For a long time, the secret methods by which witches travel

  have been an obsession of those wishing to either study or

  hunt them. And yet never have these secrets been

  unveiled, neither by torture nor trust.

  -From the histories of Objus the Limp, Renegade Historian

  Chapter 8

  Three Months Ago

  When Karis woke up and touched the right side of her face, she remembered the deeds of the night before, and that today was perhaps the last time she would lay an eye on the only home she had left.

  One wash with a basin later, and she was as ready as she would ever be to leave.

  After discarding her regular set of garments, she perused through her wardrobe and picked out the few articles that lacked the style and flourishes of Yor fashions: a simple pair of white trousers, brown leather boots, a beige woolen undershirt, and a light blue, hooded robe that reached down to her thighs. All that was left was the finishing touch of a wrap over the empty eye socket and her mother's amulet, set to display the sun-eye of Qarthus.

  Studying her reflection in a filled washing basin, she noticed one remaining thing to discard: the small lock of white hair that all witches had. A mark that was quickly removed with a knife, leaving stubs of white which she combed over.

  Bereft of any signs of withchood, and with but a single red eye to signal her as a Yor, Karis finished her preparations by filling a small satchel with pebbles on which she had carved glyphs and imbued with magic, along with a knife to make more. Then, after secreting the gems and gold with which she had tried to buy Bava’s services within small spaces in her attire, Karis headed out, making sure to comb over the right side of her face to hide the cloth covering her empty eye socket as she abandoned her quarters.

  She ran into a few people along her way, all of whom gave her but a glimpse, too short to notice the change in attire and hairstyle, let alone signs of a plan to leave. Though her luck ran out when she arrived at the ley line chamber, as Yurina and Y’vaine stood in front of the mushroom circle, her friend bowing her head in shame, and the Yor woman crossing her arms and looking at Karis with disapproval.

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  “You know that if you stop me now, I will only try again?” Karis said.

  “I always thought you determined,” Y'vaine said as she walked to Karis. “But this beggars belief.” When close enough, she patted Karis on the head. “You should know that I am in charge of guarding ley line travels. And that if any were to sneak past, I would know, and where they went, making it quite easy to track them down to bring back.”

  “And that the mushroom circle is locked by the Lunaran themselves?” Yurina added, a hint of scolding in her voice. “What was your plan exactly?”

  “To find a way through.”

  Y'vaine laughed, and Yurina groaned.

  “I would do so eventually.”

  “I don't doubt you,” Y'vaine said as she walked to the mushroom circle. “Which is why I’ll let you through.”

  Karis looked to Y'vaine, then to Yurina, searching for any hint of trickery, but finding none. “What?”

  “We both know that once you set out on a path, you will follow it through,” Yurina said. “And that this Laurian Cain will slip further from your grasp the longer you wait. So, to save you from sacrificing another eye or whatever else you would be willing to give up, we’ll help you.”

  Karis rushed in to hug the girl, wishing to kiss, but denying her desires due to Y'vaine's presence.

  “But only if you promise me something,” Yurina went on.

  “What?”

  “That you will come back to me.”

  Karis nodded and ceased their embrace, then joined Y’vaine at the mushroom circle. “So, how are we going to get past the Lunaran's spell?”

  Yurina bent down to touch one mushroom, its cap glowing where her fingers stroked. “It won’t be easy. But I've studied the theory well enough to force it open.”

  “You know that much about mycelial magic?”

  “You're not the only one who has been studying hard.”

  Yurina dug out a small bag from her sleeve, then emptied the dust within on top of the mushroom circle. “These are spores of my own cultivation,” she said as she returned the empty bag to its place. “Should allow me enough control for a single trip, though.”

  “What?” Karis said, worry creasing her brow.

  “Eh. Just trust me. The ley line's mycelial system is vast and complicated, but I should have a hang of it.”

  “Should?”

  “Do.”

  Karis just breathed in deep as she entered the mushroom circle, their caps and stems glowing blue on her first step inside. She looked to Yurina, who pressed both hands at the outskirts of the circle. Looking up at Karis, she nodded and said: “I’ve got it. Go now!” a hint of strain in her voice.

  Karis brought out a small ley line map, roughly illustrated, but clear enough to read. And among the many names written on it, she read out: “Victar Province, southern forests.” The mushrooms glowed yellow, then a bright column of light burst from them and enveloped Karis. She caught one last glimpse of Yurina, the two of them smiling at one another right before the light obscured them.