“The Dukedom of Marigash is a state under the governance of the Marigash family. A sub-branch of the Gosaras family whose members rule over the Great Kingdom of Gosaras and its five Dukedoms. Spread over the majority of the Vallieen Continent it encompasses one of the largest landmasses known.

Marigash reaches from Land’s Fall in the Rising all the way to the Blue Sun Ocean in the Setting. Akmaar the most well-known city of the dukedom used to be the hidden jewel of the continent located but with growing internationalization has grown into a prominent trading spot in the Blinding Setting.

In the Clouded it borders the great Dukedom of Basnam, the largest metal supplier in the region. The increasing demand for metal and ores from the Blinding parts of Marigash have prompted the royal family to decree the investment into a large-scale infrastructure project crossing throughout the region. As the biggest trading port, Akmaar now is one end of the eternal crossroads and distributes the kingdom's goods all over the known regions.

Introduction to “The Geography of the Dukedom of Marigash” by the Dukal Printery.

Additional notes given to students clarify the cardinal directions:

Setting: Towards where the sun sets Rising: Towards where the sun rises Blinding: Where the sun is in the sky Clouded: Where there is no sun in the sky

***

The previous two days of Liana’s life had been tumultuous, rich with socializing, and full of too many heartfelt goodbyes. Saying goodbyes to Cora had been especially difficult. Her being one of the people Liana had spent the most time with over the last two years certainly hadn’t helped.

To keep everyone from too much stress and turmoil her friends had come by her house to say farewell after the graduation ceremony.

Evelyn, it had turned out, would not be too far away from her in the near future and might, depending on their respective masters, even be able to meet up with her occasionally. The black-haired girl's trait had helped tremendously in acquiring a sought-out apprentice position as a navigator. Lacking any better orientation methods than compasses and sextants people with navigation traits could reduce travel time by significant margins, or so she had claimed. Liana, when being honest, had no clue about any of that stuff and didn’t care particularly about anything besides getting to see her friend occasionally.

Currently, Liana and her family were on their way to the Sanonborough estate. Her soon-to-be master would depart there towards her home in Teeram, a port city bordering the Blue Sun Ocean.

She hadn’t met the woman again since their encounter at the coming of age party. The woman hadn’t had enough time to interact with her family more than she already had due to other appointments, and possibly because her input wasn’t necessary. While she technically was her own person now, her parents still were in some way her guardians and guidance.

“We have agreed, on a few secondary clauses in the contract. One, the most important, is that she will pay for a bi-weekly letter to be sent to us. It would be appreciated if you were to exhaust the contract to its fullest. You catch my meaning,” Liana’s - more and more stressed looking - mother instructed.

“Yes, mother,” Liana responded. By her count, it had been the tenth reminder of sending letters, acquiring long-distance communication items if she should ever get the chance, and so forth. The keepers also facilitated a near-instantaneous communication machination as well, but Ionis had only been willing to sponsor a single conversation per year.

Contrary to Liana’s calm demeanor she too was exceedingly nervous. She herself was surprised by the amount of self-control she currently had. It was for good reason too, if she began showing signs of nervousness her mother would grow only more anxious. Regardless of how her mother would react to a stressed daughter, she wasn’t the issue either. It was Nardar. The man’s outburst - a predictable event in case of nervousness by people he cared about - could end up being actively harmful to the mother-daughter pair's goals of facilitating the apprenticeship for Liana.

“She has also promised to host your guests. And while it is part of the contract that we can’t visit you until you have classed you can have any of your friends visit.

“Wait what, why is that a rule? I wanna see you though!” Liana exclaimed. “You never said something of the sort before. That is just unfair, why would she require that?”

“I don’t want to miss you. Can’t you just come by occasionally? I thought you only went through with the apprenticeship contract since Land’s Fall and Teeram are just a few days away,” she expanded upon with horror growing on her face. Being apart from her family wasn’t bad per se, she had done so many times, staying at either Evelyn’s or Cora’s place. The time separated had been short in respect to not seeing them for 4 years. A night or two simply didn’t compare.

“She wants to use seeing us as a motivator during your secondary education. I also suspect that she wants to reduce distractions to a minimum. We aren’t even supposed to tell you right now, so best act surprised when she tells you,” the answer came, this time from her father. Her father who she had realized hadn’t begun throwing a fit.

Odd, she thought.

For the remainder of the journey to the Sanonborough estate, her parents talked with her further about the expectations placed on her in relation to the contract she was to sign. From duties in Ionis’ household to responsibilities towards studies on her own and public presentation.

