Tori stood with Kasen behind her, staring at the table with five n around it. Several of them were avoiding her gaze as her eyes narrowed. She wasnt angry. She just wanted to know what they were doing there.
I was not inford that there were visitors on the island, she said in a low voice. Okay, so Im a little annoyed.... When I said the delta was open for guests, that did not include Anahata Island.
Instructor Ignatius head was the lowest and he didnt let out a peep. Master Ramos shifted in his seat. These guests have been pre-approved.... Even as he said it, he sounded unsure. Tori narrowed her eyes further.
Idunn had gone to check on the farmlands while they were visiting, but Sebastian had gone to the island to visit his master. When Tori had arrived there with Kasen to see what they were doing, she was stunned to find two unexpected guests: Bishop Florakis, the Archbishop of Karap, and the Emperor Eritus.
She did not know they were coming.
I almost didnt make it this year! Bishop Florakis said, as if to explain himself. It was unexpected that I had ti and it slipped my mind to inform you ahead of ti, my lady. Before I realized it, I was already on a boat coming here.
Tori accepted this. After all, the Bishop had planned to co last Spring Festival, but had been unable to due to prior commitnts. Her eyes drifted to the white-haired old man who looked anywhere but at her. She hadnt seen him since Gideons birthday and part of her had thought hed left to continue his wanderings.
What about-
Ah, that al earlier tired out! Old Jorge, Im going to sleep in your quarters! The Emperor Eritus shot up from his seat and dramatically yawned. He didnt wait for anyone to say anything more before disappearing into Master Ramos flat behind him.
Tori, Kasen said behind her. Is the Emperor Eritus afraid of you?
...Im starting to think so.
Her brother paused for a mont. Good.
What are you two doing here? Sebastian asked as he held on to so crystals that were on the worktable. It was the main one in the center of the courtyard often used for etings or small-scale experints.
I wanted to talk to Benedict and Tori ca with , Kasen said. Instructor Ignatius sat up straight and tilted his head to the side.
About what?
Trifecta reblessing for my children, Kasen said. I need a godparent and as they cant be imdiately blood related, I thought Id give the honor to you.
Tori wasnt sure if Kasen phrased it well or not, but before she could decide, Instructor Ignatius face lit up, as if hed been bestowed the greatest of honors.
You want to make a godparent to one of the children? he asked to confirm. Kasen gave him a lazy nod.
You will be the godfather for Robert Benedict de Guevera de Rivere.
Kasen.... Instructor Ignatius almost looked stunned and then touched. You nad him after ?
Who else would I na him after? Kasen raised a brow, but didnt deny him. In Soleil, especially in Sur, children were often given nas after people their parents were close to, admired, or wanted their children to be similar to.
For a child to be given a na that was part of another persons was an honor and seen as a way to keep a close connection. Toris goddaughter was nad Sophia, after Toris third na.
Thank you, Kasen.
Who is Fionas godparent? Bishop Florakis asked. It seed that hed already been briefed on Kasens children.
Idunn, Sebastian said. She has selected Noasha, goddess of creation.
Tori nodded. Noasha was connected to agriculture, too. As expected of Idunn.
What are Roberts other two gods? Instructor Ignatius asked.
Saphira, as the abbey dedicated to her took them, and Zoara, goddess of logic and reason, like myself, Kasen said as he lifted a hand towards his chest. Fifi also has Saphira and Kekokei.
Bishop Florakis squinted. The...god of animals, specifically dosticated animals? It was a strange god to have for a blessing if one wasnt from a farming family.
My daughter likes chickens. Fiona had asked if there was a goddess of chickens. There wasnt and Kekokei was the closest they could give her.
When is the blessing ceremony? Instructor Ignatius asked.
A few days before Sebastians wedding.
Instructor Ignatius inhaled sharply. Why are you only telling this now?
Youre invited to the wedding, and I said there was a blessing when you arrive.
Not my godchilds trifecta blessing!
Then you dont want to be my sons godfather?
Of course, I want to be your sons godfather-
And didnt you tell before that you already selected a god for their trifecta when we were still in school? Toris brows shot up at her brothers words. She didnt think that theyd already discussed this soti in the past. Admittedly, she often saw Instructor Ignatius as a sort of lackey of her brother more than when they were friends.
Instructor Ignatius nodded. Karsar, god of fortitude.
Oh, like the Countess. Bishop Florakis chuckled and smiled. What a coincidence. I didnt know Lord Kasen and Benedict were so close as to have planned it so ti ago. Its a good relationship to have after all these years. It is truly a blessing.
Speaking of good relationships, Master Ramos, Instructor, are there any specific laws and regulations I should know about while working with crystals? Why havent you told about them? Tori asked with a slight frown.
Master Ramos raised a brow. Simply do not kill anyone with them seems quite obvious.
Tori let out a heavy breath. I ant similar to how there are laws for charms.
Ah. Sebastian sighed and gave her a shake of his head. Crystal work is a bit more specialized and there arent as many people who can do large-scale damage working with crystals in a similar way. There hasnt been much need for too much regulation.
The nature of crystals has certain limitations. If one wanted to do harm with them, its quite possible, but it isnt so complex and widely used as charms that they would require so many laws, Instructor Ignatius added.
