Chapter 144 Let's Get Together.
Ohh A party!
Do gamble your hard earned gold away.
Do drink and sign the worst deals possible.
Do tumble in bed and get robbed and disrobed.
Do spend your coin on the best food and show.
Just don’t enjoy yourself.
Kilako, the Golden Prince of Gains.
{28} Kilako (October) the 2nd
I saved no expense throwing a celebration in a single day. Although, I had Tasiya doing most of the work. From buying a dress to Zoe, to inviting every citizen who lives in Red Cedar City, she took care of everything. That woman is a wonder when it comes to organizing stuff.
I even went to bed early yesterday.
And now after I sent away the maids who dressed me, I observe my reflection in the silver mirror, touching the sharper tip of my left ear that is now poking out from my short shoulder length auburn hair. I think my ears got longer and sharper. I wish I measured it before. Is that my Fae Bloodline? Or is it just my elven side?
I attempt to smooth my hair again to cover my ear tips by instinct and fail for the third time. It doesn’t matter, it’s not like I have to keep hiding it. Unlike Mansel’a no one here has issues with elves. And even if anyone had a problem they wouldn’t voice it.
My habits are simply hard to change, but I need to work on changing them. I need to learn how to adapt.
I tuck my hair behind both ears and turn to check out my profile. My closed purple velvet dress hugs my petite figure comfortably, covering my body fully. A silver necklace with a tiny garnet hangs above it, matching my eyes and hair. My magical necklace hidden under the dress, pressing against my skin, just in case.
I’m getting taller, a few centimeters since the last time I checked. Probably why my legs are sore lately. Still not enough in terms of bust sadly, those years of starvation really did a number on my growth. Or maybe I still need more time? Twenty eight blooms is fully grown for a human, but for an elf I’m practically a child, and the Fae are immortal. If Jolla is correct I should start wondering about this when I reach forty five. If I ever reach such an age that is, I might just die in a few weeks to some random monster or enemy.
I wish I could go home. I wish I could celebrate being home with Wulf and Ariena instead. I don’t want to be on this island or rule over these people… I wish I could just go home and live happily with Kolag, give Salik and Zoe a house in Nurio and teach Zoe how to craft Salik’s potions. Get the hag to heal Berthold’s mother to release him from his obligations, and maybe even get Sharla coupled up with Jerro somehow. Ryon can have piles of food to eat and I’ll go out on a ride with Loyal.
We could all live happily ever after instead of this conflict ridden island. Yeah right... Like that's going to happen...
Enough with these depressing thoughts. I have a party and a wedding celebration to go to. I’ll just have to focus on enjoying tonight as much as I possibly can. Yes. I’ll be home. One step at a time, one day at a time.
Determined, I turn to leave my chambers behind. Attempting to hype myself up. We're finally all getting together. It's been a while. The last time was after the war with Janara and it wasn't really a time for a party. Not to mention how I was possessed and couldn't have one even if I wanted to. And I also missed Kolag’s birthday, I wanted to do something nice for him…
Ok. This is depressing. But we’re finally past that! There’s always next year.
Yeah, and Jerro, Sharla, and Ryon are leaving for Sajarev tomorrow, while the rest of us will go to Pear City and who knows what awaits us there.
That’s tomorrow! Tonight I’ll have fun. Besides, Sharla and Jerro might actually fall in love at Sajarev, who knows?
“Your Majesty,” Tasiya interrupts my thoughts. The plump woman in an impeccable black dress and a white laced apron I haven’t seen her wear before tonight. “The celebration has started already. Everyone is waiting for Your Majesty.”
“Have you never heard of a late entrance?” I raise an eyebrow.
She chuckles. “Any plans for the celebrations themselves? Should I notify anyone of note to give a speech? Will you speak?”
I cross my hands. “I really didn’t think about that, I just wanted a party for Zoe. I do want to run a wedding ceremony for her, but otherwise we'll save the pompous speeches for some grand diplomatic event.”
“Your Majesty, they already had a wedding ceremony in Koshavi’s temple.” The tone of her voice is final, like the fact they already had a ceremony somehow means there can be no other.
