Adam gathers all the sages in the kitchen. Not only would it take time to arrange a formal meeting in the Council of the Magi, but people are also hungry. Some of Luke’s adepts busy themselves in the kitchen to make a large enough meal for everyone. Mélodie reminds them that some people are vegetarians, and to not only make a meat meal. They nod and start pulling more food from the fridge and cupboards. Elphaba points out where they can find things, seeing as she’s lived in this building for the past few decades.
Angel decides this is probably a good time to head home. As a relatively weak spell caster and alchemist, she won’t be of much use in the planning stages. While a phenomenal entertainer, she’s not the organizer her father is. She asks Amethyst to promise to reach out when they’re about to connect with the Elves. Angel eagerly wants to see Lyric again. Adam reminds his niece that it’ll probably be two or three days until they are ready to connect the Gates, but not to go too far if they make progress. Angel hugs them and heads out.
“Why do you figure it’ll take two to three days to connect with the Forest Realm?” Amethyst probes.
“Well, when the path existed, it was about a day’s walk for an adult to reach the Arvandor Gate from here,” he explains. “As you will have to assemble and build a stable land bridge, I figure it’ll take us longer.”
“If we have enough material on hand, yes, it would take a couple of days to rebuild a thin enough land bridge. We’re going for speed, and then filling out the rest later?” Amethyst queries.
“You need Druids. Why waste what little resources we have to make it pretty when there are more capable nature casters on the other side?” Adam replies.
“You have a point,” she smiles. “My Rune Weaver, can you still use any Fae magic?” Amethyst queries.
“Limited,” Mélodie frowns. “Penny will be more of a use to you than I am.”
“Me?” Penny looks at her wife, surprised. “What can I do?”
“Your aura suggests you have abilities in nature magic, stronger than the Druid I’ve enlisted to maintain the gardens here,” Adam answers. “If what Amethyst wants to do is what I’m thinking…”
“We’ll need at least grass and shrubs to knit the earth chunks together. Otherwise, the land bridge will likely break and drift apart,” Amethyst finishes for him.
“You think I can do that?” Penny looks puzzled.
“I’ll teach you the spells tonight,” a tall auburn-haired woman smiles. She’s dressed in leather and has a knobby staff leaning against her chair. Penny looks at her curiously. “Susan Samuels, I’m the Druid the Arch Mage keeps speaking of. I also dabble in minor illusions, but that won’t help us here,” she chuckles and then looks thoughtful. “There might be a few growth potions we can brew tonight. Did you want to help me?”
Penny agrees, stands, and follows the woman out to the nearest cauldron.
“That’s a good start,” Amethyst smiles. “Your village down the hill; it’s not large enough to support the people here, let alone new residents.”
“No,” Adam frowns. “We’ve barely touched Caster’s View. It has a few townhouse shops and can house a dozen people right now. The ghosts that maintain the shops don’t need lodging, so some of our Sages have rebuilt the homes to live in.”
“Ghosts?” Amethyst looks puzzled.
“The residents of the town were all killed during the cataclysm. The shop owners found themselves bound to their businesses and haven’t been able to find permanent rest. There are several lost souls who float around the ruins of the town and the surrounding islands. They are surprisingly friendly, if not a bit confused, but they’ve not moved on.”
“Can they interact with the world?” Mélodie queries.
“Yes, they can fully manifest and almost look mortal. They’re slightly transparent, and their voice sounds distant,” Adam replies.
“With the ambient essence that floats around, we figure they probably use the realm’s energy to manifest. We’ve not seen them cast spells though,” Elphaba adds as she brings the greens to the table.
“Good, at least that gives us physically able bodies. Outside of Sylphs and Nymphs, most fairies find keeping my size quite taxing. We’ll need manual labour for some tasks. Rebuilding part of your town to house at least two hundred would be a good start,” Amethyst comments.
“Just how much of the realm do you intend to rebuild?” Luke probes.
