School in Hastelan, chapter 41. (Patreon)

I won't say much, except to say I hope your month is going better than mine. It's a low bar, but good luck anyway. Have some surprise visit that isn't really a surprise visit. Please enjoy.

"Only you," lady Sabena stated, lowering her fan to show me her slight smile, to prove there was no venom in her words.

"Please, those events could happen to any of us."

"I disagree," she disagreed. "Only you would leave on a hallowed quest to find one boy most of us wish to meet, and instead find another."

Most of us? Of course, lady Sabena had no interest in boys. Not yet, at any rate. I was not either, not in that way. The two were.... magnetic. They drew the eye. They were a force, for good or ill I knew not.

Even so, the promise of the Goddess loomed over both of us. We would, in the fullness of time, have at least some interest in men. At least, should the more saucy rumors about our kind prove true, and not the foul mouthings of those who feared us.

"I do think any one of us could find a boy while searching for another; the city is full of them, after all."

"Yes, but this time you have witnesses aplenty, and all agree the boy you found was of passing beauty. Some even went so far as to claim that he was better looking than the prince." The fan snapped up, no doubt the smile gone. I could tell little of what she was thinking beyond the faint amusement I'd seen before.

I could not gainsay her, or the one who had made that claim, in truth. Lady Sabena understood my silence, of course. "I see. I should like to go with you on your next outing then; it seems as if all the most enthralling events happen around you."

"I shall demur, yet if you wish to go you must first ask those who govern us, and be aware that some of those you seem set against will also be among our number."

The fan whipped down again; the smile was wider. "I can play nice even as they can."

"There should be no difficulty then." Mayhap I should object, and keep the two groups separate, as lady Sabena would not be alone when she accompanied us. Yet for all of the conflict that could take place between us, I did not wish to.

"Thank you for your consideration. I must be away, as my governors shall come looking for me if I do not check in with them." Again, that playful smile. I had some idea why lady Sabena did not like her lot in life, but she seemed suited for it beyond many others I had seen thus far.

It was time for my own check as well, as lady Matrona would have some for me to do; my time of freedom had come to an end, at least for some days again. I had work somewhere I had no doubt. I could only hope that such was away from the castle, and the royals housed within.

I did not hate the royal family, yet the prince seemed dead set on being in my presence whenever possible. I did not begrudge the man his connection, as such would benefit both of us, but his odd behavior was not what I would prefer to expose myself to.

It was after breaking our fast and the dishes after, yet only a few moments left before learning. Would it be learning today, or would it be work? I was certain it would be work, and filled with dread over the location, yet I'd no indication of such a thing. I could certainly be wrong.

I knew as soon as I beheld lady Matrona, all alone with my class fellows well to one side and being seen to by another, that I was not wrong.

I did not rush to my class, soon to be in session. I moved with as much grace as I could muster to lady Matrona's side. "Good morn, lady Matrona."

The worthy smiled down to me, yet her eyes were taut and crinkled, ever so slightly: "Good morn, lady 'Rine. How does the day find you?"

"Well, of course. What is the task set before me?"

"We would like you to continue with your housing efforts from before. The crown has decided that they would like you to complete the district you started before you finished your work at the castle."

I had anticipated as much. "Then let us be away. We have but so long in a day, and I should like to do my best."

"Then let us," lady Matrona agreed. She led the way for us without a further thought, past my peers who were struggling with books on laps and a stern seeming taskmistress perched on the edge of her chair, watching them all as a hawk might a collection of mice.

I rather envied them; I should like to read. Mayhap after I return, as I would not be allowed to continue past last meal, for certain.

Lady Matrona continued to the gate, and two knights fell in beside her. Two knights I knew; sir Conrad and sir Philos both spared a smile for me, wiping it away in unison as they faced forward again.

And again, behind. Sir Ordinand had our rear, with another smile. One that did not vanish.

We were to have three today? It seemed one more than needed, yet one less than we used? I'd never seen our knights travel in any numbers save pairs. So where was our fourth? Surely even if we did not need one, another was available? Something seemed amiss here.

