บท 10: First Real Quest
[A/N]: Hopefully I will still be able to release new chapters fairly regularly, but there is a chance they may become irregular for a little bit. Who knew babies took up a lot of time? Also, first time writing it all on my phone so there are probably more errors than usual.
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It had been a quiet month since Rictus had arrived back in Whiterun. The rest of his caravan trip had passed quickly and smoothly. Being back home had given him time to decompress from the crazy past couple days and just relax and train a bit. While his skill level had been maxed at 100, it did not mean there was not more growth.
Practicing his spells allowed him to gain more familiarity with them and know how best to utilize them. Rictus also noted each spell still had room to grow. The more he practiced a spell the better he got at it. He could cast the spell faster and better manipulate it the more he used the spell.
Rictus had also just recently found out if he altered a spell enough, it would become a new spell in his grimoire. He found this out by messing around with his Ease Burden spells. The spell originally helps with carrying capacity by lightening whatever you are carrying. It would make sense there would be a spell to increase weight since one could decrease weight.
Thus Burden was born.
The spell did what it sounded like. It increases the weight of an object. The spell was only apprentice level as well which made it very cost effective mana wise.
Rictus had actually spent most of his time for three weeks on this spell. Even though the theory of the spell was simple, it took a while to refine it enough to be practical.
While some spells, like paralyze, is shot out like an arrow, Burden ended up being more similar to telekinesis. Instead of a glob of magic, it almost instantly affected the target. His best guess for how this type of magical aiming worked, was that there was some magical link which allowed the spell to go along it instead of shooting out in a ball. This aspect took the longest to figure out.
Rictus had no proof, but he suspected if he had not mastered telekinesis, then getting the spell to work like that would have been near impossible or taken years of practice. It was a little disheartening it took almost 2 weeks to figure out this spell since it was only rated at apprentice. Getting his higher level spells to operate this way would be a major undertaking in time.
The other magical breakthrough happened while working on Burden. Rictus had begun to notice that he could almost sense mana and magical energies. It wasn't something concrete at first, but he could almost feel the mana in the air and how it moved as he casted spells. He had a lucky break and created another spell following this feeling.
Rictus had a thought that if he could Detect Life, why not mana? It turned out it was that simple. He really wasn't sure why it was so much easier to make this change compared to others, but he decided not to question it too much for the time being.
The spell basically allowed him to see the magical energies around him. It could be used to even see the magical potential of people. The stronger the mage, the brighter they shined. This was proven when Rictus saw the court mage one day in the markets and noticed how much brighter he shone than the others.
The spell also allowed him to see enchanted weapons and spell scrolls easily as well. Being able to find those things will be very beneficial when he decides to go adventuring again.
Thinking of adventuring, Rictus had been interested in seeing the application of his Burden spell in combat. The initial tests had been very promising at least, and it provided a stealthy way of influencing combat without people knowing it's magic.
Admittedly, the initial tests were done outside of Whiterun in the poorer district where a lot of laborers and warehouses were located. Rictus may or may not have hidden in the shadows while he casted it at the large crates being carried my the laborers to see how they fared. The many squished toes and yelled curses proved the spell was a rousing success. If someone suddenly found their sword or armor to be 50 to 100lbs heavier, it would really mess with them.
Rictus also found the combination of Ease Burden and Burden to make swinging a giant weapon way easier and more fun. Being able to make the sword weightless allowed him to swing the weapons much faster. Then if he canceled the spell or cast Burden instead, the damage would be greatly multiplied while using much less stamina.
Being in a fantasy world did make Rictus want to at least use a giant melee weapon. It was simply too fun to pass up. Swinging giant weapons and slaying your opponent is many a young man's dream no matter the world you come from. This lead to Rictus visiting the Companions for some training.
The game definitely did not do justice to Jorrvaskr. The ancient mead hall had some sort of mystical presence no screen could capture. One could simply feel the history in the place. Jorrvaskr was larger and more physically imposing that Rictus thought. There were also a lot more Companion members than the game which is understandable seeing as they are the major mercenary guild in the region.
Being the "honorable" group they were, the Companions offered weapon training. They also did this in order to scout the talent and recruit those who show promise.
Rictus had decided to try and learn a least a little something about using weapons since there could be cases his magic fails him. Rictus preferred the two handed weapons overall. This was mostly due to being able to reduce their weight as well as his overall strength he gained from adding muscles with the Alter body spell.
