Quincunx 30
Chapter 15.
Denouement
I should like to thank my Editor, Kira, For the excellent job she's done.
I awoke with the sun. Turning to Xen sleeping beside me, I propped myself up on one elbow. "Hey, time to get up," I said as I shook her shoulder.
"Mm," she groaned as she stirred.
"Come on," I encouraged her, "you can hop straight into your own bed."
"Mm," she sighed as she twisted on the bed to look at me.
"Oh, we have a meeting with councilman Blundlin; he's kindly offered to pick us up and show us the houses I picked out personally."
"What are they like?" she asked, getting excited.
"One with four family bedrooms and two servants while the other has two extra guest bedrooms and four servant rooms," I replied, smiling.
"Oh, what district?" she asked sitting up
"I don't know, you can ask Blundlin when we pick you up."
"The six bed one sounds big enough to have stables as well," she said reflectively.
"Ah ha, that's something else you can ask," I acknowledged.
"These things are important," she faux protested.
"Let's get a roof over our heads, we can always move on if something better comes on the market later," I said, sitting up. "Meanwhile I'll conjure up an eye and scout your bedroom while you get dressed."
She leant over and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "I can't wait," and then twisted her legs over the side of the bed to stand up.
I reluctantly took my eyes from her semi-nude figure and focused on creating my eye and directing it to her bedroom. It was empty, the candle guttered in its holder and the bed still folded down.
"All clear," I announced, leaving the eye focused on the door.
I rolled and slipped my legs over the side to sit on the edge. Xen was straightening her nightie as she watched and waited. I let the symbols form in my mind and the hole opened up in front of me.
She came over, bending over when she got to me and guided her lips to mine as she wrapped her hands around the back of my head. "Let's hope it never stops being this wonderful," she said softly, looking me in the eye after she broke the kiss.
With that, she turned and stepped through the hole. She turned and waved at me and I waved back as I let the hole collapse. It was probably a little early for most clients but I wondered if they were serving breakfast yet.
Getting dressed, I ventured downstairs, confident that my gold was safe, and was delighted that an early breakfast was available. After breakfast, I spent time in the bar, drinking a second cup of cofftea.
At first I was alone, but after about a quarter of an hour one or two others started to drift in. Two sat near enough for me to overhear them talking about trading being affected by the uncertainty over the Far Isles.
I wouldn't be surprised if the council was being driven by the merchants anxious for normality to be restored. A thorn in their side they'd be eager to be rid of. I could only hope they acted wisely.
Councilman Blundlin appeared an hour after I'd finished breakfast, coming in personally to find me. I stood and walked over to him, seeing a smile grow on his face as I caught his eye.
"Good morning to you," he greeted me. "If you're ready, we'll be off."
"Ready as I'll ever be," I replied.
At that, he turned and started for the door just behind him. He paused outside for me to draw alongside before making small talk about the weather on the way to the carriage.
I sat opposite him, facing backwards.
"So what do you think of our country?" he asked.
"I've only the university to go on," I answered, "so I can't give you a considered opinion. It appears to be well-governed and law-abiding. Ask me again in ten years and I'll expand on that."
He chuckled.
"I heard a conversation while waiting for you. It seems the merchants are uneasy over the Far Isles situation, complaining it's affecting trade," I remarked.
"I've heard whispers too, nothing's sailing out from the mainland, cargos sitting on docks. I wish something could be done," he replied with a sigh.
"Even now the right people are looking for a solution; they need to know the nature of the weapon to devise a way to counter it. At the moment, life seems normal on the island with ships loading and unloading in the docks," I said.
"Tell that to the ship owners and captains, they're worried that the ships might be commandeered to transport an invading army."
"That would be pointless; a couple of air and water spells and the ships are lost. If that's all they're worried about, then the council should be able to allay their fears."
"Telling them you'd destroy their ships would make you popular; personally I'm giving it a week before the loss of profit sees the resumption of sailings with a negotiated hazard premium," he replied.
"Ah, an equitable solution; put the price up and no doubt pass the cost on."
"Only for the duration, that's why it's essential to get a quick resolution."
"Mm, there's a few more factors than that, but I'll grant you it's a concern. The best solution would be for the merchants to buy their own ships and assume more of the risk."
"That advice I might pass on," he said as he settled back.
When we began the climb, I took time to admire the view. Though we lived near the edge of the mountains, there were few hills and none could rival the view I was getting here.
We remained silent until we were pulling up in front of Xen's door. "Do you want to see if she's ready?" he asked, leaning forward.
"She should be," I replied, rising from my seat. "She's expecting to ride out with me."
I knocked and was delighted when, after a few moments, Xen opened the door.
"Ready?" I asked
"Let me tell mother I'm off," she replied, turning from the open door and hurrying off.
She was gone a few moments before rushing back. "Done," she announced breathlessly.
Stepping out, she shut the door and looped her arm through mine.
"I'm so excited," she said, giving my arm a squeeze as we walked to the carriage. "Our first house, I can't wait to move in."
