SECURING ADVANTAGES
Another four weeks had gone by since they had started preparing for the Vlaredian Empire’s army. Scouts reported that the army would arrive within the week, as the army had actually been attacked when it tried to go around the Agenval Forest. Those Valeni give no shits.
While the attack itself did not seem to do much in the way of damage, it was apparently enough to delay the army an entire week as the army had to move further west and trudge through the hills. Which caused more delays, due to a storm that had passed through and filled their route with mud.
She knew the army was ecstatic each time she relayed information about another hindrance to the Vlaredians.
That excitement was dulled by the notification that the other Sovereign army had also been delayed due to weather. In fact, just the marshaling of the force had been delayed. The city it seemed had wholly dismissed the war with the empire and had been caught so off guard that the only standing forces they had were their city guard.
Delay after delay was holding them up, and Sloane was worried about how any force mustered would fare against the professional formation the empire fielded.
Despite the approaching army, the general and his men did not seem as concerned as she felt they should have. The city would be coming under siege, and while the remaining forces of the city were constantly preparing, she felt they did not take the threat seriously. It’s starting to affect me as well. I keep catching myself almost becoming complacent.
The fact that no one had seen or heard from Ressa and her soldiers was the only thing keeping her on edge.
Nemura was a constant presence, and she had warned Sloane numerous times to not let her guard down. The former Fist was certain that Ressa was simply looking for targets of opportunity that would put her people’s army in a more advantageous position when they arrived. At Nemura’s insistence, she had relayed concerns to the army that Ressa and her team may seek to target food supplies in some way.
She looked up, catching sight of Tiberius as her falcon flew overhead, keeping sight around her.
Nemura and some guards had escorted her from another meeting she’d had with Lady Emerys. The woman had wanted to have more discussions about possibly designing golems to use as scouts for the army. She had promised to look into it. If I can remember how I did it.
She had made it back just in time for another meeting she had.
The four guards at the front gate to the Center saluted her and Nemura as they approached, quickly opening the gate to allow them into the campus.
Sloane stepped into the courtyard of the campus and observed the work that was being done for the Center. Staff that Elodie and Adaega had hired were moving all around performing their various tasks. Their storage warehouse and even many of the other facilities were filled to the brim with dry goods and even barrels of clean water, all in preparation for the siege.
Meanwhile, guards from both her House and the city were patrolling the grounds, several catching sight of her and nodding as they continued along. Listening, she could hear the hammering from the forge at the rear of the campus from here. It was a sign that Koren and his two new apprentices were hard at work preparing weapons and armor for enchanting.
“Sloane, behind you,” Nemura said from her right. Sloane turned and saw more people and supplies approaching the gate.
She moved to let a wagon filled with crates of silden ferns roll by and to the right, heading to the alchemy hall where Rel and Kemmy were making large quantities of enchanting ink.
It was that reason that she was here, she needed to enchant some equipment for the city. Sloane stretched and yawned. When she opened her eyes, her Director of Reinhart Center was approaching.
“Every time I see you, you look exhausted,” Adaega said.
Nemura coughed, before giving Sloane a pointed look. “She has been working nonstop. I have had to force her to go to sleep. You wouldn’t believe how long it took me to convince her that sleeping on a cot in a workshop wasn’t proper for a baroness.”
The terran woman frowned. “I believe all of the work you’ve been receiving is partially my fault. Admittedly, I am not used to working with the nobility.”
Sloane sighed. “If it makes you feel better, I am still not used to how nobility is done here.”
Adaega nodded sagely. “Shall we?”
Sloane gestured toward the entrance to the main building on campus. “After you, director.”
She followed Adaega into the facility, amazed at the progress that had happened in just one day. The place was now a well-oiled machine of activity and efficiency, with everyone working together to provide support to the city’s defenders. She couldn't help but feel proud of the House she'd come to create, even if it was still new.
Elodie and Adaega were amazing at their jobs, and she wished there was time to do more to help them. As it stood, Sloane wasn’t sure what would happen when the Vlaredians attacked, let alone have enough time to leave and travel to Swanbrook before winter arrived. They were running out of time.
“Sloane.”
“Hmm? Oh, sorry.”
Adaega shook her head, but Sloane’s ability to get lost in her thoughts was well-known by those closest to her at this point. “In here.”
They entered the same office where she had met the general and his commanders. Except for this time, the tables were rearranged, and there were now chairs in front of the fireplace. Bookshelves also lined the walls, filled with books. Sloane wished she had time to peruse at her leisure.
A young telv was sitting behind one of the tables. He looked to be no older than seventeen or eighteen and had dark brown hair. His face was clean-shaven and his eyes were a vibrant hazel.
The boy stood up at their entrance.
Adaega greeted the young man. “Hello, Orthan. This is Lady Sloane Reinhart.
Orthan nodded but didn't say anything.
Sloane glanced at Adaega who sighed, her arms crossed over her chest.
