Ch: 150 Feed Your Head

There were a few couches and desks here and there, but mostly the room was filled with books. Common looking, utilitarian, simple bindings, marked on the spine and cover with the title and presumably, the author’s name.

The young man departed with a promise that the priestess would arrive shortly. Abed barely heard or noticed him leave, as he was lost in this treasure room of wonders.

The duke moved slowly, running his fingers reverently over the spines of so many new books. Pride And Prejudice, A Farewell To Arms… so many! One whole shelf was dedicated to thick tomes, whose titles were all about rings, kings, lords and towers. These ‘J.R.R.’ people, both ‘Tolkien’ and ‘Martin’ seemed quite prolific.

Beyond that, most seemed to be children’s books and bedtime stories. ‘Goodnight Moon’ seemed to have a special prominence, laid on an elegant reading stand beside the largest plush sofa. The book was oversized and richly illustrated by hand in bright, cheerful watercolors.

“That one is Wilford’s favorite…” Becky sighed, as she slid the door closed behind herself. “The little ones have gone until tomorrow as well… I can never sleep when the family is away…”

She danced over to the sofa by the reading stand and slipped into the deep velvet cushions. “Welcome to the sacred scriptorum of Knowledge, have you come seeking knowledge? Or do you seek Knowledge, my sublime lord Marduk, the moon?” She asked demurely.

As charming and courteous as the girl was, Abed had enough. “You address duke Abed Mubarak, lord of Shiraz! I have come to see the priestess, not a waitress. Bring her forth child, before I grow cross. The anger of a duke is terrible to behold.” Abed turned to his companion in irritation.

“Your commoners have really gotten stroppy Adam… Really, you are clergy to Healer, why are you coughing and clearing your throat so?”

Adam looked like he had bitten into a salted prune. “Your grace, this is Becky, high priestess of Knowledge… and our waitress as well.”

The duke’s face began to change colors slightly, as he glared at Adam, in rising fury.

“Don’t get angry with poor Adam, my lord. It is our way, cult business is never mixed with Adventure or craft business. Our first cultist is very strict on that rule.” She smiled unapologetically at the two noblemen.

“Unfortunately, an emergency called several of our people away, thus we are terribly understaffed.”

She placed a book on her reading stand, after carefully setting the colorful picture book aside. The young priestess balanced a blank sheaf of paper on her lap desk and began transcribing, while carrying on her conversation with the two lords.

“The demands of starting up a whole cult are so pressing, my lords, please be direct. There are no secrets in this place… currently.” She said with a small, enigmatic smile. “He’s away on business.”

#

Lady Jaspreet had a simply divine afternoon and evening, soaking in that mysterious pool, attended by the three dryads and strange little mushroom man.

“...Few of the fae are currently active in the mortal world, while some others have returned after a long absence, we should expect things to be… unsettled, going forward.” Axio said in his high, sweet voice.

“I was largely asleep, awaiting… Well, let’s not discuss that.” He said with just a little chagrin.

“When some cultists performed a ritual of human sacrifice and outsider summoning, right on my front steps…” He made a squeaky sound of frustration at that memory.

“I was just waking, to bring them a little firm vengeance and some wasting curses of the flesh, when my new friends came along and put paid to their schemes…” He kicked back in the pool with an amused and smug smile on his tiny skull face.

“I’ve since allowed them to become my loyal retainers, they are so grateful for the honor…”

“Ignore that silly fungus, he has smoked too much of Liam’s mortal herb.” Plumeria chided him, through her. “We will reveal none of our host’s secrets, my dear, no matter how long you try.” She pulled the waterlogged noblewoman to the curb of the pool.

“Come along, your cranky duke is here, he is going to need your help, if he is to face the high priestess in her temple.”

“Abed is here? Oh splendid!” She sang, rubbing her flat tummy happily, in anticipation.

The elegant and tiny woman helped her dress in a robe of fine, pale green flannel, printed with silly hearts, moons, stars, unicorns and rainbows. Her long, pointed toed slippers and tall pointed hood gave the impression of a pastel and sequined good witch, drawn by a particularly imaginative and whimsical child.

“This is from Gary’s ‘Lisa Frank Collection’, whatever that means… I find it rather fetching.” Plumeria said when her work was finished.

