It was a no-brainer for me to champion Johna's cause when she returned. I gave her a week to recover from the trip. She had graduated and had become a witch. Her specialty was Evocation. The focus of study on magic that creates powerful elemental effects such as bitter cold, searing flame, rolling thunder, crackling lightning, and burning acid was pretty cool. Some evokers find employment in military forces, serving as artillery to blast enemy armies from afar. Others use their spectacular power to protect the weak, while some seek their own gain as bandits, adventurers, or aspiring tyrants. I was a phantom thief in my old world. It would be rich if I said that I hated bandits or thought they were lowly. That being said, I was going to push my children to be better than me. I went right to Anthony with my daughter. "I want an audience with your father during court." I told him. "You know that it is not needed for you to make petitions with the commoners. You have his ear already." he said with a very tired look. He led us up to his father in their sitting room. He was having his morning tea.
Going to him with Johna, I placed her right in front of me. "My lord, I am with some great news for you today. My daughter has returned from the mage academy!" I said. I had a great idea. His lips just quirked up a bit. I knew he was in a good mood. It was his major tell. "Yes, Collin. I see her. I've heard you talk all about her this week." he mocked. That was fine with me. "I'm a very proud father. Johna is my heir and my joy. Pursuant to that, I believe it would be a great thing for us if we had a learned and practiced mage at court. Johna could take on the role for us." He simply leaned forward with a smile on his face. "You think so, huh?" "Think of it, Count Swifthunt. Having a court mage would be pretty nice and prestigious. Having said court mage be of House Rhombus would be good for your favorite advisor too. I think that it's the perfect coincidence." He said "Fine. Johna Rhombus, come here and kiss my ring. You will serve me with duty and skill from now on." Johna did as she was bidden. That was a nice thing. It was what I wanted. I bowed to him and Anthony, and we left them all.
Having her in court was a mostly ceremonial position. There was no real reason to have her there. Not many people living in the county could do magic. Most of the non magical solutions to problems were cheaper. She was not a non-combatant. Unless she needed to destroy something for some reason, she was not going to be able to do much for people. Count and Countess Swifthunt would sometimes as her a question or two. It was purely for appearances. Johna had a small salary as a member of court. Actually being helpful was not important. The only thing that mattered was that people saw her in the role. After a year, Holly returned. She was not able to be put in the role. She was a registered adventurer. It meant she could help out with people in Mansfield and Huntston. She was a legal adult. She could move back to Huntston if she wanted. Barat was there to be a good steward. If he was continuing his martial training, he would be near the time of being a knight. I made sure to dub Molly as a knight. The church would not let me do it there. I did not care. I did it in my house.
