Chapter 5

TEA WITH ABBOT, THE ABBOT

Once the tea had been poured, Liss looked up. Her expression had become neutral, and her lips pursed.

“A dear friend of mine should be arriving outside right about now, a very capable young man named Abbot,” Liss stated, never breaking eye contact with Finn. “Either by coincidence or nominative determinism, he is the abbot of my monastery nearby. Please escort him to me.”

“She’s right,” Gypsy thought to him. “Three individuals have just walked up the pier and are waiting.”

Finn looked forlornly at his freshly poured cup of tea, now destined to go cold. “Yes, I’ll go and fetch them now,” Finn said. He could teleport them in, but that often provoked anger or confusion. It is much better to start slowly and walk them in. With a thought, the front of the command pod opened up, and the gangway two storeys below started to descend. Finn teleported down to the entranceway on the first deck to walk down and meet their new guests.

When Finn got to the base of the gangway, a short, friendly-looking bald man dressed in red robes stepped forward and offered his right hand. Finn had extensive diplomatic training and had heard of such customs. Though a very unfae gesture, he knew how to respond. He took the proffered hand, gave it a firm shake and released it.

The man beamed a wide smile. “It is so nice to see that the fae military trains their young recruits in matters of etiquette,” The man said, continuing his broad smile. “As I am sure my goddess has just told you, I am Abbot, and it is my pleasure to be the guardian of the Lissian Monastery in Shanty.”

Taken aback by the sudden verbal stream, only some of which he understood, Finn studied the curious man. Empathically, all Finn could read was an intense calm and happiness to meet new and interesting individuals. He had deep laugh lines around his eyes, and the creases on either side of his mouth suggested that smiling was something he did a lot. There was a little age to his features, but his stocky build made it almost impossible to guess his actual age.

“Ah! I see that you are sizing me up. Another sign of a military mind,” Abbot said, his smile becoming a knowing grin. “I assure you, I am no threat. Just an old monk who’s been around far too long.”

Finn bowed his head slightly. “Forgive me. Ingrained habits are hard to put aside. I meant no offence,” he responded hastily, pulling on his diplomatic training. “Please, won’t you and your colleagues come aboard.” He stepped aside and gestured up the gangway.

“Thank you. I must say, you have a spectacular craft in your care. You must be very proud,” Abbot said, beginning his climb up the gangway.

“I am proud, yes. Gypsy and I are very close,” Finn replied without thinking.

The abbot turned and gave him an appraising look. “Really? A bond then, which implies this craft has sentience. How very interesting.”

That man will seriously test my patience, Finn thought with a mental sigh.

The Manaborn fae isn’t a particularly tall race, which meant that Finn, with his five-foot-five, lithe frame, had to look up to both members of Abbot’s team. One was a male, who Finn assumed must be a half-elf. His frame was muscular yet not overly so, and he was over six feet tall. Despite the relatively mild temperature outside, the man was sweating. No surprise, as the half-elf was wearing polished plate armour with gold embellishments, which made Finn think he was a high-ranking military officer, a type he knew all too well.

The other individual was a striking human female, just as tall as the half-elf and dressed in expensive-looking armour. However, hers looked functional rather than decorative, designed to protect the wearer against powerful impacts. It was a mixture of heavy leather, padding and plate. The pauldrons were a light blue, as was the armour’s trim, but the breastplate was a bright, jade green that complimented her intense, pale green eyes. She was clearly a fighter of some sort. Her curvy yet muscular frame made that apparent. The longsword sheathed on her back was also a clue, as were the three daggers he could see tucked away about her person. The woman looked fully human, but Finn felt an aura of sleeping power within her, suggesting she might have some fae or elven heritage in her family.

In Finn’s experience, women who became fighters tended to try and look as masculine as their male counterparts. He wondered if that was just a thing among the fae because this woman was all feminine. She had luxuriant auburn tresses that tumbled down to her chest with a leather, jade-encrusted Alice band keeping her locks from her face. Her face looked strong, too, with its high, well-defined cheekbones and nose underlined by her plush lips. He watched, hypnotised, as she approached him. The woman had a strong, self-assured gait with a hint of a sashay.

The lady afforded Finn a small smile and a nod as she passed him. The other man had simply ignored him completely.

So beautiful, Finn thought, forgetting that someone else was constantly tuned into his thoughts.

Gypsy giggled in his mind. “Finn, my love, we have got to get you a girlfriend. That one would probably eat you.”

“You saw her, right?” Finn mentally raved. “She’s so tall and—and—uhm, womanly.”

Gypsy’s happy laugh rang around Finn’s mind, making him smile. “She’s not my type, dear. Now come back in, and let’s get introduced to our guests.”

