“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. How do I make it right?”

Randy Pausch

Cleo carefully entered the church proper carrying plates of refreshments. Aravan had them sat to the side of the nave attempting to improve his rather disastrous first impression. “If I had been aware of your arrival I would have had someone out at the dock to keep watch and welcome you here.

“You were not aware of our arrival?” Archbishop Grigori asked once more sounding somewhat dubious.

“No boats are few and far between without a direct charter to visit Wester Ponente. The mail can be held up on any island of the archipelago it might have reached waiting for another boat to carry it on further and that is if the boat stops at whichever island it is sitting on.”

“We have been on Wester Levante for nigh a week. I would have expected some inter-island communication.” Archbishop Grigori sounded perplexed by the islands' lack of communication and support.

“The waters out here are not so calm and placid as the coastal waters of the compass continent. Nearly all fishermen on this island prefer to sail within the island on the lake rather than tempt fate sailing the open sea. There is some trade between Wester Ponente, Wester Levante and Little Wester but by and large, they are more or less self-sufficient and wait for the merchant ships to carry the goods between them.” Aravan excused his ignorance once more.

“If you would like something to eat while I prepare some rooms for you to rest in. Will you be staying long as part of your pilgrimage?”

“Do not worry we will take up rooms in the local tavern after our unexpected arrival. You do have one?”

“Yes, the Compass Edge Tavern has beds and board available but only the four. Your acolytes are welcome to stay here with Acolyte Cleo.” Aravan advised.

“Very well, the initial plan for Wester Ponente was to walk to the westernmost point and place a simple shrine there before blessing the people and carrying on with our circumnavigation. Three days in total. One for the walk, one for the blessing and one for slippage. In fact, there is a family that I would like to be introduced to as well. That being said that was also the plan for our last island stop, which ended up taking a week due to various complications. If the circumnavigation has taught me anything so far it is to hold plans lightly.” He explained his hopes.

After explaining their plans, they returned to eating and soon polished off the fruit.

“The fruit was perfect thank you.” Bishop Bailie added as the last slice was finished. It had been quickly demolished by the ten of them although Aravan and Cleo refrained from eating. “I don’t suppose there is any more food we have not eaten anything since breakfast.”

“Certainly,” Aravan demurred, “Cleo.” He commanded and Cleo scurried off with the empty plates to refill them.

“Now about the introduction . . .” Cleo heard as he rushed out of the room.

In the kitchen, he realised that if the fruit was not enough he would have to load up significantly more loading a trundle with everything he could hastily grab and quickly filled it with a leg of ham, wheel of cheese loave of bread and everything else had been able to acquire at the market. Pushing the trundle through.

“Super.” Bishop Bailie opened his arms wide in thanks at the spread being wheeled towards them. “I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the variety of fruit you have available this far out the selection was far poorer on Wester Levante. Are they homegrown?” He asked excited at the possibility of a wider selection of food than what would merely suffice.

“Yes, the Silversea family . . .” Started Cleo.

“The Silversea family? “ Archbishop Grigori inquired intrigued. “They are the family I am most keen to meet. Are you aware that they have bought the entirety of Wester Levante?”

“The entirety?” Cleo responded astounded.

While Aravan added, “As well as here.” Muttering to himself.

“What do you mean as well as here?” Grigori focused on what would affect his plans the most.

Aravan shrugged saying, “They own the entirety of Wester Ponente as well. Everything outside of the town walls. I was aware of their purchases here but not on Wester Levante.”

“Where are such a young noble family getting the funds for such large purchases from the crown? I am surprised that the Crown has sold all their holdings to a single family and so recently, the last year or two, according to the Mayor of Wester Levante.” The Archbishop pondered the political ramifications and questioned how it was possible.

“Not all so recent, the majority of their purchases have been over the last seven or 8 decades. The patriarch of the family Smit arrived with more money than sense and bought out most of the lands when they were still infested on the founding of the pioneer island as far as I can tell. It was only thirty years ago that the last of the island’s monsters were purged and even now the townspeople are only just extending the town beyond the original walls.” Aravan continued to explain the history of Wester over his long tenure as the priest.

“It is the pearls.” Cleo piped in worried about interrupting his seniors.

“What pearls?”

“Deep Sea pearls. They are the main reason besides the church's mission to expand the horizons of the compass continent that the island became a pioneer island in the first place.” Explained Aravan. “The initial harvests paid for the church to be built the settlers to arrive and the town to be founded. Every year there are fewer pearls to be found but that only means that their price continues to rise. Although such pearls are generally found at sea where the danger is far greater in gathering them. They can also be found here within the island in the s the inner lagoon.”

