To Bridle the Realm
Seventh Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC
Home of Alinor Torchwood, Sorcerer's Deep
Over the years she had worked, first as the steward of Prince Viserys Targaryen and then as the chief administrator of the Dragon King, Alinor Torchwood had learned to judge the rhythm of a particular project, the way people, coin, and ideas flowed towards a proper schedule, or by contrast they did not, and needed another moon-turn's effort. The academy would be expanded on time to accommodate new and larger classes, to better serve the growing empire, in no small part thanks to the tireless efforts of the incarnate Beryl. They called her the strategist, but these days they might as well call her 'the clerk' as well, when it came to her area of expertise at least. She would probably be bored to tears organizing messenger stations or setting up new Houses of Healing.
Expand Military Academy in Sorcerer's Deep (Engineers) Complete (46/40)
"The Lady Aerebalys to see you, my lady," the deep booming voice of her majordomo announced. He had been a standard bearer in a sellsword company before retiring to an occupation with less risk to life and limb, but one could still recognize a voice that had carried over the din of countless battles.
Speaking of being bored organizing Houses of Healing, Alinor thought, remembering the last few letters she had received from the young woman. She had been asking for advice, and of course Alinor was happy to dispense as much of it as one could, not knowing the particulars, but it was clear the young mage felt a bit frustrated to be assigned to working within the bounds of the city again.
Establish Healthcare Services in Lys Progress 27/43
"Kindled Gods on Ashen Thrones, I swear there is a special hell somewhere on the infinite spheres filled with nothing but Lyseni magisters and their dependents serving as damned and demons both," Hermetia sighed after a greeting that was still a touch formal by the standards of Sorcerer's Deep, but borderline scandalous for her native Volantis.
"That bad, eh?" Alinor prompted, knowing that it was better to listen than talk in cases like this.
"I had one cretin insisting that the Houses of Healing should be open to his prize horses on the grounds that they are supposedly
sensitive noble creatures," Her accent shifted in almost uncanny mimicry of the sort of overbred fool who would make that sort of argument, like a lapdog that had accidentally sat on one's needle cushion. "In other words, more valuable to him than all the former slaves who would get access to healing."
"At least he did not try to bribe you," Alinor offered what comfort she could. She had been the target of several bribery attempts, large and small, in the early days, until it finally percolated into the heads of the Tyroshi aristocracy that 'former courtesan' did not mean 'thief' nor 'traitor'.
"No, he tried to seduce me, by reciting his genealogy at me," Hermetia replied, a thread of incredulousness slipping into her voice. "It was all I could do not to ask if his family line had ever been crossed with his precious thoroughbreds."
Alinor snorted into her tea in a rather unladylike manner. "Horses are intelligent creatures, my dear. I think they would have better taste."
Hermetia nodded with a smile only somewhat bitter smile, then made to change the subject. "Speaking of steeds, do you know where Lady Drekelis obtained that hellsteed from. I quite like the idea of an intelligent mount that could be an asset on a long and dangerous journey."
"Likely somewhere in the Eternal Furnace, I had heard, though nothing specific. I think it's linked with an ongoing intelligence operation, so I did not ask. Why don't you have a steed forged specifically to be a companion for you? The flesh-smiths should be up to the challenge considering what else they have been making recently..."
The rest of the visit had a far more cheerful tone than the beginning.
OOC: Suggestions for what kind of mount to make Hermetia are welcome. She wants to take it adventuring. Not yet edited.
