Chapter 230
The night had progressed quite well and the air had a slight coolness to it as summer slowly faded in to fall. It wasn't fall quite yet, but by the coolness in the air it was clear that summer was almost over. The stars were out in force that night and bright twinkling dots were scattered across the moonlit night.
A strong loud voice pierced through the crowd and momentarily drew everyone's attention. The master of ceremonies was again up on a chair and speaking loudly to all who would listen.
“We will be announcing the winner of the Diamond Wine shortly! If you have not already had a chance to play the course, now is the time to do so!” the man's voice boomed. He didn't speak long, just two sentences, then climbed down from his chair and melded back in to the crowd.
Jay worked his way towards the bar, in search of more wine.
The bartop was being scrubbed by the bartender with a folded dishtowel when Jay arrived to order a drink once again. The woman working at the bar was the same one he had seen the two times prior and she glanced up at him in disbelief.
“What? Again!?” she asked Jay as he smiled in embarrassment.
Jay laughed shyly and shrugged.
She stopped teasing him and gave him a forgiving smile. “I've never seen someone have so much trouble holding on to their drink. Here, white wine, right?”
Jay nodded, “Thank you! I promise to try and hold on to this one.”
She laughed in response. “NO! Don't hold it – drink it before someone else takes it from you!”
Jay laughed and obediently took a sip from his glass after she had handed it to him.
“There, you've sipped from it – now it is yours and no one will take it,” she said with a chuckle.
“Thank you again,” Jay said as he moved to leave.
“Absolutely. See you soon,” she said and laughed.
Jay wove his way through the crowd and tried to keep an eye out for anyone he might know. He heard what sounded like a violin being tuned. A patch of floor on the observation deck was being cleared and Jay had to step to the side to avoid walking right through the open space.
Moments later the violin began to play an energetic song that made Jay want to dance. The violin was soon joined by a number of other instruments and he looked over to see a small group of three people playing music. The song wasn't one that Jay was familiar with but a good beat was a good beat and he found himself walking to the music as he returned to M'redith's side.
People soon began to filter on to the cleared span of flooring and began to dance enthusiastically in pairs. Finely dressed men and women glided across the floor as the music filled the air and drowned out the murmur of conversations.
“Let's dance!” M'redith said with an excited look.
Jay took a sip of his wine and looked about for somewhere to put it down.
M'redith laughed, took his wine glass, downed the entire thing, and then handed it to a passing attendant who carried a tray of already empty glasses. She looked up at Jay with a slightly flushed face and grinned.
“Let's go!” she said with a laugh as she grabbed his hand and half dragged him on to the dance floor.
Jay moved along with her to the beat of the music and seemed to be having a good time, as did M'redith.
“I'm glad we came tonight. You didn't mention there would be dancing!” she yelled at him over the music.
Jay grinned and shrugged and the motion threw his rhythm off for a moment and he had to hop to get his steps back on beat. “I didn't know there would be dancing or I would have mentioned it!” he said with a laugh.
“What?!” M'redith yelled back at him. The musicians were right next to the dance floor and were quite loud.
Jay sighed. “Me too!” he yelled instead of trying to repeat what he had just said.
M'redith smiled and danced in the crowd of people, everyone dancing to the upbeat music. They danced for what felt like forever to Jay, but when M'redith took his hand and led him off the dance floor he found that he had really enjoyed himself.
The musicians were starting up another song, this one just as energetic as the first, but M'redith needed a break and led Jay over to the railing that overlooked the rest of the grounds.
“That was fun but I need a break. Ooo! Can you get us more drinks?” M'redith asked with a somewhat silly grin.
Jay paused. “How many drinks have you had already?”
M'redith blinked and shook her head, “Don't worry, I'm not drunk, I'm just happy,” she said with a serious tone of voice.
Jay smiled, “I can try to get another drink – not sure she'll give me any more, I've gone to the bar so many times.”
“Hi guys!” Aiden said as he arrived next to them with a woman Jay recognized. “Look who I just beat at mini-golf!” he said as he motioned towards a woman standing next to him.
She was dressed in a white and tan dress and had her hair down. Jay smiled in greeting.
“C'nthia! Great to see you again!” he said and she actually gave Jay a hug in greeting. “You remember M'redith?”
C'nthia nodded as she shook M'redith's hand. “Great to see you again! Jay, this place is incredible! Where did you come up with the idea for...all of this!”