I would not question - I would simply do as expected, as mandated, and keep a weather eye out for trouble. Trouble seemed far away, yet it always did before it came from some hidden place and pounced upon you.

We moved, the gate opening before us as if by some signal, to move into the morning throng. The throng that parted before us of course, as it ever did.

As much as I loathed it, the respect of others did make movement along the streets rapid; we crossed into the district where I had worked with the sun, and the orb of life had moved but a sliver.

As before, there were materials set aside for my use, the men and foreman I had worked with before standing idle, or moving small amounts of cut rock and sturdy wood before the buildings to be remade.

I was familiar with appearing to work; I had tried as much myself in my youth.

There were also knights about; not ours, but those from some other order? The castle? They wore different armor and bore the imperial crest. Needless to say, the street itself was deserted, as if haunted.

Mayhap it was.

Let us see... over a dozen? What could mandate so many men-at-arms be here? Surely there were no thieves with the aim of making off with the rock or wood? There might be some way to make coin from such, yet surely it would not be worth the trouble....

The foreman seemed pleased to see us, rubbing his hands together and striding our way as if a knight himself, girded for war.

Then he stopped, just as the knights began to array themselves before him, and bowed. "Lady Matrona, lady Katerine, Thank you for coming and thank you for your time. Please, assist us mean workers to create the best for our people."

What. This was not how he spoke before; what devil had possessed him? Was the street truly haunted?

"Thank you," lady Matrona answered gravely. "We shall endeavor to do so. Let us move to your table, and draw up the needed plans."

The knights parted and we moved, around one of the piles of rock until the named table was before us. On it were drawings, of shops like I had made before and houses I had made before alike.

There were also marks I did not know on the drawing. The foreman wasted no further time on pleasantries, even as he did not give his name. We knew it of course, yet it was only proper manners - and he had been so flowery just a moment before.

We gathered and another joined us, stepping from the other side of the rock pile that had covered us. What was the prince doing here?!? How had he time for this? What possible use could the heir to the throne have with a dusty street and construction work?

At least now the reason for the number and disposition of royal knights was clear. It was a wonder there were no more.

The man stopped before us and gave a flowery bow, his form impeccable and seeming to gleam in the sun. "Good morn, Ladies. It is my sincere hope this day finds you both well."

Now the foreman's use of words made more sense. I gave my best curtsy, matched by lady Matrona a beat of the heart later, and gave my simple reply. "Good morn, your highness. The day finds me well, and you as well, it seems."

The second most powerful man in the Kingdom seemed to radiate light itself as he bid us to rise with a gesture. "Indeed it does, for I have this wonderful opportunity to see how the most touched by our Goddess work to the benefit of all."

The prince, truly, was a master of flowered language. I now understood why the term was used; was there not a scent to it? Was it not cloying, almost a miasma composed of flattery?

I needed it not.

"I understand. I shall try not to disappoint one and all."

"As if you could do so. You defy expectation every time we see you." A honeyed line delivered with a smile - the prince was working hard today. I should work hard as well.

Lady Matrona had looked as surprised as I to see royalty here, yet she had recovered quickly enough; I would leave the diplomacy to her while I did as bid. I turned once again to the table. What news did it hold, in detail?

The most work in shaping was to be done under the street, not above it. The foreman, or his engineer masters, wished for a new expanded waterway to be shaped under the street, to help with flooding no doubt. I could easily oblige, and I would shore up the foundations of everything while I was here.

Could I strengthen the road itself? The bricks made from it seemed subject to wear with time. Would I have enough time to do so? There was much to do.

There were some changes to the roof as well, and some changes to where the rooms were to be. They were all to be the same.

That seemed somewhat boring, yet I had no cause for concern; it wasn't as if I were to live here, after all, and those who were to live and work here should admire anything I do as an improvement over the current state.

The foreman had been silent through my musings, clasping his hands together as he, too, studied the board silently. His ears twitched as he took in the meaningless platitudes and counter-words I had since tuned out. "I see and understand what you desire here. May I begin?"

