Chapter 144: Luxury Suites
“Why is the Princess coming here, Isla?” I sounded calm and probably should have predicted this.
The color from Isla’s face drained a little, “She…Loriel…I…they said you said…I…”
I held up my communication stone, “You have one. Ask me next time to confirm.”
Isla apologized and explained, “With the attack coming, they thought it was the most secure place was the best place for the Princess. I thought…” She stopped talking as my patience was wearing thin, “I will confirm with you next time,” she conceded.
“No, I will tell her no when she arrives,” I said firmly. Something was growing during the four-day trip, but after seeing how similar she was to Loriel, I think I developed an aversion to women in power. Isla nodded and resisted saying something. I ordered, “Get my sister settled. Give her a room and set her up with tutors from the capital. I am going to recruit a magic teacher for her.” Isla nodded and went to the adjacent suite, motioning two servants in the silvery gray uniforms to follow. I walked up to the fourth floor to survey it.
All the glass windows had been replaced, and a single short stone balcony was facing the city. This balcony was new, so I walked out on it. It extended about ten feet, and it was not just a balcony but a skyship ramp. Six large stones and mooring lines were present. I guessed it was to allow guests to depart without having to walk up the stairs. The balcony did give a remarkable view, and even though the black tones of the stone were slightly off-color from the tower, I decided to keep it after the party.
Above me were one hundred and fifty feet of the Black Spire was still over me. The sealed space was the private apartments of the Haikarum mage who had shattered the island. The protective magics must be tied to a powerful aether stone to remain strong and active for so long. When I had time, I would begin to explore the defenses. Maybe Sana Velin might have a lead on someone who could break them? I needed to talk with her anyway to convince her to train Freya in the basics of magic.
I admitted the massive open room was an ideal place to hold a function with the incredible views. Only a few Wolfsguard bedrolls remained. And heavy wooden tables and chairs were stacked against one wall. They were probably delivered on a skyship.
I left the tower, heading toward the farm to make sure Mera and Fera’s brother and wife were settled. The cats noticed me and chased me. “Freya!” I yelled, stopping her. “Get settled in the tower with Isla. There will be time to explore the estate later.” A disappointed Freya went into the tower with an exhausted Monty.
I passed men and women in silvery uniforms working on the grounds. They were clearing old paths in an expansive garden they were reclaiming. I guess that is what wealthy people did. They had extravagant things that only they enjoyed.
The farmhouse looked refinished on the outside. I knocked and was shown around by the twin’s excitable brother and introduced the baby. I kept the cats outside as I toured the large farmhouse. It had a dozen bedrooms, all with new floors and painted walls and ceilings. He wanted to show his fields, but I passed as I was pressed for time. The Wolfsguard worked the aether fields near the farmhouse, and the white barely fields were further afield. As long as he was working hard, I was happy with him.
The long walk to the Wolfsguard village was next. The apple orchard was being tended to by the crippled Wolfsguard. I was getting close to being able to help them. I walked into the Wolfsguard town. The meeting hall and the general store were the only two buildings currently complete.
There were dozens of men working, though, and the stone mage was raising two buildings as I watched. Asger approached me, “High Mage, all goes well, and I did not think this promise would be fulfilled. I am happy I have been proved wrong. It is good you did not die in the lowlands as we had feared.”
“You say the sweetest things, Asger. I came to ask if there are any in your care who would join my Spire Guard? I need nine more to fulfill my obligation to the Triumvirate. I know we only talked about training the guards, but I am short on time, and an attack is imminent.”
“We heard the news of Black Marauders. The boy you left with us is one of them,” he looked around but didn’t see him. “He has tried running four times since yesterday. Does he not know there is nowhere to go?” He laughed. “Two of my people are watching him and teaching him about picking apples.”
“So you have no one?” I asked, thinking he avoided the question on purpose.
The old Wolfsguard sighed, but smiled. “We can fill your roles. Twelve men and two women, some of the oldest among us but ready to serve with a weapon in their hand again. Do you want them to report to Pakkam?” Asher asked as we walked through the construction. Piles of dropped stones were everywhere.
“Yes, they can see Pakkam, and I thank them for coming to my call. There is a new ship docked at the Spire, the Sky Wraith. That is where they will serve. Barracks are being built between the skyship cradles now,” I answered him.
I spent another hour talking with Asger about the orchards and the aether fields he was managing. The first harvest was being accelerated with magic and would soon be up for sale to the alchemists. I told him to find my new alchemist, Otto, and see about pricing and uses. I had not checked on Otto but knew he and Lachlan were not getting along.
I walked back to the Black Spire, having put in an appearance to let everyone know their High Mage was alive. When I reached the Spire, I noticed Loriel’s Harbinger, the Heaven’s Descent, occupied the other cradle. I could see Loriel, Bylura, Princess Amelia, and Loriel’s Wolfsguard bodyguard talking to Isla at the Black Spire entrance. I walked casually up to them, the cats darting into the gardens after something.
Loriel had her fabricated smile on, “Storme! Everything looks so great! You restored the Spire to glory in such a short time. I came to drop off Amelia and her things.”
