In the notebook I would give Roman, I added some basic spells, and explanations. Things that a beginning Mage needed to learn, and a foundation for further learning. I also added The Map pages, these would help him in the future.
In Reggie’s I put in much more, not everything that was in mine, she would start asking questions. Questions I was not ready to answer, not yet, if ever. Her notebook also included the map section.
Once I had made theirs, I realized I had not updated mine in quite a while. I had absorbed more knowledge, so I needed to update it. There were also books in the Royal library I needed to add to my collection. Now that I thought about it, there were books in my pavilion library I needed to read and add to it. There were also other libraries I needed to search, but that would have to wait.
I made time and updated my notebook. Everyone thought I was studying in the library, which suited me fine. The Major-domo brought me hot tea while I was taking a break.
“Sire, Nobleman Stevens has asked for a private word.”
“Did he say what it was about?”
“He did not Sire. This the first time as far as I know he has ever asked to speak to the Crown, and he is the oldest living person in the Kingdom.”
“Show him in.” He at least had my curiosity up.
He bowed, “Yes Sire.”
An older man approached, followed by a younger man,” Sire, May I present Nobleman Stevens."
“Well met Nobleman.”
Both men bowed. “Sire, thank you for seeing me.” The Major-domo left. The young man stayed.
I looked at them with Mage Sight. Both were Mages, and both were unarmed. “I thought you wanted a private word Nobleman.”
He bowed, “forgive me sire, but as it pertains to his life, I ask your indulgence.”
“Very well, have a seat,” They sat, and more tea was brought in and served. We waited until we were alone once more.
“So, Nobleman what’s on your mind?”
“I have been watching you since your arrival, Sire. You have done more for the Kingdom than the combine Kings I have served, and I’m 103.” He looked good for 103 even by modern standards. “You have helped everyone, regardless of their station in life. Built or improved literally everything in the Kingdom. It is with high hopes that I’ve come before you today.”
“Now that you have pumped enough sunshine up my skirt,” I said smiling. “What can I do for you?”
He chuckled, then turned serious again. “I want to adopt this man as my son, and heir.”
I looked at the younger man. “Ok, what’s the problem?”
“He is illegitimate.”
“Ok, I still don’t see a problem. If he’s your son, even if he is not, and you want to adopt him, that Is your business.”
“There will be some who will want to have him killed.”
I frowned, “Why?”
“He is illegitimate, and a Mage.” They watched me closely.
My frowned deepened. “What am I missing?”
“It is not publicized, but for many years, I should say many generations, they killed illegitimate Mage. The nobles felt it a threat to their rule. If commoners could be Mages, next they would want to be equals. I personally think it started with the wives who wanted to protect their legitimate children. They wanted to protect their inheritance, and status. That is what it was in my case. My wife was adamant about me not acknowledging him. Though she gave me no heir. He was an embarrassment to her.”
I shook my head, “stupid people.” I looked at the son. “Your name?”
“Spencer, Sire.”
“Your talent, Spencer?”
“Healing, Sire.”
I look back at the father, “which is why you’ve lived to 103.” He nodded.
“I’m guessing that there are more people who know about your talent. You’ve healed them, and in gratitude they’ve kept your secret.” They both nodded. “So, what has caused you to come forward now, what has charged to force your hand?”
“You, Sire. We felt you were our best hope of making Spencer my legal heir.”
“And you were willing to bet his life on my benevolence?” They nodded.
I thought a moment. “This can’t be the first time this has happened. Has any noble ever adopted, or recognized a mundane illegitimate?”
“I think there have been a few, Sire, but I can’t be sure.”
“So, if he was a mundane, what would be required for him to be recognized as your heir?”
“The Crown’s blessing.”
“You have it. Why not do it that way from the start?”
“I wish to help more people with my talent, not hide it.” Spencer said.
I nodded, “I can see that. Ok, here is what we can do. You have my blessing. You need to go to a healer who will train you in the areas you are lacking. Do you know a healer who will work with you?”
“I’ve been working with one for years. He is getting old, and I do most of the work now.”
“Good, get him to sign-off on your ‘Masters’ papers. No more problems, if one comes up, point them to me.”
They nodded smiling. “Thank you, Sire.”
“On another subject, I’m going to make some statements. You will not answer, just listen.” They nodded.
“You can’t be the only illegitimate Mage out there. If I was one and knew that if I was ever found out I might be killed, they’d never find me. Hypothetically we have some Mages out there that are wasting their talents, or using them, probably outside the law to survive.”
“I’d like to get these Mages into a productive life, serving the Kingdom. I would pay them for their services. You may have heard of some of these people. Let them know I’m offering to make a place for them. I will not come looking for them. They must come to me. I’d meet with them anywhere they wish. We could all benefit from this.” They nodded.
“Sergeant Major.” I raised my voice. The Mayor- domo, who was a retired Sergeant Major, came back into the library sitting area.
“Sire?”
