A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 30: Day 44
The next morning, the sextet, plus Lucas, set out for the farm on horseback, with Lucas riding with Milos on Milos' horse. Milos had felt bringing him along would instill confidence, and Matthias had agreed. At the farm, they divided into three patrols — Matthias and Tyra; Milos, Lisette, and Lucas; and Tristan and Karla. One patrol would walk the pasture; one would observe the woods; the third would remain at the house.
It was mid-morning before they spotted anyone, with Karla observing two men watching her and Tristan patrolling the perimeter of the property. Karla called for Matthias, who was in the pasture with Tyra, though close to the house.
"I see them," he said when he and Tyra walked over to where Karla and Tristan were standing. "Tristan, call out and ask them to talk."
Tristan did so, and in response, the men melted into the woods and disappeared from sight. Having heard Tristan call out, Milos, Lisette, and Lucas joined the others.
"Standoff," Milos observed. "We cannot risk entering the woods, and they cannot risk leaving cover."
"What size force do you believe we would need?" Matthias inquired.
"At least three to one, with the enemy having good cover. The bigger concern is we don't know the size of the force we'd be facing."
"Tyra," Matthias said. "Can you detect life?"
"Yes, though the effect is too focused to see the entirety of the woods, meaning it would take multiple spells. The larger problem is the aura I would see isn't limited to human life. Every bird, deer, squirrel, rabbit, or whatever would create, in effect, a blanket of life aura."
"Matthias," Karla said, "let's continue and observe what happens. Perhaps we can make a better count of their forces."
"Let's do that," he confirmed.
They spent the rest of the morning watching, but didn't spot anyone in the woods. When it was time for the mid-day meal, Matthias decided to end the patrols. A standoff without a battle still left Sierra's flock at risk. The adventurers gathered at the house to speak to Sierra.
"I will discuss the situation with the Bailiff in Fulham and propose using the City Guard to clear the woods. If anything happens before then, summon us at once."
"Yes, my Lord," Sierra agreed.
The seven took their leave and returned to Newtown to eat their mid-day meal.
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Miri, with a warrant from King Edward, was escorted by a squad of King's Guard to the quarters of the Court Mage, Melchior.
"By order of the King, you are to relinquish your laboratory to Duchess Miri," the Sergeant announced as they entered.
"And what is to become of me?" the elderly man asked.
"Swear your loyalty to King Edward, and you will receive an annuity and title to property in the upper district of the city. You will be free to come and go as you please."
"I so swear," Melchior said firmly.
"Good. Please answer any questions posed to you by Duchess Miri."
Melchior nodded, and with Miri's nod, the Guardsmen stepped into the corridor and closed the door. Miri first asked about the device able to detect mana crystals. To her, it resembled a radio, with a pair of antennas and a series of crystals on top. Melchior showed her how to activate the device and explained the meaning of what she would have called the 'readout'.
"If no crystals glow, it indicates there are no mana crystals in the Keep," Melchior said.
"Is the range limited to the Keep?" Miri inquired.
"There are gold plates with similar crystals spread around the Keep that define the detection area."
"Thank you; please continue."
"If the blue crystals glow, it indicates discharged mana crystals. The more blue crystals, the more detected mana crystals. If the red crystals glow, it means there are charged crystals in the Keep, and again, more if more crystals glow. There are markings to turn it so that it reflects from a different gold plate, giving you a general idea of where the crystals are located in the Keep. You must make a full rotation to cover the entire Keep."
"Where do you keep your crystals?"
The Court Mage was the only person authorized to have crystals in the Keep, and Miri would be able to retrieve hers, but they were uncharged, something she would remedy by sleeping for a night.
"There is a compartment inside the device. That is the only place where they are not detected. Any crystals collected by the guards are stored in a lockbox in the guardhouse outside the range of the detector."
"How is it activated?"
"A simple cantrip, which, as you know, does not require a mana crystal, but simply draws from the mana well of an experienced mage. I will teach it to you, if you do not already know it."
"I wasn't aware that was possible!"
"You are self-taught?"
"I am."
"Then I will teach you mage light, mage hand, create flame, and eldritch beam. It is the latter that will activate the machine."
"How often may those be cast?"
"At will, until your mana is depleted, but they use only a tiny amount of mana, so most mages are able to cast them four times per day before they deplete enough mana to affect regular spells. Their area of effect is limited to within your reach."
"Then teach me and show me, please."
Melchior taught her the incantation and explained how to focus the spells, then had her try eldritch beam. None of the crystals glowed.
"Now, let me remove the crystals from the compartment."
He did so and had Miri try again. This time, two of the six red crystals on the device glowed.
"Is there any way to know the distance to the mana crystals it detects?"
"No," Melchior replied. "Or if there is, I have not yet been able to discover it."
Miri recalled the idea of triangulation from her OP and suspected that having multiple devices at some distance from each other might work, though she would need to speak to Matthias.
"Did you construct the device?" Miri asked.
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