Published at 16th of February 2024 2:23 pm

Chapter 2.9 Potential Partnerships

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“Spirit Caller’s Tea has seen many iterations and uses over the decades. The modern version is a derivation of beverages used by ancient tribal shamans to commune with their ancestors and nature spirits. Now, summoners and warlocks utilize it to communicate with the sources of their power. It is not a beverage to be taken lightly. A handful consume the tea to achieve a state of euphoria and enjoy the psychedelic effects, claiming it's a cleaner high than sellis weed and its variants.

Only fools trifle with the spirits. Most don’t care for humans and avoid them. Some might appear friendly. The careless almost always attract the malicious over repeated use. They pollute the mind and then the body. The guilds and states must regulate Spirit Caller’s Tea before the worst happens.”

- Augustus Mercer, Former Lead Alchemist of the Trade Empire

“What applications do you foresee?” Easton asked as the pair sipped on Spirit Caller’s Tea. One of his attendants had brought them another bottle of the concoction. It wasn’t as potent as Nox’s creations but tasted significantly better.

“It's too early to tell,” Nox answered, shrugging. His muscles loosened as he sipped on the dark beverage from the barony’s stores. “Once we ensure there is no toxicity left in the fungus, we can use it to fertilize the soil. The life essence will ensure your fields recover sooner. My fire slimes might require more refining, and I need better control over their function.”

“Is that it?” Kris asked nonchalantly, she appeared more interested in playing with the grapes on her plate than the conversation. “A discovery of this magnitude must have greater use than simply disaster recovery. What about afterward? Is there scope for profit?”

“Well, the possibilities are endless. If the fungus is fine for cats, it might be fine for us, too. We’d need to drastically reduce the volume of life essence in it first and neutralize the living spores—”

“Wouldn’t it be better to alter the spores for the sake of replanting and growing more mushrooms?” A younger man seated next to the baron enquired.

“That’s well beyond my expertise,” Nox replied, glancing at Michelle. “A life mage would be better suited for that question. I’m an alchemist with a rudimentary knowledge of treating the human body—”

“I’d call your expertise well above rudimentary,” Michelle added.

“My study of disease and toxins has also resulted in a basic understanding of cats, dogs, and the physiology of other domesticated animals,” Nox continued, looking at her. “Perhaps you’d be interested in assisting?”

“I’m afraid I can’t help you with that,” Michelle said. “My expertise is limited to the human body and can assist once you reach that stage. Currently, you need a botany mage and vivimancer for this endeavor. Once we’re in the city, I can recommend a handful.”

“If we fail to make it suitable for human consumption, the fungus could also serve as animal feed,” Nox replied. “Pigs and cows fed on the mushrooms will grow fast, big, and fatty. It's unlikely you’ll let them live long into adulthood—”

“So life-essence-born tumors aren’t a particularly large concern.” Easton completed the thought for him.

“Precisely, but I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. In the short term, it might be best if we work on making the myconid flesh viable sources of life essence and perhaps fertilizer. Turning the fungus into animal feed and making it suitable for human consumption will take months, if not years, of study. And, results are far from guaranteed.”

Easton exchanged glances with the other men around the table. “What would you need to conduct your research?”

“Regular live samples taken off myconids, preferably with some of the nervous system left intact. Funds for ingredients and staff to take care of my regular responsibilities. To name a few.”

“Well, why don’t you list them? Funds are tight, but I’d be willing to invest in your fire slime concoction and research on the resulting flesh’s applications. The life essence and fertilizer alone could revitalize the barony and cut years off our recovery time. I doubt the cost would be high as importing dragon dung from the western continents. Its unlikely anyone will be willing to collect titan dung right now as well, and if they do the prices will be astronomical.”

Nox’s eyes widened. “I don’t see why not.” His lips spread into a soft smile. “I was hoping the Oakhearts would be the ones to invest in this project, but I reckon House Edelweiss would make for better partners.”

“You have my sympathies, by the way,” Earnest said. “I heard what happened between you and the new Oakheart heir. It’s a shame. Really.” He leaned closer and lowered his volume. “Barmy old man that Lord Oakheart. You’re an excellent investment, and given your alchemical talents, any noble house would be lucky to have you in their family.” Earnest sat up, and his eyes scanned the room. “If you’re looking to improve your station, I have a couple of daughters of marriable age. We aren’t as liberal with courting as the Oakhearts. My daughters won’t go on grand adventures with you without a strict chaperone. But—”

“I might be royal born, Baron Edelweiss, but I’m a disinherited, banished son. Adding me to your family is perhaps not the best idea.”

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“Just disinherited. I might be a minor noble compared to House Mercer or Oakheart, but my information network is as good as any.” A hint of pride leaked into Easton’s otherwise jovial tone. “Queen Mercer revoked your banishment. The Gedges aren’t fond of you, but we’re far enough from the Imperium for them not to be a threat. Besides, you and your party are now heroes around these parts. Given your talents, it won’t be long before your name will have value without knowledge of your lineage. My daughters are already singing praise of your company’s cosmetic products.”

