Chapter 17 – Arrival
"Okay, thanks," Alice said as she turned her communication stone off. "They've just passed the crags and will be here in the next couple of hours or so."
SJ was sitting in Zigferd's office with Alice and Shelly. They had just been finalising the details for the visit to the Mithril mine. It would be one of the highlights of the chancellor's visit, alongside several other key moments that were planned. The timelines were tight to get everything in as the chancellor was only planning on being in Killic for three days before returning to Asterfal. SJ knew that Wystria and Alec would be overseeing the city in his absence.
Since SJ had purchased the communication stones for her friends, the ability to communicate effectively had significantly improved. Darren and Jay were both present at the crags and would be accompanying the chancellor's caravan on its final approach to Killic.
"I should have gone to greet him at the town's border," Zigferd complained.
"And when has the leader of a town or village ever met you at a border?" Alice said.
"I know, but it's not every day the chancellor even leaves Asterfal, never mind visiting a small town like ours."
"This town is no longer small," Shelly scoffed. "The number of new beings almost daily is growing. I'm regularly getting approached, particularly from the influx of miners." The mithril's purity had drawn more than its share of notice to the region.
"Barry mentioned that you are losing stonemasons due to it?" SJ asked.
"Yes. Several are switching to mining. The problem is that many don't have the skills to mine mithril proficiently. The foreman is constantly having to reassign roles due to overzealous beings stating their skills are better than they are. We don't want to be losing ore due to poor picking practices."
"That's understandable," SJ agreed. "I suppose we'd better get the final checks completed if he will be here so soon."
"Darren mentioned there are four coaches. I thought there would only be three, so I'm not sure who else has come with him," Alice said.
"What?" Zigferd looked confused. "When I spoke to him, he gave me the complete list of members coming. I'm not sure why there would be an extra coach. They would need only three at most."
"Well, we will soon find out, won't we?" SJ said.
"Right, I'm going to head back to the mine," Shelly said, standing. Since the upgraded mine and smelter, an office area and sleeping quarters had been constructed inside the initial mine area. This is where Shelly now spent most of her time, only occasionally staying in the town itself.
"We will see you down there the day after tomorrow. If anything changes, we will let you know," Zigferd said.
"Right, I'm heading to the stables to check on everything. Lorna should be there with the honour guard," Alice said with purpose.
"I still don't know why we are doing that," Zigferd sighed. The town council had been involved with several planning ideas for the chancellor's visit, one of which was to have an honour guard for when the chancellor arrived at the stables. Zigferd hadn't been happy about flaunting their guard force off, thinking it was a needless exercise, but the council had voted on it, so he had reluctantly agreed.
Alice just smiled at Zigferd as she strode from his office.
"You look tired," SJ said, looking at Zigferd once Alice had left.
Zigferd let out a deep sigh. "If only I had considered what would be required for the visit."
"I know it's taken a lot to organise, but most of the town will never have seen the chancellor before, so for them it's a big issue."
Zigferd sat up straighter in his chair. "You're right. I need to stop complaining. It's the first time a chancellor has ever visited the town, and I should be proud it's under my watch."
SJ smiled warmly at her friend. "How's Isavil?"
"You would think the twins were arriving tomorrow. She has already started planning so much. I must get the bedroom sorted, a playroom, and the garden apparently needs to be made child-friendly. The list is never-ending."
SJ chuckled. "I'm sure you will be fine."
Zigferd grumbled in response before continuing. "Are you all set at the Wanderers?"
"Yes, everything is in place. I needn't have worried; Fhyliss had everything sorted."
"You haven't explained your Asterfal trip either yet, and why you needed to go so urgently."
Mentioning her Asterfal trip directly suddenly caused her to break out in a cold sweat. The quest from Navina was one thing, but she had forgotten about the bombing until Zigferd asked about her trip.
"The trip was fine, just some guild business," SJ replied, not wishing to discuss details about the quest. "The problem was this morning before I left."
"Oh, what happened?"
"There was an explosion at the inner-city gate in District 11."
“WHAT!” his eyes opened like saucers.
SJ went on to explain to Zigferd what had happened.
"That's unheard of," Zigferd shook his head. "Never in all my time have I heard of such an attack in Asterfal. Perhaps attempts at arson occurred during the riots, but not an attack like that. I wonder who was behind it?"
"No idea. I'm sure that Wystria and Alec will get to the bottom of it in the chancellor's absence."
"That's if he is even aware yet."
They sat in silence for several moments. "Right, I am going to go and see Kerys, to do a final check on the dining arrangements for the chancellor's party."