Adaega tried again. “Good afternoon, Orthan. Would you like to introduce yourself?"
Orthan made a face and stepped forward. He bowed from the waist before straightening and speaking.
"My name is Orthan Barat. I am the second son of Lord Amil Barat and the youngest person on this continent to be considered a master scribe. My father is a former member of the Ruling Council and my brother is currently in training to become a paladin. When he finishes, I will be the next in line for House Barat."
“What is a master scribe?” Sloane asked.
Orthan’s eyes squinted and his face scrunched up in a way that told Sloane he thought her question was obvious. In fact, Adaega had to answer for him after a soft sigh.
“It means that his ability in creating official records and documents is skilled and well-regarded. He can speak and write in all of the major languages. More, it means that he could be called upon to work in official ceremonies between heads of state and nations.”
“So, you can write… well?” she asked, not really understanding the difference.
The boy seemed to be getting flustered.
“There is more to a scribe than simply writing, Lady Reinhart. A scribe creates works that are intended to withstand the test of time. A master scribe pens documents that are intended to last and be scrutinized by scholars for centuries.”
Sloane frowned. There was something off about the boy's speech. His voice sounded strained and unnatural. It was as if he was uncomfortable speaking and was simply reading from a script, which seemed odd for a noble since it was likely he had grown up around others for most of his life. Sloane waited for him to continue.
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"My father has been searching for a way for me to gain experience and assistance with my… abilities."
Sloane looked to Adaega for an explanation, and the woman shrugged. “Orthan also has an attunement to blue mana and an artifice affinity. With a little work, I think he will be able to take over the assistant rune scribe position.”
She squinted her eyes. “Assistant rune scribe?”
Adaega stepped forward and lifted onto her toes to whisper into her ear. Sloane tilted her head to make it easier for the shorter woman. “His father’s House is in decline. They wish to tie their fortunes to your House by some process that makes them subordinate to yours. The boy will work for us until it is time for him to take over his House.”
Sloane raised a brow. “There’s a lot in that, Adaega. What does it mean for them to tie their House to mine?”
Adaega shrugged. “Ernald tried to explain it to me, but the most I got out of it was that they would pledge their House to yours. Your House would have authority over them, but apparently, there is more nuance since you are both technically the same rank. In the end, I am not entirely sure. That may be a question better handled by esquire Nadia or one of the knights.”
So, they will be sort of like a subsidiary? So this kid won’t become a competitor when he leaves the House?
It was confusing, and something she needed more clarification on. “This does not seem ideal. Can we expect him to not become a competitor when he leaves?”
The woman sighed. “Trust me, I know. It will have to do for now. We will keep searching for someone else. However, we do have a contract that will protect us from the worst of your worries. Yet, even that may not be needed. We really need to figure out what it means for the Houses.”
She sighed. This world is so confusing.
Sloane turned to look at Orthan. “I look forward to seeing what you can do.”
The boy nodded and returned to his seat, pulling out a book and opening it once settled.
Adaega sighed. “It will be some work, but trust me… he’s a genius.”
After she met with the boy, Sloane and Nemura followed Adaega to the Center’s auditorium. It was the second largest building on the campus and hosted several small classrooms that were being converted into research rooms. The main focus of the building, however, was its massive auditorium and hall that could easily be converted into an area to host a gala or other events. A consideration that had Adaega quite excited.
As they entered, they saw a hive of activity. Numerous soldiers and smiths from the Smithing Guild were in the room preparing everything and bringing even more supplies. The chairs that made up the sloped floor had been moved in favor of workbenches and quilts. On those lay spears, bows, shields, and all sorts of weaponry needed to defend the city. Jewelers had even been acquired to etch the runes that she would need to power, as there were simply far too many for her to do herself.
The city had sent countless hunters and soldiers to scour the countryside for any animals worth killing. The meat it brought would be beneficial during the siege, but the cores they brought back would be paramount in the work she was attempting to accomplish.
To Sloane’s dismay, the city had also expedited the execution of quite a few criminals to obtain their cores as well. She didn’t know how to feel about that, but since the value of the cores had been paid out to the families of those the criminals harmed, Sloane felt less conflicted. At least, that’s what she told herself.
Maud, though, had a deep aversion to the act and had spent more and more time at the local temple. This led to her providing her healing services and assisting the church with helping the masses. The church simply accepted the knight’s assistance with a level of appreciation that surprised Sloane.
She looked toward the center of the hall and saw a table that had been made for the purpose of empowering runes. The table was made of steel and had numerous engravings and runes of its own. On each corner blue cores had been inlaid into it so that she could draw mana from them after placing her hands on two points she had designed. The table itself was the brainchild of Koren and a team of scholars from the city. Sloane had taken their idea and made it a reality with the House smith’s assistance.
She settled into the chair and sat down. Glancing around, at all of the work, she took a deep breath. One of the officers of the city’s army stepped forward.
