Chapter 10 – Calm Before The Storm
As SJ awoke, images of the previous evening flashed back into her mind. Darren had dragged her up on stage to sing alongside him. She never would have considered going on the stage if she hadn't consumed way too much honey wine. Her cheeks flushed as she stirred. "Urgh," SJ said, rubbing her forehead. She had definitely had too much to drink. Much of it was bought for her by Larwick as thanks for her actions.
"Morning," Dave bellowed deliberately loudly.
"Argh. Stop it!"
"Stop what?" His voice was still much louder than he needed to speak.
"You know what."
Dave giggled very quietly.
"Has Kibble already gone out?" SJ asked, noticing her companion wasn't present.
"He never came home last night."
"What?" SJ said, concerned. Kibble had never stayed out before. She opened her display and called up her map. Kibble's dot was showing by the tailor's shop. "What's he doing over there?"
"No idea. I suppose you'd better go and find out."
"Not before I've had a bath and freshened up, and..." SJ held her stomach as it growled. "Some breakfast."
The streets were already filling up as SJ walked to the inn, and after ordering her usual breakfast, Kerys allowed her a shot of rejuvinatus, clearing her throbbing head. After thanking her profusely, she left to go to the tailor's.
'I need to portal over to Asterfal today, otherwise I won't be able to portal back in time for the chancellor's arrival. It's a shame I will miss the final flights,' SJ thought. The last two rounds of aerial combat would take place in the afternoon, but SJ had a schedule to keep, including going to Asterfal to see Navina. The guild request couldn't have come at a more awkward time.
"True. I wanted to see the next rounds; they were entertaining," Dave said.
'I wish there were a way to record events,' SJ mused as she walked through town.
"It's not something that has ever been confirmed on Amathera outside of AI recordings, unfortunately. There has never been anything capable of storing images. Voice messages can be saved on certain crystals, but there is nothing that I am aware of that has the ability to record film."
'I'm surprised some mages haven't at least tried?'
"They have, but no one has ever succeeded. There have been several attempts over the millennia."
The tailor shop was already open, and SJ walked inside to see Liola neatly folding several items of clothing for a large male orc.
"Is that everything today, Xarth?" Liola asked.
"Yes, thanks," Xarth said as he paid for the goods and turned, nodding politely to SJ as he left the store.
"You're open early?" SJ asked.
"No earlier than usual. I have discovered that several prefer to call in before they go off to work. It just makes things easier for them."
"I hadn't realised. How is everything?"
"It's going well. Sales and orders are up again this month."
SJ usually met with Liola once a month to review the tailor shop's books, but had decided after Liola's initial trial period that she would only conduct reviews quarterly instead. This was partly due to the amount of work she had to complete related to the town.
"That's great to hear. The reason I called in is..."
"Oh. I know why you're here. You will find him asleep in the back room."
SJ could clearly see where Kibble was on her map and smiled at Liola as she walked through to the back room. The room hadn't changed much since Nexis ran the shop, apart from the fact that it was slightly more organised. Liola was a stickler for keeping things uncluttered. A fresh batch of soft linen sat on shelves to one side, and curled up, snoring was the form of Kibble.
"What are you doing here?" SJ asked sternly.
Kibble jumped awake on hearing SJ's voice, snapped his head around to look at her, then groaned loudly.
"Were you drinking again last night?"
Kibble grizzled in response. "No more than you."
"Then how come you didn't make it home?"
"Blame Liola, Zej and Gary. They invited me back here with them last night."
"Back here, why?"
"They were playing cards."
SJ frowned.
"The cellar," Kibble sighed.
SJ walked to the cellar door and went down. A lantern burned brightly on a hook on the wall. The cellar under Nexis had a whole different meaning. With his godly abilities and artificial lighting, he provided. There were the usual tables and shelves, all full of various tailoring supplies, and also a large oval table with cards and chips. There was the faint smell of alcohol still in the air.
'They come back here to carry on gambling after the inn closes!' SJ thought in surprise.
"Why are you so surprised?" Dave asked.
'Because two of my closest friends and my employee have an illegal gambling den.'
"It's not illegal. There are no rules about gambling."
'You know what I mean,' SJ replied, as she wondered why none of them had ever mentioned it to her. She may not usually stay out as late as some, but she did play cards with them at times. Then again, given Dave's past, she usually only played for fun.
SJ re-climbed the stairs. Kibble had moved from the linen and was stretching where he stood on the floor.
"I need to go to Asterfal today."
"Oh yeah. I will have to stay here since the competition isn't over," Kibble replied.
"I know, but I'm a little concerned now, if you are going to be spending your nights gambling and drinking."
"Gambling? It's not as though I can play cards! I enjoy the company over a bowl of ale."
"As I said before, you're drinking too much. You need to cut back."
"I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions," Kibble huffed.
"An adult? You're not even three years old!"
"You clearly still know so little about my kind," Kibble sighed.
SJ frowned, looking at her companion. "That's rude; it isn't as if you have ever told me much about your race."
"Did you ever ask me?"