“Ah ha. Perhaps not so recent an action but a plan decades in the making then.” Bishop Bailie added between mouthfuls of food. “Do we have any wine to wash down these excellent edibles?”

“Some Silversea wine, Your grace.” Cleo poured cups for all.

“Silversea land, Silversea food, Silversea wine, Silversea pearls. Is there anything on this island not produced by them?” Bishop Bailie asked as he finished his wine while Archbishop sat silently in contemplation. Purchasing land from such a vigorous and actively ascending noble family might end up being more complicated than he hoped. But there was no reason not to try and even more reason to establish good relations with them while they were still rising rather than after they had already reached the peak of power.

“I have a selection of their other products in the kitchen I was rather rushed in my purchases and took everything they had in my haste.” Cleo offered.

“Well, get them then, young acolyte. Without knowing what they are worth we will not know what to offer.” He gestured for Cleo to hurry up once more. Then as he left he turned to his acolytes, priest, deacon and knights of the compass. “If you would see to arranging our accommodation in the Compass Edge Tavern then return here we won’t all be sitting around talking now that we have finished eating.” He clapped his hands.

They turned to Archbishop Grigori for confirmation and after his nod of affirmation bowed and left.

“Let us wait to see what else Cleo has for us to assess their strengths and we will have to visit tomorrow to judge by the light of the lodestar the depth of their animosity.” Archbishop Grigori planned their next steps. “Welcome back Acolyte Cleo if you could lay out your collection here.” They moved to another table that was empty and clear for him to lay down the other unintentional purchases he had made.

Aravan spoke up as he started to lay them all out. ”How much exactly did you spend?” shocked to see him continue to lay out the entire contents of Aleera’s stall.

Sheepishly he replied. “Um, all of it. In my haste, I did not realise how much I had purchased and hope to be able to sell some oft back or to others to recoup some of the cost.” He honestly admitted his mistake now it was out in the open. Though perhaps in his private thoughts he had hoped to do so before being found out.

“Worry not. You can travel west and still end up north or south of your bearing. It all depends on the tide and the wind. Today circumstance has brought you to the right location even if your initial bearing was off. Take your time to sight your direction more clearly next time.” Archbishop Grigori consoled him even though it looked like Priest Aravan was likely to erupt in private later to chastise him. “Balance before all Aravan he has brought us what we wished for unasked for and unanticipated. We are grateful. Are we not?”

“Of course, your excellency.” Aravan capitulated.

Bishop Bailie though was working his way through the selection of items. Under Kai’s suggestion, Aleera now carried an example of all the Silversea wares for them to be ordered even if they were not sold and bought immediately. Not only our immediate family but our extended clan as well. There was one sample of everything she sold. ”Yes, they are quite proud of them, all Silvers in one way or another I believe. Silvertongue, Silversword, Silverstone, and Silverkin all very symbolic in their imagery.” Cleo seemed keen to explain in the hopes that this would somehow ameliorate the punishment he still felt he would receive from Aravan, for spending the entire amount, whether it resulted in a happy ending or not.

“Were they raised in the church?” Archbishop Grigori questioned.

“No, I believe it was a private service. We didn’t officiate.” Aravan answered carefully he was running out of rope.

“That is not the most surprising aspect of the selection though. Which branch produces this? Bishop Bailie asked as he picked up a piece of cloth.

“Most cloth is woven by Aliyah Silversea the mother of the house herself.” Aravan once more answered not seeing the particular problem.

“It is not the cloth that concerns me but the colour.” He looked pointedly at Archbishop Grigori.

“Well, that settles it. We simply must see the family at their earliest convenience and before we make our pilgrimage by foot.“ He declared. “Last time we were unable to build our shrine because they owned the land. This time I would like to get our course plotted first before we depart. Besides, it looks like we will have plenty to discuss.” He outlined the plan for tomorrow.

Priest Aravan sighed before confessing, “There might be a complication with that.”

“Why?” Archbishop inquired perplexed. “We are representatives of the Lodestar Church it would only be polite to introduce ourselves and congratulate the Silversea on becoming the 101st noble family of Ponente, a historic event.”

“We are not exactly on best terms at the moment.” He finally elaborated.

“Why in the light not?” he asked confused as to why the church was not on good terms with the sole landlord for the entire island.

