Chapter 231
M'redith leaned up against Jay as the master of ceremonies continued to speak over the other conversations still taking place.
The crowd finally quieted down and the master of ceremonies looked out over the assembled guests and grinned widely. “Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests,thank you for coming tonight to the First Annual K'tharkle Mini-Golf Competition! I am your master of ceremonies, and I am honored to preside over this auspicious event! Tonight we come together to celebrate the birth of a new and exciting recreational oasis! M'redith Meadows!”
The gathered crowd had been drinking all night and were having a great time. In the crowd a voice that sounded suspiciously like Norri's yelled out 'M'redith!' while a smattering of whistling and light applause broke out. The master of ceremonies smiled in reply and nodded in thanks before he continued.
“First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for gracing us with your presence this evening. Your enthusiasm and support have made this event possible, and we are thrilled to have you here, joining us tonight for our grand opening,” the man's voice boomed. It was loud and deep and impossible to ignore.
“It is only fitting that on this auspicious occasion, we take a moment to recognize and appreciate the dedicated individuals whose hard work and vision have made this course a reality. To our tireless team of mages, architects, designers, landscapers, and construction workers, thank you for transforming a dream in to a tangible experience for all to enjoy! Your creativity and attention to detail have crafted a miniature world of wonders, ready to challenge and delight players of all ages!”
The master of ceremonies waited a beat for the applause to die down before he continued.
“Now, it is time to recognize the shining stars of our inaugural mini-golf tournament. We had the pleasure of witnessing some truly remarkable skill and determination on the course, and it is with great delight that I present the top three winners of our competition!”
The man's voice was loud and happy – he sounded amazed and thrilled with every word that he spoke.
“IN THRID PLACE!” he yelled and many people in the crowd jumped in surprise at the sudden escalation of volume, “We have an exceptional golfer whose precision and focus set them apart from the rest. Please join me in congratulating Constance for her outstanding performance! Constance, please, come up here!”
The entire crowd applauded as a prim and proper looking Constance walked up to the master of ceremonies and stood beside him so that the crowd could see them both. She smiled a closed lipped smile and nodded in thanks as she was handed a wood and metal trophy. It had two crossed golf clubs in front of a stylized numeral '3.'
The master of ceremonies waved towards Constance, “Please join me in congratulating Constance for her outstanding performance!”
Constance stood next to the master of ceremonies at the head of the crowd for a moment as the crowd went wild with applause before she returned to where she had been standing before her name had been called.
She looked quite pleased with herself and was smiling while trying not to.
“NEXT!” the master of ceremonies shouted and Jay jumped this time in surprise. “In second place, we have a golfer who displayed incredible finesse and strategic thinking throughout the tournament! Let us acknowledge Charlie's remarkable achievement! Come on up here Charlie!”
The crowd applauded but no one approached the front. A small commotion had broken out over where King Ferrigualt was standing and it appeared that the King was arguing with one of the members of his security detail.
Finally the King shoved one of his guards forward and the guard reluctantly walked up to the front and stood next to the master of ceremonies. Jay was trying to figure out what that was all about when M'redith, as usual, leaned in close and explained. The King looked on with a pleased grin directed towards the guard.
“I saw them earlier, playing. The King made his security detail play the course too. One of them wasn't too happy focusing on anything other than protecting the King. The King insisted. Looks like one of them was really good at it and doesn't want his trophy. The King wants him to take the trophy anyway since he did win it.” M'redith said in to his ear so that he could hear her over all of the applause.
The master of ceremonies handed the Kingdom Guard a trophy the same size as the one he had handed to Constance. It also consisted of two crossed golf clubs in front of a number – this one was '2' for second place.
The guard obediently nodded in thanks and stalked back to his position next to the King as if embarrassed. He most likely was. The guards prided themselves on not getting in the way, fading in to the background until needed. Being paraded in front of everyone as the center of attention was the opposite of what the guard strove for.
