(15.1) Knowledge is Power

Chapter 15, Part 1

We made it back to my hotel without another attempt on our lives. There we explained our various capabilities to each other. As it turns out, Kanyun was, as he called it, an “Esoteric Runologist.” My blank stare caused him to explain that what it meant was that he, unlike myself, didn’t use the standard method of casting spells.

He was still a mage, using his will to make his symbols function, however he didn’t subscribe to the standard method of pulling in power and making something explode. His magic was mainly directed inward, focusing more on improving and altering the physical properties of a given object rather than altering the world around him.

“So,” I said after his rather long explanation. “You’re an enchanter.”

He pause to think about it, opening and closing his mouth several times before saying anything. “Yeah, I suppose that’s one way of looking at it.”

“Right, well now that that’s said and done,” I said standing from my position on the bed an motioning to the door, “Please get out of my room. I’ve got a lot of work to do and the blood from that thermos was really only enough to keep me from slaughtering the first person I ran across.”

He stood from the couch, grabbing up his rune-inscribed hammer and headed to the door. “Just make sure you don’t kill anyone James,” he said as he stepped out the door. “You seem like an okay guy, I’d hate to have to kill you.”

“You’re alright yourself,” I responded. “I’d hate to die.” With that, I closed the door behind him and gathered up my jacket and a few other knick-knacks. I was still unfamiliar with the area, so I’d have to run to the donor bank.

Though I prepared for the worst, this actually turned out to be a pretty menial task. I got in a cab, he knew exactly where I wanted to go and there was no hassle from the clerk when I asked if I could make a withdrawal.

I probably looked like hell while I did it too. Though I’d changed into a new set of clothes and had done my best to get debris from my hair, I still felt like there was some rubble sticking around. The ghost-debris made me twitch every once in a while making me feel like a crack-head who needed a fix.

Which when you get right down to it, I pretty much was.

Going through the hotel was an interesting experience as well. I began noticing more and more that all the employees I passed smelled a hell of a lot tastier now than they had when I left. Luckily though, I got back to my room without incident, gulping down the first bag before the door finished closing.

My thirst sated, I made for the shower and then followed it up by settling down with the manual again. I needed to know how they trained their recruits these days. Learn what would happen if I pushed this button or that button.

As it turns out, the advent of technology had given them numerous ideas to help keep track of their troops. Each field operative, like the guys I was planning to kill, was given a throat-mic and camera. This was used to relay all the things that the operatives sees and hears.

In other words, Angel would be aware of everything that happened to her minions pretty much exactly when it happened and would be able to give orders as needed. The other neat thing is that each camera/radio combo also came with a tracking device, allowing the party to split more effectively without worrying about whether or not they were about to ambush each other.

I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep until my phone woke me up.

“Mrf.” I said, groggily.

“James,” came Angel’s voice. “Did you kill any golems today?”