Chapter 195

The King had stayed and held court for a time after his interaction with the Glimmerhides but it was clear that the show was over and once the King had left the crowd began to disperse.

Jay's group had left together and as they had approached the exit Aiden complained in a huff.

“I didn't even get a chance to try the food in the lobby!” he said with a frown.

M'redith shook her head, “You're flush with gold, you can buy your own food! Let's get in to a carriage before someone corners us for a conversation.”

Anyone who had so much attention directed at them by the King was sure to attract the attentions of others. Some would want to know more about them, others would want to size them up as competition. More than a few people were already trying to make their way over to the group.

“Unless you want to spend the night embroiled in politics, walk faster!” M'redith suggested when Aiden began to slow down his pace.

That was enough to get him moving – Aiden wanted to eat, not to play politics. He sped up his walking pace and their group surged forward out of the building and in to the courtyard which was stuffed with rows of carriages. They were all parked diagonally along the outer edges of the courtyard so that they could easily pull in to the courtyard traffic and proceed to the city roads without having to wait for others.

“Fine! But I want a snack on the way home!” Aiden demanded with a smile.

Norri smiled and shook her head, “You're like having a little brother sometimes, you know that?”

Jay and M'redith laughed as they walked quickly to their carriage.

“I'm older than you!” Aiden insisted.

“So act it!” Norri hissed with a chuckle.

Aiden didn't do well on low blood sugar but stopped complaining about the lack of food. He had just made ten gold. That would buy a lot of snacks.

Their driver had anticipated their arrival and already had the double doors open and waiting for them. Their group climbed inside and took their seats, Jay and M'redith on one side and Norri and Aiden on the other.

Their seats were soft and stuffed with thick padding. They moved about and got settled once they had claimed their seats. The doors shut with a click and the sounds of the city suddenly became muffled as the cabin became filled with a thick silence.

M'redith didn't wait for the carriage to begin moving and turned to Jay with a sharp look. “Why on Eden would you pass up the King's offer just for a secret about me?! Do you have any idea how much money that would have been?”

Jay shrugged, “A lot. But I can make my own oranges – I wanted a peach,” he tried to explain.

Norri giggled but went quiet at M'redith's reaction.

M'redith's eyes widened, maybe in anger but possibly just out of surprise, “You couldn't follow what the King was saying but you somehow understood his parable? Are you kidding me right now?”

Jay looked contrite but shrugged as he pointed out, “It was a pretty easy parable.”

Aiden shook his head, “I didn't know what he was talking about. Wait, was that supposed to be about you? I thought it was a separate thing. Huh,” he said thoughtfully as Norri smiled over at him but did not laugh.

M'redith didn't say anything for a time before she finally sighed loudly and tried to let go of her frustration.

Norri looked at her hopefully, “So are you going to tell us all what really happened in there?”

M'redith looked tired, “You all really don't know?”

Aiden shook his head and motioned with one hand towards her, “You're the only one that catches a lot of this stuff. You're good at it.”

M'redith made a thoughtful noise as the group felt the carriage lurch in to motion, slowly at first.

“Well, first off, he called us 'my Glimmerhides.' Publicly. If that isn't establishing ownership I don't know what is. He basically told everyone 'hand's off – mine!' He spoke to you as if you two were buddies even while in public as if he wanted to show your budding friendship off to others,” she carefully explained before Norri interrupted her.

“But we don't belong to the King,” she said worriedly. “We're our own group!”

“Try telling that to the crowd from tonight. From their point of view the King and the Glimmerhides are close. What that relationship might be is up for discussion but after tonight no one is going to believe we are not somehow connected with the King,” M'redith answered.

The cart slowed to a stop and they all looked out their windows. Traffic had come to a halt to allow cross traffic to flow. After a brief wait their carriage once again rolled in to motion.

“Next up. The King publicly established you in the eyes of the crowd as a man of means – financially. Your joke about being able to imagine spending 100 gold was cute, even funny, but also made you look like a man of real wealth,” M'redith said as she gazed out the window at nothing in particular.

