Chapter 16 – Arrangements
The cottage was empty as SJ returned to Killic. The main table was cluttered with clothing, most of it Balle's, all folded neatly in piles. SJ smiled at the scene, knowing the amount of laundry the orcling created.
She opened her map to check Kibble's whereabouts. He was currently at the Flight School, and since the chancellor would be arriving later that day, she had time to check on him and see what needed to be done at the Wanderer's Rest before they arrived. Rather than walk, she shrank and flew towards the Flight School, still feeling a little shaken from her Asterfal close call. When flying, she always felt relaxed and enjoyed the sensation of the air rushing past her, much more so than the concussive blast she had experienced. On many occasions, it had the desired effect, as her thoughts left her, allowing her to become focused on what was ahead.
All five wyverns were at the school as she flew in to land, Snaffle noticing her before anyone else did, as she landed nearby before growing. Kibble was busy talking to Rasper, and SJ couldn't hear the conversation from the distance she was.
"Hi, SJ," Lorna called, spotting her once she had grown. Lorna was busy talking to whom SJ could only assume were the ten successful riders who sat in front of her on the ground.
SJ waved as she walked over.
"I guess these are our new riders," SJ said, smiling at the beings.
"Indeed, they are," Lorna said. "You missed an epic aerial display yesterday. I was even unseated at one point."
SJ looked surprised at the comment, and Halion, a dryad, couldn't keep the grin from his face.
"You unseated her?" SJ asked.
"I did ambassador," he replied proudly, but with an underlying shyness in his response.
"There is no need to call me an ambassador. I am not here on official business, and this goes to all of you," SJ glanced around the gathered riders. "You just call me SJ. I'm not a fan of titles."
The riders smiled or replied thanks in response.
"I wish I'd been here to see it," SJ said to Lorna.
"It was epic," Lorna grinned.
In all honesty, from the abilities she had seen of the twenty riders who had competed for the final ten spaces, she would have been happy with any of them making it, but these final ten had shown their abilities when needed.
"Is everyone prepared for tomorrow?" SJ asked.
"I was just holding the final briefing."
"SJ," an excited voice said, and as she turned, Kibble almost bowled her over as he flew into her arms.
"Hey, Kibble," SJ smiled, stroking his head.
He chirped happily. "I missed you."
"I was only gone a night," SJ replied. "Is the flight all ready?"
"Yes. They all know what they are doing. Rasper will be leading the solo demonstration."
"Excellent."
"Then they will do the group manoeuvres before the riders take over and show their skills."
The entire spectacle had been meticulously planned. Rasper, as the largest and most potent of the wyverns, would show its basic prowess off.
"Have the lake targets been positioned?" SJ asked.
"Yes, everything is in place," Lorna answered. "Setu finished positioning them all today."
"Fantastic," SJ said.
Rasper, as part of his display, would be shooting acid balls at targets as he swooped through the skies. Then the others would put on a display that wouldn't be for the faint of heart. SJ had seen them practise it, reminding her of the Red Arrows display team; they crisscrossed and turned so sharply that she was amazed they had never collided, the roar of their wings being the only sound they made.
The chosen riders would then, as a group, perform displays or aerial combat, which had been choreographed carefully by Lorna. All the riders had been practising it before the final selection, so they were familiar with the routine.
"If everything is ready here. I'm going to head to the Wanderers."
The riders thanked her for her time as she left them to it and started away from the flight school, Kibble now happily perched back on her shoulder. Rather than go through town, she took the more scenic route, which led to the eastern path that wound its way into the forest, eventually reaching her business.
Kibble had been silent and then suddenly spoke.
"Are you alright?" His tone sounded concerned.
"Yes, why?" SJ asked, surprised.
"Don't lie," Dave said.
"You seem tense," Kibble replied.
"Do I?"
"Yes. Your neck and shoulders feel knotted."
SJ hadn't even considered the physical manifestations of what had happened, yet she could understand that she might be tense. "I hadn't realised."
"Tell him the truth," Dave said.
'I don't need to worry him,' SJ thought.
"He cares about you, and if you have a problem, you should discuss it," Dave answered.
SJ couldn't argue with his comment; it was a similar phrase she had used with Yawnee about Lurtew. She let out a deep sigh and then spoke. "There was a bombing in Asterfal."
"A what?" Kibble asked, the word confusing him. She had never considered the word bomb before.
"An explosion."
"How?" Kibble asked, alarmed.
SJ went on to explain what had happened at the gate. By the time she had finished, Kibble was already swearing and promising he would seek out whoever had done it. SJ couldn't help but feel pride at her companion's response, but the issue had nothing to do with her, and she had to remind herself.
"I wonder if the chancellor will already know about it when he arrives," Dave stated.
