"No, I think not," says Koric. "Just her... And I think your mother. She would kill me if I had such an important personage at the table without her being present. Perhaps you could go and fetch her?"

Laughing, Brand says, "I thought of suggesting Mother, but wasn't sure if this was business or pleasure. You are right, though, your life would not be worth living."

"I assume Cob will take the coach, and both Mikkel and I will ride."

He nods, "Yes, time in the city will be good for her, but she may need some warning, don't you think? I am sure she will take some time to collect her notes and books. Perhaps we should send her a message in the morning then collect her the next day? Or take the coach later in the day, so that she can prepare to leave in the morning?"

"I have a commitment tomorrow around lunchtime, that I would be loathe to renege upon."

[[ Agree on arrangement that doesn't involve leaving before late the next day ]]

"There was another matter I wanted to mention: are you familiar with Master Minton from the School?"

[[ If not: ]]

"He is a master who, until recently, was able to read minds. Or, more accurately, was unable to *not* read minds. This made him an invaluable, if tortured, gate keeper for the school.

[[ End if]]

"He has now lost his powers, but I am conscious of the fact he may know many secrets. He could be very valuable to us into the future. I have suggested that he might consider working for you in some capacity, but he first wants to visit relatives in the south; in fact I have arranged him passage on the Luisa tomorrow."

"I mention this because you may want to have him watched in New Nineveh. Others may see his value, and be less scrupulous in their dealings with him. Messages could be sent to Captain Abrass should you wish to do so."

[[Sorry, but I have a rush proofreading job, so I won't be very active here today.]]

"Tomorrow morning I will send a message to your mother to see if she wishes to join us," says Koric. "Once we know her availability, I will send the invitation to the Glory."

Then, after listening to Brand's comments about Master Minton, he says, "I have no jurisdiction outside Engle, I'm afraid, son. I could ask a favour, I suppose, if you think his information will still be valuable once he returns from his trip. However, without his ability, I suspect his value as an information asset will grow less valuable fairly quickly."

[[ No problem; I should actually do more study anyway! ]]

Brand nods, "Yes, he's probably safest on the boat and then being a long way away."

"Will you send a messenger to Mother, or use magic? I have a parcel for her, which she might like sooner."

[[ Questions re: Residence:

1. Is there any natural rock under house (this would be the core, if so) -- previously you said it was not built on bedrock
2. What elevation difference between river and main house?
3. I think before we said it was mostly wood construction given soft grounds. Can I assume (a) sewer is brickwork like near Temples and (b) the cellar also brickword and is underground? Or is it so flat that everything is built up?
4. Have they done extensive work to build up the area the house is on? eg. by dumping lots of rocks and soil, and driving down rock pillars etc into the soil?

You've covered some of this before, here (notably mentioning a private well), but it's probably worth covering it all in one space.
]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ No problem; I should actually do more study anyway! ]]

Brand nods, "Yes, he's probably safest on the boat and then being a long way away."

"Will you send a messenger to Mother, or use magic? I have a parcel for her, which she might like sooner."

---

[[ Questions re: Residence:

1. Is there any natural rock under house (this would be the core, if so) -- previously you said it was not built on bedrock

[[There must be some, but the foundations might be very deep.]]

2. What elevation difference between river and main house?

[[I'm flexible, but let's say about 2 metres.]]

3. I think before we said it was mostly wood construction given soft grounds. Can I assume (a) sewer is brickwork like near Temples and (b) the cellar also brickword and is underground? Or is it so flat that everything is built up?

[[Brickwork can be assumed for such a wealth area, but I suspect they would have continual problems with damp.]]

4. Have they done extensive work to build up the area the house is on? eg. by dumping lots of rocks and soil, and driving down rock pillars etc into the soil?

[[Unlikely to have used a lot of fill, because of the difficulty of sourcing large amounts of rocks. However, long timber poles for foundations are easy to get and transport to the site because most of the transportation of timber from the extensive forests upriver is done by floating it downriver.]]

You've covered some of this before, here (notably mentioning a private well), but it's probably worth covering it all in one space.

[[The link in the line above doesn't do what you think it should. However, please read the 'Water in Constantine' article in the 'Miscellaneous things' category on the world site. Also, as sub-surface water is not a problem, a well inside the walls of the property would be likely, though there might be purity concerns with this.]]

"I will use one of the fast messenger services, but I suspect the parcel should wait, especially if your mother is going to join us."

''Very well."

"Do you have any contacts who could investigate 'Arthur'? Also, you mentioned an artist...how should I contact them?"

[[ What time is it? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

''Very well."

"Do you have any contacts who could investigate 'Arthur'? Also, you mentioned an artist...how should I contact them?"

[[ What time is it? ]]

[[It would be getting dark with sunset close.]]

Koric writes something on a piece of paper and then says, "I'll look into this Arthur person and let you know what I find. When would be a good time for you to meet the artist? Actually, give me a couple of times, as she can sometimes be hard to get a hold of."

"''Tomorrow late afternoon, or the following morning, or the following one."

Brand nods, "Very good! I will be out this evening, but is there anything you need from me?"

[[ If chatting is something Koric does, Brand would chat...

Otherwise he finds Mikkel, and asks him to alert brand at the middle of the first candle (assuming that's enough time to get to the bookshop), then goes to the kitchen, gets some food and returns to his room to medidate briefly (he has not done it for a while), clean his armour and check on his gear. ]]

"No, nothing immediate," says Koric, pushing his chair back. "I think I will find a drink and adjourn to the balcony until dinner. Care to join me? I would like to talk to you about your long-term plans."

