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Adventures of Dusty Yote

Book II, Chapter 13 - The Fleeting Shadow

7348 words

Morning broke pale gray and cloudy. Dusty still managed to wake up somewhat early and went down for a quick rinse while Kuroga slept. When he returned he found the lion just waking up, and the coyote went through the process of sorting out most of his armor while he waited for him to get ready. He put most of it away and wore the clothes he'd bought in Dormian, but kept his Order's jacket out to wear. Kuroga, meanwhile, seemed fully committed to his more casual style, and had once again let his belly be exposed despite the cooler morning.

Breakfast was once again the scrambled-egg pie with meat and vegetables, as well as some orange juice. Kuroga paid off their room with the proprietor after breakfast and, sword at his side and shield slung over his back, Dusty followed the lion out of the Overlook Tavern and back down to the main street. Kuroga took out his guidebook and took a moment to reacquaint himself with a few maps as they made their way back down to the main street that went from east to west. By the time they had crossed the bridge to the public services area on the island, Kuroga knew where he was headed, and took Dusty back across to the western side of the city.

Their first stop was just across the bridge, where a small square marked a bunch of shops that seemed to be sponsored by the Domasian Academy. One was a bookshop that contained both new and used books that seemed to be either class textbooks or general recommended reading materials. A rat attendant was able to direct Dusty and Kuroga over to an introduction section where Dusty picked out two books: A Short History of Sorcery by Garrett Watkins and Beginning Ethics and Proper Use of Emotions in Magic by Priyanka Chandrakat.

"Watkins is a common general magihistorian who will give you both your background and general idea of what emotive sorcery is," Kuroga explained as Dusty picked out the titles. "Chandrakat I believe is one of the ranking teachers at the Academy and will have both a list of the known spells as well as use-case scenarios for each and when and why each one could be misused. Real basic, but you don't need six books for each one where this will do."

They brought the books up to the counter and ended up getting a discount when Kuroga revealed his own prior history at the Academy and his work with the Domasis Hunters Guild.

"You didn't have to do that," Dusty said, putting the books in his backpack as they walked out.

"Suffice to say I wanted to," Kuroga said, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. "All the better that you're informed. So take it as an apology of me hiding information from you the first time we met, not realizing we'd be together like this."

"There's no need to apologize," Dusty said. "I got the vague feeling from the Steward that you were making the right decision in a tough place. So it was weird at the time but understandable now."

Kuroga chuckled. "You are very easy-going for one from the Order, did you know that?"

"It is not my place not to condemn but to forgive. Consider yourself forgiven even with all the confusion that initially resulted from it. Besides, you have more than repaid me by taking me here."

Kuroga seemed almost embarrassed as he ran a paw through his mane. "Did I tell you that I had half a mind to head back and see if you wanted to go with me anyways?"

Dusty shook his head. "Last I heard, you were about to leave Whitewater for Maran when one of Reeve's associates came up to you with a proposition."

"The proposition was the spur, but I was caught between two minds: heading up here to do business myself anyways, or else head back and bring you along so that I could show you. Reeve's offer was somewhat serendipitous but it made up my mind for me: better to come back and get you first."

"I appreciate the thought, though I do think it was better that I went and saw Reeve and attempted to ask him first. I technically had a bargain to fulfill with him and hoped he would at least have some way to meet his end. He couldn't go himself, but made the offer that he could find someone to show me over. Though I am glad it was you."

Kuroga nodded. "Perhaps it was better," the lion said thoughtfully. "You leave without a debt, and our coming here begins on terms more comfortable with you."

"To be fair, I probably would have said 'yes', as it was already after I had spoken with Radan and he commissioned me to go find and explore what emotive sorcery was. This literally is something of a Guild job, but you have the connections to the Guild and knew about it with Zemeya and I already trusted you."

"You saying that already comforts me greatly," Kuroga said. "Not that I had fears, but I feel honored knowing that."

Dusty did not say that he felt he still technically owed a debt to Kuroga. The lion was treating him well, but after the incident with the raccoon Dusty wanted to make it up to Kuroga for knocking him out of it. He was at a loss for how, though occasionally it felt like the lion was hinting at something he couldn't decipher.

