Chapter 143: Not Enough Hours in the Day
“Storme, I already bought my first spell! Talia said she would help me learn it once I awakened, but she was with you. Now that you are back, can you help me imprint my first spell?” Freya had gone from crying to being excited and talking rapidly.
“Freya, after things settle down. I am going to talk to Father about you and Mother moving to the Spire. But yes, I can help you learn your first spell. What did you choose?” I said, smiling at my younger sister, who appeared to have grown since I last saw her.
“I thought about it for a long time. I decided on the cleanliness spell like you. That way, I can save time by not bathing.” She had on a massive grin. “I even got a copy of Sana Velin’s spellbook for the spell.”
I cracked a smile. “Well, maybe I shouldn’t teach you your first spell then. I actually know Sana Velin, and she can teach you herself.”
Freya narrowed her eyes suspiciously, “Sana Velin does not live in Skyholme.”
“She is just visiting under an alias. But it is a secret you cannot share with anyone. Come and let’s talk with mother.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and guided her out of the skyship hangar onto the stairs.
It was still early morning, but Mother had already gone to her shop. Father was already at his post in the skyship docks as well. I got the cats into my apartment and went to mother’s shop. She rose from her current project and gave me a massive hug. “Storme, Wynna told us you were back. Have you seen your father yet? He was just as worried as everyone.”
“I can see him later. I want you and Freya to move to the Black Spire for the next few weeks. The news will soon spread, but there is an impending attack from pirates hired by the Bricios,” I said seriously.
“Your father was made aware,” my mother said, considering. “Your father is not leaving his post, and I will not leave him. You can take Freya to your wizard’s tower. Freya, have you told him?” Mother had a sly smile, telling me she was aware of her awakening. I had kept my own awakening secret from them for months.
“I did, and he is going to hire the best mage in the Sphere to train me!” Freya said enthusiastically.
I interrupted, rolling my eyes, and said, “It’s a secret, remember Freya?” I shook my head playfully in mock disappointment. “You can pack her things and load them onto the Maelstrom. I will fly to the Spire tonight after discussing everything with the others.”
Seeing she was going to be losing two of her children, mother said hurriedly, “It is almost midday. We can get a take-out meal from the Shiny Platinum and have lunch with your father.”
I nodded in understanding, “Agreed. I will be talking with Remy. Find me up in the apartments when you are ready.”
I left them and found Remy in his room, working diligently. “Storme, glad you are back safe. I found the contracts for the warehouses Isla rented. All of them together are 70,000 gold to purchase.” He waited for me to look shocked or upset. He tried again to stun me, “It looks like they colluded together, as all the contracts started the twenty-three-day timer at the same time. There will also be some additional coin for the paperwork, but that is less than five gold.” The young Remy looked like he had aged years in the two weeks I was gone.
I remembered if the owner wanted to end the lease, I had a twenty-three-day buy-out clause and they started the clock ticking eight days ago. “I will make a trip to Llorth to get the coin. Some of the weapons should have sold by now, and I can get the gold for the warehouses,” I said confidently. “How have the delving harvests gone?”
“You took the best members of the team, Storme! We barely get enough honey for Mera to keep busy. I wasn’t sure if I should have gone to Gareth and asked for help.” He must have seen my face. “Don’t worry. I didn’t. He is facing his own struggles. He is constantly out of coin.” Remy waited for me to ask about my friend, but I didn’t. Gareth was on his own and the more I knew about his situation the more likely I would intervene and he would hate me for it.
Remy continued, “The restaurant has been the heartbeat of the operation. It is packed open to close, and we hired two more cooks, a baker, and six servers to keep up with patrons. Many of them come to thank the High Mage for his healing or hope you have returned to heal them or a loved one.” That made me feel a little guilty. Magical healing was expensive and I gave it away for free to the needy.
“I will try to make myself available in the restaurant for a few minutes in the morning. I want all delvers. Even the temporary ones moved to the Spire permanently. They will commute to delve into the Frost Vault in Aegis City. Mera and Fera will be moved as well. Lachlan can remain behind,” I determined.
“What about Rippon and me?” Remy asked.
“Rippon is still here?” I asked, confused. The old shipbuilder had built the Maelstrom and had a valuable wood-shaping spell.
“We have been working on the single occupancy skyship—our third iteration. If you have time, I would like you to do the runes,” Remy asked hopefully.
“When I have the time, I will. Move your project to the Black Spire, you can commute to the Shiny Platinum as well.” I ran through my friends and loved ones. I was sure Callem would take care of Wynna and Ennet. “Is Mia around?” Mia was a friend who had fought me in the pre-Annuals, and I defeated her. She then came to our First Year Academy in Hen’s Hollow seeking Callem’s instruction. I then placed her in charge of my guards at the Shiny Platinum to force out the Miaden guards.
“She is using the Shiny Platinum as her internship. I think she is out front with Kyle standing guard if I recall the schedule correctly.” Remy said unhesitatingly.
