While it would take about two weeks to travel from Horizon to Moss Hill in Kings Harbor, the westernmost city on the continental empire, they wouldnt have to navigate around or over any mountains. The road to Anlar was quite smooth and every day Tori woke up to fields or rolling green hills.
Sotis, there were forests or lakes, just to keep it interesting. Of course, several days of the sa scenery could get boring, especially when she was looking at it from inside of a moving carriage. Tori began to look forward to their stops not only to get out and stretch her legs, but also to look around.
The road led directly to Moss Hill and King's Harbor, and was a very well kept and developed comrcial road. There were plenty of places for them to stop to rest, not only for the night, but for als.
Today, they were at an inn next to the largest lake in the Central Corridor. It straddled the border between the Central Corridor and Anlar. The inn was on the Anlar side and nestled against so rolling hills. Because they were taking their ti to get to Moss Hill, Kasen arranged for several multiple night stops at scenic locations so Tori could explore.
I really do have the best brothers, Tori thought to herself as she walked along the edge of the lake holding a parasol embroidered by villagers in the delta. It had only been a few days since she left, but she was already becoming antsy about leaving it behind.
It wasnt as if the delta was unsupervised, either. With the sumr break, there were more people from Universit there, not to ntion Instructor Ignatius had practically set up a tent on Anahata Island so he could tinker with their smaller projects there. The Bishop of Karap had regretfully left the day before Tori and Kasen did.
When he boarded his ship to leave, Tori saw him looking at the island with longing. He and Instructor Ignatius had registered each other on their comcrys in order to keep in touch and discuss more crystals. The Bishop ordered Instructor Ignatius to tell him when Master Ramos arrived and to keep him updated on what was going on.
Brother Cassius joined her to see them off and Constantine was tasked with bringing so things from the Temple Mountain for the temporary shrines. Constantine would return in the fall by ship to the delta so he could deliver additional prayer crystals, special incense, and altar pieces.
Tori said she would be back by then and shed have a carriage ready to bring any of his things back to Horizon, if needed. He thanked her and the two gave each other a firm handshake, though after seeing him every day and spending so much ti discussing various things about their projects, a handshake felt too formal.
However, she didnt think they were close enough to hug. Perhaps it was because in her mind, he was still carrying the stigma of love interest and she made a point not to act as familiar with him as she did other friends. She had no problems throwing an arm around Ewan or dragging around Henrik and Albert by the arms, but Constantine was different.
Also, Kasen had been there and she was concerned hed be irritated with Constantine if she showed any sign of affection, no matter how benign. She needed Constantine alive and helping her.
Do you want to set up your watercolors here? Tori turned around and saw her brother motioning towards a flat area under the shade of so trees. Behind him were two of her familys knights, one holding a folding table and chair and the other a box with watercolor supplies and a jug of water.
She turned towards the lake and narrowed her eyes. The view from this spot was better than from the inn. Plus, shed be able to paint part of the inn to commorate her stay.
Okay! It looks good! She marched up to the shaded area and directed the knights on where to place the table and chairs. The rectangular table wasnt very big, but it was enough to hold her little half-sheet sized watercolor paper, the paint pan, a small mixing palette, and two cups of water.
When Kasen told her that they would stay for an extra night or two in so places to sightsee, Tori wanted to get sothing to help her rember her trip. In her original world, she had multiple caras. She had a casual interest starting from when she took a photography class in high school. As an adult, she liked to take photos when she was traveling to chronicle her trip.
The world of Soleil didnt have caras, but it had paint.
Tori couldnt paint people for the life of her. They would co out as strange, misshapen blobs, but she could watercolor still life and landscapes. She thought she was quite decent at it, though out of practice. It was her specialty during her high school art classes and shed revisited the art style multiple tis as an adult.
Kasen praised her paintings, but she was sure that if she flipped her mixing palette on to a piece of paper and said the spilled paint was a painting of the mountains, hed tell her it was the best painting hed ever seen. She loved Kasen, but she wasnt sure she could trust him to be honest about her art.
Piers would tell the truth. She held back a small laugh as she sat down and began to lay out her things. Kasen held her parasol as the guards stood to the side to watch. From Victorias mories, Victoria wasnt a very artsy person. She tried, but was lacking and would beco impatient and quit before she could improve.
At the very least, Victoria could dance very well. She didnt play any instrunts, though not for lack of trying, and her creative work from sketches to embroidery to prose left much to be desired. Tori had seen so of Victorias work at the fortress.
She had been filled with secondhand embarrassnt.
