Chương 109: Chapter 2.46: Movers and Shakers

While the burning noon sun hammered down on Favius, he took in the latest breath in the somehow infinitely long yet precisely controlled sequence of deep breathing. He released the air as pneuma, let it flow from his core to his arms, through his arms, into his hand, and blinked. The lodestone. Did it really just... He studied the charcoal mark on the ground, but there was no doubt. He gasped, but was immediately assaulted by his sisters.

"You did it!" cried Caliga, jumping in to hug him. Urania followed her a second later. Favius yelped as his intense cultivation trance was broken. While his sisters dogpiled him, he laughed alongside them and managed to push them off. He sat up, but before he could get to his feet, Brutus grabbed him.

"I knew you could do it!" bellowed the cultivator, swinging Favius around in a circle. Favius let out a completely dignified yelping squeal before the cultivator embraced him.

"Stop that!" he cried in mock outrage before joining in the laughter.

"Tell me how. How did you do it?" Caliga began as she and Urania ran in a circle around Brutus. Marius and Sirrana had run over from the other side of the gymnasium.

"You did magic?" asked Marius, standing a few steps back from where Brutus had put Favius onto the ground. Favius shook his head.

"I guess I did."

"It's not magic, silly," began Caliga, only for Urania to punch her in the arm.

"Ouch." Favius grinned fondly at his family as Sirrana walked over. Sirrana studied the stone.

"It clearly moved off the marker. Half of one of your finger-widths, I would guess." But she looked at Brutus, and he nodded.

"There's no doubt. We felt it." Brutus grinned.

"Do it again."

"What?" asked Favius, his smile faltering.

"Yes," said Sirrana.

"The difficult thing is manifesting your aura the first time. After that..." She tapped her temple.

"It just works." Favius frowned and squatted down. He extended his hand, holding it ten centimeters from the lodestone splinter. He closed his eyes and took another deep breath of air that just kept and kept flowing into his body until his core was full. Then he visualized the pneuma bursting forth from the center of his chest, from his core through his arms and hitting the stone. It was nothing but a fuzzy block of resistance, a piece of cotton in a storm. It scattered across the floor for about ten centimeters.

"Fuck yeah!" Favius cried, jumping up and pumping his fist in the air.

"This is amazing!" His thoughts raced as his sisters embraced him again and he returned their affection. I mean, I technically cultivated before and gained two insights, but everything before that could have made sense somewhere on Earth. But I'm literally using telekinesis. Well, some sort of electrical facsimile that only works on magnets, but...

"Details," he murmured before again joining in the laughter.

"An auspicious sign for the day," proclaimed Brutus, and Favius grinned.

"You think so?" The cultivator nodded, and Sirrana smiled.

"I believe, given the circumstances..." She gestured at one of the attendants.

"We might want to go to the bathhouse early and celebrate with a good meal in the water." Everyone looked at Favius, who nodded decisively. And so it was decided. They left the gymnasium, rinsed and washed with soap, and soon settled in the swimming pool. Meanwhile, Favius reviewed the events that had filled his summer.

The image of the slave's burned corpse when it had been recovered in the morning was still there in his mind, yet it had faded between cultivation, shifter training, and consultations with Serran while watching the workshops grow like mushrooms after rain. And today... Favius looked out through the side of the pool that was open during summer at the main estate. Today, the last of the people Serran hired have arrived.

After settling onto the benches, platters loaded with a light meal of fruit were brought over, and they all snacked and gossiped. Urania radiated nervousness, but Caliga grinned broadly.

"And I think they're all really nice. Well, at least if Beren and Veren told me the truth. After all, they've been hanging out with them all this time. But I..." She chuckled.

"Well, Serran insists that"—she made quotation marks in the air—"the young aristocrats meet their subordinates in an appropriate setting, so everything is established in the proper order from the beginning." She aped the man, and Favius splashed her with a rapid movement, using his hand to precisely shape the splash of water. She yelped and dropped a half-eaten fig into the water. Caliga hissed and tensed, but Sirrana grabbed Caliga by the neck.

"No fighting near the food, both of you!" Favius smiled unapologetically.

"Oh, please. Haven't you grown tired of her bitching about that?"

"I'm not bitching," replied Caliga, while Urania groaned.

"Yes, Caliga, you very much are bitching."

"You shouldn't get involved when your older siblings are having a discussion."

"Well, from where I'm sitting, it looks like I'm the only adult out of the three of us." Favius lifted his hand again, his grin widening, but suddenly he was hit by something and found himself struggling underwater. He surged up from beneath the water, wet and dripping, and picked up the slice of apple he had just lost.

"Brutus, what's the meaning of this?"

"I'm sorry, Dominus," replied the Magnicultor.