I took the paperwork that Remy had compiled to review later. Mia was out front in the same silver-gray uniform as the servants at the Black Spire. She had light armor, a buckler, and a short sword. She smiled at me, and I could see why she was here. There was a long line down the street. The crowd immediately grew anxious as well upon seeing me. I was a celebrity in some fashion.
I announced, “I will heal those who need healing after talking with my guards!” I wasn’t sure I wanted to take the time today, but I wasn't going to be here very often over the next week, and I wanted news of my return to spread.
I set up a privacy screen and talked with Mia, “There is a pirate raid or attack coming. I am moving everyone to the Spire. My parents are staying behind. Can you station two guards in the room across from theirs? It is empty. And hire more temporary guards as well. If the attack comes, the Shiny Platinum is close to the skyship docks, so be prepared to defend it. The walls are reinforced stone and should hold.”
Mia listened and nodded, “It will be done. I should be able to get seven or eight quality short-term guards.” She didn’t even blink at being left behind to guard my parents.
“Good. I will artifice some artifacts for you and the guards you have guarding my parents. You are a good friend, Mia,” I clasped her shoulder, and she blushed. I decided to make my father and brother some defensive artifacts as well. If they wouldn’t come to the Spire, I would give them the tools to defend themselves.
I broke the privacy spell and opened to healing people for free. It was like a chain reaction. People had run to tell others the free healing from the High Mage was back, and soon, I had a long line next to the line of people waiting to get into the Shiny Platinum. As I healed, I learned some people had been waiting days for me to return. I moved the healing into my park next to the Shiny Platinum.
I had torn down the adjacent warehouse after Loriel helped me purchase it. I had just wanted to build a park and put up outdoor eating, but Loriel had promised the Sadian Emperor a place to build a portal to his capital city of Goldreach. She thought she was doing me a favor but it was more of a headache.
The park was nice, with stone tables and benches among flowering trees. I worked rapidly through the line, spending as little time as possible on each healing. Some people had requests like new teeth; others just wanted to feel better. My parents and Freya had lunch with me while I worked. It was not how I wanted our family lunch to go, but the High Mage of Skyholme was a busy man. I spent five hours healing before everyone was satisfied. Mia and her guard stood watch in the park the entire time, keeping the anxious crowd in check.
After the healing, I visited the small warehouse I had built at the back of the lot. This was supposed to be a favor from Loriel, and I would get a small percentage of the fees with imports coming from the Sadian capital. It was only two stories, and the second floor was all storage rooms. The structure was not large, and I found half a dozen Sadian guards camped on the first floor. Two Sadian mages were in the process of constructing the connecting portal. After a brief discussion with them, I learned they were dropped off a week ago. When the portal was complete, they would return to Goldreach.
I left them and walked through the barren stone building. There were offices on the first floor and a small barracks room. My communication stone beeped in my pocket, and I found Cilia was contacting me. “Storme, the ship is registered. Do you want it moved to the Spire?”
“We have the Marstom ships occupying the slips there. Never thought that little tower would be so busy. I either should build more cradles or a lake,” I said light-heartedly.
“Sebastian had them moved. They are in the Navy yard with their trade ship. Sebastian is also looking for you. I think he headed to Aegis City in a Harbinger,” Cilia replied.
“Why didn’t you give your grandfather the communication stone?” I asked.
“I offered, but he said his requests needed to be done in person,” she said guiltily.
“Thank you for letting me know. I will wait for him and you can move the Sky Wraith to the tower. Have the boy brought to Asger. He is to work the orchards under Wolfsguard’s supervision. Talk to Isla to get everyone settled in the Spire.” I ended the communication. The Sky Wraith was officially mine, and Rippon was going to have a blast repairing the Sky Wraith’s damage.
I collected the cats and found an excited Freya on the Maelstrom. Her spellbook was tucked under her arm. I noted it was a new copy and assumed Selin was making new copies for some gold. “Freya, you want to buy used copies of spell books. They are cheaper and usually have the last owner’s notes in them. Also, you could have asked me for my copy.”
“You were not here, Storme,” she said accusingly with her tone suddenly changed. “Are we leaving now?” I could tell she was upset with me running off an risking my life.
“No, I have to wait for Admiral Sebastian. I am sure he has a long list of things the High Mage needs to do for the benefit of Skyholme and its people,” I said calmly. I spent some time explaining to Freya about my decisions and why I constantly needed to depart Skyholme. But she did get me to promise to take her with me one day soon.
Sebastian took half an hour to arrive, and I assume he had made other stops. I met him on the Maelstrom, just outside the hangar. “Storme, I was hoping to catch you here. I heard you were healing an hour ago and did not want to disturb you.”
“I am at your service admiral, but I am headed to the Spire. Do you want to come for the ride?” I asked.
“No, I have business in Aegis City checking on defenses. I came to ask you for a favor,” Sebastian said seriously. I motioned for him to continue. “We have two Harbingers in need of rune refurbishing.”
“Not a problem. Dock them at the Spire one at a time, and I will get to them when I can,” I said quickly.
