The dinner is splendid, seasoned steamed green beans, fresh bread, some sort of egg soup or chicken soup, and a carrot-and-radish-heavy salad with some dressing I’m not familiar with. Apparently normally they eat fish, and lots of it, being a port town, but tonight was going to be date-night. Whoops. Though, I mean, Tiago invited us. I still feel a bit like a heel though.
We sup through the eve, each sharing tender moments with our partners. There are a lot of bawdy jokes told by George, and even a few from Tiago, but I can’t for the life of me remember what they were. I know we discussed further plans, the fact that we’ll be leaving The Brook, and Aasimovia all-together tomorrow. Both were curious if I’d ever want to come back, due to the way things seem to have gone. While I leave the plan of it up to Teuila, the question of desire is posed to both of us. Teuila’s nod is most affirmative, and well, so is mine. Of course I would, Teuila has been so happy here. Plus, there’s this nagging feeling that I’m forgetting something about this town, somewhere. Where did we even go other than a couple of shops, the town hall, the inn, the apothecary and the, didn’t we go somewhere else? Wait. Hm, nope, can’t remember.
It’s still somewhat early-eve when we excuse ourselves from Tiago and George’s company. They’re good people, really good people. I hope whatever’s happening around here doesn’t hurt them. Teuila is cheerily skipping along, she suddenly stops and scratches her chin. She seems lost in thought for a good moment, but then she shrugs. Either she came to a conclusion, or figured the thought train wasn’t worth chasing to its end.
Te rambles, “I wonder if there might be like, I dunno, like an underground fighting club for adventurers to fight monsters somewhere or something. I mean, I’m pretty sure there’s monsters on Rayileklia anyway. We know of at least Dragons and Hydras, and peeps didn’t bat an eye when you mentioned manticores or ogres. Plus, the Colossi were like, supernatural people. Like I said, one looked like a giant werewolf, another was I think an ettin is what they’re called maybe. Then again, I wouldn’t want there to be some sort of chained up monsters that are just people and they’re forced to fight or, or, ugh. Gross, I’ll break it up if I ever find one. Stupid thought train, started out fun.”
I chuckle. Teuila is pretty darn wonderful. Oh I just had a thought. If we time it right, we don’t even have to see Keeley again before we leave town. If we wait til late eve to return to the Keel Over, and get up at dawn to go find Dawn, yes! Hah. Whew. At least I won’t get run out of town before I get booted out of town on a boat.
I squeeze Teuila’s hand and ask, “Te, would you mind coming with me? I think I saw a nice spot that I want to try something.”
Teuila rolls her eyes as she replies, “Duh I’m coming with you dink. No more time apart, at least not on this planet, too dangerous.”
I flash her a smile as I drag her towards the east edge of town. I remember north along the lake as we were coming into town. Somewhat near that idyllic hill and tree, there was a really lovely reflection of the luma tulipa. Sweet! It’s still here. I mean, not that I expected it to disappear, landmarks don’t just up and vanish. Unless you’re a beach comprised of fulgurite. At least when Luni Shellcracker, bearing the Blessing of Quetzalcoatl, happens to be passing by with one pirate ship and two other ships and a barge the three of which are each made of pumice. That, that thought got weird.
I clasp Teuila’s hands in mine as I ask, “Teuila, may I have this dance?”
Her answer is a simple Shellcracker Family Squee, that single elongated laugh of glee that I adore so much. She sets the backpack aside and lets me take her hands again. I begin swaying as I free Teuila’s hands so I can rest mine on her hips. I sway side to side as I let my forehead thunk to hers. We rest our foreheads together and just enjoy what looks like a beautifully moonlit night in the reflections upon the lake.
It sounds like a reed, or pan flute is being played from somewhere. Hm, my imagination making the moment more romantic I guess. Teuila squeezes me slightly tighter, and drops her forehead to my shoulder, snuggling in as we sway slowly. We continue for I don’t know how long, occasionally stepping to one side or the other.
Teasingly, I nip at Teuila’s ear, playfully taking its edge partially in my mouth as I rest my head against hers. Payback for however many times I’ve woken up with mine in her mouth. She honestly doesn’t seem to mind though. I guess it could be part of her otter nature? Claiming each other by our ears? I didn’t really mind all that much, it’s just kinda gross to wake up with a fifth of my face covered in drool. Well, drool that isn’t mine. Okay, so it’s gross to wake up in a puddle of my own drool covering a bunch of my face as well. Especially since that generally means I was drooling on a family member or beloved inner circle member. Bluh, this thought train got weird.
This, this was a wonderful way to spend our second to last eve in The Brook. I smooch Teuila’s cheek at the corner of her lips softly. She grins and tackles me, shoving me over onto the ground to pepper me with kisses. I laugh and trade places with her, pinning her, and we continue to roll about as we trade pins until we’re both absolutely covered in mildly-acidic mud. Wait, did that ancestor by the tree just put something away and start sitting down just now? It couldn’t be, could it? I didn’t notice them stand up or take anything out in the first place. Must be a trick of the light.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
I cock my head towards the section of town that contains the Keel Over and Teuila nods. We journey back through town, our lovely leather and fur outerwear covered in mud that’s slowly washing away in the drizzle. Apparently these are enchanted by Berinon to resist the acid and mud, now that I think about it. Based on what Tiago and George were saying, I think. I still have to somewhat laugh at the enormity of the backpack Teuila is carrying around. I suppose tomorrow we should shop for supplies like travel food and other goods that will come in handy.
