“Does anything live here? Seems like the perfect spot for huge fish and monsters.” Adrest asked when he got over his initial amazement.
“I remember seeing fisherman on the shore a lot, but the biggest I’ve seen was only a fish this big.” Rin stretched her hands out a little over a meter to show Adrest and Belle.
“But some of the old fisherman we’d talk to told us the water is a lot deeper than it looks, they used to use almost a thousand feet of line to hit the bottom, but they stopped because too many of the ordinary fisherman got pulled in. I think he was just trying to scare us though.”
Adrest looked thoughtfully at the white water rushing from the falls and out of the reservoir mouth. With all the movement it was impossible to tell how deep the water was, it could be a few meters, or a thousand in the center and it would look the exact same under the white water foaming as it rushed forward. The only ones that would be brave enough to find out were S ranks at least, maybe A ranks too, if they had a strong body or an affinity to water. But they would never bother telling the townsfolk what they found, that is if one were bored enough to investigate it anyway.
In only a quarter of an hour they were completely drenched, Adrest laughing at the girls who looked like soaked cats as water ran down their hair. Adrest, with just a few seconds of concentration, dried himself, feeling good as new.
Seeing the glares from his companions, Adrest took the hint and helped the two poor souls that had no affinity to fire. He had to sit stock still, a hand on each of their backs as he focused. While it was almost second nature to use magic on himself, there was no way he would be so lackadaisical when using it on others as it required so much more concentration, especially with something as dangerous as fire.
Happy, warm, and dry Rin led them to their next stop, just a half mile or so away was a guard in brilliant shining steel plate. It would have been imposing if not for his posture.
The guard sat leaning against a wall, eyes closed, not even noticing the group until they were a dozen feet off.
“”Ha-? Ah! Welcome to Waterside, just need to see your IDs right quick and you all can come on inside.”
Of course, upon seeing Rin’s card the guard didn’t dare make trouble even if he wanted to, letting the strange group inside without a second glance.
The first thing Adrest thought when entering the city proper was a smaller version of Everflow, but less militarized. While there were no overbearing walls on all sides, the buildings were just as neat and organized.
It was near evening, most vendors and various street workers were packing up or had already left, but they were still able to find a small wooden stand manned by an older gentleman with pure white hair and a long beard. He was selling a small stick, maybe a foot long, with multicolored bubbles skewered in a line.
Each bubble was a different color and so thin light went straight through, creating a multitude of colored shadows as the lowering sun was in just the right position. Adrest was curious seeing how excited Rin was as she paid for six skewers.
Carefully making her way back with two hands full of the fragile treats, Rin was giddy as she handed them out, “They’re fruit sticks, a local candy, I've always wanted to try it, but they’re so expensive. Each bubble is a different flavor, and the best part is even the air trapped inside is flavored! We always heard kids screaming about how good they were.”
Adrest took one and and placed one carefully in his mouth, crunching down on the fragile shell in on bite. As it broke a light cherry taste coated his mouth, followed by an explosion of flavor that bordered on overwhelming, it took over his mouth and nose fully, all he could smell was the sugary fruit, like strawberries.
Belle was squealing in happiness while Rin was trying her best to maintain her composure, but Adrest could see her eyes close into crescents showing her delight.
Since it was getting late, they decided to head back and save exploring the small city for another day. By the time they were pushing open the double doors to the Inn, it was just after the peak of the dinner rush, tables only used sporadically.
Ron was happy to see his customers, raising a hand in greeting as he used the other to fill a line of mugs in front of him.
Choosing a free table near the bar, they didn’t have to wait long for Ron to take their orders, bring them some drinks, a local red mead brewed with honey from specific wildflower patches in the area, and take their orders.
A great meal and a few games of cards later, it was already nearing Belle’s bedtime, as shown by her head regularly nodding down then snapping back to attention a second later. The walk to their rooms was filled with nothing but Belle's light and chime like voice begging, “Can I sleep with Big Sis Rin again Ady, please?”
Adrest looked troubled at his troublesome little sister, “I don’t mind, but are you bothering Rin? She might want to go right to sleep, she's going to busy tomorrow.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Belle looked worriedly to the hero, “Am I bothering you?”
Rin could swear she saw the ruby red eyes turn glassy, she scooped her precious little Belle up, “Of course not! You can sleep with me whenever you want!”
In an exaggerated whisper she spoke into Belles ears, “I think Big bro Ady is just jealous that you want to sleep in my room now.”
Adrest rolled his eyes when Belle looked over questioningly. “It is a little different sleeping in an empty room, but it’s not like I’m all that alone. I could hear you giggling for hours after you shut the door last night Belle.”
Adrest had to take the chance to tease the precocious teen, blushing as she mumbled, “I was not.”
“Anyway, you two have fun. Just don’t forget we have an early morning tomorrow. See you soon.”
Adrest waved the girls away as he reached his door. He turned on the light to his room, same as he’d left it. Kicking off his shoes, Adrest plopped on the bed and sighed as he leaned back. He stared at the ceiling, following the natural trails of wood grain as his mind wandered in boredom. He was brought back to reality by the sound of predicted giggles on the other side of the wall soon after.