It hadn't been a consideration; SJ could only assume that he had communication stones, and if the information was important enough, then he would have been made aware.
'I'd assume he knows, or at least I would hope he does,' SJ thought.
"I'd still like to find out who was behind it," Dave said.
Although she accepted that she would also like to know who was behind it, the fact that she had physical signs of what she had been through was alarming. Stress was something that everyone suffered from, but she hadn't realised she was stressed until Kibble pointed it out.
A wagon stood outside the main entrance to the Wanderer's Rest as several crates were unloaded. Fhyliss stood in the doorway, directing the driver where to take them.
"Place them by the bar area, please, on the left," Fhyliss said as she moved to pick up one of the other crates.
"Here," SJ said, hurrying over to help her friend lift the crate from the wagon, the clanking of bottles clearly audible from within. "Bar stock, I assume?" SJ asked.
"Yep, Mum sent over the good stuff," Fhyliss smiled. They carried the crate inside and placed it down with the others by the bar. Fhyliss called some coins to her hand and paid the driver for the delivery, thanking him.
The driver smiled broadly at the tip he had been given. "Anytime," he replied as he climbed back onto the wagon and moved off.
SJ waited by the bar, and Fhyliss walked over immediately, prying the crates open.
"Here, I'll pass them to you. I know you have a way you want them displayed," SJ smiled, lifting the various bottles from the crates and handing them to Fhyliss.
"Perfect," Fhyliss said, stepping back to survey their handiwork at the now fully stocked bar area. It should be more than sufficient for the chancellor and his guests who would be accompanying him.
"Is everything else ready?" SJ asked.
"Yes. Everything is ready. Blossom is due to deliver fresh bouquets soon as well."
Blossom, who had given up her previous field to become the cemetery of the fallen, had a new area that she now used, which was slightly further into the woods to the south of town. It wasn't far from where brother Wilbert, the town's monk and recluse, lived. No one ever really saw him, and although SJ had visited him a few times to discuss her martial arts development, he wasn't very sociable. Her martial arts skills had continued to develop over the past twelve months, and her abilities were approaching what Dave had mentioned should be the next phase to unlock further skills.
Utilising claws as her primary weapon had always benefited from her martial arts, giving her the movements and flexibility to get the most from her weapons, along with the added bonuses that her shadow step and void grasp added when surprising or restricting targets' movements. She rarely used them when fighting monsters, though, and usually stuck to her basic fighting skills. The few quests she had completed over the past twelve months, outside of assassinations and the experience gains from working for the town, had been minimal.
"Has Jay been down today to deal with the lizards?"
"Yes. He came and fed them all earlier. Are they still going to be shown to the chancellor?"
"Of course. That is where I hope to introduce Aletheia to him. Actually, that reminds me I'd better go and check in with her and Lythonian."
"What time is he expected to arrive?" Fhyliss asked as SJ was about to leave.
"The latest update I had was before I went, and that they would be expected early evening. I haven't spoken to Alice or Zigferd yet since returning, so not sure if anything has changed."
"No problem, let me know if anything has changed, as I was going to head over to the inn for a while. Holly is off with the boys today, and Mum was expecting a full crowd."
"What about here, though?"
"Oh, Holly will be back later, and I should be back here in time to have everything open up."
"The flower delivery?" SJ asked.
"Ah damn. I just mentioned it yet, had forgotten," Fhyliss chuckled.
"We really could do with getting you a helper," SJ sighed.
Fhyliss smiled, shrugging. "Perhaps."
"I'll see what I can do," SJ said with a smile. "Let me go speak to Lythonian, and then I will come straight back so you can go and help your mum."
"That would be great. Thanks."
SJ began the walk to the church. The eastern path that ran around the edge of Killic, between the forest edge and the town, was always a pleasant trip. The sound of small creatures in the underbrush of the forest edge, along with birds flying overhead and calling, was mixed with the scent of the forest and its natural flora. The distant sounds of the busy town filtered from the west. She paused as she reached the statues of the cemetery's defenders, placing her hand on Ballentine's and then Oric's statue, and stood for a moment in silence. She did so every time she passed, thanking them for their sacrifice, before continuing her journey.
The churchyard was in its pristine state, with perfectly tended grass between the various gravestones and a newly laid shingle path that led from the entrance gate to the church's entrance. SJ crunched along the path before entering. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the soft light filtering in from the high windows. Her memory of churches on Earth was one of darker and gloomier interiors, yet Killic's church was bright and airy. The open area and pews were spaced out, allowing for easy movement and enabling beings to kneel before their various patron statues and pray. Lythonian wasn't visible, so she walked to his office, knocking on the door.
"Come in," Lythonian called.
