Published at 7th of November 2026 6:36 am

Chapter THREE HUNDRED FOURTEEN: What Grows Unseen IV

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

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The night was aging, but Azeeda-undh was still awake, hunting a trespasser through her own house and out onto the grounds.

The trespasser was only a child whod sneaked into rooms where the young children werent allowed to go, leaving drawers and cabinets out of order while he searched for something. And Azeedas skill, Allhunter, had allowed her to figure out which of the children it was quickly. But by sinking deeper into Allhunter, she could discern truths about her preys actions and nature.

It was nostalgic to follow the trail her little brother had made over the past day. Azeeda had almost forgotten about that cubbyhole in the nursery where precious objects could be tucked away. And that there was a narrow gap between the bushes and one side of the house that made a good hiding place if a person was small.

She was curious about why her brother had been so busy at his task. This was more like tracking an animal preparing for bad weather than like tracking a child at play. If she hadnt already checked on Zakithee, shed have been concerned. But he was in his bed, sleeping easily.

Since nothing was really amiss, Azeeda could enjoy the hunt. Zakithee was a determined little boy. Hed be a good knight one day.

She made a luck wish with one hand, palm facing in the direction of Wathes Ribbon. She wasnt superstitious, except about jinxing her family.

Shed had it easy with Allhunter. Not all had it easy with their skills.

At this very moment, Kessril was talking to a girl who didnt.

Azeeda had been asked to go to Goldbush only two days ago. Kessril had decided he would go with her. Hed already looked into the work that needed to be done there, and hed taken an interest in being responsible for the girl, though she didnt know it yet.

Ryada-bess.

Kessril said that he would keep up with Azeeda by becoming an overnight teacher of newlings with her.

She hadnt thought of what shed be doing that way before he said it. She was going to Goldbush to find answers about what had become of the two whod gone missing there. It was right for her to communicate with the families of those who had been lost. It was also right to let the grieving sister help if she could. Involving her in the hunt might even be a necessity, instead of a courtesy, if the mission didnt go as quickly as Azeeda hoped it would.

And shes so inexperienced Ill naturally be doing some teaching along the way. Kessril is right.

This would be a new kind of responsibility for her. She was grateful Kessril would be around to support her through anything unexpected. As she would him.

I am surely among the most fortunate in this universe.

She couldnt say shed had it easy with the search for inesvul. But in Kessril, shed found the most likely prospect of her life. They were still deepening well together. They both hoped.

Tonight, he was observing the training fields in addition to learning about Ryada-bess. Hed been sending Azeeda more information about the happenings there than she felt she needed. Shed responded by sending him more information about what she was doing than he needed.

[Zakithee hid the manyadeeth he took under a bush, then he dug it back up again,] she told him as she traced her brothers short steps. [He was feeling overworked and unappreciated the whole time.]

[You have to ask him what he needs manyadeeth for.]

[Im going to figure it out myself first.]

[Your skill isnt powerful enough for such a mystery. Youll wake up tomorrow to find hes used the manyadeeth to dye Undhome pink.]

She smiled. She wanted to send an authority greeting to him all the way up at the observation station.

[By the way, that human made it back to the squad hes with all on his own,] Kessril sent a short while later. [I know you probably havent been watching since he wasnt doing much with the kelsithe. I wasnt watching either, but my new student has surprisingly strong feelings about him. I assume they know each other through the arth family.]

Azeeda was circling around a decorative saltwater pond, as Zakithee had done. She could feel the way hed considered it. Hed been thinking of hiding his manyadeeth underwater.

[Hes done much with the kelsithe now,] Kessril added. [Its worth requesting the record.]

[I might later.]

[Its really worth it.]

Azeeda continued slowly trailing her brother.

There were almost always some Avowed on the fields. Kessril wouldnt usually have called her attention to one. Earlier, hed done it because of the kelsithe. Neither of them had watched anyone use one in battle before.

The human had used it to control his landing after the fall from their flyer, and then hed made a shield of it. That wasnt battle, but Azeeda felt shed seen enough.

Its said Alis-arth became very upset about finding that human. Wouldnt it be best for him to be living out of sight and in peace somewhere?

One of her spouses could be responsible for ensuring that the human had a good life from now on. That would allow Alis-arth to remove any worry involving him from her thoughts.