Finn chuckled at Gypsy’s remark, making the warrior woman look back at him curiously. “Sorry, just chatting with Gypsy,” he said, holding his hands up with a placating gesture.

The woman looked non-plussed, so Finn waved at the surrounding mass of skyship. “Gypsy. This skyship. We chat.”

The woman smiled and shook her head. “You can explain it all later. This is all so new to me.”

“Oh my! Finn’ey’s got a date,” Gypsy sang teasingly.

“Knock it off. Otherwise, I’ll start setting you up with other sentient skyships.”

“Mmm! I can imagine it now. Cwawr! Look at the gangway on that one,” Gypsy said, laughing hysterically.

Finn snorted loudly and joined Gypsy in the mental laughter. He couldn’t keep the stupid smile off his face, though.

Gypsy turned her thoughts back to their visitors and the goddess sitting in the officer’s mess. She tried to calm down but couldn’t prevent her giggles from surfacing again, so she kept quiet.

Feeling Gypsy turn her mind back to business, Finn wrestled his mind to do the same. Deciding he ought to be welcoming the visitors aboard, he teleported to the entrance hall and waited for Abbot and his team to reach the top of the gangway.

Abbot looked slightly surprised that Finn was waiting on board for them as they reached the top, but he obviously decided not to mention it. When the auburn-haired beauty reached the top, he raised the ramp and closed the front to avoid any unwelcome guests.

“If you would all step inside this red octagon, I’ll get us to where we need to be,” Finn said, gesturing to the large octagon made up of hundreds of tiny runes that glowed softly. He could easily teleport them without using the octagon, but they needed to learn how to travel unaided around Gypsy if they were to be guests on board.

Each of their guests stepped tentatively inside the runic formation, eyeing the tiny symbols that made up the shape with suspicion. Once they were all inside, Finn went to a plinth just inside the octagon that showed a map of each of the three decks in a plan view. Small, mushroom-shaped buttons were dotted around the map. Each represented an area within Gypsy that people could be teleported to if they were authorised to do so. Pressing the button for the third deck, marked ‘Officer’s mess,’ there was a rising buzzing noise followed by a bright flash of silver light.

“Ah! Excellent!” Liss said. Three more tea settings appeared without a look or gesture. The goddess motioned for each new guest to sit in a particular seat. She sat Abbot next to her on the right. The large half-elven man was placed at the end of the table. With a sly smile at Finn, Liss seated the other lady beside him.

Once everyone had tea and something from the wide variety of sandwiches and cakes that had materialised before them, Liss cleared her throat. “Now that we are together, I may begin to outline my intentions.”

Finn looked at each person. Everyone looked serious and ready for what was to be said. He still had no idea what was occurring. He concluded that there was such a thing as too much divine intervention.

Liss immediately looked straight at Finn. “You’ll thank me for my intervention one day, young Finn. Just not soon.”

Then, the goddess turned her attention to Abbot. “You already know what I need from you, Abbot. Perhaps you can now see why this is so important?”

“Yes, things have become much clearer now that we are here, goddess. I am ready to serve,” Abbot replied meekly as he bowed low.

“Tsk! None of that. We are all friends here,” Liss replied, proffering Abbot one of her motherly smiles and an enormous sandwich on a dainty plate.

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“Ember, Bernard, have you spoken with Abbot about your tasks?” Liss asked, looking hard at the muscular pair.

“Yes, Goddess,” They both answered without pause.

“Good! You will both have parts to play in the drama to come,” Liss said, sitting up straight. She gave Ember a sad look and then focused entirely on Finn. “Finn. I would like you and Gypsy to swear your fealty to me. Not right now, but it must be soon. Tomorrow, you will ferry Abbot and the others by water down to a city called Shanty. I need not explain more because that is one of Abbot’s tasks. He will define my wishes for you both and be your guide.

“This is going to sound rude, but why? Neither Gypsy nor I know you, so why ask us to blindly swear our loyalty?” Finn worried a little when both the large man Liss had called Bernard and the woman referred to as Ember shifted. He could see them both reaching for their weapons.

Liss made a calming gesture to Bernard and Ember. “This is all about faith, youngling. It always is with us deities. I am asking you for your faith based on nothing but your trust in my word. In exchange, I will swear my allegiance to you as my chosen champion. I will also give you my blessing.” Liss paused to check that she had Finn’s full attention. “As a token of my faith in you, let me expand your library with some useful selections, and once you ascend, I’ll even provide one or two trinkets to aid your way,”

Liss watched Finn without blinking. “You and this wonderous craft seek adventure, even though you don’t know it yet.”

Finn opened his mouth to refute her words. A quiet life seemed like an excellent alternative after what he and Gypsy had been through.