“As much as I can to house and feed your people,” the Fae replies.
“What?” Luke looks confused.
“Sanctum is a finite pocket dimension,” Amethyst explains. “This realm needs enough trees to produce air, enough water to keep things from dying, and farmland to feed you. You don’t intend to spend half of your day casting Create Food and Water spells, do you?” He shakes his head. “Magic comes in handy for minor tasks, but you need to make this a place where your people can once again live, grow, and learn. My children tell me that your world is not friendly to magical creatures.”
“No, it’s not,” Luke frowns. “Some of us manage to live among humanity with little notice. However, creatures like you stand out without illusions.”
“I’ve moved some of the more vulnerable creatures to gated communities. Where they can live in peace outside of humanity, but it’s a lot of work finding them all,” Adam comments.
“How do these gated communities get their resources?” Amethyst turns to him.
“We have people we trust to provide them with what they can’t produce themselves,” Adam smiles. “As you pointed out, many of us can live quite comfortably magically fabricating the creature comforts we need.” He leans back and thanks the adept, who places a plate down in front of him.
Amethyst smiles as she’s served. “Still, would you rather not live as your ancestors did? In the Sanctum where you are safe from Human persecution?”
“I’d like to hope we can get along better if we work with humanity instead of against it,” Adam frowns. “Yes, I would love to move more magically active people and creatures here. Earth is becoming overpopulated. Some of us have come dangerously close to being discovered. Others have not been so lucky,” he looks down sadly. “It’s why I built the communities and the schools. Children of magical families need a safe place to learn; where we can deal with their powers when and how they manifest.”
“And the adults?” Amethyst probes as she eats.
“The college here is reaching its limits,” Adam admits.
“This was once just the administration building to a university,” Amethyst comments. “We have much work ahead of us,” she smiles.
“Why are you so interested in helping humanity?” Luke asks, narrowing his eyes.
“Humans are interesting,” Amethyst returns playfully. “For such a short-lived race, you expand, explore and create so much. Your race has this constant need to grow and adapt. Humanity is peppered throughout the Cosmos and is always looking to discover more. That sense of curiosity, that drive to learn, and to seek knowledge… it’s refreshing.”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Despite the cruel and fearful nature that our world is rife with?” Luke retorts bitterly.
“Master Goodson, those who choose not to expand their minds will wilt away as your world dies. We can save those who have the power and willingness to learn,” Amethyst replies in a sombre tone.
“What do you mean, as our world dies?” Luke rises from his chair, leaning over the table.
“You know what I’m talking about,” Amethyst looks unmoved. “I felt it the moment I arrived on Earth. Have you not heard the cries of your world?”
“Global warming, Luke,” Adam replies sadly. “Please sit down. Don’t act so surprised. She’s an Elemental Fae. She can feel the resonance of the world around us.”
“I… oh,” Luke slumps down in his chair. “Once we’re done rebuilding Sanctum, do you think you could help us with our world?”
“That is not my role here. You are a clever race; you will find a way,” she smiles knowingly.
“Does she always speak in riddles?” Luke looks at Mélodie.
“She has been pretty straightforward so far. What riddles do you think she is speaking?” Mélodie returns a disarming smile.
“Bards,” Luke grumbles.
“Come now Luke, there was a time where you liked me much better than this,” Mélodie offers a mock pout.
“And then you broke my best friend’s heart. You think I’m going to forgive you that easily?” Luke glares at her.
“Seriously, Luke? That was nearly two decades ago!” Mélodie huffs. “Simeon is mostly over it. I am not the evil temptress you take me for.”
“No. You are a Vampire Mélodie de La Rivière, what makes you think I can ever trust a creature like you?” his anger grows. “God knows how you are corrupting your wife!”