The King was smiling like a fool though and once the guard had returned to his side the King thumped him on the back repeatedly and congratulated him. Eventually the guard relented under the King's constant excitement and allowed a single smile to briefly form. The King saw it, laughed, and had the guard show off his new trophy.
Jay smiled. The King seemed like a nice guy and the other guests present applauded the second place winner a second time when the King finally got him to smile.
“What a great sport! Congratulations to you!” the master of ceremonies' voice boomed across the observation deck. “And finally, our first-place winner captured our hearts with their unrivaled talent and sheer passion for the game. It is with immense pleasure that I announce Warren as our champion of this mini-golf tournament! Please give him a thunderous round of applause!”
Jay clapped and cheered as the others around him did so as well. “Wooo! Go Warren!” Jay yelled. Warren looked over as he walked to the front and saw Jay and waved excitedly. His facial expression was one of child-like joy and disbelief – he couldn't understand how he had won – he wasn't that good at the game, or so he had thought.
The master of ceremonies placed a hand on Warren's shoulder and offered him a trophy that was larger than the other two had been. A bronze plaque on the base read “First Place, 1st Annual K'tharkle Mini-Golf Tournament” and the trophy was a metal sculpture of a golfer getting ready to putt. The trophy was handed carefully to Warren who accepted it gently and with both hands while grinning like a fool.
“And to the winner goes the spoils! Or in this case, the wine! Diamond Wine! Congratulations Warren!” the master of ceremonies said as he tried to hand Warren the bottle of wine. But Warren was already holding a trophy with both hands and he looked momentarily confused.
Seconds later T'lly, in a green dress, appeared at his side and took the trophy from him so that his hands were free to accept the wine. Carefully he took the bottle and made sure he had a good grip. The bottle was glass but the glass was comprised of hundreds of facets that caught and reflected the light like a prism. The wine inside looked shimmery, like a rainbow.
Warren held the bottle out to show the crowd and was rewarded with a round of applause. T'lly then guided him back in to the crowd and the master of ceremonies waved at everyone gathered in front of him.
“Again, thank you all for coming, and for playing! It was wonderful having you all here this evening. We hope to see you here again soon! Feel free to play the course some more if you would like, have a lovely evening, and good night!” the man said simply and held both arms out to the side as the crowd applauded. It went on for a bit before it died down and the crowd began to disperse.
Some people went downstairs to play more mini-golf. Some went to the bar to grab a drink. And some had an exam the next morning and needed to get to bed soon. Many people, however, were approaching the three winners and congratulating them. Quite a few people had gathered around Warren and T'lly as well to get a closer look at the Diamond Wine.
“C'mon,” M'redith said as she held his arm with one hand and tugged him to the side. “Let's go congratulate Warren – then we can go back to the Guild and go to bed. I hate to leave, but we don't have much of a choice when you think about it.”
Jay sighed and nodded as they walked through the crowd. He was having fun and would have liked a chance at playing the mini-golf course, but that was not to be that night. That was ok, he thought to himself – he could always come back – he owned the place! And maybe next time he could actually finish a glass of wine, he thought with a grin.
M'redith smiled as she saw Jay's expression perk up even though she didn't know what had caused it. She turned and led the two of them further through the crowd until they had reached the periphery of the guests that had gathered around Warren and the bottle of Diamond Wine.
Warren was talking with the crowd of people around him as they all discussed his prize along with how he had won it in the first place. Jay and M'redith were hanging back a bit and giving him time to enjoy the crowd's attention before they interrupted to say hello.
They waited for what felt like a long enough time and Jay was just about to wave at Warren to get his attention when someone who wasn't M'redith patted him on the back and stepped up next to him.
“Quite the night you put together Jay – thanks for inviting us,” T'lly said with a nod. She wasn't smiling and had a bit of a serious face on as she spoke to him. She seemed a bit... off. She leaned in so that he could hear her better and she swayed a bit as she did so. Jay reached out and offered her a hand to steady herself while M'redith looked on in concern.
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M'redith gave Jay a brief questioning look which he responded to with a shrug.
T'lly grabbed at Jay's shoulder and shook it.
