School in Hastelan, chapter 42. (Patreon)

Here we are, first chapter of the month. Enjoy as things are built, stone flows across real estate like mud, and our wonderful main character hardly feels bothered by something so miraculous. Please enjoy.

I was back again. After a fast broken by some of the finest food and drink possible, and a somewhat rushed journey, I was once again along the street under construction. There were some few buildings not yet completed and so the remainder of my time of the morning would be spent here. 

I did not mind, and yet I felt the question needed asked; what was he doing here?

He was of course the man of the hour, the boy of many dreams, dark headed and mysterious, who was even now all but lunging down the nearest alley while we came up the street. 

All without seeming to be fleeing at his best speed, of course. I would be hurt, if he did not avoid all else the same. 

Sir Jarlan and Sir Ordinant were with us again, along with no fewer than four other knights whom I did not know. I would endeavor to learn their names later; as for now, their forbidding gazes seemed to warm the air ahead of us. 

Should their be any peasants about, they would certainly vanish all on their own, much as before. I still did not like such things. I had been informed I would get used to such quickly, yet it seemed as if the truth were anything but. 

Why so many escorts today, I did not know. Lady Matrona and myself hardly warranted so many armed and trained knights. Save if the attacks had started again. The school did seem to be stirred in recent days, as if a hive of bees poked with a stick.

That made me wonder, was there still some honey left for sale? Surely not by now, yet would another look be amiss?

"What ails you?" Lady Matrona asked. She had no doubt seen the man, or boy, hie off into the alley as if a fox before hounds.

"Honey," I responded truthfully, prompting the woman to sigh.

"We can check after, though I fear the season for such treats is long past."

I knew of course, and there was half a comb sealed in a box in my room, awaiting my pleasure. Even so, two boxes would be all the better.

Was I becoming one of those who hoarded food, even when one did not need to? Only time might tell that tale.

No, I must focus on the work of the day, even as I looked around. The prince was not here, and that could only be a good thing. 

"Ah, it seems we shall have no picnic today," Lady Matrona commented idly around her fan. "What a shame."

She was smiling, I knew. Something about the Prince tickled her funny bone somehow, even as she seemed every inch the collected lady in his presence. 

This was fine for her of course, she had a solid foundation under her. I could not afford to jest, even a little, just yet. Even if I wished to, which I did not. 

The best way to solidify my own standing was to do as was requested from the royal family, without complaint. When I left the school as a full sister, I would be given title befitting my status and contributions, and only then would I have some freedom to do as I will. 

I would be a Countess, of course, likely given rule over some distant spit of land on the far edge of the kingdom, without even a single person to rule over. I would travel of course, and fortify the kingdom as the royals would no doubt command. 

Such a tour might even come before the end of my learning, as my senior in the art was currently engaged in one. Why was she, this mysterious other, not doing as I was? Surely she had this ability, if not my power in it? 

There was only one of her, until I arrived. Her uses were far more important making the tour of defenses I would like to make. This was the only opinion I could reach, and only asking the question would solve my confusion.

I would not ask just yet. I had a feeling that I would meet the woman of my thoughts soon, even as the ice began to creep in from the bay and the air frigid. Winter tended to bring all such travels to a halt, and many in the kingdom wintered here, if they were able to at all.

It was odd; not even a moon ago, I would be unable to ponder these thoughts while so much as stirring dust, and now I could release the chain upon my mind while creating a house with it as well. The world was passing strange, sometimes, and I should very much like to ask the Goddess about it.

Mayhap I would. She was not known for direct answers, yet answers of a sort were given, oft enough. 

The chapel at the school would serve, and the altar was open for sacrifice, prayer, and contemplation at most hours. 

The foreman was watching now, as was his wont. He did not gainsay the process before him, yet watched with patience, his dirt encrusted hat clutched in scarred hands. 

I finished and I supposed he could tell, as the man immediately moved. 

There, the boy! he was watching, from the roof of that shop over there, hunched over upon it as a footpad might before a theft. 

Without my focus on my gift I could feel his eyes upon me in an instant, and he noticed even as I did, dipping beneath the line of the roof and no doubt away from the building. If I sent Sir Ordinant, he would be long departed. Best not to bother the man, then.

Even so, what was the fuss? Surely a building being made before the man was not so special? Surely he had seen as much before, even if the stone flowed in this case rather than being stacked one atop the other.

He was foreign of course, there was no way he was from the kingdom, so mayhap it was a novelty. Yet such a novelty as to risk capture and imprisonment? Surely not? I would not do as much if our positions were reversed, no matter my curiosity. 

If I were that boy, I would eat my fill and sleep where able, free of such concerns as study and what some royals might think. Traitorous thoughts, yet I could not resist the pull of the bird, even as the boy might not. 

He had no bow or other weapon in hand, and so his reasons could remain his own. I had little concern for such a person. Let anyone who wished view as much as they were able; what damage could they cause by such?

I was certain if asked, my knight escorts would tell me at length. So I would not. 

The next shop and house began to take shape, even as the foreman came out of the first and favored me with a gracious nod. I would keep watch this time, and not gather wool as before.

The boy did not reveal himself this time, yet I was certain he was near, watching my task take shape. 

Lady Matrona stepped up, right as I finished with the second task. "We should take a rest, now. It has been a... quiet morning, has it not?"

It had. "Even so. I find I prefer it."

"I as well," Lady Matrona admitted, serving the tea herself from the humble service we had thought to bring with us. I tasted the brew, finding a hint of honey within. 

Lady Matrona held a finger up before her lips, her smile gentle and genuine. Then took her own sip, her eyes fluttering. "Some simple pleasures are worth much anguish, my young protoge."

I did not know what a protoge was, so I simple nodded. It did not sound bad, however I mulled it, and the statement itself was true enough. 