You dont need to worry about them, Sebastian told her. Tori wrinkled her nose.
I just think I should also take a look at the laws and regulations regarding charms, Tori said as she sat on a stool to join them at the table. Kasey ntioned it when talking to Alvere. It never occurred to that there were such a fixed set of rules.
It wouldnt need to, Kasen said once more.
She sighed, tired. Kasey, I should still be aware of what I can and cant do.
You have not explained it to her properly, Master Ramos said with an annoyed shake of his head. He looked at Tori gently. My pupil, they are saying that you do not need them because what you have been taught, not only the specific processes, but your foundation of what to do and what not to do, has all been in line with those laws. If you read the written text regarding them, you will think that they are all obvious. As if having them written down was unnecessary, as it cos as second nature to you to write them in a particular way.
There are, of course, small pockets of charms systems that stray and can break those set styles, but those are rare, Kasen told her. Rare enough to the point that it is a waste of resources to find them. An example is Montans mother. I believe her mother specialized in a particular school of making charms that could easily be abused. He paused and let out a low breath. It was easily abused.
It does no harm for her to review, though. My pupils mind is flexible. Reviewing the actual verbiage may be enlightening to her, Master Ramos said with a hint of pride.
In that case, Ill send her so texts to reference, Kasen replied. He looked at their brother. Robi and Fifi want to say good-bye to the abbey before we go to Presidio.
Ill arrange it. Sebastian gave him a nod. He looked over at Tori. Youve been busy here, havent you? He tapped his hand on the tabletop and Tori looked over at the small ring in the center, where her little crystal train was slowly going around in circles.
There are many things Im experinting with that can maybe help the people of my county, she said as she sat up straight and lifted her head. Now that they are more settled, we have ti for innovation.
The corner of her brothers lips curled up. Did you innovate those dirt pillars at the abbey when the roof collapsed?
No, that was an act of desperation. Tori tilted her head to the side. You saw them?
When we went to pick up the children, they showed . The workers are still taking down the collapsed buildings, but are having difficulty with the pillars. Theyre very compact and difficult to move.
Tori frowned. I told them to contact if they needed assistance.
You are the Countess of Cosora, as well as a student and rchant. Perhaps they do not want to bother you considering your workload, Bishop Florakis said with a thoughtful look.
I dont mind.
How did you move the earth and compact it into a stone-like density? Sebastian asked.
Tori furrowed her brows. I used terracrystal and then first pushed earth up, through the floor, and compressed the materials by using the energy to realign and bring together its, uh...smaller components.
What technique did you use?
Visual, Tori said. It was her preferred thod. To her knowledge, outside of the crystal table which was an anomaly in itself, energy wasnt exactly visible to the naked eye, but she could see it in her mind and when she could see it, she could manipulate it using the right crystal.
Can you do it again? Sebastian asked. Id like to see it.
Tori nodded. She knew he didnt an the grandiose example at the abbey, but sothing small scale. She slid off her stool and went to a patch of dirt off the path to the dock. She adjusted her bracelet and put her hand on the ground.
She regulated her energy, expending as little as possible. A lump on the ground appeared and a loose dirt pillar rose about a hands length up. Then, it stopped rising and the loose dirt seed to be pulled to the center and compressed to beco denser.
Hows that? Tori pointed to her little pillar. It was looser than the pillars at the abbey, but still hard. Sebastian and the others circled the dirt patch and examined it. Instructor Ignatius touched the small pillar.
This is just compressed dirt? he asked.
Yes, I visualize the tiny components the loosely packed dirt is made of, then pull them closer together until the energy I see is almost squeezed out.
Did you see her crystal-powered water hammock? Kasen asked. He had remained at the table and grinned at the three n squatting on dirt. Sebastian furrowed his brows and looked over his shoulder.
What crystal-powered water hammock?
That was how four adult n fought over a water hammock.
Tori was forced to explain her little experint to them. Instructor Ignatius had unknowingly helped, as hed discussed technicalities with her, but didnt ask what she was going to do with it. To think the crystals fed stored energy to aquamarine rods to make them push water in specific directions, allowing the water hammock to move without a paddle or being pushed.
Piers had drifted over from where he had been ignoring everyone. Can this thod be used on larger vessels?
Yes, in theory, but it will need to be larger and stronger to move a boat. Tori let out a tired breath. This one cant even pull two water hammocks at once. She looked at Piers, who was still laying on his water hammock and with a wine glass in his hand. Who had swum out to where he had been drifting to give him a glass of wine?
His eyes were fixed on the aquamarines on a tal rig screwed to the upside-down water hammock. Contact your OTuagh cousins and discuss.
That ship fanatic, Eili, may be interested, Sebastian said. He patted the water hammock and looked at Tori. Bring this with you when you go ho for my wedding and show it to them. If this can be altered for larger vessels, it could be revolutionary.
Tori furrowed her brows. Presidio was landlocked. Where are we going to put it? There were fountains and small pools in the Fortress, but they were all shallow. Presidio had a temperate diterranean climate, and they didnt have large lakes. The only place she could think of was the river outside of the city used for trade, and the water hammock was too weak to fight against the current.
There is a place, Sebastian assured her. Trust .
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