The Baroness summoned Emmeline to her audience chamber.
“Lady Emmeline my friend. I pray you are well,” she said. “All of the supplies are ready for the newcomers; however, I have to talk to you about a change of plans. The refugees will not go to the Upper Calder valley. Instead they will be settled in the Western Valley under the care of the warden of the Westfold, Sir Maurice le Marin. It was a hard decision, but a practical and politically expedient one.” she explained.
“All right,” Emmeline said. “They will be well protected there, I assume. But why?”
“More and more rumors of hill tribes, goblins, sorcerers and now a threat from Azenkuul potentially. It seems wrong of us to settle people in between us and the natural invasion route into the North. Especially given their history as you have explained to me. Winter for such southerners will be terrible for them in any event. The Westfold is lightly settled in the west. Their are nearly a hundred square miles of grazing land, unspoiled forests, and some good farm country. You and I can use our skills to help them tame it. And Sir Marin is open to it, given the labor shortage. I’m afraid the Calder Valley is just too dangerous. There are good defenses going up at Normarc and the population has swelled there and in Branmarc with dozens of smaller villages in the immediate area of the Keep. Axiney has enticed most of the refugees from last year to give it another chance; but there must not be a repeat of another goblin attack. Also, logistically it is much easier to get supplies to the Westfold than to take them up Calder’s Winding Road.”
Emmeline thought it through. “An attack does seem quite likely, my Lady,” she said softly. “Thus our own people will be at risk. You will in effect shield these refugees — an act of kindness. But not without risk. If we are struck hard enough, they may see us as weak. Unless of course we achieve a solid victory without significant losses.
“That said, I believe what you have decided is the right thing to do. You don’t need my support but if it helps at all to hear it, I think your decision is compassionate — moreso than my own advice to the Margrave regarding the refugees. It’s a better decision.”
“I won’t have huddled masses depending on us to be thrown to the wolves. Your support in this matter is appreciated.” she said. “If, after spring some of them wish to migrate to the north, that will be their decision.”
Emmeline nodded. “That is both generous and fair.”
She looked thoughtful. “My Lady, there is something on my mind that perhaps you can clear up for me. Do I serve as your advisor? Or as your wizard? Or is it both? I ask because I know you are also sister to my children and I don’t want there to be an awkwardness. I know people like me but I’m hearing now that some think I enchant those around me…”
“You are my tennant-holder, my advisor, my sibling’s mother, my father’s lover, a hero to many, an enemy to a few, but primarily my friend. You do not need an ‘official’ position. You are my advisor. The only thing official is that you are the Lady of Cerisey and I am your liege-lord.”
“Now, one that, well success breeds jealousy. It is inevitable. I have a reputation for getting what I want and a certain ruthlessness and coldness. I charm, more than you actually, and then I move the chess pieces. You are building a reputation as a enchanting fey lady, connected to magic and the old gods of the forest some still think of in their legends and tales. There will be some fear with the wonder, and your enemies be they active or subtle, will exploit that. The key is to use this reputation to your advantage where you can and mitigate where you cannot.”
“That helps. I love that I am your friend. But let’s be honest here; my advice is not that valuable here. I don’t have experience as a noble or a wizard, really. One or two years compared to your lifetime?” She did some mental calculations as she drifted a few feet toward the window where she paused to look outside.
Her duty was to her lands and her lord, but only as much as any country gentry. Rivanon valued her advice, but that wasn’t an obligation, that was friendship. But In her heart she wanted to volunteer to go help Roland in the war.
If she did, then what of her children? What of Mara and the Vale? But the children were being taken care of and Mara had the power to defend the Vale now. She supposed every woman felt the desire to be with their husbands, sons, and lovers that went to war.
Emmeline stared out the window so Rivanon couldn’t see the conflict on her face. She didn’t want her own doubts to color Rivanon’s reaction. “I can’t help feeling I should volunteer like so many others, and be at the Margrave’s side. I can’t help but imagine that just maybe with my help he could conclude his business at war and come home with me that much sooner. By your own words I’m just a member of the gentry. How do I even justify *not* being with him after I went around and encouraged so many other gentry to volunteer? How can I defend that from detractors? I’ve had my children and recovered my strength. I don’t want to leave them, but everyone knows I’m a person of power. I’m worth as much as any knight.
“Elemix is the Wizard here in Uzec. Once he returns, he’ll remain here on hand because he has to get his business going or it will fail without him. With him you can bring any battle to a quick end. I am a witch, though. I don’t do mass damage, but what I can do is fight all day long, all night and all day again and again with barely a rest. No other spellcaster can do that. And that’s what a major war needs. He needs spellcasters like me that can be at full power in barely an hour’s rest, and even when exhausted still has access to tremendous magical power to keep going. That’s what a major war is. Here? There will be conflict. But it will be a minor skirmish in comparison, over very quickly. That’s a situation in which I am least useful.”
