“Probably the most visible example of unintended consequences is what happens every ti humans try to change the natural ecology of a place.”
Margaret J Wheatley
We continued to work on our lines, circles, and ovals as I taught Aleera the basics I rembered of drawing. I also continued to draw expanding maps of the area I had discovered so far. I had to admit I was a little artistic in my map-making but it helped to enjoy the process more. I would have to actually go back to asure it all out properly one day. But I thought I had it pretty much perfect.
50)Listening (Lv 31->33) ditation (Lv 50) Swimming (Lv 50) Humming (Lv 28->30) Sneak (Lv 22 -> Lv24) Whistling (Lv 28->30)Singing (Lv 28->30) Drumming (Lv 25 -> 30) Running (Lv 43->45)Acting (20) English (Lv 15) Spanish (Lv 15) Japanese (Lv 15) German (Lv 10) French (Lv 7) Dodge (Lv 25 -> Lv30)Breath Control (Lv 30 -> Lv35) Sight (Lv 15) Scent (Lv 15) Detect (Lv 15) Taste (Lv 15) Bussola (Lv 10->15)Draw (Lv 25 -> Lv30)Climb (Lv 28->30)Calligraphy (Lv 5 -> Lv10)Mathematics (Lv 10 -> Lv 15)Decoding (Lv 6 – Lv 10) Lie (Lv 12) Knife Skills (Lv 24->28) Trading (Lv 26->30)Sailing (Lv 10->15) Appeal (Lv 6) Knots (Lv 30->34)Stitching (Lv 30->34)Diving (Lv 20->25)Throw (Lv 13 ->15) Insight (Lv 1 ->3)Farming (Lv5->10) Balance (Lv 1 ->Lv10) Cook (Lv 1)
Tier 2: Sense Mana (LV 40) Eavesdrop (LV 28) morisation (LV 22) Composition (Lv 22) Recall (Lv22) Pain tolerance (Lv 14) Piano (Lv 20) Violin (Lv 20) Trombone (Lv 20) Saxophone (Lv 20) Linguistics (Lv 16) Translation (Lv 16) Stealth (Lv 12) Quick reflexes (Lv 33->38) Haggling (Lv 5) Misdirection (Lv 8) Order (Lv3 -> Lv 5)Knife Arts (Lv3 ->5) Rebec (Lv 12->14) Aulos (Lv 12->14) Cornu (Lv 5->10) Harp (Lv 5->10) Poison tolerance (Lv 1) Transplant (Lv2->5) Cartography (Lv 1 -> Lv 5)
Tier 3: Echolocation (Lv 30) Expel Mana (Lv 37) Absorb Mana (Lv 30) Mana Manipulation (Lv 30) Ignite (Lv 15) Freeze (Lv 10) Boil (Lv 15 –> Lv 20) Bargain (Lv 10) Gale (Lv 17) Deception (Lv 3) lt (Lv 10) Command (Lv 2 -> Lv3)
Tier 4: Material Manipulation (Lv 15 – Lv 16) Mana Drain (Lv 20) Parallel Processing (Lv 20)
Tier 5: Mind fortress (Lv 18)
Skill experience: 19100
Origin experience: 1000
Combat experience: 5000
Crafting experience: 5000
Trading experience: 5000
Popular experience: 1000
anwhile elsewhere in the world
“You want to what?” the lady looked him straight in the eye, raising her eyebrow.
“Tutor an up-and-coming noble family’s daughter. Prepare her to enter society. Nothing more than what you already do.” The seneschal calmly outlined the task he was asking her to complete.
“Yes but . . .” she paused almost lost for words by what she was being asked to do.
“You do owe a favour rember.” He raised his own eyebrow in return. “Do this for and we will call ourselves quits.” He put his hands up placatingly before flattering, “You are the best.”
“Yes, I am the best. But I have a life here in Solstice. I am assuming that this daughter is not in the city otherwise it wouldn’t balance the scales. In fact, if I were to take a gamble on this matter I would wager that the daughter in question is one of the new noble scions rather than a rising branch of an old family otherwise you wouldn’t be making the request. If I had to bet it would be the troubleso 101st family that is causing such a buzz at court at the mont.” She agreed with him before outlining one of the potential problems.
“I can’t go into all the details until you accept a privacy court contract to prepare them for court promising not to prejudice them either way.” He deflected.
“So possibly not within a days . . .’ she hesitated judging the impact of her words on the seneschal, ‘. . . a week’s travel from Solstice then . . . or more. Why ?” she quizzed.
“As well as being the best, you were also deed to be the most neutral of the governesses available at the mont. Considering your history and lineage you have a smaller stake in the impact a new house could have on the court here in Ponente, wouldn’t you agree?” He explained the reasoning behind his request.
“Yes, but I maintain that neutrality specifically by teaching children from both sides of the divide and not taking a stance on any of the politics. You are asking to hold a hot potato and I will be judged based on where it falls.” She argued back.
“Maybe, but also you are the one least likely to influence the scions based on any personal preferences it will be their choice, not yours and the houses will see that in the end. Besides have you ever cared what they thought?” he asked amused at her prevarications.
“I might not have cared what they thought but they can still make my life, less than pleasant within Ponente if they suddenly start to care about . Moreover, you said scions. I assu that ans there are at least two of them. This is hardly a typical 5 or even 10-year contract. It could take as long as 20 years. Not an insignificant amount of ti.” She refused to say yes straight away.
“As I said, this would balance the scales between us and what is 5, 10 or even 20 years' worth of ti to you who has so much more ti available to them. You would be fully paid by the crown for as long as your presence is required. This could be quite lucrative a position for you.” He continued to argue the potential positives of the offer.
“The longer you speak the less I like the idea of taking such a position.” she raised a fan to air her face while she paused for thought.
“Then I will speak less. This is the favour I would like and I am calling in, you are eminently suitable for the position and will be paid handsoly for your ti.” He summarised his position once more. Left unsaid was the fact that should she refuse such a position her place within the place and her yearly governess positions tutoring the wealthy and privileged children of Solsitce and the surrounding duchies would in all likelihood disappear.
“I would like to think on the matter before I make a decision.” she refused to bend just yet.
“By all ans. You have until the Swift docks once more in Solstice to make your decision,” he answered.
“The Swift. Then it is true the family hails from the archipelago or the coastline as the rumours have suggested.” She raised her eyebrow once more.
"I can neither confirm, nor deny any rumours that are in circulation. You know far better than to put too much stock in the frivolous witterings of the children here who would call themselves the nobility.” he gave nothing away.
“So not only are you expecting to give up years of my life but also to spend them cast out into the uncivilised archipelago of the Western Kingdom. “ she seed almost angered but it was hard to tell by their jousting back and forth whether it was real or feigned.
“You know as much as I can tell you until you have signed the court contract of privacy. If you do so then I will, of course, be able to give you significantly more details but until then my hands are tied.” he raised his hands as if bound.
“Your hands are never tired. Unless you were the ones who tied the knots.” she pursed her lips, “I will think on it and let you know of my decision.” she said frowning.
“That’s all I can ask for. Thank you for your consideration.” he bowed and left. Leaving her to ponder her future in Ponente.
. . . .
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