Teuila and I enter the double-saloon doors to the Keel Over, and I freeze dead in my tracks. It’s quite late eve, so Marshal is behind the bar, but Keeley is sitting at one of the nearest tables to the door. She’s facing the door, glowering and glaring as she sips a pint of ale. Oh come on, that’s just not even fair. I mean, we’re paid up for two weeks and we’re going to be leaving on like the third or fourth day. Please give me a freakin’ break.
She stands, stomps over to us, and begins ushering us out. Please tell me we’re not going to have to mudcamp on our last night in The Brook. She ushers us around to the stables that are surprisingly empty. Though I haven’t seen many horses about in the last few days. Oh, right, Autumn Brook’s financial situation, the dragon probably required horses as tribute first before it started eating ancestors or something. Ugh. Friggin’ Kozzurth.
Keeley starts, “So, I ‘ad a chat with ‘arriet interrupting my day, twice in the last couple of days. You’ll like as not guess as to who the subject matter were. Hm? Aye, that’s right you little shid.” I gulp in response. Teuila’s muscles tense as she insults me.
Keeley continues, “Now, I’m only doin’ this for ‘arriet, but she said you were looking for a couple of names, and a first name don’t mean nothing mind you. A long long while back though, a wild woman came through town, said she wanted to ‘it the isle kingdoms for an archery tourney. Didn’t give a name to me, didn’t ask, didn’t care. I did over-‘ear ‘er introduce ‘erself to someone else as Taylynn. Came in from the north by ferry with ‘er horse. Eventually left the same way after coming back through. That’s all I’ve got, that’s it.”
I reacted too quickly, I’m going to die. I just hugged Keeley Johnston while crying out, “Thank you thank you thank you!” I can feel her rage as her muscles bulge even as I’m leaping back. Reggie, you can be such an idiot. Keeley reaches into her apron, and I’m pretty certain she’s going to whip out a cleaver, and we’re going to end up in a bloody brawl with Teuila barely restraining herself from killing the poor woman.
Instead, Keeley spits to the side as she pulls out a scrap of parchment, and one of the gems we had used to pay her, “’arriet wanted you to ‘ave these instructions, and I figured I should refund at least ‘alf your stay since I ‘ear tell you’ll be leaving tomorrow. Y’did The Brook good. I still think you ‘ave a lot to learn about respect. Still, that was a bit impressive, I’ll give you that. The little earthquake when the lady ‘ere conjured a dragon’s ‘ead in SanTiago’s back yard wasn’t appreciated, but even I ‘ad a laugh at ‘im screaming ‘is ‘ead off in ‘ysterics.”
I chuckle softly as I accept the parchment, but I curl her fist up over the gem, “Thank you Keeley, for everything. I’m sorry for any trouble or annoyance I’ve caused, and I’m sorry for our outbursts the other day. It, well, it has been a rough week.”
Keeley snorts, scoffing almost a laugh, “Pft, sounds like. Not sure I believe all I’ve ‘eard tell, just keep yer nose clean so I don’t need to come chop it off. Aye?”
I nod in response. Keeley, without any pomp, simply stomps away menacingly in the direction which I guess would probably house her private abode. Or maybe someone else’s tavern to drink at, so she doesn’t have to look at the same crowd she just spent the day serving. I exhale a bated breath, sighing and slumping against the stable wall before I let out my own ‘ysterics. That is, laughing hysterically like Tiago. Teuila joins me for a few short laughs before we both sigh again.
She eyes the parchment, and I know we’re both curious what instructions Harriet left for us. Hm, let’s see, it reads:
“Adventurers, Teuila and Reggie, and the ghost of The Brook’s past. I’ve booked passage for you on the fishing trawler by the name of The Drake, captained by Tim Fisher. He has agreed to take three passengers late, nearing midnight on June 14th, departing pre-dawn on June 15th, hopefully the morrow from when you receive this, but they, you, will be relegated to the dinghy. Your passage will end just north of lake Ciao Please forgive an old lady her transgressions. Safe journeys to you all. May you live in peaceful times. And of course, the First’s guidance to you.”
What? Relegated to the dinghy? What does that even--. Like, like the lifeboat? That’ll be some cramped quarters for Dawn. I’m not sure they’ll even agree to this now. I can’t even fathom why. Hm, oh. If it’s a small vessel, and he, or his crew if he has one, needs all the deck space for fishing related tasks. Still, I wonder if I could convince Captain Tim aboard the Drake to, ow, my brain. What? Ugh, just had a major BSOD.
Let’s get some sleep, shall we Te? I know you’re not in my head on a psychic wavelength or anything. Still, you can read my face well enough. Yeah. For some reason, even though I don’t remember doing or accomplishing much of anything today in The Brook, I’m exhausted yet again. It’s as if I actually did have a day full of activity, and just don’t remember it. Odd.
A nice, snuggly, restful sleep with my wonderful, strong, protective, kind, beautiful Teuila. That’s all. That’s what will happen tonight. Nothing else.