In Paraasilan, Esmaar, a pair of roommates are about to break a rule that, compared to the one about running in the corridors or even the one about unlicensed teleportation, is there for a good reason.
In unison, they complete their shared spell.
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chalk
Katran in Elcenia
Katran
taytahn
A woman appears, middle-aged, with dark hair and medium skin, wearing an embroidered red robe and thin braids in her hair.
She freezes mid-gesture, and frantically pats herself as though hoping to find something in a pocket. Her look of alarm turns to horror.
She freezes mid-gesture, and frantically pats herself as though hoping to find something in a pocket. Her look of alarm turns to horror.
The girls who have summoned her start chattering in a language she's never heard before. The dark one says something apologetically to her while the blonde looks through a book for something.
Katran
taytahn
Deep breaths. Assess. She looks around.
There are bookshelves on the walls, but that doesn't indicate much. More pertinently, there appears to be some sort of circular design on the floor around her. Almost out of habit, she steps aside to clear the entry point—
—and bumps into something invisible.
This is not the first time she has appeared in a cage.
She reaches into her robe, grasping but not revealing a stylized yet functional dagger.
There are bookshelves on the walls, but that doesn't indicate much. More pertinently, there appears to be some sort of circular design on the floor around her. Almost out of habit, she steps aside to clear the entry point—
—and bumps into something invisible.
This is not the first time she has appeared in a cage.
She reaches into her robe, grasping but not revealing a stylized yet functional dagger.
The brown girl doesn't seem surprised that she can't leave, which makes sense, considering.
The blonde finds the page she was looking for in her book.
The blonde finds the page she was looking for in her book.
Katran
taytahn
The woman watches and waits.
Come to think of it, the fact that the girls look so different from each other is also suggestive. It's not impossible that they're both native, but it'd be somewhat unusual.
Then again, much about the situation is unusual.
Come to think of it, the fact that the girls look so different from each other is also suggestive. It's not impossible that they're both native, but it'd be somewhat unusual.
Then again, much about the situation is unusual.
The blonde makes a gesture and speaks more gibberish.
"Did it work?" asks her friend.
"Did it work?" asks her friend.
Katran
taytahn
"I'm standing here, aren't I? How did I get here without touching a book? And how do you know Rivenese?"
"We don't know your language," says the dark girl. "Korulen cast a translation spell."
Korulen says, "You're here because we summoned you. We don't need you for long."
Korulen says, "You're here because we summoned you. We don't need you for long."
Katran
taytahn
Her grip on her dagger tightens a little at we don't need you for long.
The other part made less sense, though, having translated roughly as "Korulen used a translation skill".
"I have never heard of anyone who could translate a language they didn't know," she says, trying to sound casual. "My compliments on your skill."
The other part made less sense, though, having translated roughly as "Korulen used a translation skill".
"I have never heard of anyone who could translate a language they didn't know," she says, trying to sound casual. "My compliments on your skill."
"...It's magic," says the dark girl helpfully. "I could have done it too, but Korulen's been studying longer."
Katran
taytahn
The word used to translate "magic" is one she heard occasionally growing up, and more often in her time with the Moiety; it's used to describe things considered incomprehensible and terrifying. Originally, it was most often used for wahrks or storms; later, it was more often used for Gehn or herself.
She is not especially surprised that someone who would take her away from her world would describe themselves in this way.
"Magic indeed," she says, bowing but not taking her eyes off them.
She is not especially surprised that someone who would take her away from her world would describe themselves in this way.
"Magic indeed," she says, bowing but not taking her eyes off them.
"We only need you for a couple degrees," says Korulen reassuringly, "and then Saasnil will get Nemaar and we'll show him we did the spell and then you can go home."
Katran
taytahn
They thought – they're not hostile, she was just unlucky, they assumed –
"I – I don't have a book with me," she says despairingly. "I can't go home."
"I – I don't have a book with me," she says despairingly. "I can't go home."