All in all, it didn’t sound too bad, quite interesting even. There were just a few parts she didn’t like, almost complete obedience towards Ionis in public, which included basically everything from in rifts to at the keepers, with the only exception of in her house. Sure there were a bunch of regulations on what the woman could ask of her but that didn’t really help.

Upon being prompted about this being a slave contract, they negated that heavily. According to the keepers, who her parents apparently checked in with, the contract was rather standard for apprentices to flowbringers. They ensured secrecy and safety for all included parties.

The contract luckily wasn’t one of obedience - which could only be done at the keepers' place - instead of guidance. It would nudge Liana’s thoughts so that she could follow her future master’s commands quicker, she was still the master of her actions, able to resist what Ionis might instruct her, but her instructions would be sort of like an instinct.

When they arrived at the gate, they were greeted by two rather excited former classmates. Monika and Tara were standing behind the gate until they saw Liana’s family approach. Heaving together they opened the wrought iron gate to offer entrance to the massive estate under the surveillance of a few guards and a very neutral-looking butler.

“Liana, it’s so good to see you. Father told us all about your apprenticeship. Really stinks that you are going to be so far away now that the old grump would try to make us spend time together again. That said he also told us that he would consider sending us to Teeram occasionally. Now that you are going to be an important person,” Tara said.

“Yeah, especially since Ionis’s got a very deep pocket. She is one of gram's best customers for exotic fabrics, and she is making both of us an item of choice which according to the old grunt is a big privilege,” Monika said.

“My lady, please show proper respect to your father and grandfather when attending guests,” came the strained voice of the butler from further behind.

This was new. Liana had never heard her two friends speak in such a disrespectful manner, though admittedly, she hadn’t had much contact with them outside school and their coming-of-age party.

The moment the gate allowed for passage Liana rushed inside, leaving her trunk behind on the floor for her parents to manage.

The short rush ended in a rough embrace between the three girls. Chagrined parents were left behind at the metaphorical doorstep.

“I’m gonna miss you guys,” the newcomer spoke while pulling her friends even closer, maybe that - their touch against her shoulders - would help with remembering them, she hoped.

After a bit more chatter about the last day the siblings led her further into the premise, parents in tow.

After following the winding paths for a bit they didn’t end up at the building, contrary to Liana’s expectations. Rather they stopped in front of a stately sized gazebo with a small closed area further to the side. Its size trumped over most regular houses in Land’s Fall. The staircase leading up to it exceeding the girls’ height at least twofold.

“It is a pleasure to once again welcome you all on our property,” came a male voice from somewhere on the gazebo. “Come right up if you would. Mrs Tara, Mr Nardar, Ms Liana, it is so good to see you again.”

The named individuals followed the two girls who had accompanied them up the stairs onto the roofed space. Standing next to the walled area stood two people next to a pair of bags.

“I can let you get settled first if Ms Rashan isn’t in a hurry. Meanwhile, can I get you something to refresh yourselves? We have received a shipment of most delightful fruits the other day, I’m sure you would like them,” Mr Sanonborough continued the pleasantries.

“Thank you very much for the offer. We of course are willing to conform to Ms Rashan’s needs. If there is time we shall partake,” Tara replied. “You have such a wonderful home. Merely being here, surrounded by greenery and all those marvelous plants is already refreshing.”

“Ahh thank you very much. Being honest, it was mostly my late wife who was responsible. If there isn’t time we can most certainly catch up after the two are off to wherever a flowbringer and her little apprentice need to head,” the courteous reply came, as though he had expected exactly that.

He might have, Liana realized, given that dealings with flowbringer had a high priority for most people.

“Ms Rashan, do you have any thoughts on the matter,” the capitalist asked.

“I would like to get this over with quickly. Sleeping in my own bed after two months would be a great relief to my old bones.”

“Ha! You jest, you are not even half as old as I. Surely someone of your qualities doesn’t suffer from the human condition. Be that as it may. I have, by your request, ordered a pair of binding stones. The contract has been approved. Have you been instructed on the workings of binding stones?” he said, directing the question at Liana.

“I am afraid, I have not, Sir!” Liana said after realizing that he was specifically looking at her.

“It is quite easy, really. Each stone is imprinted with the contents of a contract. The contract in paper form and the corresponding binding stones are then brought together. If neither starts to dissolve upon contact and the binding stone starts to glow a bit they are in accord. You then touch the stones together to see if you both are using the same contract as a basis, lastly you crush the stones in your hands,” the older man explained.

Oh, he didn’t mean how they work but how you use them. A shame that would have been interesting, Liana thought.

