Chapter 19 – Engineering Privilege
“This way, students, this way!” cried Devonshire over the twittering din of the assembled students. Given the state of emergency all classes had been canceled. However, any student with any grasp of magic at all had been coopted into either backup or standby positions. That was part of the requirements for being taught the ultimate power contained in the Six Books of Magic. But not everyone in the school was a student of magic.
Since the school was designed to churn out the most powerful people of this generation, there were many that desired that power, or at least the chance to be associated with it. Where the loyalties to Romitu were not strong enough, where it was diplomatically expedient, or where they sought to redress existing power imbalances in the world, scholarships were granted to other children to come and study the non-magical courses.
Devonshire kept her mood higher than she felt and exerted herself to maintain her patience. She was not born to the social elite, but suffered their scorn as a minority elf in the city of Romitu. But here she was, Magister General, leading the brats of the pretentious out of harm's way. Well, for the most part.
“Underground students, attention!” called Devonshire. “Penny here will escort you to the gate. From there you will transition to Frontgate until classes start again.” In the long rise building up to launching the Second Empire, Scioni built some of his connections by making formal contact and trade with the Underground. Historically, the first Empire was established after a successful raid upon the Underground had returned with much booty and knowledge. They now believed that a single page from the Six Books of Magic had given them enough understanding to found the first Imperial College of Mages, which set Romitu apart from the other city-states of the time. Scioni, who did not neglect history amongst his studies, sent his confederates there, Devonshire included, to explore what could be found.
The city closest to the surface, which those of the Underground called Frontgate, was the terminus of a vibrant trading line. They already had been making quick raids to the surface and feeding their supply chain with exotic surface materials such as wood and weathered rocks. Scioni build a municipal gate at Frontgate and made his outpost at Irontree the only connection. The plugging together of the Romitu trade network and the Underground one brought much needed funds to Scioni and prestige to the autocrats of Frontgate.
It was Devonshire's suggestion that the children of what passed for nobility in Frontgate be given scholarships to the Academy. Since they were mostly troglodyte, and had no souls, they couldn't learn magic, and there was no risk of theft of that powerful knowledge. But it would be a favor remembered and would solidify their contact with Scioni's household, even as the trade network expanded and they had access to other points of trade. She had a soft spot for those students, who always seemed confused and surprised by the world above their heads.
“Next up, those going to Romitu, or other surface capitals”, said Devonshire. She had less sympathy for these. Many were aristocratic children of nobles who were late to support Scioni and the Second Empire. Now that the winner was clear they were scrambling to make connections amongst the up and coming elite. Devonshire strongly disapproved of the entrenched system of privilege which they came from, and which had been to her detriment as a child. Most possessed a palpable sense of entitlement and constantly pushed the boundaries. This frequently created headaches in her office. She sent them on their way with another chaperone and wished she could avoid recalling them whenever this crisis passed.
“Underwater students? Is that all that's left?” Devonshire asked. She did a quick count. It was pretty easy as they were the most exotic and least humanoid. All had permanent magic upon them to allow them to breathe in the air and float as if it was their natural environment. A quick sweep to confirm that there was no one left with their feet on the ground was sufficient. “Excellent! We managed not to lose anyone. Cindarina, please take the head of the line. Everyone form up on her. We'll march, or rather swim, to the outer courtyard and I will teleport you personally from there.”
This was the newest group of students. Devonshire had passionately hated those of the Underwater since she had been aware of them. She had been forced to foster her son to them because it wasn't politic to just kill them all. For the sake of Scioni, and the Second Empire, she had done so. Because of that, she had missed most of her son's youth. Even more so since he seemed to be aging as a human. But, despite all of that, he hadn't turned out so bad. He managed to warn her of an assassination attempt that precipitated the god war. And, in the wake of that, his foster father ascended up the chain and left Winter in charge of his domain. There was no love lost between her and Atlantica, but she had to admit that honor was done.
Devonshire led the group at a brisk pace through the hallway and across the main foyer. She glanced back to make sure that all were in line. “All present and accounted for”, said Cindarina, guessing her gaze. Devonshire nodded and turned back.
Cindarina was the closest thing her son had to a relationship. Devonshire found it hard to approve, but she forced herself to. It was his life. And in the circumstances he found himself in, she did not seem to be a bad choice. She was connected to a political faction that was inclined towards Romitu. She possessed a good and honest character, as far as Devonshire had seen. And seemed to genuinely like Winter, from before his good fortune fell upon him. It didn't matter if she looked more like something she was used to seeing on her dinner plate. Cindarina was his choice and as his mother she was going to honor that.
