Anna knocked on Barika’s door, hoping the woman was in her room, and was relieved when she heard shuffling coming from the other side. The door swung open revealing the stern-faced priestess, though the moment the older woman saw who her visitor was, she smiled warmly.

“So, what did the appraiser have to say?” she asked.

“That when Ted repaired himself, he ended up becoming a new sword and isn’t one of the black blades anymore, and that I can use my magic to power the enchantments he has left,” Anna replied.

“Oh, that’s good news! So, did you happen to find out what enchantments Ted has?” Barika asked.

“Yeah, he’s got three left. First is his self-repair which I can use with my magic, and if he’s not damaged and I activate it, then he gets stronger and sharper,” Anna replied.

“That sounds useful,” Barika said.

“That’s what I thought! Anyway, the return enchantment that the general used in the temple when he pulled it out of my pack still works too,” Anna replied.

“Anything else?” Barika asked.

“Yeah, there’s a curse too, but I don’t think I’ll be using it,” Anna replied.

“What sort of curse?” Barika asked.

“Well, if I activate it, any wound it makes won’t heal,” Anna replied.

“What a wicked thing,” Barika said.

“Yeah, I’m never going to use it,” Anna replied.

“That would be for the best, child,” Barika said.

Anna nodded in agreement.

“So, what’s your question?” Barika asked.

“How did you know I had a question?” Anna asked.

“If you just wanted to talk about your sword, you’d have waited for dinner,” Barika replied.

“Oh, right,” Anna said.

“I take it something happened after the appraisal?” Barika asked.

“Right again, but it wasn’t anything bad. See, there was this boy at the guild hall, and he was asking for help finding his older brother who’d gone missing, so I helped him, and then afterwards I went to a distillery I passed on the way to buy some booze, but they didn’t sell to the public. One of the workers gave me a paper that had a bunch of places that did sell their stuff, so I went to the one with a funny-sounding name and got the booze along with some new kind of rations and this thing,” Anna replied.

She grabbed her pendant and held it out for Barika to see. The priestess smirked at the sight of it.

“I knew you’d end up with one of those,” she said.

“Of course, I mean, why wouldn’t I want a hard cock between my boobs?” Anna asked.

“You’ve been waiting all day to say that haven’t you?” Barika asked.

“Yes, yes I have,” Anna replied.

They both laughed.

“So, is there more to this story, or did you just want to know about your charm?” Barika asked.

“There’s more. See, I had time before dinner, so I decided to explore the city, and I found a group of people putting on a show. I stayed to watch, and when they finished, everyone crowded around them, and I couldn’t get out. They were giving out blessings, so I ended up paying for one, so I didn’t end up tossing people to get away, and it worked. I kept exploring, but then I noticed that my pendant was glowing, so I went back to see what kind of blessing they put on it, but they were gone, so I asked around and a man told me they were the followers of Thisos, but he didn’t know where they went, so I figured you might be able to tell me what they did,” Anna replied.

Barika rubbed her chin.

“Thisos is one of the God of Light’s lovers, so I’d say that it’s probably a blessing to help with romance,” she said.

“Oh,” Anna replied.

“I can cleanse it if you’d like,” Barika said.

“That would be great,” Anna replied.

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Barika held out her hand, and Anna took off her necklace and handed it to the priestess who took it and then held her free hand over it and started to pray. Her hands began to glow with a golden light. After a moment, the light faded. Barika handed her the pendant which was no longer blessed.

“Thanks,” Anna said.

“It was no trouble,” Barika replied.

Anna put the necklace back on.

“Tell me, child, do you have anything planned for the night?” Barika asked.

“Just dinner with everyone,” Anna replied.

“I was planning on going to a restaurant I heard about years ago but never got the chance to visit. Would you like to join me?” Barika asked.

“I’d love too!” Anna replied.

“I was hoping you’d say that,” Barika said.

“Let me go and put my stuff away,” Anna replied.

“Would you mind leaving Ted behind too? This isn’t the kind of place you bring a sword to,” Barika asked.

“I don’t mind,” Anna replied.

She left Barika’s room and went to her own, placing her sack of goods on the table and then taking Ted off and leaning him next to the bed.

“I’ll see you later,” Anna said.

“See you later, master,” Ted replied.

Anna walked out of her room and joined Barika who was waiting in the hallway. They walked down the stairs together and found Rose of all people sitting on one of the couches with Sir Buford. Sir Buford was telling a story in an animated way, and Rose was smiling at him as he did so. She looked over, noticed Anna and Barika standing there, and waved them over.

“We’ll be going out for dinner. Would you let the others know not to wait for us?” Barika asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Sir Buford replied.

