Kai brought almost twenty people to be tested, of whom only three had sufficient sensitivity to manage the enchanted weapons. Taking Kai’s advice, Verdan hired six of them on at a modest wage, one that was all but covered by the sale of the enchantments back to the guard.

It was a little frustrating that the first money Verdan earned wasn’t even enough to cover his expenditure, but it was a good trade. Those enchantments had cost him a good portion of Aether and a few hours of trouble, but he’d gotten six guards for a month in exchange.

While Verdan appreciated his warm welcome from the locals, it was still best to be prepared. The value of what could be stolen from him was only going up, and that would be a hard temptation for desperate people to resist.

Two days after the testing, the squad of guardsmen assembled, led by Lieutenant Silver, who had one of the swords that Verdan had enchanted. There were the ten that Verdan had signed off as having sufficient sensitivity, but two of the others had also joined them. While they lacked the sensitivity of the others, those two would still be able to tell if the enchantment had power or not, which was something.

“We’re ready to head out,” Silver stated, the group waiting just outside of the Crea estate’s grounds. “The bear attacked a farm just a few days ago. It’s a menace that needs to be dealt with.”

“I agree, which is why Kai and Tom are coming with you,” Verdan said, gesturing to the two sorcerers, who were approaching them with their travel packs already shouldered. “That being said, take this as well.” Verdan produced a crossbow bolt and passed it over to the Lieutenant, who looked at it curiously.

“What is this?” the Lieutenant asked, no doubt able to sense the Aether within it.

“It’s a standard bolt, but with a single-use enchantment that will break whatever it hits. If you struggle with the bear, shoot it with that, and hope for the best. No charge or debt incurred; just make sure to deal with the beast.” Verdan explained, adding that it was freely given when he saw the indecision on Silver’s face. Verdan needed this joint venture to be successful, so an extra enchantment for free wasn’t a problem.

He’d made a construct for the bolt the day before as further practice to refine his methodology on a more expendable level. Verdan had no interest in enchanting arrows and bolts by the dozen, but the odd one here and there would be fine. It also helped that it took a fraction of the Aether while still having a strong effect.

“Thank you, I’ll make sure we don’t waste it,” Silver said, examining the bolt for another moment before passing it to one of the nearby guards with a crossbow. “Keep this separate or mark it somehow. I don’t want it being used by accident.”

“Verdan, Lieutenant,” Kai called out as he reached them, Tom a few steps behind him with an uncertain expression. “We’re ready to go when you are.”

“Then let’s be about it. The more time we waste, the more chance of another attack,” Silver declared, motioning for the guards to start heading down the road.

“Good luck,” Verdan said as the Lieutenant and the two sorcerers set off to join the group. He’d done what he could to help and prepare them. It was down to them to see things through now.

Glancing at the sky, Verdan saw that they were a few hours short of noon, plenty of time for him to get some more work done on his spiral. There wasn’t much else for him to do right now, after all.

The alchemy supplies were still outstanding, and everyone else was already busy. Gwen was spending a lot of her time reading and practising her magic, Tim was training extensively with the sword, and Elliot was off doing crafting things.

Verdan shook his head at himself, he was always complaining about how he wanted peace and quiet, but the moment he got some, he didn’t know what to do with himself.

-**-

Verdan spent the rest of the day building his spiral and Aether reserves, ending the session at two-thirds of the way to completing his third spiral. He’d made good progress recently, which would hopefully continue over the next few days.

“Excuse me, Verdan, a messenger came for you a few minutes ago,” Adrienne said, coming into the kitchen as Verdan finished his breakfast. Pausing to kiss her husband on the cheek, Adrienne took Verdan’s dishes for him with a smile. “He said he was from Mr Brock and his employer would visit you around lunchtime. He wants to discuss a shipment with you?”

“Ah, I see,” Verdan said with a slight sigh. A meeting with Tobias likely meant there was a problem with the shipment. It was a few days late by this point, so that wasn’t that surprising, but it was still frustrating. “Not a problem. I will be meditating upstairs when he arrives.”

Thanking Henry for the delicious breakfast, Verdan returned to his room and settled into his familiar meditative pose.

‘Hyn,’ Verdan muttered, tapping his knee and sending a pulse of positive Aether through him, temporarily reinvigorating mind and body alike.

Feeling far more settled, Verdan sank into his meditation, working on wrapping the flowing strands of Aether within him into ever tighter and more compressed spirals around the existing prime spiral.

Weave after weave of Aether was bound into the correct pattern, flowing all the way down into the core of Verdan’s reserve. With each successive spiral completed, the process became harder and more mentally taxing. The effort of finishing a layer now was nothing compared to what Verdan remembered from the past.

Time flew swiftly by, and Verdan made reasonable progress before Adrienne came to tell him that Tobias had arrived.

“Verdan, good to see you,” Tobias said, rising from his chair in the manor’s living room, a mug of something steaming in his hand.