"...You don't have to go home under your own power," says Korulen. "That wouldn't make any sense. When the summoning spell is off you you'll just go back where you came from."
Katran
taytahn
A terrible desperate hope rises in her throat. Her hand quavers, and she releases the hilt of her dagger for fear of cutting through the silk sheath.
"You can send me back. Because - you're magic." She lets out a single shaky laugh of relief.
"You can send me back. Because - you're magic." She lets out a single shaky laugh of relief.
"We wouldn't go around kidnapping people forever," exclaims Korulen. "I mean, even a few degrees is kind of not great, it was Saasnil's idea -"
"Hey!" says Saasnil.
"- but then after that all we have to do is - reverse - the - oh no."
"Hey!" says Saasnil.
"- but then after that all we have to do is - reverse - the - oh no."
Katran
taytahn
Between the girl's words, the girl's face, and her own half-disbelief, it's not hard to guess. Her fragile newfound hope shatters.
She seems to be sitting on the floor now. This is probably due to her legs going on strike in protest.
She seems to be sitting on the floor now. This is probably due to her legs going on strike in protest.
"We'll still be able to send you back," Korulen hastens to say. "It'll just - take longer."
Katran
taytahn
She can't bring herself to believe that. Not so soon after the last time she let these girls give her hope.
And not after the last two children she thought were foolish but well-meaning.
"Sure," she says quietly.
And not after the last two children she thought were foolish but well-meaning.
"Sure," she says quietly.
"We will, I just have to get a familiar and even if that doesn't work Saasnil can get one," Korulen says.
"They're going to expel me," whimpers Saasnil.
"No, they won't, you have to stay in school and be backup if I don't get enough bonus CC, you're fine -"
Saasnil sniffles.
"They're going to expel me," whimpers Saasnil.
"No, they won't, you have to stay in school and be backup if I don't get enough bonus CC, you're fine -"
Saasnil sniffles.
Katran
taytahn
Their distress seems genuine. That's... possibly a good thing? Not much to do but wait and see.
Maybe she should risk addressing the elephant in the room.
"Why is there a wall here?" she asks, pressing a hand against the invisible barrier demonstratively.
Maybe she should risk addressing the elephant in the room.
"Why is there a wall here?" she asks, pressing a hand against the invisible barrier demonstratively.
"Safety feature of the summoning spell," says Korulen. "It's a ward, not a wall."
Katran
taytahn
"So you can't open it unless you can send me home." She sighs. "Oh well."
"...No, we could let you out, we just don't know if you're safe," says Korulen. "But when we tell my mom -"
"No," whimpers Saasnil, "we'll be in so much trouble, what if we think of something else?"
"We're not going to think of something else, we have to tell my mom - and she'll be able to see if it's safe to let you out."
"No," whimpers Saasnil, "we'll be in so much trouble, what if we think of something else?"
"We're not going to think of something else, we have to tell my mom - and she'll be able to see if it's safe to let you out."
Katran
taytahn
The woman is fairly good at the general sort of thing that "thinking of something else" is likely to entail, but she's not especially inclined to help these girls avoid getting in trouble for bringing her here. So she says nothing.
"Can't we send her?"
"She's not native, we can't send her," says Korulen. "We're not going to think of anything else! Putting it off only makes it worse."
Saasnil sits down on her chair and crosses her arms.
"I'm doing it," says Korulen, and she sits too, and closes her eyes.
A few moments later the door opens to reveal a young, green-haired woman, who looks very put out.
"She's not native, we can't send her," says Korulen. "We're not going to think of anything else! Putting it off only makes it worse."
Saasnil sits down on her chair and crosses her arms.
"I'm doing it," says Korulen, and she sits too, and closes her eyes.
A few moments later the door opens to reveal a young, green-haired woman, who looks very put out.
