“Besides, if a certain demon of a conjurer,” Aldric continued, ignoring Zasia’s kick to his shin, “possesses more mana than there is water in the oceans, they either fail to get rid of all the mana or fall apart catastrophically. I couldn’t find a way around it, so I ultimately gave up on them. Honestly, I haven’t seen them since I left for the military. More than likely, they were sold off as part of my father’s estate to go towards his debts. There’s no telling how many hands they would have passed through after that. It would be nearly impossible to track.”

“Did you learn anything from the leftover?” Zasia asked Kedrin. He sighed in obvious irritation.

“Only enough to know that our ‘guest’ was told next to nothing about why they were told to come here. The only common point we’ve found is this legacy.”

Kedrin turned to Balrus at that, but the knight was already shaking his head.

“It is similar to why his majesty originally sent me here, but he wouldn’t have sent these men,” he stated, his voice firm with certainty. “It is not something he would do. Even if he was desperate enough to try, he wouldn’t do it so soon after having sent me here. There would be no point.”

“Is he getting impatient about your lack of progress?” Aldric asked. “I imagine you haven’t been very forthcoming with new information.” Balrus just looked at him, the first inkling of doubt appearing on his face.

“It is mostly rumors and speculation I am sending him, some of it completely fabricated,” Balrus said. “As much as I dislike lying to my king, it is obvious why he is looking for anything relating to you. His war with Rhagia and Osakar is all he ever thinks about lately. I shudder to think what he could create if he actually obtained what he seeks.”

“It would look a lot like several nights ago, I’m sure,” Kedrin commented, gesturing to the broken devices ominously. “Actually, no, I take it back. It would look far worse than that.”

Aldric felt a micro wince take over his facial features before he could school them again. All three of his friends caught it, but he barreled forward before they could comment.

“Probably the only reason they wouldn’t have gone after Balrus as well is because they wouldn’t know he was here. That would further confirm the king isn’t behind this.”

“There must be more than one group at work trying to track down any trace of Aldric,” Zasia muttered. “The real question is not just who the other players in this game are, but how many of them are playing. Aldric certainly made enough enemies over the years that would be interested in figuring out his secrets, and they appear to have grown much bolder.”