“Tobias, a pleasure,” Verdan said, shaking the gaunt man’s hand before waving for him to take a seat. As always, Brent lingered in the background, and Verdan acknowledged him with a nod before leaning his staff to one side and sitting down. “So, tell me, what’s happened?”

“A guard patrol found the convoy that was bringing your supplies, amongst other things. It’s about four or five hours travel south-east of here. Their description of it makes me think that someone or something raided the convoy. I’ve spent all morning arranging for a sizeable force to head down and retrieve it. I have a meeting with Commander Griffon shortly to see what aid his men can provide. I know you are a powerful magic-user. Can you help?” Tobias implored, a worried look in his eyes.

“I will come to the meeting with you to see what Commander Griffon says. It might be that you don’t need me for this,” Verdan said, uncomfortable at the idea of heading back out again so soon. He hadn’t even settled from the last excursion.

“Thank you,” Tobias said, a hint of tension leaving his posture as he exhaled. “Just consider it. That’s all I ask.”

“You’re quite worried,” Verdan stated as he got to his feet. “Was the caravan worth that much?”

Tobias had sipped his drink and was just putting it back down when Verdan spoke, the merchant turning to look at Verdan with a hard expression. “The goods are meaningless; I have the money to replace all of them if needed. The dozen or more good men and women who were working that caravan are my concern.”

“I’m sorry, that was a thoughtless comment from me,” Verdan said, holding his hands up in apology. “Do we know how many people were in the caravan?”

“No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped,” Tobias said, shaking his head as he got to his feet and motioned for Verdan to lead the way outside. “The team went over empty-handed but with a list of materials for you and other buyers. They will have hired people and equipment for the journey back, but I don’t know how much. We could be looking at as little as ten in total or a score of caravan hands on top of the six we sent.”

“I understand,” Verdan said, his gut clenching as he realised just how many people had gone missing. Knowing that anyone had been hurt trying to get his goods back here was bad enough. Putting numbers to it made it all so much worse.

Verdan couldn’t help but feel guilty about the whole situation. Tobias wouldn't have sent anyone on this journey if he hadn’t turned up and needed the supplies. Logically, Verdan knew he wasn’t actually to blame, but that didn’t help the weight he felt settling on his shoulders.

Two of the new-hire guards were outside, so Verdan sent them with a message for Tim and Gwen to meet him at the estate in two hours, along with the rest of the guards. Verdan didn’t want to be the first person people turned to for help, but that didn’t mean he would leave those people to die.

They had no idea of how long it had been since the caravan was attacked or if prisoners had been taken, but Verdan owed it to Tobias and his people to check. If Kai was here, Verdan would trust him to be enough to resolve the situation, but he wasn’t. In fact, with Silver and that squad of guardsmen after the bear, who knew how much manpower the city guard could spare.

On that concerning thought, Verdan followed Tobias and Brock out of the estate and toward the guard headquarters. Verdan wasn’t sure what he was expecting from this meeting, but Tobias clearly wanted his presence.

The guards at the headquarters informed them the Commander was waiting for them with another group and escorted them inside. A hint of concern appeared on Tobias’s face as they followed the guard, making Verdan wonder who this other group was.

“Sir, Mr Brock, his bodyguard and Wizard Blacke are here to see you,” the guardsmen announced at a partially open door, holding a hand up to stop them from coming any closer. Verdan noted the correct term being used for him with pleasure. That was a step in the right direction.

“Ah, good, send them in, please,” the Commander called out, the guardsman lowering his hand and pushing the door fully open for them.

Commander Griffon was in a different, larger office this time and was seated at the head of a good-sized oval table. On the right-hand side of the table was Lieutenant Michaels, a well-dressed man that Verdan didn’t know and an individual in robes.

Looking over the two newcomers, Verdan found his eyes drifting to the second as he noted the dark green and black patterning on their robes. Stretching out his Aether sense, Verdan could sense that this robed individual was a sorcerer. He didn’t know what aspects the sorcerer used, but the subtle tension that appeared in both Tobias and Brock when they saw him told Verdan all he needed to know.

“Mr Brent, thank you for joining us, and you, Wizard Blacke,” Commander Griffon said, giving both of them a respectful nod.

“Not a problem, Commander. I’ve already given Wizard Blacke an initial overview of the situation.” Tobias said in a formal tone. “Though, I would ask why my esteemed colleague and a member of the Weeping Death are with us?” Tobias’s voice carried an acid touch as he looked at the well-dressed man, making Verdan wonder just what he was walking into.

“Actually, I’m here because Disciple Garveth here approached me about reports they’ve had of growing issues in the area. The Weeping Death have a small cloister a few days from here and are growing concerned. As the most prominent property owner within the city, I felt it was my civic duty to ensure he was heard.” The merchant said with a smug smile that put Verdan on guard immediately. The tone of voice and the smugness together were never a good sign in the kind of slimy merchant that this man reminded him of.

