(eng) Michael G. Manning - Mageborn 03 by The Archmage Unbound

Author:The Archmage Unbound [Unbound, The Archmage]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The next day I tackled the ‘self-locking door’ schemata, which turned out to be a lot simpler than I had imagined. It was also about as exciting as it sounded. Essentially it was a method for making sure a door or similar closure would close itself and automatically lock after being left unattended for a period of time.

What I did find fascinating was the method for creating a delay before the action of closing the door occurred. It could be adjusted, so while the standard door would close within seconds of being used, I could use the same technique to create a delay of minute, hours, or even longer. Although I might never want a door that waited that long to close itself, I could imagine any number of other enchants that might be useful if I could set them to activate after a delay.

A trap for example, or perhaps a timed event that should happen on a regular basis… my mind was full of possibilities. The more I learned the more ways I could imagine recombining the various elements to achieve different effects.

I spent most of the day working on ideas and jotting down notes. I didn’t want to forget anything. Rose and Marc were both gone on their individual tasks for most of that time so I suffered few interruptions.

That evening I made a half-hearted attempt at understanding the schemata that detailed how to create the effect that shielded the secret room from my mage-sight. I soon realized that a half-hearted effort would not be successful and decided to save it for another day. I had already used up my quota of ‘clever’ for the day it seemed.

After dinner with Rose, Marc, and Harold, I retired early. I was looking forward to returning home the next morning. I had considered extending my stay another two days, to make it a full week but I missed Penny. I could still work on things back in Castle Cameron anyway; there would just be more distractions.

I went to sleep while thinking about whether I should make our doors ‘self-locking’. It made me laugh to think of people’s reactions when the doors closed without aid behind them. What can I say? I’m a man of small amusements.

***

The next morning I rose early, anticipating the return home. The night before Rose had told me she was still searching for a suitable smith so I would be going back without her. I told her I’d check back in a week and see if she was ready to return.

Harold had his men ready shortly after breakfast and I could see that I wasn’t the only one glad to be returning. Certainly many of them had families they wanted to get back to just as I did. I made my goodbyes with Marc and Rose and soon enough I had Harold and the guards back in Castle Cameron.

A guard was posted, as usual, in the building where the teleport circles were housed. He got my attention as soon as I brought the first group of guardsmen across.

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