“Lady Reinhart. We have had a chance to test the various combinations of runes you suggested. I would like to share feedback,” the high-elven woman said.
“Please, what have your people found?”
The woman took out a notebook, opened it up, and read from it. “Based on tests, we believe that the ballista bolts should utilize the [Arcane Explosion] runework. While we agree with your initial assessment of its efficacy, the magic’s burst would be strong enough combined with the force of the bolt to critically damage the walls of a siege tower. This, along with the [Lighten] rune would allow our ballistae to outrange anything the Vlaredians can field. We would also like the [Strengthen] rune on the ballistae themselves.”
Sloane raised a hand. “One note, [Lighten] alone will not do what you want. You will need two additional runic chains at least. We want to [Strengthen] the bolts, the more force you can put on the bolt, the more kinetic energy you can transfer. We’re going to cheat standard physics a bit as well, and use mana to affect our propulsion with a [Speed] rune with a trigger that detects when it is fired. Something like, [Detect: Momentum]--[Increase: Speed]. Now the last one is important because a light bolt will struggle with penetration. Therefore, we want to use [Detect: Impact]--[Amplify: Mass] on the bolt head, which will then negate the lightening rune and increase the density of the bolthead. That, along with the [Spell: (Arcane Explosion)], which we’ll also combine with a detection rune, will ensure that you are causing the most damage possible. That will also destroy the bolts, so that we don’t provide this runework to our enemies.
“Oh, actually, the ballistae are made of wood, this will likely affect the ability of the enchant. Also, this is a lot of mana draw within the bolt. This may require us to change the end design, but let’s start with it.”
The woman seemed as if she struggled to follow, but she nodded once she appeared to catch up. “Your explanation of the… physics behind the enchants is something we do not have adequate knowledge of. However, we agree that enchanting the wood may prove difficult along with using the enchants you described, which is why we have had our woodworkers place a green mana core into each of the siege engines. We believe a…” the woman’s eyes scanned her notes. “...a runic chain of [Renew: Wood] would be beneficial in case the ballistae are damaged.”
“Oh! That is a good idea.” She glanced at Nemura. “Can you please get me some wood?”
Nemura raised a brow. “Would you like a rod, and how big do you like it?”
“It doesn’t matter, the bigger the better, so I can practice this work.”
Nemura laughed as she shook her head and walked away.
Sloane glanced up at the officer, the woman was very deliberately staring into her own notebook and not looking up.
Oh! That bitch!
Nemura returned with her request, carrying a fifteen kilo ballista bolt as if it was but a small stick. The high elf raised a brow as Nemura dropped the two-meter-long bolt onto the table. Sloane gave the woman a look, but then just shook her head, ignoring the smirk of the woman.
The soldiers had the right idea, but their simple runic chain wasn’t the one that would work. It had no way of detecting damage, but [Renew] instead of [Repair] or [Alter] was an inspired choice. The bolt would allow her to easily test their idea on something a bit more maneuverable than an entire siege engine.
Sloane grabbed her inscribing pen and went to work, doing a modified working that should repair damage to the wood itself. Channeling her blue mana, she pushed and inscribed the runic chain for [Detect: (Durability:
She quickly stood up, running over and grabbing one of the green cores that were in a crate to the side. She came back and looked over the bolt. Tilting her head, she considered how she would add it. Well… this is a test. She grabbed the metal head and pushed her mana into it, focusing on Altering it. The bolt’s point collapsed inward and then she rounded it and placed the orb onto it. With some more Alteration, she solidified the orb onto the head. Now that’s a staff worthy of a half-giant druid. She thought with a smirk. Sloane quickly reworked her conduits to ensure it all connected and looked at the telv who stood observing her work.
“Hmm… Nemura, we need to break this now.”
The telv nodded and moved the staff to the ground. She pulled out her sword and Sloane watched her use her own mana-infused ability. After a beat, the sword glowed faintly red and the woman brought it down onto the staff, a resounding crack causing the entire area to go quiet.
Sloane stared down at the bolt that had neatly cracked in half. She watched and waited, the green core pulsed in light and then a surge of that light rushed down the conduits and then spread out through the wood. Within five seconds of being cracked, she watched as the wood neatly stitched itself back together.
"Perfect. I will use this runic chain on the ballistae and I believe there are a few other enchants I can accomplish to improve the power and ability of the siege weapon itself. After all, it is much more important than its individual bolts in transferring energy," Sloane explained to the soldier.
The soldier who had been observing, stood wide-eyed before she furiously scribbled down some notes.
Sloane smirked, looking down at the meter-long bolt. “Okay Nemura, the rod’s all yours. Feel free to test it in private.”
She winked at the woman.
Sloane’s eyes went wide as she lurched forward at the sudden slap on her back; Nemura’s booming laughter filled the hall.
With a shake of her head, she joined in, laughing and letting the tension that had been building up release ever so slightly.
Not much longer until we’re in yet another fight for survival. Have to take the positive moments as they come.