Book 8: Chapter 40: Weathering missives
Suddenly, it felt as if matters moved swiftly. With enough coin gathered, the expedition could buy the remainder of what they needed and prepare for departure. Three ships were chartered, and they began filling them with everything they would bring to Archen. Provisions, tools, weaponry, barrels of seed, and animals. Lastly, the day of departure was announced, so the volunteers would know when to go to the harbour.
Although it would only be a few more days, they still accepted people joining up. The biggest obstacle to success would be a lack of skilled hands or just sufficient labour. And now that the venture was certain to be undertaken, stragglers joined in, leaving Eleanor and Martel to spend their remaining time signing them on.
Notably, a woman in blue robe with an icy pattern pushed her way through the crowd and gave a bow. “Master Martel, Lady Eleanor. You may not remember me, but we attended the Lyceum together. My name is Cornelia.”
Eleanor frowned. “You are of House Aurelius? They have a frostmage in the family of that name. I do recall you seeing you at school.”
Appreciative of Eleanor’s good memory, Martel kept quiet with the fact that he had no recollection of her. In his defence, he most likely had never exchanged two words with her.
“Well remembered, Lady Eleanor.”
“I think under the circumstances, Eleanor will suffice. We do not stand on formality.”
She inclined her head. “Not a surprise, I suppose. That would also suit me fine.” She looked at Martel. “Your companion does not remember me, I believe.”
Maybe she could read minds as well. “Sorry, I don’t. Did we have classes together?"
“We did not. We met in the Chamber of Earth, in the evening hours.” She gave a smirk. It dawned on Martel. He did not recall the exact fights, but he could see the young frost acolyte in the mage before him. “We did!”
“You demonstrated your counterspell, taught to you by Master Alastair, I believe. It was impressive. I knew already then you would be one to watch. I told my father as much, but we have little influence in our house.”
“Well, it all worked out, I guess.” Martel gave her a second look. “You did not come to reminisce about school days, I take it.”
“Indeed not. I thought I would offer my services to your expedition.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “Truly? What has brought on this spirit of adventure?”
“I served my five years in the northern legions. I was bored out of my mind, but at the same time, also free of obligations and expectations. Now that I am home, my family expects me to somehow rise through the social ranks in Morcaster, as if frost spells can win me a seat in the Senate.” Cornelia shook her head. “I want my freedom back, but with a purpose.”
“What will your family do when they discover your plans?”
She shrugged. “Who knows? I will not be present to discover it.”
“How are you with weather?” Martel asked.
“I am a decent hand at it. It is not my specialty, but if you have need of a weathermage, I can fill the role. But I was told you mean to rebuild Archen. The city, correct?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
The frostmage gave a hungry smile. “Now there is a proper challenge. Morcaster’s water system is ancient and with severe flaws in the design. For some reason, the sewers do not extend to more than half the city.”
Martel coughed; the Undercroft prevented such a thing, but this was not the time to get into it.
“Let me have that task. I will build a water system that is the envy of every city on the continent.”
Eleanor grabbed her quill. “Done.”
During the evening, Martel sat in the back at his usual post, next to Eleanor, watching the play. He had seen it several times before, but it alleviated the boredom of spending all day in the tavern. All the same, his eyes brightened at seeing Valerius push through some of the crowd.
“What brings you here?” Martel asked.
“The foreign council has written a missive to you. I decided to bring it myself, since I am taking my luggage to the docks anyway. We leave in two days, correct?” The mageknight and captain of the Senatorial Guard took out a sealed note and handed it over.
“We do indeed. You better be on time. We don’t wait for anyone,” Martel jested, breaking the seal. As his eyes ran over the note, his demeanour darkened.
“I am sure Valerius will be there bright and early,” Eleanor said. “What is it?” she asked, seeing his countenance.
Martel read the note again before handing it over to her.
To Martel of Engby,
The Senate of Aster has misgivings concerning your rumoured expedition to a cursed land, bringing many Asterian citizens with you into danger. You are denied any permission to leave until such a time when the Senate can be convinced that your expedition has taken prudent precautions. For now, you are commanded to stand down, and no ships under your banner may set sail for the time being.
It contained the signature of every member of the foreign council along with their official seal.
“I had no idea!” Valerius exclaimed, looking over Eleanor’s shoulder. “If I had known, I would have given you warning.”
“Is this retaliation from your acquaintances below?” she mumbled.
“I doubt they’d go this route,” Martel replied. “They’d use sabotage rather. No, I think the Senate assumed we’d never get underway. Now they realise that Archen will be a rival and threat to their control of mages. Present and future ones.”
“What can we do?” asked Valerius. “I can get you an appointment posthaste if you think you can persuade them to change their minds.”
“I do not see we have another choice,” Eleanor considered. “Some form of compromise must be possible.”
“No,” Martel declared. “They are not merchants worried about coin. This is about power, and that’s all they’ll respond to. But I know how to deal with them.”
“Martel,” Eleanor spoke in a low voice, “these are not criminals. Threatening to set them on fire will not work the same.”
“I’m sure it won’t. But I know what will. Valerius,” the battlemage said, looking at his friend, “get us into the palace tomorrow. But give them no warning. Let’s use their tactics on them.”
The mageknight inclined his head before he grinned. “Yes, captain.”