“Let’s start with a working relationship,” Nox replied. “I appreciate the gesture, Baron—I mean, Easton. It's flattering and perhaps something I needed to hear today. But this isn’t the right time. Besides needing some time to recover from recent events, I’d rather not think of marriage or joining a family until after I’ve finished my time at Woodson University.”

“I can respect that. You can’t blame a man for trying through. Once your company and name grow, you’ll have better suitors. My offer won’t feel as generous and flattering then.”

“But I’ll remember those who stood by me and provided support when I was a nobody.”

The conversation continued until words started slurring, and everyone around the table felt too merry to discuss business. The men sitting with Easton—his general and treasurer—asked Kris and Michelle to dance. The pair obliged. Lillin picked a target and also disappeared.

When Nox rose to get some more food and ensure his buzz didn't develop into more, he saw Easton flag down a young, voluptuous woman. Nox would be lying if he denied her ability to draw eyes. Her tight, low-cut dress accentuated her curvaceous shape and flowed behind her.

Nox had seen her milling around the room, drinking, snacking, and dancing with men much better looking and built than him. The woman never stuck to a partner for more than a couple of songs and ended engagements whenever someone tried to kiss her or let their hands wander. If he had encountered her prior to his relationship with Annabelle or weren't in his downtrodden state, he would've tried his luck, too.

The woman apprehended Nox on his way back to the table, holding two cups. A Sigil of Immunity peeked over her dress’s low neckline.

"My father says you forgot your drink," she commented.

"I didn't forget it," Nox replied, shooting her a polite smile. He glanced over her shoulder and found his seat taken. A new group surrounded Easton. Many wore bandages and slings. Nox guessed they were officers in his royal guard or army. "Looks like I was mistaken."

The music changed, and the woman's full lips into a gorgeous smile. "I love this tune," she said, placing both cups on a nearby table. Then she took the plate from Nox and dropped it next to them. "Dance with me."

"I'm sorry. But—"

The protest fell on deaf ears. She grabbed Nox's wrists and dragged him to the dance floor. Before he knew it, his hands were on the small of her back and hers on his shoulders. The woman's fingers intertwined behind Nox's neck. Then they were swaying to the music.

"I'm Aria. Aria Edelweiss."

"It's nice to meet you, Lady Edelweiss. I'm—"

"Aria. I want none of the lady nonsense. We don't like those titles in the barony. I know who you are, Nox Ratra. Your cosmetics adorn my dresser."

"Oh? Did someone from the city gift them to you?"

Aria shook her head. "My handmaiden bought out the last of your supply toward the end of the semester."

"You're a student at Woodson University?" Nox asked, raising an eyebrow. He didn't recall seeing her in any of his classes or around campus.

"We were at a couple of the same soirees at the end of the semester." Aria chuckled, pushing an unruly lock off Nox's face and over his ear. She had the smooth, buttery touch of someone who had never held a weapon. "You only had eyes for Annabelle Oakheart, unfortunately. Getting your attention proved impossible." She leaned in close until her lips brushed his right ear lobe. "Father tells me that I might just have a chance now."

"The wounds need at least a few days to scab over. I'm not ready to start anything new."

"Who said about starting anything?" Aria pulled away and shot him a mischievous smile. "We're just getting to know each other. There is nothing wrong with that, is there.?"

"I suppose not," Nox said. "If we're going to see each other around campus, we might as well get acquainted. Are you studying to be a war mage?"

"Not quite. Father believes it's important for future heirs to learn some warcraft, but he mostly wants to focus on politics, economics, arcane history, and information-gathering. My classes are spread across all departments. I know enough magic to protect myself but not enough to count as a delver or war mage."

"What's with the Sigil then?" Nox glanced at the tattoo on her breast. "Do you dabble in alchemy?"

“No. It's to protect against poisoning.”

“Poisoning? I didn’t think that would be a concern here.”

“The barony might be small, but it sits in a strategically valuable piece of land. We're fertile, block the path to the western coast, and a leyline cuts through the earth under the fort. The Imperium is to the east, and Oakheart lands run along our southern border. Meanwhile, the north is full of ambitious city-states. Going to war with us would cause too many issues. Competing powers have attempted to wipe out heirs and replace them with puppets. My grandfather lost all of his siblings and several cousins to mass poisonings by an Imperium agent. Since then, all viable heirs carry the Sigil of Immunity.”

“Given the scarcity and limitations of sigils, I’d think inheritors would want to diversify. I suppose it makes sense.”

The conversation got significantly lighter afterward. They moved on to professors, departmental gossip, and the recent events with the cults. Aria knew a lot more about the cultists, their families, and the following chaos. Then the music changed again, and the pair broke away from each other. They sat together and indulged in Spirit Caller’s Tea, letting inhibitions slip. The conversation turned to eateries and pubs around the city. Despite Nox’s better judgment, he agreed to plans to accompany Aria to a couple of them.

Nox felt guilty about discussing dates less than a day after his relationship with Annabelle ended. However, the attention felt pleasant and helped push the Oakhearts out of his mind. At some point, Aria moved onto his lap. Then, the world grew more colorful as the tea effects grew stronger, and stringing words together proved far too challenging. So, they gave up on conversation and kissed.

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