“Melody.” Gaia’s voice rang through nature to her daughter.

“Huh? Yes, Mother?” Melody turned toward the Grove, fluffing Shani’s tail.

“A messenger came from the city. I have heard the report and would like you to return to the Grove. I may need you to pay a visit to the Duke.” Gaia answered.

“Yes, we finished up here, so we will return.” Melody turned to her grandfather and friends. “We need to return to the Grove. It seems something important happened.”

“Aww…” Annabelle pouted as she would have to stop petting the Fenrir cubs lying around her.

Melody smiled brightly. “We can come back another day.”

“Oh, Melody,” Okan called out as Melody was helping Violet up onto Aroo. Maple flitted down and rested on the Mammoth Bison’s head.

“Yes?”

“You asked me a year ago if there might be other peaceful giants like yourself, remember?”

“I do.” She nodded.

“One of my brothers informed me of a group of snow giants far to the south. He did not have an exact location, but I will let you know if he finds out more.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Grandpa!” Hugging tightly onto his trunk.

After saying their farewells, Melody got her group back to Gaia’s Grove.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gaia was standing in her favorite spot in the Grove, just above the grave of Melody’s mother.

“Alui.” She began. “I promised I would look out for our daughter, but it seems that things may not go as smoothly as I wished.”

The Daughter of Lyuten would often speak to Alui’s grave when she had significant concerns, especially if it involved Melody.

“I truly wish humans would not be so greedy, but if my history lessons have been correct, that has not changed for hundreds of years.” Gaia sighed.

She perked up at sensing Melody had arrived at the Grove. It would not be long before her daughter found her.

“I guess I should report how Melody is doing.” Gaia elegantly giggled. “Melody is healthy, strong, and happy, just as you wish. I will continue to look after our daughter with all my capabilities.” She bowed her head to the grave. “Thank you for bringing our daughter into this world.”

With her final words, she turned and headed off to meet their beloved daughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Mother!” Melody hugged the Grove Mother.

“Thank you for returning.” Gaia returned the hug.

Melody felt something was off about her mother and pulled away enough to look into her face. “Is something wrong?”

Gaia sighed. “Come. Bring your two friends as well.”

Melody, Annabelle, and Violet followed the Daughter of Lyuten to her home.

Once settled at the table, Gaia began. “A messenger of the Duke stopped by our trade outpost earlier to inform us of a potential issue.”

The trade outpost Gaia spoke of was located at the edge of the North Gaian Forest, within sight of Hallfen. It is where they were building a place where humans and Forest Spirits could trade.

“Is it related to nobility?” Violet asked.

“Nobility?” Annabelle asked.

Gaia nodded. “Yes. It seems the Count that targeted your family may have been doing so on the orders of another Duke.”

“Talane…” Violet muttered.

“Who is that?” Melody asked.

Violet looked about them briefly before answering. “Duke Talane is an ambitious man and the head of the Aristocratic Party. He is quite the schemer from what I heard from my mother.”

“Aristocratic?” Melody asked about the political party.

“There are four parties in the empire. The two weakest are the Neutral and Citizen’s parties. The Citizen’s Party mostly comprises influential people who are not nobles. The Neutral Party comprises nobles who don’t want to join the two major parties. They are the Imperial and Aristocratic Parties.” Violet explained.

“Oh…” Melody put together the differences. “One is for the royal family while the other is for nobles?” She asked.

Violet nodded. “Correct. The imperial family is fair in how they handle the country’s affairs. Mother told me things were rough when she was young, but the prodigy crown prince brought about several policy changes. They focused on keeping the people happy and bringing prosperity instead of placating ‘fattened’ nobles.”

“I’m surprised they have any support then….” Melody commented.

Violet laughed. “Duke Caldwell is the head of the Imperial Party.” She paused to let her friend get over her surprise. “The Imperial party consists of nobles with similar ideals as the imperial family. They care about their people more than being a ‘noble.’”

“Then the Aristocratic Party is for nobles, then?” Annabelle asked.

“Yes,” Violet replied. “They are for growing the power and influence of their ‘blue blood.’ Honestly, when my father compared them to vultures, I thought he was joking until I attended my first ball in the capital. I will NEVER attend another one.” She shivered, remembering a few lecherous looks she got from noblemen who were nearly five times her age when she was ten.

“Okay, I understand that. But how is this an issue?” Melody asked.

Gaia spoke up. “Duke Caldwell believes that this Duke Talane may target you, Melody.”

“What? Why?! What did I do?” Melody exclaimed.