“And?”
Tasiya shakes her head. “And it’s considered to be an affront to the Goddess of Love to have another ceremony outside of her temple.”
“Do I look like I care about the gods?” Actually, maybe it's not such a good idea to make another god mad at me. NO! I will not worship the gods or change my life to suit their tastes! Never!
“Y-Your Majesty, it’s simply not done.”
A childish giggle interrupt our conversation. Sharla sits on the nearby staircase wearing the form of a ten years old girl, her blond flocks reaching her waist. “I can teach you a ceremony. I know a lot of them. Even some the Fae use.”
“You can? Thank you, Sharla. And a simple human one will do.”
“No problem!” She chirps and jumps to her feet and dusts her flowery skirts. “You make them hold hands like this," she imitates. "And then you say: By the suns, the moons, and the twilight stars. Will you…”
"Suns? Moons? Isn't there only one moon and one sun?"
"No. There are three suns and seven moons actually. Most of them aren't visible below the mirage cloud. Anyway it goes like this. By the suns..."
I listen to all of her instructions and memorize them.
“There! That’s everything. A short ceremony, right?” Sharla asks in a sweet childish voice.
“Yes. Thank you for giving me a simple one, Sharla.”
“No problem!” She lets out an excited childish giggle and runs down the hallway.
“I’ll prepare what’s needed, Your Majesty.” Tasiya says with a bow and goes down the stairs with a hurried step.
“Master?” Zoe’s fragile voice comes from behind me.
“Yes?” I turn to meet the woman who’s still taller than me despite my growth sprout. Her normally long brown hair is collected up as a tight knot on her scalp. She’s wearing the satin weave that I’ve had Tasiya buy her as a present. The lower section of her skirt are decorated with diagonal frills and her wide sleeves drag after each movement of her wrists, the shimmering green and blue silk reflect the light with every movement she makes. Tasiya got some weird fashion sense… Wait, these are her god's colors… Jalier's
Zoe sniffs and wipes a tear from her reddened eyes. “I… I wanted to thank you for this. I didn’t really want a a party. I have no one left to celebrate with. My family… They’re all dead.”
“Your sister is still alive, isn’t she?”
“No. She and her husband died when the orcs… When the orcs..." She sniffs again. "You know. I went there to invite them and I just found out.”
I reach out and hug her. “I’m sorry. The orcs are my fault. It’s all my fault.”
She buries her head in my shoulder and clings to me, tugging me tight against her. “No it’s not. It’s those savages’ fault. And Kolag. He told me everything that happened. Just… Master?”
“Yes?”
She squeezes me tightly in her arms. “Promise me that you don’t recruit orcs again.”
“I promise.” I can’t make such a promise. What if I find a way to employ orcs again?
Too late, I’ll cross that bridge if I ever get to it.
“Thank you.” She lets me go. “I…”
“Do you want to cancel tonight? I can let the people of the city enjoy the food, but you don’t have to sit there if you want to grieve alone.”
She shakes her head slowly, lowering her gaze. “No. I want to be there. Salik is my family now. And I guess you are too, Master, if you’ll have me as family…”
I squeeze her shoulder gently. “You’re already family to me, Zoe. And as family you really got to stop calling me Master.”
She frowns in confusion for a moment before responding. “But I want to. It’s been my dream to have a sorceress master like you since when I was a little girl. I’m not doing this because I have to!”
I cross my hands an arch an eyebrow. “Oh really? Is that why you made Ovin call you Master?”
She winces. “He… He’s a thug, ok? He’s an annoying and clingy vile thug who’d use his powers for evil. I don’t know why you accepted him as your apprentice, Master.”
“Because he’s competent and we need all the help we can get. The world isn’t black and white. The world is different shades of gray believing the other shades are black and white, and I’m not different. In this particular case what you see as black, I see as gray, and only time will tell which is which. And even if he is indeed evil now, anyone can change over time. Instead of alienating him, be kind. Unless he outright abuses your kindness, it won’t hurt you in the long run. If he does abuse your kindness, we’ll both know for sure that he’s a thug as you say.” In that case there are other methods to control him...