“Follow me, she is in her scriptorum, no doubt making the men uncomfortable.”

The tiny, purple and gold robed dryad led her to the stables, around the back and into a very tense situation.

“...The cult of Knowledge cannot reveal information about the cult of Secrets… Is not the name enough of a hint, your grace? We deal in the light, with open hands and the blessings of man’s learning… He handles his affairs in the darkness.” Becky said firmly, still scribbling in her book.

“I didn’t ask about some foolish cult! Where is this mysterious ladyboy wizard?” Abed demanded, harshly.

Becky and Plumeria both paused at that, while Jaspreet giggled. “Abed, darling, I think that you are under a misapprehension…”

“Oh, No, lady Jaspreet, I think I know who his grace is asking about. I will arrange a meeting as soon as possible, on the condition that I be allowed to observe…” Becky said, with a barely restrained giggle. Even so, she never stopped glancing at her hefty tome and scribbling in a neat hand on her loose sheaves.

“What are you doing my child?” Jaspreet asked softly, joining her on the couch.

“My lord asks that you not use diminutives on his cleric in his temple. In these sacred precincts, please refer to me as high priestess… or Becky, that works too.” She answered warmly.

“I’m transcribing ‘The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare’, there haven’t been any spears yet… but I’m hoping.”

“Wait till you get to the sonnets, Becky my love… the man really knew his way around a quill.” Plumeria joined the other women on the sofa, snuggling between them with her tiny backside.

“Did you know him, lady Plumeria?” Jaspreet asked, getting a good cuddle on.

“Perhaps, darling… so many mortals have slept beneath the boughs of my trees and dreamt. I couldn’t possibly recall any of them after so many eons uncounted.” She sighed happily. “Not that they ever stopped… on so many worlds, I feel them even now.”

The beautiful, tiny woman smiled at Becky’s concerned look. “Did you think my roots entangled only this world’s soil? I am the plum grove, my leaves bask in the suns of myriad worlds.”

“That does explain the strange dreams I have been experiencing…” The slight girl remarked to herself, still scribing away.

“Regardless, my friends, how can the cult of Knowledge aid you this evening?”

The furious duke choked on his bile and struggled to be polite.

“The three most respected healers in Wheatford have told me that your god has something to do with my beloved’s sudden reversal of fortune…” He answered, though he seemed visibly skeptical.

“That is entirely true, your grace. Through the auspices of certain other entities and a fortunate confluence of gifts and Contracts, this miracle has occurred.” Becky replied calmly.

“Why? What does this mysterious god demand for this boon?” He demanded, his eyes going slightly wild.

Becky’s eyes flashed with restrained anger. “What exactly has been asked of your grace? Has any demand been placed on Jaspreet?” She asked in very precise tones of well regulated courtesy.

“If you demand further insight, only the god Secret can answer. Do you wish to consult with the cult of the dead god, your grace?”

“Yes, whatever will allow me to fish out some answers from this morass.” He snapped as Jaspreet gasped and apologized in horror.

“Abed, you are being dreadful!” She hissed, in a quiet fury. “He is under so much stress, high priestess Becky…”

“It matters little, lady Jaspreet. The divine scribe would never revoke this boon, even if that were possible. Lord Marduk is ever gracious and benevolent, as the keeper of man’s collected wit and wisdom.”

“The Cult of Secret is another matter, your grace.” Becky said coldly, as her gaze fell on the duke. “Secret is occult as you can imagine. His servant will contact you when the time is right. He will answer your charges and demands as they deserve.” She dropped her gaze back to her thick tome.

“As you see, I have much work to do… and I really want to get to those sonnets.”

Adam and Plumeria guided their charges away from the small room behind the stable, gently herding the upset and confused nobles.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“I’ve never in my life… and behind a stable? What kind of god is this!?” Abed fumed and blustered on the walk back to the palace, accompanied by Adam and the pair of bodyguards that had been following throughout the long frustrating day.

“Lady Plumeria says it is because she loves to be near the horses… a sentiment I share. Horses certainly have better manners than some men of my acquaintance.”

Jaspreet stalked along beside him, just as furious as her intended, though he was her ire’s target.