“The Mother of the house was as far as I could gather exceptionally high levelled for such a rural town. There were complications in the birth of their first son. And . . . “ He paused awkwardly swallowing. “And . . . my frankness on the matter was not appreciated at the time. We have not spoken since.”

“You cannot heal?” Bishop Bailie asked surprised at Priest Aravan’s lack of such a basic and integral part of their duties.

“No, this posting was more due to a difference of political opinions I fell afoul of rather than based on my strengths. While I have completed my time at the seminary to gain my Priest metier I have been unfortunate enough not to unlock any skills of healing through the light of the lodestar or my own personal progress. I was unable to help.” He bowed his head in shame and possibly guilt. “Since then her children have been homeschooled rather than attending the Lodestar Luminary.”

“Their parents are willing to risk their children’s futures over a conflict of opinion. Literacy is the first step in reading the light. How could they not?” Bishop Bailie was shocked at the possibility that illiteracy would hold them back.

“No that is not the case. The mother did not attend the luminary at all when a child and is still exceptionally high levelled, it did her no harm. Her children are much the same. Despite half of them perishing. The two that remain seem to be prodigies in the making.” He deflected.

“Perishing as in plural? I thought that the island was settled.” Archbishop Grigori did not look pleased about the change in bearing this conversation was taking or the rocks it was unearthing.

“The eldest daughter Aleera is as far as I can tell gifted. The second son died during childbirth, which inadvertently caused our rift. The third son fell to his death. Their fourth and final son Callen looks to be another prodigy based on the speed of his growth and the presence of an Elvish Tutor. But they have kept their children close to their chests much like the sudden ennobling of their entire family. It is impossible to tell for sure. I have not the skills to tell from a distance and was blocked by the Elf from attending their Metier selection.” He outlined the difficulties of moving forward.

“Quite the conundrum you have conjured Priest Aravan.” He addressed the local priest. Cleo listened silently witnessing the wide array of issues his senior had created.

“Mea culpa.” Priest Aravan bowed his head to the Bishop and Archbishop. “How can I be of service?” he awaited his penance and the price of his actions.

Archbishop Grigori stood silently considering his options.

“Out of sight out of mind, it might be best if Cleo carried our request for an audience with the local lord and lady. We will have to hear their side of the story before it is possible to determine the best service you can provide.

. . .

“They’re here.” We shouted as we ran into the hall. Each branch of the Silversea House had its colours emblazoned on the walls of the hall in banners. It had been freshly swept and the patterns of the stone-sung black floor shone in the light of the mana lanterns and what light entered the hall through the open doors.

“What were you doing over there?” Mother shouted at us crossly. “You were told to keep your distance.”

“We did, we just wished to witness their arrival,” Aleera answered. “We made a fine profit off Cleo’s desperation. Sold everything.” She grinned.

“Some form of witnesses can be important provided they stopped to think and can remember what they saw. How large was his entourage and what ranks did they hold?” Lady Acacia mediated.

“Archbishop Grigori was accompanied by 2 knights, 1 bishop, 1 priest, 1 deacon and 2 acolytes judging by the vestments that they wore,” I answered succinctly. Livery alongside lineages had been part and parcel of Lady Acaia’s lessons.

“What will they do next?” She challenged Aleera. It was always good to promptly answer first because then you had longer to think of answers to the questions she was bound to throw at your sibling next.

“They needed food which we provided, next will be acquiring accommodation, I doubt they can all stay in the Church. Some of them will probably get rooms at the Compass Edge Tavern.” Aleera worked through the hierarchy of needs.

“Very good, what will come next Kai?” she moved on to quizzing me.

“Once they feel safe and secure, rested and fed they will move onto relationships and requests. If they follow the same itinerary as on Wester Levante they will bless and heal the townspeople, meet with the highest official in the town which would be . . . us.”

“Is there time in the day to do so?” she asked forcing us to think through the sequence of events that we could predict.

“No.” We both replied.

“So the request will come by messenger. Once they have food, shelter, safety, security and relationships. What is the purpose of their trip? What do they hope to accomplish?” she continued to extrapolate.

“They are here to circumnavigate the compass,” I answered quickly.

While Aleera added, “They will make their way to the west of the isle either by walking or sailing.”

“And will you help or hinder their efforts, what will you get for supporting their pursuits or what can you charge them for your permission? Think carefully about how you would like to approach this and write up your ideas. I expect to have a short essay on your answer by the time their messenger arrives this evening or tomorrow morning.” She demanded, ever the proponent of practical lessons in everything that it took to be a successful scion.

We fled the hall before she could raise any more questions or demand any more answers.