Mana surged across Aerik's spirit like a punch to the back of his head. His pick slipped across the piece of stone he'd been carving and he swore, looking down at the now ruined totem. The tool found its usual place in his belt and he tossed the ruined stone away, climbing to his feet and grimacing. That had been a calling spell tuned directly to him, which meant someone with one of his charms had activated it. He furrowed his brow and felt the ambient mana that still hung about his mind. Cold, clear, crystalline. It was definitely one of his and as he tapped the mana he traced its lines back to the caster, through the veil of worlds and into the heart of the Eternities.

His body shimmered and then turned inward as he stepped out of the world, leaving only the barest wisps of lingering aether where he had been moments ago. The lines blazed brilliantly in the dark impossible colors of the Blind Eternities and he skated along them, drawing ever closer to the beacon that called to him, the charm wrought of his own hand.

All at once, Aerik appeared, stepping through the shroud of the world into a cave that smelled of things long dead. He wrinkled his nose and brought a hand to his face while looking around, and there in the corner he saw the walker who had called him.

"Do I know you?" Aerik said. The man jumped at the sound and looked up from where he sat. He was tall and had well groomed dark locks to Aerik's rough appearance and light hair, but they both seemed to favor layered clothing. A number of gew-gaws and arcane items were scattered about both of their persons. He got to his feet and shook his head.

"No, we've never met, but I'm glad you came. Wasn't sure if you would or not."

"Well, there are few enough that even know that ice and winter has its own mana, anybody that can activate the spell on that charm deserves at least an introduction. Normally though, I know the person on the other end, so who are you and how'd you get the charm?"

"My name is Jonus Triton. At your service." He sketched a quick bow and held out a hand.

"Aerik, and I'd really say it was the other way around since you called me here." He shook the taller walker's hand, being sure to squeeze a little harder than necessary. "Now, I'll reiterate... how did you get that charm?" Jonus tried to take his hand back, but Aerik held firm, waiting for the question to be answered.

"I... traded for it. With a friend of yours, I think her name was Pax." As Jonus answered Aerik nodded and released the other's hand.

"She always was free with the favors..." Aerik grumbled, but it was with affection rather than annoyance. He brushed a hand through his hair and looked around at the cave again.

"I take it you're in trouble or you wouldn't be here of all places. No offense, but I owed Pax a favor, not you. You got my attention, but not my loyalty. If you need help, I need something for my trouble."

"Of course," Jonus nodded. "I'll trade you. Favor for a favor."

"I suppose that's all you can offer for now..." he said with a frown. "Fair's fair though. I'll take it. Do you have a totem or something for the spell?" Aerik asked. He favored objects, but there were as many ways to reach another walker as there were walkers in Dominia, some more pleasant than others on both accounts.

"No, I don't, but I have my own method." Jonus approached the shorter mage and held out his hands, placing one on each side of Aerik's head. A pulse of mana and the complex knotwork of a spell suddenly sprang into his mind and clenched his eyes.

"Mind mage. Makes more sense now... If you ever want your cryomancy to become really powerful, you should stop drawing from the oceans. Ice and snow are more suited to it."

"Well, maybe I'll learn something.... y'know, if we survive."

Aerik sighed and looked at the mouth of the cave. "Why don't you tell me what kind of mess you just pulled my ass into?..."