* * *

Kilniara had quickly noticed Gwenvair’s increasing rejection and distance even as she continued trying to reach her. Despite her efforts, she grew ever more distant and she knew all was lost. Kilniara sighed, realizing that she couldn’t succeed, at least now, in Joe’s plan, so she turned to Joe as there was no point to continue unless he truly desired this. He gave a sad smile and a shrug, obviously kind enough to allow her an opinion as well, and she truly did find her company wonderful so simply nodded yes in agreement. His reply was also in agreement and she smiled brightly. It truly was fate and she only had to wait.

Joe remained silent for some time, not speaking but obviously choosing another time to confront the issue. Kilniara didn’t always understand why Joe made the decisions he did, but regularly seemed to be too cautious. Caution driven by politeness certainly was wise, but too much caution lead to lost opportunities. Luckily, it appeared that Gwenvair chose to offer her own goodbyes and release, forcing Joe to a decision, which allowed Joe to politely broach the subject.

“Master Joe. I apologize, but I believe I have heard of private teachings and ask that you do not punish Kilniara. I promise to remain silent on this and will not reveal it.”

Kilniara blinked in a bit of surprise, but withheld her statement. Joe hadn’t claimed any secret teaching so she was unconcerned with Gwenvair’s revelation, but she was a bit confused by what she thought was a secret. In any case, Gwenvair’s attempt to protect her appeared genuine and only reinforced her opinion of her.

Joe appeared as confused as Kilniara was as he replied, “Secret?”

Gwenvair glanced around the room before reaching forward to inject mana into the privacy glyph at the center of the table before continuing.

“She spoke to me of stamina.”

Joe seemed to be even more confused, “Stamina?”

“Your stamina … and… system stamina?”

Joe’s confusion abated but also seemed to only grow, “And?”

It was Gwenvair in turn who showed confusion at Joe’s response but she hid it well as she bowed her head and continued.

“I will, of course, swear to keep such things private, sharing with no one. This I swear on all the…”

Joe waved her off quickly as he interrupted her, “You think that’s a secret?”

Gwenvair froze midsentence, then blurted out in a bit of surprise, “It isn’t a secret?”

“No. It isn’t. Is it something you did not know?”

“I… no… I did not know this.”

Joe nodded, “It’s the same with health and mana. Do you know that?”

Gwenvair froze a bit before taking a deep breath, “Kilniara, I think, mentioned it in passing. I would swear secrecy on that as well if you…”

Once again, Joe quickly shook his head and hand, dismissing her offer, “No, no, no, no. Really. Share it. It is best if you do share it. The more who know if it, the better for everyone. You’ve never heard of this before?”

Gwenvair stared at him, appearing quite flummoxed and Kilniara stifled a giggle at her frozen face which broke her from shock. Gwenvair threw a defensive frown at Kilniara then smiled as she fought a giggle of her own. Kilniara felt relief well up in her as their relationship appeared renewed once again, but she made sure to make no mention of it, passing off the friendly interaction as the norm.

Gwenvair turned back to Joe immediately and just as immediately returned to a formal mien.

“No. This is not common knowledge.”

* * *

“No. Nobody knows this.”

Joe nodded at Gwenvair’s statement and replied, “Do you want to know?”

Gwenvair stared at him, struggling to hide her excited smile even as she nodded cautiously. Joe grinned brightly back and began explaining to her everything that seemed to make sense to him, making sure to point out what he was certain of and what was still only guesses. Seems a good way to make sure I can try to get her to stick around. Maybe distract her from whatever was happening? Bribe her with more teaching? Hmm.

Joe continued explaining in detail and when he offered Gwenvair the opportunity to ask any questions, they came at him fast and furious, most of which he was able to answer based on his own experience and knowledge back on Earth, but he made sure to explain that things might be different here. The ones that really stumped him, he simply shrugged his shoulders at and stated he didn’t know or wasn’t certain. A few proved to be quite astute observations and Joe promised to look into them and tell her later. An offer that Joe thought was quite ingenious as it would force the issue of her return. Their easy and enjoyable conversation up to this point, however, seemed to take an immediate one eighty as she suddenly turned cold and distant.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“I apologize, Master Joe. I fear that I cannot take you up on such an offer.”

Well… crap! That back fired massively. Joe glanced at Kilniara and saw her discomfort, although she appeared to be doing much better at maintaining her equilibrium as compared to before. Joe decided to simply bite the bullet.

“Have I offended you, in some way?”

Gwenvair’s eyes widened significantly at this and she immediately denied it, “No. No, certainly not, Master Joe. I am… I … I will…” She seemed to fumble for a bit before quickly finishing in a rush. “I will no longer be available after today.”

“Oh? What is happening?”

Gwenvair’s easy regal appearance had taken a hit at Joe’s last question and her calm took a hit with this one as she stumbled, appearing to be truly lost for a moment before once again quickly replying.

“I am engaged in preparing for the monster tide arriving this week.”