That made Adrest laugh, happy their little rabbit was enjoying herself. He certainly didn’t expect the shared door to swing open all of a sudden though. He jumped up at the intrusion, confused to see Belle running in with pajamas. She tackled him into a hug, Adrest catching her by reflex, wondering why Rin was walking in as well.
Rin was quiet as a mouse as she said, “Belle said she felt bad leaving you out and asked if we could sleep in here instead. I’m happy to share her bed if you're fine with it?”
Adrest stood and walked the rabbit back to her own bed in his arms, who was making a melody of laughter in return.
“That sounds fun. Since it’s such a special occasion, I guess I can bring this out too!”
Adrest pulled a new projection crystal from his storage, the way the crystals worked was endlessly interesting to Adrest who barely knew how the technological equivalent worked, let alone the magical. Plus, they were a good way to kill a few hours in the evenings so he thought he’d stock up.
For the adults, he also pulled out a bottle of cinnamon mead from his steadily growing collection, along with two glasses. Belle rolled her eyes, whereas Rin’s betrayed her excitement, taking the half filled glass happily as she adjusted on the bed to make room for Adrest, pulling Belle along.
Under the weight of Belle’s excitement Adrest took the offered seat, just barely enough space for him to carefully balance himself, which Belle was making exponentially more difficult as she clung to Adrest.
Finally, everyone was happy. They were all perfectly comfortable, had drinks, some snacks, and the entire far wall had turned into a projector as a giant recording of a play based on a famous party of adventurers played, filling the dark room with vibrant and shifting colors.
Belle wasn’t even able to make it to the intermission, asleep on Adrest’s arm while Rin was struggling to not laugh from the rabbit ear tickling her neck as it twitched to the rhythm of her dreams.
Adrest and Rin polished off their bottle, surprised at how much they were enjoying the play, what was supposed to be an early night turned into the two adventurers getting only a few hours of sleep, Belle the only one happy to wake up just before dawn, shaking Adrest awake.
“Ady! Big bro Ady! It’s time to get up, Big sis Rin’s almost ready to go. She said we can eat with Alren and the kids.”
Adrest, through bleary eyes patted down Belle's still a little frizzy hair, “Thanks Belle, I’m up. Now go ask Rin to comb your hair and I’ll get dressed.”
“Okay!”
It was still a dark grey purple hue in the air, the group walking the same well worn path as they’d done the day before. Though it was barely even morning yet, Adrest thought the temperature was perfect, just cool enough some light exercise wouldn’t be enough to work up a sweat and he could get away with a thin charcoal grey sweater he bought at the trade show in Everflow.
The party didn’t even need to knock on the gate this time. As they neared one of the children used both hands to pull open the heavy door as fast as they could.
When the job was done, the boy looked up to the guests with a toothy smile and flushed cheeks.
“Breakfast is almost ready! Ms. Alren said you’re eating with us today!”
Adrest gave the boy a pat on the shoulder as he walked by saying, “We sure are! I can’t wait either, Lil Rin has been talking about how good the food you all make is.”
The boy was proud as a peacock from the indirect compliment feeling proud of his home, so proud in fact, he didn’t notice Adrest slowly letting out a breath from clenched teeth while Rin was smiling sweetly behind him, kicking at his shins.
Before even entering the house Adrest could smell what was waiting inside. Fried eggs, bacon, hash browns, fresh baked bread, it was so enticing Adrest’s stomach gurgled as they walked up to the porch. He chose to ignore the giggling eyes boring into him on either side.
It was even more intense as soon as the boy opened the orphanage door, almost hitting the group in the face. Adrest was even polite enough to ignore the tiniest bit of drool escaping Rin’s pale pink lips as she stared inside.
What greeted them was the controlled chaos of raising well over a dozen children. A table and a half was made out of them, cliques of the different age group easy to spot. Teens were the smallest group, only five or so between 12 and 15 at the end of the half empty table.
Sitting across the children were a table of adults of a wide range of ages. Some were about the same age as Rin, Adrest even recognized one after a moment when she waved. It was the sister they met cooking yesterday, she looked completely different without the layer of flour and sweat covering her face. Her blonde hair had a luster that was missing previously.
At the head of the table was the kindly smiling Alren, flour and egg stains still visible on the sleeves of her shirt. Seeing their guest had arrived, she stood up instantly cutting all conversation short.
With a smile that reminded Adrest of a kind grandmother, Alren impatiently waved the group forward, “Hurry and sit you three, you can’t work on an empty stomach.”
Rin had to rub away a tear at the sight, it was like a dream to her. What was once an everyday given became a reminder of better days once she was in the Academy, a dream and goal to keep her moving forward. Now after nearly a decade, it was real and so much better than she’d imagined, especially as she felt the warmth of Adrest’s hand rubbing small circles on her back comfortingly.
She looked over and saw his reassuring and kind smile, and as they walked to three empty seats near the youngest caretakers, Rin couldn’t believe how much better reality was than her dreams.
It was a loud, happy, and exciting breakfast filled with the ringing chatter of children and closed whispers of the caretakers and Rin gossiping, occasionally glancing to Adrest and Belle.