Volume 2 – Inheritance of Fire
Chapter 3 – Summit Preparations
Part 2 - Other Trusted Members
The chamber was quieter now. The initial wave of planning had passed, but there was still much to hammer into place.
Elric suggested to add two more to the talks: Archmage Calderon, keeper of Hollowreach's arcane libraries, and Sir Joric, captain of the Runebound Scouts. If we were to build a world worth inheriting, it could not be built with bricks alone. I agreed and had them summoned.
"We've covered the spine," I said as they gathered. "Now we fill the marrow. I want ideas—anything we haven't thought of. The summit won't tolerate vague ambition. We need iron principles and working plans."
Elric began. "On trade—we should think broader. The Outer Wards still barter in stone weights and oxen. We'll need a unified currency—stamped by the crown, resistant to forgery."
Tyla nodded. "And magical verification sigils. We can assign enchanters to minting. Each coin, marked with an illusion seal."
Calderon leaned forward. "Speaking of magic—we lack any formal licensing for casters. Right now, anyone with a staff and a robe can claim to be a battle mage. There must be regulation. A tiered licensing system. We test aptitude, assign magical clearance levels, and monitor sanctioned spellwork."
"Would that not make magic feel... oppressive?" Elric asked.
"No more than a sword does in a soldier's hand," Calderon replied.
"Do it," I said. "But also create training paths for hedge mages. Don't outlaw them—educate them."
Rowen grunted in agreement. "If they're trained, they're less dangerous."
Sir Joric spoke next. "Transportation. Not just roads. We need a sky tower network. Griffon posts, teleportation nodes for noble houses and military use. Arcane couriers are bottlenecked in the south."
Calderon nodded. "Teleportation nodes could be stabilized with crystal anchor points. I'll need permission to unseal the old mines beneath Varrowind."
"Granted," I said. "We'll add transportation subsidies. Fast travel isn't just for the elite."
Tyla raised another point. "You mentioned education. What about magical education? Not everyone can cast, but they should understand it. Basic theory should be added to the curriculum. That way, rural folk won't burn witches every harvest moon."
"Agreed," I said. "Build a general magic literacy program. Include it in year two of the common curriculum."
Elric added, "We'll need scribes. Thousands of them. To draft these laws. To track trade. To document the census."
"Then establish a Scribes Guild," I said. "Recruit from the schools we're building. Offer royal stipends to the best minds."
Rowen shifted in his seat. "About the military—what of magical warfare? We have no codified doctrine. No rules of engagement for mages on the battlefield."
"Then write one," I said. "Coordinate with Calderon. I want doctrine, regulation, and training programs ready by year's end."
Joric cleared his throat. "What of beastkin and non-human citizens? Most live in fringe towns or forest borders. The law doesn't protect them equally."
I paused. "Then it must. Draft a Rights Charter. Any citizen loyal to the crown will be afforded equal standing, regardless of species or creed."
Tyla added, "We'll need translators and cultural liaisons. Some won't trust this decree overnight."
"Build trust over time," I said. "Start with Hollowreach. Let them see it work."
Calderon raised one last concern. "We must consider ambient mana. Our reforms may strain the natural leylines. Particularly with mass enchantments, teleportation, and magical schooling."
"Solutions?"
"Anchor stones," he said. "Placed in each mega-city. They will regulate ambient flow and prevent mana poisoning."
"Begin crafting them immediately. Use the royal vault if you need rare metals."
Elric exhaled. "You plan to change everything."
"No," I said. "We plan to fix everything."
They nodded—not out of obedience, but understanding.
The world we had inherited was flawed. But the world we would build—brick by brick, rune by rune—could become the greatest kingdom this realm had ever known.
And we had only just begun.