Chapter 82: Southbound Chair

Chapter 82: Southbound Chair

"You know, this is rather unfair." - Lily-Anne asserts petulantly - "You just got back yesterday and are already about to fly off again. And what's even worse - without me!"

"Do you really want to hang around Grenwille while me, Lemand and Moon Unit cast light magic on a sick woman for a couple days? I won't be a particularly good company out there, you know." - I object reasonably, as I mentally run down the checklist again - "Have patience, Lily-Anne. The winter holidays are in two weeks. Once the semester's officially over, we can all take a good long trip on the airship together. Visit all of our respective families, see the sights, do the rich tourist thing. Besides, I do leave an instance of me in the Academy, so..."

She grumbles and stomps her foot lightly - "It's not that! I want to go on an adventure too!"

Roxolane pipes in from the side - "I somewhat share the feeling, to be honest. Though, in all fairness, I guess there's no real point in joining in on this one, with the exams so soon."

I sigh, smile and lean over, patting their heads gently - "Girls. Once the holidays start, we are going to go on a trip just for ourselves. Only us, no business, no politics. Promise."

"I'll hold you to that." - Lily-Anne retorts, pouting - "And I want to see the Grand Forge too! Father said there is a river of metal flowing there, I want to see that!"

Moon Unit comes out of her room with a sack in her hands, stretching out languidly. "I'm ready!" - she quips - "Oh. Sorry, girls. Alyssa is right, though, going on this trip would be a bit boring. Though, I suppose you could square things out with lady de Braltar, if you go..."

Lily-Anne and Roxolane exchange glances and wrinkle their noses. "I'll pass." - Lily-Anne opines - "I understand it was a huge misunderstanding, but I'm still miffed at her for saying all those nasty things to you and Roxy."

Bridgit comes in, takes Moon Unit's sack and vanishes in thin air, depositing it onto the airship. She's really taking to her new abilities like duck to water recently. Scared the bejeezus out of Sally and Louise when she popped back into our estate to say hi. I think she planned on this, too, because according to her, the reactions were hilarious.

"Well, that's it." - I say, as I lean in to kiss Lily-Anne and Roxolane before me and Moon Unit walk out. Lemand is already in the garden, sitting on top of the travel chest. I wonder where Elaine... Nevermind, here she is. And Madeleine, who still glares daggers at everyone who isn't Elaine, but wisely keeps quiet.

"Good morning, lady Gillespie." - Elaine ventures, as four burly servants troop out after her, each with a chest or sack in their hands - "I am quite ready to board."

And that's my cue. My airship crosses over the Academy wall as soon as everyone's out, and drops down to boarding height, the ladder thunking against the pavement lightly. I am much amused by Elaine's servants all taking a synchronous step back, accompanied by the quiet muttering of what passes for prayers in this world. Mainly, entreaties to Lothak and Memiri, for some reason. Then again, appealing to the god of laws and the goddess of dreams does seem to be fitting the occasion for them.

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...In retrospect, Lemand should have mentioned how he's planning to arrive. Because while he did send a letter by pigeon, it simply said that he would be visiting his mother, and apparently marquis Sadoux presumed a trip by carriage after the end of semester. As in, sometime in the next month. Not the very next day after dinner. So, right now we're having a bit of a moment, while marquis recovers in the conveniently present Serenity chair. He bravely rode out at the head of his personal guard in order to fend off the huge beast descending from above. On one hand, he is very glad it's not actually a monster attack. On the other, he had a bit of a nervous breakdown from relief. His troops seem to be made of sterner stuff, and are recovering outside. Or, more correctly, they have had recovered quite promptly, once assured there is no one to fight to the death with. I've hastened the process by passing on a big bottle of knight mead, which they apparently still pass around, taking sips and making strong comments about the superlative strength of the offered drink.

"...So... this airship, yes... is an artifact?" - marquis offers faintly, as he looks around. Good grief, he really got spooked out there.

"Not quite." - I explain - "While it is indeed a large, expensive and complex construct of craftsmanship and enchantment, it is entirely feasible to construct more. Provided one has the plans, time and inclination to spend about three thousand d'ors on assorted materials and labor."

"Lady Gillespie, believe me, any kingdom would gleefully spend tenfold for a symbol of might like this." - he retorts, chuckling lightly - "Gods almighty, this... just... no words. I'm in awe. I'm struck wordless. Gobsmacked, even."

He pauses, looks around, then gingerly begins to extract himself from the chair. "...This chair." - he asks - "If I might prevail on your kindness, lady Gillespie, would you please tell me the name of genius you commissioned this marvel from? Goodness, I want one for myself."

I snort and nudge Lemand - "Hear this, Lemand? Your uncle thinks you are a genius, at least."

Marquis jerks around, staring at Lemand with wide eyes. "Nephew, this is your handiwork?" - he asks then - "Stupendous! Outstanding! I always said Balthazar is a damned fool for looking down on you, I did. That man, I swear. Nothing but swords on his mind."

"Ahh. Well, uncle, to be completely honest, it is more of a group effort." - Lemand demurs - "I have devised the enchantments, but the construction itself? That's all thanks to ladies Gillespie and Lux."

"Now, now, Lemand. Don't sell yourself short. You also put in quite a lot of thought and ideas into this." - I retort - "There are reasons why I intend to retain you as a scholar, you know."

Marquis smiles and claps his hands together. "Lemand, I am very impressed." - he then proffers - "Not even a year out of Balthazar's shadow, and you've already gained a retainment with a ducal house? Atta boy."

Lemand pinks. "In all fairness, uncle, lion's share of praise is due to lady Gillespie." - he objects - "I daresay I'd still be cribbing notes in the library if not for her insight. I'm still incredulous she sees so much potential in me as to give me a retainment before I'm even out of Academy."

I snort - "Lemand's being excessively humble. I daresay, if not for me getting to him first, he'd end up getting an invitation to be a court mage instead."

"He's always been a bright lad." - marquis agrees fondly - "And I am glad that your mind had not been dulled by the brutish nature of your father, nephew. Truly, it was a mistake to permit his engagement to dear Marisa. A mistake indeed."