“Have papers drawn up showing the adoption of Spencer to Nobleman Stevens, as his legal heir.”
“Yes, Sire.”
They took that as their dismissal, “thank you, Sire.” They bowed and left.
I looked in my notebook for “Mage Guild” and there was only a short reference to one Mage School many years ago, and yes far, far, away. I smiled.
Over dinner, “Have you ever heard of a Mage Guild or a Mage School?”
“No,” Reggie answered.” Magic is usually taught by parents or relatives. sometimes, tutors. But I’ve never heard of a school, and definitely not a guild. All Mages are nobles. It would be beneath them to belong to a guild."
“Oh well, no Hogwarts.” I smiled. “You are probably right; they have trouble agreeing on what time to eat.” I said. I’ll have to think on this. I wonder if anyone else realized that the “Mage Gene” was already out there.
“I have a gift for you.” I said.
“Oh? What have you done?” she smiled.
“Nothing...that I’m going to admit too. Beside I didn’t get caught.” I handed her the notebook I made for her. It looked fancier than mine.
“Ooow, pretty.”
“It’s an enchanted notebook.” I showed her how to us it. She fell in love with it immediately. I did good.
Chapter 22
I had always heard of the “terrible twos’’ but I had never seen it. Now I know why they call it the terrible twos. The twin’s favorite word is “no”. It was like watching a ping pong game between them, bouncing “No” back and forth. So, I choked one out, the other one started acting better... Ok, no I didn’t, But I wanted to choke both little buggers. I sure love those little scamps, and so does Armor. Who is their horse, apparently.
We spend a lot of time reading to them and teaching them to count and say their ABC’s. They are two quick learners, and smart. Do all parents say that about their children? Probably. But in their case, it�
�s true, I smiled. Reggie is a great mom and keeps their minds challenged. She finds new things to occupy their minds and to teach them.
Having children made me more aware of other children. I talked to the Head Priest, and we built and financed an orphanage. They also went into the school. The school was doing well and was widely accepted. Especially since the Crown fed their kids two meals a day for free.
Half the streets in the city were now paved, and they would finish the main road heading to the trade road by the end of the year. More and more people had found other work. I guess road work was too much labor for them.
Our “National Guard” was doing well. They didn’t like it. But they got used to it, and it gave them a little extra money. Some had crossed over to become full-time army. Conversely, some full-timers, became part-time guard.
Volwick had adopted most of our programs, though not on the same scale. Overall their Kingdom was doing better. I believed Roman was responsible for a lot of it. I had given him the notebook; he was speechless; I made sure he knew how to hide it in his body. He was continuing to improve as a Mage, and as a leader.
He had learned to levitate and was doing well at that. He had started “flying” some but stayed close to the ground for now. I had him start levitating objects and moving them around himself. He was up to two objects consistently.
“Can you teach me to build roads and buildings?”
“I’m not sure, we’ll try, but your talent so far has been with fire, mostly. That may just mean you will have to work harder.” I pointed at a rock. “Use your Mage Sense to see and feel that rock.” He looked at it, I could tell he was concentrating. “Can you feel inside of it?”
“A little it feels like sand, but harder.”
I nodded. “Yes, now without breaking it make it flat, don’t try to ‘Stomp’ it flat, but do it easily.”
I could see it working and it was slowly heading in the right direction. Sweat was breaking out on his face. “Stop. You are trying too hard to force it. Rest for a while and trying again. It’s just going to take practice like everything else we do.”
I WALKED TO THE HARBOR, looking at things as I walked. Everyone greeted me, some bowing, some calling out from their work. I replied in kind.
I found Dov-ees hard at work as always, the smell from the kitchen upstairs was wonderful. “Admit it, you married her for her cooking didn’t you.”
“Of course, why else.” we laughed.
“What news from the north?”
“It seems your brother, the Crown Prince, was captured while raiding Klemstovel. Your father had to agree to the marriage of your sister to gain his release.”
I started laughing. “Something tells me they will regret that deal.”
He smiled, “Perhaps, it was either marriage, or bankrupt Norsewick.”
“Yeah, and children are cheaper. Is the Crown Prince back in charge of Midwick?”
“No, your father installed a governor, and the Crown Prince is back at court. I have noticed more caravans coming from the north. They seem to be more interested in what’s going on in Port City than in trade.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s always had his eyes on Shornwick, and especially Port City. Having me marry into it was icing on the cake. Sooner or later he’ll try us. As soon as he sees a weakness, he’ll try to exploit it. Keep your ears open.”
I STOPPED BY THE SCHOOL, more and more people of all ages had started attending. I would have to add to the mess hall, kitchen, and probably the classrooms. It would be worth the investment.
“Good afternoon Sire.”
“Father, how are you today?”
“Fine M’lord. You have found everything satisfactory?”
“I have, you and the other priests are doing fine work.”
“Thank you Sire. Do you have time for tea and to discuss some things?”