Liss held her hand up to stop his interruption and carried on. “Right now, you are both lost. You have had freedom thrust upon you but have no plan to follow or direction to travel.” The goddess shook her head and tutted. “Such a sad way to live. So much wasted potential. Follow me, and I’ll promise a bountiful and varied life. Plus, you’ll get the acknowledgement that you both richly deserve.”

Liss’s beautiful features took on a hint of sadness. She sighed. “I’m afraid you will also face many dangers, hardships, and sadness. However, you’ll quickly realise it’s all part of life’s rich tapestry and grow stronger from your experiences.”

Finn wondered if she’d just hand him a list of missions, as Skyforce had always done. They’d promised him recognition for his deeds, too. That recognition usually turned out to be a curt nod and straight on to the next mission. Were goddesses any different?

Liss blinked for the first time. “You will soon discover that I am very different from your old world’s military, and I’ll thank you not to make that comparison,” the goddess said, her voice making the threat perfectly clear. “Your paths will always remain entirely of your own choosing. However, at all times, you will be mine. I will not share your faith with another, and you can never forsake me. Instead, you will represent me and all those that other deities have already forsaken.”

Liss gave Finn an enigmatic smile. “Think of it this way. You and your future team of friends will become champions for our cause. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“No geas to fulfil? No life-or-death missions? Just choose our own paths with your blessing?” Finn said, the suspicion evident in his voice.

“Oh, there’ll be plenty of life and death situations, but you’ll be facing them because you chose to, not because I told you to,” Liss said contritely. “At this juncture, I must confess that I am cheating. I have been for quite some time. I already know the paths you will choose. Sara and I spent many days of divination to understand what will happen.”

“Sara?” Finn asked.

“Yes, dear, I mentioned her earlier. Sara, the Goddess of Fate. A good friend of mine,” Liss replied, “Likes elven tea? Remember? Oh! Do pay attention.”

Finn had to admit that what the goddess wanted from them had a colossal potential for trouble. He and Gypsy were being asked to voluntarily become pawns for a goddess.

“Finn, we talked about what we would do next,” Gypsy thought, her mind radiating enthusiasm. “If this goddess is on the side of right and good, then I say we step onto this path she claims to have foreseen. We need something to do with all this new freedom. It’s not like we’re meek little lambs queueing for the butcher’s axe. You and me, we’ve got skills. We should jump at this chance.”

“We’ve already experienced what some of the nastiest, most self-centred assholes could throw at us. It would be nice to be on the side of good just because we chose to be.” Finn replied. “We might even get to kill more people like them. The only good slaver is a dead slaver in my book.”

“Very true,” Gypsy replied enthusiastically. “So, we’re agreed? We’re going with this and seeing where it takes us?”

Finn sighed. “As much as I want to say no and drift around, we’d be bored within a few days. We’re completely free in an alien world but without any idea of what we can do,” he paused and thought for a moment. “Fuck it! Yes, we’re agreed.”

Liss grinned. “And there it is! There’s the answer I wanted. How wonderful. I knew you were both looking for a challenge. Some adventure to get your teeth into. You have my word as a deity that by the time you have witnessed the work of Abbot, the monastery, and most people in Shanty, you’ll know that our cause is good. Other good people will seek you out, and your path will eventually lead you far and wide. Trust your intuition. The way you choose to go will be right. I’ve seen it.”

“But we could choose any path? How could you and this Sara possibly know which we’d choose?” Finn persevered.

“That’ll always remain a secret of us deities, young fae.” Liss laughed as she waved her hand absentmindedly. It was the second time she’d done it since he’d met her. As she did, Finn felt another powerful wave of divine mana flood through Gypsy.

Liss gave a satisfied sigh. “I’m a carrot sort of goddess. I leave the stick nonsense to the other deities,” The goddess said proudly. “I have packed your skyship’s library full to the brim with lots of useful reading material. Stacks of good things. As I already know your future, I have chosen many relevant subjects and a few others just for fun. I have been very generous if I do say so myself. Lots of carrots for you to enjoy.”

“You had to have known that books are my passion. Giving me more is a shrewd choice,” Finn said excitedly. He was itching to run and see what was new in the library. Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t had a chance to visit the library since the refit.

“I am a goddess. I do everything shrewdly,” she tossed her hair like a pony and looked smug. “Now, you will receive my other gifts when you swear yourself to me. That must happen after you pass the ascendancy trials Abbot plans to tell you about. Right, Abbot?”

“Yes, Goddess,” the elderly monk replied quietly with a bow. He then caught Finn’s eye and winked.

“Just one more task for me then,” Liss said. “Finn, place your left hand, palm down on the table.”

Woken from his contemplation and urgent need to visit the library, Finn was startled but quickly did as he was bid. Later, he would wonder if he should have questioned the goddess first, but he blindly obeyed her authoritative tone.

