Spellscribed: Conviction, page 33
“You mean your mother, Valeria?” Valzoa asked. “Yes. I found out much after our meeting, and our continued conversations had helped me make a new friend.”
“Just a friend?” a familiar female’s voice came from the balcony doorway. “I would think that we’ve moved beyond just friends.”
Endrance turned to see Jalyin standing in the doorway, her arms crossed below her breasts and a smirk on her face; the elven assassin that had only a month before put six daggers into his back… though she had supposedly been on his side.
“Y-you!” he stammered, remembering to breathe.
The elven woman was almost as tall as Valzoa, with a tanned skin and black inky hair she had done up into a bun, with a pair of needle-like knives holding it in place. She wasn’t wearing the black leather getup that he’d only ever seen her on before. Instead, she wore a black silk, side slit dress that left nothing to the imagination, though even with how tightly it fit, she probably still had some kind of weaponry concealed on her person. Bangles of silver and gold adorned her wrists, and a platinum ring set with diamonds adorned the middle finger of her left hand.
“Yes! Her!” Valzoa said, his grin not fading, but perhaps taking on an edge of preparation in case Endrance were to react unfavorably. “I guess you could say she’s been my… how do you humans put it? Date?”
“He tracked me down after our last encounter in Balator.” Jalyin explained, walking up to the dinner table and reaching for a chair. Valzoa flicked his fingers, and a tightly controlled gust of wind both pulled the chair out for her, and turned it slightly towards her. “Thank you.” She said, sitting.
“It was right about the time you were setting out to leave.” Valzoa said. “I had been trying to track her down, since I had started taking a liking to you, and I had finally figured on a way to get her to stop hunting you.”
“He had managed to track down my Matron, and convince her to give up the job I was on.” Jalyin said. “Which, if you knew my Matron at all, you would know requires a degree of bravado that only fools and great men can exhibit.”
“The fact that I did it and lived, proves I am the latter.” Valzoa quipped.
“So he comes to me, flying in like some kind of god, and he comes down right in front of me.” She continued, taking Valzoa’s glass and sipping his wine. “He says that he has a new job for me, and that he’ll pay double what I was paid to kill you; to kill my client instead.”
“Oh.” Endrance said, sitting back. He wasn’t sure if he should be on guard, but the two of them seemed to be getting along together, and he did trust Valzoa. The elf did help get Bridget’s arm back.
“But you already knew what had happened, so I had to explain the situation to him.” She said.
“Which, I’m most displeased that you got to see… more of her before I could. You rapscallion.” Valzoa said amusedly, earning a glare from Jalyin. “The circle is a pretty tattoo, by the way.”
“Anyway, we now have had some time to compare notes. You kept sending him messages with your little sprites, and we could travel much faster than you could on foot. So, we set the way for you to get here.” She continued.
“I used the money that I was going to use to have Valeria killed, which would have been a waste of funds and a beautiful civil servant.” Valzoa continued. “And instead, spent it throughout Ironsoul and Salthimere, paving the way for your arrival and assured success.”
“Then… why did you nearly kill me?” Endrance demanded of Jalyin, scowling. “I very nearly died in that courtroom!”
Jalyin hung her head. “I… I made a mistake.” She said. “I apologize. It was a miscalculation. I saw that you had a Grandstaff and I thought it would have moved to defend you. I didn’t realize that you hadn’t bonded with it yet.”
“Endrance. This was partially my fault.” Valzoa added. “I thought that if they saw her still trying to assassinate you, they’d realize that you were indeed framed. I didn’t realize she’d have trouble pulling her punches.”
“Yes. I was too good.” Jalyin shrugged. “Force of habit.”
“I accept your apology, though I am still trying to figure out how you two can get along so well.” Endrance said, taking a drink. “I mean, she killed like a dozen people when she was after me.”
Valzoa looked puzzled. “It… was the job. An assassin is a servant of the kingdom. They’re a safety to protect against corruption in our society. Someone went through great effort to convince a matron of one of the three greatest guilds in Salthimere that you were a threat to our kind.”