“I do.” We went to his office and sat. Tea was brought in and served.
“A friend of Spencer wants to speak to you. He would like to meet with you, but he has a fear of people in power.” I used my Mage Sight to see if there was anyone else with us. There was not, but to my surprise I saw the priest was a Mage.
“I understand. What can I do to help?”
“Would you swear before God that you are not seeking to hurt him?”
“I would, but you and I both know that if I were truly after him, me swearing to God would not stop an evil man. I’ll make this easier for us. I want to educate and make him a productive member of the Kingdom as a Mage. His first step would be to get a basic education. If this person must work to support his family, or himself, I will pay him to go to school. Once he completes that, we’ll talk about the next step. If he, or they, want to meet at any point let me know.”
“I believe that would be acceptable. He works to support a family. Sire, your offer of paying for him to go to school is most generous.”
I handed him a small purse. “Let me know when you need more. Tell him the same offer goes for any others that may find their way to your door.”
“I will Sire.”
“And what if we have one, or some who already have a basic education?”
I sat back. “Then we need to figure out how to continue their education in both, mundane and magic. I would need your council in that.”
He nodded, ”I’ll see what I can come up with."
MY CHAT WITH THE FATHER started me thinking. Further education, military and civilian. And another need kept circling around in my head. Spies. I went back to see Dov-ees.
“Back so soon?”
“Something's come up.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Our talk and other talks I’ve had today, has shown me a weakness. I want you to train some people for me.”
“Those, kind of people?” I nodded, “To what end?”
“Information. Other kingdoms are spying on us, I think we are falling behind. Information is power, we need to know what they are planning. I don’t need assassins; I need information gatherers. I don’t need to know how to take over a Kingdom, I have more than enough right here. I just don’t want anyone taking what we have.”
He nodded thinking, “As it happens, I agree with you. We are falling behind in that area. Do you have anyone for me to train?”
“Not at the moment, I’ll leave that up to you. You know what type of person who works best.”
He nodded, “I’ll get started. I’ll use some of what I already have in place as part of our merchant network, and I’II add to that.”
“Good, let me know it you need anything. I’ll need monthly in-depth updates. More if something important breaks.”
“Of course.” He bowed.
I FAST TRAVELLED TO Storm Island. There were no ships here now. I placed a rune on the sea floor at the mouth of the small bay. Now any time a ship came in I would know about it. I levitated higher on the Volcano cliff and made a small ledge. Now I could open a portal to look and see who was here without having to make the trip. I didn’t want to do away with the place; it served everyone. Now it would provide intel on ship movements.
I started letting my paranoia show me weakness. I drew runes on the twins backs then let them sink under their skin. Now we always knew where they were and could teleport to them or them to us if needed. I set more wards around the castle and the city. I set wards under the castle in case someone with Earth Magic came to visit. When our ships were in port, I added more wards to them. I put a cloaking ward on all ballistas. Unless you were on the ship, they could not be seen. I added wards to the wall and gates and cloaked all ballistas. No need to advertise.
I made wagon based ballistas as our army’s artillery arm. These I cloaked to look like supply wagons. I added .50 cal ballistas wagons to protect the artillery ballistas and other vulnerable assets and headquarters. I made sure all ballistas had plenty of ammo.
When our ships went out with their cloaked ballistas, they started getting attacked. The enemy thought they were no l
onger a threat. We now owned more ships, and the crews were happy with their share of the spoils. The Crown bought the ships and paid the prize money to the captain and crew.
We expanded our Army Signal Corps by adding Morse Code to their training. I figured out a way to make a wireless telegraph using sunstones. I made matched sunstone pairs and made a telegraph key to send messages. We could now communicate 24/7 no matter the weather with all our outposts. We set up a communication center in the military HQ at the castle.
I made another set of sunstone telegraph (SST) keys that, like the ground sheet, could be folded up and hid anywhere. If it was about to be taken just tear the paper in half. It would turn to dust. These I gave to Dov-ees for our trade network. All those messages went through him. It took time getting them in place, but once we did, we were getting close to real time intel. For our spies I made an SST that went under the skin of the middle finger and thumb. They could send and receive messages from anywhere, anytime. These too went through Dov-ees.
It took a while, but we could finally open a trading house in Dunwich. We concentrated on trade and ship fleet movement, especially troop ship movements. Unknown to anyone I had sent a small sunstone with the Dunwich traders. When they signaled they had arrived, I made plans for a visit.
Over dinner we caught each other up on our day. “We’ve just gotten word that the Dunwich trading house is up and running.”
She nodded, “That will help us keep an eye on them.”
“It will and will bring in some of those spices you like.” She nodded smiling.” I’ll be leaving in the morning; I want to see firsthand what the monster looks like."
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’m not sure, a few days, no more than a week.”
“Don’t start any trouble.”
“Me?” She just gave me “the look”, shaking her head. I laughed.
Mage Throne Prophecy Page 21