They continued wandering through various plazas and shops for the rest of the morning. Having received his books and already buying a journal for notes, Dusty was little inclined to purchase anything else. But they made a day of it, sight-seeing through the rest of the plaza with the Academy shops. There was a shop that sold channels and accessories (which Dusty soon recognized as the one Kuroga had taken him to get his circlet polished); a clothing store that sold local clothing and stuff that had been enchanted; a general equipment store; and an herbal store that sold a strange mix of tea, common herbs and spices, and alchemy supplies.

With the early rising, Dusty was soon hungry and they searched out a cheaper place to get food than Northern Wake. They found a little tavern called Sprightly's, a lively place that was bustling with a mix of species and garbs. It sold a luncheon bowl consisting of dried dates, full berries, and a mess of sausage slices and ham cubes over a mound of crumbling cottage cheese, with a good large roll on the side. Combined with a glass of good ale, the whole affair was comfortable and casual, and more to Dusty's liking.

After lunch they stopped by a bakery and got shortbread cookies with jam, and nibbled on them as they made their way to the Domasis Guild hall. It was a large cross of a building with a main center and two off-shoots which appeared to be bedding areas or storage areas for Guild members from out-of-town. At the back of the building was a counter with a bunch of clerks, and visible right behind the counter were rows and rows of labeled boxes.

Kuroga went up to one of the clerks and asked for his mail. He showed his Guild badge and signed a quick form before the clerk went over to a box with his name and pulled out a few pieces of mail. Kuroga took the mail and then Dusty had to sign and fill out a small form to get his promised payment for dealing with Zemeya, surprised when a bag of twenty-five gold pieces was given to him.

"How much was the stay at Overlook again?" Dusty asked.

"One gold and some silver got us the room for the night and two meals."

The bag was nearly enough to stay at the Overlook for the rest of the time he wanted to stay in-town. He quietly pocketed the purse with the rest of his things and wondered how and when he could use it to pay Kuroga back.

One of the letters, however, meant they no longer had to stay at the Overlook. Contained within the letter was an address and a key, and they found themselves back on the eastern side to check out their temporary lodgings. It was part of an apartment unit that looked set-aside for the Academy but Dusty noted few were here in student garb.

Kuroga explained it was for family visiting from out-of-town. "My family stayed here twice," he said. "Once to make sure that I was settled in, and once when I told them my particular quirk meant I was coming home early."

"What did they think?" Dusty said as Kuroga unlocked the door.

"Of me heading home? Not much; I could still use it with the journal and that's far more than most can do. She was just glad someone had magical aptitude of any kind."

They opened the door to a small two-room suite. The main room had some chairs and a sofa as well as a writing desk, plus some counters and a stove for cooking, and the other contained two full-sized beds and a set of drawers. A note on the back of the door noted there was a public washroom at the end of the building and a well they could use to pull water for cleaning and drinking. Except for the cooking area, the rooms allowed them a view of the sea and the Academy, and they were slightly gated off from the main road which left them quiet and away.

"We'll be on our own for food here," Kuroga said, "but this is quite nice."

They spent the rest of the day in the suite. Besides the notice of their lodgings, Kuroga had received a letter from his parents that he wanted to answer as soon as he could. He set himself at the writing desk while Dusty settled his things away, took a nap, then picked out one of his new books. He chose Watkins for the general survey, pulled out the journal and pencils he'd bought in Dormian, and went to reading on the couch in the living quarters.

---

The sun was setting and the sky had turned golden when Kuroga announced he was done. Dusty had also gone through a fifth of his book writing various notes down and realized it had been a while since they had eaten. Kuroga proposed they head out to eat after they dropped off his letter at a post office, and Dusty got himself cleaned up, leaving most of his equipment except for his circlet in the new room.

The eastern side of Domasis was mostly residential areas that seemed to belong to people who lived and worked there. It was quieter on the eastern shoreline and most shops didn't even have a trace of magical influence despite being in the shadow of the Academy. Clothing shops were simple, jewelry focused mostly on colored beads or shells, the primary grocers were the butchers or various carts or rented stalls in market buildings. Governmental buildings closed early; there was an odd building called a "bank" that Kuroga described almost akin to a public vault, and the post office was even closed when they stopped by. Thankfully there was a slot for drop-offs and Kuroga was able to slip his letter inside before they headed out to a tavern.