“You were very rude to poor Becky, she was only trying to help! I wonder at you sometimes… I will not tolerate behavior like that…”

When the lady ran out of breath, Adam piled on.

“Forgive me, Abed, but you still wear the penitent’s veil. By wielding your titles under the veil, you have broken that tradition; high priestess Becky could, if she wished, bring you before the court of Order to levy an honor debt for your breach of form…”

“What!?” He sputtered in outrage. “Are you mad?”

“The veil requires discipline and control of one’s emotions. Fortunately, Becky is a close friend of my sister and would never cause the lady Jaspreet any distress…”

“And how will she distress me? I was not insufferably rude and insulting to the poor dear…” She fixed a gimlet eye on her husband to be.

“I could almost see your grandfather in you tonight… I dislike Xerxes Mubarak intensely, very intensely.” Jaspreet muttered as they passed through the palace gate.

#

Gary was lying on his back in the garden, letting himself slowly envelop the landscape again. His unthinking, unguided tendrils of will squirmed and slithered through the grass and climbed every bush, tree and herb. He dipped into every blossom and groped around in every animal burrow.

He touched a number of minor monsters, non threatening, harmless underground nibblers and creepy crawlies that fed on other creepies and crawlies. The local wildlife either accepted his presence or couldn’t perceive him, as he spread over the local area.

While he was expanding out to the edge, he also drifted like wisps of unseen smoke through the house. One by one he touched and tasted his guests.

#

Leroy turned over and abandoned any attempt to sleep, something felt off, like he was under some indirect observation. It wasn’t hostile, but it felt dangerous, uncanny and dreadful.

“Amos, Chad, Orlando, gear up. Something is about, stay alert.”

The veteran team leader had his three warriors up and armed in just a few moments. Together they slipped from their barracks and into the nearby sickroom.

They found their comrades half floating together in a strange grotto, behind the ordinary seeming door. In a stone ringed pool filled with clinging water plants, both warriors were mostly submerged and fast asleep.

Annalie had color in her face once more, while the ring of puncture wounds around her throat had faded to bright pink scars, like a string of misshapen pearls.

Travis seemed to simply be asleep, sprawled back, with his limbs tangled in the water lilies and herbs.

Slowly they moved to the front room, sliding the door open silently to peer inside. Baron Holloman was asleep and snoring, with an empty wine bottle lying beside his outflung hand. Kenny was curled up on a low cot at the foot of the lord’s bed, also asleep.

Bare, careful feet on sturdy, well maintained stairs made no sound, as the four armed figures crept up to the family loft. They found a small pile of sleeping children and a very awake and disappointed looking matron of the house, sitting on the edge of her bed… Glaring at them.

Her flashing eyes, in no uncertain terms said: ‘Get thee downstairs!’

The warriors withdrew, retreating in good order, lest they wake the children and doom themselves.

Downstairs their hostess joined them, whispering fiercely. “What call hae thee tae take up nighttime skulking? An tae bear arms in me home wi nae cause… hae ye never dwelt in a civilized home? An ye were nae kin, I might hae thee before Order, fer breaking guestlaw!”

“Forgive me, journeyman Shai, but I felt something ominous… dark and creeping in my senses. I have never felt the like before.” Leroy muttered, still looking around shiftily.

“Ye kin feel that? Impressive, brother Leroy… Tis formidable senses ye do hae… This be simply that man of mine, working his arts an cultivating his aura under the setting moon… Not all who walk in shadows hae darkness in their hearts, brothers.” She smiled at them and headed off to the back.

“Come, let us look in on yer comrades an start summat tae eat. Me boy will be hungry, an he reels his shadow back inside him.”

After once more looking in on their injured, she went to the kitchen and began her morning tasks. She opened cupboards that had been empty and found coffee, sugar butter and flour. Bowls and utensils seemed to leap to her hands as they watched her mesmerizing dance.

“An ye open the wrong door, Liam may hae snipped yer nose off ere he recognized ye… Tis always unwise tae sneak about among fellow Adventurers, lads.” She sang, to the tune her constantly swaying hips played.

“You have a cooking gift? How charming…” Leroy muttered quietly, not wishing to disturb her.