Violet raised her hand. “I think I might have an idea.” They turned their attention to her. “I will have to confirm with my family, but you may have undone a scheme from Talane.”

“Scheme? What scheme?” Melody asked.

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“My family was targeted for a reason.” Violet sighed. “It is our connection to Duke Caldwell.”

“Because he is the head of the Imperial Party?” Annabelle asked.

Violet nodded. “My family brings in quite a bit of wealth for the party through my mother’s business dealings. We may focus more on agriculture and food production here in Hallfen, but it goes beyond that. We also have quite a shipping business run by my uncle, who lives in our family domain. Since it is linked to the sea, it is a major trade hub, with Hallfen being the gateway to the rest of the empire. If my mother’s business here were to fail, my uncle would have to go through other channels to get trade goods to the capital. My mother’s business connections are wide.”

“Meaning that the Aristocratic Party would be able to siphon some of their competitor’s profits,” Gaia concluded.

Violet thanked Gaia for her answer. “This was a scheme to weaken Duke Caldwell and his party. Something of which you undid in a single day.” Violet became regretful and bowed her head to Melody and Gaia. “I am sorry that we dragged you into this….”

Gaia waved her hand dismissively. “Do not worry. None of us here would blame you or your family.” She turned to Melody. “You must be careful when leaving the forest. Here you are safest with plenty of allies. If you must go beyond our domain, be sure to let us know. Your grandfather and I will use our networks to get you help. There are many Groves in the world.”

A warm and loving smile came to Melody’s face, and she hugged her beloved mother. “Thank you, Mother.”

Gaia returned the hug while patting her daughter’s back. “Of course, my daughter.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bell was feeling nervous. It was the furthest she had even gone from the Grove or Melody’s home. She stood before the massive walls of the city of Hallfen.

“Hello!” A friendly-looking human called out to her.

“Um, hello…” She nervously answered.

“Here for some trading?” The human asked.

He wore armor and had a marking on the chest plate, symbolizing he was a guard of the city.

Bell nodded. “Um, do you know Sam?” She asked.

The guard chuckled. “That would be me.” Sam smiled.

“Oh!” Bell brightly smiled. It was the man Melody recommended she talk to if she went to the city. “I need a spice shop?”

“So… cute…” The other guard commented as he observed the interaction.

Sam shuffled in place awkwardly. “Uh, yeah. Would you like an escort?”

Bell stiffened. No! Pappy is relying on me! I must be strong! She pumped her tiny fists, strengthening her resolve to complete the task she was given.

“Cute!” Several people nearby gushed.

Bell looked up at Sam, determination in her eyes. “Please point in, er, me in its direction, please.” Though she still stumbled over grammar, she was improving thanks to all her lessons.

Sam chuckled. “I understand.” He pointed down the main road of the city. “If you head down that direction, stay on the main road. See the tall tower way back there?” He asked.

Bell nodded.

“Good. Just keep walking toward that while staying on this road. You will reach the central plaza, a large open space with plenty of tasty food. You will cross the plaza and keep heading toward the tower. Once you get across, watch for a sign that looks like a jar with leaves in it. It should be on your left.” Sam explained.

“Okay!” Bell replied and began her march into the human city of Hallfen.

Over the last few months, things in the city have been gradually changing. Forest Spirits began frequenting the town out of curiosity. As Bell walked down the main street, she saw many Brownies accompanied by Gnomes from the Grove doing business. There were even a few Spriggans accompanied by a familiar face.

“Miss Bell, it is good to see you well,” Sylvanus stated.

“Hello!” She greeted.

“Are you here alone?” The Elder Spriggan asked.

Bell nodded with a smile. “Yup! Pappy need a few spices and was busy at the Trading Post.”

“Ah, I see.” Sylvanus nodded.

A human woman walked up to them. “Um, I am sorry for interrupting….”

Sylvanus turned to her. “Think nothing of it. Did you need something?”

The woman nodded while holding up a potted plant. “My tomato plant has not been doing well. I have consulted many people about it, but nothing seems to work. I have tried changing the soil, carefully watering the dirt, and getting plenty of sunlight. Can you help me?”

Sylvanus held up a hand and checked it with her Nature Magic. “Hmm… It is the water you are using. It seems to have too much iron in it. Where do you get your water?”

“A common well that is between five homes.” The woman answered.

“Take me there. This will be more of a problem than just for your plant. Consuming too much iron is bad for humans as well.” Sylvanus answered.

The woman began thanking Sylvanus and started to escort her when Bell stopped them.

“Can I come?” Bell was curious. She didn’t know iron could be harmful to people too.

