Chapter 123

The match ended to thunderous applause and cheering. Many of those there had interrupted what they were doing just to attend the match at the urging of the announcer. Those that had passed on the experience had missed an amazing fight and would feel left out during all of the discussions patrons would have about it that night.

Sha'li went up on stage and the crowd quieted. Her fiery red hair shimmered in constantly changing shades of red as she spoke quietly with Lt. Swan. He handed her a small pouch and she nodded in thanks as she pocketed it. Turning back to the crowd she spoke.

“Well that was certainly worth the watch!” she said with a smile and the crowd nodded and laughed in agreement. “The winner of tonight's bout is Redguard. They have already spoken with each other and have agreed that the prize should go to Lt. Swan.”

The crowd all clapped appreciatively, some whistling, as Lt. Swan reached out and accepted the Ashagi Library Card that Sha'li passed to him in full view of the crowd. Lt. Swan smiled, “Thank you! We had a great time!”

“USE IT!” yelled one very drunk rich woman in the front row.

“SHOW US HOW IT WORKS!” stammered out a very inebriated fellow that had to be repeatedly turned towards the front stage.

“SHOW US YOUR TITLE!” yelled a man who didn't even raise his head off of the table to speak.

Lt. Swan looked at his group who shrugged. Lt. Swan shrugged as well as focused on the card.

Do you wish to bind Ashagi's Library Card to yourself? Y/N

Lt. Swan chose Y and waited.

Congratulations! You will receive the following:

Title: Honorary Pan-dimensional Librarian – Your honorary library card is good anywhere!

Lt. Swan grinned like a child and activated his title. The crowd cheered and clapped as it appeared right under his name when he was inspected.

Finally the crowd had enough and started to trickle out in to other rooms. They had gotten to watch the legendary Redguard go up against a monster, they got to see their first title-granting item, and even got to witness their first title being bestowed. It had been a fun night, but there was still other fun to be had in other rooms.

Still, they would be able to say they had witnessed something that very few living people had seen – titles!

As the crowd cleared out occasionally people would pass by Lt. Swan and congratulate him on his win. He was good about it and stayed polite no matter how drunk the other person might be. Many people expressed that they wish it had been them that won the title, but all of them knew they would never have beaten the Librarian in combat.

Eventually the room died down to its prior level and the group was left for the most part alone. They all returned to Jay's table and they sat and traded stories and drinks for hours. Lt. Swan left his title on and after a time forgot it was there entirely.

“That's it for us guys, we've got to work tomorrow.” Lt. Fries said as he sighed and stood up. The others got to their feet slowly. “Thank you for tonight, we all had a great time. We're happy to rescue you any time if this is the reception afterwards!”

Norri and Aiden laughed whereas the others of Jay's party were too tired and just smiled.

Jay and M'redith got to their feet and a moment later Aiden and Norri did as well. Handshakes were had between everyone.

“Oh hey, before you go,” Jay said as he grabbed a patch. His group had gotten five patches for escaping Ashagi's Library, and then a sixth when Jay's Class Ability Lucky Mascot had an error and created a copy of the item instead of upgrading its rarity.

Jay took the sixth patch and handed it to Lt. Fries. “Something for you guys to remember us by.”

Lt. Fries nodded in thanks with a smile, “Thank you, all of you. Goodnight Glimmerhides.”

“Nite Redguard,” M'redith answered and the groups separated. Sha'li helped escort the group out of the building and towards their waiting carriage.

Sha'li returned to a much more relaxed looking group. Norri had her head resting in her hands on the table. Aiden was slumped back in his chair. M'redith had moved her chair closer to Jay's and was leaning on his shoulder while he wound an arm around her waist.

“Is there anything else I can get you?” she asked with a smile as she stopped at their table and placed a hand against its surface.

Norri grinned. “Tell us what your name means!” she said before raising her head off of her hands and leaning back in her chair.

Sha'li sighed and shrugged, “You seem determined so we might as well get it out of the way. It means loss. Immense loss.”

“I thought you said it was something bad? Loss isn't too bad.” Norri said in confusion.

Sha'li shook her head which set her hair in to motion back and forth before settling once again. “No. Saying it means loss is like saying a raging burning flame is heat. It's complicated. What it means is... well, close your eyes.” she finally said.

Norri obediently closed her eyes. “Ok. Closed.”

“Now picture an animal singing a song. A song for a mate, to find one. It calls out desperately - repeatedly, a hauntingly beautiful song, but hears only silence in return. The last of its kind, it will never hear anything but silence, for the rest of its life. It is, entirely, alone.”

Norri sniffled.

“That feeling you have right now, that tightness, the hollowness inside, the sorrow and immense loss, is what my name means.”

Norri wiped her eyes and the others at the table looked away from each other, each in their own world as they thought of what Sha'li had said.

