As our meal came to an end, Dad announced, “Our Skolturi friends would like to conduct some business this evening. We have three candidates here who would like to join the teaching staff at the adventuring school, and they are also interested in speaking with its six early-accepted students. I’ll be attending in my capacity as Mayor and preliminary administrator. They have also asked to speak to Rhonda about becoming an official vendor to the school and perhaps a part-time teacher. With this large of a group to meet with, my wife Rhetta and our young friends Quorlin and Norrus will not be attending. That doesn’t exclude you from becoming students or involved with the school, however. This will just be an initial meeting.”
Norrus already knew he was too young, and I had not seen the blacksmith apprentice Quorlin express interest in becoming an adventurer. So they were fine with being excluded from whatever this meeting would be. I guess Mom already knew, and with her daily inter-village travel with the postal service, it made sense that she wouldn’t have much direct involvement. She must have made special arrangements to be off today, Seventhday, to allow the Mayor and his wife to officially greet the Skolturi’s arrival.
Asiel took charge. “Since the people of Cottages have already provided the school with an administration building and fine meeting room, let us meet there.” I think the adults probably already knew that was where we would be going. Asiel’s words were spoken to inform me and my peers. We got up, the mayor paid and thanked the Kazrins, and we were on our way, with Asiel in the lead of our group.
Quorlin and Norrus quickly thanked the Mayor for dinner, then they and Mom followed us out but went their own ways.
As we walked to the campus, Arrjee enquired as to where Sun and Ferret would be sleeping. Dad said, “We discussed that while you were doing your laps. For tonight, how would the six of you younglings like to have a sleep-over? Asiel and Orian have chosen to move into the apartments at the school, which leaves the cottage reserved for them free. When the school opens, you will be boarding there, and you can have your first taste of that tonight.”
Arrjee, Onre, Kossa, Sun, Ferret, and I discussed it for a moment and came to an agreement to do just that. Of course, Sun and Ferret did not have any real options. Neither knew what a boarding school was, and I explained that it was a school that students lived at, with a small group of students per room.
Ferret asked, “So everyone there, they away from home? Not just us?”
“Yes,” Onre answered. “Before coming to Cottages two weeks ago, I was a student at another adventuring school in the First Duchy. Einvigi brought me here, just as Skawa did you two. Once school gets going, all the leveled students form five-member adventuring parties, and each party has their own room to live in. It is not very private, but dungeons don’t provide privacy either.”
“I always live with people. Even after home tribe, I live with Sun. This sounds good!”
Sun said, “Own room I have.” || When I lived at home, I had my own room.
“Triples Trichyans live.” || Adult Trichyans usually live in triples.
“‘Triple’ my party.” || My party will be like a ‘triple’.
Realizing that before Group Mind, I would have had a hard time following that, I fleshed out what Sun had said. Masters Trillet, Thorm, and Birch all thanked me, but assured Sun that they understood the heart of what he was saying.
They’re embarrassed for Sun, and going out of their way to make him feel normal. They don’t realize he’s glad that I helped them ‘hear’ him more fully.
With all the teens agreeing to sleep in that cottage tonight, the conversation moved to more general matters. Master Trillet let us know, especially Ferret, that apprenticeship was over, as was its formality. He asked us to call him Runtel. Similarly, Master Thorm became Brune and Master Birch became Lenyet.
Analyze had shown that Asiel and Orian had had the same last name, ‘Windgarden’. They were the first level 50s I had met, but I guess it would be surprising for someone to be thousands of years old and not reach 50. Neither had physical classes, which must have been useful when they became wraiths. Asiel was a Justicar and Telekinetic, while Orian was an Aeromancer and Illusionist. Their jobs were both listed as ‘Seeker’, but that might change as they begin their work for the school.