The great ax was a personal favorite for Rictus. While it could be used skillfully, it did not require quite as much training as the sword, plus axes are just plain awesome. Je would occasionally use the war hammer,, but it was for very specific situations. It still surprised Rictus the true weight of the ax. While the ax was heavy, it was no where near what a modern person thinks. The ax weighed no more than 10lbs and that was only because it was a training ax the Companions used for getting trainees into shape.
Most of the Companions were not especially friendly to Rictus. They knew he was a mage from some of the magical light shows he would put on for kids in town, and the current Companions were not big on magic users. Still, they were more than willing to try and teach Rictus the way of the ax, especially if it got him to give up practice.
Rictus didn't really interact with the members of the Circle since they were way too busy and important to teach random nobodies the basics of weapons. Seeing Skjor seemed to indicate the events with the Silver hand hasn't escalated since he was not dead yet. It also made Rictus think that no one from the other side picked to start as part of the Companions guild.
Mathred the Mute was the Companion who had been training Rictus in using the great ax. Mathred had been surprised at the pure strength of Rictus and how he seemed to be able to swing the great ax like a stick. He had also tried to get Rictus to work with a greatsword, but the man refused saying something about how swords were for shooting out and that axes and hammers were a real man's tool. Mathred never was one to understand mages. Even if this one was one of the better ones since he recognized the usefulness of a bad over that Talos damned magic.
While the Rictus was being instructed by Mathred, he was surprised to see Aela start to approach them. Aela was an impressive specimen to behold for sure. The athletic build which at first glance hid her curves was a sight to behold, especially in that tightly fitting armor. There was something primal and dangerous about the way she moved. Her very presence alluding to her being a predator, which seeing as she was a werewolf made a lot of sense.
Mathred, noticing him being distracted, gave Rictus a good thwack to the back of the head. Then he too turned an appreciative eye towards the approaching huntress.
Aela gave Rictus a calculating look before speaking.
"So you are a mage are you not?"
Rubbing the back of his head where Mathred had hit him, Rictus tried to figure out where this was going.
"Yes. I am something of a magic man you could say. I would not claim to be a great mage, but I can get by."
"Hmm" Aela seemed to study him for a moment as she contemplated something.
"You seem to handle yourself well with a blade, for a mage. We have a mission which could potentially use some arcane insights. Would you be willing to aid us in this journey? "
Rictus was quite surprised by the offer. He didn't think the Companions usually dealt with the arcane. Intrigued by the whole deal, Rictus wanted to know more.
"How come you are asking me? Are you asking me to join the Companions?"
Aela gave Rictus a bit of a smirk when he mentioned joining the Companions.
"First off, I was not asking you to join the Companions. You have yet to prove yourself to us in that regard. Not just anyone can join. Second, I am asking you because Kodlak had a good opinion of you based off Mathred's assessment of you. That, and from what I have heard you are a decent mage if your little light shows at the tavern are anything to go by."
Rictus couldn't help but smile as he thought of his little light shows. He had been casting many different mage lights to impress the crowds and give the tavern better ambiance. Mikael the bard was especially a fan since it improved his performances and got him more tips.
"Well I suppose that makes some sense then I suppose. I am still a little surprised you are asking for help though. Is the mission that tough you need support from an outsider?"
Aela seemed to let out a bit of a sigh before responding.
"Honestly, I do not think you are needed for the mission. Kodlak seemed to think it would be better if we would have more magical support and you were the only option really. Apparently, in the olden days of the Companions, they often used the help of mages they called Clever men, at least that is what Kodlak claims."
Rictus was a bit surprised by the little lore that was mentioned about the Companions. He had always thought they were pure warriors who thought magic was dishonorable. Apparently, the ancient nords weren't so closed minded. Rictus was roused from his musings as Aela described the mission.
"We were hired by a mage to explore some ruins between Dawnstar and Solitude. She claims that there is a scroll there which links her bloodline to Ysgramor himself. Hardly believable, but her coin is good."
Hearing this, Rictus was a bit confused. He had no memory of a Companions quest which dealt with this kind of thing. It makes sense the Companions do more than just their quest line. They are mercenaries.
This also provided an excellent opportunity for going back out in the world. Rictus would be able to explore more, get some money, and would have an escort of meatshields…or Companions.
Rictus couldn't help but smirk as he thought of the trip ahead of him.
"I don't have anything going on. I could use a bit of adventure."
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