071 – Meeting the self-important

Steven found his experience with the local tailors to be just as disagreeable for him as Rox had found for her. On the other hand, Rox was able to assert herself sufficient to get one ‘tasteless’ gown made that she actually liked. She came home with two new gowns, and a few other pieces of clothing.

Journal of Steven Caplan: Day 114

The Tailors here are efficient and capable. But the formal costume they are building for me leaves much to be desired, by my own tastes. I look like a jester. Tomorrow we go before the Clan that seams to be in charge here.

We were told to make a bit of a scene, I presume without getting out of hand.

Caspian says he has magically given us the local language, but it may not last due to the various magic’s in the area interacting. We shall see. At any rate, I can understand the locals for the moment. 

Steven initially had to fight against laughing at their costumes. Rox wore a formal gown that looked made of Elizabethan Motley with a clashing translucent robe. Steven had baggy trousers that ballooned to just below his knees with cloth boots from there, and a crushed velvet vest over a linen shirt, again in colors that he would only have put together on a jester. Caspian was again in his despised formal.

The carriage ride was unremarkable, as they traveled around the mesa to the local equivalent of an office building and shown in. Steven whispered to Rox that the Swiss Guards at the Vatican would fit here without a second look. Rox responded that they would be the conservative looking ones here.

They were shown into a third floor room. The room was wider than it was deep, and on an outside wall. A curved table sat to one side with the windows behind it, facing the doors. The perimeter of the room had deep shadows despite the open plan, and open windows. A bench was set in the focal point of the table, where the three were escorted and allowed to sit.

It was all Steven could do to stifle his amusement at the theater of the situation. Sharlot had wanted a scene caused. Steven could cause one just by laughing at what he saw. Rox felt the weight of the situation how these people, these elves, were an impediment to retrieving her children. Caspian was initially bored, but got himself into gear as he was brought into the room.

Twelve high backed chairs were in asymmetric array around the far side of the table, three were currently empty. Caspian had warned that the pompous windbag sat at the center. The spare chair on the far left was the clerk, and therefore of slightly less importance than the rest.

The elves in their seats were back lit and had some what of a harsh shadow obscuring their features and dress. As Steven's eyes adjusted, he could see that there were more males than females, that they were in similar styles of costume to what he and his wife wore, and that they were all taller and some obviously heavier in comparative build than he was.

The clerk started the audience. “Mage, these are the parents of the Children of Prophecy, brought before us as we instructed?”

Steven did not let Caspian answer, but this was prearranged. He stood and spoke.

“I am Steven Phillip Caplan, Husband to Roxanne Clarice Caplan, Father to Diana and Alexander. What is it you want of us, that you delay us in retrieving our children?”

The pompous windbag spoke first. “We want your children safely returned to your care and to know that they are being raised to their proper destiny. You may sit down, human. Our Daughter, we understand that you have magical talent, it this true?”

Rox had thought about being as flamboyant as her costume, but instead chose to be her usual self. “Yeah, it is. But having only the last months to work with it, I am not certain what I am capable of. The Mage tells me that I have surprised him on several occasions.”

“This is all nice and well, Pervical, but that is just passing time.” Sharlot interjected from halfway between the center and the clerk. “We need to hear the report on what has been found surrounding the monarchs of Krogg. Mallob that was your responsibility.”

Another elf, from the other side of the table spoke. “Our overall information is limited, as the current monarchs have made a concerted effort during their reign to control information about themselves. We have learned that when they were wed approximately thirty years ago, there was a prophecy made that prompted the execution of the voice if it. Our records of what it says are third hand at best, and incomplete. We have learned, as the Mage said his sources report, that the children will play a roll in the violent succession of these monarchs. To this end, they have apparently sought to take control of these children’s lives. Our investigators are still working in the archives, and have sent to Krogg, to investigate further.”

Pervical, the pompous windbag sitting in the center, spoke. “So we can barely confirm what the mage has alleged, regarding the motives of Krogg. I still maintain that this is of lesser importance.”

Steven countered this. “Perhaps to you, but as the father of those kidnapped, it is nice to know that there is at least some kind of rational reason for this nightmare. How would you like your children kidnapped and not even know why, let alone where, or if you would ever see them again?”

Pervical’s oily tone in his response rubbed all the fur the wrong way. “The prophecies about the Chaos Bringer cycle, and its harbingers are relatively common knowledge to any even remotely versed in their history. That it happens to coincide with other happenings is hardly a surprise, as life continues.”

A female to Sharlot’s right responded to this. “If you happen to live in the right community. Go off this mountain, and you find that there are many such things as local prophecies that simply are not talked about or disseminated to outsiders, whether it be simply community to community, or world to world.”

