Chapter 66: The Lodge's Interest
POV: Adam
The unscheduled summons arrived through messenger whose bearing suggested urgency that transcended routine communication, Philippa's request for immediate meeting carrying undertones that spoke of complications extending beyond normal training schedule. Adam studied the sorceress's expression as they assembled in her tower chamber, her blind eyes reflecting concern that formal diplomatic language couldn't entirely conceal.
Complication. Something significant has changed.
The atmosphere that settled over their gathering felt heavy with political implications that went beyond educational concerns, understanding that powerful forces had taken notice of progress that was supposed to remain private matter.
Lodge wants formal meeting. Rumors attracted attention.
"The Lodge of Sorceresses requires audience with Cirilla," Philippa said without preamble, her voice carrying weight that spoke of decisions made by people whose authority couldn't be safely ignored. "Successful dimensional training has attracted attention throughout magical community."
Most powerful sorceresses on Continent. Political titans whose influence shapes kingdoms.
The roster that Philippa enumerated included names that carried political weight extending across multiple kingdoms—Yennefer, Triss, and others whose capabilities transcended simple magical power into realms where knowledge and influence could reshape civilization according to personal preference.
Some want political tool, research subject, threat elimination. Different agendas within organization.
"Lodge contains factions," she continued, mapping political landscape that made their situation feel like chess game where they represented valuable piece rather than autonomous players. "Some view your power as resource to be claimed, others as danger requiring elimination."
Philippa arguing for freedom. At least one ally within organization.
The revelation that their instructor had been advocating for their autonomy within councils they couldn't attend created understanding that political maneuvering had been proceeding around them while they focused on education.
Meeting unavoidable. Refusing insults powerful women who can destroy them.
"Attendance is not optional," Philippa concluded, her voice carrying finality that made resistance feel like suicide rather than principled stand. "Insult to Lodge constitutes invitation to systematic destruction."
Loss of agency. Freedom being negotiated by people who view them as resources.
[Experience Gained: 50 XP - political revelation]
The preparation that followed required strategic planning that went beyond simple diplomatic protocol, understanding that performance before Lodge would determine whether they retained autonomy or became instruments serving agendas they hadn't chosen to support.
Demonstrate enough power to earn respect. Not so much to seem threatening.
Geralt's coaching emphasized balance between capability demonstration and threat mitigation, understanding that sorceresses respected strength while fearing challenges to their authority.
Adam attends as "guardian." Unusual but demanded as condition.
The arrangement that allowed Adam's presence during meeting that typically excluded non-magical individuals represented compromise that preserved their partnership while acknowledging Lodge's traditional procedures.
Political coaching. Who to defer to, who to challenge.
The instruction that emerged through Geralt's experience covered interpersonal dynamics within magical community, understanding that successful navigation required comprehension of personalities and historical relationships that shaped current interactions.
Practice answers to likely questions. Preparation for interrogation.
The rehearsal that consumed their preparation time addressed probable subjects that Lodge interest would focus on, understanding that spontaneous responses could create complications that careful preparation might avoid.
Room full of people who could kill them with thoughts. Walking into supreme danger.
[Experience Gained: 50 XP - strategic preparation]
The Lodge convocation that filled Philippa's expanded chamber created atmosphere that made reality feel less stable, seven sorceresses representing accumulated power that could reshape kingdoms if their individual capabilities were directed toward common purpose.
Seven sorceresses including familiar faces. Political assembly of titanic forces.
Yennefer's presence created awkward recognition that their last interaction had involved harsh training methods, while Triss provided reassuring familiar face among gathering whose collective capability exceeded anything they'd previously encountered.
Interrogation about power, heritage, training. Systematic evaluation.
The questions that emerged through formal examination covered subjects that felt invasive despite understanding that Lodge's interests required comprehensive assessment of capabilities and potential applications.
Adam intervenes when questions become invasive. Protective instinct asserting boundaries.
"Enough," Adam said when interrogation shifted from capability assessment toward personal history that served curiosity rather than practical evaluation. "Her cooperation doesn't extend to entertainment."
Earns respect for protectiveness. Demonstration of principle under pressure.
The intervention that should have created hostile response instead generated approval that spoke of people whose experience had taught them to value loyalty that transcended tactical convenience.
Ciri demonstrates controlled portal creation. Capability proof.
The manifestation that followed displayed techniques mastered through intensive training while maintaining control that proved education had achieved intended results rather than creating dangerous instability.
Impresses assembly. Professional acknowledgment of achievement.
The response that Ciri's demonstration generated revealed genuine appreciation for capability development that exceeded expectations, understanding that dimensional magic represented advanced achievement rather than basic accomplishment.
Vote taken. Democratic decision about Lodge policy.
The formal balloting that concluded evaluation created binding agreement about organizational approach, understanding that sorceress council operated through consensus rather than individual authority.
Lodge neutrality secured. Will not interfere but reserves right to request assistance.
The compromise that emerged satisfied nobody while preventing catastrophe, preserving Ciri's autonomy while acknowledging that her capabilities might prove necessary for threats exceeding individual kingdom's response capacity.
Compromise satisfies nobody but prevents catastrophe. Political solution avoiding disaster.
[Experience Gained: 100 XP - high-stakes political performance]
[Relationship: Philippa +10 (now 50/100 - solid alliance)]
[Lodge of Sorceresses Established: 10/100 - Neutral respect]
[Yennefer +5, Triss +10 (now 75/100)]
Their departure from Lodge meeting carried weight of people who'd survived political evaluation while understanding that they now existed on awareness of most powerful magical organization on Continent, transition from anonymous fugitives toward recognized entities in cosmic chess game.
Political chess game. We're pieces trying to become players.
The metaphor that described their situation felt inadequate to capture complexity of forces that now included them in calculations extending across kingdoms and dimensions, understanding that Lodge's attention brought both protection and obligation.
Exist on radar of most powerful organization. No longer anonymous.
Looking at Ciri's relieved expression as evening air provided respite from chamber where their future had been debated by people whose decisions shaped continental politics, Adam understood that some victories came through avoiding worse outcomes rather than achieving desired results.
Still free but compromised. Autonomy preserved but obligations acknowledged.
MORE POWER STONES == MORE CHAPTERS
To supporting Me in Pateron .
The Mentalist: New Detective /Suits: The Win Rate System / The Walking Dead: Shelter Sys
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