“You need to get out of here! There's been a... change, to your planned exercises tomorrow. Don't tell anyone I told you. You're going to need all the sleep you can get though. Also, I'm sorry – in advance. You'll see,” she said and winked at Jay.
That was when he realized that T'lly was drunk. Or at least tipsy. She was a lot more talkative than she normally would be, that was for sure.
“I'm sorry, you're sorrry,” she mumbled and slurred the word sorry before she pushed through the crowd and returned to Warren's side. No one dared to block her way. T'lly just had a way about her that tended to discourage that sort of thing.
Warren finally noticed Jay and M'redith as T'lly returned to his side and he gave them a giant grin and shook both of their hands excitedly as he showed them each the wine he had won.
“Jay! M'redith! This place is amazing!” he said. His face was a little red and it was clear that he had already had a few drinks himself.
M'redith laughed and Jay smiled in reply.
“I'm glad you like it! Glad you both made it tonight. Turns out you're really good at mini-golf, huh?” Jay asked as he continued to smile.
Warren nodded, “I guess I just get the game? The angles seem pretty easy once you figure out that it is all about angles. Oh! I almost forgot about tomorrow!”
“SHHH.” T'lly said and smacked Warren on the shoulder. “No telling!”
Warren made an embarrassed expression and shrugged. “You'll see tomorrow. Or today. What time is it anyway?”
“It's late,” M'redith said as she flashed Jay a look that said 'we need to get going.'
Jay nodded, “We should get going, apparently,” he added and Warren laughed while T'lly giggled.
“Thanks for inviting us, we had a great time. See you tomorrow, right?” Warren said with emphasis.
Jay nodded, “We'll be in the courtyard bright and early. We're headed straight to our rooms now in fact.”
Warren made a disappointed face, “Sorry you two have to go but I understand. Go sleep. See you soon.”
Jay nodded, “And congratulations on the wine! You'll have to tell me how that goes once you've used it!”
Warren nodded and grinned, “I'll let you know how it goes. Nite Jay. Nite M'redith,” he said as he shook their hands. T'lly just gave them both perfunctory nods as if dismissing them.
M'redith didn't wait but took Jay's elbow and guided him out of the crowd. They said good night to people on their way out and traded pleasantries.
On the way out they managed to find Aiden, who was dancing with C'nthia again – or still, depending on how one looked at it. M'redith snuck on to the dance floor and spoke with him briefly before she returned to Jay's side and tugged him along with her in a different direction.
“C'mon. I told him something is up with tomorrow's exercise and to go get some sleep,” M'redith said as Jay followed along behind her as the two held hands.
“Is he going back with us?” Jay asked as he looked behind him where they had left Aiden, on the dance floor.
M'redith laughed, “Nope – he said he has a ride, and C'nthia grinned like a fool when he said it so I'd guess she'll get him home safe and sound.”
Jay grinned at that. Hopefully Aiden wouldn't stay up too late.
They looked about for a bit but couldn't find Norri. M'redith fretted for a moment before she relaxed and just let it go.
“If we can't find her that's ok. She's a big girl, she can get home on her own. We'll see her in the morning.” M'redith explained as she led Jay over to Boland, who was standing near the stairs leading down to the exit.
“Jay!” Boland exclaimed brightly and with open arms. Jay relented and gave him a hug. “Wonderful party!”
Jay laughed, “I had nothing to do with it! You did all the planning!”
M'redith smiled, “Excellent job Boland. You and Toren put on a wonderful event tonight.”
Boland beamed under M'redith's praise and nodded in thanks.
“I take it you two are headed home?” Boland asked with a smile.
Jay shook his head, “We're headed back to our rooms.”
Boland looked confused for a moment before he nodded, “Ah. Understood. A place to lay your head only, got it. Well, get some sleep. I know you both have your graduation event tomorrow. You'll want to be at your best for that I'm sure. Great seeing you again M'redith,” he said as he shook both of their hands and gave Jay a pat on the back.
