There is a line magic, that starts at spell and ends are ritual. For laymen though, it could be easier to said that it starts at sorcery and ends at summoning circle. The closer one gets to a true spell, the more of the magic is channelled entirely within the body. This can be seen through sorcery, Anassa and her chosen do not use incantations and they do need any time to unleash power. It simply flows from within them, all at once. The magic they use is wholly complete.

  A magician’s incantation is closer to a spell than a ritual, although it is not a true spell. The simplest conjurations, summoning a flame, calling forth a wind, is largely done within the mage but the final weaves of magic are completed out of the body. There are some mortals that enough control over their minds to be able to rival sorcery, although it is a rare talent. Elements burst from within them, either leaking through the skin or spewing from their mouths. Even during the Great War, I did not teach mastery over the subject due to massive rates of attrition inherent within it.

  A ritual is the complete opposite of this. It is a temporary extension of one’s will to an area outside the body, that can be managed by a single entity. In the same fashion as communion links power to another, communion can link to separate segments of ritual circle. Whereas the glyphwork itself is less important than actually theorized, it allows for the stabilization of multiple wills and gives a list of non-verbal instructions for different parts of the ritual to follow. Magic can be weaved as easily within the circle as easily and as delicately as it can be done within the body. For some magics, those that require great weaves which span distances over metres, such as the summoning of elemental constructs, a ritual circle powered by a single mage is needed to simply facilitate the sheer size of weaving.

  Rituals of two are easy to accomplish, amongst mages who are close to each other’s subconscious, such as lovers, circles are not even needed. They simply instinctively know how to manage each other’s energies. Yet rituals get more difficult to manage as more mages are added. During the Great War, we have successful attempts of rituals numbering in the hundreds of mages. Records of Worldbreaking state that successful rituals have existed between a thousand mages.

  In practice, I consider the cut off to be fifty for most mages, a hundred for those experienced, an archmage should be able to dominate two hundred. I can confidently manage four hundred and push to eight.

  In theory, there is no limit.

  - Excerpt from: “Magical Conceptualization”, written by Goddess Elassa, of Magic. Mandatory study for the first semester of Arcadia.

  Fortia, Maisara and Alice all looked through the window of the oversized train carriage they were taking from Doschia to Lubska. There was something borderline insane about this experience of watching crop fields interspersed with odd trees that had largely lost their leaves for the coming winter. Frost had set, the ground was had the cracked, shining, faux-dry look that ground did during the winter. And then the field would pass to a pasture on which animals lazily grazed even in the chill outside. They would go over bridges and through tunnels, the train never went on an incline, it was a curved line drawn over the map, as if the engineers had forgotten that height axis existed in the real world. Alice was idling about, her eyes shifting from the window to the book Fortia had bought her in Resnau. One of Leona’s secret homes had been built near the city, in the forest nearby. Without Alice, Maisara and Fortia could have scoured for the entrance for a whole week and still be unable to find it.

  Even at that grand station, they had talked. When the huge train pulled in, looking as if it once had two floors and then been converted into a single one to house Divine, conversation had fallen silent. They had only needed to request in Resnau and the bureaucracy had given them a time for the next day. It drove in almost silently into the station, a huge, sleek bullet painted in white and red. Inside, the furnishings were all modern, the seats so huge that Alice had needed to be lifted up by Fortia so that she wouldn’t embarrass herself clambering onto it. Another pair of Divines had gotten on, lesser deities, locals from Doschia. Fortia did not know them. They were shorter though, so inventions then, and they kept to themselves, sitting in a different wagon from Fortia and Maisara.

  They had taken planes before of course, the White Pantheon had specifically built planes large enough for themselves.

  But trains?

  This was Fortia’s first time riding a train. First time ever. A train for Divines was such a needless luxury that no one had ever bothered with it, save for Epan nations that wanted their national mascot to have a carriage. But this? Save for the fact everything was upscaled, it was simply… normal. High-class, sleek, elegant, but not gaudy or decadent. The carpets were red, the seats were soft, but there were no paintings on the walls nor chandeliers. It was simply a modern train. And that, to Fortia, may have been the most fantastical part about it. She looked at the sky of light-blue and grey. Even with the day spent waiting for the train to arrive, they were saving two weeks of travel by foot easily. Incredible. A journey that had been expected to take a year now shrunk down to two, maybe three, months.

  The sliding door from Fortia’s direction opened. Maisara took the initiative, the look said it was up to her check. Alice went back down to read her book as the pastures grew repetitive. Cattle and small villages watched them pass by and no one else. Even above, there wasn’t a plane in the sky north. Fortia took a deep breath and Fortia noticed Maisara’s hand tighten as she rested on the table. The expression, the flick of the eyes to Fortia, said it all: trouble.

