By the evening of the event, the Oakheart estate’s gardens looked like a fairground from a fairy tale. A fire dancer family with generations-old, protected magic entertained the arriving guests with flying serpents, swooping dragons, and phoenixes. It was apparent to anyone with an inkling of arcane knowledge that the creatures weren’t summons but products of masterful Shaping and Manipulation. Nox couldn’t begin to imagine the cost of hiring the troupe, and they did nothing but entertain the arriving guests as they waited to disembark from their carriage and enter the gardens.

Musicians played just past the entrance, and women in elegant feathery outfits danced to them. Several guests paused, watching the scene. Nox guessed they were telling some sort of story with the precise movements. Such performers often visited the Golden Isles whenever the Mercers or Gedges hosted elaborate events. In fact, Nox recovered after witnessing similar entertainers on Edward and Louis’ name days. He didn’t attend, of course.

Staff waited with drinks just beyond, and someone announced to the guests as they entered the open spaces. The party had indoor and outdoor dance floors. Waiters with trays of canapes filtered through both areas. Meanwhile, the main hall served as the primary dining space. The staff kept the doors closed since dinner was still a couple of hours away.

Annabelle had arranged for Nox and his companions to go away to a new, local, alchemical bath—which used Knightly Brews’ products to achieve the desired effect—and salon to get ready for the event. A pair of grand carriages transported them back from the day away, and they too, got to enjoy the wonders of the grand arrival. The Oakhearts sent an extra large carriage so Brianna could travel comfortably and not have to sit up front with the driver.

“We’re not doing anything this over the top for our wedding,” Aria whispered in Nox’s ear after someone announced them. They walked into the giant courtyard just outside the mansion. Flowers illuminated by arcane lights, dressed statues, fresh hedge art, and far more decorated the space. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s lovely but kind of too much. We’ll keep things simple and elegant.”

“Thank you.” Nox kissed the top of her head. “It might distract people long enough so they don’t talk to me but the cost and headache behind organizing all of this might be taxing.”

“Hopefully, our families won’t push their image of the event on us too much.”

“You can say it, Nox. You’re worried about my father trying to strong-arm us into something grand and over the top.” Aria’s eyes narrowed. “You have no qualms against shutting down your mother or aunt’s desires.”

“Of course. I can’t tell Baron Edelweiss to stick his opinions in Niddhogg’s taint, can I?”

“I appreciate you holding your tongue. He can be eccentric, I know, but he means well. Also, Father would appreciate it if you stop calling him Baron Edelweiss.”

“You know I can’t use Father or Dad.” Nox sighed.

“We’ll come up with something acceptable later,” Aria said.

It wasn’t long before guests gravitated to the pair to converse. Thanks to the announcer, people now had a face to put to the name. Some were smaller noble families serving the Oakheart estate. A good deal of the business’ alchemical reagents came from them. Parties interested in selling to him or setting up shop in the Galleria also flocked to him. Nox asked the first group to send him samples and asked the latter for business proposals. The building would soon have two new open spaces. Nox needed them filled out as soon as possible to justify the amount he invested in refurbishing. Besides fixing the damage inflicted by the myconid flesh, Nox also needed to repurpose them to work as commercial spaces. Music and gambling rooms didn’t make for good shopfronts. Anyone who proposed an eatery or bar got a pre-rehearsed answer: the Galleria already had the Edelweiss Brasserie and would soon feature the Oakheart Wine Bar, and wanted no other similar businesses.

One figure in the distance caught Nox’s eye during the many conversations. The man had child-like proportions but a mature adult face. He wore no shoes and had leathery feet as big as Brianna’s. He drew almost as big a crowd as Nox, but the conversations lasted half as long. Their eyes met a couple of times. The tiny man smiled and waved. Nox felt drawn toward him, and he used Crystallize Essence to ensure no Mind Magic was at play.

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There wasn’t.

It took Nox a few moments to finish the ongoing conversations, and he left Aria to deal with people interested in supplying ingredients to the Edelweiss Brasserie before heading over.

“Hello,” Nox said. He wasn’t sure why, but the man seemed familiar. “Have we met?”

