This choice: (Age 54) Wealthy, and settled, building a trading empire, consultant to the King • Go Back...Chapter #2(Age 54) Wealthy and settled by: Yote   "Bring it in, quickly! Place it there now!" the gold order magi, Aurel, commanded. His face was feverish with excitement, the mismatched gemstone eyes open wide, energy running through the mesh of metal strands that wove through his skin like veins.
It had taken three stout men and an Orc to carry the chest up all six hundred and sixty six steps to the magi's study. No wonder - the thing was solid gold through and through, though it had been only stout oak and iron when it left the Floating Market of the goblins two months ago and several hundred miles west of here, carrying its precious cargo. The group was more than happy to deposit the load at the magus' feet. You stood forward with a crowbar with which to prise open the fused, golden padlock but Aurel brushed you aside. With a wave of his hand, the metal chest split open like a blossoming flower, divulging the contents - the three Philosopher's Stones, glowing like embers within their nest of transmuted hay.
Aurel, who had recently celebrated his second centenary, was nonetheless giggling like a child. He descended on the artifacts like a hen over a clutch of eggs. For a moment, it looked like he would make the mistake of touching them - you really hoped he would - but at the last moment he pulled away. "They're back... they're back!... must make plans... must tell the others... must be... alone. All of you. Leave!"
"There are matters to discuss, magus," you broached.
"Then be quick about it!"
Nodding, you gestured to the Orc, Mr Green, who stood forward and produced from his pocket a small, frozen figure, handling it with a gentleness you'd never before seen from an Orc The golden statue was of a goblin woman, full-sized, though it looked like a doll in his hands. Her hands were outstretched as if to grab something, and her expression was a mixture of desire and terror.
"You may have noticed, sir, or you may have not, that there are only four of our party returned. When we came upon the stones, Miss Blue, the thief, touched them... accidentally. Without her help, we'd never have gotten inside the city, nor into the vault -"
"If you expect me to magic her back, don't," Aurel snapped bluntly. "The philosopher's stones' power can't be undone - that's the whole point of them! She will remain as she is for eternity; long enough, I think, to ponder her mistake. However you may divide her amongst yourself if you wish. That's all, yes?"
"One last thing, sir." It was clear you were already pushing the powerful wizard's patience, but you would never get this chance again. "The terms of our agreement were if we returned the stones, our crimes would be pardoned. All our crimes. You swore this in front of the King. All our crimes."
"Yes yes..."
Unable to repress a smile, you drew the traveling cloak up over the obsidian manacles binding your wrists. Aurel reeled away in outrage and disgust.
"A deserter!" he choked. "No deserter has ever been forgiven. The King will hear about this!"
"Make sure that he does, magus."
-------------
That had been years ago, though Aurel had still to get over the trick you played on him. The King had pardoned your desertion of course along with the original crime of theft. Moreover, he'd found it rather amusing, and appointed you his court consultant on magic. In fact he'd made up the position then-and-there, simply to annoy the magi.
The obsidian manacles that had drained and masked your powers since your desertion from the Order were removed. Even still, your abilities have been slow to return and would likely never again be what they once were. Even a simple fireball is beyond you most days.
Your investments - that is to say the sorry segment of Miss Blue, smelted down into bars and coins - had paid off handsomely. Now a rich merchant with the ear of the King, you'd purchased an estate near to the city and a household of servants and slaves. Somehow you found yourself putting down roots.
You should be the happiest man in the Kingdom. Yet something bothers you...  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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