Confronted with royalty

In the hallway, you take a moment to absorb the collar. To your astonishment, it crumbles into dust once you do so. You’re also surprised by the detail you can read from your spells now. The amount of magic in the old world must allow you more power in return. The null collar spell isn’t particularly useful. You need to maintain contact to use it, and it only works as long as you concentrate. It also only works on magic weaker than yours, which doesn’t bother you much. However, none of that matters now. Now it’s time to collect Yura and try to get home.

You walk back in to find the bored looking king eating something from a plate. Yura looks up as you walk in, and her eyes go wide as she looks at you. She quickly hides her reaction and looks back down. King Halid tosses aside a chicken bone and looks at you appraisingly.

“So, made whole again. Tell me, are there many mages in the new world?”

He asks casually, but you recognize that he’s probing for information. “I only know of two native mages, including myself, your majesty.”

“Magic is still quite weak there, then. You know, most people here have some kind of magic. I myself am an elementalist. What can you do, mage?”

To demonstrate, he hovers a hand over his cup and it slowly fills with water. You think of what to show him, and lift your hand, summoning your shield.

“Objects made of ****, basically. I can make a sword as well...”

King Halid waves a hand dismissively. “So you’re a minor mage at best. Why bother sending you like this then?”

You **** a smile. “I may not be a powerful mage like you, your majesty, but I am rich. Money is power in the new world.”

Halid grins, and you feel slimy just looking at him. “Money is power everywhere. Regardless, I’m done with you, little mage. Take the girl and go, if you can.”

You walk over and untie Yura. She stands, and surprises you by taking your hand, although she remains expressionless. You didn’t realize how short she was. If you had to guess, she’s slightly shorter than Anna, maybe five feet or a bit over.

As you turn to leave, the king stands and walks in front of her. He lifts her chin up and looks at her. “Maybe I should take a kiss to remember you by, little cutie...”

There’s a hiss as you summon your blade and hold it in front of his eyes. His double chin wobbles as he leans back.

“Remove your hand or I will remove it. The moment you released her to me, she is under my protection. Now back away, ‘your highness’, before this escalates further.”

He glares at you, but backs away. “You dare?! Who do you think you are, little mage?”

You shrug, walking towards the door, where a sighing Gregor waits. “I am someone who is leaving.”

His voice follows you out the door. “Yo better hope you get through that portal, boy!”

Gregor closes the door, and sighs. “Not really your fault, but still. God damn it, that’s going to be irritating.”

Yura squeezes your hand slightly. “Thank you. He is a horrible man.”

You smile at her, and she gives you a nod. Releasing your hand, she reaches up and pulls down her hood. Black, beaded hair spills out, braided in places. The style reminds you of pictures of native shamans you’ve seen in your world. Yura folds her hands in front of her.

“I am ready. We can go.”

You nod, and Gregor leads you back to the portal. “Good luck, you two. Josh, you go first. If it works, Yura will follow.”

You nod, take a deep breath, and step in.