“Form up”, instructed Devonshire. They had passed out of the magically protected zone. There was still a lot of bustle out here from people going and coming to the Academy, and the roar of Irontree's enormous forge was no longer magically damped. But the students obediently assumed the hexagonal shape most suited to teleportation. Devonshire made one last check of her own water breathing spells, and performed the incantation.
“I've just checked and I'm afraid he swam off this morning to settle some dispute between the selkies and the surface fishers”, said Cindarina.
Devonshire looked grave. She had really escorted the Underwater folk home herself as an excuse to see Winter and tip him off to the alert. Apparently Cindarina had also sought him out first thing and, knowing the palace and its ways better, worked things out faster. Devonshire sighed deeply and a bit awkwardly in the water.
“Then you and I need to talk”, said Devonshire. “Privately.”
Cindarina nodded without question and swam off, beckoning. Devonshire recognized where she lead her as the royal residential area, almost empty now that Atlantica was in the divine realm and his other son had been enlisted. Cindarina turned up a passage Devonshire had seldom been down previously and into a side chamber, unusual as it was not absent its roof as were so many other rooms. As the door shut several cages along the wall revealed glowing fish that cast an eerie light in the room.
“We will not be disturbed here”, said Cindarina. “And Winter has given me to understand that the room is proof to magical spying as well. Although you are the better judge of that.”
Devonshire smiled. “No need. I put the screening in it.” She paused, looking intently at Cindarina. As with most Elves, Devonshire was a master at reading body language. But here, in the Underwater, the bodies and mannerisms were quite different. “Cindarina”, she began. “There are things it is important for Winter to know about. Things that are going to keep me busy for a while. Things that are military secrets. You have sworn no oath of allegiance to Romitu, but you have demonstrated your allegiance to Winter. I am going to trust that.”
Cindarina bowed her head. “I know you do not give your trust lightly. I will do my best to deserve the honor.”
Devonshire nodded back. “We're at war again”, she said without preamble.
“Not the gods?” said Cindarina. With all the major gods eliminated it seemed incredible that the token remaining would fight against the f
orce that had so decisively beaten them.
“No”, confirmed Devonshire. “Just their unfinished business.” She crossed her arms. “We're still trying to sort out the details. But we think a couple of hundred years before the founding of Romitu the gods fought something. Whatever was left of it, they bottled it up in a place called The Black Hole. Now that the gods are dead, it's broken out.” Devonshire held up her hand. “And you don't need to lecture me about eliminating powers without knowing all they controlled.”
“Just because a tyrant did some good, doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate their overthrow”, said Cindarina.
“Well, the overthrow wasn't exactly how we had planned it”, sighed Devonshire. “But we still bear the responsibility.”
“If your armies were prepared to fight the gods, and the gods defeated these, I am sure you can contain them” said Cindarina.
“We shall see”, said Devonshire. “I don't have a lot of information yet. They've got the drop on us and we're just getting our armies into the field. The early skirmishes have not gone well for us. But we're fighting blind.”
“Will you need Winter to fight by your side?” asked Cindarina.
Devonshire rubbed her chin. “He's held his head together in action before. That counts for a lot. But he really has no experience. I know, the only way to get experience is to be there. But I think I'd rather we knew a bit more about what we're facing first.”
Cindarina smiled. 'He will, of course, wish to fight by your side.”
Devonshire smiled back. “Yes, I imagine so. Please tell him that I consider him part of the reserves. If things go well, or things go badly, I will summon him.”
“I will”, said Cindarina. And, after a pause, “If I may ask a question?”
“Certainly”, said Devonshire, without hesitation.
“I know that there is no formal alliance between Romitu and the Northern Seas. At least not yet. But would it be seen positively if, when Winter is summoned, he also brought a small contingent of irregulars to fight with him?”
Devonshire straightened up and looked closely at Cindarina, cursing, once more, her inability to read Underwater body language. This girl was quite astute. Sending troops to aid Romitu would play well with those in command. It would also give them experience and understanding of how Romitu conducted war. No matter her motives, it was a brilliant plan. It was a risk letting them learn such information. But, then, the army of Romitu was the best in the world. Their might was not from secret techniques or abilities. And then she remembered her words from the start of their discussion. She said she was going to trust Cindarina. Seems like the girl decided to test her word. That took a lot of nerve. So be it. Challenge accepted.
“Yes”, said Devonshire decisively. “I think that is a great idea. Should the summons come, I will see to it personally that they have the magic necessary to fight alongside the regulars.”
“Thank you”, said Cindarina. “I will tell Winter all of that.” Then she reached out and touched Devonshire's arm. An unusual gesture for someone from the Underwater, as they seldom touched. “And please be careful. Winter loves you very much.”
“Thank you”, said Devonshire, willing herself not to choke up. “I will.”