“I'm sorry.” Norri said.

“For what?” Sha'li said and with a bright smile managed to lift the spirits of everyone at the table. A complicated scent washed over them and they all sighed as they felt it. The warmth of bed when you first wake up, the joy of a lover's embrace, the scent of the first cup of coffee in the morning, there were hundreds of little scent notes but instead of competing for attention they instead blended perfectly together. The scent dredged up memories of times past when they each had felt safe, happy, cared for.

“Thank you, I feel better now.” Norri said with a smile.

“You're welcome.” Sha'li said with a warm smile.

“Why, though?” Norri finally asked after she could hold it in no longer. She had already learned that asking Sha'li questions about her name could be an intense experience but her curiosity won out once again.

“Why what?” Sha'li said. She titled her head to the side when she spoke and her hair shimmered pleasantly in the light as she did so.

“You seem so nice. Why would they name you... that?” Norri haltingly asked.

Sha'li seemed to consider it a moment before speaking, sadly. “Because I am all alone. Have you met another like me?”

Everyone at the table shook their heads.

“Neither have I.” she said sadly. After a moment she shook herself out of it and clapped her hands. “Enough of that! Your questions have been answered and I've no intentions of sending you all home upset and sad! Oh, here!” she said and carefully set the pouch that Lt. Swan had given her up on stage on to the table.

It was the perfect distraction from the emotional jumble they were all feeling. Norri wiped her eyes again as everyone turned their focus to the coin pouch in front of them.

Jay opened the pouch and emptied the contents on to the table. The coins hit with a heavy thunk before rattling and settling and laying flat. Jay counted out three gold and gave each of them a tiny pile of gold. There was a pile left over, for Glenda. Jay would see that she got it when they next visited the Library, along with her patch.

It was just three coins each but they were gold coins.

“Now you're rich!” Sha'li said with a pleased grin. The rest of them couldn't help it, they smiled along as well, her smile was infectious.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Aiden stared at his pile but didn't take it.

“What's the matter little buddy?” Jay asked jokingly.

The joke went right over Aiden's head, he was too focused on the pile of coins.

“That is too much. I've never had that much money in my life. I mean, if you were to add up all the money I've ever had it wouldn't add up to even one of those coins.” Aiden said in amazement.

Jay laughed, “That means you're headed in the right direction, that's all.”

“What do I do with it?” Aiden asked, still a bit in amazement.

“I can think of two things right away.” Jay said and Aiden turned to him. The others at the table had gone quiet as well and were listening to hear what he had to say. They each had a little pile of gold coins and were interested in any advice Jay might have.

“One, don't spend it. Two, find someone who knows how to handle money and only spend it after talking to them first.” Jay insisted.

“Says the man who has spent more gold than I've ever had!” Aiden said with a barking laugh.

M'redith shrugged. The pile of money did not seem to phase her at all and she behaved as if it were the most normal thing in the world to sweep three gold coins off the table and in to her money pouch.

Norri seemed impressed as well at the huge haul. Three gold was a lot of money, especially for such a young girl as Norri. She shook her head, “I'm keeping two and sending one back home. My parents will be impressed!”

Jay smiled sadly. He had no one to send money to in Eden. He was all alone unless he made friends with Eden's inhabitants.

Sha'li smiled, “Glad to see that cheered you up!”

“And this is just the first time we've really sold something. There's going to be more. That's crazy!” Aiden insisted as he tried to come to terms with his new wealth, not to mention his new life.

Although Aiden had known his life might change as he gradually became a full fledged member of the Adventurer's Guild it hadn't quite set in yet. The appearance of three gold in front of him, three gold that he was expected to take with him when he left, had caught him unprepared. It was so much, so soon.

Sha'li laughed, “You four are extraordinarily financially lucky it seems. I have to check on something, I'll be right back!”

Jay's table along with every eye in the room watched Sha'li walk out to do whatever it was she intended to do. Her appearance was the very definition of exotic and drew eyes regardless of gender or sexual identity. She looked different and acted different which was fascinating to the other patrons.

“I don't know about you guys but I'm wiped. I think I want to go to bed. Besides, who knows what crazy insanity you'll have us doing tomorrow.” Aiden said with a grin as he swept three gold coins in to his coin pouchand then cinched it shut tightly.

While they gathered their things Jay spoke with Sha'li when she returned.

“Please put this on my account. And thank you for everything, tonight was really wonderful! I hope we see you here again soon?” Jay said with a smile while M'redith nodded. Everyone was standing at that point and M'redith had an arm around Jay's waist as he spoke.

Sha'li grinned, “I'm so glad! I usually only come out for special occasions but if your group is going to be in just let us know ahead of time and I'll see if I can make it! Looking forward to seeing all of you again! Everyone have a wonderful evening!”

She led them to the front door and shook everyone's hands before once again disappearing in to the crowd.

