Dirk, Sebastian and Benlen returned a short while later. Dirk had a number of fresh scars across his face, forming the intricate patterns that signified his new social status to the world.
Dirk seemed like he was fighting down a huge grin, and Benlen was all but beaming with pride behind him.
“So,” Sebastian said as he took a seat. “If we’re all settled, I’d like to move on to why I called you all here.”
“Of course, please do,” Verdan said.
Sebastian nodded and considered his words for a moment. “My father and I have been discussing our relationship with Hobson’s Point, and we believe now is the time to start deepening it.”
Verdan noticed how Sebastian referred to his father directly, rather than as the Thane. That said a lot for how informal this decision currently was.
“As such,” Sebastian continued with a slight smile. “We’ll be sending some forces and supplies with you to look at establishing a trading post and a more permanent presence. This is obviously dependent on the city’s leadership, but we were hoping you’d all assist with that.”
“I see no reason not to,” Verdan said honestly. “I think there is a lot that could be done with more interaction between the Clans and the south.”
“Excellent, I’m glad to hear it. We’ll be sending Ciaran and Maeve alongside them as well to protect our interests.”
Verdan quirked an eyebrow at Sebastian, not fooled for a moment that such a selection was random. Since the Automaton fight, Verdan had been teaching Ciaran and Maeve how to make gathering spirals.
They’d both made decent progress, though Verdan felt that Ciaran had a slight edge at the moment. Neither had the potential to be full Wizards, sadly, but both had already greatly increased their Aether reserves.
The days of either of them needing to curtail their usage of the runic ancestral weapons they wielded were behind them now.
“We’ll be glad to have them,” Verdan said eventually, nodding to Ciaran. “I’ll be happy to continue showing you both how to develop your gathering spirals as well.”
“Very generous of you,” Sebastian said, as though that hadn’t been his aim all along. “Is there anything we can help supply for your return?”
“Any relics or items you’ve discovered in ruins would be of interest,” Verdan said after some brief consideration. He didn’t really need anything else, but if there was a time to ask it was now.
He knew full well that he was offering something invaluable to Ciaran and Maeve, and that gave him the strongest bargaining position he could ask for.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Sebastian said, giving Verdan a slight smile. “Do you have a set date for when you will be leaving?”
“Sometime in the next few days I’d think.”
“Very well, I’ll give you an answer by tomorrow evening.”
Verdan nodded as he did his best to conceal just how much he was anticipating that conversation. For all that he liked and trusted Sebastian, he knew that the Keeper would put his Clan first.
-**-
The following morning, Verdan set out of the city just before dawn to meet with the Fwyn.
The burrow that the refugees had made lay not far outside the city and had grown slightly since they’d first arrived. No doubt it had grown far more below the surface to warrant any change above ground, but Verdan knew that they would be collapsing it all prior to leaving.
Arriving before dawn meant that Verdan was for once able to catch Hursk, the leader of the Fwyn, before he went to sleep.
It was all the normal issues to be found when dealing with a nocturnal race, and considering that they were waiting on him, Verdan didn’t mind making the extra effort.
As usual, one of the Fwyn was standing watch at the entrance to the burrow and they quickly sent for Hursk as they saw Verdan approaching.
Nodding to the diminutive Fwyn, Verdan took a seat and waited patiently.
“Wizard, is it time?” Hursk asked as he came into view, a walking stick tapping out a steady rhythm as he made his way over to Verdan.
The stick was new, but it seemed oddly fitting for the old Fwyn.
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“Not yet, but soon, within the next few days,” Verdan said as Hursk perched on the ground next to him. “I wanted to make sure you had plenty of notice.”
“Your concern is appreciated, we’ll be ready when the time comes,” Hursk said, eyeing Verdan for a moment before continuing. “Is there anything you need us to assist with before then?”
Verdan shook his head with a soft laugh. “Nothing that you’d be able to achieve.”
“You’d be surprised what we can accomplish,” Hursk said reprovingly. “What is it that you need?”
Verdan hesitated before shrugging mentally and explaining. “The remains of that Automaton are still in the facility, and I hate the idea of leaving them behind. There’s no way we can get them out, though, and even if we did, transporting them south would be practically impossible.”
Hursk shook his head regretfully. “It seems you’re focusing too much on human capabilities. Of course we can get what’s left out for you.”
“What, how?” Verdan stared down at the small Fwyn with confused disbelief. Surely there wasn’t an answer that was so simple to moving such a large and heavy object.
“The Brecan, of course,” Hursk said simply, thumping the end of his staff on the ground in emphasis. “The protections keeping them out were damaged during your fight. With a little work on their part, they could bring it out for you in no time at all.”