Katran
taytahn
The woman stands. "Hello," she says to the newcomer in what she hopes is taken as a polite tone. "I gather that Saasnil and Korulen here have brought me here by magic, but are unable to send me home again as soon as they had intended, and that you are here to decide whether I will be allowed out of this ward."
(If the girls have lied, she would prefer not to assist their deception.)
(If the girls have lied, she would prefer not to assist their deception.)
"That's what I gather, too," sighs Keo. "I'm very sorry about this. I have copious mind-magic. I won't find anything I'm not looking for. Do you object to my checking you over to see if you're safe to release?"
Katran
taytahn
Safe could mean a lot of things. If Gehn had released her, it would not have been safe for him. She doesn't have much reason to think that that this green-haired woman is in a similar position, but she also doesn't have much reason to think she isn't.
She doesn't know why someone with copious magic would need her permission, but she also doesn't know what will happen if she refuses, but she also doesn't know what will happen if she accepts and is found to be unsafe.
All paths are dangerous. The best guess is probably to play nice. She tries to think friendly thoughts, and says, "You may."
She doesn't know why someone with copious magic would need her permission, but she also doesn't know what will happen if she refuses, but she also doesn't know what will happen if she accepts and is found to be unsafe.
All paths are dangerous. The best guess is probably to play nice. She tries to think friendly thoughts, and says, "You may."
It doesn't feel like anything.
Eventually, Keo says, "I'm not completely confident you're harmless, but you're close. I'm going to let you out, but if you touch that dagger around anyone I don't want stabbed you will fall unconscious before you finish drawing, understand?"
Eventually, Keo says, "I'm not completely confident you're harmless, but you're close. I'm going to let you out, but if you touch that dagger around anyone I don't want stabbed you will fall unconscious before you finish drawing, understand?"
Katran
taytahn
"I understand."
She wonders about the specificity of touching her dagger as opposed to other threatening or dangerous actions, and about the phrasing anyone I don't want stabbed as opposed to anyone who doesn't deserve to be stabbed, but does not voice these thoughts aloud. For all the good that will do.
She wonders about the specificity of touching her dagger as opposed to other threatening or dangerous actions, and about the phrasing anyone I don't want stabbed as opposed to anyone who doesn't deserve to be stabbed, but does not voice these thoughts aloud. For all the good that will do.
Keo smudges the chalk. "The school's responsible for you. I can put you in a dormitory and get you access to the cafeteria; Korulen can go on a shopping trip at the girls' expense if you make a list, or you can wait a bit longer for me to be available for a sufficient block of time, if you want to look at things yourself. I don't recommend wandering around alone. I think your original world is much different from this one."
Katran
taytahn
She has some experience in safely wandering around very different worlds, but since the first and most important safety rule is always carry your linking book, being careful is a good idea.
The fact that she's apparently not expected to leave the premises unescorted is also cause for caution.
She wonders if she should start carrying a linking book even at home. She wonders if this is going to be her home from now on.
She wonders if this world has the right materials to make Books, and whether it's worth risking her maybe-jailers learning how to Write.
She wonders if her sons would have turned out differently, if they had been taught sooner.
She wonders if her husband has noticed her absence yet.
She wonders if she really is going to be sent back someday.
She realizes there's been a noticeable pause while she was thinking and she's probably expected to say something. "...Thank you."
The fact that she's apparently not expected to leave the premises unescorted is also cause for caution.
She wonders if she should start carrying a linking book even at home. She wonders if this is going to be her home from now on.
She wonders if this world has the right materials to make Books, and whether it's worth risking her maybe-jailers learning how to Write.
She wonders if her sons would have turned out differently, if they had been taught sooner.
She wonders if her husband has noticed her absence yet.
She wonders if she really is going to be sent back someday.
She realizes there's been a noticeable pause while she was thinking and she's probably expected to say something. "...Thank you."