Just down the road from their lodgings was a little tavern that had no name. It didn't need one; the one room was nearly full and they only barely managed to sit Dusty and Kuroga in a corner. It made up for it with a fine assortment; a gold coin apiece got them a loaf of fine crusty bread, tomato soup with basil and onion and cream, pheasant with gravy over mashed potatoes, and even a slice of cinnamon apple tart. These were served with a mulled wine with cloves and ginger, a good cap to an already excellent meal.

"Did you know about this place?" Dusty asked Kuroga over the tart.

"No, I've never been here," the lion admitted. "It's quite nice, I'll have to remember it."

"It feels simpler, but it reminds me of places back home," Dusty said. "I quite like it."

"What say we come back here one more time before we leave?"

"If you're willing, though I'm also quite interested if there's any other places you would know."

"Well, there's definitely one or two other good establishments we should check out if they're still around, one or two little family-run places, another butcher's similar to Sprightly's, and a few little bakeries around town that would be good to visit."

Dusty picked up another bite of tart, but didn't eat it. He was looking at it and mulling things over. "You know," he said, "I never exactly ate out much. I would either pick up some quick ingredients and make something at home or else the church would often provide food for Order members or clergy. I only ate at taverns and such if I was coming home from an Order patrol."

"How often was that?" Kuroga asked.

"Only once or twice a month. I've perhaps eaten out more often this last week than I have in half a year. And it's... really kind of you to keep paying for it."

"I technically earn a steady pay through the Domasis guild. It's not a one-time thing; I get a weekly stipend and a little extra for completing a job. And since I mostly travel around, I don't mind spending since I just keep putting it away in the bank. If I were to stay in Domasis, I could come by once a week and grab a few gold every time, and then get a good purse for chasing someone down."

"It's not quite the same in Riverwood. I have the weekly stipend from the Order, but the Guild only pays the purse. It's been fair, but I... I must admit Zemeya's payout is quite a bit more than I expected."

"What's your Order stipend and your Guild payout?"

"The Order stipend is a gold piece a day paid out weekly and the Guild payouts were five gold for Bernard, eight gold for Reeve and twelve for Zemeya. Here is... quite a bit more."

"How much did they give you?"

Dusty lowered his voice. "As much as the three combined from Riverwood."

Kuroga smiled. "Keep it. Use it to purchase something to take home with you as a memory. I've got plenty of funds from the Guild and technically Domasis is paying for our shelter these few weeks. I've quiet enjoyed your company thus far and don't mind it, so long as you indulge me once in a while with regards to our outings."

Despite having had about two glasses of mulled wine over dinner, Dusty almost immediately sobered up at the last statement. "Like what?"

"Oh, nothing major. Stuff like the museum we went to on our first day. I might take you to one or two more, a botanical garden, maybe a theater to catch a performance. Little things we could do together, get to know each other a little more outside of..." - Kuroga waved a paw around before resting it on the table and leaning on it with half-closed eyes - "...all this."

There was something warm and affectionate in Kuroga's voice that Dusty had not heard before. It was quite interesting to hear, almost like a deep rumbling purr, coupled with a bit more obvious hint of attention in his voice. It kind of caught Dusty off-guard and he wasn't sure quite what to make of it. He also felt his face get hot as he realized it wasn't exactly unwelcome, either; the lion still sometimes surprised him with his exotic nature but was quite amiable and pleasing company.

"Well, I-I can't say I would be opposed t-to something along those lines," the coyote stammered, though he could feel his tail wagging behind him.

Kuroga chuckled. "Only if you're comfortable with it," he said, waving his paw lazily. "And it doesn't have to be right away. Whenever you're ready to do a little more exploring, we can go out and do something."

While there was the mission to remember, Dusty didn't exactly mind the prospect of going out and exploring Domasis. He wasn't going to be here very often, he thought, and Kuroga was an able and willing guide. Might as well get something of a tour.

Not tonight, though. Dusty was quite satisfied with his findings and would have liked a day to sleep, be lazy, and read from the books. He also was feeling full and warm - on the latter he presumed it was from the mulled wine - and had no intention of going anywhere anytime soon. He'd already gotten quite the introduction to Domasis proper and was ready to take it a bit slower except on the Academy front to see if he could get a tutor.

