Chapter 514: Desire and Needs
Tala knew she was smiling as she watched the three Sunnydalian arcanes practically salivate at the possibility of access to Honored—Paragon in human terms—levels of power.
“Yes.” Lyn said simply, her own smile polite. “Due to the nature of our hold, it accrues power gradually in a manner that is visible but sequestered, inaccessible without proper authorization. I will emphasize that it is not an infinite resource, but is abundant enough for us to trade it under the right circumstances.”
Tala was honestly torn. Due to the nature of Kit, no matter how long the arcanes stayed within—so long as they didn’t try to destroy the power—they would only ‘use up’ as much power as they could hold when they left. To her and Kit, that meant that an arcane moving in for a lifetime and never leaving would be less of a usage than one stepping in for five minutes, filling themselves to the brim and walking out.
Lyn had, of course, prepared a private, tiered list to reflect some of that in the pricing that she would aim to extract. The plan was to sell ‘sessions’ that were cheaper per hour the longer they were, but which would end should the arcane leave Ironhold at any time and for any reason.
Beyond that, though, Tala hadn’t needed to inquire.
The three arcanes exchanged long looks before they turned back to Lyn with obvious eagerness. It was Liam who spoke next, “Are the facilities such that long stretches can be spent within, in relative comfort? Or are they like the chambers rented out by the Major Houses? Little larger than a coffin for our burial.”
There was tension in the air, but something about their positioning, body language, and tonality made Tala think that they would be excited either way. Lyn gave a soft smile, one with almost motherly understanding. “Due to methods that we will not reveal, we can allow you access to power at this density anywhere within our hold. As I said, even if you do not wish to trade for this, you will be able to see the magic yourself throughout our home. It will simply only be accessible for the times agreed to. During those times? You may go about any activity you choose—so long as it is allowed at all—without the density you are submerged in, and have access to absorb and manipulate, being affected.”
The three visibly swallowed.
Tala almost laughed due to the synchronicity of it, but she held her features stoic.