“It will not be necessary. I have plans for all the suites in the Spire, and none are currently available. You really should have checked first,” I said politely.
Amelia had a hurt look on her face, “Surely you can squeeze me and my attendant in somewhere? You can even utilize my two guards while I am here and Gemma Hellvein as well.” I looked and recognized the air mage standing on the deck of the Harbinger.
Loriel stepped in, “You do need a few more guards to fulfill your quota. It is important that you are prepared with conflict seemingly inevitable.”
“I have some Wolfsguard from the estate coming to full fill the requirement. I will exceed the threshold in the contract, Loriel. I have enough to keep track of without having to worry about the safety of the Princess.” I was still calm but taking a firm stance.
Loriel bit her lip, “It would be a sizable favor to the Triumvirate. What if we gave you another day of unfettered access to the Progenitor Dungeon?”
My rejection was caught in my throat. Princess Amelia was looking back and forth between me and Loriel, amused. It was clear Loriel had been caught as she had seemingly promised the Princess residence in the Black Spire. The price she was willing to pay was astronomical in comparison. I suspected she needed the trade deal with the Principality of Marstom.
“Two more days. Three days in total, the fifth, sixth, and seventh day,” I stated, and Loriel’s eyes hardened in consideration. She was weighing in her mind the benefit her trade alliance with the Principality of Marstom was bringing to Skyholme. I added, “And it will be in writing, and I also only extend a suite to the Princess until after the attack has passed. But it the suite has four rooms.”
“I think that is most agreeable, don’t you, Loriel?” The Princess smiled broadly. She was clearly thinking she had won me something in the little power struggle with Loriel and just like Loriel was expecting to call in a future favor.
“I can agree to that, High Mage,” Loriel said but didn’t look happy, which meant it was a win for me. Maybe she was faking her unhappiness; either way, I was counting it a win. Three days of dungeon access meant I could expand delve operations and possibly even exports. There was blood marble deeper in the dungeon that I knew was highly valuable.
“Isla, it looks like the Princess is staying after all. Make the needed arrangements to feed her two guards, mage, and attendant,” I said with a smile.
“You will be having meals with me, will you not?” The Princess said, sounding hurt.
“Unfortunately, I am leaving for Llorth in the morning,” I replied with a false look of disappointment.
“Really? I always wanted to visit the dark elf city,” the Princess said excitedly. Before I could object, she added, “I will even take care of my own safety,” she pointed at her two guards and Hemma.
I sensed I was not getting out of this. “What is the going rate for a round trip to Llorth on a skyship?”
The Princess was doing the math in her head, mumbling the milage aloud as she went, “So that would be 44 gold per passenger each way. We can just say fifty gold. So, two hundred and fifty each way for five? Agreed?” she asked with a smile.
I considered, “I don’t know. The ships of Marstom would take nearly eight days to get there. I will get there in half a day. That should be worth more consideration. Maybe five hundred each way?”
The Princess smirked, “Llorth has a portal gate, and the cost is only a few gold. We can travel down to Goldreach and use the portal to get there faster than the Maelstrom.”
“Excellent! You can do that. I hope to see you in Llorth.” I said with my own smirk.
The Princess countered, still smiling, “Five hundred gold each way is acceptable.” She produced five of her kingdom’s platinum and handed them to me. “I will get my crew ready and let Captain Volantis know I am traveling.” She left, and I was left with Loriel and Bylura.
“Are you going to move your ship? It was never supposed to land here, and I have been told it was stationed here during my extended absence.” I told the de facto ruler of Skyholme.
“It was necessary, and I moved it on notification of your return, Storme.” She was defensive but quickly turned friendly, “You did a service bringing the Principality to Skyholme. The added defense and trade possibilities will be lucrative. But we do need to survive this threat from the Black Marauders.”
A Harbinger ship appeared overhead, one of the newer ones. I looked up, and chuckled at the name: Stormbreaker. “That would be a ship from Sebastian for me to replenish the runes on Loriel. I believe you are parked in his spot.” With that, I left and boarded the Sky Wraith.
Pakkam was on deck and smiled at me, “Your shipbuilder is below deck. I think he is in love.”
“Who?” I asked, confused.
“He introduced himself as Rippon. He has never seen a ship like this before and is more than a little impressed. We are still familiarizing ourselves with it. Another day or two, and I would say we will be ready for combat.” Pakkam bowed, scratching his new silvery uniform.
“Good, but this ship is not to attack, just defend the Spire and ferry the innocents from Skyhold Citadel. Remember that. I wanted to let you know to expect twelve older Wolfsguard from the Village to complete your crew,” I said, and Pakkam nodded.
I wanted to go to the Mage Academy in the capital to talk with Selina, but I didn’t have time. I whistled for the cats to come, and they dashed out of the bushes and followed me into the tower. I found Talia getting the delvers situated on the second floor. We had twenty full-time delvers now, with six candidates. I told her the news about getting three days’ access to Progenitor Dungeon, and she was not happy. “Storme, We need more delvers! You should have also spaced out our access so we had time to recover. We cannot utilize a dungeon for three continuous days.”