Jay laughed, “I can't take credit for it – places like this used to be popular where I grew up.”
C'nthia boggled at him, “Where did you grow up??”
Everyone laughed but Jay actually answered her, “Somewhere very unlike Eden,” he replied with a smile. “I'm glad I found you – or you found us. I've heard that Redgrass might be in need of some repairs?”
C'nthia's brow furrowed and she took on a frustrated look. “The building is huge and filled with things that all need maintenance. The aquarium alone – Goddess! When we bought the place we had no idea that everything was in need of repair or replacement. It's looking like we might have to shut down for repairs.”
Jay nodded, “Need any help? I'd be happy to buy in as a major share holder.”
C'nthia grinned widely, “THAT would be amazing. The others all like you – oh that reminds me! Jon wanted me to ask you if you were interested in coming along with us for a dungeon run sometime? We'd pay you of course, but we'd like to get the group all a matching title so that we can display them when we're together.”
M'redith raised an eyebrow and put an arm around Jay's waist. Jay looked over at her and she gave him a tiny nod.
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Jay smiled happily while C'nthia laughed as she caught the byplay.
“See? Even M'redith thinks it's a good deal,” C'nthia said with a chuckle.
Jay shrugged, “I had a lot of fun last run with your group. I think I'd enjoy another. I've graduation exercises this weekend and then graduation itself at some point. My group is all heading out for secondary training so I'll have some time to myself over the next few weeks. Let me know when is good for you – or let Boland know and he'll get the info to me. Either way is good.”
C'nthia nodded seriously, “Perfect! I'll let the others know – they'll be thrilled! I'll talk to them about upgrading your share as well – should we get back to you or go over it with your man?”
Jay shook his head, “Not me – talk it over with Boland – he handles all that stuff for me.”
C'nthia nodded, “That's probably a good idea,” she said with a smile. “I'll get back to you, and Boland.”
The musicians ended their current song with a fade out, and the music just gradually got quieter until it ended entirely. The sudden lack of music drew everyone's attention and the next song was different. The crowd could immediately tell that the next song would be a slow one.
Aiden grinned and grabbed C'nthia's hand and gave it a tug.
“Ok, ok!” she said and waved at Jay and M'redith. “I have to go dance – talk with you two again soon!” C'nthia barely got out as Aiden dragged her on to the dance floor. The two put their arms around each other and began to sway to the music. It was a slow song and couples began to gather on the dance floor as the music slowly progressed.
M'redith leaned up against Jay and rested her head on his arm.
“Want to dance?” Jay asked her but he could feel her shake her head.
“I'm happy here,” she said and remained where she stood, leaning up against him.
They stood quietly like that and listened to the music while they gazed out over the mini-golf course. They could hear squeals of laughter and cries of indignation as people sank putts while others missed their shots entirely. All the while the music played, a slow almost romantic melody.
The song drew to an end and Jay could feel and hear M'redith sigh as she took a step away from him and looked off to her left. The musicians appeared to be taking a short break and Jay could see they were being handed glasses of what he assumed was wine. It appeared there would be a short intermission.
“C'mon, this way,” M'redith suddenly said as she grabbed his arm and led him through the crowd.
“Um, ok? Where are we going?” Jay asked as she made a beeline for one person in particular.
“You're going to talk with someone you need to. We've got a few left before we can leave – and we need to leave at some point or we're never going to get any sleep before our test tomorrow. Goddess, it's already getting close to tomorrow,” she said as she led him through the crowd.
“Jay!” an older looking, heavy set man shouted as they arrived in front of him. The man was completely bald but had bushy white eyebrows. With no facial hair, his eyebrows were the only hair he had on his head.
He wore a monks robe and stood with the aid of a cane which he held in one hand.
“Orin, glad you could come!” Jay said brightly in greeting. They exchanged brief nods before Orin did the same with M'redith. “Have you gotten a chance to play?” Jay asked.
Orin laughed, “I did! I'm afraid I'm no good at mini-golf. I almost knocked a blade off of the windmill! That cost me a point. It was still fun though! It doesn't look like I'll be going home tonight with that Diamond Wine. A shame – I'd love some experience points!”
Jay nodded, “I can't blame you. I'm feeling a bit desperate lately for xp myself. I miss running dungeons – I can't wait for training to be over,” he said with a winsome grin.
