Wish (Scales 'n' Spells 3)

“No. The…third? I think? The first tug was so faint it was barely more than a tingle. I didn’t even realize at first that’s what it was. The second time was clearer. The third happened today, not fifteen minutes past. It was unmistakable.”

Ravi nodded in support of this. “He jumped like a scalded cat.”

Lisette pushed short, white hair out of her eyes and regarded Warin. “When precisely did it start?”

“I can’t tell you what time, I barely noticed it. But five days ago was the first instance.”

“And you’ve felt it three times.” She breathed in, tapping a finger to her mouth as her eyes narrowed in thought. “Hoheit, I would say that whoever it is, they’re narrowing their search. With each casting, they’ve come in closer, which is why he’s feeling the tug of it so strongly. It’s likely whoever this is knows our approximate location at least.”

“The Jaeggi?” Warin asked in concern. “Can you tell if it’s them?”

Lisette shook her head. “The Jaeggi already know where we are and wouldn’t dare get closer to us like this. No, this person seems to be trying to get to you specifically.”

Oh. Excellent point. Warin had been so worried by the possibility of an enemy using magic against him, he’d not thought of that. But the battle at Sonthofen to reclaim Cameron from their grasp had shown the Jaeggi knew exactly where they were.

Unless it wasn’t about locating Warin, but luring him out? Burkhard Castle had significant defenses, not just physically, but magically.

Gunter entered at that moment, looking out of breath. He likely had run the distance from the basement of the castle to here. Stumbling to a stop in the doorway, he braced a hand against the doorjamb and asked, “What’s this about Warin being under magical attack?”

“Not a magical attack, rather a seeking spell,” Lisette corrected. “And from a great distance, to boot. I wish I could do a counter spell and trace it back, but it’s too faint for me to properly work with. Warin, when you felt the tug, in what direction did you feel it?”

Spells were literal things, or so it had been explained once to him. Seeking spells would go in a direct line, ignoring things like manmade roads and such. He turned and pointed west and a little north. “From there.”

Everyone shared a speaking look.

“Soooo…” Ravi looked from face to face as he drew the sound out. “If we’re all in agreement this is likely not the Jaeggi? Then does that mean we have a young mage out there somewhere working this spell, trying to find a dragon?”

“It’s a distinct possibility,” Lisette admitted. “I certainly can’t think of another. I can’t speak to what purpose they would use the spell, but I assume it’s to find a dragon.”

To do what? was the unspoken question in the room.

Warin didn’t have the patience to sit and wait for this person to find him. And frankly, if there was to be trouble, he didn’t want it here. For the first time in five hundred years, they had young mages to think of and protect. Like hell would he allow possible danger near them.

But what if this mage didn’t bring danger? What if this was a lone mage like Tori or Cameron searching for a dragon mate? Just the idea seemed too big to even dare wish for. Dragons had been seeking their lost mage mates for centuries, and now one was quite literally tugging on Warin’s tail. He had to go.

“Hoheit, I wish to go and seek out this mage.”

“A scouting mission?” Alric’s forehead wrinkled slightly as he thought. “I agree that seems wise, as we have no information at this time. But I don’t want you to go alone. Gunter, will you accompany him?”

Gunter nodded immediately, eager. “I’ll gather some equipment. If we do find the mage, then can we engage, Hoheit?”

“Use your best judgement on that. But stay in contact, regardless. I don’t wish for either of you to be hurt. This might be a trap, a way for the Jaeggi to draw you out of our defenses.”

So Alric had realized it as well. No surprise there. Their king had a tactically sound mind. “We’ll be cautious going forward. Gunter, I feel that we should fly. We can quickly get out of area that way.”

“I’m all for it. I’ll meet you in the courtyard in five minutes.”

Warin gave his king a quick bow and left as well. He’d need to throw a few clothes together into a bag. Lisette had said the mage was some distance away, but who knew how far that actually was.

He rather hoped it was the Jaeggi. Warin wouldn’t mind squashing a few of the murderous bastards.

Coffee.

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

Coffee made the world go round and North’s brain work. He needed more coffee since he wasn’t stopping long enough to catch up on his sleep.