SJ looked flummoxed. She had never asked him. All the information she had about miniature wyverns came from what she had spoken to Dave about or from books. "I never thought ot asking. Why have you never said anything before?"
Kibble just shrugged his shoulders, making his wings shift.
"Are you going to be okay here alone?"
"Yes. I have enough friends to keep me entertained."
"That's what concerns me!"
"Look, if I promise not to drink while you are away, will that make you happier?"
"Yes. I would appreciate it, and also not causing any fires or zapping beings."
"That sneeze was accidental!"
"Caused by you sticking your head in pepper!"
"Okay," Kibble replied forlornly.
SJ shook her head as she walked back through to the front of the store. Several customers had entered, and Liola was busy discussing material qualities with one of them. She smiled and nodded at SJ as the pair of them left.
"You never said the shop couldn't be used," Dave said once they were outside.
'I know, but they could have told me,' SJ thought as Kibble flew to her shoulder.
"What time are you leaving?" Kibble asked.
"I need to go no later than midday, then I can portal back tomorrow before the chancellor is due to arrive."
Kibble's stomach growled. "I think I'd better get some breakfast."
"I've eaten. I'm sure you can get something at the inn. I need to get to work and tie up a few loose ends before I leave."
"Okay," Kibble said. "I'll come to the office once I have eaten," as he flew towards the inn.
The barracks were already busy as she entered, and the usual pleasantries were passed as she walked to her office. She sat down, lifted the next ledger from her pile, and began working through the accounts. This ledger was for the trade deals with the local villages, and she needed to finalise the figures before her report was due.
The time passed quickly as SJ ploughed through the ledgers. Kibble had joined her after breakfast and was busy staring out of the office window, watching the guards on the training ground as SJ closed the final one for the morning. She wouldn't have time to review another before she needed to leave. She stood stretching off.
"I'd better go and see Zigferd before I head off," SJ said.
"Okay," Kibble replied as he stood before flying to her shoulder.
Zigferd was standing in the open area outside his office, discussing the latest building additions to the town plan that was being undertaken. The miniature model was constantly being updated, but it greatly aided in allocations and in understanding the town's infrastructure, making it worth the time and effort.
"Hi," SJ said as she entered the room.
"Hey, Alice mentioned you will be leaving today?" Zigferd replied.
"Yes. I will be going shortly. I just wanted to check in and see if you needed anything before I go?"
"No. I have everything here. Alice is finalising the plans for the chancellor's visit today with the various teams, and I am guessing everything is ready at the Wander's Rest?"
"Yes, Fhyliss is fully briefed. A room has been allocated downstairs for meals to be brought over from the Hogling Arms as required. We also have a barrel of the chancellor's favourite wine in his room."
"Excellent. Do we owe you anything outside of the standard fees?"
"No. It's all good. Everything has come in under budget."
Zigferd nodded his head in understanding. "Okay then. You are back tomorrow, then?"
"Yes. It's a shame I will miss the remaining flights, but I have a deadline for you know what," SJ said coyly since they were discussing her class quests alongside the others in the room.
"No problem. I will see you tomorrow then."
SJ smiled before turning and leaving again. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back. "Oh, Zigferd. I will be leaving Kibble here. Can you ask Alice to keep an eye on him for me?"
"I don't need a babysitter!" Kibble complained in her ear from his perch.
Zigferd just smiled. "Of course."
As SJ left the barracks, Kibble lifted from her shoulder. "I'm going to check on the flight before this afternoon."
"Okay. You behave now and don't get into any trouble while I'm away."
"As if I would, and you're only away for a day."
"A day with the mischief you can get up to is a very long time," SJ sighed.
Kibble chuckled as he flew off towards the flight school.
SJ's next stop was the Hogling Arms. Floretta was writing a list of ingredients she wished SJ could collect, if possible. Her portalling ability meant that rarer herbs and spices, which otherwise could take substantial time and money to arrive via courier or through auction house orders, were easily claimed by SJ most of the time from Asterfal. Yawnee, who lived in her house with her husband, Lurtew, would usually collect anything she needed while attending to her business.
After collecting the list from Floretta and getting Kerys to ensure she kept an eye on Kibble as well when he came, which she knew he would, SJ triggered her portal to her home.
It was always a slightly strange feeling stepping out of the portal, and today, on arriving in Asterfal in the backyard of her home, she was met with a torrential downpour.
"Bah!" she complained as she was immediately soaked. The weather in Asterfal was more temperate than Killic's usual sunny, bright days. The transition between territories and their varying weather systems still amazed SJ, and she doubted she would ever get used to it. She ran up the steps to the kitchen door and then entered. The kitchen was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread, and SJ's mouth immediately watered. Sitting on the side, steaming rolls, fresh from the oven, cooled. Grabbing one, she continued through the house and downstairs to the workshop where Yawnee and Lurtew made the barrels and caskets for the alchemy guild they now worked for.
"Hey, you," SJ said as she entered.
The large double garage doors were open, and they were in the process of loading the back of a wagon, which had been reversed in.
"Hi," Lurtew called as they placed a large crate into the back of the wagon.
"You should have let me know you were coming," Yawnee complained on seeing SJ.
