abraxaslogs | Rewriting history with the stories we tell

It is good to have reassurance from both of them. From Istredd, that he will bolster the shield if it turns out to not be enough to protect the three of them. From Urianger, that if the worst comes to pass, healing spells will be quick to follow and put them back into fighting form. Thancred has cut through enough mobs of monsters and had them bite and tear at him to know that Urianger is more than capable of keeping up with him.

He is also going out of his way to not be too reckless here. Burn wounds are never pleasant, and he imagines all of them would rather avoid them.

With the three of them huddled close together, he lifts his arm over his head and then activates the device. It sends a shimmering, translucent bubble around them, which holds for a good few moments until he drops it. It's only barely large enough to accommodate them, but that will do.

"Well then. I'm satisfied if you both are as well?" He scans the horizon, looking for the part of the sky that is most lit up by distant flames as they rage unchecked through the fields. From his perspective, it is off to the west that looks worst. He nods in that direction. "There."

Istredd's never been particularly skilled at healing, so it's a good thing Urianger has the ability there. He can do it, all mages are trained in it, but he wouldn't say he has the art for it. He notices Urianger appear to reach back for something that isn't there, an instinct born of someone used to having a weapon or something else, but they don't come here with anything.

The shield comes up around them and Istredd can feel the hum of the magical energy, very interesting. He thinks he wouldn't be able to necessarily boost it with the same magic, but he could put a telekinesis shield around all three of them that would be enough in a pinch. It'll be good enough.

"Yes, we should go with the worst. Two mages with rain spells will make short work of it." It isn't overconfidence, it's just reality. There are people doing this with no magic at all. Whatever helps, that's what matters. Istredd stays close to Thancred as they move in that direction. When they are the very edges, close enough to feel the heat, he looks at his companions.

"Ready?"

Urianger nods — and the mission is under way.

He had thought that this might feel just like old times, but it is different in a way he can't quite explain. Perhaps it's Istredd: Urianger isn't used to working with someone whose passion for magic matches his own, and it's exhiliarating to know that there might very well be something he could learn if he were to watch the other man's spellwork. There's also the matter of Thancred's shield — it's different to the way Urianger has seen him protect himself before — as well as the fact that Himeka's cheerful chatter is very much missing.

No, this isn't like old times. This is something new.

When the heat begins to shimmer through the shield Urianger looks to Istredd, before turning his attention back to the spell at hand. Although the magick of Abraxas is still relatively new to him Urianger has been practicing, and practicing hard, and it's the work of a moment to create the a swirling cloud of pure magic that pours torrential rain onto the burning field below.

"Join thy spell to mine," he calls to Istredd, one hand held aloft as he focuses on channelling the magic.

The Abraxan magic feels very different from what he knows; in a way, it's much easier. The academic magic is stoic and up front, reading spells that anyone can do, albeit people with more power capable of amplifying it. His kind speak spells in tongues but so much of it is simply made from within them, channeled Chaos. He likes this new type of field open to him. He likes learning anything new.

But this isn't old times to him, this is brand new. Istredd hasn't worked with another mage in a very long time. He's always been something of an outsider, more interested in books and history than in the present and politics. He's been solitary and there is something engaging about walking through fire with new people.

His hand moves aloft to mirror Urianger and he speaks the spell. It turns out they're very correct because two powerful mages doing it at the same time really shoots out a larger rain spell, water crashing down onto the flames.

As soon as they get close enough to the flames that the heat can be felt even through his layers of clothing, Thancred activates the shield around them once more. This allows the three of them to move closer in toward the center of the conflagration, and once they've waded in far enough both Urianger and Istredd activate the rain spell.

While Thancred hasn't seen Istredd's magick with his own eyes before now, he'd trusted that the man was an accomplished mage. With his power joined to Urianger's, it's a veritable downpour that cascades onto the fire, putting out the flames and causing the ground to steam from the sudden reaction.

Thancred remains nestled in between the two taller men, focused on keeping the shield active. The flames lick up against it, but don't penetrate it. He can smell the smoke and feel the soot coating against his face all the same.

Once the immediate area has been snuffed out, he drops the shield and takes a few steps forward, nodding at their work. There are only embers left in the soil now, one which he crushes beneath his boot.

