71 Fellowships
1583 Words
"Two whole caravans full of sweet potatoes, are you sure about this your highness? This seems a bit much."
"You've said the Stings of Venom were a suspicious bunch right?" Janus said while checking his stocks and ledgers.
"Yes, they must've seen one of our scout patrols running through the Forests of Mist." The merchant said while checking his records.
That was true, scouting parties from the Mystic Flames would often find troops of Stingers training in the Forest of Mist. Astrid and Fleetfoot's group were getting bolder and more experienced in navigating their surroundings, which was what exactly what Janus had ordered them to do. They scoured the Forest looking for monsters that could prove problematic to the village, and they would send sketches and descriptions to the Merrimen to serve as bounties. The council would then approve a set reward for each bounty in the form of weapons, food, and provisions for successful hunts. This motivated the scouts and monster hunters to practice their craft without distraction. They were sponsored completely by the village, and they were performing marvelously.
If the Stingers had indeed spotted them on a few occasions, then they would be sure to wary. It takes a whole lot of skill and cunning to navigate the forest and get out alive. The Forest of Mist wasn't exactly an amusement park.
"Last trade I did with them was less profitable than the previous ones. We had to offload the merchandise to the black markets at a lower price. I had to raise up my security team's hazard pay."
"A necessary adjustment. I commend you for being flexible Master Roban, and I think we should bend over a little more for the Stingers. They're one of our closest and largest neighbors, and it would be in our best interest to foster a good relationship with them."
"Understood your highness. So our departure is in two days after Elder Frugarth sends in his shipment of crafts. I'll be back in the village in around two weeks, then we can rotate trade back to the Galedon borders. Anything else?"
"Yes, bring one of Master Rufus' assistant chefs with you. You should try out their recipe for sweet potato noodles. My scribes will give you copies of the recipe. Send them out to the Stingers for free."
"Ehm pardon me your highness, but my neighbors back there at the border can't stop talking about this dish. Is it really that good?"
"Well, you'll just have to try it out for yourself my friend."
The merchant looked puzzled, just as Janus had when he first heard about it. He then bowed and took his leave.
#
Just as he was leaving, Haruna approached with her three friends towards the Library balcony. The same place where Janus first met her.
"Is that him? Is that your boyfriend?" said one of her female friends with a smirk on her face.
"Quiet, don't ruin this Nelia." Haruna said with a striking look on her face.
Janus pretended not to hear, he looked elsewhere.
Otis was at his feet, the dog tilted his head and wagged his tail.
"Wish me luck, boy." Janus whispered as they approached.
So this was Cornelia, Haruna mentioned her once or twice. She had high praise for her. She was said to be one of her most talented classmates but she had a knack for saying exactly what's on her mind, earning her lower marks in the Colleges despite her talent. It wasn't hard to see, Janus could sense that something about her was... off. But in terms of looking like a mage, she checked all the boxes. She wore a large conical hat with carefully trimmed patches of black and orange. She wore a large dress robe and carried an ornate staff that looked like a sculpture with how the wood flowed and twisted under her grip. A large orb pulsated on its tip, an azure gemstone that looked better than anything they could source in the mines.
Upon closer inspection, she was the shortest of the group. She only looked taller due to her giant hat, which Janus imagined could serve as an umbrella for two kids with its size.
With them were two others -- one was a lady with long black hair held in a ponytail, she wore trousers instead of a dress and had a well-tailored coat on. She was dressed mostly in sturdy cloths and leathers, on her waist was a silver rapier with a pristine handle. This must by Lysie, she looked more like a scout than anyone else.
The other was a young-looking boy who was dressed as he had just graduated from college. He wore a dress robe with frills and a toga hat. He had large round spectacles and his hair was light blonde, trimmed in a bow cut. This must be Aiden, the bookworm and scribe who had the least magical affinity in the group but had already written a book of spells at his young age.
Janus looked at his plain white sleeved shirt, his black trousers, and his wooden sandals. He probably looked just like an assistant scribe with all the papers and quills in front of him.
"I thought he'd be taller." Whispered Cornelia.
"You're one to talk." Haruna slapped back.
"You're both really bad at whispering you know." Lysie said.
"What do you think Aiden? Five gold says I'm taller than he is." Cornelia said.
"Estimating from his posture and the way that the chair holds his weight I dare say hes a quarter and three-fifths of a foot taller than you are Nelia, but I will not take your money. You'll have it cursed again."
"Drat." Nelia's attempt at whispering fails yet again.
Their march to the balcony felt like forever. Janus' forehead was sweating.
Oh no, was I holding my breath?
Janus tried to relax, in his panicked state he dipped a little into his Wellspring. He felt a little touch of vigor sweep into his tense muscles.
This technique wasn't in any of his spellbooks. He had discovered this one night after a suspiciously painful massage from the Mairobians, it seemed to alleviate the swelling. He hadn't told Haruna yet.
The noises stopped, and everything he could see was the cold void with thousands of swirling orbs of color. Just a quick dip, to calm his nerves.
"Why are you nervous?" a voice called.
It was a familiar voice, but he had only heard it moments ago. Feelings from his last encounter with the Necromancer came again, except the voice didn't feel unnerving. At least for the most part, he still felt in control.
"Uhm... excuse me?"
"Your barrier, it's got holes in it. Your casting isn't subtle, in that state you'll be susceptible to peering from master-level mages. You need to practice more. Your Wellspring is nice though, probably larger than Professor Kizpif's... So what she said is true." She said.
"Cornelia? Is that you?"
"I see that you already know who I am."
"Haruna told me about the three of you. Can... can they hear us?"
"No, I suppose not, but I assume we'd look really weird in the real world. Staring at nothing like statues. It's nice to finally meet you your highness, but we should go back now."
Janus blinked and Haruna and the two others were already in front of him. Cornela was standing a few steps back, carrying that smirk in her face.
"Prince Janus, is everything okay?" Haruna said.
"Ahh yes, I was just uhh... just calculating figures on my head. You know like tomato prices and stuff." He stood up and greeted his new guests, with Cornelia still standing a few steps behind them.
She was looking like she had just found a new toy.
#
Aiden and Lysie went along with their introductions. Cornelia stepped in last. Haruna had specifically invited them due to their various interests.
Janus' mind was racing, and he nodded in choice intervals. He was barely paying attention, Cornelia's invasion into his Wellspring made him nauseous.
Thankfully, Yvaine came by bringing refreshments and biscuits. He let her lead the conversation, with him only speaking enough to not make it awkward.
He would have failed at that, but there was something about their guests that kept him interested.
Aiden was polite and courteous, and a huge lover of books. He was looking forward to documenting the arcane anomalies in the area as well as charting the magical creatures that were scattered all around. Hopefully, they would find beings larger than wind geists. Haruna mentioned that if there was anyone she knew who could puzzle out the mysterious phenomenon in the area, it would be Aiden.
Lysie's story was even more interesting. She studied fencing at a young age and had risen through the sport with her skills. Until she learned that she had a magical affinity. Her family forced her to go to the College of Whisperwind. Her grades were average for the most part, but she would sneak around the city to join fencing tournaments -- something that was strictly forbidden. She managed to win a few underground matches until the College caught her in the act. She was severely punished, but she didn't mind. Instead, she worked as an adventurer, looking for a place to hone both her magic and combat skills.
Cornelia was discovered as a talented caster from a rural area, after burning down a bandit crew who tried to ransack their village. She was said to be sponsored by the City to go to school after that, but Janus felt doubtful of that statement.
Judging by the way her eyes flickered towards him as she smiled, she could have easily threatened anyone to pay for it.
- Writer
