Proofread by Thomas F
"Your allocation is 30%, Mariha, don't reach for more," warned Vanis, looking at the complex projection of the blueprint in front of them.
We have nearly agreed on everything; this is the last session of the design.
It is only for the architectural design, once we finish it. We will begin on the interior.
"I just need one more shadow Parlor; it will barely take 1% of the space," she replied, but the old man shook his head. "No, I want to have a library here," he replied, while casting a glance at his granddaughter.
Vanis is listening a lot to his granddaughter. He implemented many of her ideas.
Mariha's son, on the other hand, remains silent most of the time. He only talks when his mother asks him something.
"How many libraries do you want. You have already built two of them. This is a tavern, old man, not some academy," she complained.
"I will not give you my space, Mariha. You will have to manage, with the space allowed to you," he replied.
Their fighting is normal; I had gotten used to it.
They have done better than I had expected. I had given them the freedom to include anything they wanted, but they needed to justify it through their vision.
I largely stay out until I feel something is not aligning with my vision.
There is a large part of Velvet Garden in the Tavern. It is due to that; they have a great deal of freedom. The vision of Velvet Garden is expansive; it could envelope everything.
I also modified many of their ideas to better align with my vision.
Although my most significant decision in design was choosing the main architectural design.
That was necessary because they don't know everything about my expansion skills, and things could happen if I ever advance further.
Additionally, because I liked the design, I believe it effectively embodies the vision of all three legacies.
I want the Tavern to grow. It is Grade III and will not advance until Velvet Garden reaches Grade V, but for that to happen, it needs to succeed.
The subject gives master legacy a new domain, but also puts pressure on it.
It makes it harder for the Master Legacy to advance.
It is why many kingdoms don't let a legacy with great potential take on a subject. The higher grade of legacy is more important than the number of legacies one has.
"Then at least give me some space to add one more deal chamber," she said, and the old man turned toward the blond man in his early forties.
He is Heston Norvale, the architect of the Tavern.
His contract is significantly; far tougher than Amellus's and others. Due to the nature of Mariha's vision, some things must remain secret.
Her legacy is not a conventional one, and neither are some of the additions we have made in the Tavern.
We didn't even name some parts in front of him. We have to keep them secret.
"Fine," agreed the old man after moments of silence.
That was her plan from the beginning. The shadow parlour was just as bait to get the deal chamber.
"With this, we are finished," announced Heston as we agreed on the last of the changes. He looked quite relieved; he worked hard and did better than I had imagined.
He will likely receive the reward tomorrow.
"Thank you, Architect Norvale," thanked Vanis, but the man shook his head.
"I should be thanking you all. Especially you, Lord Silver, for giving me the greatest opportunity of my life. That a few ever gain even across the eras," said with a voice filled with emotion.
He is right.
Architects of a far higher level than him begged for this opportunity. Even in Inam, he wasn't even in the top firms, not even the top three, with a firm even smaller than Amellus's.
To me, the levels and stature of the firm aren't as important as creativity and innovative thoughts.
This man has a lot of them. He even inspired a few ideas in me for Velvet Garden.
"Do this right and this won't be the only opportunity you will have," I said, and the man's eyes lit up before he bowed and walked out of the office.
"I feel like this was the easiest part. What will come will be the hardest," said Vanis, and I couldn't help but smile at that.
I participated in designing, including choosing the main design, but it will be nothing compared to the interior. I have a lot of ideas and I want to implement them by fusing them with theirs.
It will serve as a testing ground before I incorporate them into the Velvet Garden.
"Get your ideas together. We will start working on the interior after I return from the merchant state," I replied to them.
Days had passed so quickly, and before I knew it, the day to leave for the merchant state had come.
"Lord Silver, I have something to talk with you," said Vanis as I was about to dismiss them. I looked at the old man, and he was obviously serious.
"I will take my leave," said Mariha. She seemed to know about it as she left with her son, with a glint in her eyes.
Leaving only Vanis and his Granddaughter.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked, turning to them. "I want to hand the reins of the tavern to my Granddaughter," he replied.
