But having a cla.s.smate who came from KarGoth made the Wildlands a whole lot more accessible. Suddenly, reaching it was as simple as 'joining my cla.s.smate on board her airs.h.i.+p', or, in more practical terms, 'be ready to board at the airport by sunset.'

Was this for real? Could it be a hoax?

With the lecturer coming too, neither of those seemed likely. Even if it was some sort of elaborate ruse, they surely wouldn't dare play tricks on a well-known lecturer from Ecclesia's College of Magi.

And if they did, well, the ensuing fireworks would be even more fun to watch.

Unknown to his trusting students, the lecturer himself was having second thoughts about the whole thing. When he spoke out about going to the Wildlands, he had actually expected Mindy to back down and retreat hastily, thereby proving her fraudulent claims about being able to communicate with the dragons, or being affiliated with the Wildlands at all. He hadn't actually expected her claims to be true.

But now, having already packed his bags as an honorable gentleman who keeps his word, and having confirmation from the airport that there was, in fact, a military-grade airs.h.i.+p named the Red Fang, and that a Professor Alexei Mikhailov (himself) was authorized to board that evening, it finally sank in to poor Professor Alexei that this trip to the Wildlands was, in fact, for real and that he'd really gotten himself in for it this time.

"Oh, my G.o.d… what do I do…?" Professor Alexei was tearing at his hair even as he packed his bags.

As he made his final preparations, he called his good friend, Father Petrov, and told him, "I'm sorry, my friend, I will not be able to join the hunting trip this month."

A fellow native of neighboring Medved Nation, Father Petrov was mildly surprised. Their hunting trip was something neither of them would miss unless something important came up. "Why? I thought your regular cla.s.ses did not resume until next month."

"Apparently, I am about to go hunting for the Source of Magic." The lecturer sighed. "It's like this…"

Father Petrov listened to the tale with increasing amus.e.m.e.nt, then burst out laughing at the end. "You have certainly gotten yourself into it this time! But perhaps… no, I couldn't… could I?"

"Petrov…?"

"I was just wondering if maybe… perhaps… I could join you on this hunt instead." Father Petrov mused. "The church also has writings about the Source of Magic, but in many cases it is described as an evil thing, on occasion referred to as the Source of Wrath."

"Might it be a weapon?" Alexei wondered.

"It sounds like it could certainly be used as such. Yet from what I've read, it seems that it might not be entirely material."

"Meaning it is a form of energy, perhaps? Like lightning?" Petrov considered. "You know, I would be quite honored to ask for an additional invite on your behalf. An expert from the church would not go amiss on such a hunt, I think."

"Hardly an expert, but I do have a few books... I could bring them, and be all packed and ready in two hours, maybe three."

"Sundown will do, my friend. Sundown will do."

***

"Hunt for the Source of Magic?"

"Yes, your holiness. As such, I must as for leave indefinite!"

"A solution such as this, which may save so many lives in war, and indeed our way of life and magic, is of paramount importance, Father Petrov. No leave is required; consider it your utmost duty! In fact, I shall open our relinquary for you; go choose a Saint-level artifact to safeguard your cause and well-being. Also, perhaps you could bring an escort, or men to aid you…"

"Thank you, Bishop, but I dare not impose on my host too heavily. A single artifact will do."

"You are too modest, Petrov. I will a.s.sign two Temple Knights to protect you. Perhaps Sir Ivan and his squire…?"

"It would be my honor to travel with Sir Ivan."

***

Sir Ivan didn't really mind the sudden duties. His wife, however, was not so indifferent.

"His holiness wishes WHAT?!"

"Nothing less than my job. I must go, my dear. Duty calls me to the Wildlands to protect Father Petrov."

"But… it is the Wildlands! Surely I must accompany my husband!"

"No, no, there is no need. I will be back before you know it. Simply pray for me, and pack me some vareniki for the road, and that will do."

"You would rather bring vodka than vareniki for the road, don't think I don't know! Also, the last time you said you would be back before I knew it, I waited for you for six months! No more! This time, I am coming with you."

"But, dear…"

"No buts! There is a town in the Wildlands, no? This… KarGoth you speak of? It is safe there, is it not?"

"Nowhere is safe in the Wildlands, dear, but it is a fortified stronghold, yes."

"Safe enough! I will go with you! No arguments!"

***

"Margerita! I did not expect to see you here! Why the hurry?"

"I must gather lighter clothing for my Ivan and I. We are going south, far to the south and I fear the climate there would not agree with such heavy vestments as ours."

"Why, it is the same for my husband! Would you believe he plans to go to the Wildlands?!"

"That's it! That's exactly it! We, too…"

"You also? Wives are permitted to join our husbands on this trip?! But is it not an expedition of the College of Magi?"

"Who cares what it is? My Ivan is going, and I'll not let him leave me for months without word again!"

"Months…?! Goodness, I can't have that! I must pack too!"

As they went on, the shopkeeper listened and thought to himself.

"A great expedition into the Wildlands, eh? My brother's business just went bankrupt. Perhaps this was the opportunity to start afresh that he was looking for…"

***

At the home of the woman who met Ivan's wife at the shop…

"Wait. Now MOM's going along with dad? What about us?"

"Mom said to pack up, because we're going too!"

***

That sunset, with half her hold full of goods from the independent state of Ecclesia and the neighboring giant Nation of Medved, Mindy went looking for her handful of cla.s.smates and the lecturer who signed on for the Hunt for the Source of Magic.

Instead, she found five families, three couples, two merchants, a temple knight and his squire, the professor and a priest of the church of light.

"How did this happen?!" Mindy asked, bewildered.

Remian shook is head. "Just bring them. KarGoth is in short supply of higher education personnel. A whole bunch of magic college students and their families like this could do us a lot of good."

"Can we really take these many on board?" Mindy scratched her head.

"It'll be a bit of a squeeze and we may as well drop our pick-up detour to Itarim on the way back. Let's just head straight for home." Remian suggested.

"Fine." Mindy threw up her hands, and let the pa.s.sengers on board.