Monster tide? What is that? Joe almost asked, but then shut his mouth with a click at that. Garnedell knew he was from far away, but the way the others seemed to be unfazed by that statement at all while also perking up at it, even growing nervous, proved the point that it was well known, whatever it was. Joe glanced at Garnedell at that point, and could only hope that he would catch the hint. Garnedell proved even more capable than that, taking over the conversation smoothly while also making sure to give him enough information to understand what was going on.

“The monsters are attacking the city? How many, what difficulty, and is the city prepared?” Garnedell asked.

Joe stifled the rush of gratefulness for Garnedell’s adroit question. So much information packed into such a short sentence. He listened with avid interest to Gwenvair.

Gwenvair replied politely enough, looking at Garnedell, “It appears to be nothing more than the norm. It is not a great tide, with most simple monsters, although of greater variety than most other tides at other cities. We are on the border of civilization so the forests empty their monsters upon us regularly,” Gwenvair explained as she turned to Joe quickly, “But mainly it’s basic monsters with some few great monsters and only one, maybe two master monsters. We’ve never had any guardian monsters in a normal tide.”

Joe listened to this carefully, even as his thoughts tried to find an answer to Kilniara’s request. The answer appeared to be quite easy and would have been his normal reaction in any case, so it wouldn’t likely cause any suspicion if he did so.

“Then, how about I help?”

Gwenvair stared at him, eye’s wide in a bit of shock. Excitement warring with another emotion that Joe wasn’t quite sure what to make of, as it appeared to be a bit of excitement but also a lot of fear and worry. Joe struggled to understand her reaction.

“You would?”

Joe smiled at that, chuckling softly, “Of course. You and your family are my friends, are you not?”

Gwenvair seemed so shocked at that statement that Joe almost wondered if he’d made some kind of mistake. She simply stared at him before smiling tremulously and bowing her head slightly.

“You… are too kind.”

Joe found the response odd and cocked his head to the side with some confusion, “For being a friend?”

Gwenvair smiled, “Many do not wish to be our friends.”

Joe scoffed at that and shook his head, “Then they are fools and it is their loss. You and your mother are wonderful people and it is my pleasure to have your friendship.”

Gwenvair smiled brightly at that, nodding, “Truly. Thank you. I will have to ask my mother, of course, as it is outside my purview, but I do not see how she could or would want to say no.”

“Could I ask a favor?”

Gwenvair nodded, “Certainly.”

“It would be wonderful if we could request a liaison to work as our go between.”

“Certainly. I will seek out someone adequate to be …”

Joe quickly, but politely interrupted, “I do have a request. Someone specific.”

Gwenvair seemed confused at that, “Who?”

Joe smiled, “Well. Our team has had an excellent time over these last weeks with an excellent and wonderful person joining us and I believe she would be a wonderful liaison for us.”

Gwenvair took a second to catch his meaning but then she seemed to blush furiously at Joe’s statement. Just when the thought he’d gone too far and made a mess of things, Kilniara’s soft giggle off to the side reassured Joe and he felt relief. He’d meant only to ask for her continued presence humorously, not flirtatiously, as Gwenvair appeared to take it. He flickered a glance towards Kilniara but only saw her bright and happy laugher hidden behind a hand. Hoo… that was almost bad. So maybe it was something else then. Not sure, but then as long as it’s not taken as flirting!

Gwenvair stared at him for a bit, then turned away, obviously uncertain how to reply. Joe looked on then decided to simply be rather blunt as there were obvious misconceptions, cultural or otherwise, and blunt communication was usually the best option to make certain miscommunications were taken care of.

“If you truly do not wish to be with us anymore, I will not force this issue. But I do not wish for you to think that you are unwelcome or that you need to leave, for some reason. I think we all like your company well enough, especially Kilniara. Feel no pressure. Make the choice best for yourself. All of us will be sad if you chose to move on, but feel no pressure one way or the other. We will respect your choice.”

Gwenvair appeared to take a few big gulping breaths before looking away from him and replying simply, “I may… I will have to seek the advice of my mother…. The Matriarch.”

Joe nodded. Obviously some kind of family issue. Probably mom not liking her hanging out with commoners, or something. Hmm… better not.

“Ah. I apologize, then. I had no intention to come between your mother and you. Family, as ever, should always come first. If your mother is unwilling, do not sacrifice your mother’s relationship for just us. Family first is a common saying amongst my people.”

Gwenvair stared up at him at that statement, her equilibrium obviously returned and she nodded firmly at that, Joe nodding in reply as well. Well… guess that nails that. Joe didn’t look at Kilniara as he feared he would not be able to hide the fact that he’d failed and he didn’t want to upset Kilniara nor have that upset pressure Gwenvair. Joe also stifled a sigh as he feared he might have to work extra hard to comfort Kilnaira this afternoon and tonight as well.

That brought their lunch to an end and all stood to head out for the baths. Gwenvair did try to beg out of the bath, but Kilniara’s pleading allowed them one last time to bathe together before Gwenvair was likely no longer a part of their group. In any case, Joe turned his thoughts to seeking out another female apprentice in the hopes that Kilniara could find a friend that was a bit longer term. He wasn’t sure how to really do that though, but added it to the ‘to-do’ list.

* * *