I asked, “Asiel or Orian, can I ask you something that might be awkward?”
hesitation, curiosity
Orian told me to go ahead. “You two both have classes that don’t require physical presence.” (At least I assumed ‘Justicar’ was something like a high-level judge.) “What about the Skolturi who had physically demanding classes prior to becoming Wraiths, like warriors or carpenters?”
hope okay question
Orian began, “That’s a good question,” || relax, friend
“We lost our levels and classes upon death, although we maintained all our learned skills at their existing ranks, physical or not.” || tie to past
“Right after becoming wraiths, our interfaces suggested was wait a few days to adapt to our new circumstance, and give ourselves time to choose classes” || wise advice
“Some of us chose new classes within a day, some took more than a week.” || change hit some very hard
“Quite a few had had classes that remained useful, and re-chose at least one of them. Even they began wraithdom at Level 1, though. || logical and consistent
“For you younglings who can not see our classes, I am now an Aeromancer and Illusionist.” || fun, powerful, useful
“I was a Hunter and Fisherman.” || relaxing
Asiel spoke, “I am a Justicar and Telekinetic.” || happy with choices
“Justicar is an uncommon class, in many ways quite similar to the mayor’s Potentate class.” || more than uncommon
The mayor’s class focuses on skills useful in civil authority. || leadership
Mine is more focused on judicial authority, but with some administrative overlap. || either can become dicks
I saw Dad smile at that; he obviously is keeping his Listen active.
“Einvigie spoke with me directly, and appointed me as a co-administrator of her school.” || honor, unworthiness, dedication
“You six students were specifically chosen as well. || welcome, satisfaction
“Everyone else, including Orian, must be chosen administratively. || Orian likelihood very high
“For the time-being, Mayor Silverstone will be acting co-administrator. || confidence in him
But they will both be openly vetted this evening, along with the prospective teaching staff.” || intense, worthwhile process
We had passed through the city gates and were on campus, approaching the administration building.
Asiel asked, “Does anyone have any questions?” || last chance
“I’ve been wondering,” Brune Thorm asked, “will teachers be considered who do not have adventuring experience or skills?”
“Yes. Anyone with the proper temperament, desire, and experience to share with our students is free to apply and receive consideration.” || don’t worry
“If your concern includes you personally, I already know you have adventurered infrequently. || not uncommon
“But all along you have been offering much to your students. || you are admired
“You have a wonderful mix of bardsmanship, crafting, and close martial skills.” || you offer a lot
Kossa added, “Brune, we would love you to be one of our teachers!”
----------------------------------------
At that, we had reached our destination and entered. At a round table, there is no front, but the two Skolturi, Dad, and Grandma took the far seats. The other adults chose to sit ‘forward’ with them, while the rest of us took seats closer to the door. With 13 of us and 15 chairs, there was plenty of room. I chose a seat next to Lenyet, and Ferret sat at my other side. We only needed 12 of those chairs, because Sun became his own chair, with his forward leg between Ferret and I, and most of his body just behind us.
Asiel stated, “I will be asking the adults two questions, ‘Who are you?’ and ‘What would you offer our school?’.” || hidden complexity
“It is only fair that I begin.” || not completely fair
“During my living life I had been a city administrator, a bureaucrat.” || boring but fulfilling
“My classes were not chosen with that path in mind, however; they were Carpenter and Forrester.” || satisfaction working with my hands
“Still, I was community minded, and over time I fell into public service, with my classes becoming dedicated hobbies, avocations at best.” || life’s paths unpredictable
“With the Curse slowly killing our people, hope dwindled, but I persevered in my tasks.” || accept death or fight it
“When the wraith counter-curse was announced, I – many of us – chose to continue our consciousness and drive, instead of passing to our next lives.” || fight, not just to death, but past it
“I chose my Justicar class to continue serving our community, and Telekinesis to allow me to significantly interact with the physical world.” || powerful
He looked at each of us, seeing the same intense interest in all our eyes.
“I offer the school what Einvigi saw in me – understanding, awareness, service, and compassion. || commitment to live up to her expectations
“So that is me. I am sure you will be learning more about us, our culture, and our history as time passes. || anticipation in sharing
“Now, the adults will answer the same two questions.” || but
“Except I will be using a high-level Justicar skill called Revelation. || don’t panic
“It is a type of truthsayer skill; you will not be able to lie. You remain free not to speak, but if you do so, you will not only answer the question, but add information you feel to be particularly significant relating to it.” || Einvigi knew this skill would be key
“Students will also be given the opportunity to answer two questions with my Revelation active. Your enrollment is already guaranteed, but I feel that it is important for you to offer a bit of yourselves just as the adults will be doing.” || growth, in openness
“By its nature, you will gain from revealing. Both your intelligence and wisdom will be raised by 10 points while under its influence, allowing the best possible answers. Plus, at one’s first revelation, you retain 1 point in each permanently. || give and receive
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“Does anyone desire to leave, and not face open revelation?” ||desire you all stay
They looked eye to eye, but no one left.
