Mark of the Fool

Chapter 586: The Nature of Bravery

There were a lot of things that Alex wasnt shocked by anymore since hed come to the university of Generasi.

Monsters? Hed started growing numb to them from his early experiences in the Art of the Wizard in combat and day to day life in Generasi. Mind-bending magic? Simply being around Baelin ensured that it became fairly normal, though he still marvelled at what the heights of true wizardly power could do. Even blood and death didnt paralyse him with fear like they once might have; hed lived through enough to understand that they were part of living in a dangerous world.

But what had just shocked him was hearing Tyris Goldtooth say the words, how much spine shes gotten lately in a sentence referring to, Carey London.

Carey? Did you say Carey London? Really? Alex whispered, cocking his head. I mean, shes determined, yeah, and bravenot like how a warriors brave, of course, but in her own way. I cant see her grabbing something sharp and sticking monsters with it, or throwing fireballs around. So, whats changed, whats she been up to lately?

Well, heres the thing: she has been throwing fireballs around, Tyris said, in the pridefilled voice of a mother talking about her accomplished daughter. I dont know when she learned the spells, but shes using combat magic.

Really? Alex was having a hard time processing the news. Carey Londonsa battlemage?

Oh gods, no, Tyris giggled. Definitely not that extreme. Shes lacking a certain She licked her upper lip. Bloodthirstiness that people like you, me, your girlfriend, and Redfletcher have.

What? Bloodthirsty? Me? Alex scoffed. I am not bloodthirsty!

FatherI think that what Tyris is saying is not blood thirst literally. She is not saying that you are thirsting for blood like a vampire. She means that you areeager to shed blood. And by shed bloodI dont mean literallyI mean

Yeah, yeah, I get it, Alex grumbled. Still doesnt match me.

Yousay you are a vengeance enthusiastyou take delight in killing enemies. You seek combat

Not for the hell of it.

Fatheryou kill when you need to. You celebrate your killsand then you congratulate me on my kills

Yeah not going to lie, that does sounds preeeetty bloodthirsty to me, Tyris chuckled. You trained your body to get yourself looking like a berserker didnt you? Face it, youre basically a monster butcher. Hold your head high! Embrace it!

Alex rolled his eyes. Look, theres nuance here that I suspect youre both purposefully ignoring to make it look like Im the sort of person who likes to chop up people in a secret lab, but were not talking about me, were talking about Carey!

Fine, fine, Ill stop teasing you, dont have a heart attack. Tyris rolled her eyes. But right, Careys not bloodthirsty. She doesnt really go looking for fights, but shes started preparing for them. No more hesitating when we find monsters, shes still got some fearfrom the look in her eyebut shes started hitting back and even hitting first.

Wow, good for her, Alex said.

I wonder if her new boyfriends influencing her. Tyris tapped her chin playfully.

Wait, new boyfriend? What new boyfriend? Alex asked, imagining Derek returning to Careys life like some massive disease.

A certain Saint of Uldar.

The Thameish wizard fought the urge to flinch. Oh reallyare you serious? He kept his tone neutral.

No! Tyris cackled. But Im surprised you didnt have a stronger reaction! I thought youd be shocked.

Well, if Carey wants to get together with Merzhin, then thats her choice. Alex shrugged.

Boo. Youre no fun. Tyris crossed her arms. Anyway, Im just messing with you. It doesnt look like theyre anything more than friendsno spark, you know? But theyre getting to besomething like friends. They talk a lot, just about every night when were sitting around the campfire. Its good: those two are lonely.

Yeah Alex said slowly. Well, not everyones lucky enough to have good friends and companions. I know I definitely am.

Me too. Tyris patted Vesuvius shell. And youre right. Well, hopefully they'll make some friends. It feelsno, nevermind.

No, you cant just say that and then cut yourself off. You trying to kill me? Ill die of curiosity, so give. Alex said.

Well a troubled look crossed the lava wizards face. Merzhins pretty much what youd expect from a super-priest: ultra fanatical, driven and honestly a bit much. Hes likeif we made school our only purpose in life, you know? No drinking, no feasting, no family, no friends, no making love, no hobbies, no dreamsjust one purpose. Its unnatural: even animals live for more than one thing.

Itis truemy purpose isto protect my father Claygon said. He made methat waybut there is more that I want to do. More I will do

Well, then you might be more human than Merzhin, and he might be more golem than you, Tyris said. You gotta wonder what makes someone become like that. Eh, I guess the worlds full of all kinds. But I tell you, theres a good reason I talk about Carey being worth more than all the ones cringing and cowering here.

She gave Alex a serious look. Listen, she learned battle magic to contribute, she pushes hard to help your country, andwhen we get back after an expeditionshes already in the lab while the rest of us are relaxing. Shes almost got as much energy as I do andlook, sometimes I get the feeling that theres nothing that girl wont do, you know?

I kindaget what youre talking about. Shes pretty intent on doing whatever she can for Thameland, Alex said. And to be honest, Im willing to do a lot for it too.

Yeah, but shes changed. Ive met people that say Ill do anything for whatever, Tyris said, her voice uncharacteristically grim. Im sure a lot of the ones here said something like, Ill do anything to win the grand prize. But as soon as they see either of us coming, they start cowering. Ive had friends say theyll do anything to stay in school, then they flunk out because that anything meant the bare minimum. Ive had boyfriends tell me theyll do anything for me, until it comes time to prove that theyll do anything for me. So, lets just say I learned along the way that people say anything a lot easier than they do anything. But, Carey?

