The Spice of Magic Part II
Tenth Day of the Eleventh Month 293 AC
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Narrow Sea, Stepstones, Cabin upon the Basilisk's Fang
Baedar did strive to mimic the Braavosi adage inspired as much by the drudgery of mummers at their most humble beginning--though he supposed they called themselves 'actors' now--as much as the witticisms of philosophers that had sprouted from the Secret City and foreign climes. Indeed, there was a similar saying in Volantis, though it would be far too prosaic to compare his own lineage as having sprouted from children of like minds.
Right now the Investigator was trying not to let the internal screams threatening to spill past his lips become external, and he began to curse the fact he had not decided to become a lawyer or a scribe instead of a spy. Alas, the world does not move where you will it except when you spelled it so, and even then you had to act with care lest the blade you forge from the effort shatter like so many shards of glass.
"We'll be taking on additional cargo in Lys of course, not really comestibles as we have plenty of purification storage capabilities already, but whatever we cannot take on at Sorcerer's Deep," Gyles spoke softly as the two whispered over the sounds of scratching quills and angry murmurs heard a cabin over.
"We'll recommend tinctures and unguent more than weapons," Baedar replied, carefully schooling his features still. To a mage like Gyles he was as inscrutable as he could be, though to others he had kept a cool head and an air of exasperation. Better that they think him put-upon to be here, rather than actually convinced there was going to be any law-breaking taking place the moment they landed on southern shores.
Aside from the fact it would be more difficult to watch for such idiocy, it would make it more difficult for the crew to do their work if he loomed over them like a phantom, plenty of Myrmen in the crew were as superstitious as any other commoner to be found across half of Essos, only slightly more composed over the fact than an unwashed barbarian from the Sunset Lands.
He supposed there was the knowledge that they at least had some experience with the matter, seeing the work of relatively organized magecraft and the work of the Hunters quickly putting to an end any upstarts trying to conjure or enchant to their own ends.
"So curatives for plague and sickness, antivenom, and vermin repellent," Gyles confirmed, quick on the uptake as he scribbled down another note. "Lord Baelon has invested heavily in the effort already, a
mobile stronghold for the main expedition, and
multiple shelters for auxiliary camps, as well as
enough scrolls to keep smaller traveling groups safe for a time, enough to rest and sleep and stay clean at least. I myself have that spell in my Grimoire," Gyles added, thumbing through the large tome at his side, glowing with the power of their blood woven into the pages.
"As do I," Baedar confirmed. "He will need another mage, at least." Inwardly the Investigator wondered who would be foolish enough to sign on for such an expedition, but then again, going by what the other man was being paid, and the prospect for further riches as their expertise would be much relied upon in carrying out the operation in detail, the leader of the venture might have to pick and choose who to hire if they so happen to be engulfed by all number of madmen. Gyles himself seemed a tad too sanguine over the prospect of diving headfirst into the Green Hell himself.
"I know a few graduates myself, it is just that they have already accepted positions with the Fleet or the Legion, or even taken up work with the State as artificers or with Royce Alchemy Works." Gyles stared at the badge on his doublet's lapel pointedly. "The others did not say where they were going." Which is to say that they were scouted by the Inquisition and weren't at liberty to disclose such, as not all would be working in the public eye as Baedar was.
"I am able to bring a partner, though that only aids in the efforts to keep the expedition from dying to looting the wrong cursed idol or agitating a colony of parasitic shapeshifters." Baedar shook his head, "A physician would be preferable--"
"That we have already," Gyles confirmed, "He's no mage but he does good work and can use enchanted objects well enough. Just as well, we have the means to stay healthy enough,
pennants to make sleep easy for those not used to the sweltering jungle, which is to say most of the expedition,
minor wishcraft to keep clean or to make even the most unappetizing rations palatable,
inextinguishable firestarters and a
source of clean water, with the means to keep it uncontaminated."