He did, however, ask Kuroga if there was a public toilet anywhere.

"There should be one nearby," Kuroga said. "But check with the person at the entrance. I'll pay a small tip and meet you out front."

---

The steward at the front of the tavern replied a small outhouse behind the building was available for public use. Dusty thanked them and went around the back. A small attachment to the tavern made of stone and wood was marked, and Dusty opened it. It looked much the same as Riverwood's; a large hole had been dug down and was occasionally filled in with peat or fresh dirt in order to cover it, and was topped with a smoothed stone seat that likely could be removed to clean it out. Dusty sat down and relieved himself with a sigh.

He had recently finished and was about to leave when he heard a very loud flapping of wings. This was followed by a short scream not too far in front of him and a few moments of silence. Dusty suddenly was on high alert, the fur on his neck stood up on end. He also felt a strangely oppressive aura nearby, one that he recognized. He creaked open the door and peered outside.

Something strangely bright white with white wings was crouched over a black-and-white badger. The badger was hanging down somewhat limply, his face tilted towards Dusty, but his eyes were glassy as though he wasn't actually seeing much. The oppressive aura was strangely radiating from the large white thing, surprisingly tall and slender, though Dusty could not make out a specific shape. There was one thing that was clear: it had bitten into the badger's shoulder, blood and a leaking black-and-gold aura coming from the wound.

Dusty had left his sword at their lodgings, but he still had his circlet with him and braced himself with a hand on his wrist. "Hey!" he shouted, banging the toilet door open. "Drop them!"

Surprising Dusty himself, they did and the badger dropped to the ground without even trying to brace themselves. But the white figure didn't stick around, instead quickly flapping the wings and taking off into the sky. Dusty tried to fire his shockwave to see about disorienting them to come down, but it was soon gone over the rooftops and out of sight.

Without his sword and shield, Dusty didn't want to chance chasing the thing any further. He did run to the badger and flip him over, partially tearing his clothes to see the wound. He nearly vomited at what he saw: the wound was entirely black with gold lines crossing around like his veins. He swallowed it down as best as he could and shouted. "KUROGA!"

The lion came over almost immediately. Dusty was already on his knees and trying to use his Restoration spell, but it wasn't working very well; it would reduce the black spot and gold lines a little bit, but the moment Dusty stopped casting it would start slowly expanding again. Dusty looked up at Kuroga and saw the concern on the lion's face. "I'm alright," he said before Kuroga could stammer a response. "But I think he got drained. I'm trying a healing spell, from the Order but is there someone we could contact?"

"There should be a guard on patrol around here," Kuroga said. "Stay with him and keep casting as much as you can. I'll go get help." And he ran off.

The badger was still breathing, but it was shaky and his eyes were glossed over. He gargled and gasped, and every once in a while an arm or a leg would flail out. His body trembled all over and, despite the dark spot on his shoulder, the rest of him looked pale under the fur. Dusty put a hand to his forehead and noticed he was suddenly very cold except at his shoulder, which was burning. On impulse, Dusty put his other paw to the forehead and tried to use the Restoration spell there.

"Creator please, help me, have mercy on him..."

He felt it get warmer almost immediately. The badger's trembling died down, the breathing became steadier with less gargling, and the flailing subsided to an occasional tremor. Dusty occasionally had to shake out his hand because the shoulder was so hot it nearly scalded him, but he eventually could work his way through the pain.

It wasn't long before he heard footsteps running his way. Dusty looked up and saw Kuroga with three guards in full armor and spears as well as a white-tailed deer in robes of the Academy similar to what the raccoon had worn. The guards knelt down beside Dusty and the coyote finally removed his hands from the badger, shaking to cool it off. It didn't take long for them to come to a conclusion.

"Yeah, draining. Definitely another corrupted user. James, get in here!"

The white-tailed deer came over and began mumbling fast-paced under his breath as he placed his hands on the wound in much the same way Dusty had done. Two of the guards picked up the badger by his hands and feet while the deer kept his hands attached, and they were soon walking as quickly as they could out down the alley. The remaining guard, another red-colored deer, turned to Dusty, pulling out a notepad and pencil.