The Quaternary carried too many heavy matters for the weight of such a small one not to be taken by others.

The arths are different than us. I still wouldnt have guessed theyd want that human training with one of their young ones, though. Hes a Ryeh-bt. Are they planning to use him for something in the near future?

No. They cant take a young human Ryeh-bt the Quaternary worries over anywhere dangerous, so why is he practicing as if he might go through something dangerous?

Azeeda hoped it was some kind of therapy to help the human. A bit improper of them to use this training exercise for it, but not as improper as the arth girl on that squad inviting the Avowed along thoughtlessly. Or recklessly.

Goodchild Zakithee, she thought, following her brothers path back toward the house. Dying the water wouldnt have been a nice thing to do to the animals that live in it.

The saltwater pond had been created to cheer up their aunt whod loved tidal pools. Shed died when Azeeda was a child. Zakithee probably didnt know to connect the pond in their yard to her.

[Is Ryada-bess close to the arth on her former squad?] she asked.

If Azeeda and Kessril were to be teachers of younger knights, theyd better learn what they could about each others students.

[Shes close to all of them. Rel-arth says he thinks they rolled on well for longer than they should have because she was their hub.]

Too many of us hide our true selves beneath a facade of strength, thought Azeeda. Is it a failing more common in Rapport folk?

She knew almost no one who lived another kind of life, so she couldnt say.

Kessril would know.

His student has strong feelings about the human. Azeeda stopped inside the back door of the house. A lamp had come to hover at her knees. If the student has strong feelings, then a good instructor would seek to understand them.

And if my hoped-for one gives his attention to something, then I at least

[What kind of strong feelings does Ryada-bess have about the human?] she asked.

[Positive ones. Have you watched? Ive seen all sorts of skills and more than a few rescues, but I cant say Ive ever seen a knight carried around that way before.]

[Im watching now.]

She soon saw that the positive feelings were understandable. She also saw cause for concern.

[My uncles home,] she sent to Kessril. [Hell be watching this when he has time. Hes going to give them such a harsh evaluation whether they ask for his opinion or not.]

[Why? Theyre doing well. From how they began I was afraid theyd fall completely apart, but theyve come together as a team now. Even if they are a bit ragged I think its a good thing for them, and its good for their former member to see them this way.]

Azeeda read the message again. The issue was simple enough that she would have thought hed notice it himself. The Avowed had disobeyed the order hed been given to find safety and wait, and none of the knights on that squad had asked him why or commented on it at all.

Kessril isnt wrong, though. That a struggling squad has come together is important.

The problem was that the uncle she was worried about would latch onto that one particular oversight, grow excessively angry about matters scarcely related to this one Avowed and these newlings, and then nitpick their entire performance until they forgot anything good had happened at all.

Ill take care of it so they dont have to go through that, she decided.

She started checking the Rapport III tellingbush to find out which arths were around.

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Stus final lesson that day ended when it was expected to, so his feelings that the instructor was belaboring every detail probably didnt reflect reality. He gave thanks on his way out the door and took care not to rush through groups of students who wished to be overheard having erudite debates in the atrium.

He had been practicing not rushing rudely away from LeafSong all afternoon.

Since he was allowed to access scenes from the Rapport III fields, he had done it at every opportunity between classes. Having frequent proof that Alden was well should have made waiting easier.

It had.

But today, only a teleport away from where Stu endeavored to be a proper student, his friend had unexpectedly taken steps onto a training battlefield like a proper newling knight.

This is wonderful.

When Alden had sent that message about joining Embans squad for their quest, the number of questions and the amount of nerves it had generated within Stu was a phenomenon worthy of a Masters study.

But he had felt a cautious optimism, too. And that optimism had been rewarded again and again each time he checked on Aldens progress.

What had started as a hope that this was Embans way of apologizing to Alden and showing him respect had grown into delight as Stu watched Alden succeed.

He had a kelsithe with him! How had he known to get one of those? And his control of it seemed to be excellent!

Stu had held his breath while Alden stayed levelheaded during a flyer accident that he couldnt have had any sort of practice for.

Hed noticed evidence of the wordchains Alden knew in the way he ran.