“I… It doesn’t work like that! He’s so annoying I want to slap his bald head off his shoulders. Salik and I went alone to Tolste’s Bay and he had to come with us and spoil the mood! How am I supposed to put up with him?”
By not being a brat? “Then don’t put up with him. Regardless, he’s here to stay, at least until we leave the island which is unlikely to happen before next year, so you better get used to him.”
She deflates. “Yes, Master.”
I pat her shoulder. “Come on, I want to give you a good wedding ceremony.”
“We already had a wedding ceremony at Koshavi’s temple…” She hesitates when I lift an eyebrow. “Um, Master? Can we sit here and talk some more?” She gestures toward the nearby staircase.
I move to sit on the stair and gesture at the free space at my right. “Of course! Anything you need. You don’t have to be shy with me, Zoe, I want you as a family as much as you do.” You are all my family. I need you all my little pawns.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
She tugs her skirts and sits near me. “I… Ever since I was little I hoped to become a sorceress and have a Master like you. I mean, not exactly like you. I always imagined a wizen old man with a long beard like Jalier being my master, or maybe even Jalier himself taking me as his apprentice. It’s a silly little dream for a silly little girl.”
She leans her head on my shoulder carefully, as if unsure if I’d be open for such intimacy. I wrap my hand around her shoulders and continue listening to her in silence.
“I used to pray to Jalier every day. You know… Jalier doesn’t promise his believers magic. No. He promises that if we follow his laws we’ll be reborn with magic. I kept praying that I’ll have magic in this life, but I never knew if my prayers had been answered. That first spell I cast, the one I froze the wrags with? That was the happiest moment of my life, and the scariest. And then you came and rescued me like how I always imagined my master would.”
She sniffs, her voice fragile and broken.
“I always wanted to explore the world, to go on great adventurers with my Master like all the stories about Tolste Glasshand and his apprentice Lumina Starfall.” Wait… Lumina? Maybe I do need to read some about this Tolste. “And I got that wish fulfilled too, all of my prayers have been answered. But now my family is gone! They’re all dead! I know I should be happy for them, that they’ll be reborn with magic in their next life. But I won’t ever see them again even if we are all reborn together in the next life I won’t even recognize them!”
She bursts into tears. I hug her and rub her back gently, waiting for her to calm down.
It doesn’t take long before she sniffs and leans up from the hug, her teary brown eyes looking into mine.
“I lusted after my dreams and I took them for granted and they died. I wish I hadn’t, and I thought I learned not to do that, but then I treated my sister as dead, just because she wouldn’t react to me… And now she’s actually dead too. I won’t take anyone who cares for me for granted anymore! I won’t take Salik for granted, I won’t take you for granted, Master. Thank you!”
I sigh. “You’re welcome, Zoe. However, taking your family for granted is a part of what makes your family a family. If you had to stop and appreciate every moment with them, or us for that matter, you wouldn’t actually live those moments. You’d obsessively count every single happy moment of your life and the counting itself will turn it unhappy, or at least not as fun.”
She snickers through her sniff. “Thank you, Master. I needed that. And you know what? Another ceremony won’t hurt anyone. Let’s go enjoy that celebration you’ve made in my honor.”
I grin. “Let’s!”
*
The white palace walls frame the large training yard of the palace and the sun shines brightly from above. The yard crowded beyond capacity. People cram the long tables for food, and the palace maids barely manage to make way to bring more. Unlike the parties I’m used to from Mansel’a, this one isn’t for nobles, and people don’t sit and wait for the host before touching their food.
The buzz of conversation cuts off when Zoe and I enter the yard. People burst into a wild cheer slamming their mugs on their tables rapidly.
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
"There she is!"
"That's our girl!"
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
People raise their mugs toward Zoe or knock them repeatedly against their tables as we make way for the main table where my throne is.
Zoe takes her seat near Salik who doesn’t wear his eternal straw hat over his thick eyebrows for a change. He wears a tailored suit he’s clearly uncomfortable in. There's blame in his eyes when he looks at me, like the fact he's wearing a suit is somehow my fault. I give him my best smile as I take to my throne.
