After a pause, Thadeus adds, "The problem we may face, however, is gathering all the equipment and suppplies needed to set up the additional labs. That is one reason I was inquiring about the lab you used previously. Much of the equipment I have in my lab has been recovered from one of the enemy's at Wicker Hill."
Elric consider things "I could possibly lead some people there to see if we can gather something, and see what we find usable. Or, we can explore the ruins of my former covenant, which is closer, and see if we can gather supplies from there."
Thadeus nods, "Yes, that might be a good idea. We'll have to see if and when we can mount such an expedition. We already have one magus who is away retrieving some of his belongings down south, but after his return it might be worth going to the ruins to see if we can find something salvageable there."
Outside the Aegis, a mottled cat is exploring the grounds and looking at the covenfolk going about their business. Elric is really taking his sweet time getting me a token for the Aegis. He better have some milk ready for me.
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"That sounds like an excellent idea." Elric nods, and then clears his throat "If you'll excuse me, I think it's time I met up with Ealdraed, so I can tell him that it might take a bit to get him a token that he can carry, so he can enter the Aegis. Oh, and is there any milk and some meat I can bring him?"
"Certainly. Let's go down. I'll fetch a token for him in the council room - that's still in the old tower - while you talk to him. I'll join you down just outside the Aegis, and then we can see what we can get from the kitchen."
Elric will make his way to the spot outside the Aegis where he left Ealdraed. He smiles at him as he's approaching "Hello buddy, it seems like we\re welcome here. A fellow Magus by the name of Thadeus will be along shortly with a token for you, and then we can go to the kitchen to pamper you some. But I do think after that we need to give you a proper bath."
"Took you long enough," replies Ealdraed grumpily, sitting down and waiting for Elric to come to him.
At the young magus' words about a bath, he bares his fangs and his ears flatten. "What am I, a kitten unable to groom himself? I'll have you know that we cats are much cleaner creatures than you humans. We have no need to immerse ourselves in water. We're not fish!"
With that he turns his head away from his magus, flipping his tail disdainfully.
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Elric rolls his eyes. They've had this discussion many times in the last two years, that he stopped counting. "Of course you're clean, but a warm bath will soothe your muscles, and help you relax. Remember last year when we found those ruined roman baths? You were meowing and enjoying yourself in them. That was the happiest I've seen you."
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Ealdraed eyes half-close as he looks at Elric, a sure sign that he is getting more than a bit irritated with his magus. He flexes his claws, digging them into the bark of the tree limb he is standing on. "Are you presuming to tell me how I should feel? After making me wait for so long while you were, I presume, drooling at the possibility of getting a lab in those towers?"
Elric sighs "Am sorry I took so long, but you, of all creatures, knows just how much I've been longing for the peace and quiet of having my own lab and space to create worthwhile things, as well as to put enchantments into your bond that will help you. You're right that may have taken too long to come back, but I was given a tour of the place, and now, after we get you your own token, and after we've fed you, I can show you OUR new home, which is what we've both longed to find."
Ealdraed flicks his ears in forgiveness and nods regally. He is curious to see more about the place that may become a new home for them both.
Soon enough, Thadeus arrives from the old tower, moving to rejoin Elric and the cat. "I found a somewhat smaller token and a small piece of string. I think we can replace the string with something more appropriate, like a ribbon or a light leather collar, if you prefer."
Elric claps his hands "Yes! This will do for a bit, and we can replace the string later. Thank you so much for this." and he ties the string with the token around Ealdraed's neck so he can enter the Aegis, and then gives him a tour of the place, and where their lab will be set.
"What is it's name, if I may ask?" Thadeus inquires, looking at Elric.
"You may speak directly to me, magus," replies Ealdraed, before Elric can answer. "My name is Eadlraed of Roma Nova. I remember you, Tom, from when you were an apprentice, before you left for the continent with your master Caspar Ex Miscellanea. It is good to see you have returned, youngster."
Thadeus, a bit taken aback by being adressed directly by the cat, quickly recovers and bows, "I now go by the name Thadeus of the lineage of Pralix. Welcome to Ungulus, as a guest of the covenant."
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Elric raises an eyebrow at Ealdraed's mention that he knew Thadeus before his Gauntlet, but remains quiet.
"Now," adds Thadeus with what may be a supressed smile, "Elric mentioned the dire need for milk and perhaps some tidbits of meat. Would you follow me to the eating hall? I will ask the cooks if there is something like that on hand."
Ealdraed nods solemny, "That would be acceptable, magus Thadeus, please lead on."
A little while later, they are all sitting in the hall, envoying some refreshments of thir liking (some ale for the magi, a small bowl of milk for Ealdraed). The furnishings are on the rustic side for a covenant - simple benches and trestle tables. After a few rounds of pleasantry, Thadeus speaks more seriously. "So, I have heard that Roma Nova was destroyed. Did any of the inhabitants survive, either human or cats?"
Elric enjoy his ale, and while the furnishings were a bit rustic, it was far better than he had in the past two years.
"Aside from Aeldraed, I haven't seen anyone alive, human or cat. I understand from him that the covenant came under attack, but he was out in the hills nearby when it happened, so he didn't know what exactly transpired, and who might have made it out."
He then audibly gulps before continuing "But I do have to come clean. I told you earlier that I've only spent a seasont here, to bind Aeldraed. The truth is, there is a functioning lab that, though I saw no marker on the outside, and I've spent a year there before my fear of the Diedne overcame my desire to find some peace. I do not know whose lab it was, but id you want, we can go there to explore more of the place, and see what other things we might find. the other labs had the markers, so I didn't dare to enter them, so it might be that the lab I used was a spare one they've kept for guests."
Thadeus nods, his face somber. He first turns to Ealdraed, "I know it,is not much, but I offer my sympathies for the loss of your community. Although I do not remember you specifically, I have fond memories of the cats of Roma Nova. Their loss is a tragedy."
Ealdraed remains silent, but his eyes squeeze shut from the pain of memories. Then he bolts away, leaving the eating hall at a run.
"I'm sorry," Thadeus says to Elric.
A bit later, he circles back to the topic of Roma Nova, "Yes, I think we should investigate the ruins, if only to recover what lab equipmemt we can and make sure no dangerous knowledge falls into mundanes hands. We will have to talk to the others about this, when they return."
Then, a bit later again, rising, "I should introduce you to our Princeps, Janus of Flambeau."
Elric rises and in a quiet voice asks "Did... did your mater go back to Nova Roma after your Gauntlet?" He knew it was a touchy subject, but he did feel sorry for this, and he knew what it was like to have lost the covenant you've apprenticed at. It didn't matter what your relations with the resident Magi was, it was a blow to your heart, and any shred of evidence, or anyone alive was a welcome respite.
Thadeus shakes his head, "No, Caspar remained in the eastern parts of the Rhine. We'd spent only a bit over a year at Roma Nova, as guests, while he prepared for the move to the continent. He actually pleaded me to wait and study some more before I came back. Caspar is a man who tries to avoid conflict, so he did not want to join the War. I had... reasons of my own to want to fight the Diedne."
"I had heard that Nova Roma had been destroyed early in the war, so I travelled directly to here, since it was known to be the place to join the fight. But I arrived late."