Khine had walked me through a series of corridors and into a small air taxi. I got a really good view of the city and let myself rubberneck, hands pressed against the glass as we flew. It was amazing. Tall spires, whizzing air taxis filling the canyons between the buildings, exotic trees and the people dressed in so many colors and fashions! I deeply wished I could spend some time shopping.
That thought made me frown sadly. I hope Devdan and Priya are ok. They should be ok. The plot doesn’t have anything to do with them now… I should try and make sure though.
I glanced over at the stone faced troopers and Commander Khine sitting stoically across from me, then shook my head and returned to the view out the window. I can’t ask him. They’ll be snapped up for sure and something terrible will happen to them. I wiped away the fog on the window my breath was making.
It’s like all the magitech fantasy games I’ve ever played come to life. I wonder what Eshaan would think of this view? No that’s silly, he’s probably seen it lots of times before! So has Lakshmi… or has she? I wonder if she’s the sheltered sort?
The air car came around in a swooping arc, and a vast cathedral came into view, shining gold and white walls and glittering multicolored windows. I nodded approvingly. This was definitely the headquarters of the church.
“Not nearly as impressive as the main cathedral in Albidion, of course, but certainly more impressive than most regional capitals.” Khine’s casual comment pulled me away from the gaze to stare at him open mouthed.
He smirked at my wide-eyed astonishment. “Oh yes, the church has a great deal of power and wealth that it flaunts, extolling the virtues of the Crystal Dragon.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “You are a goddess worshiper, I believe. Hardly a surprise in the backwaters.”
“Ah… I… was, yes.” I fumbled a bit, trying to feel out how I even felt about religion. I had won pirate treasure from an actual ghost, the afterlife in this world was a real thing, and I could summon spirits of the System itself… who was to say that the Goddess wasn’t real?!
Khine frowned. “Was?” he shook his head. “Regardless. Irrelevant. I’ll finally be able to get some answers from those self-righteous fools now that you’re here.”
I blinked and then essayed a smile. “Well. I’m glad that I can assist with illuminating your questions then.” I felt a slight rush of enjoyment as a look of sour anger swept across his features, followed by guilt. It really is terribly cruel of me to take so much enjoyment in tweaking his nose… but I can’t help it, he feels like he deserves it! I wish I knew how to pull him out of the plot… I wish I knew what the plot is!
The air car swept around the cathedral once more, and then slowly settled down to the ground with a whine of its crystal engine coming to a stop as the car bumped lightly against the ground, then settled firmly onto its skids.
Better than a helicopter! I grinned to myself.
The hatch opened smoothly, and I was forced to my feet and out the door, manacles jingling softly. I blinked a few times against the blaze of bright light, the cathedral was genuinely blinding with the sun overhead and the white and gold walls glowing brightly with reflected radiance.
As my eyes adjusted to the glare, I finally got a glimpse of our welcoming committee.
To my genuine surprise, it turned out the hat wasn’t all that pointy. Of course, that was entirely due to the fact that the person standing across the landing plaza from me wasn’t the pope.
Tsk. I thought to myself. For shame, Lily, of course you don’t get to meet the pope right away, they have to verify you’re the real deal.
The leader of the church delegation standing across from us was heart-stoppingly handsome however. I grew quite upset realizing just how much that affected me. I was filthy, I hadn’t had a bath, my dress was torn in multiple places, and I had bruises all over me, and the incredibly gorgeous church boy was staring at me. I desperately wanted a bath and new clothes.
I look a complete wreck; oh this is so embarrassing! I found myself absently trying to fuss with my hair, and forced my traitorous hands down in front of me.
Khine gestured wordlessly, and we advanced across the plaza. The church delegation was only two people. The leader of the group, tall and handsome in his elaborate priest robes. A bland looking man who held himself with a ready wariness that instantly put me on guard. He looked like he was used to fading into the background, but all my instincts immediately went on high alert.
This man is dangerous. I thought quietly.
And then I felt a chill of pure terror sweep down my spine. From behind the handsome priest, a third person appeared. My old self stepped into the light, wearing the robes of a churchman.
I stared at him in horror, my eyes wide. His gaze met mine and he smiled. I felt like I’d been pinned to the ground, like a rabbit staring at a hawk.
The two troopers on either side of me pushed me roughly forward, making me stumble, forcing them to grab my arms to hold me upright.
Khine turned to look, his brow creasing in a furrow, looking back and forth between the two of us.
“How interesting. She seems to know you, Deacon Brown.”
The shadowme standing across from us smiled blandly, and shook his head. “I’ve been told I have one of those faces. I assure you.” He turned to look at me and smiled, his eyes cold and black. “I’ve never seen her before in my life.”