“Wait. But Jay is a man of real wealth... isn't he?” Norri pointed out to the group.

Jay tilted his head to the side as he considered that. He was wealthy and not just technically. He was truly wealthy and growing wealthier with every passing day. He didn't feel wealthy though and still considered himself to be the same as he ever had been.

“Yup,” Aiden answered in brief with a nod. “He is.”

“Having money is one thing. Having the King tell everyone you have money is... something else entirely. The King didn't stop there but also made sure everyone knew you were Patron of Kagan's Dome. If that wasn't common knowledge yet then it certainly will be after tonight,” M'redith said as she tugged at a bit of hair that had gotten bound up too tightly in one of her braids. “It was almost like he was attempting to craft your public persona for you all in one sitting – and he did a good job of it too.”

“Well I thought the King was just trying to help Jay out with his search for land,” Aiden claimed.

M'redith shook her head and flashed a grin, “What – you mean the search for land Jay purposely kept a secret from everyone but us and Boland? That search? You're talking about a secret of Jay's which the King just told the entire city. Is that the one you're talking about?”

Aiden's face went a bit sour as he realized what she was saying, “Huh.”

“The King blabbed Jay's secret so that he could pull the Mayor in to the discussion. That was no accident – did you see the King searching the crowd while he was talking about Jay's real estate search? He was looking for the Mayor I'd bet. You're right about the King helping Jay out though – the Mayor would most likely never have set up an appointment with him otherwise.” M'redith pointed out with a raised eyebrow as the others considered her words.

M'redith caught Jay staring at her. “What?” she asked.

Jay shrugged, “I just wonder sometimes if we heard the same conversation, that's all. You pull a lot of meaning out of interactions with others – things I would never have considered.”

“Thanks? I think?” M'redith replied with a confused face.

“It's a good thing!” Norri insisted and even Aiden nodded. “What else!” Norri practically begged. “Tell us more!”

M'redith laughed and sighed. “What else. Well, the King used the opportunity to let the city know that Jay is the Patron of Kagan's Dome as I've already mentioned. Now everyone knows without a doubt that Jay is an actual Patron – from the King's own mouth no less. It was almost as if the King were setting Jay up.”

Aiden looked angry, “That's not right! Why would the King do that?”

M'redith looked surprised for a moment before she shook her head, “No, no. Not like that. It's not a bad thing – the King isn't setting Jay up the way you're thinking of it. This isn't a criminal set up where Jay is framed for a crime he didn't commit. I meant it the other way – the King is setting Jay up by releasing bits of information that crafts a specific image for Jay, publicly.”

“Ok, I guess that all makes sense. What about the rewards the King let Jay choose from then, what was that about?” Aiden asked as the carriage was suddenly shrouded in darkness. The carriage drove through a less well lit street before returning once again to the more brightly lit avenues. The cabin returned to its normal illumination.

“A test.” M'redith said. “Which I failed and Jay got right as infuriating as that might be for me.”

Jay laughed, “You're practically always right! Isn't that enough?”

M'redith grinned even though she tried to hide it. “No!”

Aiden and Norri laughed.

“The King was looking to find out what kind of man Jay was. Did he value money? Knowledge? The King also saw how Jay relies on me when making decisions and wanted to see if Jay would go against me or just go along with whatever I told him. Jay did well. Even though I am still in shock at the amount of money you turned down I have to admit that the King was right,” M'redith said a tad begrudgingly.

“Right how?” Norri asked in confusion before M'redith clarified.

“The King wanted Jay to take the knowledge. I'd even say that it felt like he needed him to although I couldn't tell you why,” M'redith said as she shifted in her seat to lean against Jay for a moment.

“And the parable?” Norri asked as she remembered the bit about oranges and a peach.