“A discussion that we will now proceed with, Mr Feveraux. Please, Mr Brock, Wizard Blacke, take a seat,” Commander Griffon said, something in his voice telling Verdan that he was relieved they were here for this.

Following Tobias to the table and taking a seat, Verdan eyed the sorcerer warily, the other man giving him just as much attention. The sorcerer was a thin, wiry-looking man with dark, hooded eyes and a guarded expression.

“Good, now that we’re all here, Disciple Garveth, please could you pass on your message?” Griffon said in a stilted tone, his face inscrutable, but his body language was overflowing with tension.

“Very well,” the sorcerer said, rising to his feet and smoothing out his robes with an absent motion of one hand. “Elder Budaev of the Northern Glade Cloister has seen the rise in attacks on innocent, hardworking mortals like yourselves in recent months.” Garveth paused, his eyes flicking to Verdan, who did his best to not look disgusted at the use of ‘mortals’.

“Accordingly, my Elder has decided that the time has come for action. Either Hobson’s Point will act to protect its people, or he will be forced to intervene. For the good of the populace, the Weeping Death Sect shall take up ownership of the city of Hobson’s Point.” Garveth said, his tone even and uncaring as he delivered his ultimatum.

“Please relay to your Elder that such action is neither needed nor welcomed, we are an independent city, and we will remain that way,” Griffon said, his lack of surprise making Verdan wonder how much of this he had expected in advance. “Hobson’s Point will deal with the local threats directly, whatever they may be.”

“A bold statement,” Garveth said, raising a brow at the guard commander’s veiled threat. “Lieutenant Michaels tells me that there’s an elemental bear in the area that has been threatening locals. Such a creature is beyond mortal means.” Garveth all but sneered at Griffon, his disdain written across his face.

“Then you will be surprised to learn that we are hunting the beast at this very moment. Do not underestimate us,” Griffon said in a cold tone, a touch of anger creeping into his expression.

“You, this is your doing, isn’t it?” Garveth all but spat, turning to glare at Verdan with murder in his eyes. “I don’t know what sect thinks it can meddle here, but the Weeping Death will have this city. Meddle again, and we will put you down like the dog you are.” The disciple abandoned all pretences as he focused on Verdan, ignoring the effect his words were having on the room.

“I see,” Verdan said calmly, his anger burning cold in his chest as he looked at the personification of everything he hated about this new era. “I will give you the opportunity to walk away, but speak to me like that again, or treat these people in that way, and it will be the last thing you do. I will not tolerate such abuse of power.” Verdan rose to his feet in a measured motion, staring directly into Garveth’s eyes as he drew his line in the sand. Part of his mind was screaming that this was nothing to do with him, but he couldn’t turn a blind eye.

It would be easy to let the oaths that bound him to slip away, to lighten the responsibility on his shoulders and ignore this. Verdan just couldn’t do it. He couldn’t betray the memory of the imperium, of what he’d fought for. Somehow, magic users had become tyrants, not protectors, but in this city, Verdan would stand for what he believed in.

“Elder Budaev will hear of this,’ Garveth snarled, but Verdan could see the fear in his eyes as he backed down from Verdan’s challenge. Garveth might not be a wizard, but he could likely sense the huge amount of Aether that Verdan was holding onto right now. One wrong move and an empowered wind blast would have crushed him against the wall.

“Such high-handed behaviour, what else can be expected from an ally of yours,” Feveraux sneered, glossing over the open desire to take the city that Disciple Garveth had stated. “I hope you all see this ‘Wizard’ for what he is, a manipulator trying to steal the city for himself.” Feveraux stormed out of the room with an affronted sniff, leaving behind a tense silence as Lieutenant Michaels rose to his feet and whispered something to the Commander.

“No, we’re sticking with it,” Griffon said aloud, shaking his head at Michaels’s suggestion. “Go escort our esteemed guests from the building and double the patrols in the city until further notice.”

“Yes, Commander,” Michaels said stiffly, bracing to attention before leaving the room.

“Well, that wasn’t quite the outcome I was hoping for,” Tobias said once the door shut behind Michaels. Griffon grunted a reply. His eyes closed as he frowned in thought.

“I’m sorry if my presence aggravated the sorcerer. I didn’t mean to make things harder for you,” Verdan said, feeling a little guilty over how that had all ended.

“No, this isn’t the first overture they’ve made to take control of the city, though they’ve never been this brazen before,” Griffon said, opening his eyes once more as he got up from his chair and began to pace the room. “Garveth made a mistake mentioning the bear as well. Suddenly the timing of its appearance is incredibly suspicious, as well as how the first sighting was when it attacked a farmstead. These are huge creatures, but they rarely leave their territory.”

“You think that the Weeping Death brought it to the area as a pretext for this takeover?” Tobias asked, tapping one long finger against his chin.

“I think so, yes,” Griffon said, nodding sadly at the look of horror on Verdan’s face. “Though that leaves us with one question, Verdan. How do you think our new weaponry will fare on the hunt?”