I Don't Need to Knock

[Cedric Braddock]

It was funny sometimes how people thought they could stop Cedric once he got his mind set on something. He figured that by now, everyone in Goldcrest should know that he was an unrelenting force once he got an idea to pursue. Those at the Enclave knew well enough. So when he exited the building followed by a handful of volunteer workers (the word "volunteer" being used lightly), no one had tried to stop him. It was for the same reason the Chevaliers didn't make him wear the traditional robes.

Unfortunately it seemed like some of the guardsmen weren't aware.

Nevertheless Cedric shot forward like an arrow from a bow, and nothing the guards could say or do could stop him. "I dont care about asking Blackwald for permission to see me. It's me. That's my permission to intterrupt him whenever I please." He said, pushing aside another guard who sputtered out something Cedric didn't bother to understand. Once he reached the guard captain's quarters, he threw open the door with a wide toothy smile. "Blackwald! You old bastard. Have I got good news for you, and a good deal." He announced loudly, uncaring about the gaggle of guards who had followed him in a vain attempt to halt his progress through the building. He always did collect a crowd.

[Lionel Blackwald]

Paperwork. Lionel almost felt like he was drowning in it. An endless sea of paper. He was seeing more ink the. He was people. It was agony. Torture. Duty. He had to do it. If not him, who else? Much as he hated it, he trusted little. It was important, if excruciating. So there Lionel sat. Sorely missing the outdoors. Writing away and thinning the stack. Until he heard a commotion outside. His head lifted and he stared. Narrowed his eyes in confusion and wariness. Until the door opened.

Cedric Braddock. Enclave Mage. Therin noble. Extraordinary Alchemist. Constant prod in Lionel's side. At first he had not known what to make of the Mage. He was...different. To put it lightly. Yet over the years, Lionel had come to accept it. Even appreciate it. He always managed to get Lionel to smile at least. Which explained the small one on his face now. Especially at the sight of the guards. "Braddock. It's good to see you, but please don't scare my men so much. They're trying to do their jobs."

He put away the quill gladly. Let Cedric be a distraction. He often was. "Now what's this you came barging into my quarters and giving half my guards heart attacks for?"

[Cedric Braddock]

Cedric glanced back at the group of flustered guards with pursed lips. It was in his nature not to really care all that much about ruffling someone else's feathers. He was different, but he didn't see that as a disadvantage. It kept his friends, and enemies, on their toes. There was no telling what Cedric would do, but all could be assured that if he got it into his mind it would most certainly happen. "If these men get scared of a single Mage with life magic, then I think you need to step up your recruiting, Blackwald." Came the reply without missing a beat. Eventually his volunteers caught up and Cedric ushered them into the room. Each was bearing a small crate that they handled with care, under Cedric's instruction.

With a sweet smile of a charismatic merchant, Cedric turned to Lionel and stepped further into the room. "Oh, it's a good one! Though I'd prefer to speak alone." He said pointedly. The crate bearers, after setting them down in a stack, got the hint and beelined for the exit, Cedric shut the door behind them despite the guards. They weren't worth his attention at the moment. Instead he crossed over to a crate and cracked it open, pulling out a small bottle with some form of liquid.

"This, my dear guard captain, is why I'm here." He explained with a wide grin, holding the bottle up. "I've managed to create a potion that would be extremely beneficial to you and your guardsmen, though it can't cure their stupidity of not letting me in right away." He chuckled, but kept going. "This potion has the ability to heal wounds, and give your men a bit of an adrenaline rush to reinvigorate them should they need it. Cuts, bumps, and bruises will fade away and leave them feeling as refreshed as ever!" Cedric exclaimed. But then he calmed. "Now, it can't heal major wounds, or bring back the dead. Medium wounds can also just be reduced to simpler, smaller wounds as well depending on their extent. Like, say, a large gash on the leg may close up, but not fully. It also can't staunch the blood, as I'm still working on something that could do that without stopping all flow completely."

Cedric started pacing without even realizing. It was a bit of a habit. "It also can't heal broken bones, and taking it with that kind of fracture actually wouldn't be good. It would still need to be fixed by a regular medic and set to mend. Though if it's a matter of survival, it'll at least repair the tissue. I still need to work on something that could mend bone, though even then it's difficult to account for shards and setting it right..." Cedric's mind trailed on, getting lost in his work again. However the silence soon slapped him in reminder and he brought his attention back. "Hmm, yes. Anyways. I'm already negotiating with the Goldcrest army as well, but I thought it would be good to give to the Guard as well. Maybe even the navy. So, your thoughts?"

