073 – Much Talking, Some Listening

Rox looked around the table, and noticed that Sharlot was in good humor, Mallob was unreadable, Rasgan was absorbed in his notebook, and Faxeld looked annoyed. The assistants echoed their masters, somewhat. Rasgan’s assistant looked like he wanted to get as far from Rox as he could, though that may simply be annoyance at an interminable meeting.

Faxeld continued. “Personally I think Pervical could use a good comeuppance.”

He turned to look at Roxanne directly, his expression softening. “Young Roxanne: so long as the books balance, I don’t care how much you spend or this adventure costs. On the other hand, I might be able to convince Pervical that it would be less expensive to let you keep your children, than for him to keep them here.”

Rox smiled a bit, and nodded. “Thank you, Master Faxeld.”

“Not ‘Master.’ Just Faxeld will do.”

Mallob took the conversation back. “Roxanne. How much do you know of ‘why you are here’? How much has The Mage told you of the motivations that have caused this adventure?”

Rox unexpectedly found she was the center of attention. She took a breath and started, hoping her language would be effortless.

“Well, Caspian has said that there is a kingdom, Kragg . . . something . . . which is to the south of here. The rulers of that place have some interest in my daughter and son in regards to some prophecy about themselves. Thus they sent to kidnap them. The kidnappers are currently in caravan heading south. It is expected that they are approaching their destination.

“Also that there is some similar prophecy in your hands about my children being the forerunners of some future villain. I must admit I did not pay as close attention when told about this as I now suppose I should. I gather that this villain is the worry of Pervical, and why he is considering kidnapping my children himself.

“The motivations of villains are of less concern to me than simply retrieving my children. The sooner Steven and I can finish here, the sooner we can get to our children.”

Rox felt herself flush with effort, and tried to carefully speak as the vocabulary seemed to slip just beyond her deliberate command.

Mallob nodded. “You apparently have the basics. I shan’t bore you with all the specifics. Starting with our own information: Your children line up to the prophesied circumstances to foretell the coming of the Chaos Bringer. This Chaos Bringer is essentially an individual who will cause planet wide upheaval and destruction.

“There is significant debate in some circles about the meaning of the follow on verses in the prophecies concerning the harbingers. Some say that the harbingers are simply markers of the time. Others say that they are involved and participants of the times and events.

“The most common school of thought on these is that they will be involved. The side they choose to be on will help to determine the duration of the Chaos Bringers doings. Some people speculate that it they can control the harbingers, they may be able to influence the Chaos Bringer. I am afraid Pervical is swayed by some of that stripe.

“Until events happen, there is never any sure answer. It is because of these various beliefs that your family has been drawn into this.”

Rox summarized as he took a breath. “So, my children are unique, particularly my son. I have come to understand that. This marks them as prophetically special, in relation to a villain. There are some who believe they can influence this villain, to an extent, by controlling my children.”

 Mallob looked at her as she presumed he did a student who grasped a concept at his first lecturing on it. Then he changed to a new subject.

“The Kingdom of Krogg is a bit more nebulous to me. The Mage informed us of some of their interest, and we have been researching to verify it. Unfortunately we do not have any record of their prophecies here. But some of Cuinton’s agents inform that there has been a bit of an uproar in their royal courts, as they have been collecting as much information as they could from as many peoples as they could about the Harbingers.

“What we have learned is that there was a prophetic curse put on the current monarchs that they would be killed by the harbingers. There are further intimations, some offering ideas on how this may come about, but we cannot verify anything yet. We are continuing to investigate.”

 “This brings me to The Mage. How aware are you of his abilities and disposition?” Mallob looked at Roxanne.

Rox took a moment to review her memories, and then started. “I do not have a broad range to compare him to, but he appears to know what he talks about, and what his own skill level is. He seemed to enjoy conversing with The Sorceress in Veradale, as they appeared to be approximate equals in ability. He is generally aware and cautious in his magic casting. For instance he has capability to teleport but allows himself, as I understand, to be constrained by social custom first and safety second in how he uses this ability. On the other hand, he is occasionally thoughtless in his preoccupation with something, and may forget or bypass something.”

As Rox finished, she realized she was no longer speaking the elf tongue, but the Veradale one.

Mallob nodded, and continued in the elf tongue. “Caspian was not our first choice, but was among those who we determined were skilled enough and had the experience necessary to accomplish the task. By your admission you are not aware of how the mages of this world are ranked. Suffice to say that Caspian is in the upper third for ability and responsibility in The School of the Orders.

“As such, he is skilled enough to stand even with any other magic user, should he so choose. He learned from his infancy the fundamentals of magic. While his skill at instruction is unknown due to his choice of vocations, his skill at application is well know and respected in certain circles. In short Caspian’s skill level is high and he is competent in that skill.