“Thank you, Storme. We also would like you at our defense strategy meetings and to give you an assignment for when the attack initiates,” the old admiral said cautiously.
“I do not have time to participate in long meetings, and I need to worry about the Black Spire’s defenses when the attack comes.” There was silence as we studied each other. As High Mage, my obligation was to defend the Black Spire and the Black Spire only. The children evacuated from Skyhold Citadel would be under my protection.
“We are thin, Storme. Very thin. Most of the skyships have green crews. There is a high level of anxiety. The Black Mauraders are a tougher foe than the Sadians. And we have no idea what to expect.” Sebastian admitted. “It is thanks to you we have a warning, but still…”
“Why not ask the Sadians for help?” I asked and was thinking maybe it would be better to abandon the floating islands altogether.
The old admiral nodded. “We have. They are sending five skyships. New ships with experienced crews. It was tough for Loriel to ask, and she had to grant trade concessions for the help. She did the same thing with Marstom. Well, she didn’t give up much there, as she just agreed to immediately open trade with the Principality. Your Princess is quite aggressive,” the white-haired mage said with a smile.
“She is not my Princess.” I raised my voice some but calmed, “What about the Adventurer’s Guild? But I already knew his answer.”
“There is not any gold in the treasury for postings. We are stretched thin,” Sebastian admitted.
I placed seven large platinum coins on the counter. “Offer a hundred gold for dungeon teams outside of Skyholme to defend it.” In truth seven adventurer teams wouldn’t sway a battle of skyships.
Then a thought occurred to me. I knew one of the most powerful delve guilds in the region. “I am leaving in the morning to travel to Llorth. I will see about aid there.” His worried expression had me put him at ease. “I will not be gone long. I have upgraded the aether crystals on the Maelstrom and will be gone a day at most.”
“Is it necessary at this time, High Mage?” Sebastian asked cautiously.
“It is. I will collect a fair amount of gold and see if I can hire some help against the Black Marauders as well,” I explained.
“I was supposed to convince you to stay in Skyholme,” he laughed. “Do what you must. I trust your judgment and know you will not abandon the islands.” Sebastian offered some details on the two Harbingers. They were newer ships, and he just wanted the runes topped off as he expected an intense battle. Neither ship would take long to service and replenish the gold and platinum in the runes.
Sebastian left, and I took the Maelstrom to the Black Spire. I was happy to see the Sky Wraith in the cradle and a number of workers constructing the barracks. Isla had gotten the construction going again. Freya was off the ship with the cats flanking her and Monty, trying to keep them from getting too close but they were more agile and teased the over-sized herding dog.
Looking around, the grounds had come a long way and were manicured and had flowering trees and bushes. Pakkam approached me in the silvery gray uniform that Isla apparently had everyone wearing, from the Shiny Platinum guards to the Spire staff and guards.
“Nice clothes,” I told him. The delve teams were probably her next fashion victims.
“Yes, I talked with Isla to get the adjustments to the next batch. They are not terrible and we need them for your dinner, High Mage.” Pakkam said, fingering his shirt.
My mind clicked, and I remembered that I had given Isla funds to host a dinner on the fourth floor of the Spire for visiting dignitaries. “Is that still happening with everything coming at us?”
“Apparently so. It is going to have some Sadian captains from their Navy ships. And some of ours as well. I wanted to remind you that there are only forty-one of us.” Pakkam said patiently. I nodded and realized my contract required that I have a minimum of fifty guards at the Spire. My lesser restoration was now at level 21, and in two more levels, I would be able to regrow the limbs of Wolfsguard living on my grounds.
“I know. I have six days to add nine more competent guards. Are there any other Wolfsguard available?” he was already shaking his head to the negative.
“They are crewing the Wasps. There will be more in time, but we take the duty seriously. This was all we could spare.” He put on a massive wolfish smile, “The females who went into the dungeon are with child. The dungeon delivered. The Wolfsguard will not die out, Storme. We owe you more than you know. We think we can even shift the bond to another. Well, share it, as erasing the original bond is not possible.”
“Fantastic, Pakkam. I am truly happy for your people.” I pointed at the Sky Wraith. “That ship will be yours to command. Get familiar with it and train a good crew. It has one duty—rescue the children of the Citadel if requested. Plan to move the Wolfsguard villagers into the Spire as well as the farmers when the attack comes. As you know the walls are aether stone and impenetrable.”
He nodded, and I told him my plans, “I am heading to Llorth after I get my sister settled in the Spire.”
“Guards will be ready…” I stopped him.
“It is a friendly city, and we are just going there and back. I will only be taking Cilia, Leda, Bleiz, and the cats.” I told him as we walked to the Spire.
The grounds were livelier, with Freya running with the animals and Wolfsguard patrolling in their uniforms. It looked like everyone else was inside the Spire. I found them celebrating on the first floor, but it was good for them to unwind now. There was still a lot of work ahead of us.
I found Isla on the third floor getting preparing one of the suites. “Is this for Freya?”
She turned to me, “No I was told to prepare a suite for Princess Amelia.”