“No, Sir Nox Ratra,” the man replied, offering Nox a hand to shake. The appendage, like the giant feet, was proportional to him. His smile was one of those that warmed the air, and the channeled Crystallize Essence spell ensured there was no Mind Magic at play. “But I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m sure that’s the case for most of Lord Oakheart’s other guests.” He continued after shaking hands. “I’m Peregrin Kanooks. You may call me Perry.”

“That’s an interesting name.”

“Polite way of saying I’ve never heard about you.” Perry grinned. “I was a friend of your former mentor. She and I ran in the same circles and served related powers.”

“Related powers?” Nox raised an eyebrow. “What kind of powers?”

“She served a keeper of sorts,” Perry’s eyes narrowed as he spoke. “If you’re not familiar with him, I doubt you’ll know who I’m affiliated with.”

“Are you familiar with a Liesel Wyrd?” Something about Perry made Nox want to trust him. He was sure Mind Magic wasn’t at play, but his paranoid brain didn’t keep him from being wary.

“Expert Manipulation Mage, former cult hunter. I’m an information merchant and in a similar line of work. I’ve heard of her but can’t say I’m personally familiar with her. Different organizations. Different priorities. Different targets. Why do I sense you’re not too fond of her?”

“First impressions stick, and she didn’t perform particularly well. I get a bad feeling from her and am not sure whether it's just paranoia getting the best of me. Since you’re an information broker—”

“Information merchant,” Perry corrected. “I don’t like the sound of ‘broker.’ It feels—” He paused, studying Nox for a moment. “—cheap. And much like you, Sir Ratra, merchants don’t give much away for free. But, as a sample of my work, I can look into her for you. It won’t be expansive, but I’ll see if I can put your mind at ease. As for paranoia, it's not the worst thing. It keeps people alive. When you have the Singhs, Smythes, and the Cabal as enemies, a little bit of paranoia is expected.”

“You’ve looked into me?” Nox raised an eyebrow. He hesitantly scanned their surroundings, looking for eavesdroppers. It was then he noticed the faint glowing symbols on the floor. A tiny creature with the same shape as Hogg’s Avatar slithered along the floor, outlining a ward. Nox recognized the symbols. They didn’t need to worry about anyone listening in on the conversation.

“You’re the continent's newest alchemical superstar, building a business powerhouse, and expected to become one of the rare young expert-ranked mages. Of course, I’ve investigated you and will continue to monitor you. I don’t mean any harm, but between the Woodsons, Edelweisses, and Oakhearts, you’re the central point connecting several powerful names. Kris expected great things from you, and she was right to do so.”

“Well, I don’t know what to think of you now,” Nox said, chuckling. “Do I want to be friendly or keep my distance? I haven’t had the best experience with you cult hunters and Kris's friends trying to recruit me.”

“I have no interest in recruiting you,” Perry replied. “I don’t know what Liesel Wyrd told you, but you’d make a horrid cult hunter. The career takes secrecy, anonymity, and the ability to lay low. Given your track record thus far, you’d make a horrid cult hunter. I don’t mean espionage missions or whatever you did to infiltrate Terrastalia and take down Plaguebringer. There are far too many eyes on you too. All dungeon-lord cults will be far too wary of you. I’m sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear.”

“No. I agree with you. If anything, the lack of flattery and directness paints you in a positive light,”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Perry smiled. “I understand if you don’t want to trust me, but if you ever need my help, this should help you get in touch.” He held out his hand, and a little signet ring slipped out of his sleeve. At first, there was no glance; it had no crest, but then Perry traced a cross, and a little spider appeared. “It will get you in black markets, gambling rooms, a bunch of private clubs, and more. Just flash it at the door, and the host will know more.”

Paranoia got the best of Nox, and he used Crystalize Essence again, drawing a little chuckle from Perry. The man said nothing and only watched Nox.

“Well, it was lovely meeting you, Perry. I was afraid this evening would turn out to be a chore. Meeting you saved it from being a waste of time.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Would you like to share a drink? I have a problem that I’d like to solve, and it might just interest you.”

“What kind of problem?”

“A spatial magic problem,” Perry answered.

“I’d love a drink then,” Nox said.

“Great! I’ll call for some Spirit Caller’s Tea.”