Chapter 49: A Voice From Home (Patreon)
Content
The Adventure Society offered a limited, if valuable, array of services. The Magic Society, by contrast, provided all manner of magical amenities to anyone with the money to pay for them. The main lobby of the Magic Society services building was quite large, with many comfortable chairs. Those who could afford their services were accustomed to luxury.
An elven man in expensive clothes approached. Rufus noted a brooch in the shape of hand inside a circle, the Magic Society emblem.
Lord Remore, the man said. Such a pleasure. Im Pochard Finn, deputy director of the Magic Society here in Greenstone.
Rufus stood up and shook his hand.
Its just Mr Remore, Rufus said. One of my ancestors made rather a point about refusing title, and its become something of a family stance.
"Very principled, I'm sure," Pochard said. "Please, allow me to be your guide to our humble branch. Not as magnificent as what you are used to, I'm sure."
I wouldnt want to trouble you, Rufus said.
No trouble at all, Pochard said. If the director were not indisposed off-campus, I have no doubt he would greet you himself. He certainly wouldnt want you waiting out here with the ordinary people. Title or not, I can comfortably assert that you are far from an ordinary visitor.
Im just here to use a communications channel, Rufus said. I wouldnt want to miss my father because I was socialising.
Your father, Pochard said. Will he be visiting our fair city?
He will not, Rufus said firmly.
A shame, Pochard said. At least allow me to guide you to our speaking chambers.
Very well, Rufus said. Lead on.
The speaking chambers were accessed from a long hallway, where a series of doors led into each chamber. Pochard showed no hesitation in explaining how excellent they were.
"A man of your background is naturally familiar with speaking chambers," Pochard said, "but were you aware the very best chambers are constructed from watergreen marble? We may just be a remote branch, but our speaking chambers are a point of pride."
Watergreen marble? Rufus asked.
Watergreen marble is one of the higher-grade stones quarried right here in the Greenstone region. It has a strong water affinity, which makes for an excellent connection.
Rufus thought that Pochard was just talking up his facility, but when he stepped into his assigned speaking chamber, it really was grander than he anticipated. It was larger than others he'd seen, although the layout was normal. Half the room was covered in a pool of water, the dry half with a low, circular platform to stand on. Rather than the usual surfaces, the floor was covered in blue and green tiles, the marble walls had lush plants set into alcoves, while the roof was a colourful mosaic in shades of green and blue. The light in the room was shimmering blue-green, the source of the light being located under the water pool. The air was moist, but fresh and pleasant, with the scent of the sea. Walking into the room felt like stepping onto the ocean floor.
"Mr Pochard," Rufus said. "I must confess, I didn't give much credence to your claims about your speaking chambers. Consider this my apology for doubting your words."
Gratifying to hear, Mr Remore. I will leave you to your call.
Rufus turned and shook Pochards hand before the elf departed.
Thank you, he said with a smile.
Pochard left, closing the door to the chamber behind him. Rufus stood on the circular platform on the floor and waited, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. Hed spent enough time in plain, cramped, humid speaking chambers to genuinely appreciate the difference.
Finally, the pool of water started stirring, indicating the connection was being made. The light coming through the pool started wildly shimmering. The water rose up from the pool, surging into the shape of Rufus father. Colour appeared in the water as if someone had tipped dyes into it, fleshing out the image to a rather excellent facsimile of his fathers features.
Pochard hadnt been understating the quality of the connection. The image of Rufus father, Callum Remore, was startlingly lifelike. When the image shifted from water statue to animation, it replicated his expressions and body language with startling accuracy.
Son, the water representation of Callum said. Good to see you.
Father, Rufus said.
I know that tone, Callum said. What did I do?
Youve been spying on me.
Of course I have, Callum said. You almost died out there on some nothing contract.
Which you only knew about because you were spying on me!
It wasnt spying, Callum said. I was only having a few updates sent back. Then you almost got yourself killed and I started spying. Im surprised Danielle told you.
She didnt tell me, Rufus said. I figured it out.
Son, if that woman doesnt want you to know something, youll be as ignorant as a newborn babe. If you figured it out, its because she led you to water. You only think it was your idea to drink.
Well, you need to stop.
Of course, son.
Did you just lie to me?
Of course, son.
Rufus let out a weary groan.
So, Callum said. Tell me about this outworlder of yours.
Hes a bit odd, Rufus said.
Theyre all odd, Callum said. Whats he actually like?
Do you remember the first time you told me about outworlders?
Hmmm. Wasnt it when we had that one stay with us at the academy? The pretty one that you-
I remember the one, Dad.
Callums water image let out a gleeful chuckle.
This is a good connection, Callum said. I can see you scowling.
Dad, do you remember when you told me there were two kinds of outworlders?
I do, Callum said. The ones that die immediately, and the ones that survive and thrive.
Jason is definitely the die immediately type, Rufus said, but he survives and thrives anyway.
That is odd, Callum said. Sounds like trouble.
Are you telling me to back off? Rufus asked. Because I wont.
Of course you wont, Callum said. Heading for trouble is the whole point of being an adventurer. Otherwise, whats all the training for?
Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that, Rufus said. I have a proposal for the academy.
Oh?
Not having someone looking over my shoulder has been an education, Rufus said. As an adventurer, Ive gone from thinking I knew everything to realising how much I dont.
Thats good, Callum said. A few close scrapes, some costly mistakes. Itll turn you into a real adventurer.
