Chapter 37: Cladding 4
Elania leaned against the city railing, her gaze fixed on the bridge leading to Arlois’ Tower.
The constant flow of soldiers and civilians crossing the bridge with purposeful strides left her anxious, annoyed, and angry. She pushed down the emotions, trying to relax the tension in her neck.
She glanced down at the simple parchment letter from Arlois in her hand, requesting her presence for a mission. Conflicting emotions ran through her as she shoved the paper into her pocket and crossed the bridge.
One of the Silvers greeted her at the entrance, waving her inside. The lobby-turned-command room looked the same as before, although the intensity of activity had lessened. A servant approached, offering refreshments.
Elania crossed her arms. “I’m only here to see Arlois.”
The servant nodded. “Please wait a moment.”
As she waited, she watched the Silvers discuss possible movements along the border. Their faces were serious, their voices low as they pored over maps and reports.
It felt awkward to stand waiting as time rolled on.
Her foot started to tap, impatience growing.
Finally, Arlois emerged from a side door, her purple robe swishing as she strode towards Elania. “Elania, let’s speak in private.”
Elania crossed her arms. “No, we can talk here.”
The officers paused, their attention drawn by the volume of the refusal. Arlois’ gaze bore into Elania. Silence seemed to stretch between them.
Finally, with a wave of her hand, Arlois gestured across the room. “Very well. We can discuss it in the corner.”
Elania nodded, following Arlois to the designated spot. “What do you want?”
“I have a mission that the other Towers and I can’t carry out,” Arlois replied. “A scouting mission, one that requires a demi-divine.”
“Why can’t any of the Towers go?” Elania asked.
Arlois sighed. “Technically, we could, but it would weaken the city. We’re all preparing our followers for conflict.”
Elania’s mind flashed to the changes she’d witnessed over the past few days: artifice weaponry and defenses being installed, people growing more furtive and guarded.
The city had slowly transformed over the last few weeks since her arrival with the Neftasu refugees.
“Why me?” Elania pressed. “And why a demi-divine instead of an airship?”
“An airship is slower and more visible,” Arlois explained. “We need a large area covered along the northern border.”
Elania frowned, considering the implications. “If I’m away, it could cause problems for me, too. What’s in it for me?” She paused, another thought occurring to her. “Besides, how useful would my scouting be? It’s not like I can call back anything I find. My [Divine Communion] is flaky and only works to send Yolani a word if we’re lucky.”
Arlois leaned against the wall, her gaze fixed on the things outside the corner window.
“I’ll solve the communication problem,” Arlois said. “It isn’t a concern.”
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Elania crossed her arms over her chest. “You still haven’t said what’s in it for me. The city’s going to pay a sizable amount of crit for the service, right?”
Arlois nodded. “Of course. We value your assistance.”
“I’m not as desperate for money anymore,” Elania countered. “The Neftasu Guard’s expenses are covered now.” Nevermind that it was Arlois who was paying for that. She didn’t want to be charitable.
“But you don’t have much in reserves, do you?” Arlois asked, her eyes meeting Elania’s. “Have you considered what could happen if the Heart or Gold are disrupted?”
Elania’s brow furrowed. “How do you know how much reserves I have?”
Arlois’ smile widened, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “I monitor things closely, but don’t worry. The bank isn’t informing us of your dealings—they’re remarkably straight with their customers’ privacy, even when facing a Tower.”
Elania scoffed, her fingers tapping against her arm. “Still, I don’t think the sum of crit would be worth me being away for long. This mission sounds like it could take a whole day.”
Arlois’ expression sobered. “I’ll see that you have the restriction on flying inside and around Contia without an escorting Tower lifted. Permanently.”
Elania’s shoulder blades twitched in response, the promise of freedom tugging at her. She grumbled internally but found herself readily accepting. “I’m listening, but what are the specifics?”
“You’ll start with Lake Astum to the northwest,” Arlois said. “The edge of the lake is the border with Monevoia. Skirt around it to the north and then buzz across the forests there. Then work your way east to the Bterrean border.”
Elania’s brow furrowed. “Who are they? The Bterrean, I mean.”
Arlois scoffed, her smile fading. “You need a geography lesson.”
“Sorry,” Elania said, the apology dripping with sarcasm. “I’ve been a bit busy lately.”
“The Bterrean is a large kingdom with a demi-divine royal family,” Arlois explained. “They’re hostile to the Sun Emperor, but they’re spread thin in the north and east. They don’t get along with Cleviles in the north and frequently skirmish with the Gleian Republic in the east.”
Elania shook her head, her arms crossing over her chest. “Is there any stupid place on this planet that isn’t feuding or warring?”
Arlois raised an eyebrow. “Not that I know of, although the Coin Republic might suit wanderers. Its population is sparse, and it is mostly desert, covering a wide area. A trader can cross the deserts through the air and make a decent living.”
Elania studied Arlois, the statement pricking an unwanted and recent memory. “Honestly, it sounds like you’ve thought of escaping there yourself.”
Arlois’ gaze hardened. “That would never happen, not now.”
There was a short lull before Arlois continued. “After you reach the Bterrean border, turn southeast and follow it until you come to the first large river. Then, turn west and follow the river back to Contia.”
Elania’s brow furrowed, a question forming on her lips. “Why follow the river?”
“The border with Moduvia is dangerous,” she said darkly. “They have mage towers that will target flying Divines.”
Elania blinked, the information sinking in. She muttered under her breath before asking directly, “Just how many countries have borders lined with magic towers that shoot demi-divine down?”
Arlois laughed, the sound echoing in the room. “More than one. There was once a time when the world nearly ended and all demi-divine were hunted almost to extinction.”
Elania’s mind reeled, the implications of Arlois’ words sinking in. Just how old was she?
The statement warred against her own appraisal of the woman, who seemed more like her mother’s age. Ember was even younger.
If the demi-divine were centuries old, why didn’t they act it? Then again, how were immortal sages—essentially what they were—supposed to behave, anyway?
Elania’s mind raced, trying to reconcile the image and behavior of the Four Towers. The contradiction left her feeling unsettled.
“If you get lost in thought that deeply too often, you might get caught off guard,” Arlois said.
Elania’s gaze snapped back to Arlois. “Thanks for the advice.”
Arlois nodded. “While on the mission, you’ll have several opportunities.”
Elania raised an eyebrow. “What? More bounties?”
Arlois shook her head. “There are some rare materials along the route you might gather... some that your oracle might find useful when crafting a [Regalia].”
That was interesting. “Tell me more.”
Arlois reached into her robes, pulling out a rolled parchment. She handed it to Elania, the paper crackling as it unfurled. “It’s a magic map.”
The parchment thrummed with energy beneath her fingertips. The surface shimmered, the lines and symbols shifting and rearranging before her eyes.
“How does it work?” Elania asked.
Arlois stepped closer, her finger tracing a line across the map. “It’ll show you your location as long as you are within Contia’s borders. The deposits I already marked are blue dots. The borders are clearly there, so you can’t get lost.”
Why did that seem so terribly convenient? “What about the communication?”
“Right. I’ll send it over to you this evening. Any other questions?” Arlois asked.
Elania shook her head and turned to go. “I’ll be in touch.”