From Real to Realm

“So, what do you plan to do about your affinity?”

Val sighed, poking at her breakfast. “Are you asking about training? Or the golden threads?”

Lynesia rolled her eyes. “Both, Val.”

It had been two days since her affinity test, and the aches hadn’t gone away. They were less intense, but still happened at random intervals.

“Only thing I can do is train,” she said, sliding her plate away.

Lynesia sighed. “And the golden threads? We both know that has to do with your… situation.”

Val nodded. “That’s what I figured as well. I can’t escape it now, so there’s no point in trying to do damage control.”

“But the guild master knows about it.”

“Seeing and understanding it are two different things,” Val said, standing with her plate. “Just because he can see it, doesn’t mean he knows it’s connected to the gods.”

Lynesia stood with her plate. “The guild is old, Val. What if they have something in the archive that explains what he saw?”

Val set her plate in the sink. “Then I guess the truth will come out whether I want it to or not.”

Lynesia’s hand squeezed Val’s shirt. “What if they want to lock you away because they don’t understand?”

Gently, Val turned around and pulled Lynesia into a hug. “Even more reason for me to get stronger. As much as I wish it were true, I can’t rely on Theoden to protect me. Nor Cyrus and his group.”

Lynesia pressed her forehead to Val’s collarbone. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

Val rubbed her back as she spoke. “I doubt the guild will just lock me in some room like a dangerous artifact or something. I don’t doubt Gilded Mire will want to run some tests, but hopefully I have a say in it.”

“You’re too calm.”

Val chuckled. “I’ve panicked enough in the past. What if’s are a headache, even if I’m guilty of doing it myself sometimes.”

Knock, knock.

Lynesia’s head shot up, looking at the door. She looked back into Val’s eyes, worried.

“Calm down. I doubt they’ve found anything that fast.”

Val walked over to the door. After taking a breath, she unlocked and opened it.

“Good morning.”

A younger man was standing there, a satchel over his shoulder.

“Guild runner, I take it?”

He nodded. “Correct. I have a letter for you from the guild master.”

A few seconds later, he held out a familiar-looking envelope.

“Thanks.”

The runner nodded his head before spinning on his heel and rushing down the hall.

“Another letter?” Lynesia asked, walking up behind Val.

“Think this one is cursed, too?” Val asked, smirking.

Lynesia smacked her, hard. “Damn it, Val. This isn’t a fucking joke!”

Val rubbed her arm. “Calm down. We’ll handle this together, okay?”

The two of them moved to the couch.

“Did you want to open it this time, too? Or should I?” she asked, holding the purple envelope up.

Lynesia shook her head. “I think you should open it this time.”

Val hooked her thumb beneath the flap. “Alright.”

With little effort, she pried the flap free from the wax seal. She fished out the paper, unfolding it to read it.

To Valnarei Strouss

I would like you to visit the guild at your earliest convenience. I would like to introduce you to someone as soon as possible. They may be capable of assisting you with training your mana while also identifying the nature of the anomaly that appeared during your affinity test.

Guild Master Theoden Ianmys Xyrgwyn

Lynesia was reading it as well, her hand tensing as she continued to read.

“Someone who might know about the golden threads?”

Val gulped. “I find it hard to believe someone might be able to figure it out, but who knows?”

Lynesia’s hand slid into Val’s. “What’s your plan, Val? Guild Master Theoden doesn’t seem to want to let this go.”

“It’s not like I can ignore him,” Val said, sighing. “He knows about it. I have no choice but to meet whoever he has in mind.”

Lynesia was on edge. Val could see it in her expression.

“I’ll be okay,” she said, gently cupping Lynesia’s cheeks. “I highly doubt Theoden is going to try anything funny.”

“You’re not going alone,” Lynesia said. “I refuse to let you.”

Val chuckled. “I never anticipated going alone to begin with.”

