Chapter 18: Check up

         Passing the bridge checkpoint Rowan can finally see what was beyond the prison walls as him and the Magi step into town. The main roads are fitted with neat but aged cobblestone brick, the houses and buildings have an almost European design to them. From how they are structured to coloring of the shingled roofs with a red hue, despite seeing a familiar style of buildings like from his world. There are still some noticeable differences, such as the wooden struts come from a naturally yellow tree. None of the buildings look painted, but each have their own little decoration to really tell apart from one building to another. Rowan asks Vashti, "I've been meaning to ask but what is the name of this city?" Vashti puzzled on why they are receiving the question, "It's called Ta'law, this is the coastal capital of the empire." Vashti nudges Alphis, "Why didn't you tell him that? Your the one taking everyone out for walks and lessons." Alphis chuckles, "I had not the pleasure to teach him yet."

As Rowan and the group of Magi escort him further in town, Rowan sees people going about their business. From setting up shops, tending their decorations, carrying water to their homes, leaving home for the morning markets. Despite all the different activities one thing that was a constant, their concerned stares as they look through the group of Magi. Rowan realizing that he is encircled by them, overhearing hushed tones as if they are crafting rumors of the Magi's experiments.

He concludes to himself, "They are not wrong that I am an experiment to them... But do these people have any level of empathy?" Rowan shakes his head and tries to focus on his friends. Part way into town Braxen breaks away from the group citing that he has other business to prepare. With the promise to look after Rowan, the group continues to the infirmary, Once Braxen is out of sight Alphis relaxes a little. Vashti playfully jabs Alphis on the side while they walk, "You two are the same rank, you can just tell him to shove it." Alphis raising his guard, "While we have the same rank, he has more influence and you know that." Vashti holds the back of their head with both hands, "Sure, and if you guys end up killing each other maybe I can finally get some rest." Rowan piecing the scenario together, "Wouldn't that mean that you would get both of their duties since your the same rank as well?" Realizing the potential outcomes Vashti turns and playfully kicks Rowan's shins, "Don't you curse me with that, I swear to any spirit that can hear that I'll!-"

Alphis laughs at the display and the group continues walking till they reach the infirmary, once checked in they go to the main hall. This large hall with beds, have sheets used as dividers between the beds, twelve guards are seen standing near the end of the hall. All the beds leading up to the guards are empty, most likely to better guard the prisoners while they rest. Or perhaps there is a level of stigma regarding other worlders using the hall Rowan theorized. The Magi meet with the head of the guard and were told to be at ease, once through while laying in bed Eribella sees Rowan. She burst into tears, "You are alive!" Rowan runs to her side, "Yeah I have no clue what happened, I was so worried about you guys!" Eribella has scarred cuts and recovering burn marks on her right arm, her right shoulder, and a scar on the right side of her face. "It was pretty close, I didn't think we were going to make it." Rowan choking up, "I'm so sorry, my plan almost got you all killed, I couldn't think of a better plan!"

The sound of Igan can be heard from the next curtain over, "Is you, little Borch?" Excited, Rowan asks if he can move the sheet. Once pushed aside he sees Igan laying in bed in much worse for wear. Burns and shrapnel liter both of his arms and chest, a piece of metal still lodged above his right brow. With the healing burn marks, cuts, and scar along the right side of his face, Igan smiles at the recovered Rowan. "Like I said, "when cornered, can spread fear in hearts of predator". Who knew Borch be so volatile." Rowan wanting to give him a hug but don't where to start so he does not hurt him, Igan lifts his burnt, chomped at, right hand and Rowan grabs it, both squeezing each other hands with a grip that men feel. Rowan almost quoting an 1980's action movie in his head, "Igan! You son of a b-".

The three go back and forth about the details on what happened after Rowan's explosion. Rowan wondering out loud if he could try using a healing spell, Alphis holds him back. Because of the amount of mana Rowan already used today, and that while he feels fine he should rest and regain his mana for the day. Alphis reassures Rowan that once the others are back in a walking state they will be discharged. Igan and Eribella with determination in their eyes explain that they will try to unlock their mana wells. They don't want a repeat of what happened last night, to ever happen again. Alphis speaks up, "What happened last night went beyond our control, Magi Braxen acted out of line and created this impossible task." Vashti theorizes, "Very possible Braxen found a promising candidate for a new blend of spiritual runes. Then changed the creature into that form, realized it could not perform precise orders and had it disposed of."

Vashti concludes, "And what a better way to awaken someone than to put them in a literal life or death scenario." Alphis whispers to himself away from the group, "That's not what this batch was meant for..." Eribella's predisposition about the Magi remains the same, "Use us till we no longer have a use, then toss us aside, or until we awaken..." She looks to Alphis, "Even then, those who are awakened, they get locked up with the rest of us." Igan, following the same page Eribella is on, "What is going to happen to Rowan now?" Silence fills the hall.

Vashti breaks the spoken void, "We will be giving him tasks as normal, however from what he displayed last night." They pause and mull over the possibilities, "It is possible that out of the group he could ascend to the rank of Magi assistant. He could have some say in projects and how to execute them, but in the end he will be tasked to follow the Magi orders." Rowan coming up with an idea, "Would I be able to recruit prisoners for my tasks?" Alphis with a glimmer of hope in his eye before being cut off by Vashti, "All depends how your next set of tasks, and training works out, if you follow orders and prove yourself useful to the royal family. The Magi can let you operate in good faith, but granted, until they awaken themselves you will have to see them as tools, the same as the rest of us."

Alphis frowns at the thought then steels himself, "All in the name of not being labeled as a sympathizer, but it should not be damnable to show empathy." Vashti parries the thought, "The sooner they see us as monsters, the sooner they will desire to be better than us." Vashti starts to walk away, "Heel". All the prisoners and Rowan freeze in place. Vashti reminds everyone about the reality of this world, "As long as you react to these commands."

"You will still be tools just like the rest of us."