Verdan cursed and rubbed his face. Hursk was right, he’d been focusing far too heavily on how he could move it himself, or with the Kranjir helping him.
“Shall I ask Gar’Dru to bring it to our burrow?” Hursk asked with a touch of smugness.
“Yes, please do,” Verdan said, getting back to his feet. “If you excuse me, I need to arrange for some sort of wagon large enough to carry it.”
-**-
Two more days passed in the blink of an eye, during which Verdan hit a significant milestone in his recovery of his past strength.
He now had seventeen completed spirals funnelling Aether into his core in one large multi-threaded rope-like structure.
That was half as many completed spirals as he had in the past. Which sounded like a huge difference, but increasingly diminishing gains meant that he had far more than half of his past strength.
In fact, working from the start with a practiced hand had let him form spirals that were tighter and more compressed than those of the past, to the point that the flow rate was almost the same.
Compressing the whole spiral became increasingly more difficult with each new part, so starting with as tight a spiral as he could had made a world of difference.
Dirk was making good progress as well, and was now well on the way to completing his fifth spiral. Verdan had kept him from progressing too quickly at first until he had enough control to not injure himself, but at this point, he was willing to let Dirk push as hard as he wanted to.
They would be leaving the city shortly, so Verdan was making the rounds of the pseudo-enchanted weapons and armour he’d created for Sebastian, ensuring that they were all topped off with Aether.
He’d provided them with a number of piercing and light arrows as well, which would help their scouts deal with any enemies they encountered and hopefully reduce the pressure on the Chosen.
“Here, these are all topped up now, they can be issued as needed,” Verdan said, passing the last few axes over to the burly quartermaster who’d been assisting him.
“Thank you, Wizard,” the man said, placing each weapon carefully back onto its space on the wall. “I will do my best to monitor this as you’ve shown me.”
Verdan had given the quartermaster a brief five minute explanation on how to judge the amount of Aether inside an object. If his work was going to be used to its fullest, they also needed to know how much strength was left in each weapon.
“Good, and let the Keeper know when you’re running low. I’ll arrange a method to replenish them with him,” Verdan said, thinking on a potential future for trade with the Kranjir.
He didn’t want to commit to recharging countless drained Aether constructs himself, but a limited number would be manageable.
The quartermaster thanked him again, and Verdan was just heading for the door when it opened and Osran walked in.
Osran was Keeper Merkstan’s grandson and had been part of their expedition to fight off the Darjee.
As much as Verdan disliked the pressure that Garan was putting on Dirk, he knew that both he and Osran were simply looking out for the Clans as a whole.
“Chosen Merkstan,” Verdan said, giving Osran a respectful nod. He didn’t feel as close or familiar with Osran as the others who’d joined that expedition.
“Wizard Blacke, I was hoping to find you here,” Osran said, turning to the side and motioning out the door. “May I walk with you to your next stop?”
“I see no reason not to,” Verdan said with a slightly forced smile. Perhaps it would be best if he went straight to Sebastian next to check in on those potential artifacts. At least Osran wouldn’t interfere there.
“Thank you,” Osran said, following after Verdan with his Blade a few steps behind him.
Osran’s Blade was a short, burly woman who was missing one eye and carried the same detailed caelin that all Blades seemed to have. Then again, considering that it was an informal position based on respect, that made sense.
“So, what can I do for you?” Verdan asked as they started towards the Thrain Hold.
“I’m aware that you’ve given some basic instruction or guidance to Ciaran and Maeve. I’d like you to do the same with me,” Osran said bluntly, the ghost of a smile touching his lips as Verdan almost missed a step. “Of course, I would be willing to offer compensation for this.”
“What makes you think I’m doing anything of the sort?” Verdan asked, desperately trying to deflect the conversation as he considered what sort of political angles were in play here.
“I’m no fool, Wizard. Please don’t try to take me for one,” Osran said, all trace of his smile gone.
“Very well, what compensation are you offering?” Verdan asked, deciding to match the Chosen’s bluntness.
“My grandfather is growing increasingly concerned about letting an opportunity to strengthen the Clans slip away,” Osran said, looking over to meet Verdan’s eyes. “Teach me so that I may spread this knowledge within our Clan, and I will ensure he takes no further steps to attempt to separate you from your apprentice.”
“That feels almost like a threat,” Verdan observed, keeping his tone neutral.
Osran shrugged slightly. “My grandfather is stubborn, you know he will not stop otherwise. Work with me and I will manage him.”
Verdan considered his words for a few moments before nodding. “I understand, but the answer is no. I will deal with whatever he attempts myself. I’m open to the idea of teaching you, but that isn’t enough to warrant it.”