Tori was musical as a child, having played three woodwind instrunts as a youth, but had stopped playing as an adult.
She did try to learn another musical instrunt as an adult, but was only one year into learning the guitar and didnt think she was very good. Tori didnt know if Victorias singing voice was decent, either. Her family said it was, but once more, her family was shalessly biased.
Tori started doing a small sketch with a pencil to get the outline of the scenery in place before wetting the paper. Quietly, she sat in the shade, mixing colors, and switching out brushes every now and then. It was an ideal, relaxing sumr day. The weather was warm and not too hot underneath the shade of a big tree.
There was a refreshing breeze coming off the blue lake. The sound of the trees rustling, the birds chirping, the lake lapping at the shore, and the quiet conversations between a few people as they passed were all she heard.
She planned to keep her watercolor cards as souvenirs; maybe hand a few to her friends. She bet Ilyana would be very touched. Mama and Papa may want one, too. And Sebby. I should give one to Sebby since hes stuck at ho.
Thats quite a nice piece. Are you selling it?
A voice spoke up behind her and Tori nearly jumped in her seat. She gripped her paintbrush, afraid she was going to drop it, and turned around to see who had gotten close enough to speak to her. Kasen and the knights were just steps away.
She saw a handso face of soone likely around Sebastians age. Unruly, thick brown hair, blue eyes, with freckles across his face. Toris eyes went wide as she identified him from Victorias mories.
Andy?
The man dressed in unassuming brown pants, vest, and a clean white shirt chuckled. How are you doing, my little cousin?
Andy! Tori put her brush down and, filled with an unexpected excitent and wave of affection, turned, and raised her arms. He laughed and bent down to give her a hug.
Andrew OTuagh, whom Victoria referred to as Andy, was the youngest of the current Marquis OTuaghs children, and the only son. He had three older sisters; Eili, Bridget, and the eldest whose succession they were going to, Siobhan. He was closer in age to Sebastian.
How has your journey been, so far? he asked as he gently released her. He stood up straight and Tori noted he was about Kasens height, but thicker.
Its been fun. Im seeing a lot, Tori said.
Andy looked across from her and took so steps to Kasen before extending his hand. Kasen reached for it and the two seed to pull each other into a mutual embrace.
You bastard, Andy said with so playful annoyance in his voice. You said youd send word when you arrived here to et with . Ive been here for two days, waiting!
Kasen smirked. You could wait one more.
Andy let out a little growl as they separated. You cheeky little....
Surely, the great Admiral of the Anlar Fleet can be a bit more patient. Kasen continued to grin and Andy rolled his eyes.
I only took a month and a half of leave. Ive already spent part of it coming all the way here to et you two.
Tori furrowed her brows. Cousin Andy, how far is Moss Hill from here?
With minimal stops, about another week, he said. But I heard you were sightseeing.
Ive never gone through here, Tori said.
Andy stood behind her and looked at her painting. Have you been doing a watercolor every ti you stop?
If the scenery is good, yes, Tori said. She paused. Do you want one? I cant paint people well, but I can paint landscapes.
Well, if it isnt a bother, Andy said. Can I choose when we get to Moss Hill?
Tori nodded. Okay. I want to paint Moss Hill, too.
Its a lovely old house. Very fitting for a painting, Andy assured her. You go ahead and continue. Ill sit over there and catch up with your brother.
Tori wanted to listen in, but decided to let the two n catch up. She continued to paint and once she was satisfied, she cleaned up her work area while waiting for it to dry. As if noticing she was finished, she heard her cousin call out from behind her.
Tori, is it true? Youre the one building that village in the Cosora Delta?
She looked over her shoulder as she rinsed her brushes in clean water. Did Kasey tell you or have you heard about it?
I heard about soone building a village there, but I didnt know it was you, Andy said as he leaned forward from where he sat. Why didnt you say you needed bricks? Were famous for bricks here!
You say that about everything, Kasen said, holding back a scoff.
No, Im serious. There are many brick makers here and we have the best. Even bricks used in the Imperial Palace ca from Anlar, Andy said. In fact, if you need help establishing a brick workshop, we can direct so manpower your way.
Tori scrunched her face and pulled her lips to the side. I dont want to build one on the delta. It would be convenient, probably, but I dont know how that would affect the environnt. Were already changing a lot by building on all those islands and the shoreline. I dont want to disrupt the ecosystem - I an, nature, more than necessary. Not to ntion that the upfront costs to prepare a site, buy the materials needed to get it started, and train the people to consistently make bricks good enough to use in that climate would make it expensive and ti consuming. I dont have ti for that. Id much rather pay a premium to get the quality goods, and quickly, so we can move at a steady pace and dont have to go back and re-do anything later.
