“If we have such a device, I could take some time in 1017 to study it, and see if I can replicate it, that way we can decide on a specific person this will be keyed to, and then it won’t warp him or her.”
“I will join the trip to this Council of Eight island if you need me. It would be interesting to see given the description in the covenant annals” replies Angus
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"Alternatively, if we had a device that can fly and on which someone can ride, that might provide a viable alternative that neither warps nor requires it to be keyed to someone specific."
Thom shifts in his seat, fingers drumming lightly as if keeping time with a thought only he can hear. He listens to the talk of cloaks and devices and warping, then smiles, a little sideways, the way he does when everyone is looking very hard at the problem from only one angle. “I keep thinking,” he says, “that we are treating this as a matter of distance alone, when it is also a matter of habit.” His gaze flicks between Thadeus and Elric. “We did not speak because we did not expect to need to, and that is as much the trouble as leagues or Aegides. Whatever we choose, I would rather it be something used often and lightly, not saved away like a relic for emergencies. Messages should feel like birds on the branch, not thunderbolts.”
He leans forward a little, warming to the idea. “I wonder if we might look to things that already travel without being noticed. A charm tied to a living messenger, a bird, a fox, even a trusted grog who walks the paths often enough that the land knows them. Not a transformation, just a blessing of speed or sure-footing, renewed when they return home, so no one gathers warping like burrs on a cloak. Or even paired tokens, bits of wood or stone from each site, that grow warm or sing softly when a message is left with them, something faerie-adjacent but still polite enough to sit quietly inside an Aegis. It feels… truer to who we are. We are building roots between Ungulus and the Oak Circle. I would rather those roots carry whispers every season than gamble everything on one grand leap through the air.”
Thadeus listens to Thom words and smiles, "Exactly! We should not be in a situation that half a year passes between us talking. Or at least exchanging information. For example, a few days after you all left for the Oak Circle, we received news about Wulfric."
He relates the information about what happened in this matter, before concluding, "We had to act upon the information and had very little way to send you news about it, either for help or as a warning."
He adds, "In fact, all of those who knew the way to the the Oak Circle had left, so we couldn't even send a messenger who could quickly reach you. That is something we need to fix most urgently."
He shakes his head, concluding sheepishly, "That is a failure of mine as much as of anyone else. We should have at least arranged for messengers between the two sites."
Cath’rinne chimes in “Don’t put it all on your shoulders. We’ve all been busy, but the reality is that at least, Thom and I can fly here for an evening chat and fly back if we want to. If at least one of you learns to fly, that will go both ways. Otherwise, I suppose it’ll be simpler when redcaps resume regular services. You haven’t missed much. Some faerie issue, playing with Thom’s goat, and the joy of finishing our lab’s setup.”
"I'M learning a spell in the next season that will allow me to fly," says Thadeus with a nod, "and I plan on joining you at the Oak Circle for the casting of the Aegis. I'll just need someone to guide me the first time, since I've never been there, let alone from the air. So if either you or Thom can guide me when the time comes, that would be appreciated."
Turning to the others, "And if anyone else is interested in learning the spell, the lab text for Mercury's Winged Sandals is in the library. That spell, particularly if combined with Veil of Invisibility, should provide us magi with a reasonably fast and safe way to travel between here and the Oak Circle."
“I don't see any reason why me or Thom or both could not escort you to the Oak Circle. The more of us that can fly, the merrier. Joining for the aegis is a good practice.”
“If I may Praetor, I would like to learn this flying spell if I can have use of the lab in the cottage as I do not have my own lab, as you know” comments Angus
Elric nodded “I would learn such spells as well, once the work of translating the lab texts is complete. One other issue I’d like to raise is, while I’m going south, to take care of the Sea Knuckers, I hope to visit Nova Roma again, and see what I can salvage from it. If we can spare some people to go with me, maybe with a cart, so we can try and take as much of what we can find there as possible, that would be welcome. If not, I will just have to mark things, and we can send someone afterwards to pick them up.”
To Cath'rinne, "Agreed."
To Angus, "Certainly, I don't think we have anyone using that lab, so you are welcome to use it."