SJ opened the door and entered. Lythonian was sitting behind his desk, his head down and the ledgers open. Ever since his problem with the coin shortfall that SJ had dealt with not long after arriving in Amathera, Lythonian was now meticulous with every detail, never wanting to find himself in such a predicament again.
"Hello, SJ. How can I help you?"
"Hi," SJ smiled at her friend. Lythonian may be a cleric and have a calm and controlled demeanour, but SJ knew that underneath his placid exterior was a very capable warrior. He had never shied away from supporting the town whenever needed.
"Have you seen Aletheia today?"
"Oh, yes. She wished to spend time at the waterfall."
Just north of town and on the eastern edge of the mountains that surrounded the plateau Killic sat on, a large waterfall fell, collecting in a large pool before continuing its journey to feed the lake. SJ knew the area well, as the cave entrance to the spiders' lair, which led from the church's crypt, could be accessed from behind it.
"What was she doing there?"
"Something about water purification."
"I didn't think she could purify the water as it is continually replenished, due to the current flow?"
"She has some ideas about using plants to maintain the pool. Her level of mana manipulation is so far beyond my understanding," Lythonian shook his head.
"Wait, if she can purify the pool that feeds the lake, it could negate the whole water problem for feeding the town and the mages' work. If we were able to tap into the purified source," SJ said excitedly.
Lythonian shrugged; he had little knowledge of the town's expansion plans to provide water to homes that SJ had been overseeing with Barry.
"Are you all ready for tomorrow?" SJ asked.
"Yes. I assume the schedule is the same?"
"Yes. As things stand, if you are able to arrive at the Wanderer's Rest in the early afternoon, we can introduce Aletheia to the chancellor."
Lythonian nodded in understanding. "That should be fine."
"Excellent. I'd better get back, and please let me know how Aletheia gets on at the waterfall."
"I will."
"Thanks. I will see you tomorrow, if not before."
"No problem," Lythonian smiled, before looking back down at the ledger.
"How long will you be?" SJ asked Fhyliss as she went to leave.
"Only a couple of hours and I'll come straight back."
"Okay, please don't be too long, as I do need to see Zigferd and Alice before the chancellor arrives. If you're not back before Blossom calls in, I'll lock up."
"I'll be as quick as I can," Fhyliss waved as she jogged off. Blossom still hadn't arrived with the fresh bouquets yet, and SJ stood in the entrance to the Wanderer's Rest watching as Fhyliss disappeared down the track.
She stepped out and looked up at the building. The paintwork was perfect, the design rustic and appealing, and overall, the place reminded her of a ski lodge, with its thick timber and stone design. Huge windows fill several walls, allowing natural light inside. SJ adjusted one of the large plant pots by the entrance before stepping back and checking that it was perfectly aligned, then walked back inside.
She was busy folding napkins in the bar area when Blossom arrived. The wagon wheels on the track and the horse's hooves pulled SJ from her thoughts. Kibble was currently curled up on a seat facing the window through which the sun streamed.
"Hi," Blossom called as she entered, carrying several large bouquets.
"Hi," SJ said, placing the napkin down on her neatly folded pile. "Here, let me help you." She hurried over and took several of the bouquets from Blossom.
"Thanks. These are for the chancellor's room. I believe these are the various types that he prefers."
“They look beautiful,” SJ said. There had been so much planning that had gone into the visit that SJ had sought all sorts of information and details to make the chancellor's time at the Wanderer's Rest as pleasant as she could. She had inundated Wystria and Petunia with questions prior to his visit.
"Perfect. Let's take them straight up to the suite," SJ said as she turned and climbed the large, broad stairs that went to the first floor. Blossom followed, and it wasn't long before the floral arrangements were positioned perfectly in his suite.
Then they spent the next thirty minutes replacing all the bouquets in the various vases dotted around the foyer and other rooms. The heavenly scent filled the room with an almost sweet, vanilla-like aroma.
"They're beautiful," SJ smiled, taking in the refreshed vases.
"Anything for you and Fhyliss?" Blossom smiled.
"What do I owe you?" SJ asked.
"Oh, nothing; it's on the account. I'll sort it out with Fhyliss as usual at the end of the month."
"Thanks," SJ smiled as Blossom left again, and waved her off. "Come on, Kibble, we need to go to the barracks."
Kibble hadn't even reacted to Blossom's arrival and only now lifted his head lazily from his sleeping position. "But it's so warm here," he complained.
SJ walked over and scooped him up as he complained before she placed him on her shoulder.
"Not fair," he moaned as he curled his tail around her shoulder and got himself comfortable.
"Stop complaining; you're not a baby anymore and have your own responsibilities."
Kibble hmphed in response as SJ left, locking the Wanderer's Rest behind her and heading to the barracks.