"I should really go and speak to the village heads, so I'll accompany you," Zigferd said as he also stood, many of whom were staying at the Hogling Arms.
The streets were still a hive of activity, with an undertone of excitement, many beings excitedly commenting as Zigferd and SJ made their way through town. The town was buzzing over the chancellor's visit. Since the upgrades on the Hogling Arms had been completed, it now stood not just as a beacon within the town, but as the beacon of the town. A second floor had been added, and a wing had been extended behind the inn. There were even private dining areas now inside, as well as the main common room, which was already busy when they arrived.
"Hi, Kerys," SJ called, spotting her serving a table.
She waved and tilted her head towards the bar. SJ smiled and walked over, taking a seat on one of the barstools, while Zigferd made his excuses and moved across the inn to where several of the village chiefs were sitting.
"Hi, SJ," Kerys beamed, her usual enthusiasm evident. "Do you want a drink?"
"Just a coffee, please."
"Sure. Holly, grab SJ a coffee, will you?" Kerys called Holly, who was currently pouring drinks. Holly turned, acknowledging the request as she laughed at a comment from a large bugbear she served.
"I came..."
Kerys replied before SJ could finish her sentence. "Everything's in place and ready."
"You didn't even know what I was going to ask."
"Really. I'm sure that you have mentioned it every single day for the past few weeks, just to make sure that I didn't forget," Kerys chuckled.
"I haven't been that bad. Have I?" SJ frowned.
Kerys just continued to chuckle, looking at her friend.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be annoying."
"You haven't been. We all know how much pressure you are all under for this visit to go smoothly. Fhyliss has been keeping me updated."
"Well, it comes to a head in," SJ flicked her display on. "About ninety minutes. I just hope everything goes according to plan."
"Exciting," Kerys grinned.
"I suppose."
"Come on. A chancellor visiting our little town. Have you seen how many have arrived recently to see him?"
"That's one of my concerns. I know Lorna is stretched, and speaking to Cristy, the guard will all be working flat out to ensure there are no problems."
"You worry too much."
"Are you surprised? How often do things I seem to be involved in go wrong?" SJ shrugged.
Kibble at that moment sprang from SJ's shoulder. He had been the perfect companion the whole time in Zigferd's office, as had Dave, neither interrupting her, but he had seen something as he streaked across the inn floor.
"What in ogre's breath caused that?" Kerys said, as shocked as SJ at his sudden display.
The sound of several startled patrons filled the inn as Kibble streaked across the floor, and then SJ heard it: the hiss.
"Oh no," SJ said quickly, jumping from her stool. "Kibble, don't you dare!" she bellowed as she started after him. The patrons parted, letting her pass as she reached the scene of Kibble's sudden reaction. Backed into the corner of the bar was Jingle, Kibble standing in front of him, lightning crackling across his jaws. Jingle was a huge tomcat who recently moved to the town with a new elven family. He had taken it upon himself to go where he pleased whenever he pleased, and Kibble had taken great offence at him when he had found him eating fish at the docks. Kibble believed the right was his alone to get treats from Setu and the other fishers, not this large tabby cat.
Kibble hissed back at Jingle, who stood with his back arched, hackles up and tail the size of a small broom.
"Kibble, stop it now," SJ said firmly.
Kibble ignored her and hopped closer to Jingle. Jingle hissed and cried a deep, angry growl, his teeth bared.
SJ grabbed Kibble from behind, lifting him unceremoniously into the air and tucking him under her arm. "I said Stop it."
Kibble complained. "Not fair, put me down. I need to deal with my arch-nemesis."
"Just because Jingle gets fish, there is no need for you to behave like a spoiled child. You don't own the town," SJ said as she turned, carrying Kibble back to the bar. The instant she turned, Jingle took the chance to escape and bolted back out of the inn through the rear door.
Kibble complained bitterly as SJ carried him back and held him, not allowing him to escape again. It didn't help that Dave had guffawed through the whole episode.
'You two are terrible together,' SJ thought, snapping at Dave.
"You wouldn't have either of us any other way," he chuckled.
SJ sighed. While keeping Kibble firmly under one arm, she picked up her coffee that Holly had placed in her absence.
"Everything okay now?" Kerys asked, trying not to grin at SJ due to Kibble's antics.
SJ frowned at her friend, fuming with anger, which only made Kerys laugh.
"Sometimes I wonder why I had him incubated," SJ replied.
"What!" Kibble suddenly shouted in alarm. As Kibble continued to complain bitterly, SJ ignored his comments as Kerys confirmed the details with her one last time.