“That was amazing. I'd list the reasons why but I'm still processing what just happened.” M'redith said with a lopsided smile.

Jay sprung that night for a carriage and paid the driver and gave them the destination as the others loaded themselves in to the cabin. Norri went in first and Aiden followed, sitting next to her. Opposite them M'redith entered and sat, followed by Jay.

Finally the door closed and the noise was shut out instantly.

They all sat slightly stunned in the sudden silence. Loud noise had been a constant background presence for the past few hours and its sudden removal was a bit disorienting.

“I'm rich.” Aiden said quietly. He sounded as if he were half asleep already.

Norri grinned, “Me too! And we met an elf!”

The carriage swayed lightly as it traveled along the cobblestone road outside of Redgrass.

M'redith raised an eyebrow but interrupted kindly, “Half-elf.”

“Right!” Norri said, not letting her error take away from her excitement even one bit.

“She was nice. I wonder what she's like outside of work.” M'redith wondered.

Norri shrugged, “Let's invite her out somewhere then.”

“Doing what exactly?” Aiden asked without opening his eyes. He was now leaning his head against the wall of the cabin.

“We can bring Jay out treasure hunting. There are old ruins all over. We can invite her to go help us search one. And we will pack snacks. Not travel rations.” Norri insisted.

Everyone groaned at the mention of travel rations but Jay took the opportunity to speak.

“Why are we inviting her out? Won't she find that a bit odd? Doesn't anyone else find it a bit odd?” Jay asked as he looked from Norri to M'redith.

Norri smiled. “She's interesting and I feel good when she's around. What other reason do you need?”

M'redith had opened her mouth to comment but then shut it after Norri spoke. She tapped her lips.

“Norri has a point.” M'redith finally said.

“What? When she asks why we asked her along we are just supposed to tell her we think she's interesting and a joy to be around?” Jay asked.

Aiden stirred from his half slumber and even opened his eyes. He looked over at Jay.

“Yes.” he said, and then set his head back and went back to half sleep.

Norri and M'redith both laughed and even Jay grinned a little.

“Ok. I guess that would work.” Jay finally admitted.

“When?” Norri asked while looking directly at Jay.

“No idea. Might not be anytime soon, with the Church looking to have us do a run for them. Those kind of things tend to go on late in to the evening in my experience.” Jay said sadly.

The carriage slowed to a stop before the doors were opened and the driver offered to help them down.

Once they were all out Jay thanked the driver, tipped him, and bade him good night.

As the carriage rolled away Jay wrapped an arm around M'redith's waist and pulled her close.

Aiden sighed and shook his head. Jay and M'redith acted like a married couple sometimes.

Jay grinned and the group all walked together next to each other towards the women's living area. They dropped Norri off who yawned widely when she tried to say good night. She waved and closed the door behind her.

They walked M'redith to her door and Jay gave her a proper kiss, although a quick one. She smiled with wide eyes and said good night to them a bit breathlessly before she closed her door.

“You can't make up your mind, can you?” Aiden said a bit hotly as the two of them left the women's area and turned down a dimly lit avenue lined with trees.

Jay didn't seem upset by Aiden's tone. “About what?”

“M'redith that's what! Or who! One night you won't touch her because we're not supposed to date during training. Another night you share a bed with her and then act as if nothing happened. Then, tonight, you kiss kiss her. Not like the little pecks you two have been playing around with but a real honest kiss. So as a completely uninterested third party I have to ask – what the hell Jay?” Aiden said all in a rush as if he had to get it out while he could.

Jay laughed lightly and shook his head. “Aiden, I've no idea what I'm doing. I've never been in a real relationship before. I spend half the time trying to follow the rules and half the time following... M'redith.”

Aiden seemed mollified and laughed. “Ok, so why tonight with the kissing?”

Jay shrugged. “I'm tired of avoiding a relationship because of a rule. If they kick me out over it then that would suck but I'll survive. I seem to find gold everywhere I go. So tonight I decided to just do what I think is right, within reason.”

Aiden nodded, “Ok. Makes sense. Might want to talk with M'redith and let her know about your little epiphany though. No reason to leave her guessing.”

Jay nodded. He was exhausted and wanted to go to sleep but Aiden was right. He really should talk with M'redith about that sort of thing.

“Ok. Great. I'm really glad that is settled because I've gotten a bit sick of watching you go back and forth. Now I can drop it and we never have to speak of it again.” Aiden said with a playful smile and a serious nod.

Jay laughed and stopped walking. They were at Jay's room. Jay gave Aiden a handshake and a one armed hug, Aiden's preferred method of greeting.

“Night, Jay,” Aiden said simply as he turned and walked to his own room as Jay closed his door behind him.

Jay walked to his bedroom and took off everything. Finally naked he lay in bed and fell asleep soundly.