I felt a {Persuade} hit me with the force of a hammer blow, and for a moment, I wavered. Was I wrong? Perhaps it’s just a coincidence? He’s a member of the clergy, surely- I hauled my thoughts to a screeching stop. That was the force of my naivety speaking, the village girl from Breezewood. That was the face I had seen in the mirror for decades. And nobody pushed a {Persuade} like that to convince someone of something trivial.
I smiled back at him as sweetly as I could manage. “Yes, I’m sure that’s it.” I said against the feeling of dread weighting me down. “I’m terribly sorry for my mistake… Deacon Brown, was it?” I dipped into a polite bow of apology.
And to my honest shock, when I came up again, I saw a tiny flicker of doubt in his eyes.
***
The docking bay was exactly as busy as Lakshmi had predicted. A harried looking gentleman carrying a clipboard and wearing the uniform of a harbormaster with the imperial regalia on it approached our group as we disembarked. He looked at Lakshmi with surprise, before shaking his head, muttering “Remarkable resemblance” to himself. He looked around. “Business at the Capital?”
Soriya stepped forward, draped in a regal aura that dripped arrogance and self-importance. “That would be me, Soriya of Farna, glorious inventor of a million creations!” She waved dismissively at the group behind her. “These are my servants, of no import.”
The inspector did not seem at all impressed or even interested. He simply scribbled down notes on his sheaf of clipboard papers, and then looked up again. “One-time docking fee is one hundred and fifty Zeni a day. If you’re here for the Imperial Scholar’s Competition, the entrance fee is five hundred zeni, payable at the Exhibition Hall. The fee covers docking for the two weeks of the exhibition. Presentation is in three days, failure to present will result in expulsion. Any questions?” He droned in a tone of a man who had had to say the same thing far too many times far too recently.
Soriya covered her outraged astonishment well, simply waving to Lakshmi. “Pilot, please see to the fees.” She said dismissively.
Lakshmi’s eyes went big, then she narrowed them, her features etched with irritation. She stalked over to the harbormaster, pulling out an enormous wad of zeni notes. Eshaan’s eyes went round with shock.
Lakshmi peeled off several notes, and handed them to the harbormaster. He flipped through them, nodded and stamped the document on the clipboard, tearing off a sheet and handing it to Lakshmi.
“Don’t forget to pay your entrance fee at the Exhibition Hall. If you don’t, you will be charged the regular fee for docking per day.” He produced a pamphlet and handed it to Lakshmi. “You’ve come too late to book a hotel, all the rooms are full. Inventor’s lodgings are on Spindrift Avenue, on Sparrow level. Thank you for attending the Imperial Scholar’s Competition, may your genius illuminate the empire.” He rattled off his formula and walked off.
“That was a lot of money.” Lakshmi said to Soriya, irritation lacing her tone. Her eyes went large as she heard the sound of the World Soul in her mind.
<{Tinker} Advanced to level 10. {Visionary level 5}, unlocked. {Legendary Tinker}, unlocked. {Loremaster} Advanced to level 3. {Flash of Insight level 3}, unlocked. For reaching the capital in time to prevent the fourth abduction of Lilyanna of Breezewood, you have advanced to {Tinker:10} & {Loremaster:3}>
Soriya grinned triumphantly. “And there’s the proof this was the right course of action! Or did you think leveling was without cost or difficulty? Besides!” she patted Lakshmi on the shoulder. “You’ve got it to spare. You’re an air pirate, stealing from the empire, I think you can afford a little bit of booty.”
“Not if I have to keep paying fees like that!” Lakshmi said angrily.
Eshaan burst out “Never mind that! Didn’t you hear the world soul!? We’re in time to save Lily! We have to get going!”
The group turned to look at him. Daniyel stepped forward with grave dignity and placed his hands gently on Eshaan’s shoulders. “The desert hare does not always race the dunes. It must first know its destination before it moves. So too, must we.”
Eshaan clenched his fists angrily and looked down. “But…” he started
Soriya put her hands on her hips. “Eshaan! Do not presume that you are the only one who cares about Lily! We are all concerned about her! But we have a plan, and there are many things that we need to do.” Her voice softened and she looked around the group. “I may not be Lilyanna, but I can assure you, not to mention, we’re here to rescue Lily, and then sneak a peek at the artifact recovered from the Tol Jaegren dig site. Remember?”
Eshaan reluctantly nodded.
Lakshmi scowled even more fiercely. “Of course I remember!”
Soriya turned to Lakshmi. “And if you’re really worried, I see a great deal of money in our future.” She smiled, and leaned towards to Lakshmi. “Then kindly remember that as an incognito airpirate, we need to play the part of snotty inventors. Inventions take money. Pirating takes money.” She smiled and stepped back. “Rescuing people takes knowledge. And we’re in Spyre, we should live a little! We can sell the loot you got from that elopement sidequest, and we can all walk out of here richer!”
