Chapter 640: A tense welcome (1/2)

Chapter 640 A tense welcome

“You’ve fought some magnificent creatures. I wouldn’t say no,” Trian said.

“I’ll show you the collection later,” Claire said. “Though it might not help with your ongoing issue of Lilith.”

“What issue?” Ilea asked.

“Your reputation,” Trian said with a sigh. “I’m glad you’ve been around a little more lately. The Sentinels might even believe you’re human. The citizens of Ravenhall however? Maybe not so much.”

She just waved him off. “I don’t see the issue. Let them believe the mystery.”

“You won’t say that once they actually start to form a cult and do things in your name,” Trian said.

“We’re keeping an eye on it,” Claire said. “Plenty of people are employed by Lilith and there’s enough known about you that most people understand the less mythical background. But some opinions can’t be changed.”

Will I have to deal with the same shit as Meadow?

“As soon as the gates are ready, I’ll just send them north,” Ilea said.

Claire glanced at her but chose not to say anything.

“So why did you call for me?” Trian asked.

Ilea displaced herself a bottle of local ale from Claire’s bar. She gave the woman a questioning look and opened it once Claire nodded lightly.

“Thanks. Well… I had another idea. It’s not particularly spectacular but with the funding we can provide, it might actually be helpful. The Sentinels are better than I hoped, especially after such a short time. Obviously we can only take people in who are ready to brace the training, only those who have a clear goal to become healers or adventurers.

“Now with how much people restrict information about magic and Classes, I thought it nice to have a magic school or college here where people could learn, mostly for free.”

“That’s a massive undertaking,” Claire said. “More trained mages of all kinds would benefit Ravenhall as a whole, that much is obvious. Gold isn’t an issue either. Not with how things have progressed with both Ravenhall and Morhill. Let alone if the teleportation gate project is as promising as it sounds.”

“Neither me nor Claire have time to set it up however,” Trian said.

“William maybe?” Ilea asked. “He knows a lot of shadows and has experience giving lectures.”

Claire shook her head. “He has his hands full too. With the Shadowguard, Shadows, and even Sentinels. He will be a good resource to ask for contacts, teachers, and organizational structures. Dagon and Elise will be able to supply a lot of teaching materials. Sulivhaan will be happy for some Shadow funding too. Your wealth and influence has been growing. I think a bit of balance there might be good for everyone.”

“Don’t think Kyrian would be interested either,” Trian said. “He might want to teach Sentinels but with how powerful he is now… his talents would be wasted on lower level Classes. Finding teachers won’t be an issue either. Plenty of adventurers look for ways to retire. Teaching is somewhat easy, just not very well paid usually. We can change that.”

“I have an idea already as to the building we could use. I’ll get in touch with the librarians and William,” Claire said.

“So we just need a good match to take over the project,” Ilea said with a smile. “Noble or ex military would be nice. I’ll think about who could be interested. Let me know if you find someone as well.”

“An academy providing free magic knowledge and training will create an uproar with nobility in the plains,” Claire said.

“More so than a healing organization?” Ilea asked.

“Nobles care for their secrets and the balance of power,” Trian said. “They don’t care about a few new healers. Well, they will once they understand that Sentinels aren’t exactly comparable to a conventional Order healer. I don’t know if it would be quite as difficult as you think, Claire. As long as we don’t share knowledge and training noble houses claim as their own.”

“Difficult to say. I’ll run the idea by the other council members and hear what they have to say. Sulivhaan will agree, knowing him. Dagon might not be a fan of sharing all that knowledge with everyone but as long as we pay him the requested fee, he won’t complain,” Claire said.

“I’ll send a few letters to Virilya. Maybe I can gauge a possible reaction,” Trian said.

“Thanks,” Ilea said with a smile.

“Is it alright if I think of ways for the Academy to pay for itself? Without the students having to pay basic fees of course,” Claire asked.

“Academy. I like it,” Ilea said. “Of course. Just don’t keep knowledge away from them. Honorary titles or donations maybe. But I guess we need a reputation first for that to work.”

“We have plenty of reputation to throw around,” Claire said with a smile.

Ilea nodded absentmindedly. Maro? No, all he wanted was to be free of responsibilities. I wonder where he is anyway. Guess I’ll find out when the cults he forms spread far enough through the lands.

Lord Harken or another Baralia noble? Eh… don’t really want an ex slaver to be part of Ravenhall’s decision makers.

Could… might be worth a shot.

“Got someone in mind?” Trian asked.

Ilea waved her hand sideways. “Shot in the dark,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll find some people though. No time constraint anyway.”

“Well if we know anything about you, it’s that you can conjure up allies from the most unexpected of places,” Trian said with a laugh.

“Think I’ll visit Halstein first though, see what kind of trap they set up for me,” Ilea said and stood up.

Claire sighed. “Not a week without a diplomatic incident.”

“No wonder you haven’t gotten bored yet,” Ilea said, jumping out of the window.

_____________________

Donnavon looked at his reflection in the small mirror, the warm candle light casting shadows on his face. Your age is showing, he thought, brushing his long white hair back before saying a short prayer. He cleaned his hands and sighed. Today could very well be the most important day of his life.

He checked his gown and slipped into his comfortable shoes. One of the few luxuries he allowed himself. There were no rules against such, especially being a High Cleric, but he thought it hypocrisy. To pray to Friede and live a life of luxury. Do not judge your brothers and sisters. They are as devoted as you.

Donnavon had thought that perhaps the latest struggles the Corinth Order had gone through were merely a test. A sign that they had left the ways of Hella and Friede. It was not his position to judge them. The gods would guide their way, one way or another. He would trust their guidance. May you protect me from the evil of this world, he murmured, one hand to his heart as he closed his eyes.

A knock on the door signaled that it was time.

“High Cleric, may I enter?” the voice of a young man came from the other side. One that made Donnavon smile.

“Come in Bryce,” he said.

The young Paladin entered gracefully, all his movements a testament to his power and expertise in battle. The heavy white plate armor hardly seemed to bother him, long blond hair falling down his back. He went down to one knee as soon as he had entered.

[Divine Paladin – lvl 305]

Donnavon felt pride swell up in his heart. “Stand, Bryce. You do not need to kneel before me. It is you who goes into the wilderness to battle the creatures who would seek our death. I am merely a servant, healing those in need and tending to this temple.”

Bryce looked up and smiled. “You are far too humble. I’m only giving you the respect you deserve,” he said and stood up, closing the door behind him. “You know why I came.”

“The fateful meeting. Yes,” Donnavon said.