Unbound-Chapter Nine Hundred And Ninety One – 991

"What do you think you're doing?" Atar pushed into the room, arms akimbo, uncaring for whatever wards would keep him out. When nothing flared, he clucked his tongue. “No wards?”

Alister sighed and as Atar entered and set down the pressed tunic he’d just finished folding. It joined the organized chaos already spread across his bed and open wardrobes. “Dear, we are back in Elderthrone. Why do I need to use the wards?”

“You mean the city that was attacked only a few days ago? That Elderthrone?” Atar nudged a package on the ground, mouth twisting when it was too heavy to skid across the room. “If you’re this sloppy with defensive measures, then how can you leave?”

“Atar.” The word was heavy and Atar tried not to flinch. They’d already had this fight, back when Karys had imparted their new roles. “You know my task. I can’t refuse it."

"Of course you can’t. Doesn't mean I don't think it's ridiculous." Alister’s apartments were sumptuous and well appointed with heirloom furniture polished with beeswax and firebeetle oil. All told, they were almost as nice as Atar's on a good day—but now clothes and supplies were spread across every available surface. A trio of bags were set out on a wide bench, stuffed to the brim with carefully rolled garments. “This is a great deal for a short trip.”

“I’m going on a diplomatic journey, Atar, not a Guild errand. I’ll need more than battlerobes, books, and consumables when I’m facing down our allies, not to mention there’s no telling how long it’ll take me to traverse each Territory.”

“The Shadowgates will speed that up considerably—and what do you mean, ‘facing down’ our allies? They’re all part of the empire now, right?”

“Dearest,” Alister forced out a breath that was just short of a sigh. “You know it won’t work like that. If I’m to find allies, I need to project strength and capability. That means discussion and functions, which means I need to account for them in my wardrobe.

Atar scoffed. “Discussion. You are simply going to tell them what’s what. Felix appointed you as the Voice of the Empire, right?”

Atar had been surprised as Alister when the notification had appeared. The Voice of the Empire was a political position, imbued with a fraction of Felix’s own Authority, it allowed the Titled to use a number of tools that were the emperor’s domain alone. Alister took only a few heartbeats to consider things before he accepted.

“The Title is limited in what it can do.” Alister laid another set of trousers and doublets into one of his buff-colored bags with exacting precision. “Felix has a great deal of Authority, but I’m not planning on pulling on it with impunity.”

power is to be used, not hidden.

“Flame’s got the right of it. You’re being sent out to Territories that barely know our names and demanding reinforcements from powerhouses that have been hiding for centuries. That invites challenge. Or worse.”

challenges must be crushed without hesitation.

Alister pursed his lips. “Agreeing with Flame…are you sure you don’t have any lingering Status Conditions from Amaranth?”

“Hush. If you’re not leveraging your power, then you need someone that will. These hidden Masters are cowards. They’ll need goading.”

“I will be doing so. The sanctions alone—”

Atar groaned.

“If we use overt force, they’ll just go into hiding again. Believe me Atar, I’ve thought on this quite a bit. My experiences with Prince Tevin taught me much. I will not be foold again.” Alister looked at his packed bags, a picture of serenity as he started fitting more into them.

He was holding his Spirit close, but Atar knew he was seething at the thought of that bastard. Atar was the same. Mention of the former Prince made his skin crawl and his blood burn. “Alister—”

"Honestly,” the man interrupted, his voice smooth and calm. “I think I might need to bring another two bags on top of this. The ruler of Neer alone will demand my finest garments."

"Last we knew, Neer was burning. How do we know that they're in any place to have fancy parties?"

"We don't," Alister said, retrieving something from his closet. It was a set of ornate battle robes. Atar squinted at them. He could tell immediately that they were of fine quality—no doubt a gift from his family—but they were also low Tier. Beautiful to look at, but far less effective than even the one he wore now.

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Atar sucked at his teeth. Alister, the bastard, was ignoring his point. Time for a new tactic. "Karys is mad if he wishes to send you alone on this journey."

"I won't be alone," Alister said. "I have a contingent of Legionnaires coming with me."

"You had an army at your back when you went to the Ghrelden Hills.”

“We will be careful, and these are our allies, however tentative that may be. High Tier or not, that is a shield better than most. As you said, they won’t attack the Voice of the Emperor.”