Pervical was not going to be lectured to about his provincialism or preconceived stereotypes. “The point at hand is not what was prophesied by whom, when, or about what. It is about getting the Harbingers of the Chaos Bringer trained and ready to face it once it arrives.”

“You are talking about my children, then?” Steven interjected.

Pervical ignored Steven. “I am aware that the mood of this council is to provide any and all help to Our Daughter and her paramour, to retrieve their children. I have never had any argument against reasonable measures.”

Sharlot interrupted him. “No, you just want to keep them here, to personally oversee their growth to maturity. Rasgan, you are the one in charge of that. What have you got set up?”

Pervical agreed. “Yes, to see that they are trained as befits elves, from the earliest possible moment.”

Sharlot stabbed again. “And the parents can be returned to their home.”

Pervical answered this. “Yes, when they are ready to.”

“And if this is before the children are fully trained, the children will remain as the parents leave. Just as the conscripts of our own military are compelled to.”

“It’s for the best.”

Rox and Steven stood up, Steven a beat ahead. “Excuse me Humber Shroober, but NO! Roxanne and I will be taking OUR children Home!”

They were both at the center of every ones attention. Several elves were stifling giggles. Neither Steven nor Rox knew why; Steven dismissed the giggles and kept going.

“I thank you for your help, and all you will yet do to further this cause. But let me say one thing clearly. I am going to get my children back, and I am going to take them back to my house, where my wife and I will raise them. You can help, or stand aside. But I will not allow you to take them from me.”

Later Steven would recognize that this was exactly the scene that Sharlot wanted made.

As it was, the elves were alternately regaining control of their giggles, or sitting in stony offended pride.

After a moment, a male elf from Pervical’s left spoke. “Well, we see that they have the passion necessary to accomplish the task. It appears that they are ignorant of any kind of prophecy and don’t have much care of acting within or without its constraints. Personally, I would just as soon let them get about their parental business, and provide them with whatever help we can.”

Steven and Rox sat back down as the rest politely ceded the conversation to the new speaker.

“My agent has tested and evaluated Steven Phillip, and his equipment. His opinion is that the skills are in place, but some of his equipment is not up to the task of dealing with any magic that he may encounter in his travels. Another agent familiar with Krogg reports that the monarchs there have some fearsome magic to augment their skills. However they have not been on the battlefield in some time. The conclusion is that some replacement equipment is required. Further I have asked Mallob for information of such magical items native to this world as might be useful. He has yet to provide the list, but I trust his office will in reasonable time.”

Mallob answered. “Yes. We are still compiling that list. I was told they expect to have it complete by this afternoon.”

“Good. Steven Phillip, we will cull the list, and present you with what we believe is the best option in private discussion.”

Sharlot took up the point. “And Roxanne?”

This was answered by the person sitting farthest from the clerk. “We are still working out a schedule. We should be ready to proceed this afternoon, if she will be so kind as to return.”

Roxanne stood. “I will.” She sat.

Sharlot continued. “Good. Cuinton what is the evaluation of the traveling gear. Is it acceptable, or can we provide anything?”

Steven stood at this. “Most of it is acceptable. But there are some modifications or alterations that could be made.”

Before he could continue, and knowing that this was not the time or place, he yielded the floor.

The elf that had restarted things after Steven’s standing down of Pervical answered. “Arrangements can be made to provide whatever is desired, so long as there is sufficient communication.”

Steven wished, not for the first time, that the chairs were not back lit, so that he could actually see the faces and details of the elves seated before him.

The elf seated next to the clerk spoke.  “And what of cost? A handful of outfits for those of such size as these are is but a pittance and hardly missed in the budget. But suits of armor and the labor cost for them can be considerable. Not that I expect to outfit these in plate armor, I simply need to know what the costs are anticipated to be. We already owe the Mage a considerable sum.”

Pervical answered this. “Faxeld, it was decided before we started this that the cost would be born. Whatever it was. To their credit, Our Daughter and her paramour apparently understand the value of things generally and are frugal in their doings. I do not expect that they will change and spend us into penury.”

Before anyone else could bring up something Pervical stood. “Is there anything else to be discussed at this time? Then we are done.”

u
� h���s�f aesthetics?” He was calling her bluff, as she rarely went on at length over anything so trivial as clothes or tailors. Nor was she given to high kicks. But Steven blocked this one just off his right shoulder as she pivoted on her left foot, the dress trailing like shimmering clouds.

Steven stepped in and wrapped her in his arms as she regained her footing. “It’ll be all right. Everything will work out.”

Her tears soaked his shoulder, as he held her to him.

As she settled down. Steven started rambling about his own afternoon.

