Part II
Long Ways To Go
Update IV
Mother's Contract
The contract for mother's healing took you a few long minutes of haggling, during half of which Rubeus held an amused expression, and only got truly serious towards the very end.
He let it slip that some of the contracts about returning owed seasons usually include a clause about age. You questioned him carefully on this, and he revealed that most such contracts would expect less seasons of work the later they were returned - simply because a journeyman Magus work is a lot less valuable than that of a more experienced magus - be it brewing a potion to lessen the effects of aging - or inventing spells for specific purposes.
In the end, the terms were agreed as follows:
You agree to pay 12 pawns of Vim Vis equivalent - following the official rate on Vim exchange, valid in the Stonehenge Tribunal on the year of returning the debt. You can return it in three parts, each time paying Vis, equivalent to 4 pawns of Vim Vis. You can return them at any time, but no later than your 70th birthday.
Instead of paying in Vis, there is an option of providing services and work in seasons spent for work that Rubeus asks for. You will always be able to decline his request, and the debt does not change if you do.
Until your 30th birthday, a season spent counts as returning 4 pawns of vim vis.
Between 30 and 45 years old, a season spent counts as 8 pawns of vim vis.
After 45, a season spent counts as 12 pawns of vim vis.
In turn, Rubeus promises to have your mother healed of the disease and the use of her arm returned to her, before the fall season ends.
Saying Farewell
After your father signs two copies of the new apprenticeship contract - you had place your own name as signature as well - Rubeus takes out a small, metal box and places the rolled up piece of vellum of his copy inside. He also asks for a few hairs from your unruly hairdo, which you provide, slightly puzzled. He places it all in the very same box, and closes it with a loud click of metal.
You only glimpse that the box was completely empty, but for the new additions.
He places it back in the folds of his clothes without much care nor ceremony, and then gives your father a small pouch, filled with fifteen shillings. Then, he moves to straighten his coat and double checks himself, tapping at various other pouches and pockets hidden under the thick cloth. It must be a whole vault he is carrying with himself, and you wonder how he manages to keep it all straight. Barely moments pass until Rubeus is satisfied with what he found - but he doesn't take anything out.
"I am heading to the Abbey," he explains simply, leaving the first contract roll with your father, but taking the abbey contract. For the upcoming negotiations, perhaps. "Is there anything you want taken from there?"
Choices are as follows, and here I'd prefer people using plans for these to make sense:
First,
Choose One:
[X] Accompany Rubeus to the Abbey.
[ ] Stay at the village until he returns.
Note - Rubeus is planning to return with the setting sun, and you'd be leaving in the morning, after proper a night's sleep.
Take/Ask from the Abbey yourself or Ask to Rubeus to bring/relay:
Choose Any:
[X] William's correspondence and notes on the letter. Will probably need Rubeus' paying for it, but he did look interested by any information on the letter, wasn't he?
[ ] Your writing tools and the waxen tablet. You have a set you have gotten used to and it would be relatively easy to get the abbey to part with those.
[X] The few notes you made on latin and other subjects. Perhaps of no real consequence, these are your personal things, scribbled on bad, rejected pieces of lowest quality paper - but it would be useful to have these in your possession - especially if you expect to carry on with Latin studies.
[X] The green stones. Even if you can return or send someone to take them at some later date, you're unsure when that would happen. You're nearly sure you'd be getting more, come October 31st.
[ ] Ask to deliver your future letters to the village - and read them to your parents, whenever you write such. Otherwise you might need to arrange something different, at a later date.
[ ] Write In - anything else you'd want to do / ask to be done at the Abbey?
The less things you choose for this Abbey choice, the more likely the success is.
It might be a longer while until you return to your home village - if you ever do - and it might be your last chance to say your goodbyes. You will offer a few parting words for the whole family, but there's some time to spend before you leave.
Choose up to two if going to the Abbey with Rubeus, or up to five if staying at the village:
[ ] Squeeze in a short visit to Guildford (Counts as two choices) and get a few parting words for your older sister Avice. Tell her to visit family more, since you might not be able to - not as much as before.
[X] Spend some time with Cecily.
[ ] Spend some time with Thomas.
[ ] Spend some time with Lily.
[ ] Spend some time with James.
[ ] Visit "Granny."
[ ] Spend the evening with a few childhood friends you had.
[ ] Go for a walk, alone - with as much happening in little time, you need some time alone, with your thoughts.
[ ] Visit the faerie pond and throw away the useless seashell - you know you could find it, and returning the shell might be a sort of a bookend to your mess with the fae.
[X] Make a few quick parting gifts from clay for the family - nicknacks rather than anything substantial, but since you're certain visiting will become rarer - your father wouldn't mind you robbing some of his time by making use of his workshop.
[ ] Get some more rest, sleeping in. - You're not sure how long your journey will be, but isn't starting it well rested a better choice?
[ ] Help to prepare a linen bag to take with you. More food, and a few spare clothes - and perhaps as much as a shilling to take with you - especially since your family can now spare it. (Not taking this options leaves you with whatever Thomas and Lily decide is vital)
Use plans for this vote to make more sense, thanks.
Notes :
Merits Gained/Revealed after Part I
Minor Magical Focus (Lightning)
This type of magic comes easier, since the first day you learned of your abilities - ever since you lived through a lightning strike.
Strong Willed
Resisting the Fae is hard - but you managed to escape the fae in the dark pond. You seem to have an edge for all things willpower related - and consequently resisting the allures of mind magics and abilities. Some might call this stubbornness and unwillingness to admit defeat, but
strong will is a better term.
I have also updated the
Lore section with some info, most of which is directly copied from the story.
Hop over to
StolenDestiny room on Rolz.org if you want to ask some questions or something - even when I'm not there.