He nodded frantically in lieu of drawing attention by speaking. Something which I did not resent from the man; he had even less protection against the anger of those around him than I did.

Without further preamble, I began, moving the stone as both it and I desired, making two much larger snakes than what I had practiced with, guiding both in their winding quest to become one with the first building, another combination shop and home.

It was not lacking in structure, as the ones before it had been; instead, from what I could tell, the crown wished the street to be all of a piece and had ordered the area emptied. Such made little sense to me, as nothing was wrong here, so I resolved to finish as swiftly as I might, in order that what good people dwelled and worked here would lose as little possible.

I endeavored to be as swift as I was sure, and the building of my focus changed apace. I wondered briefly what those looking on made of the process, before dismissing the thought as the structure began to resemble nothing so much as a melted candle. This was new to me, yet I thought it might be best. Tearing completely down before building backup seemed a fine thing; it had worked to a smaller scale along the moat after all.

It seemed to be working quite well, if I do say so myself.

I lost myself in the doing, as many times before, and the sun was high by the time I came back to myself, the construction complete. I turned: "You may explore, and see if it is all to your liking."

The foreman nodded at once, and -why were both the Prince and lady Matrona both agape? Had I taken too long? Was something else wrong?

No, all seemed well. Even as the foreman went in without reserve, it all seemed level, of a piece, and not likely to collapse.

"What is amiss?"

Lady Matrona shook herself, much like one of the hounds the Count had owned for hunting back home, and came back to herself: "Nothing is amiss. You grow in power, it seems."

That was not true; I had simply decided to do something different.

"Your gift is nothing short of incredible," the Prince stated most effusively. "I had some hopes, but being able to witness it with my own eyes is nothing short of astonishing. You simply melt the rock as if it were water! No stone is immutable before you!"

That was not quite how it worked. I knew the bits of stone as well as my own hand, and could trade them. Trade them quite quickly, as things turned out. It gave the illusion of water, it seemed, but it was not; were someone to try striking the mass with a hammer, it would be as hard as ever.

I was certain. Fairly certain.

I should put such a thing to the test later; it would not do to study such things now. I had already tried one new thing, it would strain our mein to do another. Lady Matrona already could be made to look foolish, should anyone present pursue the instance.

Now the activity was to wait. Wait for the foreman and his cronies to determine if I had done a'right. The table next to the one holding the drawings had a bucket and ladle of water; I was suddenly parched.

"A moment. Do not drink that, if you please," the Prince asked.

I paused, the ladle near my lips. "Why not?" The water looked clean and inviting, and ever so slightly chilled.

"It is... it does not befit your status. Allow me to assist you with something more fitting."

I had the feeling the royal wished to say something else, and quickly changed his mind.

It was of no moment; I saw lady Matrona give a small shake, surely not enough for most to register, her demeanor grave and square upon me.

Best not to argue then. "I shall leave it to you then."

The Prince's smile was as the sun peeking from clouds, for just a moment; one could bask in that warmth. Then he gave a snap of his fingers: "Come."

A seneschal came forward, as if prepared for the command. Where had he been?

"Some refreshments, if you please. Whatever you have packed in the carriage is enough, so long as water is included."

"Yes, your highness," the man replied, and made haste to serve. He was an older man, with gray hair and sallow skin, that looked more fit to sit in a sturdy chair in front of a roaring fire to warm his bones than to be so active. Even so, he cut a figure in his uniform, tall and reed thin with a face equally so.

Yet even more astonishing than such a servant being here, was another fact. "You carry water in your carriage, your highness?"

"Sometimes," the Prince replied, turning away for but a moment to take in the foreman coming toward us. "When the occasion might call for it. The wells throughout the city provide the best water of course, having been made by those ancestors in spirit of yours."

The Prince's man returned, bearing a large basket of all things. The poor man was nearly bent double trying to keep the thing from dragging along the stone road, both hands red and straining around the handles. For all of that however, the man's face was bore no sign of it at all, with the same faintly disapproving countenance he had displayed before.