“Oh yes, I knew that. I thought you meant something different,” she responded a bit too quickly after having grown bored with the explanation she had heard dozens of times beforehand.

“Shall we inspect the contract then? Having seen it myself, I have to say, we could arrange for a more lenient one for you if you” he pointedly looked at her parents. “want to reconsider. Why include a non-visiting clause when your parents could come by the end of their respective workdays on the regular.”

“That is enough Mr Sanonborough. If you could not try to poach my apprentice under my nose. I have seen the contract and I am satisfied,” she spoke, almost regal sounding, even though she seemed rather annoyed by the sneer on her face.

She took one of the small stones, placed on a side table, nocked it against a piece of paper right next to it then waited for just a moment and crushed it in her hand. Seemingly taking another blink of the eye to gather herself, after the motes of light and dust - the result of the crushed binding stone - left her hand.

Liana was blinking in surprise at the decisiveness of the woman then proceeded to the table as instructed. Her parents had a quick read-through, she herself having little input into the entire matter.

While her reading wasn’t bad it took her a while to familiarize herself with the contract. Like her parents had said it wasn’t too bad, and if she remembered correctly, similar to what her brother had been made to sign for his apprenticeship. The clause about visitations was unfortunate, but being instructed by a flowbringer would be worth it, she hoped.

Being not satisfied but only content with the contract she held paper and stone together. The stone grew slightly in brightness and she felt an impression of correctness, or maybe accordance.

There came also a vague feeling of what the contract would do. It would if she were inclined to do so, allow her to respond faster and more decisive to her master's commands. The rest was even less clear, it seemed as though this was the most important aspect for her.

She held the stone in her hand and crushed it, eager to get on with the proceedings. She had time to be sad about the less-fun aspects of the contract later. Now she was curious.

Temporary Title gained: Apprentice

Granted by [Apprenticeship Contract of Ionis and Liana]

[Apprentice] (temporary) - Increases the effects of Reaction in relation to information absorption.

[Apprenticeship Contract of Ionis and Liana] (leading) - Occupational contract with a servitude length of four years or until the death of either party.

As the words settled on her mind she knew that she would be able to tell the exact wording of her contract for the next four years at a simple mental command. It was branded onto her, and Ionis no doubt as well, given how the woman grimaced.

“Alright, go say goodbye and we will leave. If you are as gifted as I think you are we will get to Teeram by the end of today,” the woman said grimacing for some obscure reason.

“My… oh my. That is an impressive pace you are setting. Even when I go with our fastest coaches we still need four days at least,” Mr Sanonborough interjected, looking quite impressed. “Maybe I should get my class level up a bit further as well, huh.”

The woman however only scoffed at his comment and addressed her new apprentice again.

“Open the blue bag behind me, right on top should be two pieces of garment. You may change into them at will. You should, but I won’t command you to. I’ll be waiting here, don’t let me wait too long.”

Liana moved into the walled part of the area of the gazebo and promptly exchanged her current trousers and shirt for the very soft and energetic feeling clothes. With each of the two pieces she put on there flashed a distinct impression through her head. She was too confused to react the first time around to figure out what it was. The second time, when she put on the shirt she felt the distinct impression of wind rushing through feathers and elegance in the air.

Is this an actual impression? She can afford clothing that is impressed upon, Liana wondered, being quite baffled. The two questions for a good minute circled through her head.

Impressed items were items of legend in a way. They were commonplace enough with strong adventurers and very rich nobles - at least according to Mr Tosien. Having some being given to her so casually was absurd.

People were literally vying with homes and estates all across the kingdom to buy an impressed item and she was just handed on like that. Maybe she would have to reconsider her opinion on Ionis after all. It seemed like her mother had a good hunch.

Stepping outside she considered, whether or not she should openly address the matter at hand but decided against it.

“Go ahead, say goodbye. I don’t have all day,” Ionis said, her tone impatient.

With a heavy heart and a just as heavy footfall, she approached her parents. Even though they didn’t see eye to eye in their relationship from time to time, she loved them. The strain was merely an obstacle to overcome and grow as a family. Who didn’t have occasional friction with their parents? Each of her classmates had complained at least once or twice.

“Mom, I appreciate you,” Liana began. Though a sudden, unintentional sob interrupted her. She couldn’t even continue talking before her mother had embraced her in a huge hug.

“Oh hey, don’t you worry now. You’ll be quite alright. I’m sure Ionis will treat you just as she would her own child. We appreciate you too, dear,” Tara responded after having wiped a tear out of Liana’s face.

“I love you and I’ll miss you,” Liana sobbed after some time.