Salik and Zoe to the left of my throne, and Kolag on my right, using a straw to suck from a bowl of stew.
Berthold, Ryon, and Ovin sit at Salik’s other side. Berthold congratulating Zoe, Ryon munching on strips of bacon, and Ovin observing the crowd with his sharp brown eyes on the far end.
Jerro, and Jolla sit on Kolag’s other side. There’s no sign of Sharla or Aisha, though their empty chairs are there as I demanded from Tasiya.
“Where’s Sharla?” I ask Jerro.
The prophet stops sipping from his stew and spills some on his tunic and chin in the process. “Feeding on the crowd's pity. She is currently in the form of a little girl who got stomped on by a careless man. Their apologies nourish her.”
Explains the little girl form… “And Aisha?” I ask Jolla.
The gnome takes her red nose out of her scrolls and fixes her glasses. “She wasn’t comfortable sitting here. Your Majesty, I suggest letting that one go, she’s not a person who feels comfortable in a place of power.”
“Precisely why I want her here,” I reply with a grin. “It’s people who don’t want power who deserve it the most.”
Kolag stops eating and turns to me, his armor creaking with the way he shifts. “I’ll be the one talking to her, my love, you are too intimidating for her. You asked to know what the people need, I’ll make sure she tells me directly.”
I gesture at myself with a grin. “Tiny me more intimidating than a giant suit of armor with a big sword? Thanks, I think?”
“You’re welcome,” he says without a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
I lower my voice. “You’re digging yourself deep here, Kolag…”
He mock recoil away from me. “Even I am intimidated by you, my love.” Again, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“Ok, ok, I got it!” I turn to Salik. “Congratulation, you two. I gifted Zoe with the dress, and this is for you.” I hand Salik a pewter flask. “It was Lezere’s. I’ve been carrying it around with her memory, but I want this to carry some happier memories. It’s the only meaningful thing I have to give that actually has some practical use for you, Salik.”
He holds the flask like it’s a live snake. “Are you sure, Your Majesty?”
“None of that Majesty rot, not today. You're all my family, I mean it." Berthold gives me a mocking glance. "Yes, you too Berthold. I know you might be mad at me, but I do consider you family." He averts his gaze as I turn back to Salik. "And yes. I’m sure. If you aren’t comfortable with that gift I can think of something shiny and meaningless to give.”
He nods seriously. “No. I will treasure it and make some happier memories with it.”
“Thank you. I’m also getting Tasiya to prepare a wedding ceremony for you two. I know you already had one, but none of us were there.”
A smile stretches his face. “Appreciate it, kid.”
Am I happy he doesn’t go on about an affront to some Goddess.
“Isn’t it an affront to Koshavi to run another ceremony after she blessed your wedding?” Jolla asks with a frown.
Not again! “I…”
Salik cuts me off before I can reply. “I doubt the old serpent will care if we run something nice. She’s a lenient one. Oh that reminds me, Inara, Kolag, the old serpent wants you two together for some reason. I don’t know what she’s scheming, but you’ve piqued her interest with your love.”
“The old serpent? You mean Koshavi?” Kolag asks with a muffle.
“Who else, kid?”
Oh great… Just great. Another god who has an interest in us… “And how do you know that, Salik?”
“She tried to cut me a deal, a part of that deal was to make sure you two stay good and tight together. Gods… You never know when they’re going to creep on you.”
I nod in agreement.
“I’ve been praying to her,” Kolag says. “Maybe that’s why.”
I slam my fist on the table. “Oh come on, Kolag! If she just answered your prayers she could tell you what she wanted in person like Noxi did, why scheme and go to Salik behind our backs? It makes no sense. I’m so tired of the gods meddling in my life! If she wants any semblance of trust from me, she can come in person and talk to us about what she wants.”
He sighs. “Love, if Koshavi wants us to be together, wouldn’t you say that she’s nothing like Noxi? Has she done anything to harm us?”
I cross my hands. “Not for now, but you have no idea what her schemes are!"
