With three of the five already sorted, Verdan decided to spend the rest of the day working on the enchantments. Working in sections of actively drawing in more Aether and intense enchantment let Verdan keep a good pace.

Verdan still intended to stick to the current timetable, but the faster he could get everything sorted with the enchantments, the better.

When Verdan did eventually stop for the day, he had completed the majority of what was on hand. Some more would be delivered the next day, but he would be able to finish it all by the day after.

Satisfied with a job well done, Verdan made his way back to his room, his tiredness vanishing as he found Natalia waiting for him.

-**-

Verdan was at breakfast the following day when Kai came over to sit opposite him. Kai’s expression was reserved as usual, but there was an air of tension around him that caught Verdan’s attention.

“Is everything alright?” Verdan asked as he pushed his empty plate to one side, feeling a little concerned.

“I heard about your commitment to heading north with the Kranjir, and I’d like to come with you.”

“I thought you would be busy with training the new Sorcerers in the city?”

“They know enough to carry on without me, and the Steel Custodians will help if needed. It has been good to help them, but they don’t need me.”

“I see,” Verdan said, nodding slowly before spreading his hands. “You are more than welcome, of course. I’d rest easier knowing you were going to be coming and watching my back.”

“Good. I know Gwen, Hedda, and Barb are coming. Have you picked anyone else?”

“Not yet. I was going to pose a few questions today about it. There’s one more space free in the wagon now that you’re coming. Do you have any recommendations?”

“Your other guards would be best left here. Tom and the Fwyn are busy working with Branwen, and Cullan is off on a hunt. Of your other immediate allies, I think that Tim would be the person to ask.”

“Tom and the Fwyn are working with Branwen?” Verdan cocked his head to one side, trying to picture such a strange mix of people.

“She said something about a shrine to her god, Brannoc. I think they are heading into the mountains tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure what I expected, but that wasn’t it,” Verdan muttered, shaking his head before focusing back on the matter at hand. “What about Sylvie or the other Airta? Why not include them?”

“You said there was only one space remaining,” Kai said with a slight shrug. “They seem to prefer to act as a group. As it is, I think there’s a good chance that Sylvie will want to accompany us if you invite Tim, but that will be down to them.”

“I see. I agree that Tim is the right choice, though,” Verdan said, looking over to where Tim and Tom were sitting together. The two brothers were deep in an argument over something, but that was nothing special for the pair. “I’ll ask him shortly.”

Kai grunted his agreement before getting up and heading off to secure his own food, leaving Verdan to wait for the two brothers to finish their conversation.

“Tim, do you have a moment?” Verdan called out once it looked like they were about to get up and leave.

Tim said something to his brother, who chuckled and flashed him an insulting gesture in response before coming over to Verdan’s table. “What’s up, Boss?”

Verdan launched into a brief summary of his intent once more, offering Tim the last spot if he wanted to be part of what Verdan had planned. To Verdan’s surprise, however, Tim shook his head.

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“Sorry, Boss, no can do. I’d been meaning to let you know that Sylvie wants us to head north together. She’s going to head back to visit her family, and she wants me to come with her. Apparently, our bond is growing steadily, and though Zhalia is keeping an eye on it, she wants to get us checked over.”

“I see,” Verdan leaned back a little as he focused on Tim. Aether was easy enough to detect for a Wizard, but with some effort, the other forms of magic could be sensed as well.

The Airta used Parada to power the mystical abilities they seemed to inherently possess, and while it was the hardest magic to detect and control, Verdan could feel that there was a growing amount within Tim.

The amount was negligible by Wizarding standards, but Verdan knew better than to underestimate the effects of Parada.

“Sorry, Boss, I don’t want to let you down like this,” Tim looked increasingly anxious as Verdan remained quiet in contemplation.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Verdan waved a hand, dismissing Tim’s concerns. “I was just thinking about what you were saying. I can see that the bond is having an effect on you, even if I can’t see what effect that is. I think it would be for the best to go with Sylvie.”

“Yeah,” Tim looked down at his hands and sighed softly. “I feel a little different these days, which is a bit scary, but I made my choice.” Tim’s hands curled into fists for a moment before he looked back up at Verdan. “We’ll probably leave in the next week or so, but if you need anything before then, let me know.”

“I will, and if you need my help with anything to do with this bond, I will do what I can.”

“Thanks, Boss,” Tim gave Verdan a relieved smile as he got up and followed after his brother, leaving Verdan to his thoughts.

-**-

Verdan and Kai spent some more time discussing who else to bring before eventually deciding to go with just the five of them.

They had no intention to get too involved with the fighting the Kranjir were taking part in, so an extra person wasn’t too vital.

Verdan had no illusions that they would see combat of some sort, but the brunt of his aid was intended to be the equipment he’d enchanted.

With the group established, Verdan spent the majority of the remaining time ensuring that everything was enchanted for the Kranjir.

Working late into the night meant that he was able to spend the last day before the deadline with Natalia.

Verdan’s journey would take weeks, even if he turned around as soon as he got there, so a full day of relaxing with Natalia was just what he needed.

When the final day dawned, Verdan found himself reluctant to leave, more so than he’d expected. His relationship with Natalia had grown quickly, and the idea of spending so long away from her was unappealing but necessary.

Packing everything he would need for the trip, not the least of which was his notes on the ruined tower, Verdan grabbed his staff and made his way down into the courtyard of the estate.

A long, covered wagon drawn by a team of six horses was waiting outside the estate gates, and Verdan could see Adrienne bustling around as she ensured they were fully stocked with supplies.

Barb and Kai were already present and in deep discussion, so Verdan started off by running through the checklist he had with Adrienne.

Gwen and Hedda arrived while Verdan was going through the supplies with Adrienne, so Verdan gave Kai the signal to start getting ready to depart.

“…and finally, we have the emergency potions that Natalia provided for you.” Adrienne gestured to the final box to be loaded into the wagon.

“Potions?” Verdan echoed in surprise. He hadn’t realised that Natalia was providing anything for them.

“That’s right. She said it was her reserve stock in case anything happened.”

Nodding absently, Verdan opened the box and let out a low whistle. There were easily a few dozen potions of different kinds within the box, far more than he could conceive of needing.

That Natalia had so many potions in reserve was a testament to how she’d gotten past her fear of alchemy. Initially, he’d been worried that she would stop again once the danger was gone, but he was more than happy to be wrong about that.

“Thank you, Adrienne, you’ve done a great job here,” Verdan said, turning back to his housekeeper. “I have full confidence that you will keep everything turning over here in my absence. Is there anything else you need?”

“You’ve taken care of everything, don’t worry about us. Focus on keeping yourself and young Dirk safe, alright?”

“I will,” Verdan promised with a small smile. Adrienne and Henry had both taken a liking to Verdan’s young apprentice, not that he could blame them.

“We’re ready when you are,” Kai called out from the front of the wagon.

“Time to get things moving,” Verdan said, climbing out the rear of the wagon and helping Adrienne down before covering over the entrance.

“Best of luck, and safe travels to all of you!” Adrienne called out as Verdan walked round to the front, and everyone else climbed inside.

There was seating at the front for two, and Kai had taken the one with the reigns, so Verdan clambered up next to him as the wagon rolled into motion.

The wagon was designed as a mix of passenger and cargo transport, so the interior had seating at the front for the rest of the group. They’d likely cycle through who was driving or sat up front just to mix things up, but they’d find their routine in time.

For now, Verdan’s focus was on starting their journey north and setting themselves on the road to answers that might finally help explain the state of the world.