"And if they do? What of your personal defenses?"

“My battlerobes, inscribed jacket and the rapier at my side are all dependable."

"That old thing," Atar scoffed, "you haven't replaced it in months."

"It’s heavily inscribed and forged of high steel. It has served me well."

"Its usefulness has passed, Alister. We'll be talking to Harn.”

Alister blinked, folded clothes forgotten. “We?”

“Of course. If you go alone, it'll get pushed off.” Atar picked an imaginary piece of lint from his dark robes. “You need the Glyphmaster to oversee the work—and turn the screws on his apprentices. Or the old man himself. Yes, they are going to arrange for a whole new set of robes for you and a new weapon, and they’re going to do it quick.”

Alister sighed. "I know you worry, but this will be fine. I will be fine."

"The last time you went off," Atar said with no little heat, "you were captured by a bastard prince and nearly killed! That won't be happening again. To make sure of that, I will be accompanying you."

His boyfriend didn’t know how to respond to that—not at first. Atar wished he could have deluded himself into believing it was out of pure joy.

"That is foolhardy!” Alister snapped. “Not to mention poor allocation of resources! You are among our greatest mages and will be needed at the front.”

“They will have the Unbound—”

“The Hierophant—Marzul,” Alister corrected. “She's powerful. A near Divinity if Felix's worst fears are true. I cannot hope to contend against her, not for very long. My place is out there, gathering the backup we desperately need. You and the Undying Flame however are different. Your place is in Jaast."

Atar stepped in close and took Alister by the chin. He looked him in the eyes, though his vision was blurry for some damned reason. "What's the point of fighting a war if I end up losing you?"

Without a word, the pair pressed their foreheads against each other. He'd been able to feel Alister from a distance now for a while, like an echo against his Affinity, but up close the force mage was almost overwhelming.

"I will not be losing you," Atar said, voice sharp. "We will be taking care of diplomacy together. And then we will return."

Alister smiled. "Fine. Then you can help me carry my bags."

luggage. a weakness of mortal flesh. Flame’s voice crackled between them all. remember to bring extra robes, atar. yours are all too flammable.

“If you would cease burning them, I wouldn’t require a change of clothes, Urge!”

my glory cannot be contained!

"Speaking of, ahem, your glory. I have a solution." Alister reached behind the bed to where a large chest was propped open. Most of it was filled with books, but there was a package wrapped in ribbon that he pulled out. It hung heavy and loose in Alister’s hands, and the moment he untied the ribbon, it spilled outward like water. "I was told to give this to you."

Atar gaped, looking at the beautiful cloak before him. Analyze flared.

Name: Resurgence Cloak

Type: Clothing (enchanted)

Lore: A cloak lined with Willweave and layered with the Authority of a long-passed magi, the Resurgence Cloak was made during the Great War and was designed to keep its wearer in the fight for as long as possible.

Hardening VI - Reduces damage from physical impacts.

Self-Repair X - Uses ambient Mana to repair rips and tears in the cloak.

Resonance Sync VII - Authority has been woven into a 7% boost to Resonance; increases Mana regeneration.

Resilience Sync X - Authority has been woven into a 10% boost to Resilience; increases Health and Stamina regeneration.

Atar’s mouth opened several times, but no words issued. He only looked between his boyfriend and the cloak until the gears in his Mind spun back to speed. “Felix.”

Alister laughed. “Felix told me to give it to you. He's a smart man. He knows I am working within the Empire, talking to people that should be our allies. You were the one meant to go to the front."

"Fine,” Atar held the Resurgence Cloak against his chest. “But now we’re definitely getting you new robes."

"Of course. I admit, a new rapier would be nice.”

“I knew you were lying through your teeth,” Atar muttered.

Alister patted his cheek. “I wished only to convince you of my own safety, love. I’d be a fool to turn down better equipment before—”

Atar didn’t need him to finish that sentence. Its conclusion hung over them, a comet of dark fire in the early evening sky.

“Ahem. Ah, yes.” Alister adjusted the Resurgence Cloak around Atar’s shoulders. “Felix also told me another message to give you. He said to wear this cloak to, and I'm quoting here, 'cover up his bony ass.'"

my glory cannot be contained!