“And what if she really just want us to be a happy couple? What if she just gets power from love? She is the Goddess of Love, right?" he insists.
That’s… Possible, sure. But why scheme? Why not reveal herself to Kolag? I don't trust her! "How can you be so gullible?! Why would you trust any of the gods after what Noxi did?!”
"Just because one bakery sold you a moldy bread, does it mean you won't buy bread from every bakery?” he argues. "Besides, I think we need to go to her temple for her to talk to us. You can't really talk directly to the gods without a temple or at least a small dedicated shrine.
“Whatever, I’m not going to ruin today for some goddess, let’s save this argument for another time!” I stand up. “Tans fe lasiuak.”
“Let’s get some music and dances going, people! It’s a happy day!”
The cheers of the celebrating crowd answers my call, and soon enough I’m dancing with armored Kolag, and then with a smiling Salik. I move on to a flustered Berthold and a concentrated Ovin. Even with a frowning Jerro. I do avoid Ryon like the plague though.
*
“By the suns, the moons, and the twilight stars. Will you Salik Son of Mjol take Zoe Daughter of Niman to be the only moon of your life as your wife?”
“Yes!” Salik exclaims with a grin.
“By the suns, the moons, and the twilight stars. Will you Zoe Daughter of Niman take Salik Son of Mjol to be the only sun of your life as your husband?”
“I will.” Zoe exclaims with a matching grin while looking back into his eyes.
I wrap the black silk strap around their held hands. “Then by the faceless twilight stars you are husband and wife. Forever to walk under the moons and suns hand in hand.”
The crowd bursts into a wild cheer as the couple raise their tied hands above their heads.
My wondering eyes meet Berthold’s who gasps in fear and takes a horrified step back. He turns and runs away, disappearing into the crowd. What’s up with him? Is he still scared of me?
“I’ve got to ask, little Marisha, who taught you that ceremony?”
The melodious voice behind me although loud, is gentle like a strong breeze. No. I actually feel a soft breeze on my face, body and skirt. The breeze alone builds a sense of light arousal in my body.
I turn and face a woman who stands alone in the middle of an empty space that had just formed in the large crowd.
She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The elf Sharla turned into in the past pales in comparison to this woman.
Her heart shaped face doesn’t have a single blemish. It’s not too gaunt nor puffy, just the perfect sweet spot in the middle.
The roots of her hair are dark black, turning into a shade of brown by her shoulders, blond by her round breasts and red around her hornet waist. I blink, and the colors are purple, blue, green and bright yellow, I blink and the colors are different shades of silver. I blink and the colors are different shades of dark blue.
Her body is perfectly curved, the perfect body figure women could only dream of. Inhuman and impossible without some magical intervention. She wears a dark purple silk dress with a low cleavage, and slits that expose her pale thighs.
I blink. Her skin turns glittering black, her eyes turns smoky gray, and her hair silver. She settles on this look and smiles kindly.
“You are Koshavi,” I say slowly once I gather my wits.
She snorts and rolls her gray eyes. “The one and only. You did not answer my question, little Marisha.”
Why is she here? What does she want? Why the gods won’t leave me alone?
*~*~*
Power level: 3rd stage apprentice.
Mana pools status:
Crown-knot: Affinity 10: connected: 1 gem replenished per minute.
Neck-Bridge: Affinity 6: formed: max amount of gems drained per day: 91
Abdomen-storage: Affinity 5: connected: 41 neutral gems. Conversion ratio: elemental : neutral-3:1, neutral : elemental-1:1
Air: Affinity 4: formed: 34 gems
Fire: Affinity 2: formed: 17 gems
Light: Affinity 3: formed: 16/26 gems
Water: Affinity 6: connected: 73/75 gems
Earth: Affinity 1: formed: 8 gems
Wood: Affinity 2: formed: 17 gems
Gravity: Affinity 9: connected: 88/113 gems
Cantrip known:
Air: Shavi’s Breeze, Shavi’s Sword. Shavi’s Hair Dryer, Aria’s Enhanced Hearing. Aria’s Sonic Scream. Aria's Increased Voice.