  Fortia listened as she prepared to call upon her own spear and summon it. They should be able to smash out of here and take Alice if it came to a fight. Maisara’s own hand formed a circle, Of Order was preparing to summon her axe. Alice sat in the corner, not catching the tensing of the two Goddesses as Fortia held her breath to listen for footsteps. The fact she heard nothing was tell in itself. Not many were so nimble as to be completely silent when they walked.

  Maisara took a deep breath as she began to stand. A cheerful voice stopped her, somewhat rumbling, somewhat high-pitched. “You can sit, don’t worry.” Maisara froze and slid back down the red seat as Fer stepped into the open passageway that led to the Divine’s cabin.

  The Goddess of Beasthood came with a small bag in one hand and food in the other; a huge wrap that smelled of cooked meat. Huge by human standards, it fit in Fer’s hand perfectly, she had already bites out of it. “How’s the nostalgia trip going?” Fer asked, her ears bouncing. Fortia just stared. Of course they were being followed. Of course Fer knew what they were doing. Of course that she would be on this train. But…

  Shouldn’t stalking missions be more stealthy? Maisara broke the seconds of silence that stretched on into infinity. “How did you even get on?” Fer just blinked in confusion at Maisara as if she struggled to understand the question.

  She asked the answer as if unsure herself. “The door?”

  Maisara blinked, eyebrows darted downwards, cheeks flared red. “I was watching the whole time to make sure we weren’t being followed.”

  Fer’s lips ceased their smile. Her eyes went darker, her ears flattened themselves on top of her head, even her tail feel to the floor. “Were you though?” It was the sort of tone parents would use for children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. “Really Maisara? Really?” She shook her head. “Of all people, I’d understand if you think you can catch Kassie. Or Baalka or Kavaa even. Hell, I think you can catch them. But really? Rea-eally Me?”

  “Shut up.” Maisara said dryly and shook her head angrily. “I missed you then.”

  “Really Maisara? Of all people, you think you catch me? Do you even know how many can catch me? Do you know who I am?”

  Fortia came in to save Maisara before the situation escalated. “Alright, we get it. You snuck on.”

  “I did not sneak on.” Fer simply got it wrong. “I just used a different entrance from you.”

  “Alright Fer.” Fortia said. This sort of stubbornness would not fly in the White Pantheon, but they weren’t in the Pantheon. “We get it, you’re right, we’re wrong.”

  Fer chuckled in pleasure. “Music to my ears Fortia, you do know how to work me.” The Goddess of Beasthood smiled at them. She took a bite out of her own wrap and dropped the paper onto the table. “I have food.”

  “How?”

  “There’s a kitchen?” Fer asked the answer once again, her tail pointing to the down the side she came from, it bounced to indicate that way. “Kitchens serve food.”

  “There’s a kitchen?!”

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Mmh.” Fer said as she took another bite and then swallowed. “And I’m such a lovely and pure soul that I brought something for you too.” Fortia turned to Maisara for a moment. Where they expected to eat here? With Fer of all people? “There’s a knife and fork for your girlchild. They don’t serve in human sizes.” Fer said flatly and Alice’s eyes went wide. “It’s better when it’s warm.”

  Fortia leaned over to look inside the bag of food. Three big wraps were in there, still encased in tinfoil that had condensation on it from the warmth. “Thank you Fer.” She said carefully.

  “So?” Fer asked. “How’s the nostalgia trip?”

  “It’s good.” Maisara replied flatly. “Are you following us?”

  “Would you follow you if you were me?” Fer asked dryly. She unwrapped more of the silver foil from her food and took another bite. Maisara did not answer. “Either way, it is entertaining, I’m curious as to what you are searching for.”

  “We’re just looking through Leona’s documents.” Fortia said. There was no point pretending that they weren’t. Fer could track through smell alone, she would locate the entrances easily.

  “What for?” Fer asked.

  “Does that concern you?” Maisara asked.

  “No I don’t care.” Fer replied quickly. “I’m just curious. Does it concern me? You tell me?”

  “It concerns Leona.” Fortia said and Fer smiled.

  “Sneaky.” She said. “So it does concern me then?”

  “What do you mean?” Fortia asked.

  “Why did Maisara not reply?” Theosius just threw Fortia off, but there were little people she could honestly she actually feared. Fer though… Well, it may have not been outright fear, but it was unsettling. The bushy mane of golden locks, unbrushed since forever, that hung down to her waist, the shorts and light shoes she wore, the shirt that was partly unbuttoned and even her innocent and cheery tone all tried to portray the image of a klutz or an idiot. And then that innocent tone would immediately snap ricochet back and snap back around to reveal that there was there a real predatory intelligence behind those cat-like eyes.

