Chapter 25: With Aurelia

The other four masters exchanged meaningful glances with Master Bridges-Morning Breeze. What he could foresee, surely the others could as well. He would favor that family, but all would reveal their true intentions in private. The Morning Breeze family had its own designs, just as the families of Dawnstar and Sunwing had their own methods. However, should Patrick refuse to become a vassal of the Council, then the entire Council would naturally unite to suppress him. While there was plenty of scheming within the Council, when it came to matters of collective interest, they always presented a united front, working together with common purpose and enmity toward outsiders.

Senior Sunwing proposed, “Let Aurelia continue overseeing the defense of Ever Song Forest. Aurelia is already the Ranger Marshal, so let the reward be material rather than a further elevation in rank.” This was passed unanimously without question. As the eldest daughter of the Windrunner family and already a Ranger Marshal, there was little left to grant her in title or honor—material rewards would suffice.

The Windrunner family commanded all the Rangers of Quel’Thalas, but lacking any arcanists among their ranks, they were absent from the Silvermoon Council. Thus, although the Windrunners were the realm’s greatest military power, they were restrained by the Council and held no political authority. Neither the king nor the Council saw any need to further limit their influence.

Such was the parliamentary system—purely ceremonial and driven by familial interests.

The scenery around the Eastern Sanctuary was breathtaking: golden magical trees encircled the little town, its white buildings adorned with red elven designs. Pale blue mana wyrms darted among the branches, and gentle mountain lynxes roamed freely. Before the Sunwell was extinguished, all was harmony.

Yet Patrick had not anticipated one thing: the lynxes, dragonhawks, and other creatures were remarkably docile. The lynxes were large—by his memory from his previous life, they should be formidable and dangerous felines. Yet here, they lived among the elves, playing and frolicking together. Their gentle affection was a rare sight.

Some elves played with the lynxes on the grassy fields, some fed them treats. The lynxes didn’t mind elven hands stroking their fur, their heads, even their exposed sabre-teeth. Others lay side by side with elves, basking in the unique sunlight of Ever Song Forest, sharing in the elves’ peace and comfort.

“No wonder in my previous life, the wealthy loved to keep tigers and lions—these big cats are truly captivating,” Patrick mused.

At last, the Council’s decision arrived. The Council’s envoy came to the Eastern Sanctuary to deliver their orders. Aurelia, ever composed, received the verdict without much reaction—long accustomed to the Council’s ways, she found nothing new in their methods. Patrick was genuinely pleased to learn that the Sun Sanctuary would be granted to him as a reward. After all, it meant obtaining a mage tower outright, distant from Silvermoon City—a fine opportunity to develop his own power.

To possess a mage tower was akin to a scientist acquiring their own laboratory—the significance was clear. Moreover, a mage tower inspired a sense of belonging, attracting others to join Patrick and become part of his circle.

Patrick’s delight was palpable; the arcane energy within him surged with excitement, vibrant and lively, spilling over to envelop Aurelia beside him in its aura.

“Master Patrick Cabron, if possible, please proceed at once to take up your post at Sun Sanctuary. The Council has decided to renovate the mage tower for your convenience and daily use,” the envoy suggested politely.

“I will,” Patrick replied.

“Here is the arcane node scroll for the tower, your letter of appointment from the Silvermoon Council, and detailed information about the mage tower. You may make internal adjustments as you see fit and submit them to the Council for approval.”

With the arcane node scroll and letter of appointment in hand, the Sun Sanctuary formally became Patrick’s. To own a mage tower meant he was now entering the ranks of Quel’Thalas’s ruling class. He could raise his own forces, possess his own laboratory, devote himself to magical research, and perhaps even take on apprentices.

Once the envoy departed, the atmosphere fell into a pensive silence.

“The Council is certainly generous with you, giving you a mage tower outright,” Aurelia said with a touch of wistfulness. Her neck and cheeks were tinged with red.

She knew well that as Ranger Marshal, her prospects for advancement were exhausted; the Council’s decisions regarding rewards held little meaning for her.

“Pat, the Council’s reward for you this time is truly beyond my expectations. You joined the battle for the first time and claimed victory—they immediately grant you a grand mage tower. Since when has the Council become so lavish?” Aurelia remarked.

“Is the Sun Sanctuary very large?” Patrick asked.

“Of course. The Sun Sanctuary is the premier mage tower of Ghostlands, connected to both the Antalas and Anovien Crystal Sanctums. It also oversees the Zol’Aman troll outpost of Zeb’Nowa—a six-story mage tower.”

“Pat…” Aurelia’s expression grew somber.

“Yes?”

“When do you intend to go to the Sun Sanctuary?” she asked, her voice subdued.

“Soon, I think. I want to quicken my pursuit of the arcane, to seize every moment,” he replied.

“Why such haste?”

“Because…” Patrick began, but left his answer unfinished, his arcane-lit eyes fixed on Aurelia.

For the first time, the elven woman felt that perhaps mages were not all as stiff and unfeeling as she’d thought.

“Aurelia, could you help me with something?” Patrick’s tone shifted to one of earnest gravity.

“What is it?”

“Don’t let the lands of Zeb’Watha go to waste—we could build a new camp there,” Patrick suggested.

“I had no intention of letting it lie fallow. I plan to establish a watchpost on the western shore of Lake Elendar to observe the trolls across the river. The Zeb’Watha area will again serve as a Ranger encampment,” Aurelia nodded, sharing her own designs for the region.

“When we fought in the Forest of Life, I noticed that land is perfect for cultivating alchemical herbs. Once the camp and watchpost are established, we could clear the land for herb farming.”

Aurelia pondered this. Patrick’s Cabron family was renowned for alchemy and knew the raw materials well. His plan did not conflict with hers; both could proceed together, and it would yield considerable profit. Why not embrace such an opportunity?