“That was for me. He didn't expect Jay or the crowd to get it but he knew I would get it. He was telling me that Jay can make his own money and does not need the King's help to do so. What Jay needed most was knowledge – and the King gave him the opportunity to pick,” M'redith said but Norri peered at her as she had noticed M'redith was fidgeting – a very un-M'redith like action.

“What aren't you saying?” Norri asked with a little smile.

M'redith sighed and didn't try to avoid the question, “It was a gentle rebuke – for me. It told me that Jay had picked the correct choice. The oranges were money. The peach was knowledge. The peach was also, me – depending on your interpretation.

Aiden grinned, “Awwww! You're Jay's peach!”

M'redith looked lightly offended, “I am not a fruit!”

Jay laughed along with them but was careful not to call M'redith his peach.

The group went quiet as M'redith had apparently finished her translation. After a time she looked up with a single raised eyebrow. “Jay – how did you know the answer to the King's first riddle? Or the second one for that matter? What was that all about?”

Jay laughed before he caught himself. “Sorry. I'm just surprised that there is something that the mighty M'redith can't interpret.”

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M'redith pushed him lightly and thankfully her Class Ability didn't trigger or Jay would have been in a world of hurt. The gentle push was instead playful and she leaned back up against him once she began to speak.

“What was it again? When you dream... no, when you sleep and dream but are awake instead...whose voice calls to you?”M'redith asked with a distant look.

Jay nodded, “So...”

Norri grinned, “Here we go, this is gonna be good, I can tell already.”

Aiden and M'redith laughed.

“What the King was describing is what happens when Gaia speaks to you in your dreams. You're asleep, but in your dream you are entirely awake – its not the same as the way you feel in a normal dream.” Jay tried to explain with a frown on his face.

The group was quiet for a moment as they pondered divinity and what meeting Her would feel like.

“Does she... does the Goddess talk to you often?” Norri asked hesitantly.

Jay shook his head, “Not often, and when she does she complains that we don't have a lot of time.”

Aiden made a clicking noise with his tongue. “If I didn't know you and hadn't already seen the marks on your hands I would have called you crazy. The Goddess complains that She doesn't get enough time to talk with you? That sounds... odd.”

Jay smiled and shrugged. “I don't blame you really.”

“And the second one, what was it,” M'redith asked as she tried to remember how the King had phrased it.

“It was something about a glade,” Norri suggested helpfully.

Jay remembered, it was difficult for him to forget. “A glade that isn't but is surrounded by nothing. That was where Gaia and I last spoke. We were in what looked like a glade but everything else was a gray nothingness as if we were suspended in space.”

M'redith instantly looked as if she understood what that meant but the others needed an explanation.

Aiden waved at M'redith to go ahead and she did, with a smile.

“The only way the King could have known about the glade was if he had been there, right?” M'redith asked.

Jay nodded, “I haven't told anyone else.”

M'redith nodded, “So that means that the King has spoken with the Goddess as well. Most likely about you.”

“What?” Jay asked in surprise, “How did you get that out of what happened?”

M'redith shrugged, “That one I can't explain other than to say that I know I'm right. We, or Jay, has something the King needs, or was told to get by Gaia.”

Aiden grumbled, “Why can't She just tell us what to do directly? Why all the mucking about?”

Norri chuckled, “Choice, that's why. Gaia guides but doesn't order people about.”

M'redith nodded in agreement as she looked over at Norri briefly.

The carriage groaned to a halt and the group paused their discussion to look out the window. They were stopped, again. M'redith leaned back and slid a divider open. She called through the open screen to the driver in front who called back.

“Cart in the intersection threw a wheel. It'll be five or ten minutes,” the driver explained.

“Hey!” Aiden said happily, “There's a food vendor! Can we get out?”

“One moment, sir,” the driver said before the group felt the carriage bounce lightly as the driver got down and opened the double side doors for Aiden.

With a shouted thanks Aiden climbed down from the carriage and walked back down the street a bit before he got in line in front of a food cart.