"It'll probably be a few months before Korulen can safely acquire a familiar," says Keo, ushering the visitor out the door. "But in the meantime - the problem you have isn't endemic to the class of summoning spells. We can send letters to anyone from your home you want to communicate with, and if someone wants to visit you here, they can."
Katran
taytahn
"If someone visits, can they bring things with them? Or if that doesn't work, can you send other things besides letters?"
She doesn't allow herself to believe, again. But she can ask.
She doesn't allow herself to believe, again. But she can ask.
"People can bring things - you brought your clothes, obviously - we can also summon things by themselves, if you left something you need. Letters aren't the only sendable thing, either." When they are both in the lift, Keo directs it to an empty dorm hall.
Katran
taytahn
"I – yes. I left something I need."
She hesitates, then decides it's probably safer not to try to hide information from the copiously magic mindreader.
"My way home."
She hesitates, then decides it's probably safer not to try to hide information from the copiously magic mindreader.
"My way home."
"...That might or might not work, with an active summon on you, but we can maybe try it; what is it?"
Katran
taytahn
"A linking book. It's a way of traveling between worlds. But I can't write one home from here; I need one that was written back home."
Not yet believing, but it's worth a try.
Not yet believing, but it's worth a try.
"Okay - Lift, stop. Headmaster's office." The lift changes course. "We can draw a summoning circle and you can be the focus so the spell gets the right book."
Katran
taytahn
"What will I need to do?"
"All you'll need to do is put your hand in part of the diagram and focus on specifying the exact book you need."
Katran
taytahn
"All right."
Deep breaths.
Deep breaths.
The lift opens on an office containing a lot of bookshelves and an older elf man who bears a lot of resemblance to Korulen who is already drawing a diagram out of a book on the floor. Keo takes a piece of chalk that he has left for him and helps.
Katran
taytahn
The woman (who has still not been introduced to Keo by name, in either direction) stands clear and waits attentively.
Eventually the diagram is right. "Just put your hand there," Keo says, pointing at the focus loop.
Katran
taytahn
She rests her fingers on the floor in the indicated spot, and focuses.
The elf casts a spell.
And there, simple as you please, is her book.
And there, simple as you please, is her book.
Katran
taytahn
The visitor reaches for her book, and her hand strikes an invisible barrier.
"Do I just smudge the chalk, or is it more delicate than that?"
"Do I just smudge the chalk, or is it more delicate than that?"
"Just smudge the chalk," says Keo, doing so. "We can reuse the diagram if we patch the smudge, if you want anything else, but it sounds like you just want to be rid of this world as fast as you can."
Katran
taytahn
She takes the book and opens the front cover. Where an ordinary book might have a title page, this one has a rectangular illustration.
The image is moving.
She closes the book and hugs it to her chest, smiling genuinely for the first time since she's been here.
"I'm not – it's not like that. I just don't like being stuck. I was afraid I was never going to see my husband again."
She hesitates.
"Actually, if this works," – her smile falters a little on the word if – "I'd like to come back to visit sometimes. Write a book here, if you don't object. How hard would it be for me to get back here again, your way? My way, I'd need materials from home and a few days to set up. And a place to put the link-in point."
The image is moving.
She closes the book and hugs it to her chest, smiling genuinely for the first time since she's been here.
"I'm not – it's not like that. I just don't like being stuck. I was afraid I was never going to see my husband again."
She hesitates.
"Actually, if this works," – her smile falters a little on the word if – "I'd like to come back to visit sometimes. Write a book here, if you don't object. How hard would it be for me to get back here again, your way? My way, I'd need materials from home and a few days to set up. And a place to put the link-in point."
"Not hard," says Keo. "Just a diagram, a little more complicated than this one, and a spell, more or less like what you just saw. Writing a book here would let you come back without a summoning, is that the idea?"
Katran
taytahn
"Yes, exactly. A linking book takes the user to the place that the book was written."
"It seems like that would be a difficult system to get off the ground without a supplementary system to ever put the book in another world."