“Mayor Barrie Silverstone, since you will be helping me vet the others, it is best I start with you.” || assist please
Dad nodded his acceptance. Asiel asked him, “Who are you?” || reveal
It appeared that his eyes achieved an intense focus. “When I was a child, I dreamt of being a king, a leader of nations. I would be fair and just, wise and compassionate, beloved. As I grew older, I realized the world was much more complex than a child knew. Black and white were not the colors of our souls. And there were many factors my child self did not know. Taxation, maintenance, squabbles, choosing sides when both might be significantly correct. Only a fool or a madman would still dream of leading a nation. But a single community? Where I could actually know everyone by sight? Where they would know me? I could lead in that capacity. So choosing Administrator and Potentate were natural classes for someone who intended to be a mayor. I knew Potentate was an open invitation for misrule and selfishness at the national level, but in service to a small community, where I had a family to keep me grounded every day, it could provide great benefit.”
With a short laugh, “I guess that must be who I am.” Pause. “Except a little smarter and wiser now. Thank you.”
Asiel responded. “As you say. What would you offer our school?” || reveal
The focus returned. “I offer the school the same as I offer to Cottages. I know I would serve in a temporary capacity until the actual co-administrator is chosen. Until then, I will accept whatever responsibilities are needed of me. I have a drive to see our youth succeed, and even after I am replaced, I intend to do what I can to help them grow.”
Asiel responded, “I shall be happy to accept your services, mayor. But first, I shall ask the room – Does anyone have cause to doubt the mayor’s fitness?” || unlikely but possible
After listening to a few seconds of silence, “Welcome, Temporary Co-Administrator Barry Silverstone.” || happy, confident
“Orian, you have experienced revelation before. Who are you?” || reveal
His aspect focused in the same way Dad’s had. It must be the result of the Reveal skill, plus probably the significant bump in intelligence and wisdom.
“I am your brother, longtime friend, and confidant. I fear you have chosen me to accompany you here based on our centuries of friendship, but not my capabilities.” || doubt, worry
“I do feel capable, though, and have a drive to see the younglings develop and help heal the long-existent rents in our world. I loved the peaceful coexistence and common striving among peoples of Heere.” || drive to restore it
I am a person who has waited two thousand years for a time of healing, and one who will do everything I can to see it come to pass.” || absolute affirmation
After a brief pause, “What would you offer our school?” || reveal
“I offer my time, my knowledge, and every skill I have to help each student reach their potential. I offer a compassionate ear and millenia of experience, although only 110 years of it while living. I offer to learn with them and from them. I offer to support you in administration tasks you deem my aid to be necessary. I offer comradeship to you, the co-administrator, and my fellow staff.” || assurance
After pausing a few seconds, Asiel asked the mayor if he had any reservations. Dad responded that he did not, and Asiel told Orian that he was hired.
“Master Runtel Trillet, Who are you?” || reveal
Focused. It is going to be all of us. “I am someone who has gotten by. I have pushed myself a fair amount, but not like I could have. When not adventuring, I share my talents and knowledge with my apprentices and other students, but I always wonder, ‘Is it enough?’. Do I remain in a small village with no adventuring guild because I am useful here, or because I am comfortable? I think I’m useful. I hope people think I am useful.”
“Bullshit, Runtel Trillet!” exclaimed Arrjee. “I mean I don’t doubt those are honest words, but you are definitely useful here, and everyone knows it. If you would get out once in a while in the evening hours and interact with people, you would know for certain you have everyone’s respect. Get laid, Master Wolf!” || surprise you doubted yourself so
Everyone smiled at Arrjee’s last comment
“That certainly was not what I expected to say, but I guess, right now, it is who I am. And Arrjee, I know you are only 14, but getting laid is not the answer to everything.”
“Maybe not,” Arrjee replied, “but I still think you should consider it.”
Grandma, Dad, and Master Thorm, all long-time friends of Runtel’s, assured him he was a vital component of Cottage’s society.