“So, I took the job. Of course, now that I’ve finally returned home to report the client deceived her, the matron is in quite a state.” Jalyin admitted. “I’m actually on probation for a little while.”
“More of a forced vacation, really.” Valzoa added.
“That seems awfully- wait a minute!” Endrance interjected. “I still want to know why you brought me to Salthimere!”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Jalyin asked. “You’re here because Valeria had to do some serious work to hire my guild to target you. From what I’ve had to go through, I have no doubt that she has no way of entering our lands, nor can she risk doing more than sending a proxy in her stead.”
“How can you be so sure she doesn’t have influence here?” Endrance demanded. “She was an Archmagus.”
“Because of those.” Jalyin said, pointing. Endrance turned to find his Grandstaff standing peacefully just within his reach. “The Grandstaves are a symbol of our practitioners.”
“Aren’t all elves able to use magic?” Endrance asked. “You’re a latently magic race.”
“Do you understand how we have our pursuits?” Valzoa asked. Endrance shook his head. The elven male shrugged. “That’s probably why that doesn’t make much sense to you.”
“Huh?”
“We live such long lives as a species, and our culture has developed in a way that incorporates that.” Valzoa explained. “We each, upon our third decade, select a pursuit. It is a field of profession that the elf devotes his or her life to for the next decade. They throw themselves into that pursuit, and it is what they do with themselves. Money is, in general, pooled among a family, so most elves don’t have to worry about how much income they make off of their pursuits. Instead, they only choose to do what they love.”
“Even if it’s something they don’t love to do, it’s only a decade; so they can try something different the next cycle.” Valzoa continued. “I personally was absolutely bored with all the money management pursuits, and much to my father’s dismay, took up dueling instead.”
“That’s… an official pursuit?” Endrance asked. “Dueling?”
“Well, of course.” Valzoa replied with a warm smile. “Despite our rather harmonious culture, there will always be disputes and the best way to resolve conflicts that neither side is willing to back down from, is to decide it on a duel. That’s where the duelist pursuits come in. We can be hired for a reasonable fee to take a person’s place as their second. This way, even a grain farmer can argue with a soldier and still win.”
“Their duels are also very flashy.” Jalyin added. “Fancy moves and specialized magic. You really should see a match or two between duelists. It’s breathtaking.”
“Why, thank you.” Valzoa said.
“Not very practical in a real fight, but breathtaking nonetheless.” Jalyin added with a wink.
“So… the Grandstaves are the symbol of an elf who chose to study magic as a pursuit?” Endrance guessed. “Not just the little bits that you each have an affinity for, but all kinds of magic like our Circle mages?”
Valzoa nodded. “Absolutely correct.” He said. “They’re also not something that someone can craft after just a decade of practice, either. Our most recent Grandstaff was made by a practitioner who had been following that pursuit for twelve cycles.”
“A hundred and twenty years.” Endrance said. “I didn’t even make it myself, and the staff took less than three months to craft, from one end to the other.”
“That’s pretty preposterous.” Valzoa said. “No wonder Lior didn’t believe you.”
“Do you doubt me?” Endrance asked.
“Not at all, my friend.” Valzoa replied quickly. “After what I’ve heard you accomplish in such a short time, it’s no wonder you managed to pull it off. But, I have to admit, I’m curious how you knew about the Grandstaves.”
“I’m curious as well.” Jalyin said, raising a perfect eyebrow.
Endrance shrugged. “My bodyguard, Joven, did all the manual labor. I guess I just contributed the motivation and the bone that formed the base. He said some elf in Ironsoul named Meryl told him about it, and even sold him the rest of the components.”
“Meryl?” Jalyin asked. “That sounds like a humanized name.”
“Probably.” Endrance agreed. “She sells magical components to mages in our city. Joven said she imports rare components from here.”
“Smuggles it, more likely.” Jalyin said. “We don’t exactly have normal trade routes into Salthimere.”