Liss placed a dainty finger on his presented hand, “Be mine, young fae.” A bright flash of golden light shone from the point of contact. The light pulsed, and Finn felt a blossom of stabbing pain, which quickly faded as Liss examined her work. With a smirk of satisfaction, the goddess released him.

Finn was going to protest, but he bit the words back as he stared at the small golden starburst. It wasn’t a tattoo, but it was embedded in his skin and part of him now. It was solid, metallic even, yet it felt pliable and warm. It sparkled with magical energy on the back of his hand, and he could feel it sipping daintily at his mana, just like Liss did when she drank her tea. “Uhm! Thanks, I think. What does it do?” he said. It used his mana yet had no apparent purpose. He wanted to know what she had done to him but was wise enough to understand that pissing helpful deities off was a bad plan, especially one that had just marked you.

“You are my creature now. My champion. That is my blessing and my mark. It has a purpose but none that I shall mention on this occasion,” Liss said. “I shall expect your declaration of faith soon. Then, we can complete the process. Don’t you dare betray my trust,” Liss said as she pushed her chair back and stood. She waved her hand at the table. Instead of the tea service disappearing, thirty more tea settings, butter dishes, cake racks, silverware, and other serving dishes appeared all neatly arranged. Most notably, three large tea caddies appeared, too.

“Every good establishment needs a formal tea service and all the trimmings. I shall expect to be served when I visit next.” With those words, Liss vanished silently.

“Right, lady and gentlemen,” Gypsy boomed over the tannoy. “I am certain we’ve all had a busy day. It’s late, and we have some comfortable beds for you. The rooms even have a hot water shower in each one. Finn will show you to a room, and we will resume this meeting after a hearty breakfast tomorrow morning. Please, sleep well as our honoured guests.”

Abbot grinned again. “Your companion is very efficient.”

“She wasn’t kidding when she said we’ve had a busy day,” Finn sighed. “Liss wasn’t even the first goddess we’ve had on board today. I might tell you all about it someday.” He finished with a smirk.

“Oh! Our day has been delightful. We had a lovely outing up The Run and enjoyed nature’s beauty,” Abbott said happily. “Bernard insisted on doing most of the rowing, so it was a relaxing journey for me.”

“Do your rooms really have showers?” Ember asked incredulously. “Ships normally have the most basic facilities. This is a ship, isn’t it?”

Finn smiled at the curious lady. “It’s a type of ship, I suppose. It does more than just float on the water, though.”

“I’ll be grateful for a soft bed and a long shower,” Bernard said amiably. “All that rowing upstream has made me sore.”

“I did suggest you leave the armour at home,” Abbot said genially.

Bernard just harumphed and scowled.

Finn led them to the transport octagon in the far-right corner of the room. When everyone had gathered within its confines, he pressed the right-hand button on the third-deck graphic, and there was a soft buzzing, then a flash of silver light. When their visions cleared, they stood on a different octagon in a short corridor with a door at each end. The floor had a soft, pastel blue carpet, and the walls were made of Airlight boarding finished in a darker blue than the carpet.

Abbot looked around in awe. “Yes, a ship of wonders indeed. Just as she said.”

Finn thought about asking the abbot about his comment, but it was evident that Liss had briefed him before ordering him to set out for their meeting.

“We’re now in the fellward hull on the top deck,” Finn explained.

“Uh! Excuse me,” Ember said, raising her hand a little, then dropping it quickly and blushing slightly. “What does fellward mean?”

“My apologies, miss,” Finn replied with an attempt at a reassuring smile. “In the fae royal fleet, we use the terms leeward and fellward instead of left and right. I’ve never been sure why, but it’s a tradition, and the officers love a good tradition.”

“Huh! As simple as that, then. Sorry for interrupting,” Ember said.

“I’m happy to help,” Finn said. Now, it was his turn to go a little pink. “Ahem! All the accommodations for the military crew, guests and officers are on this deck. Turning to the right, Finn opened the door to reveal another much longer corridor with wood panelling on the walls and a plush royal blue carpet lining the floor. The passage had a hushed, luxuriant feeling that made you want to whisper as you tiptoed along. Warm yellow light crystals flickered to life as soon as the door opened. Finn walked along the passage and opened three doors as he passed them and then turned to face their guests.

“These will be your rooms. I’ve given you access to your rooms and the laundry cupboard here,” Finn said, then turned and opened a double door set into the panelling to reveal a walk-in storage area with shelves piled high with neatly folded bedding, towels, dressing gowns and toiletries. Help yourself to anything you need. If you require anything else, just touch the blue crystal on the wall in your room and ask. In the morning, just return to the octagon, then press the button marked officer’s mess. I’ll announce breakfast once it’s ready.”

“Mess?” Ember asked.

Finn grinned. “Yes, another fae military term, I’m afraid. It just means a dining area.”