He heaved, still showing no sign of the strain, and the basket was placed none too gently upon the table, atop the drawings. As the foreman arrived, the most confounding things began appearing from within it. The start was an entire service, made all of silver, with the pitcher appearing to be full. A folded tablecloth, carefully placed to one side.

Two bottles (Actual bottles, not simply jars!) of wine, a wedge of cheese, a knife, four silver goblets, a large loaf of fresh bread, and even some form of pie.

How had all of that been placed within that basket? Magic?

The Prince stepped forward, claiming the bottles and inspecting each in turn. "Ah, both good vintages. I think the white, however. The red will be too dry, and will spoil the intent to refresh."

There was a depth to wine, it seemed. I had not had white wine before coming to the capital, yet here it seemed common.

The prince filled all four goblets, motioning us to take one, even as he reached for his own. To my relief he included the timid foreman in this, though those behind the man were swept over as if of no import at all.

I suppose that was true for the Prince, and yet his duty was clear. The King his father seemed to know it well, and the Prince did not abuse his power among the citizenry by all accounts, yet this was showing me a fresh facet of the man.

I would have the time to learn and see more, I was certain. One could not hide from a royal. Was it a thing other than my power that had drawn the man? If it was, I could change that about myself and thereby make him lose interest.Even if my power brought me more to the riyal family with each passing day.

It was a snare I'd been caught in, yet even with all the difficulty I would not falter; helping the nobles, helping the royals, both helped the people. So my path was clear as a summer brook gabbling over smooth rocks.

The man of the hour cut a slice of cheese, and slapped it upon the bread before serving the treat before me. This was much as any peasant might enjoy, should they be able to make or purchase the cheese.

My other hand was given a tankard of water... silver, of course. It was little wonder the poor steward had struggled with the basket; this much of the metal would strain a knight. Mayhap even two knights at once!

I wondered briefly if there was some odd bit of gold hidden away in the wicker depths. I am certain that if there is, I shall see it soon.

The Prince made another snack for himself, and filled his goblet of wine. I was not yet hungry, not truly, yet one did not refuse a royal.

The Prince served lady Matrona next, and I knew she was taking careful note on that order, same as I. The poor foreman was left to get his own; being included was privilege enough.

In that I could not fault the man, a separation of some kind was needed and even expected, yet serving me before lady Matrona, a full noble in her own right, was a clear slight. At the very least, he owed my superior an apology.

He seemed to realize it a moment later: "Ah, lady Matrona, I am sorry, I...."

Lady Matrona was all smiles as she sunk her own verbal dagger in, going so far as to intruded on what he had to say: "It is of no moment. I understand completely."

I did not understand her barb, yet from the way the Prince's ears reddened, he clearly did. "E-even so," he stumbled. "Even so, I have offered insult, and so I apologize."

"Any such incident that could have happened is already forgotten," lady Matrona replied. "You need not fret over such small things."

The Prince smiled and gave a slight bob of his head, as he could not bow in thanks. Even with that, the people behind him gave audible gasps at such shocking behavior from a royal. Any more would be scandalous.

As it is, tongues would wag.

"How is it?" The Prince asked the trembling foreman.

The man was swift enough: "The shop is as requested, your highness. A near perfect model of what we asked for. The changes are shelves and storage within the walls themselves, and an... interesting change to the chimney, meant to stop smoke from fires set within the fireplaces. I think."

It was not. "Not entirely. The ramp I made within the chimney, along with the angle and channel made within, is meant to whisk water away from the fireplace during even the heaviest of rains." A problem most people in rude huts grew up with. Some people had no choice save to run straight chimneys with little else.

The foreman's eyes brightened. "We have our ways for that, yet your method seems most useful."

"You have no objection to my use of it, then?"

The foreman shook his head most violently. "I see none, the idea is inspired, my Lady! I see no reason it should not work. We shall test it of course to see, with your permission."

Why did they need my permission. No, that was not important. I should like to see this test. "By all means. What method do you intend to use?"

