"That is one option. At the same time we can take orders for copies of his work to be distributed, if it is ready, and begin spreading the reputation of his work ahead of the orders, especially if you are willing to give the Mercere house a cut of the profits. The greed of my house can go a long ways in promoting a great work such as this. Or I know a Bonisagus who is not seeking any more reputation who might write a letter to recommend it be disseminated by her house as free knowledge, to spread the reputation of Alarcon."
She looks at you askance.
The Great Work was not done for the goals of sinful money! Alarcon was already rich beyond imagination, both in mundane and magical harvest. No. The plan and purpose was always for the glory of enlightenment, the advancement of his Hermetic tradition. The Green Stone, it is they who are exploiters and profiteers! They veil the origins of true magic, label then secrets, and demand devotion to their cult before teaching them portion by portion. This knowledge must be made free to every magus and maga.
"Then would you like me to take a copy to the bonisagus maga I spoke of, and see if she can aid in seeing the work distributed?"
I will present the findings at Tribunal as the Master had intended. After that I shall make seven copies for you to deliver to your Bonisagus sodale.
"Thank you, I hope the Great Work finds a path to illuminate the entire order."
After the conversation, Rich heads back to meet Fedora. Along the way, whispering winds dance upon the ears.
Do you feel that this is the best path to follow?
Rilcheaux stops "I am a redcap, I walk a hundred paths, could you be more specific?"
Do you walk a hundred paths at once?
Rilcheaux can see the speaker seated in the garden robed in light gray with and orange sash over his right shoulder. His shaven head is bowed slightly as if he were contemplating the fountain in front of him. The stigmata on the back of his head looks like a flower in bloom.
"There is this path, this walkway, there is the path yet before me on the way to the Tribunal. There are plans I have made with a number of different people, any one of which you might be referring to as this path, so yes, I do, though they may not all be seen, for every package, every plan, every message is its own path, with its own destination and plans. Sometimes many paths simply happen to follow the same route."
The Criamon pauses. He brings a hand up and wipes his head. A tattoo or stigmata that looks like a chain wrapping around his wrist and arm flashes briefly.
A man is walking through the mountains. He is an experienced wanderer of the world but has never been this way before. He comes to a village that is below three separate passes. As he wonders which to take the village fool come up to him and says that all three will go somewhere but perhaps not to where you want. Two off them look easy but lead to darkness and ruin. The one that is harder and takes more work will be the best. The Traveler nods and begins up the straightest path. Did he make the correct decision?
"Not if he is taking advice from the village fool."
So if I had said rugged mountain guide you think the Traveler would follow his advise? Why?
"Perhaps, perhaps not, but he would be more likely to, for who is more foolish than the man who follows a fool?"
And how does the Traveler know if the Fool is a fool or just looks like one? He waves a hand at Rilcheaux as if to say do not answer that. You just prefer shallow answers without contradiction. I must then be more straightforward with my task. A blind man attempted to guide you but you ignored him or did not listen and have gone in a direction that will benefit no one in this Villa nor most magi in the Order. I am the Fool's apprentice who must chase after you down the path and attempt to either alter your direction or take a hand myself.
"I still am unsure what you want, but that sounds vaguely like a threat." Rilcheaux comments. "If I had to guess, you are implying that the research should not see the light of day, though I have no idea why that would be. My time is short, either speak plainly or we should speak later."
If you spoke the opposite of what you just said you would be correct. If the negatives turned to positives. Then you would know what I am saying is nothing like a threat and that the research should see the light of day. The Criamon stands and faces Rilcheaux. But not on your current path. You have chosen a way that will let the research disappear into the mysteries of the green stone. The Fool would like you make a different decision. But the decision is still yours.
"First of all, why would it disappear on the path I have taken, and secondly what option do you propose?"
Visions are not straight forward. He pauses as he brings the words to mind. My guess is that you need to take action as it relates to the research. Just carrying the research to the scribes is not enough. The actions of members of this Covenant will lead to nothing. If the green stone secures the research then ruin and disaster.
"Believe me, I am not just carrying it to the scribes. Are you telling me you have some form of fortune telling ability that has applied to this situation? What happens if we make a copy and the Green Stone gets one but we retain a copy? Is that still disaster?"
I do not have the ability to see into the future. Only into dreams. Visions are not specific. They cannot tell you that a magus named Typhoeus is in the green stone and will steal the research unless you know Typhoeus well. They generally show some portend and an experienced person can interpret them. At best you can break down what the portend said against your actions as it regards to research. "All actions by this Covenant will lead to nothing." What are the members of this Covenant doing in regards to the research?