“Either way, I can’t wait to see the old fool’s face when he hears an unlettered barbarian managed to make a Grandstaff in a hundredth of the time it took him to make one.” Valzoa said, laughing.
Jalyin looked concerned. “I laugh in the face of many threats, Valzoa, but even I wouldn’t joke like that about one of the masters.”
“Endrance will be polite, won’t you?” Valzoa asked.
The young mage nodded. “Of course.” he said. “But we’re getting off subject.”
“Oh yes.” Valzoa snapped his fingers. “Our long term practitioners are all at least a millennia into the pursuit, and have woven magics the likes of which you won’t see in human lands. They protect our borders from magical transportation, whether it’s over the sea, or land, or sky, or even stepping beyond.”
“Your mother would have to literally walk across the Sea of Glass without magical transport, something I can confirm she lacks the kind of support to do.” Jalyin said. “Though, I suppose she could always steal Joven’s horse.”
“Wait… how did you know about that?” Endrance asked.
Jalyin shrugged. “Because I was there.” She admitted. “Actually the most difficult part of our little journey.”
“I don’t understand.”
Jalyin rolled her eyes. “I was literally your shadow, Endrance. Or, at least part of it.” She explained. “I was with you from the day you left Ironsoul.”
“You were?” Endrance knew it was possible. She had the ability to literally meld into shadows, becoming essentially undetectable to all but his ability to sense active magic. “I didn’t detect you with us the whole time.”
“Thank you.” She replied. “It took me a while to figure it out, but you can only sense when I activate my abilities, not while they are in use. Afterward, I learned that it was relatively easy to slip from shadow to shadow until I met up with yours.”
“That trip took weeks.” Endrance said. “And then in Kaelob’s fort…”
“I stayed well away from that hole in space.” Jalyin replied. “Though, I did take the time waiting for you to return to poke around Kaelob’s basement.”
“How did you know I was still alive?” Endrance asked.
“Your familiar hadn’t disappeared.” She replied. “Oh, and you should wait until you’re given permission to recall him. I know that the fire elementalists would love to have a chat with him.”
Endrance sat quietly for a moment, sipping his wine. “Were you the one who jabbed me in the foot?” Endrance asked.
“In the Sunken Tower? Yes.” Jalyin said. “I needed you to be on guard.”
“Why?” the wizard asked in response. “Did you know that the sand hornets would attack?”
“I’ll tell you in a bit.” Jalyin snapped. “First, we need to discuss your itinerary while you’re here.”
“Fine.” Endrance speared a vegetable and took a bite out of it, while he reined in his frustration. Whatever it was, it looked like a purple carrot and was delicious.
“You are to meet with Ambassador Rasmiel.” Valzoa said, “But since our political affairs take some time, we had our appointment pushed back a little bit.”
“Okay.” Endrance said after swallowing. “How long? A few days?”
Valzoa shook his head. “Not so lucky, I’m afraid.” He replied. “We should be able to see him in a few seasons. Probably nine months or so. A year at most.”
“Nine months!” Endrance exclaimed. “I’m only supposed to be here for three years!”
“In our eyes, that’s like a visiting dignitary spending a month in your kingdom.” Jalyin replied.
Endrance sighed. “So what am I going to do in the meantime?” he took a bite of another vegetable, and swallowed without tasting it. “What are my companions going to do in the meantime?”
“I’m glad you asked, my friend.” Valzoa responded. “I’ve already dropped a little pocket money, and I’ve got a few of our best tutors lined up to teach you everything you can learn about how our politics work here.”
“Great.” Endrance said flatly. “That sounds exciting.”
“It will likely be so boring, that you’d rather Jalyin be trying to kill you again.” Valzoa admitted. “I’m sorry.”
“Actually I will be trying to kill you.” Jalyin added.
“Great.” Endrance said, not registering what she said until a second later. “Wait, what?” Endrance exclaimed, scooting back in his seat.
Jalyin chuckled. “Not like I was before.” She said. “Every evening, after the suns go down, I’ve got you to myself for a few hours.”
