“Good to know.”
Calya looked around the room. Her belongings were stowed if not unpacked. Good enough for now.
She went downstairs, where the entire Sylveren group met up and made their way to the office building Froley had pointed out. It wasn’t too far off from the town’s square—not that the town was big enough for being on or off the main drag to matter much. The road curved slightly down as it led away from the inn at its peak, but Calya guessed it wouldn’t take more than a quarter of an hour to walk from end to end and see the majority of businesses. A community of this size wouldn’t take long to understand. If all went well, she’d be on her way home in a day or two.
Leading the way, Calya let herself in through the same door she’d seen Lowe use, following the sounds of voices to an open room with several desks situated in the center. Lowe stood next to a harried-looking younger woman of eastern Radiant Isles descent, probably an Initiate Three or Four by Calya’s guess. She quickly scribbled notes as another man spoke to Lowe, nodding along every few words. An extern, perhaps.
Aside from Lowe, two men, another woman, and the extern completed the group. All Graelynders, and one of the men and the woman wore gray robes with the sigil of Sylveren University stitched along the right front.
Despite their attire, Calya got more of a Central District impression from them, based on their more coiffed appearances. Trim, sleek haircuts and demure but tailored shirts and trousers beneath the robes. Expensive leather shoes that weren’t polished to a shine but didn’t show signs of regular wear, either. Too clean for the winter weather. Of course, they could be the most conscientious mages when it came to personal appearances that Calya had ever seen, but on a random weekday when they were supposedly in the midst of a project?
The other man was undoubtedly the mayor of Desmond’s Landing, Krowe. Fur-trimmed cloak over finespun wool. Speaking in an unctuous tone, and far too smiley.
“You must be Miss Helm,” he said, noticing Calya’s approach and abandoning the conversation to offer a limp handshake. “I was just telling the Sentinel that—” His eyes widened as he took in Calya’s companions. “Er, everything’s in order,” he finished, voice weakening. “Lot of you to be making the trip out to our fine little town.”
Calya watched the mayor as the rest of the group introduced themselves. Was it her imagination, or did he seem to pale at hearing Ezzyn’s name?
“Prince Sor’vahl, we had no word you would be coming.” Krowe rallied, his politician’s smile back in place as he gestured widely, though if he meant the office or the people was unclear. “We’d have been more prepared.”
“There have been some communication issues,” Ezzyn said. Though his tone was polite, the Graelynd mages and the mayor all seemed to become a tad more guarded. “The opportunity to follow up in person came about late.”
“I was just saying, Galwynd’s team is top notch. We were about to show the correspondence records to?—”
“Galwynd? Eren Galwynd?” Ezzyn said. “He’s here?”
“Oh, no, not right now,” the mayor chuckled. “He’s off checking on another site. Should be back any day.”
“We should get this properly stored,” Ollas said, indicating the crate of tea.
“Preferably in a place with humidity enchantments for the entire room,” Zhenya added.
The extern looked at her superiors. “There’s workspace in the other building, but the enchantment runes need refreshing.”
“I might be able to help with that,” Zhenya said.
“Lily, show them,” the woman mage said, indicating the door with her chin. “Show the Sentinel our correspondence logs while you’re at it.”
“This way please.” The extern, Lily, motioned for them to follow.
Lowe’s gaze flicked to Calya, his expression unreadable, before he and the others departed, leaving Calya, Anadae, and Ezzyn behind.
“I have some questions regarding my company and the needs of the research efforts here,” Calya said, nodding shortly to the Graelynd mages. “I’m concerned we have a shipment missing. Could you point me in the direction of whom I should speak?—”
“No, no, not at all,” Mayor Krowe said at once. “As I was telling our Sentinel friend, everything’s been going fine here.”
“Yet we have a request for some of their wards,” Calya said, tone mild as she nodded at her sister and Ezzyn. “They were sent on one of my ships. Did they arrive?”
The woman mage waved dismissively. “That was a mistaken request. We’ve already cleared it up with them. You probably haven’t heard yet because of the travel times.”
“We’re very happy with the routes provided by both companies,” Krowe added. “Been working a treat for years.”
“Can you confirm receipt of the shipment?” Anadae asked.
The two university mages exchanged looks. “I believe the request came from Matthias,” the man said. “I don’t recall if he got the shipment or not, but it’s likely. He took most of his things when he left.”
“Left,” Calya repeated.
Another silent exchange of looks occurred between the mages. Mayor Krowe glanced at them, his easy smile still fixed firmly in place. “I can ask the dockmaster about this, see if he remembers. I’ll let you know what?—”