It stilled the room for a moment.
Even shocked would be an understatement. I could see that Carla and Caena had the same expressions on their face as I have on mine.
"This is a big decision," I said finally after moments of silence, and the old man nodded, while the young woman remained expressionless.
There is no joy in her eyes. I could even see the unwillingness.
This is not what I had expected Vanis to feel. No matter how much the Masters love their descendants, they love the legacies more and rarely relinquish any control.
Take Mariha; she made every decision herself. Her son only spoke when she asked for his opinion, which she did only once during a session.
He seemed to have discussed it with her; she seemed pleased. A younger person is easier to bully and manipulate than an over a century old coot like Vanis.
"I have thought about it a lot. I believe Ally is more suited to run the new tavern than I am," he replied. It is not something you could hear from Master about the legacy they conceived.
"I could still run it with you in charge," said Alina, but the old man shook his head.
"The tavern is going to be vast and wonderful; it will need someone capable of running it. Someone who isn't weighted down by past failures," He replied and petted her head lovingly, before turning to me.
"Besides, this old man wants to do things; I wasn't able to before due to being a master; I am sure, I will be able to do them now with your permission," he added, with eyes filled with hope.
The master of legacies receives honour and privileges, but it also makes them a prisoner.
They are mostly confined to their cities; they couldn't even travel around their country.
The place they could only travel to was Synod Conferences, and that is where the spirits and the titans guarantee safety. Even then, most don't get permission.
"You want me to make her an heir?" I asked slowly. I am not asking about the legal heir.
"Yes," he replied.
"Do you think I could?" I asked again. "Others Grade IV masters might not, but I am sure you could," he replied with a smile.
Most Grade IV masters couldn't exert that level of control over the subject legacies, but he is right, I could.
"Think about it, Vanis. This is not something you could take back without harming your legacy," I cautioned. These types of decisions can cause significant harm when any attempt is made to reverse them.
He is asking me to make his granddaughter his heir, like I made Carla mine. Once they become heir, they get deeply integrated into the legacy.
They become equal to the Master; their decisions and visions bring changes to the legacy.
To the extent that legacies have collapsed when masters tried to reverse such decisions. So, I need him committed to it, without a hint of doubt.
"Grandfather. Wait till I am older and more ready," pleaded Alina, but the old man smiled at her before turning to me.
"I am sure," he replied. His voice is full of belief.
"Good," I said and turned to the young woman of barely eighteen. "Miss Alina, give me your hand."
The young woman hesitated before controlling her expression and extending her hand to me. It is damp and cold; she is doubting herself, but she didn't need to.
Like the old man has said, she is ready. He wouldn't have given her such massive responsibility if he hadn't.
It is the same with me.
I have been observing the young woman closely since the tavern became my subject. Danielle had been personally training her, and she has only good things to say about the young woman.
She is not without flaws. She could be impulsive and emotional, but she is a teenager.
A moment later, I took her hand. The power of Velvet Garden and Tavern begins to gather. Sensing it, the young woman's eyes widen to saucers.
Even her grandfather, who had experienced the power before, looked on in awe.
"Alina Lindgren, I, with my authority as Lord of Velvet Garden, make you the heir of Vanis Tavern," I declared, and the power of Velvet Garden and Vanis Tavern covered her.
There was no resistance from Tavern; she is a part of it, grew up in it. Familiar with every part of it.
There was some from Mariha's Inn, and I was about to move to deal with it when Mariha herself dealt with it and accepted her.
Vanis has primary control over the tavern, but Alina would be the heir. Her control would be at the same level as Mariha's, but with more administrative authority, if Vanis stepped aside completely.
It will be fun to see how this young woman deals with Mariha. That woman will try to get every advantage she can from the young woman.
Soon it is finished, and I let go of her hand.
"Thank you, my lord," thanked Vanis, while Alina tiredly sat down.
It took barely a minute, but it brought immense pressure. However, it was probably the prospect of taking over her grandfather's duties that made the young woman feel overwhelmed.