Norri followed him out while Jay and M'redith stayed in the cart.

“So... Gaia, huh?” M'redith asked with a smile.

Jay nodded before he shrugged. “She seemed nice.”

M'redith stared at him before she broke in to laughter. “She seemed nice? That's how you describe meeting a Goddess?”

Jay shrugged again., “She seemed very nice?”

M'redith shook her head and sighed but leaned up against him and held his arm in one of her hands. “I like you Jay. It's a good thing for you that the Goddess does too.”

Jay smiled, “You think she likes me?”

M'redith laughed. “She hasn't smote you yet – that's a good sign, right?”

Jay joined in her laughter, “A great sign!”

Aiden and Norri returned at a run and arrived out of breath and panting as they climbed back in to the cabin. The driver returned to the doors and shut them behind the two.

“What'd you get?” M'redith asked, she seemed to be in a good mood for some reason.

“Cheesy garlic bread slices. They didn't have any drinks left though – sold out. I'll just grab some water back at the Guild,” Aiden said as he bit in to a steaming hot piece of garlic bread and then made an ooooo noise as he breathed out in an attempt to cool the bite he had already taken.

The top of the bread was a buttery yellow and filled the cabin with the smell of garlic. Melted cheese pooled in places on the bread's surface. As Aiden bit in to the bread he pulled it back and stretched out the cheese before he was able to bite through it entirely. He took the stretched out cheese and rearranged it on to the top of the bread.

Norri nibbled on hers slowly – it was still too hot for her to eat and she wasn't hungry enough to bite into it until it had cooled.

A few minutes later the carriage pulled in to motion once again and Jay and M'redith sat quietly while Aiden and Norri devoured their cheesy garlicky bread.

“Is no one else going to point out that we each made 10 gold tonight??” Aiden finally said in an attempt to change the topic after he had finished eating. Norri continued to nibble on her bread while he spoke.

M'redith grinned happily. “We're rich!”

Aiden laughed, “I even paid for my own food tonight!”

The others chuckled and the cart rolled on through the city streets.

“What are you all going to do with your winnings?” Jay asked.

Norri spoke up through a mouth full of garlic bread, “I'm going to put mine in the bank so I don't lose it. Once I've trained a bit in how to be a druid I'll probably buy a couple of things.”

Aiden shrugged, “I'm going to send some coin home. I'll keep a gold on me and put the rest in the bank.”

M'redith grinned, “I'm thinking about buying some more rocks.”

Jay laughed, “Rocks?”

“Well, gems I mean. I'd like to get more purple amethysts,” M'redith clarified. “And maybe a new sword. A magical sword might be too expensive still but I could maybe find one at a good price.”

Jay nodded, “Sounds like some good plans!”

“What about you Jay? Are you going to buy anything fun?” Norri asked after she had swallowed her food.

Jay shook his head, “I'm boring. I'll probably just put it all in to the bank. I usually only keep a gold on me at a time.”

Aiden laughed, “I'm just remembering what you looked like that first day we met in the Guild. You were poor and lost and helpless – and look at you now, you're wealthy and lost and helpless!”

Jay and the others laughed, it was all said in good fun. Besides – Jay was often lost and helpless but since his arrival at the Guild his finances had only improved.

It was late by the time the group climbed out of their carriage once it had come to a full stop in the Adventurer's Guild's main courtyard. Jay stepped out and offered a hand to M'redith which she accepted. Norri was next and she hopped out of the cabin without any help. Aiden was the last out and was smiling happily.

“Thank you,” M'redith said to their driver who bowed his head in reply before he climbed back up and drove the carriage out of the courtyard. It was a brief interaction but M'redith knew a thank-you could go a long way.

Norri suddenly looked exhausted as if all of the excitement from the night had caught up to her all at once. M'redith put an arm around her and Norri leaned on her as the group walked over to the women's living area.