He turns back to the pair. "I imagine we can repeat this in a few more spots. Shall we?"

It works well.

Urianger feels the power in Istredd's spell combine with his own and the results speak for themselves: their torrent is noticably more effective than those scattered individuals trying out spellwork for the first time, and they make quick work of the patch of fire that was beginning to spread in their direction.

He's aware of Thancred tucked in close, of the shield as it thrums around them to protect them, and feels a grim smile of satisfaction settle on his lips when he drops it before the now gently steaming pulp.

"Aye, let us continue," he agrees, glancing towards istredd before dropping his own spell that they might move without having to concentrate on channelling the spell at the same time. It's heartening to see that there's something they can do to offer immediate support to the people of Nott. Urianger has often placed himself on the sidelines, having spent many years supporting his friends through long-term research as opposed to front-line action, but lately he's been pushing himself out of that comfort zone and offering his assistance in any way that he can, whenever called.

Volunteering it now, apparently. He hopes Moenbryda would be proud.

It takes some wading through soaked, burned-up farmland, but it isn't difficult for the three of them to follow the signs of distant fire with the way that it fills the air overhead with smoke and lights up the sky. Thancred does choose to wrap a cloth around the lower half of his face at one point, wanting to protect his throat and lungs from all the smoke. He advises the others to do the same.

That aside, this is work that they're all comfortable with doing, and with two skilled mages at his side, Thancred feels as if there's little he needs to do beyond keeping the shield up when it's needed. They're able to move into the most affected areas, to the places where the fire feels scorching even through the shield, and bring heavy rain down to extinguish it all.

By the time that they've cleared out their third area, Thancred turns to his two companions.

"Well, I'd say that we make a rather good team, don't you?" That is naturally the case with himself and Urianger, but it's nice to find another stalwart ally in Istredd.

It's been awhile since Istredd had this type of companionship and this is teaching him that being on his own all the time may not have been the best move. He has no idea what might have happened if he did try to make better friendships with his fellow mages, if they would have partnered with him on his projects, which most deemed unnecessary and boring. But he also never gave them a chance. He didn't ask for help.

Seeing how the power of a team could make a huge difference as they go from place to place, putting out fires others would struggle to make a difference toward, it's a reminder how young he is, in mage terms. Eighty years of being a mage does not make one wise, it's what you do with it.

He smiles at them, feeling accomplished in a way his books can't always give him. Go figure. There is ash in the air and smoke, and he gestures, his telekinesis pushing the latter away from them and their lungs. He said he can multitask. "Yes, I believe we do." His blue eyes glow. "Still up for a few?"

Edited 2022-10-23 14:46 (UTC)

Urianger can see the satisfaction in Istredd's expression at their success — shares in it, even, in a way that strengthens the forming bond of companionship between the three of them. Perhaps it's simply the fact that they can see the impact they're having — that there is some immediate good to come of their efforts. As someone who has felt largely powerless against the forces in action around him since his arrival in Thorne, Urianger feels ...

Well. If not better, then certainly a little more in control of his fate — as far as any astrologian can, in any case.

"As many more as we can manage," Urianger nods, his smile moving from Thancred to Istredd as they prepare themselves to move on to the next patch of blaze. "And after we have done all we can, mayhap thou wouldst care to join us for tea and further refreshment?"

There is some morale to be regained by physically doing something, in light of all that has happened. Thancred is certain that their fellow Summoned are doing much and more to help Libertas, and have been for some days now.

It doesn't erase all of the unnecessary lives that have been lost, to say nothing of how many will be affected by all of this lost harvest. It's still hard to look it straight in the face, but it is naught that Thancred and Urianger haven't seen before.

They have to keep their heads held high and forge ahead, all the same.

Sensing the others are in higher spirits than when they first set out, he sends them both a crooked smile, then reaches forward to cuff Urianger on the shoulder.

"I would say we've earned something a bit harder than tea after all this, wouldn't you?" But with that, he turns and sets off in the direction the next affected area. They have work to do yet.

Rewriting history with the stories we tell

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I think we can wrap with one more from each of you! :) If you want!

Noice! \o/

puts a bow on it