“The ‘specialist’ Verigan came. We sparred. With my sword, I felt like the comparative novice I am, never mind that guy was almost half again my height.”  Steven rubbed her back, the way she liked.

“I took him apart with just my hands, would have made my D.I. proud; but then having his kidneys at my level was almost not fair. I could not really read him, to see whether he was impressed in anything, though.” His left hand still ached from a solid contact where he had slapped the elf’s arm to the floor.

“He looked over my coat and things. His only comment was that I apparently don’t have any armor.” Steven had remembered the first few times in the Marines when his effects had been inspected, and down checked as not yet up to snuff.

“Just before he left, he suggested that the formal from Veradale was tacky, and that I should get a better suit for the meeting day after tomorrow. At least about the suit we agreed.”

This stripped Rox’s emotional gears and struck her sense of humor.

Steven had one last shot. “Caspian said I could use his, and he would go in his skivvies.”

Rox’s tears were overtaken by her laughter as Steven continued to hold her.

072 – Aftermath Of One Meeting, Start Of Another

The other assembled elves stood, and several of them filed out. Steven, Roxanne, and Caspian also stood.

Sharlot, Cuinton, and Mallob all came around the table and approached.

Cuinton was an older male elf, slightly stooped in age, his face full of laugh lines and crows feet, and with the airs of one perpetually discovering delights in new things. Mallob, also an older male, had the airs of an academic more at home in a pile of books than among people; he looked to still be barely containing his mirth. Sharlot was shorter than both of them.

Sharlot spoke first, watching the door close behind Pervical. “Thank you, Steven. By standing up to Pervical, you may have just put him into required agreement with the rest of us.”

Steven inclined his head. “You are welcome. So what actually happens now? Rox comes back later this afternoon. What about myself, and Caspian?”

Cuinton answered this. “First, I need to get that list, and compare it to what we know of Krogg, and make the best decision we can. My agent has told me that you are acceptable, if locally unorthodox in your use of a sword. If it is alright, we will look in that direction for you. As for other equipment, I have to ask around a bit to see who is willing to help and available. That will take a day or two, which is about all the time we have. Then I will send word and you will be able to get whatever you want or need done. Do know this; it is observed that you travel light: if that is your preference, than by all means do not let us over encumber you with useless toys.”

Mallob took the conversation. “Young human, where did you learn that epitaph?”

Steven had to think a moment. “Humber Shroober? I think I got it from Roxanne’s grandmother, Merilyn. Why do you ask?”

Mallob chuckled. “Because I have not heard it in ages. I think it was in this room when your progenitor, Rodira, stormed out, young lady. She called Pervical that after he refused to allow her to marry her human lover.”

Sharlot laughed some and Cuinton guffawed.

Mallob continued. “Come to think of it, about half of the council was here then. As they argued Pervical was trying to assert his right as the father of her betrothed, and she would not have any of it. She had already refused to be in the same room as her betrothed.”

Sharlot finished the story. “She had anticipated something like what happened. She stormed out of here, picked up a bag of what she was taking with, and left the city. Pervical tried to follow. She teleported right out of his sight, and never came back. I saw her twice after that. Once at her wedding, and once at the ring when she and her paramour left the planet. She altered her appearance to that of a human shortly after leaving here. Pervical tried to collect any trace to use to follow her, but she had destroyed nearly all of it before she left.”

Caspian spoke for the first time since entering the room. “Then how did you make the trackers given to me?”

Sharlot smiled. “I said nearly all. I had a lock of hair. Rodira made me swear not to give it to our parents. I never told anyone I had it, until it was determined that you needed to be found, Roxanne.”

Roxanne had spent the whole time looking between Sharlot and Cuinton. At the mention of her name she rejoined the conversation. “You two look similar. How are you related?”

Cuinton’s eyes sparkled as he spoke. “I am her uncle. A word of advice: Do not bother seeking out my brother or his wife. They make Pervical look hospitably agreeable.”

Steven wanted to have the unfinished story finished. “What happened to the betrothed, Pervical’s son?”

The three elves looked at anything else, poker faced.

Steven provoked them. “Well?”

Faxeld, who had walked up behind Cuinton, dryly answered the question. “He was mated to my cousin, whom he had already impregnated. Pervical sent them out of the city in shame. They live on the far side of the continent, happy to be away from the meddling of their respective families, at last report.”

Caspian broke out laughing, and had to lean on his staff for balance.

The scandalized elves turned to Faxeld, who stood shorter than the other elves, only a head and little taller than Steven, and carried a large ledger book. He also wore spectacles, for reading, on the tip of his nose.

“Master Cuinton, I would like a moment of your time, before you return to your office.” Faxeld then strode off.

