The Realm of Austur Episode 1: A New Light

"If I only get away for half a day, it will be worth it. If you were in my position, you'd know why I feel that way," Elia said softly, too drained and in too much pain to really argue. "My magic has been more of a curse than a blessing. And you can't understand that, because you've obviously lived a normal life. I wish I still did, but that ended the day I found out I was a Type-1."

I don't belong anywhere in the world because of it.

"Who is this Magick Man?" Arcturus inquired as he floated lazily on his back. "If he can shelter Elia, then we could be all set. However, Elia, I will teach you how to manipulate your mana however you see fit. After all, you're a Type-1. You could save entire cities with your Magick."

Plus, I might be able to learn a few things too.

"True, but running away doesn't help either." he responded as he swam next to Pearl. "Hey, Pearl, who is this Magick Man? Do I know him?"

This is so awkward. No, it's really beyond awkward. Why do I have to be conscious and able to hear this right now?

Elia slowly moved a little farther into the pond so her ears were below the water, which she hoped would block out most of the sound. The sun had fully set, and the water was glowing brightly in prismatic colors.

If only I didn't have to hear them. This is such a nice place to be.

"What idea?" Arcturus asked as he let go of Pearl and swam just a little bit away.

"Levant."

That was the only name in Belinus' records that had any ties to the swan. Indeed, he had ordered thirty others exactly like it, specified to inclined the engraved swan. It was one of the original thirty ordered, as the one purchased later also requested the enchantment pre-placed.

"So it must have been stolen some time between three to nine months ago..." Kaim observes. "And it couldn't have been Tobar, the Butcher, because he's been on probation for two years. Never left Kadath."

Hamon smiles. "So the mystery just gets deeper and deeper... Hmm, that reminds me!" If life in Austur were some cartoon, a teen drama or an action fantasy, then a light bulb would have surely appeared over his head just then. "There were some papers on him, too..."

Hamon reaches into the satchel on his belt, removing two hastily crumpled pieces of paper. He immediately hands over the one with more words on it for Kaim to read, taking the other and examining it himself. A picture on it depicts four men in very old fashioned mage's robes, all posing for the artist.