me. I manage not to sneer in contempt.

Instead, I smile knowingly and very smugly. By which you perhaps mean that you grew up in the same settlement and perhaps have known Terry all your life?

Ah er, yes, my lord. I see you take my meaning plainly.

Heh, yes. I suppose thats why Terry never introduced us then? Too afraid of all the stories you could tell about him? I smile lightly at Terry, who is staring distantly in my direction.

Terry stumbles in his reply. Er Yes Malichi, its um Its good that we ran into each other. I was going to try to talk to you tonight, but its better to do it now. His voice is full of pain that I let my face react to.

Oh um okay? I say with a genuine hesitancy at what I know is about to come. It is a struggle to keep that knowledge from my face, but I manage. Um Im always happy to talk with you if it wont interrupt what youre doing with them?

He shakes his head. We were all just leaving anyways. Im sure they wont mind going ahead.

Okay, lets talk then.

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