To Elric, "Yes, I think we should be able to spare a wagon and a few grogs to accompany you. Be careful on the road, though, for Wulfric is still roaming the region." Looking around the table, "Is anyone interested in joining Elric in the search for the ruins of Nova Roma?"
“Yes, I would like to support the venture Praetor” replies Angus
Thom nods along with the talk of wings and lab texts, clearly pleased, though his smile keeps a certain sideways mischief to it. He lifts one hand, palm up, as if letting an invisible bird settle there.
“Flying is good,” he says lightly. “Very good. I like the idea of knowing we can cross the space between us in an evening when it truly matters. But I hope we do not stop there. I would love to see us keep working on ways for the mundanes to make that journey quickly and often too, trusted grogs, named paths, little blessings of endurance or sure steps that can be renewed without anyone growing strange or brittle from it. If news only moves when a magus takes wing, then we will still have long silences, just with better views.”
Thom hesitates a heartbeat, then adds, tone gentle but intent.
“Which makes me wonder about our probationary or protected guest magi. Is that both Elric and Angus? Can't we hasten their full welcome. More voices in council, more hands able to travel, more people who feel this road is theirs to walk. I think the roots would thicken faster if we did. And.. We are so few. Too few after the Troubles.”
“Do not wish the seasons away, Thom”, Nauvi responds. “Our sodales will prove their worth soon enough, and they would not with to tell their future apprentices that they had things gifted to them. A few more months and they shall finish their probations, and based on current work will have no challenge at all.”
He changes topic. “I can join the search for Nova Roma if you have need of a specialist in Rego. Otherwise, I shall quite happily keep working in Ungulus and do my best to keep Wulfric distracted and led on a merry dance.”
“I would welcome anyone willing to travel with me to Nova Roma, so if Angus and Nauvi would like to join, I’d be more than happy to have their assistance. Though, might be best to have someone distract Wulfric.”
“I must differ magus Nauvi. This is my second season here as a probationer, I have to serve another five seasons as a probationer. Another five seasons does not feel like a few months to me. I have made my writing talent clear by my addition to the library and I have undertaken dangerous activity in searching for Wulfric to engage and kill him and fetching the Corpus vis with an expectation of facing a faerie guardian. I am unsure what more I would need to do to prove my usefulness and commitment to the Covenant to be honest.” Replies Angus
Thom’s eyes brighten at Elric’s suggestion, the spark of a plan catching quickly. He tilts his head, already half elsewhere, fingers tracing a lazy circle in the air as if sketching a figure only he can see.
“I might help with that,” he says, lightly, but with a glint of intent. “I might be able to shape an Image Phantom that looks exactly like Hamish, height, stride, even the way he carries his weight. A giant man seen on the road, in the wrong place, at the wrong hour, is the sort of thing Wulfric would feel obliged to follow. I would not need to linger, only let the rumor walk ahead of us. If Wulfric’s eyes are drawn elsewhere, even for a day or two, that may be all Elric’s party needs.”
The straightens then, the playfulness settling into something more formal, his voice steady as he looks around the table.
“While we speak of roads and responsibilities, I would like to raise a proposal. Angus and Elric have already borne the weight of this covenant in deed if not yet in title. I ask that we waive any further waiting and welcome them now as full members, with voice and standing equal to the rest of us. If we are sending people into danger, and trusting them with the future of Ungulus and the Oak Circle, then they should stand fully within the circle, not at its edge.”
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Thadeus looks at the others, waiting for them to weight in for or against Thom's proposal.
Betula looks up after a time of silence, “the flowers will not bud until spring… though there are winter flowers, tricked by an unseasonable warm period. I vote to be tricked…” then, changing topics as if nothing happened, “also, I would like to go to the council of eight with the expedition, there is much to explore there.”
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Cath’rinne chimes in. “Angus seems like a good men, and I look forward to having him as a full time member, but I don’t see any wisdom in lifting the time requirement that lets us get acquainted with each other, and that will apply to anyone joining us in the future."
“I’m interested in that Roma Nova expedition. When would you like to do that?”