“That’s enough!” Adam slams his fist down. Luke visibly shrinks. “Regardless of whether or not you like it, Luke, she is our ally. I’ve been teaching Penny recently, and Mélodie loves her more than you can ever imagine. Insult their relationship one more time, and I will not interfere with the wrath they bring down on you.”
Luke glances at Penny as she enters the room. “She is my soul mate, Luke. We are one heart, one voice. Never insult my wife like that again,” Penny snaps coldly before sitting down to eat.
“I’m sorry,” Luke hangs his head. “You’re probably better here without me…” he motions to stand.
“Luke, don’t go anywhere,” Adam commands. Luke stops and sits back down. “Amethyst seems to think there’s some merit to your planning skills. I agree with her. Tomorrow, I need you to assess what we’ll need to rebuild the town.”
Luke nods. “Steven?” One of his adepts looks up from his meal. “I need your top five to stay here with me. The rest can go home once we’re done eating.”
“Yes sir,” the man replies. “I have my portable tower if we need it.”
“Portable tower?” Penny looks at him curiously.
The man reaches into his pocket, taking out a fist-sized metal chess piece. “I need six square meters of clearance and this turns into a ten-meter tall tower that will house up to ten people,” he smiles. “I thought it was merely a toy that I brought from Sanctum when I was younger. When we returned to the realm, I found the spell trigger to make it work, and it’s pretty amazing!” he grins.
“The things that we lost,” Adam frowns sadly.
“Hopefully we can find more of these lost treasures when you rebuild the realm,” Amethyst places a comforting hand on his arm.
“Well, I found my family’s manor. The only part left was the warded arcane library tower. The rest is in ruins.” Adam looks around the table, “Some of us have family estates floating out there in the void, waiting to be rediscovered.”
“So that’s where you found all those cool spellbooks?” Luke smiles knowingly. “You think my family estate is still there?”
“I can see it from my family’s lands. There’s not much left, but the basement looks intact. I’ve not explored it.” Luke tilts his head, so Adam continues, “If your family estate is anything like mine, there are wards protecting what’s left. Only someone from your family line can approach it safely.”
“Wow… genetically attuned warding. There’s a novel idea!” Luke’s face lights up. “Why didn’t I ever think of that?” he ponders.
“You’ll probably find a lot of interesting spells and relics we never knew existed,” Adam smiles warmly. “Village first, you can look for your estate later.”
“Yes, sir,” Luke replies playfully, making Adam chuckle.
“I miss having you around,” Adam smiles.
“Our class jokester and troublemaker,” Morgyn speaks up for the first time. “I even remember you asking me out once.”
“Yeah, kinda glad that didn’t happen,” Luke teases and Morgyn pouts.
“Once Lisa caught Luke’s eye, no one else could ever compete for his affection after that,” Kyle chuckles.
“To Luke and Lisa, may their happy marriage continue for decades to come,” Adam lifts his glass to toast.
“To Luke and Lisa!” Most around the table echoes him.
“I can only imagine what you were like as teenagers,” Penny giggles as she sips some wine. “Who was the biggest troublemaker of the Sages?”
“He was!” everyone points to Luke. As a retort, he makes a ‘who me’ gesture, causing more laughter.
“Adam’s always been our leader,” Morgyn smiles. “When we all felt lost, he kept us together.”
“Even before you realized you were the Arch Mage, you’ve always led your people?” Amethyst smiles.
“How do you know I didn’t realize I was the Arch Mage when I was younger?” Adam narrows his eyes.
“Call it mother’s intuition,” Amethyst winks.
“You are a puzzle,” he looks at the Fae, amazed.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she smirks. “Young Arcwave, as wise as you are, you still have much to learn.” He lifts a finger. “Oh, yes, I know you are older than you look. Between your Elven heritage and your potions, you shouldn’t look older than you are for decades to come,” she smiles knowingly. “I’ve been alive longer than your race has recorded time. Trust me when I say you will never know as much as I do.”
“Point taken, wise master,” Adam bows in a playful tone, causing Amethyst to giggle.