The meeting dismissed, they left to their duties. Steven and Roxanne gathered up the still chuckling Caspian, and went to find lunch.

The new elfin dress fit better than anything Roxanne had ever owned before in her life. It flowed and conformed to her body as if it were liquid poured over her rather than being cloth and it shimmered like liquid. The various blues in the dress accented and complimented her looks orders of magnitude better than the morning’s motley. Steven was speechless when she showed him. The tailors thought it tasteless, but after appealing to their dislike of Clan Leader Pervical, they relented. After having her hair tended to and a light bit of make-up applied, Rox then went to the afternoon clan meeting as she had been bidden.

She found a carriage waiting outside the hotel. This took her to the Clan offices. The elfin word escaped her, but it translated to something close to office. A young elf female just a little taller than she was greeted Rox, as she lighted from the carriage. Were it a car, Roxanne would have just gotten out, but one does not just ‘get out’ of a carriage.

The female elf led her into the building, through a mezzanine, and to the doors leading to Councilor Sharlot’s office. Two guards stood by the hallway doors staring at the far wall, but seeing everything in front of them. Their red motley dress clashed with her blue, but that was not her worry. The young elf left her there, saying for her to stay here until called for, and disappeared.

Roxanne stood there for close to half an hour, before the doors were opened from the inside. She was about to go inside when one of the guards blocked the way with his pole arm. So she stood back and waited. The pole arm retracted. Some functionaries filed out of the room, and scattered down the halls. She was then announced. She took a hesitant step, but no pole arm blocked her path. So she put on her best confidence and strode in to the room. Rox thought she made a good unpretentious entrance.

“So, this is our ‘lost daughter’.”

Rox did not recognize the male voice, but did not like the attitude she heard in it. She stepped forward into a conference room, dominated by a table in the middle, with chairs along either side. Eight elves, both male and female, were seated on either side looking like players ready to enter a scrum, with Rox as the ball. Each senior elf had a junior Assistant who had a folio open before them, with a pen, inkwell, and blotter nearby. A clerk sat off the far end of the table, taking notes, and appeared to be otherwise not involved.

‘These are the friendly ones,’ though Rox. There was not a chair at the end, so she stood at it, looking around. The size difference was enough that she felt like a child looking up at a table of adults. There was a stand at the end of the table, which Rox stepped up onto. Sharlot sat at the far end, on Rox’s left, then her assistant, a younger male; then Faxeld with his books on the table before him, and his clerk, she sat at Rox’s immediate left, and looked as pinched and stone-faced as Sharlot was open. On her immediate right was another male assistant, then Rasgan with a notebook that he scribbled in with a pencil, Mallob sat to his right with another female assistant sitting opposite Sharlot.

Sharlot evidently chaired the meeting, and started in. “Thank you for coming Roxanne. You look nice, the color is very flattering. Now then, Rasgan, you have been scribbling on your schedule since lunch. What have you come to?”

Rasgan did not look up, but spoke as he sorted his writing. “Well, of the four available tutors, only one is willing to have anything to do with ‘an unlearned half-breed’.”

They spoke in the elf-local language, which Rox could still hear and comprehend clearly, but was having increasing trouble articulating smoothly. Rox had a brief epiphany, as she heard a word that caught her attention. Her court discipline held her in check, but now she knew where ‘schwaer’ possibly came from. It was the derisive elf-language word for ‘half-breed’ with related meanings drawn from ‘excrement.’

Rasgan continued. “I have been arranging Master Iver’s schedule, after consulting with all involved, to send his normal students to the other instructors, allowing Master Iver to give as much time as necessary to Roxanne. He will have time tomorrow morning to evaluate Roxanne’s skill and ability level. From there he can better set up what training he will need to provide.”

Rasgan looked up from his scribbling, and at Roxanne. “Is that acceptable, young one?”

For a moment, Rox was going to take offense at ‘young one,’ then remembered that Rasgan was probably an order of magnitude older than herself, and by his look, the oldest at the table.

Setting her pride aside, Rox nodded. “Yes, sir. I will meet with Master Iver tomorrow morning. Is there any preparation for this?”

Rasgan turned back to his notebook, as his clerk seated between himself and Rox started scratching at his book.

“No. I will send a coach that will take you to Master Iver’s. Dress comfortably, as you would for your daily activities. Not in this formal . . . stuff.”

Sharlot moved things along. “Very good. We will be partially at Master Iver’s whims. Moving along. Since Master Cuinton could not join us, I expect you are delegated his information, Master Mallob?”

Mallob looked slightly board. “Yes, madam-chair. Master Cuinton is arranging for each of the Caplan’s to be taken to appropriate outfitters. So as not to overtax any one shop, Roxanne is to be taken to Master Eklund, and Steven to Master Mundrl.”