  “It concerns the whole world.” Maisara covered quickly. That wasn’t a lie. Of Empire did, in fact, concern the whole world. “So yes Fer, it does concern you.”

  “What an evasion.” Fer said dryly. “Either way, it is what it is. I’ve not been told to get it out of you.” And then, she would drop something like this. “I’ve just come to say hi and feed your girlchild.”

  “She’s called Alice.” Fortia said.

  “I know she’s called Alice.” Fer said. “Girlchild is just a more amusing term.” Alice shivered. “So? Enjoying the vacation? I certainly am.”

  “Are you telling us to go home?” Maisara asked.

  “Each day you spend in the Empire is another day I spend not having a real job so no, I’d prefer if you stayed forever.” The fact her tone did not lower to reveal whether she wanted them to go was terrible. “But we’re taking reviews here, what’s the customer feedback? Better than the Pantheon?” Fer’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it and took another bite of her wrap. What was off-putting about that was that Fortia had seen those teeth go through Divine and mortal flesh.

  “It’s different.” Maisara said.

  “Mmh.” Fer said. “Excellent feedback that. You wanted it more of the same?”

  Maisara just stewed in silent range. Fortia stepped in to reorientate the conversation. “There’s parts we prefer definitely.” Fortia said. “But I am sure you know what already.”

  “The lack of Allasaria for one.” Fer said idly, as if just commenting on the cows that the huge train was shooting by. Fer finished her food, crunched the tinfoil into a ball and threw it into the as she licked off her fingers. Her tail shot to bounce it into the bin on the way back down. “Alright, food’s done.” Fer said. “You should eat, it’s not good to travel on an empty stomach.”

  “We…” Maisara began.

  “I promise it’s not poisoned.”

  “We didn’t expect it to be.” Maisara said.

  “Well that’s good then.” Fer said. “Ignore my previous statement and wipe all notions of poison from your mind.” She said as her phone buzzed again.

  “Shouldn’t you check that?” Fortia nodded to Fer’s pocket in her shorts. She honestly just wanted a reprieve from the woman.

  “I should.” Fer said. “But I wanted to know what dying felt like Maisara.”

  Maisara just sat there and sighed for a moment. “I didn’t feel anything.”

  “What is it like inside Nene?”

  “I’m just neutral on it. It’s not bad and it’s not good. It’s like sleep.”

  “I like sleeping.” Fer said. Her phone went off again and she rolled her eyes. “I’d love to question you more on it. You smell the same as to how you did before.”

  “Should I smell any different?” Maisara asked. “I’m still me?”

  Fer chuckled. “Shouldn’t dying change a person?” Maisara had no reply. Fortia just sat there. It was said that Fer could smell emotions, whether that was true or not had never been confirmed. Fer rarely talked about it, it was just rumoured. No one really knew but people suspected. Fortia just stared at Maisara as the Goddess of Order shook her head. “Nothing to say?” Fer asked. Her phone buzzed again.

  “Check who is bombing your fucking phone.” Maisara said dryly. “And leave me alone. I have no comments on dying. Ask Neneria, I said the same to her as well.”

  “Well excuse me princess.” Fer managed to sound as if she was the one who had been offended. “Can’t a girl be curious?”

  “You’re not a girl.” Maisara said.

  “Oh?” Fer asked.

  “What am I then? I have all the parts though, you can squeeze them if you doubt me.”

  “Fer.” Fortia said dryly. “Just check your phone and leave this.” She finished off with a word that tasted of ash and came out like barbs. “Please?”

  “Since you asked so nicely.” Fer finally acquiesced, her tail dived into the pocket of her shorts and the phone was flicked out. She caught it effortlessly with her hand. Maisara turned to Fortia, her face flat. Fortia knew her expression was a mirror to Of Order’s. Of course Fer possessed a phone, she had accounts on social media where she would upload pictures of animals, but to actually see it was another thing. “One second ladies, apologies to interrupt.” She said as if she was interrupting anyone but herself. To think her huge fingers were so deft at the keyboard. Maisara and Fortia both stiffened as the woman turned around and brought up her phone backwards. “Smile!” She said and took a picture.

  Maisara turned to Fortia and Fortia turned to Maisara. Of Order’s silver eyes said everything that needed Fortia’s mouth was too stunned to repeat. Had Fer actually just snapped a photo of them all? “That’s cute.” Of Beasthood said to herself as she sent it off. And it was Fer who snapped them out of it. “Are you not going to ask why I just took a picture of you?”

  Maisara finally cracked. “I’m a guest to your land Fer.” She said slowly and carefully. “I’m not going to cause an incident here.”

  “An incident would be bad news for everyone.” Fer agreed.