"What spell were you using there, sir?"

The coyote turned to the deer, feeling somewhat breathless. "A blessing. It's called 'Restoration'."

The red deer nodded. "You're a member of the Order, right?"

Dusty nodded. "Yes. I am here with Kuroga Asteran as my escort." The lion waved his own hand at the deer at this remark.

The red deer noted everything down dutifully. "What did you see prior to the attack?"

"A white-winged figure entirely in white had grabbed the badger and bit into his shoulder."

"Do you know what species the white-winged figure was?"

"No. It was... odd, it was like they had made themselves so bright it was difficult to look at them."

"How did you know it was corruption?"

"I could see the black-and-gold coming out from the place where the figure was biting. I'd seen it happen before, with..." Dusty gulped. "...with Zemeya down in Irilian."

The red deer paused. "What is your name, sir?"

"Yote. Dusty Yote."

The red deer nodded again. "We may have you come down for a few more questions, but I will say this: I commend your efforts. That's one of the better cases of draining that I've seen lately. Most of the time they're already fully pale. Better keep that magic close-at-paw; we've been seeing this happen more often and I dread to wonder what it might mean." He bowed towards Dusty, then he closed his notebook and walked off.

When the guard had left, Kuroga turned to Dusty and suddenly grabbed him in a tight hug. The coyote's arms were pinned and he couldn't return it, but he was too surprised for a moment to do so anyways. The lion quickly released him and there was a palpable relief on his face.

"When you first shouted for me I wondered if something had happened to you," the lion said before Dusty could ask why. "After the raccoon, I thought you were going to be the target for someone trying to use magic on you."

"No, no, I'm fine," Dusty said. "They didn't stick around very long once I had stepped out. It was... I couldn't sit there and do nothing."

The lion reached a hand over to his shoulder. It was only when he did that Dusty realized he himself was trembling; he could feel his shoulder buzz against the lion's paw. When Kuroga went to go hold him a second time, Dusty did not resist.

"That spell maybe saved his life," Kuroga said gently. "You did good. Come on, let's get back to the room and we can rest for tonight. There's not much else we can do right now, and perhaps the Hunters Guild here will be notified shortly and take care of it."

After a long drink of cool water from the well, he and Kuroga went to bed. The lion, seemingly exhausted by the evening's events, fell asleep in one of the beds nearly immediately and was soon gently snoring. Dusty, meanwhile, lay awake and staring at the ceiling in thought. The red deer's last comment bothered him, but he couldn't figure out what it all meant yet.

---

Dusty and Kuroga both slept late the next morning and it was nearly midday when they awoke. Kuroga's reason might have been from the mulled wine they had last night or else from a day without immediate prospects. But Dusty had stayed up far later than he should. Indeed, he did not fall asleep until the sky had turned from velvet blue to black to a faint strip of velvet again on the horizon.

Having been neither woken by a knock nor having someone come up to their room for the Academy referral, Dusty was content to do much of nothing that day. So was Kuroga, who offered that they find a couple of good meals close by and head to one of the botanical gardens for a stroll. This was about the pace that Dusty wanted, and they were soon tidying up and, leaving their traveling things in the room for the first time, headed out on the town.

A local bakery was still within the end of the breakfast hours when they stopped by. They sat at a table at the patio outside and ordered hot chocolate, half a loaf of toast with jam, a medium-sized sausage, and hard-boiled eggs. They paid but a couple of silver each for their quarry, and dipped the thick, crusty bread into small bowls of raspberry and strawberry jam. The eggs came with a basket to place the shells, and the chocolate had some cream on top, a surprising kick (Kuroga suspected a shot of coffee), and some notes of cinnamon.

"This is rare in Riverwood," Dusty said, tentatively sniffing the little brown flecks on top of his hot chocolate. "Perhaps the cost of both our meals would be the price for one-half stick of the cinnamon. Thus I've only ever seen it used in celebratory cakes."

"They trade," Kuroga said. "Carob for the hot chocolate comes from Ushtani, and the cinnamon is more found in Marrakhan."

"What do they trade back?" Dusty asked.