She shook her head. I think shes the real deal. That girl will do anything to get rid of this RavenerIm just hoping she gets more life for herself when this is all done.

Alex paused, considering Hannah for a moment. You knowsome people just choose to live their lives for one thing. Could be a quest, a family, a goal, or whatever. Some people dedicate their whole lives to something, and thats fine, unless the goal is be the biggest piece of shit imaginable. He laughed.

He remembered a conversation hed had with Thundar a while back. You know, a friend of mine was talking about howin his culturea good death in battle, protecting kin and kith, is something to be proud of. Now, let me just say this upfront, I want death to come for me about a thousand years from nowif everwhen Im a very comfortable, ancient wizard. But, I dunno, if someones got what they believe is the right cause, then living their whole life for it is kinda noble. It wouldnt be the way Id do things, but Im not everybody.

I dont get it, Tyris snorted. Fightings fun when youre winning, but when youre getting killed for it, its not exactly fun. Dont get me wrong: I like to fight and Im no snivelling coward, but fightings a hell of a lot more interesting to me when it involves melting a monster down with a nice big spray of magma. Its a hobby, and I dont really fancy the idea of meeting my end lying in the dirt somewhere with my guts hanging out of a great big hole in my side. And I dont think Carey deserves that either, and neither does Merzhin, the poor guy. None of the Heroes do: I just hope we can get this Ravener-thing solved before any of us meet a nasty end.

Alex smiled soberly, thinking about how Hannahs life had been dedicated to doing that very thing. Youre right. Thameland keeps going through all these never-ending cycles of death and destruction that does nothing but eat lives.

The lava wizard patted her familiars shell. Youre right on that one. Even though Im starting to think it might not be such a bad thing if something kills me: I just started my first year of grad school and it feels like my professors have this goal of burying us alive in a Vesuvius-size mountain of work. Might be an easier death if some monster gets me first!

She raised her hand. Anyway, here we are talking about all this heartbreaking shit. Lets get back to what were here for, Vesuvius and Claygon beating each other up in an awesome contest of skill and power!

Yeah! Alex agreed, high-fiving Tyris. To awesome contests of skill and power! To fights that dont involve people lying dead on the dirty ground. His smile faded, remembering those whod died in the demon ambush last year.

He remembered Hannah and Kelda.

He also remembered what he was working toward: uncovering the churchs secrets, going to the Irtyshenan Empire, and finding Uldars realm.

One of those tasks was getting closer.

He swallowed. You know, maybe we really should enjoy these Games while we can. Might be the last time we get to just relax. You never know.

Tyris snorted. Now youre the one talking all the depressing shit.

The fires of a burning alehouse returned to Alexs mind. Dark days arent polite enough to warn you when theyre coming.

There was a time when Alex Roth was obsessed with teaching Claygon to juggle.

It had all started one quiet evening when hed passed a young busker on a street corner who was balanced on a ball while juggling wooden pins for coin tossed into a bucket beside him.

At first, Alex had to get rid of strong feelings of contempt at the thought of juggling: since getting Marked, juggling had been something hed decided never to have anything to do with. He knew why the activity felt very foolish to him, like hed be admitting defeat to Uldars demands if he learned the skill.

Hed firmly stuck to his decision for a long timedespite being around jugglers at Patrizia dePaolos ball and other celebrations and festivals. But that was up until the very first time hed fought alongside Guntile. The mercenary was a badass through and through, watching her juggle her explosive stones made Alex forget his prejudice against juggling.

Suddenly, he was able to see the skill in a whole new light andsoon after he got back to Generasihed decided to give it a try and by using the Mark, hed learned how to juggle three balls in less than a few hours.

Within a few days, hed become as good as the professional jugglers at Patrizia dePaolos ball. But he wanted more: he wanted to do something more meaningful with his newfound skill. Maybe use it as a stress reliever while he juggled school, business, the possible betrayal of his old god, and trying to empower a new god.

And then hed decided to teach Claygon to juggle.

Youll be great at it! hed promised, shoving some large discs into his golems hands. Youve got four arms! Four!

FatherI am nomaster of dexterity The golem had looked at the discs reluctantly. Dontbother wastingyour time!

Nonsense, buddy! Alex had chuckled, now completely obsessed with a four-armed Claygon that could juggle. Juggling is not only about dexterity. Theres some coordination, sure, but its more about practise and patience! And you have loads of both!

AlalrightI will try.father The golem had said with very little enthusiasm.

It had taken a whileespecially since Alex couldnt dedicate too much time to teaching Claygonbut hed eventually picked it up. He wasnt the most skilled juggler in the world, even with four arms, but he still managed to rotate the discs from hand to hand, while tossing them in the air.

In short, that was how Claygon was able to know how to juggle his opponent in his third match.

Fatherlook! the golem said proudly, only twohands!

His top pair of limbs were busily juggling a several ton iron golem as though it weighed no more than a few waterskins.

You know, that line only sounds impressive when its coming from someone like you, Alex murmured as the crowds roars of laughter echoed through the arena.

Claygon and Alexs third match was off to a rousing start.

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