“Sell time slots then. Hire more delvers. You are in charge, Talia. Figure it out,” I said patiently. “Also, talk to your great-grandmother and see if she will train my sister in magic. Freya is not remarkable, but she will work hard.”
Many emotions played on her face, but she finally answered, “I understand. I will talk with her and figure out the dungeon allocation. You know we must still delve for honey in the Frost Vault to produce the frost mead.”
“Glad you have things in hand. If anyone is looking for me, I will be on the Stormbreaker doing rune refurbishment,” I said, patting her back reassuringly. I couldn’t solve every problem.
I was familiar with the Harbinger as I had done her original runic work before she was named. The Harbinger had been heavily used since I did the initial work weeks ago. The captain ordered his men off the ship, as was my preference, although it did not matter who knew how fast I could work now. The cats followed me around the ship but were bored as I worked. It was just four hours until I finished and returned to the Spire, mentally exhausted from the intense focus needed.
One of the attendants took me to my newly renovated suite, which was nice to know where it was. It had three bedrooms, and Freya was set up in one of them. Bleiz was in the other. The Spire did not have plumbing but did have toilets with cleanliness runes on them. I fed and worked with the cats before finally lying down in the comfortable bed.
I had forgotten to set my runes, so the knock surprised me. My absolute time spell told me I had fallen asleep for an hour. An excited Freya was at the door, “Storme, this place is amazing! You even have your own dungeon! Does father and mother know?”
“Pakkam said he would work with me on my sword forms when Bleiz wasn’t around, and Talia said she was going to find a spell instructor for me!” She leaned in close, “I didn’t tell her I knew it was Sana Velin.” I yawned and messed up her hair. “Stop that! I came to get you for dinner.”
We went upstairs to the fourth floor, where the tables and twelve place settings had been set up. Isla, Talia, Sammie, Lana, Remy, Rippon, and Namira were already eating. Princess Amelia was at the head of the table, patiently waiting for me before starting. Her maid was standing behind her chair, looking disturbed at the lack of decorum. Freya did not wait either and started eating, and Beliz also appeared and sat.
I seated myself at the other end so I would have to stare at the Princess while I ate. The food was good but not inspired. I listened to everyone talk, and others came and sat, ate, and left as the meal progressed. Each time, the plates were cleared, and more food was brought out. I had to feed the delvers as part of their contract, so this rotation must be how it was being worked out.
The Princess observed the entire time and only talked when spoken to. Most of the delvers didn’t realized she was royalty. It was a little unnerving like I was under some type of microscope. Through the glass windows, I saw the second Harbinger ship land as dinner progressed. I planned to finish that before getting any extended rest. I wanted to leave as early as possible.
I excused myself, and Adrial and Kiara followed. Both were full of scraps being fed from the table. This Harbinger ship was The Favored Wind. It was another new Harbinger but one I had not completed myself. It took almost six hours to do that work as I had to correct several mistakes. Well, not mistakes, just lazy runic work. I was starting to think of artificing as more of an art form than a manufacturing process.
It was extremely early in the morning when I scooped up the sleeping cats. They were getting heavy. They leaped out of my arms to the ground when I stepped off the ship. The Navy captain saluted me and boarded. His men had milled around the area, and if this was going to be a regular thing, then I should perhaps make someplace for them to rest. Maybe a tavern off the barracks that was being built for the Wolfsguard. It could serve the same fare as the Shiny Platinum, but maybe a limited menu.
The Maelstrom was nearby and I boarded. Bleiz appeared to my right. He must have been invisible the entire time I worked on the Harbinger watching over me. “Are we leaving?”
“Yes, go and wake Cilia and Leda. I guess the Princess, as well. I want to be on our way in an hour. I plan to get some sleep myself on the trip there.” Bleiz disappeared, and I checked the runes on the Maelstrom. The mithril would not degrade, but the platinum that insulated the mithril runes would.
I actually had to use all five coins and another twelve from my storage to do the runes. That was seventeen hundred gold worth of platinum gone just like that. The Maelstrom was also seeing heavy use and could have flown for maybe six more months before needing to be replenished, but since I was working on the aether cannons soon, I needed the insulators in perfect order.
I made a list of everything I needed to be artificed before the Black Marauders arrived:
1) Protective rings for Father, Mother, Freya, Pascal
2) Weapons for 42 Wolfsguard on the Sky Wraith
3) Feather Fall rings for all 52 Wolfsguard on the Sky Wraith
4) Weapons, rings, and protective items for Mia and the two guards watching my parents
5) Aether Disruptor Cannon for the Maelstrom
6) Aether Cannon for the Maelstrom
It was a long list and a lot of work, but it was all necessary. The cannons were last on my list because both required adamantine. I just did not have a source or spare aether to create it.
I heard Princess Amelia board with Gemma, her guards, and the attendant. Cilia and Leda were talking right behind them. Bleiz knocked on the door to my captain’s cabin. “Storme, everyone who is coming is aboard.”
“Tell Cilia and Leda best speed to Llorth. I will be sleeping,” I replied. I set my privacy screens and alarms and closed my eyes, instantly falling asleep.