Andy looked at her curiously. Youve considered it?
Ive considered many industries that could provide a livelihood for the refugees that would have minimal negative effects to the region and the people, Tori said. I dont want to dive into sothing, wreak havoc on the natural resources, and then co to regret it later.
Andy looked at Kasen, who nodded. If she can buy it, then we told her to buy it.
Andy raised a brow, but nodded. He looked back at Tori. Then, if you need anything shipped, tell us. In case you forgot, our family has an extensive shipping network all along our coasts and into the gulf.
Tori paused as she laid out her brushes to dry. She looked back at her cousin. Where in the gulf?
All over. Andy grinned, as if knowing she was intrigued. From the Kings Harbor, the port below Moss Hill, an average-sized trading ship can make it to Karap in four to five days. The Cosora Delta is, perhaps, another two or three days from Karap.
Tori narrowed her eyes. How much would it cost?
Tori, youre family, Andy said, shaking his head. For you, it would just be the loading and unloading costs, and the fees for the crew. The total is far cheaper than land transport, traveling for the sa duration of ti, if you go through the family.
What about security? For guards to escort the cargo? Kasen asked. Right now, Tori is paying quite a bit to ensure things are delivered safely, without any trouble.
Many of our crew mbers joined after their ti in the navy. We make sure they are trained twice a year once they contract into Iron Head Shipping, Andy said. Bridget can tell you more exact calculations, depending on what youre shipping, when, and to where.
Tori would be lying if she denied she wasnt getting excited. Not only would this option be cheaper, but likely faster. Best of all, it would be out of the reach of the cow-man and his little cow company. What was more difficult than dealing with a marquis family?
Dealing with two.
Tori stifled her internal cackle.
I might just take you up on that. Do you have any recomndations in terms of brick makers and suppliers? Tori asked.
There are a few closer to Moss Hill that Im familiar with, as they work often with the family, Andy told her. But, again, Bridget is best for this sort of information. He reached into the pocket of his vest. Let give her a call and see if she can get a list ready for you.
Tori nodded and fished into the pocket of her dress for her own comcry. Ill call our architect and let her know. Shes supposed to be in Anlar about now. Perhaps she can et up with us to look over so of the suppliers. Andy got up to make a call a few paces away as Tori slid her finger across her crystal. Call Sigrun Ebbadottir.
She didnt have to wait long for Architect Ebbadottir to answer. The comcry pulsed twice before the woman answered.
Greetings, my lady. How is your journey so far?
Hello, Architect Ebbadottir, Tori said as she touched the edge of her painting to see if the paper was dry. Its going well. Im getting a lot of watercolor practice in. Do you have a mont?
Of course, my lady. How can I help you?
I was wondering if you would be able to et with while in Anlar. That is, if youre still in the region.
Yes! I most certainly am! My lady, Im glad you ntioned such a thing. I was hesitant to contact you, as I know you are on a family trip, the woman said, almost breathless as her voice rose excitedly. But Ive found bricks in the Anlar region! It's a relatively small maker, especially compared to the ones used in Horizon, but the quality is more than suitable for construction in the delta. It may be the make-up of the clay they use in the region that is producing these high-quality bricks.
Tori sat up straight in her chair. What is the na of the supplier? I will cross check it with my cousins here. And by cross check, she ant to do an informal background check.
Its a small supplier in the heart of Anlar called Stackhouse Bricks, Architect Ebbadottir said. Of all the samples Ive reviewed so far, even those of superior quality, their bricks are the best. They are made in smaller batches, but they currently have massive surplus as the result of several orders falling through. Theyre willing to sell them to us cheaply.
It sounds almost too good to be true, Tori said as she crossed her arms and looked out towards the lake. Ill need to look into them.
Are you nearing the center of Anlar yet, my lady? Perhaps you would like to take a look.
I will be in a few days. Im currently at Reflection Lake on the border. Where is it? If its not too far away from the main road, I can ask my brother to take there to see it, Tori said.
Then youre only a few days away! Architect Ebbadottir let out a breath of relief. The nearest village is quite small. Its a small farming community, but as Im nearby, I can arrange for a place for you and your party to stay.
Id really appreciate that, Architect Ebbadottir. Let discuss with my brother to see what the minimum number of beds we need will be.
Wonderful! Then, my lady, it should take you another three to four days to arrive in Chetterswickshire.
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