Asiel put us back on track. “As you saw, the answers in a revelation are not always expected ones, and they sometimes reveal truths we had not faced. A person without doubts is a person not to be trusted.” || satisfaction, unsurprise
“Now, Runtel, what would you offer our school?” || reveal
“Other than not being thousands of years old, and not knowing you, my offering would be very similar to Orian’s. My time, my knowledge, my skills. Hopefully a shared joy if I get the opportunity to guide a party through an adventure. And should anyone ever be foolish enough to attack the school or its students, I will join with others to assist and perhaps bring about just retribution.”
After a brief pause, with his normal aspect restored, “Okay, that was an experience I won’t forget. I’m not sure it was worth the slight bump in intelligence and wisdom, though. But revealing myself to friends, being open in a way I haven’t been before, was worth every word.”
Asiel turned to Dad. “Mayor, do you have any reservations about Runtel Trillet joining our staff.”
Dad shook his head. “No, Asiel. Honestly, the school will be lucky to have him.”
“I concur. Runtel, you may expect employment to begin one week before school opens. You will be paid for any services we request before that time.” || satisfied welcome
The senior master thanked him.
“Master Brune Thorm, who are you?” || reveal
“I am a little afraid of what answer might come out, but here goes. I too am a person who has failed to live up to their potential. Oh, I push hard to succeed, with my barding, my crafting of musical instruments, and in teaching my apprentices and others. But I realized earlier today that my goals have not been set sufficiently high. Kossa showed me her beautiful silver flute, and I heard it play. Have I ever striven to make a master level instrument like that? Sadly, no. And I have felt fulfillment in teaching younglings many aspects of music. Have I striven to have them reach for the desire to become true masters? I do not believe I have. Nor have I ever set my sights on becoming a truly master level bard. So today, right now, I am committed to setting my goals high enough to make them worth reaching.”
Grandma, seated beside him, gave Brune a one-armed hug.
“Younglings, you too should set your goals high.” || aspire
“Brune, what would you offer our school?” || reveal
“As with the others, my time, knowledge, and skills. Satisfaction in teaching our students ways in which non-fighters can defend themselves well. Emphasizing to them to always have a backup, just as Kossa is learning both flute and drums. I would also look forward to assisting any student who chooses a crafting class.. And of course, help in defense of the school should it ever become necessary.”
Pause. “I’m happy with both my increased attributes and my words.” He smiled at Runtel collegially and with a nod.
“Mayor, reservations?” || impressive people in your town
“None. Brune has been exceptionally community-minded since his teen years. He will be another high quality asset.” He was offered employment just as had Runtel.
Asiel looked to my Master. “Lenyet Birch, I understand this is only your second visit to the village of Cottages. It surprises me that you would have already decided to commit to this endeavor. || curiosity, sufficient experience?
“Who are you?” || reveal
“When Runtel wrote to me about Forrest’s need for a Martial Arts Master, and that there would be an adventuring school here, it sounded too good to be true. I had chosen the Martial Arts class because I like the artistry of body motion as well as the opportunity for adventure. I chose the Tutor class because I had always been good at teaching various things to my peers and wanted to continue with that throughout life. Since I expected most of my teaching would be in a one-on-one manner as master/apprentice, tutor was the best option – especially for a ki user. In the village of River, I never became who I wanted to be. There have just been two youths who chose to apprentice in Martial Arts during the last six years. There has been no opportunity to become a full time teacher, although I have been a substitute a number of times in both River and nearby villages. In Cottages and at this school I am a person who will achieve both my goals.”
Most everyone had revealed in just one paragraph, but it appeared Lenyet needed two to speak his truth. His focus continued.
“It seems I may be a person who will have to pay a price to achieve those goals. My partner in River does not want to move here and is angry at my desire to do so. He says if I continue here, then he will move on. I don’t know if it will come to that yet, but my heart demands that I move here even if it costs me him.” His aspect relaxed.
Grandma assured Lenyet, “I don’t know you well yet, but I do know relationships. Some of them are born with a clock, and are fated to end. That may or may not be your case. It may be that neither you nor your partner are in the wrong. If you reach the point of needing incompatible things, you will not be the first couple to have done so.”
“Woah, Interface, life can be messy. Jacqes went through something very similar.”
Agree. Life can be messy. Not many are given an alternative.