Rivanon walked over to her friend and took her hand. “Look at those mountains, the river, the lowlands and rolling hills. That is what father loves. He also loves you, me, and the people of this land.” Rivanon paused a moment. “Think about this carefully. Father asked you to stay because he knows the misery of war, and the worst is yet to come. Do you think he could order you to go into combat when there is a good chance of you dying? Would he change his plans for an attack to make sure you are safe? You see, father protects that that he cares about. He sent me away to protect me and give him leverage to deal with Millicent and supporters. He very reluctantly allowed you to adventure without him, though it pained him to do so – he would never admit that. Now, you could go and join him, but doing so will cripple him and cloud his decision-making. He is wise enough to know that.”
“But we could send another wizard to help him to which he would have no such compunctions.” Rivanon added.
“I don’t want to slow him down or hesitate. But what if I was there as his defender, not a soldier? Like Magus Alix was to the previous Duke? I would always have spells at the ready, magic to deal with others. I now understand how to turn back any and all mind affecting enchantments, can destroy hostile magics, and even send a person to a safe place on another plane while I deal with a threat. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to order me into danger? I could protect him from danger instead?”
Emmeline turned to look at Rivanon. “What other wizard could do that?”
“The very one you mentioned. Magus Alix is out of a job. Despite my pleas, he has never liked her and blames her for failing to save the Duke. As far as I know, Lord Arles wants Elemix to serve him instead,” she replied.
“The very one you mentioned. Magus Alix is out of a job. Despite my pleas, he has never liked her and blames her for failing to save the Duke. As far as I know, Lord Arles wants Elemix to serve him instead,” she replied.
“It is no joke. The new Duke is a fool. This is no dig on Elemix, but Magus Alix is likely the most skilled wizard in the North with a network of informants, allies, and more. Her position as the head of the wizard’s Tribunal is not in threat, but seriously the Duke blames the magus for his father’s melancholy and death. He was 91 years old, I think the stress killed him as much as anything. Alix herself is fine. The Duke’s will gave her amazing riches, land, and more; which may be part of the problem. You are aware of the rumors do you not?”
“I heard there was possibly something more than a professional relationship between them, but I never entertained the notion,” Em said. “You believe Lord– Duke Arles is jealous of something?”
“I would not know about jealousy but it is possible. I do believe the Duke is looking for someone to blame. He can’t blame Alix directly, but he sure can refuse to honor any further contract. Now my great uncle would never betray his wife. Law and tradition meant everything to him. Magus Alix was more like a daughter to him – and to my great aunt. It is certain they were very close. And sure he may have had an old man’s desires, but there is no evidence that he never acted on them. The truth is Duke Arles is my first cousin once removed and Ana his daughter is one of my dearest friends. They are family. To be honest, I had a closer relationship with the late Duke than Arles did in this past year, yet I have not been dismissed – in fact I’ve been given more responsibility. So, I believe the fact that Alix’s efforts could not save the Duke from Lord Hugo is the primary driver here – or someone is giving him bad advice. I’m not sure.” she said.
“If someone is giving him bad advice, then it’s possible someone has plans that don’t involve good protection for the new Duke. I think you know where that line of questioning leads,” Em said.
“Yes. But it is not a situation in our control. The good Magus is still the Tribune and a major power. I’m sure Elemix will not abandon his quests to go into full service. Therefore my cousin the Duke will select someone else, likely a puppet of Magus Alix or under her influence.” she replied.
“Maybe. But it’s still up to the Duke whether or not he decides to keep the recommended mage. If he’s really getting advice from someone else, here is where we will know. If he refuses the replacement and sends for someone else, then we know someone is up to no good. If he accepts then perhaps Duke Arles was not being influenced but rather simply being emotional.”
“I do not know of any other advisors he has brought in other than his own aide-de-camp and those of the former Duke. Technically he is right and she failed. The Duke wanted to make a stand, she obeyed and when things got bad, she spirited him away as best she could. There is no reason they would know Hugo’s spectre of hate would follow or even could. Only a necromancer of great power could possibly see that coming.” she said. “In the end, we much respect the Duke’s decision. We have no standing to dispute him on this.”
“Of course I support the Duke as we all do. I was merely reacting to your uncertainty as to whether or not the Duke was given bad advice.”
“I can ride to speak with him, but it may be fruitless.” she replied.