I straighten my back without thought as I look up to meet Arlon’s eye. But that slight smile is gone, replaced by the full force of the Grandmaster’s stern look.
“Glad to see you’ve finally taken an interest in joining the proceedings,” he says, voice tight with restrained frustration. “Your father has been... persistent in asking after you, but I told him you caught a cold.”
“Thank you,” I say quietly. I’ve had the time I needed to sort through my own feelings about being home. Talking to Samira has helped, and though she claims my father has changed, I have a hard time believing her. He always treated her differently than he treated me. “I wasn’t ready to face him yet. I think I am now.”
Arlon’s heavy hand rests on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “He’s already speaking like you’ll be staying behind when the talks end. But if he wants to bring magic to Cairish, he will drop that request.”
There’s steel in his voice, and I can’t stop a smile at the threat. “I hope I can save you from such drastic measures.”
“How so?” Arlon asks warily.
I hold up a placating hand. “My sister has ambitions to take my father’s seat in the Shykhdar. She’s already done most of the work obtaining approval from three of the five other seats. I’m going to help her get approval from the two holdouts.”
Arlon sighs before his hand drops from my shoulder. I miss it immediately. There’s something safe in the warmth of his touch.
“I trust you will keep this insulated from the talks?” There’s a slight warning in his voice. Meaning,you better keep this away from the talks.
“I promise,” I say quickly. “If anything, it may even help smooth over some of the negotiations between Cairish and Straetham, because I’m going to enlist Feisal’s help.”
Arlon raises a skeptical eyebrow before he lets out a long sigh. “Alright,” he says at last. “I’m trusting you in this, Olbric. The talks are in a...delicate place.”
We’re still on tentative ground with each other, but hearing that helps. And though I’ve been privy to the gossip, I haven’t had a chance to ask about what’s being said inside the conference chamber.
“How... are the talks going?”
Arlon suppresses a wince and glances towards the King as he retreats to Allisande’s quarters. “Let me get dressed for the ball, and I’ll fill you in.”
WITH THE QUEEN’S APPROVAL, I start hammering out the logistics for the Crucible. Location is the first thing to solidify, but out of the parcels the Queen gave us to choose from, one is just about perfect. It’s located halfway between town and the Crux, just close enough to be accessible for the residents of Straetham and the Crux alike.
After the location is settled, Garrett helps me create a plan to break ground. I gather Cancassi, Thaddius, Iona, Rega, and Jonas for the job. All have their transmutation masteries, and while the utility of magic can’t be overstated, it is especially useful in matters of construction. As we go over the build plan, Cancassi’s excitement bubbles over.
“Gods, yes. Whatever you need done, I am yours,” they say, their copper eyes bright with delight as they flip through the sketches of the building. “When are you opening up auditions? Because you are freeing my exhibitionist with this.”
“Your exhibitionist isn’t already running wild?” I laugh. “Consider yourself a performer.”
Rega looks over the drafts of the structure and interior before she asks, “When do you hope to have the building done?”
“I hope to have the grand opening before the first snow hits,” I say. “Weather permitting, that likely gives us a little less than a month.”
Iona whistles.
“I know that’s a tall order,” I say quickly, “but since we’re... slow with assignments right now, hopefully this will give us all something to focus our attentions on.”
“I don’t mind construction,” Thaddius says. He gives Iona a hopeful look, and I can’t miss the collar locked around his neck.
Iona’s full lips flatten into a knowing hum. “You just want me to let you out of your cage.”
Thaddius’ grin is crooked. “It’s for an assignment. Wizardly duty, and all that.”
“Aww, eager pup.” Iona smirks up at me. “Use him however you need.”
Thaddius’ grin widens, and I hope he keeps that eagerness when the heavy lifting starts. Which it does two days later.
Garrett agrees to oversee construction, which I am endlessly grateful for. I underestimated how much the prospect of the Crucible would light a fire under the Crux, but after I make an official announcement later in the week, I’m flooded with a wave of interest. Yet no one is more excited than Cancassi, though as I set the paperwork in front of them, their excitement dwindles a little.
“An activities list?” They bat their lashes at me. “You’re saying you don’t know all my proclivities?”
“I’m saying I have at least twenty interested performers, and I can’t remember all of your masteries, on top of the special ‘want to do in public’ list that everyone seems to have,” I snort.