[Lionel Blackwald]

If they were scared by a Mage with life magic, he ought to recruit better. Lionel chuckled and shook his head. It was things like this that made him enjoy the mage's company. The wit. The banter. The ease of the conversation. Though different, they had both been soldiers. Both had seen the chaos the war brought. While grim, it gave them something in common. Otherwise, Lionel didn't know much else he could have in common with him.

People came in, bearing crates. Lionel eyed them curiously. With Cedric, who knew what was inside. Cedric dismissed his helpers. Lionel dismissed his guards before Cedric shut the door. Different indeed. Then began the sales pitch. Cedric pulled a potion from the crate. It had the ability to heal. Not only that, but invigorate. Yet it couldn't heal major wounds, or staunch blood flow. Lionel watched as the man began to pace. He had gotten used to it. Lionel simply listened and waited for Cedric to come back to the present.

Finally he did. Lionel thought. It was going to the army. Or being negotiated anyhow. Maybe the navy. It did, indeed, sound like a good idea. Yet Lionel had some questions. "How would my men hold the potion? They need both their hands. And how much would all this cost?" There was always a price.

[Cedric Braddock]

There were always questions, but Cedric was more than happy to answer them. He stopped his pacing and once again faced Lionel, the smile back on his face. "I've got an idea where we would add a piece to your guard's uniform. A sort of belt that would allow them to hold potions and easily access them in times of need. That way they would still get both of their hands to fight, and they could grab the potion at any time. Drink up, and boom. You've got a re-energized, restored fighter to keep on going."

Now the trickier part to negotiate was the cost, as always. "Well, cost wise it's a tad trickier. See, because it's going to you, the army, and the navy, I think I have to go to the council since you're all technically 'owned' by the city." Visiting the council was never fun. Cedric had done it before, and sometimes convincing those people was hard. Some many opinions all in one room. Besides that, they were still more invested in rebuilding the city that having anything else happen at the moment. Which made Cedric sigh. "You know how they are. 'Rebuild, rebuild, rebuild!' Yet for all they're rebuilding, the guard is still undermanned, and the army and navy are small as well. Don't get me started on their equipment. I've done my research." It wasn't particularly bad, but still needed some upgrades. "I came to you because hearing that you think the potion would be beneficial might help sway their decision to actually granting you it. The same goes for the army and the navy."

[Lionel Blackwald]

There was an idea. A belt to hold the potion. Keep the hands free. It was a good idea, or at least good enough. Then came the price. It would be trickier. Cedric might go to the council to discuss it instead. That made him surprised. Lionel tried dealing with the council as little as possible. He wasn't big on politics. Yet it made sense why he would have to go. Lionel simply wished him luck.

The focus was on rebuilding, while the guard was undermanned. It was an issue Lionel was well aware of. He had brought it up a number of times. Yet rarely did it help. It wasn't a priority at the moment. But he believed his word could help. Possibly sway the council to give them the potion. Lionel considered it. He alone hadn't had much success. But he wasn't the one talking to the council. Cedric was. And he would be better off than Lionel. "Well alright. I'd want these potions for the guard, if you can convince the council."

[Cedric Braddock]

Cedric grinned and nodded in satisfaction. "Wonderful! Now these crates will be free. Think of them as a gift between old friends." He added a wink after the sentence before heading over to put the bottle back. He clapped his hands together once that was done and turned to Lionel. "Now how's about we get a bottle of wine and have a nice chat that doesn't have to do with business hmm? I'd rather catch up with you than try interesting you in some potions or salves." Even if Lionel said no, Cedric was already heading for a chair. He knew the big man well enough to see he wasn't too busy to be bothered.

And even if he was, it wasn't like that would change Cedric's mind much.

"It's been too long since we last spoke. Believe me, I miss our talks. While I love the others in the Enclave dearly, I can get tired of them too." He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Mages came in all shapes and sizes. Magic popped up where it wanted, so the diversity within the Enclave was actually impressive. However even with all its diversity, it could grow dull being surrounded by people all obsessed with the same thing. Cedric loved magic and loved alchemy, but even he needed a break now and then. "So what's new, Blackwald? Anything exciting?"