Hed wanted to skip one of his classes entirely to pay closer attention to how he was using his movement trait. They hadnt talked about that aspect of his binding much.

Not very long ago at all, Stu had been showing his friend how to apply break plates and explaining how hazard mimics worked, and now Alden was wearing a full set of plates and fighting hazard mimics with no help at all.

Stu had seen how Alden performed in the many videos hed shared of his training at Celena North, so he could see the effort that was happening now. He could see Aldens focus on rejoining his entruster. Could feel a thrill of recognition during the moment when Alden met the charge of a hazard mimic and then ended it.

That had happened when Stu was in a lecture.

He wished hed been standing right there on the field instead, sensing the working of Aldens magic.

He must be so excited! Hes probably annoyed he cant pull out his auriad and try something. I hope this is helping him gain insight into The Bearer of All Burdens that he hasnt found yet at his school.

Extraordinary power and effort could be found in abundance in the Rapports. And by the reckoning of many people, Stu had witnessed greater magic in the classes hed knelt through today.

But Alden was as close to his best now as Stu had ever seen him.

He didnt have to be there today, but hes there for them. He helped Emban and the others when they most needed him.

He used wegyta rings.

Hes run for ages. I knew he could run that far, but to see it!

The way he took Bithe up that hill

Stu felt that he had caught a new glimpse of the person his aunt had commended. And a glimpse even better than the vision in the coat had been of who Alden wanted to become.

Hes tired.

He had every right to be. And hed given Emban and her friends all of his snacks without taking anything but a sip of wevvi for himself.

Stu had made that wevvi.

Why am I in this school instead of there with them?

He picked up his pace as he left the building, trying to intercept his cart to the summonarium as soon as possible. His thoughts were almost fully on what was happening in Rapport III as he hopped into it and took his seat, so it was a shock when someone boarded immediately behind him and sprawled in the seat across from him.

Eeanerthis cart is going to the summonarium.

It can pause at our student house on the way, Eeaner said. Where are you going in such a hurry?

To Artona I, said Stu.

That narrows the answer down to a whole planet. Youve been behaving unlike yourself all day.

I havent.

Youve been smiling to yourself and sneaking off into corners to stare at something every chance you found. You didnt even wait around to tell Bayab he should feel shame for what he said in front of our last instructor.

What did he say?

You make my point for me. What are you going to do on our Mother Planet? Maybe I want to go with you and discover what enlivens and distracts Sina Stu-arth. If its a person or an activity, I should include it at our party. Theres still time.

Im going to Rapport III to observe someone whos training himself to protect reality from chaoss encroachment. Hes been fighting battles there all day. I hope to congratulate him and others as they return from their quest.

Eeaner huffed. When you say things like that, why does it always sound like youre adding, Unlike you, Shameful Eeaner-ket, in your mind?

Stu really didnt want to talk to his housemate right now. Hed been eager to spend the cart ride reviewing everything Alden and Embans squad had done while he was in class. Its up to you to feel shame or not.

Not, then.

Eeaner said it so carelessly.

Stu directed the cart to stop. You may have this cart. Ill request another one.

Eeaner bolted onto his feet and held an arm out to stop Stu from exiting. You prickly person! Im trying to be warm to you when you seemed to be in a good mood! What am I supposed to be ashamed of this time?

Stu looked at the arm. Nevermind, Eeaner. Im just busy with much that doesnt truly interest you.

You know you take offense at the least offensive things, dont you?

When we became housemates, you said to me that you could picture yourself one day choosing to enter Rapport service.

Stu found both of Eeaners eyes. He was wearing his solar gem necklace. Light from it shone against his chin. He hadnt had it earlier. He must have been carrying it in a pocket, waiting for the moment when their final class ended.

I know now that you were speaking idly, said Stu, but at the time it wasnt obvious. You even talked at length about how the Rapports could benefit from less insularity and more wizards tying us to institutions other than DawnStep. Your intelligence hid your lack of sincerity. I didnt agree with everything you said, but I looked forward to hearing more of your ideas. I thought we could discuss futures that had something significant in common. As time passed, I wondered why I couldnt persuade you to talk the same way anymore. Eventually, I realized it was probably because youd realized I took you too seriously that first time.