Thats exactly my point, Rufus said. It wasnt until you released me into the wild that I realised how far I have to go. Its why the Gellers keep training their family here at the south end of nowhere. They can let them loose to make their own mistakes.
So, youre proposing we start sending people there? Callum asked.
I am, Rufus said. We could establish a graduate station here. The Geller family facilities are well developed, and we could arrange an exchange. They help us get off the ground, and we help them refine their training programs.
Have you put this to the Gellers, yet.
No, Rufus said. I wasnt going to reach out before clearing it with Grandad. Not to mention that Id also need specifics to take to them. Id never make an approach without knowing what I could and couldnt offer.
Good lad, Callum said. Alright, Ill float it to the family. For now, you and I can start having weekly meetings. Being our man on the ground will be a good chance for you to step up in the academy. A project like this wont be small or quick.
Im not sure how long Ill be here, Rufus said. Emir could arrive any day. I suppose could extend my stay; I dont have to go back with him when hes done.
Oh, uh ,
Callum started sheepishly rubbing his chin.
I was meant to tell you, he said. Emir wont be there for a little while.
How little a while are you talking about? Rufus asked. And why? We found what he was after.
Well, we know you think you found it, Callum said. But can you really be certain? One of his other teams found something really promising in the Godspear Islands, so hes heading there to check it out. So two months?
Two months!
Three, at the absolute most, Callum said. Well, maybe not the absolute most. And thats from when he leaves here, obviously. Call it four months.
Four months, Rufus said incredulously.
Well now you have your project, that works out, Callum said.
He doesnt know that. Did you say he hadnt left Vitesse yet? What is he doing?
Theres been a lot going on, Callum said. Its a busy time.
Rufus narrowed his eyes at his fathers projection.
Isnt it time for the flower wine festival?
Is it? Callum asked, innocently. He wouldnt meet his sons eyes, even through the projection.
Rufus ran a hand over his face.
Alright, Dad, he said wearily. Weekly meetings?
Ill send you a message with the times.
No, Ill send you a message. You can work around my schedule.
Son
Give my love to Mum. See you next week, Dad.
Rufus stepped off the circular platform and the image of his father broke apart, splashing into the pool.
Four months, he muttered to himself. Alright, then.
***
Rufus stormed through the back gate into Jorys courtyard. Jason was seated in a meditation pose on a mat while Farrah sat on a chair reading. Gary was cooking meat skewers on a grill fuelled by magic fire.
Farrah, Rufus said sharply, get the book out.
She glanced at the book in her hands.
Not that book, Rufus said. I mean the book.
The book book? she asked.
Yes, Rufus said. The book book.
Whats the book book? Gary asked.
Jason opened his eyes.
Why is everyone making chicken noises? he asked.
Its time for you to get your hands on a martial art skill book, Rufus told him.
Ooh, nice, Jason said, getting up and brushing his legs with his hands.
Wait, thats what you want the book for? Farrah asked.
What book? Gary asked.
You know, Farrah said. The book. From under the lake.
Didnt we decide to give that to Emir? Gary asked.
We did decide that, yes, Farrah said.
The contract from Emir wasnt to find a book, Rufus said.
Giving it to Emir was your idea, Farrah said to Rufus. You talked us into it.
Thats true, Gary said, prodding at the cooking meat with a fork. We wanted to sell it.
Well, Emir wont be here for four months, so hes missing out, Rufus said.
Gary, poised to shove a whole skewer in his mouth, stopped to look at Rufus.
Four months? he asked.
From when he leaves, Rufus said.
He hasnt left? Farrah asked.
Flower wine festival, Gary mumbled around a mouthful of meat. You werent kidding about this marinade, Jason.
One of the others teams has a promising lead, Rufus said. Hes going there to check it out first.
Which team? Farrah asked.
Godspear Islands.
"Are you kidding me?" Farrah asked. "Mirabelle and her army of idiots? Of course, they think they found it."
She got up from her chair and started pacing.
That isnt the place, she said. This is the place. We found the place.
I know, Rufus said.
What place? Jason asked.
It isnt like were just confident this is the place, Farrah continued. This is the place.
It is, Rufus said.
Then why is Emir sailing off in the wrong direction?
Well, Rufus said, they know we think we found it, but
I hope his boat sinks, Farrah said.
Thats pretty unlikely, Gary said.
So the book? Rufus asked.
Farrahs stone chest erupted out of the ground. She opened the lid, reached in and came out with an absurdly large book. It seemed like she should be staggering about, but her small body contained a powerful strength. She slammed the lid of her storage chest down and dropped the book onto it with a resonating thud. It was almost as large and thick itself as the stone chest lid on which it was resting. Bound in thick leather, embossed into the front of the book were the images of two scythes crossed over a skull.
Thats a hefty and sinister tome youve got there, Jason said, moving to look closer.
We each agreed to give you a gift, Rufus said, as thanks for saving us. Farrahs youve already received. If the others dont object, Id like this to be mine.
Works for me, Gary mumbled.
Well, you were always going to get him a skill book, Farrah said. I have to assume this one is better than most.
Its obviously special, Jason said. Where did it come from?
We cant tell you that yet, Rufus said.
Youre giving him the book, Farrah said, but saying where its from is where you draw the line?
The book wasnt in the contract, Rufus said. Keeping our mouths shut was.
So, can I use this? Jason asked, reaching a hand towards the book.
Not so fast, Rufus said. Now that well be here for a while, we dont have to be in such a rush. I can make sure youre ready before letting you use it.
And when will that be? Jason asked.
I told you when we started, Rufus said. Theres going to be a test.