Rox noticed that Faxeld looked very interested in this.

Mallob continued. “The masters have already been informed, and are willing to help. Roxanne can walk to Master Eklund’s after Master Iver is done with her tomorrow, as their establishments are in proximity. Steven is being sent on a task tomorrow, and upon his completion and return will then be taken to Master Mundrl. It is expected that final equipment and materials will be determined by the masters in working directly with the Caplan’s.”

Faxeld spoke up at this point.

“The masters have been told that they are to operate on an open account, but to be circumspect in what costs they accrue. Pervical and several of the others are already complaining about the costs of this.”

He let this float above the table for a moment. 

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.

074 – After Meeting Talking

Mallob and Sharlot stood out of courtesy, and then once Rasgan’s assistant was out of the door they both sat back down. The assistants set about cleaning up their respective sides of the table, taking the writing things over to a cabinet by the clerk.

Sharlot looked at Roxanne. “You may go, if you wish. Unless there is more you would like to know.”

Rox thought, formulating her questions. “Who or what is this chaos bringer, which everyone is so excited over?”

Mallob fielded this. “About every fifteen hundred years, there is born on this world a person who rises to power after some manner, and then sets the world on fire. This is more than the usual despots arguing over territory and seizing control. The humans are not as skilled at maintaining records as we are, and such is their loss, in this case. The three Chaos Bringers that we have clear records of were never after power, or authority. They were after destruction. Our records older than that are less clear as that forth cycle back the records were damaged and had to be reconstructed, by those then living. This leaves us holes from there back to the start of our records about seventeen thousand local years ago.”

Sharlot continued. “Sometimes there is warning, sometimes not. This time there is, insofar as what we have.”

The assistants put glasses of water down for Sharlot, Mallob, and Roxanne, and then withdrew to stand by the clerks table, and talk among themselves.

Sharlot picked up the piece of paper again. “. . .  a new Chaos Bringer will arise . . . No news there.  A son and daughter will be born to one who is a forth generation half-elf . . . Because of the fifteen hundred year loop there has not been much done until this time. In the last ten years or so there has been a concerted effort by some to check every forth generation half-elf, and monitor them for having two children. One of our agents got quietly into the records of an Alistair Kevan on Terra, and discovered you. Let’s see . . .  Darkness will seek them . . . Light will seek them . . . Here we go . . . In their time will come a child, who will bring chaos to all that can be found.”

“Near as I read, that does not tell us anything about the identity of the Chaos Bringer.” Sharlot concluded

Mallob punctuated her comment. “Or origin. Just that your children, Roxanne, are the markers for this future event in their life times. On the other hand . . . Caspian gave us an ear full about Krogg, among other things, when he met with us. I must admit that had Pervical been more forthcoming neither I nor Cuinton would have been as ill prepared about them. As it is, we are awaiting report form Cuinton’s agents in Krogg. Caspian may have more information to share, but Pervical will not allow us to ask him. I expect that you will.”

Rox nodded at this, sipped her water, and spoke. “One other question. When I came in, I could speak, however haltingly, you local tongue. I know right now that I am not. Somewhere in the middle of the meeting my language changed. On the other hand, I presume you are still speaking your native tongue, and I hear and understand it fine. Can either of you explain that?”

Mallob nodded. “I probably can, though Master Iver, or Caspian are the ones to really ask. Caspian probably used the common magic tool of implanting the local language into an individual, on you and your paramour. However because of the magics' that are now inherent to this city, such spells do not take as well as they might elsewhere. The result is that its effects dissipated from you in here.”

Rox understood. “I trust no offense was given. But why do I still hear you?”

Mallob gave a positive nonverbal cue. “None given, and you would do best to ask the magic-mongers.”

Rox nodded. “I will ask. I suppose that is all. These Masters will report how things go and any changes will be decided on later?”

Sharlot nodded. “Yes.”

Roxanne took the sheets of paper that had been left her, seeing it only as writing without any wax seals that she had seen on other documents, she rolled it up. “I will be on my way then. Good day to you and yours.”

Rox bobbed slightly, turned and stepped down off the platform she had been standing on at the end of the table, and strode across the room to the doors, and then retraced her steps out of the building.

The young female elf that she had previously been escorted by appeared to escort her again. “I am to escort you home.”

“Good. Am I speaking a language you comprehend?” Rox answered.

The elf looked at Rox a bit puzzled.

“No I am not.” Rox answered to herself.

They sat in silence as they traveled back to the hotel. The elf looked Roxanne over, as Rox looked over the writing on the sheet.

The writing was a cursive of some kind, and Rox could make out individual words, and some characters, but it was indecipherable to her.