Fire: Nuriss’ Flame. Effrat’s Firefly, Effrat’s Fire Breath. Effrat's Ember Vision. Sorladika's Lesser Heating. Nuriss’ Ignite. Oniga's Soap Creation.
Light: Noxi’s Light. Lako’s Enhance Vision. Lako’s Blinding Light. Rika’s energy hand.
Water: Water Evocation, Water to Ice, Ice to Water, Water to Vapor, Vapor to Water, Mayan’s Icy Spike, Ayla’s Water Jet. Ayla’s instant freezem. Ayla's Flowing Shield. Ayla’s Freezing Vapors. Hot Water Conjuration. Boiling Waterjet.
Earth: Alice’s Oil Summoning, Reiko’s Acid Spray. Alf's Copper Bolt
Wood: Arigor’s Lesser Vines. Kolosu’s Vegetable Summoning.
Gravity: Lumina’s Kinetic Burstm. Tukado’s Repulse. Tukado’s Lesser Shield IIm. Imari’s Minor Telekinesism. Imari’s Jump. Leo’s Pullm. Leo’s Grounding. Alino’s Light Body. Alino’s Heavy Body. Alino's Orbiter.
Transmutation: Oniga's Laundry.
Space: Lumina's Spatial Stepa.
Spells known:
Light: Wassho’s invisibilityb2x2. Rika's Electric Channelb1x3
Water: Mayan’s Boiling Waveb2. Tolste’s Icy Escape.
Gravity: Alino’s Weightless Bodyb1x3. Tukado's Pushb1x4. Tukado’s defense IIIb1x5m. Imari’s Lesser Flightb2x2m. Lumina’s Kinetic Blast Boltb1x6a. Alino’s Crushing Weightb3.
Psyche: Lumina's Mind Touchb3
Life: Brigit’s Lesser Cure Poison. Brigit’s Skin Restoration.
(Little letters by the spells: m=mastered. a=advanced. b=bound spell, number near the b is how many gems of the mana pool binding the said spell takes. The number is determined by the elemental's size that's bound + the number of spells bound.)
Patterns Foci:
Air: 16
Fire: 8
Light: 12-13
Water: 21
Earth: 8
Wood: 8
Gravity: 22
Social status: The Queen of Red Cedar City. Inara, Daughter of Mysteries. Apprentice to the Maven of Mysteries. Sorceress.
Carried Wealth: 200 Magical Gems. 39 Golden Peas, 27 Silver Scales.
Personal Items:
Magical necklace. Contains 100 gems of general mana, can be drained like a mana pool. It’ll recharge by itself at the rate of five gems an hour.
1 potion of lightning body.
1 potion of mana, medium grade.
1 potions of Lesser Healing.
5 potions of Pain Tolerance.
An enchanted belt with eight pouches, the enchantment keeps the pouches’ content fresh. Each pouch may contain 10g of petals or six potion flasks.
40g Rose petals.
4g Lavender petals.
10g Sowbread petals.
10 empty soul bottles. Glass with a diamond stopper, put in scaled leather wrapping.
The Great White Egret grimoire. Dedicated by the Maven of mysteries to Inara. 39/100. Unlocked.
Present Companions:
Kolag of house Befar.
Jerro.
Sharlafyn Nettledew.
Berthold.
Ryon.
Ovin.
Zoe.
Salik.
Loyal.
Languages:
Toml’a
Sinteo
Myrsha
Felul
Nim
A'arkalu
Injuries and scars:
Curses: unknown extracted parasite, possibly bloodline related. Gone due to an unknown bloodline magic.
-
Kingdom’s treasury: 25,485 Golden Peas. 765 Magical Gems.
Kingdom’s citizen:
Red Cedar City: 3,609 adults. 1,654 children.
Apricot City: 1,877 adults. 504 children.
Kingdom's army: 5,000 Men of Arms. 123 Footmen. 16 Peacekeeper Knights. 500 Blood Spears.
Total Souls: 12,644 souls.
Notables at Court:
Tasiya Keyholder.
Jolla SilverQuill.
Talbot Bookkeeper.
Aisha?