“No, this is like what that mad boy used to speed our travel… I’d swear it was the same gift.” Orlando whispered, envy and grief thick in his throat. “It’s not like mine, hers is beautiful…”

“Yeah, I got really lucky…” The madman whispered, directly into their ears, from where he was nestled right in between them, with his arms around their shoulders… Where he seemed to have been for some time.

“Gaah!” They both shouted, as he snapped into focus.

“Shhh, the kids are sleeping. Oh, too late.” Gary muttered, as the three hell brats stampeded down the sturdy stone stairs, somehow making the whole house shake.

“Come on, into the bath, be quiet, we have injured people who need rest.”

The mooncalf vanished into the garden bath with his kids, leaving the woman in the kitchen with her guests.

“Dinnae worry, ye are my guests and welcome be. Now go wash up, ye hae had a long journey, an tis nae ended yet.”

They had used the washroom in the house before bed, that was a wonder of civilization that seemed unlikely in a rural farmhouse. When they followed the man and his gaggle of children back to a doorway near the sickroom, things started making more and less sense.

Behind a hedgewall, secluded from view from both garden and house, was an open garden courtyard. A curb of stones held a wide, bubbling green pool, surrounded by stone flags and verdant foliage.

A gushing waterfall ran from a ragged cleft in the mountainside that made up one side of the courtyard, feeding that remarkable hot spring pool.

The man and children washed up in a tidy bathing and changing room just inside the door, before jumping into the swirling water together.

“Come on brothers… we’re all orphans here.” The madman sighed happily.

#

Baron Holloman woke an hour after dawn, to an excellent peasant’s breakfast, served on a tray in his room. Everything was perfect, immaculate. Even down to a snowy white linen napkin folded elegantly.

‘Strange to find trained servants living in the woods…’ He thought, as a sneaking suspicion began.

“Kenny, go fetch Leroy. I would speak with him.”

A scant few minutes later, the baron smiled happily at his guard captain. “We will be sending our wounded on with lady Belen in my coach…” He announced.

“I and the rest of you will follow, once Belen and her guardian have left.”

“My lord?” His loyal captain asked quietly.

“Never you mind, we will follow, once our business is done here.” The lord replied smugly.

#

Lady Tawny and her armored nurse had the coach hitched up to one of their horses, alongside his remaining beast by the time baron Holloman left his chambers.

“The standards of service have been raised Kenny… I expect better of you going forward!” He grumbled as the scrawny lad followed, hauling the lord’s luggage.

The lady continued fretting and fussing over his injured warriors and ignoring his blandishments, excusing herself with constant claims that: ‘duty calls’. She was a member of Healer’s cult and was tending his injured stock, so he had to allow the slight to pass unremarked, if not unnoticed.

“Thank you for allowing the injured to ride in your coach, your lordship.” Liam said, with a graceful bow, while his mistress worked on his injured. The impressively armored attendant had excellent manners as well… Kenny really needed to get his act together.

“We will follow afoot, carry on Lady Trelawny…” Timarch Holloman called cherrily, as he turned back to the house with a smile of pure avarice.

Once she had ridden off, he turned to his remaining four guards.

“Now, we will raid that house, capture those two and their children, before we march for Wheatford in triumph.” he preened his beard with glee. “These two are clearly debt indentures or runaway orphans, hiding here in the woods. Those children however…”

“These people, they are Adventurers, my lord, from Wheatford.” His captain said softly.

“Nonsense, neither is old enough to be properly indentured as Adventurers! She is perhaps nineteen… he is younger I think. She does not even have a full suite of Contracts, while he is still unranked. Open your eyes before you open your mouth Leroy, that advice will carry you far.” His lord said smugly.

“As for those children, if we capture the parents, they will be our prize. Turning three unregistered orphans in to the temple of War will be quite a feather in my cap!”

“My lord, they claim to be pre-indenture Adventurers, vassals to duke Belen… and were in the company of that good duke’s own daughter… my lord.” Leroy insisted.

“Do you think that Healer’s adherents are as attuned to the law as those of us Contracted to Order?” He demanded icily.

“But, my lord…” Leroy began, flushing with intense distress.

“Leroy, if you question my orders, again, I will set an honor debt of another five years on you… the fees to the Adventure guild will be more than you are worth, but I will not be denied.”