Brand frowns but smiles, "Long terms plans....that sounds ominous". He stands and follows Koric to the drinks cabinet and then balcony. [[ noting the new design constraint, tho I was thinking a balcony all the way around adds to defensive options as well]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

Brand frowns but smiles, "Long terms plans....that sounds ominous". He stands and follows Koric to the drinks cabinet and then balcony. [[ noting the new design constraint, tho I was thinking a balcony all the way around adds to defensive options as well]]

[[From an aesthetics point of view, a balcony overlooking the river makes a lot of sense.]]

Standing on the balcony looking out over the river, Koric—drink in hand—says, "Simple question, son. What are your long-term plans? Obviously there is a place for you in both of the family businesses, but is that what you want?"

"Long terms plans? Retirement is appealing: I considered it while in New Nineveh, you know. I could be quite comfortable."

He watches the river for a time, then continues, "But...I have friends who are missing. And today, I discovered I may have more tools at my disposal to help me find them."

He turns back to his father, his eyes narrowing, "Are there any latent sorcerers in our family?"

Koric looks astounded for a moment at Brand's sudden question.

"No," he replies. "At least, not in mine... Is this what you mean by tools at your disposal? And why you are so interested in the School of Occult Studies?"

He nods, "I am told it is possible, though currently there are certain difficulties."

He pauses briefly, examining Koric,, "I can see your mind already working father" he says with a smile. "Do not yet plan too deeply. There is still a lot that is uncertain. But I do hope..."

"As to my interest in the School....I would still be interested without this...revelation. Sorcery, and sorcerers, rule this land. As Demetrius [[ Pick a name, any name ]] teaches: If one can not be a power, then one must understand its workings. He was talking about political intrigue, but the principle seems the same. Hopefully I may yet do both."

Brand's father stand silently for a moment, looking out over the river as the lights on Palace Island slowly come to life.

"There is a lot of your mother in you," Koric says. "She is fascinated by sorcery and the way it works as well. But I'm not sure I agree with you about sorcery being all-powerful. Yes, it can be useful, but true power lies in having the backing of the community."

He then finishes his drink with a swift swallow and says, "Now, you will have to excuse me, I have something I must do before dinner. Will you be having dinner before you go out, or not?" 

'"Yes, it can be useful, but true power lies in having the backing of the community."

Brand nods, "Both are important; Sorcery is like a dagger. Those who do not have them are at the mercy of those who do. But as you say, without the backing of the community all power comes to naught. Which is why I don't like the declaration of anathema."

"Will you be having dinner before you go out, or not?"

"I shall leave within a candle, so will have to test Abrams patience one more time."

As he passes through Korics office to replace the glass  he says, "To answer your question, I believe my long terms plans must involve the work you do for the empire."

Brand heads off to find Mikkel, and asks him to alert him at the middle of the first candle (assuming that's enough time to get to the bookshop), then goes to the kitchen, gets some food and returns to his room to meditate briefly (he has not done it for a while), clean his armour and check on his gear.

Before leaving he activates the Darkvision on his sword, but leaves the sword behind.

Koric smiles at his son's words as they part company.

[[As the sun is already setting, there is probably not going to be the time for Brand to meditate and prepare his gear, so I am going to assume he is not going to meditate.]]

Brand finds Mikkel in the kitchen helping the kitchen staff prepare the dinner. He arranges for Mikkel to bring some food to his room and then heads upstairs to prepare for his night. He checks his gear and cleans it and looks towards his sword, at which point he realises the Darkvision spell in the hilt won't have recharged yet [[See the description of the weapon on his D&D Beyond page]].

Cursing silently to himself, he remembers that it requires an experienced sorcerer to recharge it quickly, otherwise it take many days to recharge itself.

[[ Does he know where Rima's room is? If so he heads to his room (or Jon's) and: ]]

[[ Edit: FWIW In my current house plan, there is a corridor to the right of the entry hall, with Jon's room followed by Rima's]]

"My apologies, how are you feeling today?"

[[ Listens ]]]

"Again, I do apologise for troubling you, but could I have moment of your time?"

When they are in a excluded spot, "I mentioned last night my device that enabled me see in the dark. Without the aid of a sorcerer, it takes a long time to recharge. Is that something you might be able to help with?"

 [[ Re: Residence....does the sun rise in East, Set in West?

Also, we have cold climes north, warmer south, so I assume norther hemisphere? ]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Does he know where Rima's room is? If so he heads to his room (or Jon's) and: ]]

[[No. Rima is a newcomer.]]

[[ Edit: FWIW In my current house plan, there is a corridor to the right of the entry hall, with Jon's room followed by Rima's]]

[[Jon Lazlo has a small apartment and there would be no second bedroom, for reasons which are about to become obvious.]]

"My apologies, how are you feeling today?"

[[ Listens ]]]

"Again, I do apologise for troubling you, but could I have moment of your time?"

When they are in a excluded spot, "I mentioned last night my device that enabled me see in the dark. Without the aid of a sorcerer, it takes a long time to recharge. Is that something you might be able to help with?"

Brand makes his way through the residence to the front where the doorman's little apartment is. When he knocks on the door, it is opened by Jon Lazlo and Brand is, perhaps surprised, to find the young Tomas Rima is also in the apartment's small main room. 

"May I be of assistance, Master Alaric," says the older Lazlo, his voice very formal.