"Foraging will be difficult," Baedar warned, "Even a city dweller such as I knows that hunting or gathering food in unfamiliar terrain would make an experienced hunter call the whole thing off at the start."
"We will have to rely on local guides to some extent but we do have
some means of mitigating the problem for smaller groups," Gyles confirmed, "But we'll be relying on the fact that the base camp will be well guarded and well supplied."
"Then the whole thing will be scuppered if it runs afoul of anything stronger than we can handle." Baedar truly wondered if this Lord Baelon had planned things that well.
"We do have some things to help with that, a
Mage Hunter commissioned after Lord Baelon had traded away some...
favors, he had said. Two of his companions are former pit fighters, one a
brute from Ibben, another a Dothraki freerider, rescued on one of the many raids the King's navy performed a while ago, when they were still troubling Ghiscari shipping. His Manservant can likely cut a man in half as easily as balance a ledger, and the
First Mate upon the Fang isn't a slouch in a fight either. They all would have acquitted themselves well enough in the Grand Tournament in the Deep, from what I've been able to observe."
"It's something," Baedar agreed, "But he'll have to temper his ambitions. A dozen wands and a few mages isn't going to make the most mundane problem, the fact that there are painted lizards with no magic yet strong enough to trample the entire expedition into the dust or tear a bloody swathe through even a well-drilled group of Legionnaires," or the squad of Inquisitorial Stormtroopers he would be bringing with himself and Tobyis, he didn't add, battle-hardened elite veterans, each one, but that didn't account for much when faced with teeth as sharp as swords or as long as man's forearm.
"Feycraft crossbows help," Gyles said, without much hope.
"They don't hurt," Baedar agreed. "Nor the Myrish ones the regular members will carry, though you'll have to rely on copious magic to keep the wood from rotting in a matter of days."
Gyles looked around carefully, as though trying to make sure they weren't overheard. He sent his next words on a silent wind anyway. "
That man, with the heavy brow, he is a mage of some kind. I am not sure what kind, but it likely involves a sword, as I know he is quite skilled with it."
"
Armandir, was it?" Baedar questioned in like.
"
Yes, that's his name. I don't know much about him, but he is dangerous, more so than even Lord Baelon, and for all their bluster he really has survived the voyage around Valyria twice and been as far as Asshai and braved the Bassilisk Isles before they were, err, 'properly civilized'." Gyles seemed inordinately amused by the last. "
I trust him to hold his own at least." Though they did not elaborate on how one such as Baelon had acquired the services of a mage who had managed to go either unnoticed or at least little bothered in the tumult since the rise of magic and sorcerer lords. Likely some heavy price or a mighty favor exchanged.
"Worth looking into," Baedar spoke at last aloud, nodding. "That's not much, but a damn sight better than I expected. Hopefully the locals will provide much needed muscle to the interior group."
"The young Lord wishes to rely on guides to avoid the worst the jungle has to offer, and the magic to keep safe against the best that can't be avoided. In the the most extreme case, we will have the means to escape at the last moment should the worst come to pass..." Gyles hesitated and Baedar completed the thought with nary an interruption.
"You mean to say he is fully willing to abandon the rest to an unpleasant end while everyone too important to lose escape unscathed." Gyles didn't meet the Investigator's eye as Baedar spoke the accusation.
Gyles then shrugged, a smile quirking on his lips. "Most of the men here are know their pay will be going to whatever family they leave behind. Is it not the same impetus which drives many to join the Legions despite all the talk of facing the pits of Hell should they uproot themselves and drop upon our doorstep?"
"Dying for a pension you'll never live to see is something youths and old men already having missed too many chances to bury their nest eggs resort to, yes," Baedar agreed grimly.
"I for one don't intend to abandon anyone to die a terrible death if at all avoidable," the Wisdom said, surprising Baedar. "Think of all the research materials I'd be leaving behind!" He said with good cheer, further convincing Baedar that the Prince would have no trouble finding his mages.
Suicidal madmen, the lot of them.
OOC: A bit boring, but necessary exposition and build-up.