“Lucky.” Valzoa jokingly grumbled.
“And he failed to mention that he also recruited a few of our practitioners to tutor you in our magic before those lessons.” Jalyin added, elbowing Valzoa in the ribs. “You’re going to be so busy, that I doubt that you’ll get much time to do any sightseeing, I’m afraid.”
“What part of your magic will I be studying?” Endrance inquired.
Jalyin and Valzoa exchanged a glance. “He says it’s to round out your incomplete education, but I think it’s the best chance you have of destroying Valeria.” Jalyin stated. “For either reason, it’s going to be our life magic.”
Endrance couldn’t help but smile. “Fantastic!” He said. “I can’t tell you how many times I found myself wishing I had that already.”
“Good.” Valzoa said. “So, shall I show you around before we begin?”
“What about my friends? What about Giselle?” Endrance asked. “I don’t want them to be neglected, especially Giselle.”
“Your adopted daughter is going to be well taken care of, and given an education along with our children.” Valzoa assured him. “And she will be able to spend the mornings with you, before you go through your training. Her room is also right next to yours.”
“And the others?”
“They are already exploring Salthimere, with guides of course.” Jalyin added. “They’ll be encouraged to try out our lifestyle for the time being, and take on a pursuit.”
“Their rooms are also near yours, so you will all be able to spend time together in the mornings before the day’s events.” Valzoa finished. “I’m sure they will have many great things to tell you.”
Endrance closed his eyes, thinking. He took another sip of his wine. This place had an air of serenity that made him feel at ease. Perhaps the elves would treat him as an inferior, but here he was almost entirely clear of any of Valeria’s influence. He could do his duty to his kingdom of origin, and learn a magic that was practically ignored by his own circle of practitioners.
He didn’t exactly like the idea of Jalyin training him in the evenings, but he would have to endure it as best as possible. She was no longer after him… right?
“All right.” He said, opening his eyes. “Your proposal makes sense.”
“Excellent!” Valzoa said, standing. “We should get started now. With only three years to get you into shape, we have very little time.”
“Maybe for an elf, my friend.” Endrance countered. “You’ll be surprised how much a human can get done in just a year.”
Valzoa slightly bowed his head towards him. “Of course.” He replied. “Of course.”
* * *
“This is Pullar, a secondary attendant to Ambassador Rasmiel.” Valzoa introduced a lean, young looking elf to Endrance. “He will be instructing you on our political landscape, and proper courtesies during negotiations.”
Endrance, Valzoa, and the attendant Pullar were standing in a small meeting room in the base of the Dawntree of Salthimere. The tree was so large, Endrance thought that he might be able to see Talos’ tower from the top branches, if he could climb to the top. The room itself was a small chamber grown into the tree’s trunk, small, roughly spherical with a smooth flat floor covered in a decorative, brightly colored rug. In the center of the room, rose a single-legged table through a hole cut in the rug. The table was perfectly round, and the grain swirled through the top surface in a pretty, undulating wave pattern. There were no chairs, but the wall to the right of the door had a shelf grown out of the wood that held a decanter of water and two expertly crafted glasses that had been made to look like cupped rose petals.
The male was taller than Endrance, but actually leaner, smooth-skinned and baby faced. Endrance’s appearance hadn’t exactly hardened or anything, but he had grown a little since he had set out. His cheeks had lost some of their roundness, and his body had finally started filling out. He hoped that perhaps, in another year or two, people would stop confusing him for a woman, at the least.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Endrance of Ironsoul.” Pullar said graciously, bowing his head. Endrance noted that while he bowed, he never bowed so low that he took his eyes off of him. Endrance mirrored the gesture, keeping his eyes on the man as well.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, too, Attendant Pullar.” Endrance responded. “I will do everything I can to learn quickly and effectively.”
“Of that I have been assured.” Pullar replied. “I risk a minor reprimand if I get discovered aiding a foreign party, but such things are not strictly outlawed either.”