Rose gave a thumbs-up as well.

“We’ll catch you two later,” Anna said.

They bid their friends farewell and then left the inn, heading for the northern part of the city.

“I’m glad to see Rose is getting along with the men. I was worried at first,” Anna said.

“I wasn’t. They’re all fine young men,” Barika replied.

“Yeah, I guess they are,” Anna said.

“So, how are you doing?” Barika replied.

“Fine I guess,” Anna said.

“Really?” Barika asked.

“Yeah, I mean, I still feel bad about everything that happened last year, but not as much,” Anna replied.

“I told you time would help,” Barika said.

“You were right,” Anna replied.

“I usually am,” Barika said.

“I know,” Anna replied.

They continued to chat as they walked, and the sun slowly set by the time they reached the restaurant.

When they rounded a corner, Anna stopped and stared at a strange building. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen before, consisting of a massive column that was taller than every other building in the city, save the grand cathedral.

Iron girders jutted out from the column. They were around the column in a way that reminded her of the spokes of a wagon wheel. There were multiple rows of these girders all the way up to the top of the column where a platform sat. A massive basket hung from each girder and was filled with lush foliage causing the entire structure to resemble a massive man-made tree.

“What the fuck is that?” Anna asked.

“It’s the terrace of light, and it’s where we’re going for dinner,” Barika replied.

“Seriously?” Anna asked.

“Yes, child. The terrace is up at the top,” Barika replied.

She gestured to the platform at the top of the structure.

“Oh, okay,” Anna said.

They walked up to the structure, and at the base was an opening. Inside of the column was a spiral staircase that led up to the platform. They climbed the staircase, reaching the top a few minutes later, before stepping out onto the platform.

The platform was covered in tables and chairs with a kitchen of sorts out in the open where the food was being prepared. Well-dressed men took the food from the open-air kitchen to the many tables that were scattered around the platform. One of the well-dressed men noticed them and walked over.

“Will it just be the two of you?” he asked.

“Yes,” Barika replied.

“Would you like a table near the edge or not?” he asked.

“The edge would be lovely,” Barika replied.

“Right this way,” he said.

They followed him to the edge of the platform where a small two-person table had been set up. They sat down and the well-dressed man took out a small tablet and a magic quill.

“Would you like to start with a fruit salad?” he asked.

“Yes, please,” Anna replied.

“I would like one as well,” Barika added.

“Very good. What would you like to drink? We have a selection of ales, wines, and spirits?” he asked.

“I’ll have some white wine,” Barika replied.

“Sweet red for me,” Anna added.

“I’ll have it right out,” he replied.

“Thanks,” Anna said.

He nodded and walked away, heading for the open-air kitchen. Barika looked out at the city below and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Anna asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just an old memory,” Barika replied.

“About what?” Anna asked.

“The woman who told me about this place,” Barika replied.

“Who was she?” Anna asked.

“A dear friend,” Barika replied.

“Girlfriend?” Anna asked.

Barika laughed.

“No, not that, but we were lovers for a while,” she replied.

“What was she like?” Anna asked.

“Sweet, caring, shy, but she had a smile that could light up the room,” Barika replied.

The server returned and placed a large plate of chopped fruit between them as well as their wine.

“Just let me know when you are ready to order your meal,” he said.

“We will,” Anna replied.

He walked away again.

“So, what happened to her?” Anna asked.

“She was a priestess as well, and she was assigned to work at an orphanage. I didn’t want to settle down, so we parted ways,” Barika replied.

“Oh, yeah, I get that,” Anna said.

They started to eat the fruit and sip their wine. The sun finally set, and the city began to light up.

“Oh, pretty,” Anna said.

Barika smiled.

“It really is,” she replied.

“So what was her name?” Anna asked.

“Mary,” Barika replied.

Anna picked up her glass.

“To Mary,” she said.

Barika lift her glass as well.

“To Mary,” she replied.

They tapped glasses and took a drink.

“So, is there something going on between you and Arthur?” Barika asked.

“What do you mean?” Anna asked.

“Well, you two have been spending a lot of time together lately,” Barika replied.

“That’s because he’s happy I’m helping,” Anna said.

Barika laughed.

“I think it’s more than that,” she replied.

“Really?” Anna asked.

“He’s clearly smitten with you,” Barika replied.

“Oh, uh, what should I do?” Anna asked.

“You don’t have to do anything. Just keep it in mind, that’s all,” Barika replied.

“Okay,” Anna replied.

She looked out over the city again. The lights below sparkled like a field filled with fireflies on a warm summer night.

I guess that means that was a date.