Daniyel said with a soft rumble “Also, we should check to see if Mr. Devdan and Miss Priya have arrived safely. We did not yet finish our task properly. I am somewhat familiar with the layout of the city. I will direct you to the Exhibition Hall, and then to the Inventor’s lodgings.”
Soriya blinked, and then said in a hushed voice “Are you sure? Don’t you and Lakshmi have somewhere to be?”
Lakshmi sighed. “Oh spirits, don’t remind me. The awards ceremony. And my father will be just about now remembering that I exist.”
Daniyel gave Lakshmi a sympathetic glance. “Your father knows you exist. I’ve told you so before. There will be a fuss when we return.”
Lakshmi crossed her arms and looked away. “Says you.”
Daniyel turned back to the others. “In the meantime… you do not know the way around the city. It would be foolish to abandon you to your own devices in Spyre of all places. We will escort you to the needed locations, and then take our leave for our needful tasks.” He bowed.
“And besides. I promised Miss Soriya a tour of the city, when I had the time, did I not?” He smiled broadly and Soriya gained the fainted hint of pink in her cheeks.
***
The look in my shadowclone’s eyes quickly reverted to cold calculation. I kept up my best charming naive look. If this had been an anime, I’m sure there would have been a crackle of lightning between us.
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“So, Commander Khine.” The handsome church man said. “This is the girl you think matches the description of our saintess?”
Saintess?! My look of pretend innocence switched over to full bafflement. What on earth is this?!
Khine harumphed. “She certainly matches the posters you’ve plastered everywhere. And I know for a fact that she is a [Spiritualist].”
The handsome churchman stepped forward and took my shackled hands in his. “Miss Lilyanna. I do beg your apology, you’re doubtless confused and frightened. I assure you; we mean you no harm!” He turned to Khine. “You’ve shackled a Spiritualist? For shame, the superstitious rumors and prejudice have no place in this modern world. Release her, she’s no threat.”
Khine swelled up like a frog. “I tell you; she is dangerous Vicar Hnin! And I will not simply turn over a dangerous criminal to the church until I am satisfied you understand that! There are concerns and issues with-”
“Yes, yes.” The handsome man interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “We all know about your search for the rebels and spies you insist permeate the empire at all levels. You are claiming the reward for our Saintess, and we will honor our side of the bargain, provided that this girl is the one we seek. But in order to verify she is the one, you will need to release her spellcollar and her manacles.”
He turned back to me and smiled a heart melting smile. For some reason, all I could think of was Eshaan’s earnest grin when he had discovered something he wanted to share with me.
“Miss Lilyanna, will you offer me your solemn pledge that you will refrain from nefarious mind control witcheries and promise not to assault anyone while in the city?” His voice was condescending and syrupy, and he spoke to Khine as much as to me.
I opened my mouth to reply and had a sudden flash of hesitation. Would I? When Eshaan came to rescue me, I couldn’t actually promise I wouldn’t whack some priest upside the head with my staff?!
“I promise that I mean no harm to anyone who does not mean harm to me.” I said after a moment.
Khine rolled his eyes. “There, you see!? Already she is using her trickery and slippery words!”
Vicar Hnin smiled peaceably. “Do you intend to harm her, Commander?” He looked around the small circle. “I freely pledge that no one in this church means harm to the lady while she is in our care. And I will stake the reputation of the Holy Church of Crystal Everlasting that she will do no harm to anyone while in our care.”
I had to choke down my response, seeing the glitter of shadowme’s eyes as he stared at me hungrily.
There was a tense moment. Khine finally broke it. “And I suppose I’ll get nothing unless I do as you ask. On your head be it. This girl has sunk two imperial sky ships and two independent sky vessels.”
He stalked over to me, and I heard the jingle and rattle of keys. His voice whispered low and fierce in my ear. “Try something, Lilyanna. Try anything, and you’ll find that the empire’s justice is very swift indeed.”
I looked up at him, and let myself smile my most innocent. “I offer no harm to anyone who does not offer harm to me.” I said, meaning every word.
Khine snorted, and with a quick click and twist of key in metal, I felt the horrible spellcollar fall away from my neck, and the manacles on my wrists slither free. Mana started to circulate once more inside me and I let out a grateful sigh of pleasure. I immediately regretted it however, the filthy state of my clothes rubbing against my skin in almost painful fashion.
I settled for rubbing my wrists and neck, feeling even more disgusting as flakes of grit and dead skin came free with the friction.
“There, you see Commander? Harmless. Miss Lilyanna, if you will do me the great honor of coming with me, we will offer you a bath and fresh clothes. And then, if you will humor us for our kindness, we should like to present you to one of our holy relics.”
I looked up at him. “Is this about the saintess thing?” I asked, as politely as I dared.
He nodded agreeably. “Yes, it is.”
I shook my head. “I would be eternally grateful for a bath and clean clothes, but I am no one special. I cannot be this saintess you’re looking for.”