“His character is generally without significant reproach. Meaning that like all people, he has his flaws. Fortunately, or not for our purposes, it was because of one of those flaws that we were able to secure his cooperation in helping you.”

Roxanne interrupted, as an overheard snippet from The Sorceress resurfaced. “The Orders Library or the collapsed pass?”

Mallob did not even single-take at her interjection. “The collapse of the Hildyar Pass. He needed a little help, one of our mages obliged. I shan’t engage in gossip over the various versions of the story. I leave it to The Mage’s modesty to share what of the story he chooses to. The point being there was a debt to be repaid, which was called in.

“In summary, he is of good character, and sufficient power and ability to accomplish anything asked of him. He does chafe at what he feels are unreasonable restrictions, but then who does not. It is expected that he has endeavored with varying levels of success according to his and your innate talents to instruct you in the rudiments and fundamentals of magic, as well as acclimate you and your paramour in the local customs and society so far as he judged necessary.”

Rox responded, in good humor. “Right. He’s a good shlub.”

This got the light hearted response from several at the table that Rox had hoped, which served to lighten the mood some.

Sharlot took the control of the meeting back, as her mood settled. “The last thing we have to address is your own history and capabilities. Before we discuss you, I ask digression to address my sister, Rodira. Some here did not know her personally. To be brief, like several of our mother’s lineage she was a skilled mage; she traveled in her youth, and found love among the humans. When called back to begin her family with her betrothed, she refused. The aftermath of that is now general knowledge, and stands at the end of this table.

“That now brings me to her descendants, including Roxanne. Like your forbearer's you have exhibited a talent for magic. That is perhaps the most interesting thing we can tell you about who you are. Thanks to those who have assisted you to this point that is not a surprise to you. If you are as skilled as my sister, your capabilities are at least comparable to Caspian.

“This is all academic to the real reason you are important.”

Sharlot picked up a sheet of paper. “Some centuries ago, the prior Chaos Bringer was laid to rest in a rare ceremony where enemies worked together. There was a priest there who was taken by an outside spirit that caused him to prophesy, as follows.

“In future time, a new Chaos Bringer will arise.  A son and daughter will be born to one who is a forth generation half-elf.  Darkness will seek them, to make the daughter a powerful witch, the son a lord of battle.  Light will seek them to keep them from the darkness.  Nothing will stand before them that they do not countenance, and they will grind the wicked under their heel.  In their time will come a child, who will bring chaos to all that can be found.”

Sharlot put the paper down. “You, Roxanne, are that forth generation half-elf. Your son and daughter are the children mentioned. The rulers of Krogg are part of the darkness mentioned. Pervical sees himself as on the side of light, seeking to keep your children from darkness. It is expected that your children have plenty of potential within them.

“So, this is why all the trouble.”

Rox nodded. “And why so many think they can impose themselves upon my life and my family. I’d like a copy of that to share with Steven. It will help him make sense of things.

“It is not a surprise to me about Grandma Rhoda being a mage of some sort. My mother instructed me on putting a spell on my newborn children, as her mother instructed her. I now know it was a spell, but at the time I did not. That I have potential to equal Caspian, I had not considered that. I suppose there is much about me that I do not really know, by your perceptions and understandings. And vice versa much about me that you do not know. Thus this meeting, and the classes that have been scheduled.”

Rox paused and looked around the table. Sharlot was beaming. Her younger male assistant was making a note. Faxeld looked approving, and ready to leave. His younger female assistant likewise looked ready to go with her ledger closed. Rasgan’s assistant simply waited patiently, and Rasgan himself was engrossed in his book. Mallob nudged Rasgan to get his awareness back to the table. Mallob’s young female assistant appeared to be as anxious to end this as Rox was, and perhaps as friendly.

Sharlot spoke. “Well then. Are there any other questions to be answered?”

She surveyed the table. She turned to the Clerk. “The clerk will make no comment about the shift of language, from local to otherwise through the course of the meeting. This meeting is adjourned.”

The assistants each pushed back from the table, and then pulled the chairs for their respective masters, as they stood. Faxeld and his assistant took their books and left without any further discussion. He opened one of the doors to its lock and left.

Rasgan sat for a bit longer then took a sheet of paper and gave it to his standing clerk, who slid to over to Roxanne, the clerk politely keeping his distance from her. Later Rox would wonder if she should have been insulted by his behavior toward her.

“This is your introduction to Master Iver, and to Master Eklund. Take it with you in the morning. Good afternoon, young miss.” Rasgan closed his book, let his assistant pull his chair as he stood, then did not wait for the young man as he took his own book and left.

The assistant gathered his own book and all but fled in pursuit of his master.