They dropped Norri off first, who yawned widely and said goodnight before she closed the door behind her. They brought M'redith to her rooms next, and Aiden received a hug good night while Jay had been given a far more enthusiastic kiss and hug. She flashed a smile behind her as she entered her rooms and shut the door behind her.

Jay and Aiden walked next to each other and along the path that would take them to the men's living area. It was still crowded and it was clear that those that had come for the auction had yet to leave. The two men stepped off the path briefly to let a squad of Guild Guards trot by at a jogging pace.

Jay was too tired to even wonder where they might be off to. Aiden didn't bring it up either and appeared to have already entered his digestion phase where he would grow quiet and introspective.

“Hey Jay?” Aiden suddenly asked.

“Ya?” Jay said from next to him.

“Does the Goddess ever mention us? Or like, me?” Aiden said. He stared forward and didn't look at Jay as they walked.

Jay shook his head, “We rarely have enough time to even have a full conversation. I don't think She has ever mentioned you. She has placed a very high emphasis on making friends though. Does that help?”

Aiden was quiet for a moment and then shrugged. “I guess so. It's weird. I've lived here my whole life and She's never said so much as hello. You're here for less than a month and you're already having conversations with Her. I don't know,” he said with another shrug.

“I think there are rules that keep Her from doing that Aiden. I don't think we are meant to be conversing with the Goddess. Does it bother you?” Jay asked after a moment.

Aiden pursed his lips. “I suppose not. Just thought it was strange but it isn't as if I've done anything so far in my life that would attract the attentions of a Goddess.”

Jay shook his head, “Me neither! I mean, I think it was my situation that drew Her interest – not me in particular.”

Aiden nodded as he thought about that. “You do have a pretty unique situation,” he finally admitted. “I guess I took it a bit personally, which was silly.”

“So you want Gaia to speak to you?” Jay asked in a bit of confusion.

“Oh Goddess no! I've told you before I don't want to get mixed up in any 'save the world' type of theatrics. I mean I don't need to talk with the Goddess... but it would have been nice if She'd tried.” Aiden explained helpfully.

Jay laughed, “I guess I know what you mean. If She did speak to you it would be terrifying for you but at the same time it'd be nice to get the opportunity? Am I getting this right?”

Aiden finally laughed, “I don't know. Yes? I'm overtired I think. And that garlic bread isn't sitting in my stomach all that well which isn't helping.”

Aiden burped. “Sorry, excuse me.”

Jay nodded. “No worries,” he said.

They had reached Jay's rooms and Jay surprised Aiden with a full hug.

“You're a good man Aiden. I'm glad we're friends,” Jay said before he went inside.

“And rich too!” Aiden said with a grin just to break up the moment.

Jay waved and Aiden nodded and walked off to his room as Jay shut the door behind him.

Jay first cycled on his Tropical Island Aura for thirty seconds. Once clean he got undressed and hung up the now spotlessly clean outfit on metal hangers which had been left for just such a purpose. His shoes and socks he tucked in under the hanging outfit.

Finally, wearing nothing but his underwear, he climbed in between the sheets of his bed before he remembered he had forgotten to turn out the lights.

With a sigh he got back up, flicked the lights off, and returned to his bed. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep almost immediately. He was exhausted from his day.

Jay hoped that Gaia would let him sleep that night. As much as he enjoyed the attentions of a Goddess, they only spoke during time that was supposed to be reserved for sleep. He only had a few hours to sleep before it was time to wake up once again and every hour spent speaking with the Goddess was an hour that his mind and body did not get the sleep they needed.

Thankfully Gaia did not pull him out of his sleep but allowed him to slumber and Jay's breathing quickly slowed down as he lost consciousness and dreamed. In his dream the King was chasing him but never seemed to get any closer. Eventually Jay realized that the only way the King would reach him would be if Jay were to approach him on his own. Jay was unsure what that might mean.

The dream changed and shifted, and Jay dreamed of M'redith and peaches.

Jay, finally, slept peacefully.