Angus will ask Thadeus not to mention anything to the Redcaps about the attack on the soldiers. They may be making notes of people’s behaviour for use by the Guernicus after the war ends.
When you ask him, Chronos has 2p Vim which he offers to trade for 2p any techinique, or 3p Corpus/Mentem/Terram, or 4p other forms. The other redcap can make a similar deal on a bargain roll of 9+, or a one for two deal on 6+.
Thadeus will take the deal with both Chronos, offering him 3 pawns of Corpus.
He is unable to make a deal with Maev for now (Bargain total of 4).
Thadeus will ask with Chronos and Maev if there are any news about who the Praeco is and where a next Tribunal meeting will take place? It is supposed to occur in 1018, provided House Guernicus dispatches a quaesitor to oversee it.
He will also want to send a letter to Cad Gadu, opening the possibility of trade of vis and books between the two covenants.
Will Maev be the redcap who will regularly visit Ungulus from now on? His purpose wasn't really clear from previous posts.
Maev came primarily to collect the books on behalf of Blackthorn, since Chronos wanted to continue his journey into Loch Leglean.
«I do not think we can keep a fixed schedule of visits,» says Maev, «but I will try to visit once a year. There are not enough of us to maintain a Mercere house.»
Chronos adds, «if I am still welcome, I would like to spend Winters here at Ungulus. If Maev manages to visit once a year, it will make this the closest we get to a Mercere house.»
«If you have messages to the continent, I can take them. I hope to be able to get them down to my contacts in Brittany before the end of Summer, and they may reach Harco within a year and a half,» says Maev.
«I will be busy exploring the North this year, but if everything goes to plan, I will make the journey to Calais next year,» says Chronos.
They watch Thadeus, and seems open to input on their schedule.
«When it comes to the tribunal, it seems that Bruðir of Cad Gadu is the senior magus, but there is no Praeco until the tribunal elects one. Verassius offers to host the tribunal at 1018, if need be. Bruðir has not made a statement yet. There is no quaesitoris to oversee procedures, and if we cannot persuade Mildred to leave the regio, the tribunal will not be quorate in any event.» Chronos sighs. «What is your take? You count for about half the Gifted magi in the tribunal. Do you think we can hold a tribunal without a presiding quaesitoris?»
Again, they listen to anything the local magi have to say.
«There is another matter of course. Few as we are, it is imperative that we train apprentices. If you know a young lad or lass with potential, we would both appreciate recommendations. I know it is a lot to ask, but furthermore, if you have a scholar who can spare a season to teach letters to the young one, that would be even more helpful.»
When it comes to vis trades, they think they can set up a deal with Cad Gadu, for, say 3p Vim per year for 3p Corpus or Mentem plus 1p commision to the redcap carrying it.
"I'll mention it to the Council, but I'm sure you'd be more than welcome to establish a Mercere House here," Thadeus says to Maev. Turning to Chronos, "and to spend your winters at Ungulus. As a Tribunal we will need secure and regular communications if we want to recover fully from the war."
Thadeus nods as they explain the expected schedule for the coming year. "One of our members spent some time in the ruins of Roma Nova, and we will try to go back there to see if anything can be salvaged. We will let you know what we find ther, and if some magi from the continent are interested in settling there, then perhaps we can assist them with at least a description of the place."
"We also found some old letters from the time of Rome and a book gathering correspondence with Pralix herself during our explorations. I think that Cad Gadu might want to have a copy of the book when we can make some copies." He smiles at Chronos, "And perhaps you may be interested in in as well? I could task our scribes into making copies before then, if you want. It is of some historical interest."
"As for the next Tribunal meeting, I believe that the sooner we can have one, the better. Even if it is not quorate or if we lack a quaesitor, at least it will allow us to get a better plan for rebuilding the Tribunal as a political entity."
Thadeus is happy with the possibility of vis trade with Cad Gadu, but notes that the redcap"s comission may not be in Corpus or Mentem. "We only have so much of those Arts."
«Thank you,» says Chronos. «I would not call it a Mercere House, not as long as we cannot staff it permanently with members of the house, but me staying here every Winter does establish a fixed point for Maeve and Colmàn to make contact.»
«I am not sure you have met Colmàn,» adds Maeve. «He is in Hibernia at the moment, and as far as we know, we are the only three redcaps left on the islands.»
Chronos is very interested in the letters, and spends the better part of the next day to look them over and gauge their quality. Maeve offers to discuss it with Cad Gadu. «Do you want to phrase a message, verbally or in writing, to take to them?» asks she.
Maeve approves of the commission in any art.
In the yard below the northern tower of Ungulus, the thud of practice blades and barked commands often echoes in the crisp mountain air. Hamish, shirtless despite the chill, looms like a boulder among the covenfolk, his massive arms crossed as two recruits struggle to disarm each other with practice spears. One stumbles, the other overextends, and both end up in the mud.
“Better,” Hamish grunts. “You didn’t drop the haft this time, and your teeth are still in. That's progress.”
The big Scot turns and gestures for the next pair to step in, nodding in approval as a seasoned grog corrects a new lad’s grip. Training has gone well of late—fresh blood has joined the turb, and though green, they’ve shown grit. Hamish respects grit.
By midday, the drills wind down. Hamish slings a cloak over his broad shoulders and climbs the stairs two at a time toward the tower’s upper level, where murmured voices drift from the side hall. He rounds the corner and spots Chronos the Redcap, his travel-worn boots just barely scuffed with dust, deep in conversation with Magus Thadeus.
Without hesitation, Hamish claps a massive hand against the stone doorframe. “Chronos,” he says with a slight nod and a half-smile beneath his beard. “You’re back. Been a while.”
He glances between the two, tone casual but heavy with meaning. “What’s the news of the war?”
Thadeus smiles, "I have spent much of my apprenticeship chasing shapeshifters in Pomerania that I'M not fully aware of what it takes to call it a formal Mercere House. In any case, you and your sodales are more than welcome to meet here."
"No, indeed, I have not met Colmàn yet. At least I don't think I did." The Pralician shrugs, "If passed through Cad Gadu when I started my apprenticeship, I may have seen him then. But since I never set foot in Hibernia, that would be the only opportunity for us to have met."
"Verbally is fine. Just let them know that we will send along a copy as soon as one has been made. I'm not sure how useful it will be, but it is a piece of our House's history, and of the Order's as well. Much has been lost in the war, that I figure if we can recover a bit of the past then we can still learn from it."