About Territory

“Hello,” she said, after watching him in silence for a moment.   Bythos finally gave the woman his full attention, and immediately surmised her reason for visiting. He often sent others away at this point, but he thought it might be best if he made the effort to be polite to this particular guest. After all, they were neighbors. “Carraday. Welcome to my home. What can I do for you?”   He kept his attention focused on the Archmage Rallientha Carraday as she studied him a moment longer. Finally, she said, “Your home is impressive. I’d like you to move it.”   “What, no small talk this time?” He was surprised, amused, and a little pleased. He recalled she’d been hailed as a prodigy in her youth as well. Maybe she wasn’t entirely stupid.   She gave him a flash of smile that told him she was still the same sociable individual he thought she was. “I’ve spoken to you before, and I do learn from experience. I trust I don’t need to explain why you should move your House?”   “I gather than I misidentified the boundary of your Territory, although I suppose there’s a debate available over whether an undetectable Territory qualifies as such.”   She shrugged. “It’s up to you, of course. But I wouldn’t feel right leaving you ignorant of being within my Territorial awareness.”   “Even though telling me also tells me you have an undetectable Territory? Many wouldn’t casually give up such an advantage over their rivals.”   She smiled again. “I don’t consider you a rival, Bythos. And I don’t think you consider me one.”   “What gave you that impression?” he asked blandly.   “Because you were very careful about determining the boundary of all the Territories in the city, and then you chose to align yours with mine.” She spoke patiently: aware she was being tested, and playing along for now. “I can only assume you decided I’d be the most amenable to a neighbor, and for some reason you wanted one. If you tell me what that reason is, perhaps I can help you pinpoint a new spot.”   “Unnecessary.” He hesitated, and then reconsidered. “I plan on studying the Empty District and this location offers unparalleled access.” The city of Fairtree occupied a descending spiral around Watercrown and the Stalk, which meant that the southern edge of Brightmere Cap overlooked the northern edge of Duskmere Cap, where the Empty District was.   “Unparalleled, would you say? What about in the District itself?”   Bythos frowned. “It’s one of the Five Ruins, isn’t it? Wouldn’t your colleagues take offense at a newcomer claiming it?”   Carraday chuckled. “The Immortal Earth already effectively claimed the Menagerie decades ago, although he’s never tried to keep scholars out. The truth is that the Empty District isn’t quite like the other Ruins. It’s obviously much bigger geographically, but it’s also a city ward, with a Wardmark. People already live there.”   He snorted. “Scavengers, vagrants and addicts.”   “But not tourists,” she pointed out reasonably. “The physical footprint of your Territory is pretty small. Even Lumina won’t complain if you occupy part of the District. You may even stabilize the local area, which I’m sure the residents would appreciate.”   Bythos studied the older woman as he recognized her true objective. “If I do, it won’t be for the residents. They don’t interest me.”   She sighed. “Of course not. But I can assure you that you’ll be happier there than where we are right now.”