The carriage stopped and Rox accepted the assistance of a footman as she again lighted from the vehicle. Without looking back, Rox heard the carriage pull away, so she gathered her skirts and went inside.

Rox entered the room and found Steven had his things spread about the bed and table, sorting out between short term and long term carry items. The kids’ things and the money were off to one side, his bedroll and cold-weather gear next to his pack and vest, his assorted toys piled next to that. His sword and clothes sat on their own, last.

Steven picked up the ongoing conversation as Rox paused and looked around. “They said they were going to teleport me, to save time. But that I might be several days. So I am sorting what is trail-useful versus general-useful. How did it go with you?”

Rox put her rolled up sheets on the table, and moved to sit in a window seat, out of Steven’s way. “I suppose it went well. They spent as much time talking past me to each other as to me. But they have a schedule for me to follow. I go to see a Master Iver tomorrow morning. Once he is done with me I go to a Master Eklund to get my own equipment sorted and approved. Frankly the only part I have any complaint with is the boots. But maybe these people can do better and surprise me. They also mentioned you going to a Master Mundrl for your refitting, once you get back from your errand.”

Rox was still processing the meeting in her mind. “I learned that there is more to the motivation of the people who started this with our kids. But I still don’t think I have it all straight. We know that there is the kingdom to the south-“

“Krogg,” Steven interjected.

“-that sent those guys that kidnapped me and the kids. I understand that they did this for a couple of reasons. One has to do with the unique nature of our kids, Alex in particular.” Rox was looking a bit blank, reading the text in her mind’s eye.

Steven leaned against the table, folding his arms. “We have learned that half-elves, like yourself, usually only have one child of their own sex. You had two; that is apparently odd, and one of the opposite sex, which I understand is apparently unheard of.”

Roxanne nodded. “Right. This marks our children as unique and therefore harbingers of some future villain. Somehow that is of interest to Krogg, and they want to control that villain through controlling our kids.

Rox looked back at Steven. “The elves suggested that Caspian knows more about this than they do. He seams to suggest that as well, when we have got him to talk about it.”

Steven nodded “But does this matter enough, to try to pump him for information? Or do we let him divvy it out at his leisure?”

Rox thought this over. “I don’t think that matters. We got enough other things to think about. On a different tact, the spell that Caspian put on us to speak the local language ran out on me in the middle of the meeting. One of the elves there suggested I talk to the magic-user tomorrow about it. Thing is, I could still hear and comprehend their language, I just no longer had mastery of speaking it.”

Steven nodded. “That is odd, but not fully unheard of. I can hear and comprehend a bunch of Spanish, but can only speak about twenty words coherently. Maybe somehow this local language is just ingrained in you. Want to ask Caspian?”

Roxanne shook her head. “No, not yet.” She looked away, thinking.

Steven put his vest on and started repacking his toys he was not going to take into it. He looked at his rolls of film. He was on his last roll.

Picking up the camera, Steven aimed and focused at Roxanne sitting in the window seat in a shaft of light from the window, adjusted the f-stop and shutter speed, refocused, and clicked.

The noise of the camera brought Roxanne back to here and now. She held still until she heard its final click as Steven advanced the film. Then she turned to watch her husband, and spoke.

“Those elves said a few curious things about Caspian. Evidently he was not their first choice. But he is someone that owed them a favor. They said that I have potential to be as powerful and capable as he is.”

Steven finished putting the camera away. “You want to stay here and find out?”

Rox looked at her husband. He had always been the one to want to get the job done and get back home. He enjoyed the adventure, but always wanted to get back to his own bed in the end. Rox came at it from the other end. Slow to start, once going she was always ready to go see more. This was not her concern though.

“No.” Rox answered after a brief pause. “Sharlot mentioned about Grandma Rhoda being a magic-user herself. I gather that this trait is somehow hereditary. I am wondering how it passed to the kids. Pervical is anxious to train Diana and Alex to whatever capacity they will have. Sharlot read something that said nothing will stand against them. I wondering what all this means. Diana has always been a quick learner. As has Alex.”

Steven agreed. “She reads every book I bring home. Wasn’t she tested at a few years above her grade level?”

Rox nodded. “Yes, so was Alex. He is writing legible cursive already; some of his classmates are still struggling with basic script. My point is that I wonder what potential our children have, or might have if we did stay here.”

Steven spread his hands out to the city beyond the walls of their suite. “With these people?”

Rox looked around, out the window. “Hadn’t thought it out that far. They can’t all be bad.”

Steven put his vest back on the table; it clunked from the heavier things in its pockets. “We will see. Personally, I would rather take them home and let them come back when they choose.”