The tea was wondrous, and I saw the box Lady Matrona must have secured while I was about my work, through the hands of workmen, perhaps. I would see myself, how big the hive she had secured was. Now all I must do is convince her to part with it. 

She would share.

Even so, we had been lucky to find one. Could we find another? Would that be greed, or simply good sense?

Lady Matrona sighed. "You need to start carrying one of these," she said, holding up her fan. "Your thoughts are too open."

Lady Matrona did not have that problem... so why did she carry one? 

"Again. One learns, yet the device itself helps one while they learn."

"I shall carry one." I did have no less than two, yet it seemed that without hot weather or some ball or banquet, carrying one had seemed pointless. I finished my tea at last, and stepped up to begin anew.

I supposed I could deal with my fans covered in road dust, yet it seemed so silly. 

It was odd, in a way. Earth, even the smallest grain of it, did not like to move at my command until recently. Now I needed no water, no other medium, the dirt or stone simply became as water itself and followed my will. Doing so made it warm, I knew it to be so, and yet that was a small price to pay. It would cool in just a little time. 

The key was moving those bits which I could feel, the smallest ones, as quickly as possible. The Goddess had willed my strength in that area, yet I knew there was more I could do with the ability. 

Surely I was not the only one who could do such. I would find my counterpart when she came back to winter here, and compare our experiences, Goddess willing. 

The third shop took shape, and from the side the foreman nodded once again, happy to see the sight. 

This street would be completed today, come what may. Even with the addition of... the other boy?

Also atop a building, also doing little enough to hide, the one was in the sun upon a small balcony, seeming as one ray among all the others somehow, despite the dark and grubby cloak. 

As a king, slumming among the mortals before him. Utterly unconcerned, lounging some five buildings away with his feet up upon the railing. 

He gave a slight wave when he noticed my attention. Feeling rather odd, I gave the boy one of my own. I could see the smile he flashed me, much as a sun appearing behind clouds. 

AS far as I could tell, none else took notice, not Lady Matrona, nor the knights, nor even the foreman whose intent eyes were upon me even now. Surely they were not so... distracted?

We would run free of prepared stone and wood after one more. There was but one more to be made, and time yet to shop or do whatever else we wished before the last meal. There was no need to rush... and yet I had to fight the urge to do just that. I would not cut corners, I was a true smith, of wood or of Earth, and I would do as I should. 

I knew I was doing well, my actions, the sculpting of the stone, came more swiftly than before. might I one day be able to remake this entire section? This entire district? Just the thought was exciting - I wished to try, or be able to try. Not now, I was too weak now, and the rules of the school were clear. 

Even so, I felt I could do more. I would commune with the Goddess and see if she had aught to say. 

The last building I could make was completed. As before, the foreman entered to check for problems in it. There were none of course, save that the building was too similar to the others.

As I expected, the man came back out with a wave and a smile, happy with my work without a word being said between us so far the entire day. 

I would press, now. "Is there any matter? Any little something you wish changed? I should not like to come back to find such a thing some later date."

The foreman removed his hat and bowed. "Oh no, your ladyship, your work is as excellent as always, and as you request, should I find it otherwise I would tell you. The man moving into his remade shop later shall find no fault, this I swear."

"Oh? That sounds as if further work is needed after all."

The foreman straightened with a sidelong glance aimed at my escort, who remained silent. "A mere matter of moving furnishings and setting up shelves, easily handled by me and my men."

True, I could not do such things better than the workmen tasked with them... yet. Mayhap I could find a way, in time.

Lady Matrona seemed disapproving. Mayhap I should not. "Is there aught else to do, Lady Matrona?"

"No," the worthy replied, snapping her fan closed. "With the foreman's blessing we are done for the day. I do believe you wished to see to some things? We have some time, we can make some few stops."

My mentor did not have to explain such twice. "Then let us depart, and leave these hard-working souls to their toil!"

"Well said," Lady Matrona agreed, turning and leading the way to our carriage. "To the street of sweet rewards and frippery."

Frippery sounded most agreeable right now. Even those knights who were with us and rolling their eyes agreed with the matron, I could tell. 

I had yet to learn their names, yet I had not forgotten. I would do so before the day's end. 

"More tea might not have gone amiss," I admitted as Sir Ordinant helped me inside our transportation.

"You had your chance for that. I fear you are too focused upon tasks given, and I worry you shall not rest until you make yourself ill."

"Yet I have rested. I rested for many days, not so long ago."

Lady Matrona fixed me with her stern gaze. "Did you now? Or did you do else, such as study as if possessed, while you should have been resting?"

I would not back down on this. "Some find study very restful."

Lady Matrona sighed. "Even so. Those people are known as the insane."

Shocking. Did she truly mean such?

"Oh, settle yourself Lady 'Rine. I half jest. Yet with surety I will tell you, you need to take frequent rests, or your mandate will hollow you and leave you a husk. I have seen such afore, and I would rather not witness it again with such a promising student as yourself."

"I shall do as you ask, of course. Even so, might not the end of this work see me to my rightful rest? Surely the city cannot be remade all winter?" The season for new constructions was in the spring.

Lady Matrona shook her head again. "There is always more work, the mandate is always present, waiting. You shall learn. With luck, you shall learn as soon as is possible."

She sounded so very old, so very tired, in this moment, and the shadows in the carriage we found ourselves in seemed to reach out to claim her very vitality. 

Then she blinked, and the spell was broken, as if it never was. 

The worthy slammed upon the ceiling of our cabin, and yelled "Driver, to tea lane! We are to see what may be there."

"Aye, my lady," the driver replied smartly, and it occurred to me that I had not the faintest idea who that man was either. Truly, I had been remiss. 

There was yet time, for many things.