The Deal

Astra felt that the two wizards choosing to set next to each other, rather than across the table, was a sign that Belboz was a receptive to striking a deal to release Castellan. While Belboz should have been able to walk away at any time, Castellan could entice him with promises of great power.

And indeed, Castellan managed to be as lofty as a schoolmaster, and at the same time to wheedle like a merchant at a market stall, with Belboz as his student and customer.

Castellan opened, "I do not want to waste time, but you did have a question that would be good to answer. You asked, why I concluded that that state of - I would call it practical metaphysics, but let us call it magic - has decayed. You might find my reasoning to be useful exercise. First, from my experience, I take it as a given that permanent and large amounts of magical advance can take place only if the resources of a large and substantial state are available, and if those with experience in the various magical arts lead and organize that state. The reasons should be obvious. If a metaphysician spends time thinking about getting his next meal, or hiring out his talents for some menial task, then he has less time to spend on advancing the art. Also, if other metaphysicians are burdened with the same needs to look out for their survival, they will have less time to learn about his advances in the art, increasing the likelihood that our metaphysician's insights will die with him. Am I being too abstract?"

Belboz replied, "Go on. I follow you."

"Second, I am able to read and use the memories of the knight, and he has no knowledge of such a state in this area of the world. In fact, magic to him is a shadowy thing practiced in secret. Now if our metaphysicans choose to project this aura, it can make sense, but only where they do not have the political and moral strength to practice openly, and must they protect themselves by hiding and inducing fear into those that do not understnad. So I conclude that the metaphysicians - our "magic users," do not have the protection of a powerful state. And third - you talk about the hidden fortress - why hide it? In the proper order of things, you just do what you need to do and do not worry about things like that."

"Now, what I want to do - quietly, and without haste - is to assume the leadership of a state which will be a haven for a brotherhood of magic users. For example, in the run of time, this Lord Fred will one day become Duke Fred. And with a little bit of luck - and a lot of my previous experience - I think that I can make him something more. And you may have a big role to play, if you want to play for high stakes."

"In our time, you have the reputation as, uh, someone that you did not cross."

Castellan smiled, and raised his palms upward. "It is a good reputation to have, when you are leader. Of course, the winners write the history. And so of course I am recorded as being a tyrant. But I could not have kept Vjorica a power as long as I did without having a majority of the citizens on my side. Now I will say this. I did not know that I was going to live as long as I did. I would not have rushed things as much. I created resistance that I did not need to create. That will not happen."

"I am still not sure about all this. I do have a duty to keep the spirits confined here, but .... how long will you do you think that you will be able to live?"

"I am not sure, but with a decent amount of luck, I think that I might be able to get a thousand or so years out of this body. I will probably get tired of it and get another one before that time comes."

"How?"

"Ah, interested in long life, are you? It is not something that I can put in a ring, give you, and call it a day. But I think that I could train you in the necessary disciplines to extend your life. What areas of the metaphysic do you study?"

"The healing and preservation of the body, and the extension of life and the preservation of youth. I have also done some work talking to the dead. And I hope, given time, to discover the process that will re-animate dead life."

"Ah, classical necromancy. I never could reverse the decay of a body and reunite the soul. I am glad that somebody still has the ambition to try it. I always found it easier to just find a healthy body and to capture loose souls in that. And in some of your other aims, I can see you are already successful. You are communicating with me, and I am in a sense, dead. And presume, with the extension of life and recovery of youth, that you are talking about yourself. How old are you? You look to be about forty years."

"Forty-two years."

"It is a start, at least."

I am sure that if I could stop my body from aging for a ten years, I am sure that I could reach at least that."

"Yes, there is an irony there. Just as you start to understand how to extend your life, it is too late to do anything about it. But maybe your children will appreciate your groundbreaking work."

Belboz glowered at the body of Fred. Castellan jumped in, "I am sorry if I offended you. I had just assumed, reasonably healthy man, some knowledge of magic - the power attracts women. At least that was the way it was in Vjorica. But if you decided to give up that sort of thing so that you could spend more time in the pursuit of the art, more power to you."

Belboz sipped some water, and thought. Castellan was impassive. Belboz said, "You want me to let you out of this place, and live life as this knight, and try to build a perfected Vjorica, then? Is that what you ask of me?"

"Yes. And in exchange, I will gladly give you some tips that might help with your research into necromancy. Although you might want to call it 'the art of preservation of life.' It sounds nicer."

"I am not going to say that I will do it. But if I were to do it, here is the problem that I would have. I have taken an oath to my order. Our main purpose is to guard the canal, and make sure that souls from the underground do not escape. I would be disciplined if the soul of even a shepherd or milkmaid escaped. But you, Sir, have a dark reputation. My masters would make an example of me if they found out."

"They will not need to know. And by the time I start to come into power, I expect that your order will be on our side."

"Hmm. It is tempting.

1. "I am inclined to give you your freedom, if you could give me one other thing...."

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