075 – Next Steps – More Tests

Journal of Steven Caplan: Day 115

I’ve sat through some pointless meetings before. This was not so much pointless for me as it seemed to be a contest of egos. At least we know clearly who one of our adversaries on this planet is. The rest seem to be high-minded and of sufficiently elevated ego that Caspian’s opinion of them is not entirely unfounded. I expected a bit more snootiness, for my part.

Humor them, play their game, and get on with life

The next morning after Roxanne left, Verigan, the elf that had been acting as the go-between for the elves and Caspian, and the evaluator for Steven, arrived with an amulet on a necklace and a bit of paper with some writing on it. He was as formal and polite as ever.

Steven let Verigan in, closed the door and turned to follow him into the suite. Caspian was already here. Cyrril was absent as usual. Also as usual Verigan started at the reason for his coming.

“Steven, it has been decided that you need to retrieve a sword. This particular sword historically was wielded by a line of kings. Our research about its’ reputed characteristics lead us to conclude that it will be a useful tool in your potential dealings in the kingdom of Krogg.”

Caspian was a moment ahead of Steven to the punch. “What’s special about it, and how will Steven recognize it, and obtain it?”

Verigan looked at his notes, and read from them. “The wielder of the sword apparently ‘could not be touched by magic. It is described as being a straight two-edge sword, simple crossbar, wire wrapped grip.’ As for obtaining it, the kingdom it is in was conquered and destroyed over four hundred years ago.”

Steven had started getting dressed once Verigan had started his briefing. Much as Caspian was of general disposition to verbally spar with the elves, Verigan in particular had ceased to rise to Caspian’s barbs. Now Caspian was apparently trying to puzzle something out.

Steven settled his coat and backpack. “How many days am I expected to be?”

Verigan turned and looked down to Steven. “It is expected you will not be more than two days. You are being sent to a ruined city to hunt through. Our last reports of the area said that things were still of good general condition, but uninhabited. The Kingdom that destroyed the city looted it thoroughly, but left it standing as a monument. It is off any current trade routes, so there are few people who travel there.”

Caspian interrupted. “You are talking about Umieswe, aren’t you?”

Verigan looked to Caspian. “No. Umieswe is to the south east of the continent, and next to the eastern inland trade routes. That was sacked two hundred and forty three years ago, during the Trades-Mans War’s. Steven is being sent to Nydecia’s capitol, east of the center of the continent, destroyed during the Charman Empire consolidation.”

Caspian had to think, this was not a name he readily recognized.

Verigan turned back to Steven. “Our research suggests that the area has some residual magic about it, but it should not be anything belligerent. Also that the sword was not among the treasures looted from the city. The published histories report that the city fell with the death-by-old age of the last king and that the remaining royal family was slaughtered and buried on site rather than taken prisoner. It is expected that this sword is still in the city, and most likely in royal possession. Therefore find The King. Take his sword as your own.”

Steven considered this. “Will I need a shovel?”

Verigan put his paper aside and held out the necklace. It was a silver link chain with a medallion the size of a large coin on it, a stone set in the center of the medallion. “We don’t know. You are being sent alone to scout as a test of your abilities. When you are ready to return, squeeze the medallion, it will activate a teleport and bring you back to where you are teleported from. On your report we can further assist you. Such as to send you with a team of diggers.”

Steven nodded, took the necklace, put it on, and tucked it under his collar. “If I can’t return of my own accord, how long until someone comes looking?”

Caspian answered before Verigan could “They give you two days, I will come on the forth.”

Verigan considered this, and then nodded at Caspian.

Steven patted himself down: belt with a few things and the sword; pack with water bag, and food for a few days; blanked tied to the pack. Coat, hat, gloves, necklace, a few sundries in his pockets. Did he want the camera? No.

Steven looked at the crossbow. He had put it aside, figuring this was a quick effort, and decided he was right to leave it behind.

“I suppose I am ready, Verigan. Where do I leave from?”

Verigan had watched, approving. Now he picked up his paper and motioned to the door. “The café across the street will do. So long as we go quickly.”

Steven got the door, and Verigan stepped out, followed by Caspian. Steven closed the door and followed. Verigan apparently chose a point at random, drew a stick of chalk from his pocket, and put a quick mark on a paving stone in the café’s courtyard.

He turned and looked at Steven. “Hold still please.”

Caspian watched as Verigan set up the teleport spell, locking its locus to the chalk on the cobble. Then with a swirl of energy and a brief puff of displaced air Steven was wrapped up and gone.

Caspian finally had a compliment to Verigan as he started to walk away. “That was very efficient. How will we know when he is returning?”

Verigan stopped and turned. “The barriers around the city warn when someone is passing through them. The spells are discriminating enough to forewarn the correct parties. I expect that you are not among that group.”

