5.Death of Chaos
XVIII
East of Lavah, Sligo [Candar]
“HONORED MAGE.” THE taller of the two men in green bows, and almost clicks his heels. He glances around the modest room, taking in the table with the oil lamp on which some stacks of paper rest under a smooth stone, the draped bookcase, and the pallet bed and chair. “I see no... apparatus...”
“Nor will you. I offer knowledge.” Sammel nods. “What is your master's need?”
“The Viscount of mighty Certis has no needs,” says the shorter man.
“I beg your pardon. What might he desire of this humble seeker and disseminator of knowledge?”
“It is said that you may know ways of making firearms more dependable and of assisting the Viscount in the defense of his people.”
“You wrote something of the sort, did you not?” asks the short man.
“In a fashion,” answers Sammel. “In a fashion.”
“So what have you to offer?”
“That would depend on the Viscount's needs and some small remuneration.”
“The Viscount does not pay. You serve.”
“In Sligo, the Viscount rules? I was not aware of that.” Sammel clears his throat.
“He will soon.”
The taller man gestures to the shorter. “What Hendro means is that the Viscount may be forced to take measures against Duke Colaris to ensure the safety of Ms people.”
“I am sure, and I am also sure that he would not grudge a poor seeker of truth a handful or two of golds for knowledge that would help him achieve that.” Sammel steps forward to Hendro. “Might I see your knife? The little one.”
Hendro looks to the tall man, who nods, and then extends the knife to Sammel.
Sammel takes the knife carefully, by the leather-wrapped hilt, holding it between two fingers. His eyes dose, and a halo of white surrounds the blade, which begins to glow, rising quickly from orange to cherry-red to a white that begins to spark. Sammel opens his eyes, bends, and gently tosses the sparking blade into the cold logs in the hearth. Flames flare up, even as iron droplets fall through the grate onto the stones.
Hendro backs away.
“That is what one can do with knowledge.” Sammel smiles politely.
“I daresay you have made your point, Ser Sammel,” says the taller man. “I know of no other wizard who can burn cold iron.” He looks to Hendro. “I do not think the Viscount would grudge the mage his livelihood.”
“How would your... knowledge help... defend Certis against Duke Colaris?”
Sammel turns and lifts two scrolls from the table. Each is tied neatly with twine. “This describes a way to preserve food.”
“Food! What does that have to do with firearms? This mage may be powerful, but what help is that, Julk?”
“How much time do your troops spend foraging?” asks Sammel. “What if all they had to do was to open a container from a wagon? With food from the fall harvest-even in midsummer?”
“How much metal does that take?” Julk twists the corner of one mustache.
“Glass is better. The process is there for that, too.”
“But you mentioned firearms?” persisted Hendro.
“I did. Those ideas are less valuable, but since you do want them...” Sammel picks up a third scroll. “This tells how to keep chaos from firearms, so that they may be used in all battles. It also allows faster recharging of both cannon and handheld weapons.” He presents the scroll to Hendro.
Hendro looks at it, but does not open it.
“I will let you take those, and, if you are satisfied, you may reward me as you see fit. If not-” Sammel shrugged. “I will provide knowledge to those who value it more.”
“I think that is more than fair, ser mage.” Julk bows, straightens, and takes the third scroll from Hendro, who blinks. “I am certain you will be receiving the Viscount's thanks in a way that will ensure your continued... supply of knowledge.” Julk bows again, and so does Hendro.
“The preservation of food...” Sammel adds.
Both men straighten.
“It could prove useful in laying away supplies for a cold winter.”
“And a siege?” asks Julk.
“There will be no long sieges.”
The two from Certis exchange glances and bow again.
Sammel watches, a sad smile crossing his lips.