"It's only a fleeting visit. I am going back again tomorrow. Can you do me a favour if you have time?" SJ asked as she removed the parchment with the list from Floretta.
Yawnee walked over and smiled as she took it. "Floretta?" she asked before even reading it.
"You guessed right," SJ said.
"No problem. I will pop over to the trader's later this afternoon. If you say you're leaving tomorrow, I'm not sure what time some items may be ready if you're only here a day."
"Whatever they can do will be great. If they can't get something, don't worry. I'm sure Floretta isn't that short; she likes being prepared. Floretta said the priority items are at the top of the list."
Yawnee unrolled the parchment and read it. "I think most of this will be fine."
"I thought the chancellor was supposed to be in Killic?" Lurtew said.
"That's why I am only back for a day; I need to get back to meet him."
"Ah. That makes sense. There have been rumours since he left for Killic," Yawnee said.
"What rumours?" SJ asked.
"Well, it's the first trip the chancellor has ever taken outside of the territory. It caught many of the city folk by surprise."
"It's been months in the planning!" SJ said.
"Yeah. Many think he wouldn't actually ever go, and it had been stated for show, although the other rumours about what has been happening in Killic are rife as well."
"What other rumours?" SJ asked, concerned.
"The wyverns, they are the talk of the city. Yes, the city has gryphons they can call on, but a flight of wyverns is unheard of."
SJ beamed. "We like doing things differently."
"Come on, we need to get this finished," Lurtew said, seeing that his wife was settling into what could potentially be a long, gossipy conversation. SJ loved speaking to Yawnee, as she usually found out more about what was going on in Asterfal from her than anyone else.
"Okay," Yawnee said.
"Do you need a hand?" SJ asked.
"No. We're all good. You go and do what you need to do."
"Will do," SJ said as she changed her dress to match the style of Asterfal before leaving.
The rain ran through the streets of Asterfal as SJ walked the short distance to the inner gates. The guild headquarters were situated beneath the city's grand library, and SJ had only been back there once since her initial visit with Fas. There was no need for assassins to visit it directly, unless they were called upon. The guild was, as expected, very secretive in its needs and communication.
As SJ walked through the streets, the clatter of carts and wagons filled the air. The drivers had their hoods pulled tight against the rain, their faces becoming anonymous shadows, adding to her sense of isolation amidst the crowd. Over the months she had returned to Asterfal, she had become more integrated into its intricacies and working, blending into the streets as she travelled. As she walked, she placed her communication clip on her ear, triggering a call to Fas.
"I'm here," SJ said as Fas answered the call.
"Okay. I have nothing else to share with you at present. The quests have been a little slack recently."
"Oh. That's strange, isn't it?"
"Well, not that there isn't work, just nothing of interest currently," Fas added.
"Ah, okay. I will come to the Gryphon once I have seen Navina. I guess you will be there?"
"I will. I'll see you soon."
SJ dropped the call as she continued to the library. The building always impressed her with its design and beauty, never mind the fact that it was a library containing hundreds, if not thousands, of books that, if she had the time, she would probably sit and read through. As she considered the thought, she wondered whether she ever actually needed to read books now with access to the Legionnarious. The thought of the Legionnarious made her pause before entering. Opening her display, she flicked to the search bar.
Can you tell me the history of the assassins' guilds in Asterfal?
The 'A' on the search engine glowed several times before her screen started to fill with pages of text. SJ was standing outside the library at the base of its steps as several beings hurried past her on their business, and she decided it wasn't the most appropriate time to start asking it questions; the rabbit hole was too vast. She closed the screen, promising herself to look again later and read about the history of the assassins' guilds in Asterfal.
The smell of ink and parchment flooded her nostrils as she entered. Ancient texts and their musty odour mixed in with the clean, sharp, acidic scent of fresh ink. She smiled fondly as she walked towards the central desk area, where the usual proprietor, a mage, stood as he shuffled various books around. SJ removed her token from her inventory, which signified her membership, and he glanced over as SJ flashed it for him to see. He just nodded towards her as she sidled behind the counter and to the door that led into the cellar area below.
I really enjoyed how this chapter captures the quiet, everyday moments amidst the larger stakes SJ’s concern for Kibble and their playful banter had me smiling, and I loved the way her routine errands and visits to Asterfal made the world feel lived-in and vivid. The tension between her responsibilities and the little freedoms she takes, like sneaking a peek at the flights, really adds depth to her character. How do you see SJ balancing her personal connections with the weight of her duties as the story progresses?
In all honesty, until I sit at the keyboard and write, I never truly know where the story will take me :)
That honestly makes a lot of sense and it really shows in a good way. The story feels very organic, like SJ is discovering things alongside the reader. I’m excited to see where she takes you next, wherever that ends up being
By the way, is there anywhere else readers can connect with you to chat more about your writing? I’m mostly on Instagram, Discord, or email whatever works best for you
I have all basic social media links, but for general catch-ups, feel free to join my Discord server. I'm not a prolific user, but at least it's one of the areas where I keep notifications lol
https://discord.gg/rwa4PkZp