The horn blast drifted across the town from the northern edge as the clatter of coach wheels and horses cantered down the track. Jay and Darren were leading the four large coaches and the entourage of riders as they trotted into the town. The sight of the large coaches, covered in the chancellor's livery, caused many in the crowd to cheer as they lined the street. It felt like the reception that a hero would receive on their return from battle.
SJ stood with Alice and Zigferd at the stables as the coaches turned the final corner, before slowing and coming to a stop. Darren hopped down from his horse and handed his reins to a stable hand, while Jay dismounted more carefully. He wasn't the best rider, only recently learning, and he winced as he climbed down before rubbing his rump. SJ tried not to smile as Jay passed the reins over to the same stable hand.
The town guard stood in a perfectly straight line across from the stable, their armour shining brilliantly in the late-day sun, wearing their breastplates and helms as Lorna shouted attention, the spears they held suddenly being pulled in tightly to their sides. It was an impressive sight, and the guards were doing Lorna proud. The supporting guard of the chancellor remained on horseback as Alice walked to the coach door, and after one of the stable hands had set the steps, opened the coach door.
"Chancellor. Welcome to Killic," Alice said, nodding her head in respect as he appeared in the coach door.
The chancellor beamed as he stepped down from the coach, his sharp, kobold teeth shining brightly. "Alice, less with the formalities. I've come to relax as much as to do business."
Zigferd stepped forward, towering over the chancellor.
"Zigferd. How are you?" the chancellor smiled.
"Very well, Chancellor, as Alice said, welcome to Killic."
"And SJ."
"Chancellor," SJ replied politely. Out of all those there, she probably held more influence than any of them, even with their longer history, due to the work she had done on behalf and in support of the chancellor; she was, after all, classified as his confidante.
"I trust the journey was problem-free?" Zigferd asked
"Indeed, it was. With the guard, I didn't expect any problems."
The Asterfal guards all wore their full plate armour; the armour was always impressive to see, and there were also at least four who must have been mages, wearing the chancellor's robes. It was unlikely that many could have gone against them, even if they wished. Never mind that the chancellor himself was a warlock in his own right.
The other members of the chancellor's party were descending from their coaches and walking over to be greeted by them.
That was when a voice cut through everyone there, and Zigferd physically stiffened.
"Let me through," the female voice called from the furthest carriage. The occupant of the fourth carriage appeared, to SJ and Alice's delight, while Zigferd now stood stock still.
"Petunia!" Alice called, seeing the gnome.
"Hello, dear," Petunia grinned as she hurried over and flung her arms out in a hug. SJ was only moments behind as she, too, received the warmth of Petunia's greeting.
"You never said you were coming," Alice said in surprise.
"I wanted it to be a surprise, so I twisted the chancellor's arm not to say anything."
Both Alice and SJ chuckled as Petunia stepped forward to where Zigferd hadn't moved a muscle, his face pale and devoid of expression. His almost rigid frame looked as though it would topple over.
"Everything alright?" the chancellor asked Zigferd, looking a little concerned.
Zigferd forced a smile onto his face. "Yes, yes, everything's fine," he grimaced as Petunia reached him. "Your Worship," Zigferd said, addressing Petunia with her official title.
"Your Worship?" Petunia said, confused. "You haven't called me that in nearly sixty years. What's going on?"
Zigferd paled further, if that were possible, and SJ and Alice couldn't help but grin at his fate. There was no being alive that could drive the fear of god, or intimidate the massive werebear more than Petunia, who had brought him up as a child in the orphanage. She doted on him as if he were her own son, but she had the tongue of a snake when she wanted.
"Nothing," Zigferd stammered.
Petunia glared at him. "Where is the beautiful Isavil? I would have expected her to be here."
"She will be joining us later for food," Zigferd coughed. Even the chancellor was trying to keep a smirk from his face, Zigferd's discomfort clear to see.
"Why with the formalities?" Petunia asked quizzically.
"This is a formal occasion," Zigferd replied, trying not to make eye contact with her. "Chancellor, can I show you to your accommodation?" Zigferd offered.
"Please, I could do with freshening up after today's journey."
"Of course," Zigferd replied as he turned, leading the chancellor in the direction of the Wanderer's Rest.
Petunia's frown deepened as she returned to Alice and SJ. "What's he hiding? Something smells like dragon dung here."
SJ and Alice couldn't keep the smirks from their faces. They both knew exactly why Zigferd had suddenly paled. With Petunia being in Killic and seeing Isavil, they both knew that his secret about the twins would soon be public knowledge. As the entourage moved off, the stable hands hurried behind them, unpacking the various chests and crates from the coaches as they were loaded into a separate wagon that slowly followed behind the walking procession.