Katran
taytahn
"There are also descriptive books, which... there's some disagreement about whether they actually create worlds, or merely connect to pre-existing possibilities. My husband thinks they just connect; his evil father thought they were created and that that entitled him to be worshipped as a god. I'm not sure what I think, except that Gehn definitely did not deserve to be worshipped."
She opens the book again and looks at the image.
She opens the book again and looks at the image.
"What would you do if you had a book to this world?"
Katran
taytahn
"What would you do if you had a road to another town? I'd visit sometimes, meet people, explore the geography and wildlife, look at the stars. Atrus would probably want to take soil samples," she smirks.
"This sounds like kind of a political complication," remarks Keo. "I'm not sure we ought to enable it on our own recognizance."
Katran
taytahn
"More so than people knowing how to do it your way? And – if I leave this book here when I go home, how likely are political complications to follow me?"
She is taking a risk here, omitting details about how one goes about not leaving a book to be followed through, but the mention of political complications has put her back on edge.
She is taking a risk here, omitting details about how one goes about not leaving a book to be followed through, but the mention of political complications has put her back on edge.
"There are already systems set up to handle the way that already exists here," Keo points out. "We'd return this book where it came from when you left, we wouldn't want to permanently deprive you of it."
Katran
taytahn
That... sounds plausible. Maybe enough so that the risk of seeming hostile outweighs the risk of trusting them.
"Would those systems object to you bringing me back in about half an hour, after I've had a chance to explain things to my husband? I am interested in talking about this – if it's not a terrible imposition on your time, that is – but I don't want him to worry."
"Would those systems object to you bringing me back in about half an hour, after I've had a chance to explain things to my husband? I am interested in talking about this – if it's not a terrible imposition on your time, that is – but I don't want him to worry."
"The idea being that you use the book to go home, we unsummon it, and then we resummon you with a better spell than the one the girls used in - I'm sorry, how long is an hour?"
Katran
taytahn
She knows better than to assume that the days are the same length here. "About... five or ten times as long as I've been here so far."
"So in about an angle, we resummon you? We can do that."
Katran
taytahn
"I'll see you then."
She places the book open on the floor, touches the moving image, and fades away.
She places the book open on the floor, touches the moving image, and fades away.
The book goes back whence it came a moment later.
A new diagram is drawn. It lies dormant for an angle, and then Kanaat casts the spell.
A new diagram is drawn. It lies dormant for an angle, and then Kanaat casts the spell.
Katran
taytahn
The visitor reappears, smiling and holding a slimmer book than the one before. "That was about an hour, by the way. I brought a pocket watch if you want to work out the exact conversion rate. Atrus certainly will, at some point."
"Welcome back," says Keo, smudging the chalk again. "So what did you want to talk about exactly?"
Katran
taytahn
"I was hoping to learn more about the political complications and what might be done about them. I'm Katran, by the way, I don't think we've been properly introduced." She holds out a hand.
"Keo, and this is my husband Kanaat," says Keo, shaking her hand. "The country we live in is called Esmaar, and introducing one or more new political units into the sphere of their diplomatic tasks will probably be some combination of annoying and exciting for them, depending on what your homeworld is like."
Katran
taytahn
"My homeworld is – destroyed. My current home is just me and Atrus, as far as we know, unless you include the other worlds we're in contact with.
"As far as potential diplomatic concerns... there are the survivors of Riven, in Tay; the survivors of D'ni, in Releeshahn; the survivors of Terahnee; the natives of Earth; the natives of Averone; I don't know if there are any survivors of Channelwood..."
"As far as potential diplomatic concerns... there are the survivors of Riven, in Tay; the survivors of D'ni, in Releeshahn; the survivors of Terahnee; the natives of Earth; the natives of Averone; I don't know if there are any survivors of Channelwood..."
"...This sounds like a complicated history lesson."
Katran
taytahn
"History tends to be complicated."
"I suppose so."