Kuroga turned a piece of bread in his paw. It had a bite taken out of it and traces of the dark red (almost matching his mane, Dusty considered) of the raspberry jam at the edges. For being such a large cat, Dusty thought his bites were rather delicate. "I haven't rightly asked or investigated," the lion said between bites. "But presumably poultry, grains, and some material goods. Either that or magical talent; the Academy is good enough that Ushtani and Marrakhan send their own magicians here for general study then refine the talent at home."

Dusty, on a lark, took a piece of his bread and dipped it into the hot chocolate. It wasn't bad; while the outside was crusty, the chocolate soaked into the soft inner dough and reminded him of some of the sweet-cakes back home. "I can't tell if I'm being spoiled or this is supposed to be normal."

"It's normal here, certainly," Kuroga said. He took a bite of the sausage with far more relish than the bread. "I've seen a few bakeries with this hot chocolate and it's all done the same way. Not that I mind; it reminds me of a similar drink we have in Ushtani, though it has other spices and is far hotter than this."

Dusty shuddered. "While interested, I don't think I want the spice. It burns my tongue."

"It's not bad if done right. But I wouldn't trust anywhere around here to do that." He laughed. "And I wouldn't entirely trust my mother with it either, as her spice tolerance is far larger than mine."

After breakfast, Kuroga lead Dusty once again over to the eastern side and up towards the coast. As the main docks were on the western side, the eastern one was then filled with shops and even had a walled-off public garden. The shops were mostly trinket shops - jewelry, accessories, shirts, or else books and gemstones of a decidedly non-magical affair. The entrance of the garden had a tea shop and a place to buy your own garden plants, and didn't charge them to enter, only suggesting a measly one silver donation to fund extra help or the purchase and addition of new plants. Kuroga placed two silver in the box before they headed in.

"How are you doing?" Kuroga asked as they began to stroll around the edges.

Dusty found himself startled. Not from Kuroga saying something - they had been making comments all around the garden - but from the question itself. "...what did you say?"

"You look a little tired still," the lion said gently. "I can see the dark patches under your eyes."

Dusty pretended to ignore it, but found himself looking at a batch of red flowers with golden centers - not too unlike the big cat sitting behind him. Embarrassed by his own comparison, he turned back around as though he hadn't done anything of the sort. "I am, a little."

"Why?" The question was gentle, and it was only when Kuroga spoke again that Dusty realized he hadn't answered. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Forgive me," Dusty said. "I am..." - his ears drooped - "admittedly not used to that kind of questioning. Order or even Guild so far, everyone just wants facts. 'What happened'. Not why."

Kuroga smiled. "To put it in terms that you might understand easier: mental injuries can be as damaging as physical ones. If you aren't of right mind, that can distract you and cause you to get hurt physically."

Dusty nodded. It was easier to explain it that way. "The funny thing is I'd been drained. Now I don't know if I even was. Not after seeing what happened to the badger last night."

Kuroga nodded. "Go on," he said softly.

Dusty sighed. "It is also the first time I'd ever seen it happen. I mean, I'd seen the effects before and seen one or two who died back in Riverwood from Zemeya's doing." He felt his own tail tuck under him as the words came spilling out. "But that was the first time I'd ever actually seen it in progress, like a bit of their soul was being sucked out, and even though it wasn't happening to me I felt so violated and hurt and I couldn't just stand back and do nothing. A-a-and when I actually felt it in them - the heat of the spot that felt like it was on fire, and the somehow freezing cold as though they were on the verge of death - I just couldn't imagine a greater torture, to sit there condemned without fair chance at judgment and... oh god, I..."

The hiccup and yip in Dusty's voice surprised even himself; he didn't think he was that worked up over it. Kuroga motioned for them to sit on a bench between a patch of lavender and a large green carnation bush, which Dusty took eagerly for the breather. He put an arm around Dusty's shoulder and the coyote could once again feel himself trembling under the paw.

"Do you mind if I...?"

The lion's touch was warm and comforting. Dusty couldn't tell if that was because of the cloudy weather and seaside breezes or from something else. But it certainly wasn't bad. "No, I don't mind," the coyote choked.