“Your sense of humour makes the task ahead feel lighter,” the Fae smiles happily.
“You aim to keep me busy,” Adam catches on.
“Absolutely!” she beams. “Such a cunning young man you are.”
“Keep calling him young, and it might get to his head,” Luke chuckles.
Adam smiles, then clears his throat. “Alright. So… Simeon?” The Sage looks at him. “I need you to assess supplies. The way Amethyst is talking, I expect our population is about to expand quickly.” Simeon nods, finishes his mouthful, and leaves.
“Morgyn?” The blond-haired Sage looks at him. “As it’s spring, I want to see what we’ll need to make a small campus for those graduating from our schools. We have over twenty high schools now. The first students should finish this year, with anywhere between ten to thirty graduates each. Not all of them will be magically adept enough to attend the college, but we should have a dorm and enough buildings for the subjects they’ll need to learn.” Morgyn nods and shovels one more forkful before heading off.
“Will we have enough teachers or professors for these classes?” Elphaba remarks. “I don’t think we have enough Sages for that many students.”
“One step at a time,” Adam remarks.
“Long-term projects Arch Mage?” Amethyst probes.
“You said this used to be a university. If you’re planning to stay around to rebuild. I need to know how much land we’ll need for a full magical college come fall,” he replies.
“Who’ll finance all these supplies?” Penny asks.
“The magical community will provide what we need, in either supplies, labour or magical knowledge. It might surprise you at what we can build with the right spell casters,” Adam grins.
“You mean all those schools you built?” Penny probes.
“Existing buildings or created by private contract. We built the shell by conventional means. It would draw too much attention, otherwise. Afterward, we can fully furnish and design the inside magically. We fabricate everything through spells. No wood, plaster, brick, or wiring needed, just enough casters to not completely drain them while building,” he grins.
Penny smiles. “You’d think I’d know better. I have a wife who magically created a bowling alley in our basement. It shouldn’t surprise me what one can build with the right magical knowledge…”
“Well, you buy some supplies, My Darling. Just not all of them,” Mélodie winks.
“Can we get a layout of the island and surrounding area?” Amethyst probes.
Adam glances at his friend. “We removed the table, but the focus crystals are still in place,” Luke answers.
“Perfect,” Adam smiles. He stands and closes his eyes. Motioning his hands as if reaching out to something. An illusion of the island where they stand slowly materializes.
Amethyst studies it for a moment. “Can you include the surroundings?” Adam nods and focuses again. The closest islands materialize. She studies the illusion. “The most obvious and easiest would be to pull the garden courtyard back in place,” Amethyst points to a rock floating slightly higher than theirs. “Then the greenhouse and arboretum will help you reach your basic food production easier,” pointing to the island floating to the right of where she is standing. “We can rebuild the bridge to the town,” motioning to the island floating in front of the school. “What are those?” she points to smaller stone gateways.
“Not all our students can teleport or fly,” Adam answers. “We set up Mirror Gates to hop short distances of the void. They require line of sight to work together.”
“Well, when we rebuild the bridges, you won’t need them anymore,” Amethyst remarks.
“That would be nice. They leave your skin all tingly every time you use one,” Elphaba remarks.
The rest of supper continues, with Amethyst asking where things are, and the Sages pointing out where to find them. By the time they finish eating, the illusion now takes up most of the room. Adam remarks that what she has planned will likely take days to gather the resources and personnel required. More than once, he looks at the Fae. He wonders if she can handle the burden of using that much magic. He’s a competent telekinetic, but she’s looking to move large islands and then ‘stitch’ them together with the surrounding debris. By her timeline, they likely won’t reach the location of the Arvandor Gate for a week. When he points it out, she seems happy with that assessment. He wishes he could share her confidence and enthusiasm in all this. As the leader of the Magical Community, the logistics alone are enough to worry him. He hopes they can manage.