"What is your plan now? Hanging back in the legacy or doing something else?" I asked Vanis as I sat down.
"I want to do a lot of things, but most importantly, travel." He said with eyes filled with adventure.
"In the past century, I have travelled barely anywhere. I want to make up for that, see places I had dreamt to see, visit friends that are still alive and other legacies, as many as I could."
Hearing that, a big smile appeared on my face.
"Good, I have a perfect job for you that will let you do all that," I replied, and the smile on his face widened.
It means I am permitting him, not keeping him caged, like the empire did.
"It would be my honour," he replied with a bow. He will be instrumental; his position as a master and his experience will help me further my goal.
They left a few minutes later.
"That was unexpected, but that young woman is capable," said Carla. I nodded at that.
"Caena, you will be responsible for training her," I ordered. She is a lot freer now. Now that the legacy had advanced, we dealt with the undead.
She still gives considerable time to her witchcraft and studying her family magic, but she could still train her.
"Very well," she replied.
"Eva and Villin had informed me that the gift is ready," informed Carla, and a big smile appeared on my face.
"I thought it would not be," I replied. I had asked them to craft it only ten days ago; I would have asked sooner, but the wood wasn't ready.
"Ask them to bring it," I ordered. I would have brought it directly, but I want to see it with the artisans.
Click!
A few minutes later, the door opened. Eva and Villin walked inside, and between them was a thing covered in a silken cloth.
"My lord," they greeted.
"I was really worried that it might not be ready on time," I said. "It was challenging, with the time we had, but we managed it and are proud of what we have achieved," replied Eva, with a proud smile.
"Show me," I said, and she smiled, before dramatically removing the cloth.
There is a cradle, a beautiful one with glowing white wood. Gilded and inlaid with precious metal and gold.
They are not for show; they are magical materials and gems that are infused with heavy Grade IV mist. They run powerful enchantments.
Despite the work, it did not look ostentatious. It is a work of beauty.
One could see the exquisite woodwork, metalwork, and gem work that had been done on it, along with powerful enchantments.
Every part of it is from legacy or heavily infused with the mist.
I started thinking about it the day I received the invitation, but the actual work began ten days ago, as most of the essential material wasn't ready.
We have a few solonar sandalwood trees growing in the legacy. They are very precious, and Mage Irgal holds them dear. They were not planted here; they were brought here.
He was not pleased when I had asked for its wood.
We have planted some, but even with the aid of magic, it will take at least a decade before they come to the harvest age.
They come from a hidden city, and Mage Irgal takes care of them personally.
I infused a large amount of Grade IV mist into the tree without harming it with the aid of Mage Irgal, before we harvested it for the wood.
It's the tree with an aroma that has a calming effect, along with a strengthening effect, that nourishes both body and spirit. Those effects have become even stronger after absorbing the essence.
Like the wood, every metal and gem inlaid and gilded in it fused with heavy Grade IV mist.
Even the bedding was crafted from the cotton harvested from the plants grown in the legacy.
This is a very expensive gift, but the Lord of Owlspring has helped me many times. Sometimes, even when I didn't ask. Miss Tylcharis funded several schools and hospitals in the dominion.
It is the least I could do to show my appreciation.
"It's beautiful," breathed Carla. "It's beyond my expectations," I replied with wonder.
"Thank you for the praise, my lord," replied Villin. They left soon, and I turned to Caena.
She got up and walked to the cradle, then took out an elaborate charm. She muttered a few words, and the charm turned to smoke, and that smoke went inside the crib.
As it happened, the mist around the office moved toward it and formed a funnel before entering the cradle.
A few days after the invitation, Miss Tylcharis contacted me. She wanted a powerful witchcraft protection for her child.
I was surprised by the request. I have a great witch, which is an open secret since the battle, but I didn't expect she would ask directly for it.
Not many people trust witches. Especially not the one they don't know.
"Now, it only needs the blood of the child and the parents to activate the spell," stated Caena; that process will be done by the child's parents.