Chapter 533: Arrangements (1/2)

Claire listened in silence, pouring her third drink before she downed it.

Ilea summoned a meal and started eating, leaning back in her ashen chair.

[Mage – lvl 262]

“I see you leveled again,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Okay… but you understand that I don’t want that thing here? If you really manage to get it out of Erendar and Baralia,” Claire said.

“Of course. I don’t plan to have it anywhere near the human plains. If it’s hostile, it will just kill everyone around. And if it’s not, the beings it helps awaken will be hunted down by humans. I’ll find a place,” she said. “But as I said… there’s no way so far to get it here. And we need it to close the gate.”

“Is that why you’re considering it?” Claire asked. “To get further with the teleportation gate research?”

“A possible benefit, sure. But I trust Iana and Christopher to figure it out in time anyway,” she said.

Claire laughed.

“Hopefully, yes. You just can’t help yourself, can you?” she asked. “You help the Golden Lily, an organization likely responsible for Eve’s death, connected to hundreds of criminal organizations within the human plains and beyond…,”

“For the purpose of preventing dangerous rituals,” Ilea interjected.

“Then you go on to support members of the Order of Truth, the very organization responsible for the aforementioned rituals…,” Claire continued.

“Because it was just a splinter group within the Order who orchestrated the rituals,” Ilea mused, shoveling green noodles into her face.

“You then go on to help Yinnahall’s more rebellious officials in overthrowing the local High King supporters with the goal of independence. A slaver city,” Claire said.

“Not anymore,” Ilea said.

Claire rubbed her brow and poured herself another drink.

“And what the fuck am I supposed to do with all this shit?” she asked, gesturing to the three large bowls on her table.

The bowls had held a variety of delicious soups prepared by Keyla. One was a potato based creation mixing in various other vegetables and a few daring spices Ilea hadn’t been able to place.

The second one had bordered on a stew, mostly using a monster boar’s flesh coupled with its bones to create a wonderfully hearty dish. The boars roamed small forested parts of the most southern Lys territories, their tastes mostly geared towards herbs and mushrooms that grew in their habitat.

Keyla had added those to the mix to make the dish savory but not overwhelming.

The last bowl had held minced pieces of a dangerous shark like creature that terrorized fishermen all along the coastline. Their level wasn’t exceptionally high but the same held true for most seamen trying to make a living.

Keyla had informed her that the sharks were incredibly cheap, their meat tough, slightly poisonous, and most importantly downright appalling in taste. She kept the secret of how she turned those factors around to herself but apparently it had to do with fermenting.

Ilea definitely wanted more of that one.

Right now the bowls weren’t quite as interesting to her anymore, holding approximately one thousand and eight hundred gold coins.

“I don’t know, spend it?” Ilea asked.

Claire sighed, a pleading look in her eyes. “When will your terror end?” she asked in an exaggerated voice.

Ilea pointed at her with a fork. “Be happy I’m not dumping the twenty crates of treasure on you!”

“Who’s gonna get that?” Claire asked, squinting at her.

“Trian. And the Sentinels. What self respecting headquarters of a mysterious Order doesn’t have a vault with treasure?” Ilea said. “But seriously, he can use the funds and the members can check it for gear. I’m sure many of the metals could be used for the same.”

“Yeah. Maybe the Shadowguard can have a look at the lower quality items. Though their equipment is becoming quite impressive as it is,” Claire said.

“Is the information enough for you to write a request and handle the cities?” Ilea asked.

“It is. I’m just very busy at the moment. With both work and training. Would it be alright if some of it is handled by my assistants? They’re trustworthy and I will only delegate the less important bits,” Claire said.

“Of course. It’s not like we absolutely need the influence in Yinnahall but right now is the time to strike. The impressions I left behind are strongest now. I’m sure they will have forgotten about me in a few months,” Ilea said and continued eating.

Claire smiled. “Yes, I doubt that.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Ilea said with a smile.

“How have things gone in Ravenhall? Anything noteworthy?” she asked.

“The influx of people immigrating from various parts of the plains and the west has been steady. Just as much as our expansion into the mountain below. Our early estimates will have to be expanded soon enough but I doubt it will be an issue. Morhill’s reconstruction and defense enhancements are coming along nicely,” Claire said.

“Balduur doing a good job?” Ilea asked.

