"So that's what gem abilities are like," Fei said on the ride back. "I thought a monogem Champion would be stronger."
Vera gave Fei a look of disbelief.
The three of them were riding back on the horse automatons, with Sen tied up on a third one accompanied by the hoplites.
The storm had taken a few hours to pass, and it was late afternoon.
By the time they returned, August expected that dusk would have fallen.
'
"Stronger?" Vera rolled the word over her tongue as if trying to understand Fei's mental state.
Evidently, the sorceress came up empty. "She deflected third rank spells like they were pebbles. And what was that explosion you caused, August? It took out half the valley, but she barely felt it."
"Third rank?" Fei repeated.
"The triangle spells," August said offhandedly. "You really haven't learned anything about sorcery before, have you?"
"I grew up in a fishing village to the south." Fei bit her lip and looked away.