Kuroga gently brought his arm a little closer, pulling Dusty next to him. "You were touched by corruption when you faced Zemeya," the lion began. "But that isn't a bad thing. We - and in this sense, I don't just mean the Hunters Guild but even to Irilian and Domasis - we need people who are so resilient against it. But more importantly last night is this: you might have saved someone's life. You acted quickly, intervened before it could get worse, and even managed to put your own skills to work as a healer. Maybe something changed that night by your resilience and you being there, something for the better."

Dusty sniffed and felt his own trembling subside a bit. "You... you're right. It's part of my oath to the Order to be there for things like that. And I was chosen for some magical ability, to be sure. I just..." He sighed. "I guess I'm realizing how little I actually know with all these separate magic types I've been introduced to, and it's not exactly a comfortable realization."

"But that, too, is part of something greater," Kuroga said, his chest now swelling and an obvious note of pride in his voice. "Your empathy so far is astounding, being faced up against magic you don't know and still assuming the better of most of them. That's more than most of your Order could say, and something that allows you to put yourself in others' paws even when you don't quite know everything. And you are here learning, and coming to terms with it, and growing from it. You can go quite far just by being open like that, and being caring for others instead of only focusing on the negatives of corruption."

Dusty quite nearly started crying again, but this time he was smiling and his tail was wagging. "Thank you."

Dusty noticed, as they got up and continued meandering the gardens, that he stood a little closer to Kuroga. The lion, for his part, made no outward sign of any notice himself, but didn't seem to mind it and let the coyote stick as close as he wanted.

---

The next morning, Dusty and Kuroga were awoken by a knock at the door.

It was semi-reasonable and Dusty was half-awake but simply languishing in bed, scooting out of bed to throw a shirt on. Kuroga yawned a bit and seemed to have a little trouble waking, so Dusty walked over to the door and opened it. He found a red deer in full guard outfit standing there holding a somewhat large envelope in his hand.

"Are you Master Dusty Yote of Riverwood?" the deer guard asked.

"Yes, I am," Dusty said. "What do you need?"

"I have a letter for you," the deer said. He extended the envelope towards the coyote. "From the office of the Steward."

Dusty took the envelope and nodded. "Is there anything else?"

"No. I hope you have a good day." The red deer turned and walked off without waiting for further response.

Dusty opened it. Inside was a letter, a small metal pin, and a sort of small wooden plaque on a strong piece of leather cord. Dusty laid the items out on the table in the main room and sat on a chair to read the letter.

"Dear Master Yote:

"We of Domasis once again thank you for your help in the dispatching of rogue magician Zemeya. Enclosed is a pin of the Domasis Hunters Guild for honorary membership allowing you to take jobs while you are here. Also enclosed is a small wooden card that you may take with you; show this to any guard or at any checkpoint and you will be free to roam around Domasis. May this be a small repayment for your assistance.

"I also am pleased to inform you that we have a few tutors who may be able to help you with your knowledge of emotive sorcery. Miss Chandrakat is currently taking a leave of absence to head for Marrakhan and thus unable to take apprenticeship, but I have two who would be willing to take you under their wing for a few sessions. Miss Eveline Boucher is a student of Transformations who teaches introductory classes for both magic and her own specialty. Mister Mohan al'Salim is a former student of Manifestation who, though not actively a teacher, has proficient skill and knowledge but is around for a few days more in his travels and is willing to provide at least a basic rundown.

"Either would be available today for a first meeting. Mister al'Salim only has a week or so with us before he needs to leave, but Miss Boucher has a residency and is available when you are."

"Signed: Steward Andrea Gilbert".

By the time Dusty had finished the letter, Kuroga had woken up and was half-dressed, same as Dusty. Dusty read him the letter and showed him the contents as appropriate. At the sign of the Hunters Guild pin, Kuroga flashed his own, hidden in a small place under his sleeve. The lion nodded approvingly at the card, then listened carefully as the coyote read over the rest of the letter.

"Shame we can't get Miss Chandrakat, but the other two should both be reliable," he said. "At any rate, Boucher might be better as you won't need an accelerated course. Just go in whenever you feel you're ready and for however many lessons you want."

It was thus agreed between Dusty and Kuroga that Miss Eveline Boucher seemed the best course. Dusty decided no time like the present to make his introduction and see whether or not he wanted to continue. So they got themselves prepared - Dusty in his Domasian clothes - and went down to the Academy to make themselves a meeting.