"A bucket of water directly down the chimney, of course."

Simple, yet creative. That would certainly test my system of ramps and channels. "I should like to see."

The foreman looked even more afraid for a moment; why?

"After refreshments, of course," lady Matrona reminded me.

Ah, of course. "Even so." I nibbled my cheese, as a mouse might.

It was delicious, a mild flavor far better than the sharp and somewhat sour flavor I was accustomed to. The bread was soft and dark, and paired well with it; clearly, there had been thought placed into this.

I would finish. Not too quickly, nor would I be slow. I would not ask for more however, despite the quality of the food and drink. Any more than this and my poor insides would be pushed aside.

"So...."

I turned to the Prince, and he faltered.

After a moment he tried again. "So, how is the school? What do you do there?"

I would tell the truth, no matter how it may affect his opinion of me. It might even be for the best. "Learning to read and write mostly, in these days. Some apprenticeship in the use of my power, which is somewhat stilted due to lack of a sorceress of Earth."

"Ah, we have one, yet she is most busy, even as you are," the Prince returned, seeming to gain some of his lost composure.

"I am aware. I shall do as I must, even as she shall. My learning continues apace, and I am happy with it."

"Well said," lady Matrona agreed.

The Prince looked as if he wished to dispute it all, before his face calmed. "Of course."

I was finished, or close enough. The last bite of bread popped easily into my mouth and I resolved to see this test. The foreman had not enjoyed the rest, and only taken a single piece of the wondrous cheese, which was long gone. He was easily able to match my stride, as I had hoped.

"Ah, but where...."

"To the work, your majesty. You need not trouble yourself, I am simply restless and wish to see to the tasks given me as swiftly as possible. I have no doubt that should this go well, the next part of this street shall also be remade."

I would be called upon to remake entire districts of the city, should time permit. This I knew. I also knew that I would have some years in the capital. In a strange way, I looked forward to seeing what I was asked to remake... or make entire.

A few men came forward, even as steps sounded behind us. More than one set of steps. This was fine, he was the master of the realm after all, he could go where he desired and see what he wished. Lady Matrona was also curious of course, as this was some new tidbit she could teach to others as they presented themselves to her in later years.

The two workmen both mounted a ladder, one at a time, with large buckets in harnesses strapped to their back. Slick as a greased pig, both made it up to the roof with no difficulty and barely a drop spilled between them, as if they had done this very thing before. Yet why would they have occasion to practice this?

It mattered little. We were at the fireplace now. "Begin!" The foreman shouted, and the sounds of a deluge began.

Even so, the only water we saw strike the dry stone was but droplets, as if from a gentle rain. Not enough by itself to do more than cause a fire to sizzle, and certainly not enough to destroy it.

Another deluge, and this one did a touch more than before, yet even so, there was enough dry stone at the bottom to call the test a success, at least by my measure. "What do you think, foreman?"

The foreman turned to me, his smile evident even through his naturally dour and fear filled demeanor. "It works well. At least as well as present methods. The channels and vents also seem worthy; we shall light a fire and determine their true value."

I was curious, but I would get little done whiling away the time needed for such a test. I already knew the air would draw from the fireplace into the second level, as more than one of us had shown that peculiar property of air.

The way it was constructed was important; the vents needed to be somewhat raising along their length, much like a wooden irrigation channel. This I knew, and yet it did make the ceiling of the first floor somewhat odd in spots.

I would take steps to cover the odd appearance if requested, yet I did not wish to waste the stone or add the weight.

I could tell the building could carry the extra stone - yet I had no idea what would be added to the building later, on either floor.

Steps from behind me, one pair. A pair too heavy to belong to my escort. This was fine, so long as the Prince understood what would happen here. I would do as I had been tasked, what I had been commanded, and he would be forced to watch.

He could speak of course, but I would be within my gift, and so would not be able to answer.

My feet carried me to the next pile of stone, and the next construction. It was in better shape than the last, more than fit for any use, yet my command was clear. I began once again without preamble; this felt as it should, even as all else might not.