B3 – Chapter 4: A bargain struck

They appeared in a large, circular study. Enormous bookshelves covered the walls of the enormous, curved walls; with a full-on gantry overhead with ladders to access the upper levels. A half-circle desk was in front of them, and seated behind it was a stout Human with some trace of heritage he could not identify. He had deep brown hair with flecks of red scattered throughout. And as his eyes looked up from the papers on his desk, Tristan saw they were a deep, burnished copper.

“Reginald, you said it was urgent,” the man muttered as he put his pen down. He sounded stern, serious, and no-nonsense.

“That is right,” Reginald replied as he gestured to Tristan, “This is Tristan Winterbloom, also an Anorox. You know, like the dragonslayer we have on commission from the Pathfinders.”

The headmaster gave a curt nod and lifted his hand, making a rolling-forward gesture for Reginald to continue. “Proceed.”

Eloise spoke, interrupting and cutting off Reginald. Her excitement was mixed with trepidation, but her words gushed out as she spoke. “He can get other spell types just like his half-brother Bertram. Plus, he can use fortune reliably! It was astonishing!”

Reginald tapped her shoulder, and she quieted, “We want to consider him for a self-study program, sir.”

The headmaster’s eyes snapped onto Tristan, and the young dragonslayer felt as if the world was compressed to a needle’s point, his gaze sucked into those copper irises. “Well?” he asked in a slightly perturbed voice. “Speak up. Tell us why you think you should be considered for this special status.”

I can use my trump card here, Tristan thought. Reveal my role as the ruler of the Fey Realm, use that as leverage. Or keep it secret. He saw those piercing eyes once more, and felt the familiar pressure of enchantment on his temples – which he immediately shook off thanks to the wyrm-sized demon dragon’s blood he had drunk. “Please don’t try to enchant me,” he stated sternly as he crossed his arms.

Both Reginald and Eloise looked at him, shocked, but the headmaster just cracked a smile and leaned back in his chair, chuckling. “Well…interesting. A person who can resist my enchantment.” He tapped the chain around his neck, “Second Order enchantment spell stored on this with artifice. A means to force you to tell the truth.” He glanced at Reginald, “Having someone here who cannot be controlled is a problem.”

“Would you mind giving us your name, at least?” Felicity asked impatiently. “First you try and use enchantment, and you don’t even have the decency to give Tristan your name?” She scoffed in an impetuous way.

The headmaster’s chuckle faded instantly and his appearance became stern once more. “Markus Vrilz. So, Tristan of the Anorox bloodline, and the near-extinct Winterbloom…what is it you hide from us? And why should I allow for you to do this self-study program? It has had questionable outcomes in the past – unrestricted knowledge and all that.”

“Teaching myself – which I’ve done up to this point, save for Obadai Grimtome giving me some instruction.”

Markus’ stern gaze became a deep set frown, “That…that student…he was your teacher at one point?”

Felicity put her paws together leaving a little sliver in the middle. “Obadai taught a tiny bit. Just some fire elementalism.”

Markus shook his head, “A former student of Obadai has no place at my Citadel. Reginald?”

Well, nothing for it now. Tristan spun his essence crucible and let it vent out of him. “I am not just an Anorox or Winterbloom – as the last Winterbloom, I am the de-facto lord of the Fey Realm.” At his saying this, and the sudden display of raw power, the three other individuals in the room reacted differently.

Reginald took a step back and tapped a bracer hidden under his sleeve as a sphere of brown light popped into place around him. A protective shell of some sort. Eloise’s jaw went slack, but she did not react otherwise. And Markus let out a barking laugh. “Lord of the Fey Realm? Prove it.”

Tristan unlatched his gauntlet and pulled it and the glove off. He held his hand up, with the ring prominent upon it. “Give me an hour, and we will travel there.”

“You cannot use Realmwalking inside of the Citadel proper – only the inner grounds on Yustat’s center,” Eloise stated as she regained her composure.

“Not Realmwalking,” Felicity stated. “Interrealm Warp.”

Eloise’s eyes went wide, but Reginald and Markus just glanced at each other with inquisitive expressions. Eloise rapidly explained, “It’s an ancient means of inter-Realm travel. Not as precise as Realmwalking, but far more reliable in location.”

Markus raised an inquisitive brow, “Let me guess…you are offering us access to the Fey Realm-”

“No,” Tristan said, cutting him off. This is where the power dynamics shift. He kept his face serious, but inside he was grinning. “The Realm Protector obeys my commands. What I propose is this; you will allow me to be a self-study student. I will allow for Seasonal, supervised visits. The Realm is perfectly safe. I will also make trade goods available to the marketplace that Eloise mentioned in my signing up.”

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Markus looked at Reginald, then Eloise, then Tristan. “You said an hour for that ring to charge up?”

“Yes,” Tristan replied.

Markus pointed at the door, “Please step outside. I must consult with our senior staff on your proposal.”

Tristan nodded, approached the door, opened it, and closed it behind him. He was in a large, stone hallway – much like the one that held the domiciles that he had met Betram in. But these looked like offices, as names were affixed to metal placards set into the walls next to each door. He saw various personnel teleporting through the use of their staffs, and entering doors. Just as many were departing.

Felicity was making paw-claw biscuits on his head as heated sounds of discussion from what sounded like dozens of voices faintly echoed through the door. “You made a power play there,” she stated bluntly.

“I did,” Tristan replied. “Controlled, limited access for a set number of students. In exchange, I get to do this self-study program, and now I have a means to bring a mind spell capable essence-weaver into the Fey Realm to revive grandfather.”

She hummed, “Mhmm. Smart move, saving that for this critical point.” She batted his ears softly, “I think that you made the right call. We’ll see if mom is okay with it.”