Why didnt you just go to DawnStep if you wanted to be around people like that? The words snappedout of Eeaner-ket. Not at all carefree.

I think Ive made him angry.

Eeaner hardly ever seemed truly angry.

This was something I had decided not to bring up with him for a reason, Stu thought. I want to get along with my housemates.

I was in a hurry, Stu said, trying to apologize with his tone. To get to the summonarium.

Get there then. Eeaner dropped his arm and stepped off the cart. Without me.

Stu searched for another apology that he could give honestly. Im sorry Im prickly toward you when youre trying to be warm to me. I appreciate that you were making an effort, so I shouldnt have been. If it was Bayab-oth, or others, I wouldnt still be holding onto something they said so long agoso its not fair that I am with you.

It really wasnt fair to him, was it?

Ill stop doing that, Stu said firmly. I hope that will make me more pleasant for you to have light conversations with.

Eeaners face puckered.

Have a good evening, said Stu, watching the expression to see if his next words would fix it. Ill put my best effort into being fun at your party.

The face didnt change.

Hell have to fix himself then.

What if more of the winged demons have gone after the squad? What can Alden do with Bithe now that theyre together?

Bye, Stu said.

His cart started to roll. His housemate hissed and jumped at it wildly. Hed have fallen under it if Stu hadnt reflexively grabbed for him and hauled him aboard.

Eeaner! Be careful!

Eeaner was sitting on the cart floor. It had jerked to a halt again.

Are you all right? Stu asked.

Here, Eeaner said, slapping a small box onto the seat beside Stu. I collected these for you. Do whatever it is you do with them. Dont start treating me lightly. I wont tolerate you for a moment longer if you do.

Stu opened the lid, then shut it immediately as the racket coming from the box announced what it was that Eeaner had collected.

Klerms.

Thank you, said Stu.

Eeaner was crawling backward to get out of the cart.

Oh, go away and stare at whatever mighty, shameproof knight youve been staring at all day. Do they have the same skill you plan to choose or something? I dont care. Just go. I hope your klerms escape and infest a Rapport. Youd better have fun with everyone else this weekend.

Stu wanted to focus on the wonderful things happening in Rapport III. As the cart started again, he found himself turning around to watch Eeaner-ket instead.

He was standing on the edge of the path, staring down at a carnivorous plant. People and carts were passing him.

What is that look?

Eeaner usually seems to fit right in wherever he is. But now he doesnt at all.

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Remember, that water is acid, Alden whispered to his squad of followers as they half bounced, half drifted down the hill behind him, lightened by Seths skill and tethered to each other and him by his new rope. Or its full of demon pee. Or chaos bacteria. We dont touch it.

You know because you touched it, said Emban.

She sounded disappointed in him. But in the cramped confines of the bird foot, shed thanked him for helping Bithe. Shed said she was glad he came.

Alden thought they were getting along with each other again. It was a good feeling.

I didnt touch it. I got splashed with it.

Theres something in there that splashes people? asked Tilliver.

His sculpture had held through the storm, and the long break had helped everyone but Divin recover somewhat. Alden had used his entire inhaler during the wait, but his muscles were feeling much more leaden than they had at the beginning of this.

Lets just be careful, he said. And watch for that big one I told you about. Or others like it. It blended in until it woke up and started moving.

They were all on lookout duty. Alden was trying to make sure he retraced his own steps as closely as he could. The way hed traveled to reach them was the safest way they knew of.

He wore his kelsithe and carried the backpack on that arm, all of it preserved as a stack because they were hoping to balance easy access with protecting what they could from being damaged by the corrupted environment.

Their goal was simply to get back to a zone that was less red. Just the other side of Demon Goat Valley. From there, they would try to call for an extraction.

The Artonans were all placing bets on what the actual animal was that Alden had decided to call a goat. He was having a hard time getting any of them to take an interest in the special mouse hed seen because he didnt know how to convey that it was special mouse without saying he could tell it was made by magic.

I cant believe you ate without me, Divin grumbled.

Im sorry, said Alden. I tried to set something aside, but then it was gone. Next time Ill make sure Ive got enough for everyone.

Next time?

Alden leaped the stream. Sure. If theres ever a next time.

In the privacy of his thoughts, he promised himself there would be.

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