Edmonte's Story - Kazen II Kad (reading eggs books .TXT) 📗

Estrey Region,” Master Zhou relented.

“Have you already presented this case to the Octagon Council?”

“Only the summary of the proposal to the Exterritorial Director of the Octagon Council, and he scheduled another discussion for tomorrow, and this time with the whole member of the Octagon Council and Governor General Endo in attendance,” Master Zhou said. The Exterritorial Director was responsible for handling for any issues outside the regions.

“Can I see your proposal?” I asked.

“Sure,” Master Zhou said before he gave me a thick piece of leather-bound book with the word ‘Proposal For A Magus Institute in Estrey Region’

written on its front cover page. I wondered if he was discussing this with the mercenary corporation a while ago. The report was commendable, with the aim and objectives clearly defined. The proposed new institute did not have to be newly built; a ready made premise should be sufficient and expenses incurred would come out of the pocket of the masters themselves and from donation. Similarly, there would be no admission fee for those eligible to learn magic and these people would be responsible for themselves once they complete their apprenticeship period. In addition, the names of the proposed teachers, board of directors, and chancellor were also stated in the report including their magical and skill practice – it was a combination of mages and guild people in other skill like smiths and such.

“Try to negotiate a place in Biryn or Joarna,” I commented as I handed the proposal back to Master Zhou.

“Why are you excluding Bedin or Kyrun?” Kash asked.

“It’s probably a good place to start a business but we are building a place of learning here. We need somewhere with open space for future expansion and to grow and rear our own food supply,” I said. “We can deal with land acquirement once the proposal got through so we can have an upper hand in negotiation with landowner in either town.”

I continued to give Master Zhou a few pointers, recommendation and such about the proposal as I had no idea what my role would be during the discussion and I might not be able to help him during the discussion. We only stop as the sun began setting.

Lieutenant Regan came to the inn an hour before the designated meeting. I could not possibly take my apprentices to the discussion and so I let the twins had the day off from training and with Sir Barth to act as their guardian, although it was quite hard to talk Sir Barth into his temporary role; he wanted to accompany me. Then, Lieutenant Regan led Master Zhou, Sir Anton and me to the Octagon Council Building. There was not much talking going on as we went through the hallways to the designated discussion room, though there were whispers here and there, not to mentioned the nervous glances on some of the people we passed by.

“Welcome to the Octagon Council, Master Edmonte, Master Zhou, and Sir Anton of Magus Association,” Governor General Endo greeted when we passed through the doorway. I saw the old man was clad in his military uniforms, and so do some of the council members. The other non-military members were also clad in formal suit. Good thing I did not look too shabby – I donned my necromancer robe and accessories.

The discussion room similar to a theater room, albeit a smaller one; with a podium on a raised platform in front of the room, while the other chairs were neatly arranged in rows facing the platform. The other attendees of the discussion was already seated themselves on the available seats with the governor general on the front row

“You may do you presentation on the podium, Master Zhou,” the governor general continued. Master Zhou bowed slightly towards the governor general and went up to the podium to prepare. “You may sit with us, Master Edmonte,” he turned to me so I just nodded and sat on any empty seat available.

It took roughly one hour and throughout the whole presentation, the other attendees were listening attentively. When the floor was open for discussion, members of the Octagon Council threw out question related to their designation. I was really thankful of the brainstorming session we had before. Nevertheless, Governor General Endo did not join the foray and continue to listen silently for the next thirty minutes until the council member exhausted their inquiries. When he did ask a question, it was towards me rather than to Master Zhou.

“Well, Master Edmonte, what to you think of the proposal?”

“I wish such institution exist during my time,” I answered truthfully. “Beside, it’s beneficial to the region in the long run.”

“And why do you think that?”

“Simply because it would save time and resources to search for master mage for apprenticeship, and for any people looking for skill mages of any practice.”

“I see,” the governor general said before he lapsed into silent. “How fast can it be implemented?” he asked, looking at me and Master Zhou.