It didn’t take the two of them long to swap into something better for the cold weather. There was a tension that refused to go away. More than once, Val caught Lynesia looking at her with fear. It almost seemed like she was worried that if she looked away for too long, someone would snatch Val out from under her.

“Ready?”

Lynesia started to nod, then stopped. “No, not really.”

Val gently took her hand. “You’re more nervous than I am.”

“It worries me more how calm you’re being about this,” she said, squeezing Val’s hand. “It’s not like you.”

It was true. Val did have a habit of getting worked up about everything. Internally, she was nervous, yet she still wanted answers. Maybe the golden threads were from the divine connection she had, but what if they weren’t? What if it were something completely different? What if it was the same thing the original Valnarei was going through?

“I promise you I’m not as calm as I might be acting. But I have you to support me, so I’m able to keep my composure.”

Lynesia smiled softly. “Well… we might as well get moving. Delaying is only making me lose my mind more.”

The walk to the guild was a bit nerve-racking for both of them. Every step brought them closer to the unknown. Neither of them knew what was waiting or who would be giving it to them. Hopefully, they’d get some answers.

“I’ll let Theoden know you’re here.”

The guild receptionist didn’t waste a moment rushing off to find the Guild Master.

“Well, if we’re running, now’s the time to do it,” Val said, trying to laugh off the situation. “Last chance.”

Lynesia squeezed her hand, hard. “Don’t joke about that. I’m tempted to drag you out of here as it is.”

“Miss Strouss, Miss Khano.”

The two of them turned around to see Theoden approaching with a smile.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you so quickly after I sent my letter.” He studied the two of them for a second. “I suppose I’m not the only one curious about your test.”

“You could say that,” Val said. “I’m just surprised you found someone who might know what happened.”

“Hmph. I never claimed to know what happened.”

Val and Lynesia looked to the side.

A tall man with a wolf’s cowl stood there, arms crossed. He wore a weathered leather outfit that had obviously seen better days. It was obvious he was older. Aside from the wrinkles, he had a gray beard. It was as if Val was looking at Theoden’s direct opposite. Whereas Theoden had an air of authority, this man didn’t seem to give a shit. His toned, yet scarred muscles gave the look of a battle-hardened adventurer compared to Theoden’s lithe frame.

“Who are you?” Val asked.

“Not very bright, are ya?”

Val’s jaw clenched. “Well, excuse the fuck out of me. Shall I bow first next time I ask?”

Theoden’s expression shifted through multiple reactions to the volatile welcome.

“Ha! You could learn a thing or two from her,” he said, pointing at Theoden.

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Miss Strouss, this is the man I hinted at in my letter.”

Lynesia tilted her head. “He’s a mage? Really?”

Aleksander chuckled. “Not all of us are walking sticks.”

Val opened her mouth, then paused.

“You can fuck off now, Theoden. I want to talk to her.”

“Excuse me?” Theoden’s posture stiffened even more than usual. “I will remain.”

Aleksander narrowed his eyes. “If you want my help, then I don’t need you hovering like a mother bird. Fuck. Off.”

Val would’ve laughed. However, it was the first time she’d seen someone be straight-up disrespectful to Theoden. Hell, disrespectful was an understatement.

Theoden sighed, then leaned down to whisper to Val. “Be careful. He’s unorthodox and rough around the edges. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, send someone to fetch me immediately.”

Val only nodded, still wrapping her head around what was happening.

“She’ll be fine,” Aleksander said, stepping between the two of them. “I’m not going to kill her.”

Lynesia was just as dumbfounded as Val.

“You can go, too,” he said.

Lynesia held onto Val tighter. “Absolutely not. Anything you tell her, I can know as well.”

“Wasn’t a request.”

Val stepped forward. “We weren’t asking for your fucking permission. She stays, or we both leave, asshole.”

Aleksander raised an eyebrow.

“Who the fuck are you anyway?”

He chuckled. “I might be your only help.”

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