Revelation (Seeds of Humanity: The Cobalt Heresy) by Caleb Wachter Page A

could only be called magical.”
    “That is the usual application for it,” I agreed, “and I’m sure you noticed the telltale golden tint to Baeld’s armor, as well as the ceremonial garb of the High Sheriff. These people are clearly aware of the same properties which your people value in mythicite.”
    “But that does not answer the question: why is it so valuable to an Empire,” Aemir pressed, “that has little need for large quantities of enchanted weapons and armor since your wizard magic is powerful enough to intimidate all but the bravest foes?”
    “Or the most foolish,” quipped Pi’Vari, drawing a dark look from Aemir.
    “It’s a fair question,” I replied quickly, to forestall any further conflict between the two ranking members of my entourage. “But it’s one which I don’t know the answer to, Aemir. The amount of money Imperial agents pay for mythicite makes it all but impossible for even the wealthiest of Veldyrian’s Houses to hold onto the stuff for any length of time. It’s just worth too much to the Great Tower’s Archivists.”
    Aemir folded his arms across his chest and looked to consider what I had said before continuing, “Just how much is the Gods’ Blood worth to your Empire?” he asked pointedly.
    I shrugged my shoulders. “A cup of refined mythicite would be enough to buy House Wiegraf’s entire estate in Veldyrian, if I understand correctly,” I said, having some small experience in trading the precious commodity.
    Aemir stroked his beard. “And just how much is beneath our feet?”
    I hesitated. The truth is that I didn’t really know, but to call it the richest find in Veldyrian’s history was something of an understatement. If the High Sheriff’s representation, and my own observations, were even close to reality then the mythicite beneath Coldetz Castle would easily equal as much mythicite as the entire city of Veldyrian had accounted for accumulating in the last century.
    I knew that bluffing would be pointless, so I answered as truthfully as I could. “It’s a lot, Aemir; definitely enough to change the balance of power in the Imperial City. I honestly don’t know more than that.”
    Dancer, who had been his usual, quiet self during lengthy conversations like this one, stood up abruptly and strode toward us. “That why we alone?” he demanded.
    I nodded reluctantly. “That’s right, Dancer. That’s why we have to fight alone.”
    Pi’Vari nodded his head in agreement. “If we asked for any Imperial help, they would have cause to seize the entire Castle and relegate us into a supporting role,” he explained, “but since we were first to discover Coldetz and its wealth, and our esteemed colleague Jezran Cobalt Wiegraf,” he said with an exaggerated bow in my direction, “happens to be a member of Imperial nobility by the simple fact of his having successfully navigated the hazards of the Wizard’s College, House Wiegraf is then afforded first opportunity to secure the area and its wealth in the name of the Empire.”
    Dancer nodded, and while it was hard to believe that the little barbarian actually understood everything we were talking about, he had never shown this much interest in a meeting before. “How long?” he asked simply.
    I took a breath, exhaling slowly as I tried to find the answer. “Imperial Doctrine is vague when it comes to time,” I began, “but to make it simple, no less than six months and no more than one year. That’s how long we have to secure Coldetz and prepare it for inspection teams.”
    “And what happens if we fail?” asked Aemir doubtfully.
    I shrugged. “It depends on who secures the right to pacify Coldetz if we fail to secure the region,” I replied. “If it’s a House we’re on friendly terms with, we probably receive a minimal finder’s fee before being ejected from the scene.”
    “Not friendly?” pressed Dancer.
    Pi’Vari interrupted before I could answer. “If ‘not friendly,’ my little