“Ah, I had the feeling you were a rational one!” spoke the mage with delight seeing the effect of his spell.

“I didn’t mean to… Really, I am sorry…” Freyan put down both of his hands while trying to apologize. His dark aura also scattered as if it was taken away by the wind coming from the forest.

“Yeah, you said that already. A good thing you did, by the way! So, why don’t we try again with the introductions like civilized man, what do you say?”

Freyan nodded, trying not to look around fearing his hunger will overcome this moment of clarity.

“Good” the mage collapsed his barrier, and offered his hand for shake. “Gilyon Axar, pleased to meet you.”

“Freyan Maerven” he returned the gesture, and shook the offered hand. “Likewise. Can I ask a question though?”

“Sure” the mage answered lightheartedly seeing the other didn’t noticed his eye flinch.

“What did you do to me?”

“Ah, that. It’s a simple calming spell. Does it bother you?”

“No… Not the slightest.”

“Good to hear.”

As Freyan relished this strange peace, the ability to think clearly about anything, and everything he have been through. Gilyon started to wave his hand again in a complicate pattern. He was preparing an other spell, which in the end included a strange chanting. It was as if he was talking on three different voice in the same time, not to mention he wasn’t speaking Qvilick again. And as the spell was completed, there was a small green light, it could be only seen for a flash. It got Freyan worried for a moment, but not too much. Maybe because of the calming spell?

“Listen, it seems if there is such thing as fate, then fate was on my side sending you here. I was so caught up by my work, that I would have been probably bit or mauled to death, if you didn’t come along. So I have a question. Well at least two to be precise. I know we only just met, but first would you lie to me?”

Indeed it was a strange question. But Freyan didn’t see any harm in answering that.

“Only if you give me reason to.”

The mage thought for a moment.

“Hmm… Interesting. Probably the best answer I could ever have. What I’m getting at, this little incident made it clear that I could use some assistance. If you are up to it…”

“Well, I’m not likely to turn down someone in need… but what exactly you need my help for? What ever you doing wasn’t really healthy for the game around here. They were all heading for you.”

Gilyon made a frustrated clicking sound with his tongue.

“I must have been using the wrong incantation! If I was to tell anyone I got a vampire helping out worrying about such things, ha!” he smiled. “Just joking, probably this is the reason we are still talking like this… this civilized. It’s nothing like that, like what ever you are thinking, I can assure you. I’m in search for books written by a specific mage-grandmaster. One of his libraries should be hidden here. I just have to make the incantations right. Oh, and don’t worry I pay you, if we get through this.”

“I guess I could stick around…” Freyan had some doubts. But for one reason or an other, this seemed better than hunting vicious beast alone. Even though he still thought he could do that one the next night.

“Splendid! The spell I put on you will fade about in a half an hour. I could put an other one on you lasting a bit longer, if you agree to it.”

“I agree. It’s refreshing being able to think a bit more rationally.”

So Gilyon repeated the calming spell. This time with more complexity, and longer casting time.

“There! It should be enough. I really hope we’ll more than able to find the library until it lasts. Now… back to my notes…” he opened his small book filled with handwritten notes, but his improvised companion had all too many questions.

“Gilyon.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you exactly looking for this library? Putting aside that you doing it in the middle of the forest…”

“There are two reasons actually. One. Every mage who want to make a name for him self and want to be taken seriously spends some time on searching for the records of the First Mage. Or anything what contain his lost knowledge. Even though this library is hardly one of the Great One’s it is rumored to be one of the mages who discovered his knowledge in the past. And second. My master sent me on this run about, to hone my practical skills. Or something…” with starting to explain the second reason it was clear Gilyon had a bit of frustration in his voice.

“Why is this First one is so important?”

“You have a lot of questions now, don’t you? Oh don’t take it as an offence, I just really want to get this over with. There is nothing wrong with questions. The First Mage of Axzavion is the one person who created it.”

“Created?” Freyan was almost shocked by surprise.

“Oh, you didn’t know? The Second Side is artificial. And finite. Not like our original home. That’s why everyone who fancies him or herself a grandmasterwizard or such tries to create and attach new things and places to it.”

Freyan looked so puzzled that as Gilyon glimpsed back to him started to laugh a bit.

“You’ve never been taught the basics of magic, right?”

“No…” Freyan shook his head. “I wasted my life on the thrills of finance” he grimaced.

This put a smile on Gilyon’s face.

“No worries. You seem to be interested, and there is still time to learn” he looked meaningfully on the vampire. “Well if you play your cards right, you have plenty of time… But now let’s get back to the matter at hand, shall we? We’ll talk after about the rest if you want.”

Freyan nodded.

“Okay. So please watch my back. Well I’d appreciate if you watched and listened to everything around us if you could” with that the young mage turned back to the orientation he originally was and opened his notes.

There was only the silence after that. Gilyon was studying his book, trying to determine what to do next. And Freyan listened. There was noting alerting. With minutes and minutes past Freyan started to think. Would it be inappropriate to take a little snack of whats left of the unfortunate animals around? He will need his strength that’s for sure. He crunched still paying attention to the forest. Moments after he heard the mage chanting.