Sylvanus agreed, and the three went off to investigate the well.

It took about ten minutes of navigating to get to it. Sylvanus extended her hand to above the water surface and checked it.

“Hmm… Something seems to be contaminating your water source. Bell, could you sense it and bring it up here?”

Bell nodded and peaked over the edge of the well. There were several things down below. Using her telekinesis, she began raising the items from below.

Before long, a pile of broken and damaged iron pieces was sitting on the ground.

“W-What!?” The human woman exclaimed. “Who would do such a thing!?”

Bell saw Sylvanus narrow her eyes at the pile of scrap metal. Before long, the Spriggan was communicating something through nature.

The little Gnome was curious about who she was talking to but was sure it was Gaia or Melody.

“Um, Lady Sylvanus?” The human woman fidgeted.

“Apologies. I was consulting someone on what this could be. They will inform your lord.” The Elder Spriggan sighed. “I have more work to do….”

“Do you need my help?” Bell asked.

Sylvanus smiled. “No. We will take care of this. You must be on your way. Don’t you have a quest to complete?”

Bell grinned from ear to ear. “Okay! Bye-bye!” And the little Gnome was off once more.

After reaching the main street once more, Bell continued on her way. She was stopped several times by people wanting to speak or offer treats as she went about. Bell ended up spending the most amount of time in the central plaza. She was glad she had the magic pack she got from her father. It was not as big as Melody’s pack, but it was enough to hold a pantry’s worth of items, which was already three-quarters of the way filled.

Feeling a bit exhausted from all the attention, she stopped on a nearby bench to enjoy some of the snacks she was given.

“I’m a magnificent fairy!” A shout came from nearby.

Bell looked over to see an annoyed Maple facing off against a human man.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” The man stated nonchalantly.

“Hmph!” Maple turned her head away from the man and noticed Bell. “Bell!”

The fairy flitted over and sat down next to the Gnome, who was enjoying a piece of hard candy. It tasted of joy.

“Oooo. What you got there?” Maple asked, drool coming from the edge of her mouth.

“Snacks!” Bell reached into her bag and pulled out a couple for Maple.

Maple thanked Bell and popped one into her mouth. “Ack! Sour!”

“Oh… Sorry…” Bell pouted, feeling bad.

“Oh, uh, don’t worry. It was just surprising. Hmm… Is this apple?” Maple wondered as she adjusted to the flavor.

Feeling better, Bell smiled.

“So, what are you up to?” Maple asked.

“Getting spices for Pappy,” Bell answered.

“Oh! Are you going to Sarah’s spice shop?” The fairy asked.

Bell nodded. “Yup! Melody said she serves good tea.”

Maple laughed.

After resting enough, Bell hopped off the bench and pulled her pack back on. “Do you want to come?” She asked.

“Hmm…” Maple thought about it for a moment before nodding. “Let’s go! Team Maple-Bell!”

Bell raised her tiny fist. “Team Maple-Bell!” She parroted.

The two headed off to their destination.

“Hello?” Bell called into the shop as they entered.

“Oh? What an adorable little brownie!” A man stated.

“She’s not a Brownie! Bell is a proud Forest Gnome!” Maple exclaimed.

“Oh, uh, sorry….” The man shrunk away from the fairy.

“What’s going on, Chip? Who did you tick off this time?” A woman came out from the back. “Maple! Good to see you.” The woman smiled.

“Hello, Sarah. Bell here needs to pick up a few things.” Maple motioned toward Bell.

“Hello…” Bell was feeling a little nervous, shuffling in place.

“Is this the legendary Bell that Melody has told me about?” Sarah asked as she knelt before them.

“Melody told you about me?” Bell asked.

Sarah nodded. “Melody stops here often for a cup of tea. Now, what can I get you, cutie?” Sarah had a sweet smile on her face.

Bell pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket and handed it to the woman.

“Let’s see… Pepper, garlic powder….” Sarah began reading the list as she headed around the shop to gather the items.

Before long, Sarah brought eight packages over to a counter. To one side of the counter was a small staircase for Bell to be more level with Sarah.

“Okay… That will be thirty silver for the lot.” Sarah stated.

Nodding, Bell pulled a gold coin from her pouch around her neck.

After checking the coin was good, Sarah gave Bell her change. “Thank you for your patronage. Please give Melody my regards, and thanks to Pappy for buying from me.” Sarah gave a happy smile.

Bell’s expression brightened. “Okay! Bye-Bye!” Bell hopped off the stairs and headed to the door with Maple. With her quest complete, it was time to return to the trading outpost and report to Pappy.