“He’s one of many. The independence from the Empire attracts a lot of capable workers and adventurers. Some of them have contributed quite a bit of wisdom for defensive improvements, ways to deal with the local wildlife, and various other topics like plumbing. I believe it’s some kind of frontier spirit. Even though we’re not exactly near a frontier,” Claire explained.

“Maybe just the independence then? I’m sure a lot of people who would’ve gone to the western cities have come here instead. Same with refugees or previous slaves,” Ilea said.

“Oh yes. Definitely. We provide a lot of options and opportunities without actually being in an area heavily contested by dangerous creatures. Or with a close proximity to Elves,” she said. “Though Alistair will surely have his hands full in the coming months anyway.”

Ilea finished her plate and stored it. “If the negotiations with the Empire go well, the ex Baralia cities shouldn’t be the worst place to live in.”

“Hopefully not, no. But it’s understandable that a slave wouldn’t necessarily want to work in the same place they had been exploited in for the past decades,” Claire said. “Though a journey south is dangerous and potentially expensive. Many may choose to stay nonetheless. You did well, interfering in Yinnahall as you have.”

“Thanks. I’ll visit them again to see how things are going,” Ilea said. “Trian isn’t around?”

“He’s out of town. Training mission with one of your squads, I believe,” Claire said.

“I’m so glad that the two of your are here to take care of these things,” Ilea said.

Claire smiled. “You say that every time you’re here. You provided the resources, the name, the knowledge, and in the case of the Sentinels, much of the initial training. Neither of us could have managed that. And it’s not like you’ve stopped,” she said and gestured to the gold pots.

“I just enjoy myself and bring you the spoils,” Ilea said.

“Didn’t sound like the war was particularly enjoyable for you,” Claire said and took a sip of her drink. “Well… I enjoy myself too. It’s sad that my father isn’t around to see where I stand now.”

Ilea smiled. “I’m sure he would be proud.”

“Oh not at all. He’d be absolutely livid. Me? The administrator of Ravenhall? Putting peasants into positions of power, investing and distributing wealth to improve everyone’s standard of living?” she said and laughed, looking a little embarrassed after she had calmed down. “I suppose… I’m a little unfair. He even took on dangerous assignments in the end, to change our situation and earn funds. Instead of just complaining until there was nothing left at all.”

“What about your mother?” Ilea asked, unsure how to react to any of that.

“She’s been well. I think. It’s difficult to tell with her but sometimes she lights up when Cless is around… or when she helps with the crops. But I’m not sure if she’ll ever be the same again,” she said.

Ilea smiled. “How do you think she’d react to everything that happened?”

“Mother… I’m sure she’d find some ways I hadn’t exactly done my work in the most efficient way possible. But I think she’d be proud. As long as I put in effort into whatever I did, she was there to support me. No matter if it was dancing lessons, or magic theory,” Claire said.

“You’re definitely putting in the work,” Ilea said.

“You didn’t mention yours often,” Claire said. “Do you never think of them? You didn’t come here willingly after all. They must be looking for you.”

“Maybe. Our family… wasn’t exactly that. I think they raised me based on a feeling of responsibility more so than anything else. There wasn’t much love around. In our world when you’re eighteen you’re considered an adult. When that happened, their involvement pretty much stopped.

“I welcomed it in a way. I’ve always been rather independent and it just felt right to get a job and figure things out on my own. I do wonder if they even know about my disappearance,” she said.

“I’m sorry,” Claire said.

“Don’t be. They’ll figure it out, as I have,” she said.

Claire smiled. “If they’re like you in any way, they will,” she said. “How long are you staying?”

“Not long. I mostly came to dump the gold and news. More spirits to fight and training with Meadow to be had,” Ilea said.

“I won’t hold you back then. Just know that you’re falling behind with your dancing lessons,” Claire said.

“I’m aware of that,” Ilea said with a sigh. “As are many other things but shit just keeps happening. Oh speaking of which, did you contact Helena yet?”

“I’ll wait until the situation in Baralia has somewhat calmed down. It’s not exactly smart to reveal ourselves after you bring a hostile four mark into our realm,” she said.

“Really? You don’t trust me?” Ilea asked with an exaggerated pout.

“I trust you to figure it out somehow. But until you do, I’ll hold my letters,” Claire said and made the gold vanish.