"My hand must have slipped." Favius exchanged a long glare with the man before shaking his head. The meal was soon finished, and they dressed in fine robes before walking into a part of the estate that Favius only vaguely remembered from one of Caliga's early tours. That's right. We do actually have an auditorium. Not that we ever used it, but... Well, she said there was a time when Hesnia was really into theater and Marcus cared about her preferences.

Instead of walking through the main entrance outside, they entered through the back entrance, where Antonius was already waiting for them.

"I greet the Young Aristocrats," said the man with the perfect intonation and manners of a servant.

"Is Father not coming?" asked Caliga. Antonius shook his head.

"The Dominus believed that his presence here would overshadow your authority." Favius clicked his tongue. He's right about that. He looked at Brutus. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Even you might be a bit..." He shrugged before narrowing his eyes.

"Actually, where is Sirrana? We talked about it, but..." Brutus flashed him a grin.

"I told her she was allowed to come, but then I said I would tell her more about what we are doing if she could give me a good enough report about what happened in here by tomorrow morning." Favius narrowed his eyes.

"Is she going to use her aura to prevent herself from listening?" Brutus grinned.

"Of course. And I'll try to stop her without disturbing any of..." He gestured.

"Valuable workers." Caliga grinned at Favius, who took a deep breath.

"Steel sharpens steel, right?"

"Indeed." Brutus laughed. Antonius bowed politely.

"If that settles the affairs of the Lords and Ladies..." Caliga bounced from foot to foot.

"Oh yes. Time to show them who's boss!" She grinned at Favius and walked towards the door, but he stopped and put a hand on Urania's shoulder.

"Are you doing okay?" he asked. His younger sister swallowed and looked up at him, her eyes not fearful, but definitely uncertain.

"I'm not sure. Serran said everything will be fine, but..." Favius squeezed her shoulder.

"Don't worry. You won't be alone in this. Trust me." He grinned.

"Worst case, you can ask Sirrana to help you keep the workers in line." Urania giggled, and Favius shared her smile.

"Well then." Antonius cleared his throat.

"I believe the current time is indeed as fashionably late as should be expected of the Young Aristocrats." Favius grinned and pulled Caliga back from the door. She smirked at him but took a position beside him.

"I'm going in just like we discussed," he said, his eyes fixed on the polished wood. He opened the door and, without even studying anything or anyone in the room, marched in. His sisters followed, forming a triangle behind him whose outer edges were completed by Brutus and Antonius. Favius maintained a stoic expression while inwardly grinning. Showtime. As he arrived at the center of the stage, he looked across the room. The hall was as large as he remembered, a true indoor amphitheater.

Beneath the tall roof, tables of refreshments had been set up on one side of the room. Three groups sat separately on the tiers and had risen when the five of them entered.

"We greet the Lords and Ladies," they said, not quite in unison, but close enough. Favius inclined his head as he stepped to the front of the stage, his people maintaining formation behind him. Over sixty people. He looked from side to side. Plus a few attendants and... Ah, there are Serran and Doroth. He nodded at the two senior retainers before gesturing broadly at the entirety of the room.

"I greet you all. My name is Favius Ovinius Loran, Cultor Bellator. Yet in the future, you will know me as a man who is going to keep changing, keep improving, and keep pushing your work forward. And for some of you..." He smiled at the group who would become his papermakers and found Arryn sitting in the first row.

"I will be managing your affairs more closely. For others..." He gestured to his sides.

"My dear sisters will be managing the day-to-day affairs. So, with all that said, I welcome all of you and hope this is the start of something worth remembering for a long, long time." He flashed a toothy smile, and the customary hollers of approval and fists thumping against chests answered him.

"Thank you, thank you!" Favius waved at the audience, but before he could launch into the next part of the speech, Caliga jumped off the low stage. She confidently strode towards the outer third where her woodworkers sat and waved at all of them.

"You've heard my brother, but I am the elder sister, the oldest daughter of Senator Marcus Ovinius Loran. You may call me Caliga." She stopped in front of the first row, and both Beren and Veren got up.

"You already know these two, and they should have explained to you how we do things here. Well..." She gestured broadly and gave everyone a toothy grin.

"There isn't much to it. You do the best you can, and if there is something difficult, we'll figure it out together. Why?" She raised two fingers, and her smile turned wolfish.

"Because if we do it right, all of us are going to make a lot of money." Chuckles and hoots of approval rose from her woodworking crowd, and she settled between Beren and Veren on the bench. Favius chuckled before turning to the other side. Well, she seems to know her audience. Urania swallowed beside him before she too stepped off the stage. Favius noticed the woman standing next to Serran for the first time. Her gray hair was bound into a precise yet simple bun. Her clothing was clearly expensive yet practical.

Her features were strict, and at the moment she was not quite glaring, yet was also clearly unhappy as she stared at Caliga. Favius narrowed his eyes. She's old. Still haven't gotten good at guessing ages here, but with cultivation... No. Even Serran isn't a cultivator. Urania stopped a bit past the center of the room and cleared her throat.