“Me and the Wraiths?”
Among others.
Asiel stated, “I wish you the best, and in the long run, no one knows what that will be.” || regret, hope, opportunity
“I must still ask you, Lenyet, what would you offer our school?” || reveal
“I offer, without reservation and regardless of what my partner decides, my time, my knowledge, and my skills. I might have a lot of time. I offer not only my Martial Arts, but my high proficiency in bowmanship and staff fighting. I offer students in the classroom my patience and extra one-on-one time they might need. I also will offer them the same joy in adventuring Runtel mentioned.”
“That’s it. I didn’t plan on bothering anyone with my problems.”
Orian told him, “That’s how revelaton works sometimes.” || been there
Dad answered Asiel’s as yet unspoken question. “I have been impressed with Lenyet since first meeting him eight days ago.” Asiel informed Lenyet that he would be hired.
“Rhonda Silverstone, you may avoid these questions if you wish. The school will likely purchase your alchemy products in any event.” || hope for partnership
“Doing so would be most rude of me, to listen to these fine people reveal and then back out when it came to my turn. And I would like the opportunity to teach part time. So please, ask away.”
“I like your attitude, but who are you?” || reveal
“I am an unborn awakened. I spawned near here at age 19, made Cottages my home, and have lived here for the intervening 47 years. I had been an industrious young teacher and barmaid, working hard to teach the orphans in my care. But she was murdered at age 25. What I kept from that world was its name, ‘Silverstone’. The rest of it was quite unpleasant. My new life as Rhonda has been much more fulfilling. I chose the complimentary classes of Alchemy and Perfumer, correctly concluding that the combination would provide the foundation for a prosperous business for a dedicated wolf. I have been blessed with a wonderful family in a peaceful village, and I am very grateful for it.”
“Rhonda, if I may say,” Onre said, “you kept the best available to you from the world Silverstone. Perhaps your drive, your compassion for others, and your wisdom were honed on Heere, but I firmly believe it started with that 25-year old cat beastwoman.”
“Agree, but I’ve got to tell them sometime that it is ‘catgirl’.”
No, dumbass, you do not.
I informed the Wraths, “Onre is her adopted son. He is biased, but he is also correct.”
Arrjee added, “And he is our uncle, and she is your grandmother. There is plenty of bias to go around, brother.”
Onre was grinning at me, and our peers were looking at us like we were crazy. Dad told us our banter was inappropriate at this time.
“Perhaps,” said Asiel,” but I find it revealing and fresh. Their polite impertinence is very refreshing to ears that have listened to the same windbags for 2000 years.” || positivity
Orian nodded his agreement, and pointed at Asiel behind his back. He mouthed and minded the thoughts, || windbag one
Everyone grinned or giggled, including Asiel. “I admit it, but he is two.” || old valued friend
“Let’s finish with Rhonda, then stretch our legs for a few minutes.” || freshen minds also
“What would you offer our school? || reveal
“On a commercial level, I would offer you favorable, steady rates and reliable service. If I need to subcontract orders, I will pass on those goods without markup. I will train interested students in finding the plants, insects, and other necessary materials to make alchemical reagents and perfume ingredients, and pay them fair prices if they wish to gather what I need. As a part time educator, I could teach students my trades, as well as general lessons in world. I am well traveled, at least on this continent. When necessary, I could substitute and teach letters and numbers also.”
“I think that’s it, but I’m willing to help out in general ways also.”
Asiel asked Dad, “Do you have any reservations?” || be honest; I know she is family
He smiled. “Well, she’d poison me if I did.” She rolled her eyes. “Absolutely none. Rhonda has decades of service to the community, and a reputation as a merchant anyone would envy. I do recommend, though, that we renew all official vending licenses annually. It would do no one any good for us to be seen as offering unassailable favoritism.”
Grandma responded, “I agree that annual contracts would be a good idea. If you choose another vendor next year, it would not change my desire to be a part-time teacher here.”
“Rhonda Silverstone, congratulations, we will prepare a contract for you to review.” || confidence, expectation
Kossa asked, “Mayor, you said earlier there was no outhouse yet on campus, right?” He acknowledged that it was true. “15 minutes okay, then?”
Asiel answered, “Yes it would be, but let’s make it 25.” || refresh bodies and minds