  Fortia came in to say the real reason. “And the reason is that it’s you.”

  “It’s me!?” Fer exclaimed. “What does that mean?” Her tail shot up into the air, although the outrage was obviously performative.

  “Well…” Fortia trailed off. She’d rather not state the fact that although she knew Fer was smart, she was also… Well, it was Fer. Why wouldn’t Fer be taking pictures of them? This is just how she was. “I expected it.” Fer’s eyes turned deadly for a moment, her smile knowing. She verbalized her chuckle into a hur-hur-hur.

  “Well no matter.” Fer said. “Are you not going to ask? Are you not curious? I sent it off.”

  Fortia sighed, shot the look to the Maisara that said she would handle this, and played along with the Goddess of Beastman. “Why Fer, did you take a picture of us together?”

  “Because I needed to prove I was next to you.” So Arascus was checking up on her and making sure she was still following. Maybe Malam or Helenna. Either way, it was had been expected that Fer would give reports.

  “Are we actually going to play it out like this?” Maisara asked in disbelief. Fer’s phone buzzed again. This time, she just read the notification.

  “Hurry along girls I need to send a reply.”

  “Then send a reply.” Maisara said coldly. “What is this even?”

  “Yes but who to?” Fer asked sweetly. “Who should I send a reply to?” Fortia got the little game.

  “Who are you going to send a reply to, Fer?” She asked.

  “To Kassie’s favourite elf, Iliyal.” The name shouldn’t have sent a chill down Fortia’s spine. Iliyal was just a mortal and an elf. But Iliyal was in charge of the Defence of Epa and if he wanted something from them, it could only be to do with the military. And if it was to do with the military, it was to do with Tartarus. Fortia’s mind went to the worst case scenario: the Empire wanted something from them for allowing them within its borders.

  “Cut it and just tell me straight Fer.” Fortia said. “What does Iliyal want?” Fer looked at Fortia, then to Maisara, then to Alice, who was silently leaning into the corner as if afraid she was going to get eaten.

  “Do none of you read the news?” She asked.

  “I check it everyday.” Fortia said.

  “Apparently not.” Fer huffed. She unlocked her phone again and started clicking about.

  “Can’t you just tell us?” Maisara asked. Fer replied by holding a single finger up to her, a question to wait a moment.

  “I don’t want to get the details wrong.” Fer said. “Here, two hours. One hour fifty seven minutes actually. Not even.” She smiled to herself. “I’m good at maths, aren’t I?”

  “Well we’re not checking all the ti…” Fortia’s words faded away as when saw the headline of the article Fer had brought up. Ashfront Expanding East Into Khmet. Her eyes went wide. Maisara went pale. That was where they had their armies. It was… It was too early for anything like this to happen. They should have more time. Tartarus hadn’t been pushed to such a position yet. This was like the lashing of a defeated wolf that was snapping at the air for the sake of snapping at the air. The ancient treaties should have been upheld. They…

  “Oh my.” Fer read their expressions perfectly. “Well I hate to tell you like this.” Before Fortia could reply, a notification popped up on the screen. Since Fer did not see it, Fortia did not comment on it. Neither did Maisara. Tremali, Iliyal, Grand Marshal is typing. Fortia narrowed her eyes at it and then back at Fer behind who was still holding her phone with a smile. Something like Kassie’s Favourite Elf or just Iliyal would have fit. The formality of the contact was just another reminder that the stupidity was a show.

  The phone buzzed and Fer quickly swiped the phone away before the notification came up. “Tut tut girls, to think you were trying to read my messages, you’ll make me blush.” She read the message and sighed then rolled her eyes. “I just got a telling off for delaying again.”

  “What?”

  “You’ve been invited for a meeting with CSC.”

  “What is CSC?” Maisara asked.

  “Central Strategic Command.” Fer answered cheerfully.

  “What?”

  “Quick!” Fer said hurriedly. “Yes? No? I need an answer before he calls me a name again!” The phone buzzed once again. Fer opened the notification and rolled her eyes.

  “Us?” Fortia asked.

  “No.” Fer said sarcastically. “I’m inviting Alice here, not the two Divines with the largest army in Khmet. Who else?”

  “We…” Fortia trailed off. She looked at Maisara. This would stall their Of Empire plan entirely. “Can we…” She was going to say discuss. There would be no discussion. Fer would probably be able to hear them even if she went to another carriage. Maybe not, maybe yes. Either way, the risk was not worth it. “Should we?”

  “I don’t know.” Maisara said.

  Fer just stood there for a moment. She wrote something back to Iliyal. “Woops, silly me.”

  “What?” Fortia asked.

  “You couldn’t decide so I decided for you.” She stuck out her pink tongue at them. “You are going.”