“Once the premise is confirmed, we would need a week for renovation of the place to suit training environment. Mind that the renovation priorities the most fundamental needs of both master and apprentices. Other necessities can be added in due time according to priorities, resources and needs. Once that stage is done, we can welcome master and apprentices to residence.” Simple and précised, just liked we practiced.

The governor general lapsed into silence once more. Then he turned to look at each of his council members. “Those who approved, rise you hand,” Governor General Endo asked. Next thing I knew the whole council members there rose up their hands unanimously. “Okay, there you have it. We approve the establishment of the Magus Association Institute in Estrey Region,” he turned back to Master Zhou and me.

“We can get over the list of empty lots available in Biryn Town, which are up for sale or rental. We can also do a site survey before you choose,” the Director of Estrey Regional Development.

In the end, almost all the directors of the Octagon Council offered assistance in the area they were specialized in – the Director of Security wanted to assigned a number of the troopers to act as security for the institute; the Director of Finance offer an amount of fund to tide us over a period of time, especially in term of monetary expenditure; the Director of Resources offer tangible resources; and the Director of Communication offer transportation assistance. We could have return to the inn by lunch time, but we need the official document of the approval to be drafted and signed, and it was nearly sundown before we were finally on our way back. At dinnertime that night, we related what had transpired over the discussion to Sir Barth and my apprentices.

“Master Zhou, when will you be returning to Soparto?” I asked.

The elementalist mage looked at me. Then he clasped his hand together apologetically. “I’m sorry, Your Excellency. I won’t be accompanying you to Soparto for the chancellor election, as I need to see through the implementation of the proposed second institute. Please go to Soparto for the chancellor election.”

Again I noticed that he stressed the last sentence. I sighed and patted my hand over the older man’s shoulder. “I am going to Soparto and see through the election,” I promised.

“What’s this about going to Soparto?” Sir Barth asked. I knocked myself mentally for the slight error. I never did mention to the knight mage, or to my apprentices, about the chancellor election matter.

“There’s going to be an election for the chancellor seat this coming Summer Solstice and I’m one of the candidates chosen. Thus, we’re going to Soparto sometime soon,” I explained briefly. “Okay with you guys?” I asked Sir Barth, Gaby and Theo.

“I’m okay with this,” the knight mage replied.

“Same with us,” both Gaby and Theo said.

“Do you need to give something to anyone at the Magus Association Institute?” I turned to Master Zhou.

“Mm…Maybe just a brief verbal to Mistress Thora that the proposal come through and to send over a few master mages of various magic practice for assistance, if she could spare any. I will send the full report soon through a courier.”

“Okay,” I said and that ended the night conversation.

Our journey to Soparto started two days later – not that we need much preparation; rather I had prior promise with Lucien of Diner’s Delight. I also mentioned that I would be going to Soparto soon and the young liegeman offered the service of one of the ships operated by the Shadow Society to ferry my entourage there as Islandville of Soparto was one of its charted destination. Lucien would not take ‘no’

for an answer, and argued that the passage would be the payment for the list of herbs and drugs. I just accepted the goodwill as not to enrage the young man or those who worked for him.

There was nothing of importance on the journey to the Port City of Kyrun. We stayed overnight to rest, where I went in search for the captain of Freya at a tavern owned by the Shadow Society, and where Freya’s crew usually went drinking while they dock, as told by Lucien beforehand. I was rather skeptic on the matter, but I did not want to lie to Lucien either that we could not find Freya and took booked passage on another ship. Therefore, I was quite surprised when I found Captain Petr and he agreed to it, saying they received word from the liegemen. I was surprised that order from the top management sure travel fast in Shadow Society. We set sailed for Islandville of Soparto early the next day.

I assumed that I would be pretty busy as soon as I arrived in Islandville so I took the one week journey through the Central Strait to drill my apprentices in the lore of necromancy. One hour in the morning and another hour at night were schedules for meal and privy break. Between spending time with Gaby and Theo, I also had a talk with Captain Petr to ask matter of Soparto generally; who knows of the changes that took place since the last four years that I avoided Soparto. The rest of that I spent conferring with Sir Barth on the matter of Magus Association and possible trouble.

Chapter 9: Broken Vows

I never expected a crowd to gather at the harbor to welcome