Verigan picked up a pebble from a planter. Caspian sensed him put a spell on it that connected to the mark on the paving. He then handed the pebble to Caspian.

“That pebble will vibrate when the mark is activated as the return teleport locus. Good day, Mage Caspian.”

Caspian found himself replying by polite habit. “And good day to you, Verigan.”

Caspian picked a second pebble from the planter, and put them in a pocket as Cyrril swooped in to land on Caspian’s shoulder. The little dragon looked from his master to the departing elf, curious that the usually base level antipathy was not in his master’s mood. Rather his base level mood was mostly puzzlement.

Shortly before Verigan arrived, Rox was met by a two-wheel horse drawn cab and taken to a small shop on the lower flats of the city. Here she was met by a young male who showed her into a work room, and then disappeared. An older male elf was bent over some apparatus. Rox opened her magic senses and identified that there were assorted objects that carried static levels of magic. It reminded her of The Sorceress’s work room.

The older somewhat wrinkly elf was doing some delicate thing, but Rox could not see what through his back, so she stood and waited for him to finish. The elf straightened and arched his back to relieve some strain, and then put a white cloth over his current workspace, and turned on his stool to face Roxanne. He looked her up and down.

Rox had worn one of the skirts she used for travel, with a tunic and vest. She had the staff with her and the chains in a pack over her shoulder.

“So you are Rodira’s descendant.” He spoke in the local language.

“Yes sir.” Rox answered him in English. If this was going to be a powers test, it could go in both directions.

Whether he understood her or not, he continued. “Rasgan was supposed to send you with a note of introduction.”

Roxanne held up the paper she had hitherto wrapped around her staff. “Right here, Master Iver. I will also need it for my introduction to Master Eklund.”

Master Iver took the note and glanced over it, then held it out to return it.

Rox noticed a change on it and stopped herself from taking it. Before she gave it over it was totally mundane, now it glowed to her magic senses. She switched to the first language she knew from this planet.

“What did you just do to it?”

The older elf almost cracked a smile. “Very good, you are magically aware, and have potential to use more than one language.” He waved a hand across the sheet and its energy evaporated.

Roxanne now reached out to it, sensing that it was now unchanged from when she had last possessed it.

Master Iver changed to the same language Rox last used. “You will need to know the local language when you deal with Master Eklund. Unless you know the local traders dialects.”

He stood up before she could take the conversation further in that direction. Standing, Master Iver was nearly half again as tall as Rox, but just as skinny, where many of the elves were proportionally heavier.

“As you should be aware, I have been instructed to determine your fundamental levels of ability and your current level of instruction. The former can be done with a spell, the latter with some time in both classroom and on a training pitch. Please follow me.”

He turned and walked with the gate of someone on their early old age, beginning to loose equilibrium but as yet too proud to use a cane. Rox followed to a work area, and quickly recognized a personal work area.

He stopped at a work table with several things in array. In the clear area before this table sat a stool and an array of items on the floor, in a chalked design of an octogram with inscribed pentacle.

Master Iver pointed at a cleared table. “Deposit all your magic imbued items there. And to your perhaps embarrassment, I mean everything.”

Rox was pleased that she had not worn the local clothes today, and so was spared the embarrassment from when The Sorceress had done the same thing to her. She left the staff and bag of chains on the table. She had not cast spells on anything else, and by her own senses could not sense any other magic on her that she knew how to remove.

“I believe I am as you require, Master Iver. Would you please check to be sure?”

The old elf looked at Roxanne first with some potential annoyance, then with his magic senses. “You are correct, child of Rodira. Step onto the stool.”

Rox looked at the pattern on the floor, and went clockwise around it to ‘north’ and then stepped right into the middle and onto the stool that had been set in the middle. Master Iver looked briefly pleased, than set about finishing his spell setup. His method was not as constrained as Rox remembered The Sorceress using. She figured it was telling in the difference in the skill level of the two casters.

Shortly he had the spell up and running. This time Rox was able to follow it, and sense the pieces of the spell being put together and into motion. When done, Rox felt she was outside herself looking in and could sense a not-quite sphere of energy that swirled around her that had its poles at points above her head and below her feet, and that there were swirls or nexus points of energy within her own body at the chakra points, with streams of energy moving through them. There were secondary points in her limbs that had lesser swirls running out to them and back to the corresponding central points. Last all the cells of her body gave off energy that were effected by and contributed affect to the swirl and overall passage of energy around her.

Rox looked at Master Iver, and for a moment, could see a similar pattern of energy in him and around him.

Then he collapsed the spell, ending it, and swiftly Rox felt her senses return to within her and to normal.