They said their goodbyes and walked downstairs and passed people going upstairs to get drinks. When they passed out of the entry door however Jay was surprised to see that a crowd had gathered in the street in front of the mini-golf course. People had heard that something was going on and wanted to see what that was.
Due to the high fencing no one could see inside – all the people outside could see was a constant stream of well dressed individuals entering and exiting. Those exiting all looked as if they had a great time doing something inside – but what? The crowd didn't know, but wanted to.
A few additional guards were present when Jay and M'redith left – they were needed just to keep traffic moving while also keeping the crowd back and away from the entry doors.
Jay and M'redith stood outside for a minute while they waited for their carriage. She leaned up against him and he put an arm around her as they stood quietly. The crowd was noisy and it made it difficult to hear each other talk so they didn't even try.
It was late and while the sky was dark the street itself was lit up thanks to all of the lighting on the front face of the fencing that lined the street. Jay could feel M'redith sigh. People in the crowd yelled questions at them but neither of them could make out what those questions might be over the noise.
A guard moved people aside so that a carriage could pull up in front of the entrance and he helped guide Jay and M'redith over to it. “Have a good night,” he said with a nod.
The driver had gotten down and opened the carriage doors for them. M'redith got in and then Jay.
He sat down in the comfortable plush seats and relaxed for what felt like the first time that night. M'redith slumped against the wall of the cabin and grinned.
“That was fun,” she said and closed her eyes. “I'm tired now though. Must. Sleep.”
Jay laughed. “We're almost there.”
“What do you think T'lly was talking about?” M'redith asked Jay and he looked puzzled.
He had intended to ask M'redith the same question.
“I've no idea – but it didn't sound good – for us, I mean.” Jay said with a frown.
“Ya – we just don't have enough information to make a good guess. Oh well,” she said and yawned – it went on for a good five seconds. “Excuse me. I'm exhausted I guess.”
Jay yawned and M'redith followed along a half second later.
“Stop it, you're making me yawn even more!” M'redith said after she had finished her yawn and Jay smiled.
The carriage slowed almost to a stop and made a sharp left turn.
“Feels like we're here,” M'redith said as the carriage made a tight turn until it faced the way it had come. The carriage came to a stop and they could feel the driver climb down as the carriage shifted slightly. The doors were soon pulled open and Jay exited before he offered M'redith a hand to help her out as well.
She accepted his offered hand and climbed out of the carriage before she yawned again. She covered her mouth with her hand before she excused herself. “Sorry. Thank you for the ride,” M'redith said and nodded to the driver who smiled in thanks before he shut the doors, hopped back in to the driver's seat, and got the carriage moving once again.
Jay and M'redith were quickly ushered off of the main courtyard to make room for other people to disembark as they just had. Jay led them to a well used path and headed off towards the women's residential area.
Librarians were everywhere, even that late in to the night. Maybe they worked in shifts? They must, right? Jay wondered how they set that up. They waited for a group of six Librarians to pass by them before they stepped off the side of the path and continued on.
“This is me,” M'redith said once they'd reached her front door. She wrapped her arms around Jay's neck as he gave her a hug and a kiss goodnight. “Thanks for tonight,” she said after they'd pulled away from each other, “I had a lot of fun.”
Jay nodded, “Me too. Get some sleep M'redith, see you in the morning.”
“Nite Jay,” she said before she turned and shut the door behind her.
Jay walked back to his room, alone. It felt a little odd being on Guild grounds alone – usually Aiden would walk with him back to their rooms, together.
It was a clear night and the moon gave off enough light to see by so Jay made good time back to his rooms. There were plenty of people still out and about – it was a Friday night after all.
Jay patted at his pockets until he'd found his key card. He fished it out of a pocket and opened the door with it. Shutting the door behind him he put the key card on the table so he wouldn't forget it.
He was too tired for an aura cleaning. All he wanted was sleep. He went to his bedroom, got undressed, turned out the lights, and fell in to bed. He stared up at the ceiling in the darkness. He felt too tired. Overtired. Now he was having difficulties falling asleep.
Jay sighed as he stared at the ceiling and willed sleep to come but to little effect.