The baron could feel the bonds of his indenture contract tightening in his chest, as his warrior contemplated disobedience. “Do not test me Leroy. Give the order.”

“No, my lord. I will not.” He whispered desperately. “They are kin and I have slept under their roof and eaten at their table…”

“Chad, arrest Leroy, then lead the rest in clearing this house and capturing these runaways.” Holloman barked.

“Let none escape! Search the place for valuables as well. No doubt they robbed their master before they fled.”

Stocky and dour, Chad led his two companions to the closed door and knocked politely. When no answer came he looked back to his lord.

“Go on fool! Break it down!” The baron snapped. “Gods, I’ll have the lot of you up on charges and have your indentures increased by another year for each and every further insubordination!”

He reluctantly took a shoulder rolling swing with his warmace at the sturdy wooden panel.

#

Gary was in a light meditative state in the bed of the cart, as they rolled down the mountain road.

“He’s threatening to extend all their indentures and have Leroy publicly beaten as well. Is that a thing you guys do?” He asked angrily, his eyes still closed.

The children were piled around him on cushions, napping. Except Wilford, who loved watching the scenery roll by as much as Shai.

“No, not in Wheatford… Duke Holloman might have something to say about that, but in their own lands they are the law.” Tawny replied from the window of the coach.

Kenny sat the driver’s bench and proved an able and gentle coachman. He led the team down the mountain with as much skill as anyone could hope for, neither shaking the occupants, nor stressing the horses.

“He made Orlando cry… again. I really don’t like this asshole.” Gary grumbled, as Shai’s house faded into mist, before the weapon could fall.

#

Timarch Holloman stared in wonder and growing fury, as the house evaporated on a fresh breath of wind. Sparkling rainbows chased the breeze down the mountain, as the scent of toast and strawberries lingered.

No children, no parents, and even more distressingly, no horses remained, when the last scraps of vapor drifted away.

“That must have been Belen’s ‘Ward’ orphan. The one the whole countryside has been buzzing about…” The baron muttered crossly, glaring at Leroy.

“You are fortunate that none were here to see your shameful display. I will forget your insolence and insubordination… this time.”

#

Annalie and Travis were sitting up and alert, though he could barely whisper and she would be unable to speak for a while yet.

“You should be proud of your team, my Liam says that creature was far more than a simple trapjaw ant, as you no doubt realize.” Tawny was back in her veil and chattering happily with her patients as they rode along.

“My men harvested some very interesting things from it; we would like to barter with you when we rejoin our troupe in Wheatford. No, don’t try to speak, it can wait until your brethren rejoin us.”

While Tawny talked the injured back into unconsciousness, Luna interrogated Gary.

“This gift, your stealth power, how does it work? That great blubbering foo…” Luna brought herself up short, blushing slightly. “His lordship looked right through me and saw nothing. You walked right by with the children and none of them saw…”

“They saw, they just didn’t notice. I can’t hoodwink an alert guard or stalking predator, but he barely saw anyone besides Tawny as a person already. Since his instinct is to ignore us and see us as worthless peasants, we just faded away…”

He was relaxed and just coasting along, enjoying the downhill run. Sandi had everything in hand, or hoof. The back of the cart was so comfy and the kids were so warm and sleepy… Gary drifted off…

Shai rode Gary’s stick horse down the mountain, taking only the most sensible and calculated risks…

Her cackling laugh and mud spattered form startled a number of forest creatures half to death as she blasted by. She would gain several dozen yards, before skidding to a halt on some overlook or vista.

Gazing over the valley of Wheatford and the glinting river, shining and green in the spring sunshine, she breathed in deep, enjoying the crisp clean air and brilliant blue sky.

Before long, her companions caught up and she would take wing again, hurtling down the mountain in fits and starts.

Head out on the highway,

Looking for Adventure…

In whatever comes our way!

Her rich, warm voice rolled out over the hillsides and olive groves as they reached the lowlands. Third bell sang from the town, still hazy in the distance, but growing larger as her song roared along.

Whatever ‘guns’ were, she was firing them all at once… Exploding into space sounded uncomfortable, so she decided to pass on that. Thank you very much, master Steppenwolf.

#