Orin nodded. “Well you really helped me out with the patch,” he said with a smile. “I haven't had a chance to really talk with you about it, but I feel like I owe you one.”
M'redith's grip on Jay's arm suddenly felt like iron and Jay forced himself to focus on the conversation even though he was becoming a bit tired.
When Jay didn't speak up right away M'redith took advantage of the pause in conversation.
“That's wonderful of you Brother Orin,” she said a bit formally which caught Orin's attention. “I'm sure that Jay can think of an appropriate way to repay him.”
Orin laughed in surprise, “What? He doesn't have enough money already?”
M'redith shook her head in mock shock, “Jay doesn't need your money – but he'll gladly accept a promised favor instead. As compensation for your using him.”
While Jay had been compensated for applying the patch to Kagan's Dome he had not yet been compensated for Orin involving him in Church politics.
Orin frowned and nodded, “I suppose that is only fair considering what I put him through – although things did work out perfectly in the end.”
He kept harping on that point – things had worked out in the end – but that wasn't what this was about. This was about how he had used Jay in his own political maneuverings. Orin knew that he had used Jay. M'redith knew it. Even Jay knew it, which showed a bit of growth on his part. M'redith was just squeezing a favor out of the monk – he had used Jay and now would offer a service to Jay in return.
He could refuse. He could say that what was done was done, but word would get around and his standing among his peers would fall considerably. No one wanted to get a reputation for using other people without compensation.
He could refuse, but it would close off Jay, a Patron, as a potential future ally. Not a smart move.
“You have my promise M'redith, I'll grant Jay a favor, should he need one,” the monk finally relented – whether due to logic, inebriation, or exhaustion, it didn't matter. He had agreed but looked a bit confused over having done so.
An attendant had arrived beside Brother Orin and was handing him a snack plate and a glass of wine. M'redith took that opportunity to disengage and move on.
“Wonderful!” M'redith said with a happy expression. “It was good getting to see you again Brother Orin,” M'redith said with a smile as she led Jay away and the three waved goodbye to each other.
M'redith guided Jay away and Jay allowed her to do so.
“What was that all about?” Jay finally asked once she had guided the two of them over to the edge of the observation deck.
“He owed you for what he did to you, or more precisely with you. I just made sure that he'd repay you, that's all,” M'redith said with a shake of her head.
“And?” Jay prompted her when he felt as if she was still holding something back.
She looked to the side and up at him and gave him a crooked smile. “And I think I know where we can find the last piece we need for our dungeon.”
Jay suddenly felt wide awake. “What? Where! Why didn't you say anything?”
M'redith made a throw away gesture with one hand as if tossing away a used tissue. “I'm telling you now! I did some digging while I was doing errands today. Gaia's 101 Uses for Capers? The book we need? It's restricted! No idea why, but the priest I spoke to swore that it was in the Church's restricted library.”
Jay thought about that for a moment, “And Orin?”
M'redith nodded, “And Orin, as a head monk, might be able to get us in. Tonight's not the night to ask him for that, but it was the perfect time to force a future favor out of him.”
Jay smiled, “That sounds a bit calculating.”
M'redith nodded, “Exactly. Politics.” She took a breath. “Now he owes you a favor. Once we get back together after secondary training we can call that favor in - hopefully for access to the restricted library.”
“You had this whole thing all planned out already when we arrived tonight didn't you?” Jay asked as he looked down at her.
She nodded and smiled, proudly. “I did!”
Jay grinned and wrapped an arm around her and gave her a warm hug. “You, are the best. What would I do without you?”
“Get in to a lot of trouble probably,” she said with a grin.
Others came up to speak with Jay of course as they moved about – people thanked him for their invitation, gushed over how wonderful the mini-golf course was, and regaled him with tales of their attempt at the course.
Jay and M'redith spoke with each of them happily and thanked them for coming. M'redith guided Jay around the party and made certain that he spoke with everyone that he had invited at least once. A sudden booming voice drew their as well as everyone else's attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, gather round! The time has come to announce the winners of the first annual K'tharkle mini-golf competition!” said the master of ceremonies in a clear voice that carried over all present.
The mini-golf course still had people playing on it, even though the competition had concluded. People didn't care that they wouldn't win anything, they were just having so much fun playing the game.
Those not playing however all gathered around in anticipation of finding out who would go home with a bottle of Diamond Wine.