At the Academy entrance, they were directed to Building 2 and told that Miss Boucher had a private classroom set aside on the second floor. Kuroga remained in the entrance again and Dusty walked in, up the stairs, and followed the directions to a room at the end of a long hall. Miss Boucher's room was number 202; the classroom was open, and Dusty entered.

The room was perhaps as large as the Steward's office, but with a blackboard and desk at the front of the class and twelve tables - in three rows with two chairs at each table. At the front desk was a white-furred fox with black tips, with some papers scattered around in front of her and a red pencil in her paw. She was slightly smaller than Dusty, wearing a white shirt, a red skirt, and some barely visible black leggings. Her eyes were a pale blue, almost icy, and when he entered looked up at him curiously but almost dispassionately.

"Are you Miss Boucher?" Dusty asked.

The fox set down the pencil and got up from the desk. "Yes. You are Master Dusty Yote?"

"Yes. I was told you would be able to give me some tutoring on emotive sorcery."

Miss Eveline Boucher nodded and extended a hand. "I can." She and Dusty shook hands, and then she motioned to her desk. "Please, bring up a chair and let's first go over your own history with magic, such as it is."

Dusty thought her voice sounded "scratchy", as though tainted by years of cigar smoke. Yet there was no smell of smoke and Miss Boucher seemed to keep herself fairly clean; her short fur had no blemishes and her clothes were straightened almost to the point of government official or secretary. Her room was also spotless and the papers were stacked neatly on the desk. He pulled a chair from the nearest table and thought that the entire room seemed to be neatly ordered, the desks and chairs positioned to be exactly so.

"Where do you come from again?" Miss Boucher asked.

"Riverwood. Down in Irilian to the south of Concolor Pass."

"At what age do you remember first being able to channel magic?"

"I believe it was fourteen," Dusty said. "I was... trying to make some people back off when they were teasing me. I was suddenly able to give a push without actually touching someone. I had not meant to, I had merely put up my hand as though to block something but the wave touched off a shockwave."

Miss Boucher nodded. "Alright. Have you learned any magic at all?"

"Yes, I've been able to learn three" - ...did Restoration count? He wasn't sure. - "spells that are considered Holy Power or 'blessings'. I believe the common names are Shockwave, Holy Light, and Divine Retribution, though the full names for the latter two are the prayers 'Holy Light of Creator's Sanctification' and 'Guided Touch of Divine Retribution'."

"I'm unfamiliar with those two. What are they?" Despite the fox's unfamiliarity with the prayers even as a magical conduit, Dusty thought she sounded almost bored.

"Well, Divine Retribution stores power in my blade and explodes whenever I next land a hit on something. Holy Light causes a beam of light magic that can cause burns to those who show signs of corruption."

Miss Boucher nodded. "I sense more power. You have at least three others that are willing to be called at a moment's notice. Magicians can sense magical energies from others, and indeed I can tell that you have--"

"Forgive me for interrupting, but I can't."

Miss Boucher paused and blinked. "...I'm sorry?"

"I've never been able to tell magical energies from people on sight," Dusty said. "If they're using magic, I can tell what it is or feel its energy pulsing through the world. But if they're not using magic, I can't tell what their reserves are or anything. Without them actually using it, I don't know what they have."

For the first time, Miss Boucher's eyes seemed to light up with interest. A faint smile showed and she put up a hand, resting her chin on the back of the paw. "...is that so?"

Dusty nodded.

"Well, then..." Miss Boucher pushed herself back from the desk. "Master Yote, I will explain to you as much as I can about how magic works here. Considering what I sense of your reserves, we might even be able to get you a journal ready in a few sessions. I won't need to tell you about casting strength, relative speed, or even how energy output is calculated. But I will go over what you need to know about emotive sorcery and how it works differently compared to holy magics. I would recommend buying a journal from the bookstore downstairs, because we might be able to get you started on making your own."

Dusty nodded, pulled out his notebook and a pencil, and sat waiting.

"...I mean go do that before our lesson."

Ears flattened, Dusty put his notebook and pencil back into his bag. "O-Of course," he said. "I'll be back as soon as I can."