"Greetings. I am Urania Ovinia Loran, Cultor Mentis." She studied her audience with narrowed eyes, as if waiting for someone to object.

"I will be in charge of soapmaking." With a smile on her face, the elderly woman stepped forward. She bowed at the hip, yet Favius noticed a brief flash of pain as she did not go down as far as might have been appropriate.

"I greet the Young Lady," she said, her voice sophisticated and polite.

"My name is Vibia Severa, and I, as well as my family, have been serving your honored familia for as long as we can remember. I am pleased to aid you in ensuring this endeavor will run smoothly and..." Her eyes flicked towards where Caliga was already gossiping with her woodworkers.

"In an orderly fashion, to ensure the productivity and thus the prosperity of the familia." Urania inclined her head.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Serran told rather fascinating stories about you." The woman chuckled, holding her hand in front of her mouth.

"Oh, what trouble have you maneuvered me into now, old fox?"

"Young fox," Serran corrected.

"Just the kind of trouble you need for your retirement." She huffed in mock outrage.

"What makes you think I require trouble in my retirement? I've had twice the trouble one life ought to bear already." Serran chuckled and looked at Urania, then at Favius, who still stood on the stage.

"Well, Vibia, however thankful you are going to be once you understand what I pulled you into, your children will be significantly more thankful that you are finally occupied with something again." Vibia huffed as a grin spread over Favius's face. At least they are old friends. Though her attitude... She made a dismissive gesture.

"I have sworn myself to the service of the familia, Serran. My oath does not allow me to permit the incompetence of my children to damage the future of this proud lineage." Serran rolled his eyes.

"And I remind you that if your children had been in any way incompetent, they would not be on the path to becoming the Majordomi of our lesser estates."

"Surely you know how little that title can mean."

"Do you doubt me?"

"Never," she answered without hesitation, and the two of them shared a grin. Finally, Urania stepped forward.

"It seems you have an interesting history, Lady Vibia." The formal address put a smile on the woman's face, and Favius clicked his tongue. Well, it's easy to forget that Urania isn't just smart about numbers.

"Again, it is a pleasure to meet the Young Lady," she said and began bowing again. But Urania held up a hand.

"Please. Respect is important, but all that bowing..." She shrugged. Something strange passed over the elderly woman's face, but in the end she inclined her head.

"I thank the Young Lady. And I must say that this project is certainly interesting." She ran a hand over her strict gray hair.

"I myself have grown quite fond of using this soap, especially the latest version." Urania nodded eagerly.

"Indeed. We tried olive oil in the beginning, but only during the later half of winter did we actually figure out how to use it correctly." Vibia nodded as if confirming something to herself.

"Olive oil and rendered fat. Those are the main ingredients, unless the rumor mill has failed me?" Favius threw a sidelong glance at Brutus, who simply shrugged. Not that that could have remained a secret for long. Hell, we even gave Hesnia that much.

"Tell me, do you think you would be able to improve the recipe?" asked Urania. Vibia snorted and chuckled politely.

"No, Young Lady. My experience with alchemy begins and ends at selecting the correct perfumes. And, by the way, I do quite enjoy yours." Urania beamed at the older woman.

"So tell me, Young Lady, what would you have me do to ensure the proper running of your endeavor?" Urania tipped a finger to her chin and briefly glanced over her shoulder at Favius with her bright orange owl eyes. Favius narrowed his eyes and studied Brutus, who was clearly in deep concentration. But I'm not really feeling any killing intent or violence from him, so whatever he's doing with Sirrana... He shook his head as Urania answered.

"Well, I will handle the numbers and the processes, but I am not particularly..." She looked over at the workers and raised her voice.

"Experienced with the people side of things, and I believe it would be naturally advantageous if both of us focused on what we are best at." A smile spread over Vibia's face, and she nodded.

"Then it will indeed be a pleasure working for you, my Lady." Favius considered the situation with narrowed eyes. Serran has found exactly who Urania needs. But goddamn it, old leaders are often experienced, but also tend to be set in their ways, and with what I intend to do here... He let out a breath and shook his head. Well, I simply need to pay more attention. Worst case, we can always get rid of her. But for now, we'll see how this works out.

Favius cleared his throat, and all eyes in the room went to him as he jumped off the stage. He walked towards the central group of the thus-far-silent papermakers.

"Well..." He stretched out both hands, and the papermakers slowly exchanged looks. As the seconds dragged on, they began murmuring. Favius cleared his throat. Fucking hell. I thought they would have found some sort of representative in their group. But... Then his eyes narrowed. Wait a second. Arryn was in an intense argument with several others, and his gesturing grew ever fiercer as he whispered. What is...

The man sitting next to Arryn grabbed the young boy's shoulders and physically shoved him to his feet and towards Favius. What the hell is going on? Favius studied the boy's face as he began shuffling forward, his eyes fixed on the floor.