And I would really prefer not to have that particular plot thread open…
I cut myself off, looking over at shadowme, who was watching me with undisguised glee.
“Nonetheless, we would like to be sure. The spark of the Crystal Dragon’s fire may be found in anyone, my child.”
I swallowed. And we get still deeper into the plot. And yet… a bath and fresh clothes… and no stops on this train. Not unless I’m willing to murder a lot of people with no clear way out!
“Yes, of course I’d be glad to help the Church.” I said shyly.
“Wonderful!” This way please. Commander, we’ll have an answer for you as soon as the young lady is cleaned and presented to the relic. In the meantime, please rest and refresh yourself.” He gestured, and turned to shadowme. “Deacon Brown, please escort our guests to the lounge, and provide them with whatever refreshments they may wish.”
I saw shadowme’s mask slip slightly, but he quickly put it back in place and nodded. “Of course, Vicar.” He bowed to Khine and his goons, and gestured with a hand. “This way, if you please gentlemen?”
“And please allow me to escort you, Miss Lilyanna.” Vicar Hnin said. “Ah, where are my manners? My name is Vicar Win Hnin. I have the honor of being the pope’s voice in the primus Spyre cathedral.” He said as we walked towards the cathedral, the silent presence of the unnamed other priest shadowing us like a cold fog.
I frowned, looking up at him. “Primus Cathedral?”
“Ah, of course, you would not be familiar with the term. The city of Spyre is quite large, as I’m sure you can see.” He smiled blandly, sharing a joke with me. I looked at him, feeling a strange confusion.
Wasn’t I supposed to be attracted to him? Wasn’t the giddy pink haired girl supposed to be overwhelmed and tricked?
But instead I felt… disgust. Not a hint of awe or attraction, only irritation and annoyance that he thought his smooth suave actions would disguise the rot I could feel seeping from him. This was a man who wanted something from me, wanted something very badly.
Something that I very well might be able to give to him.I felt a chill down my spine. Shadowme is planning something. Something that will derail the plot. Or… or will it? Is shadowme just as trapped as I am, in my role and class? Does shadowme even have a class?
Vicar Hnin continued talking, blandly obvious to my confusion. “And so there are many cathedrals within Spyre, and indeed many such cathedrals in the larger cities.” He smiled kindly at me. “I’m given to understand you are not a follower of the Crystal Dragon, but please rest assured, we bear you no ill will.” He held a hand over his heart. “I even promise to keep the sermons short and to the point.”
I swallowed, and looked away. “Your attention is very flattering, Vicar. I’m no one special, I wouldn’t want you to waste your time with me.” I felt a little twinge of discomfort at the lie, it still felt very wrong to lie, especially to a member of the clergy!
“Nonsense, the company of a beautiful woman on a lovely day? The pleasure is all mine!”
We entered the grand cathedral, and turned into a smaller corridor. The finery and awe inspiring architecture continued on the inside, and if anything, the feeling of corruption and anime evil grew stronger. I couldn’t resist poking it, just a bit.
“Such a beautiful cathedral, Vicar! We have nothing like this in my village! To be able to build such a grand building, it’s astonishing! To still have the wealth to construct such a building, after caring for the sick and poor, I’m dumbfounded!”
The Vicar looked at me, his patter about the cathedral clearly thrown off, and a dark shadow flickered through his eyes.
I felt an entirely selfish stab of guilty vicious pleasure at the look under his mask. The glimpse vanished as quickly as it appeared however, and he smiled graciously. “But of course! Those who follow the teachings of the Crystal Dragon give as generously as they can, and The Dragon has blessed many of our followers with the gift of prosperity. The church works to bring all together in a spirit of cooperation and harmony! The Dragon teaches that those who aid others grow stronger themselves, after all!”
I smiled as sweetly as I could. Before I could ask another question, the Vicar gestured to a corridor where wisps of steam were visible. “But here we are. Please, enjoy the baths! We will have your clothes laundered and fresh clothes provided to you. Should you need anything, simply pull the cord here, and an attendant will arrive within moments.” He gave me a bow, and then vanished, his strange silent companion following behind him.
I watched them go for a moment, biting my lip uncertainly. But the lure of finally being clean finally drew me in.
The bath was large, an enormous pool with a statue of the crystal dragon pouring steaming water into the pool. These baths were much like the bathing house at Breezewood, and so there was little confusion. One thing that stood out however, was a small basket containing a healing and mana potion. I pounced on them with a glad cry, and immediately uncorked and drank them. It tasted of flowers and some bitter herb I couldn’t identify.
Mother’s potions are much better than this. I thought as I wiped my lips. Lakshmi’s potions are better than this, and she’s a rank amateur!
But the feeling of my injuries healing and the flush of mana filling my body made me willing to forgive the taste. It wasn’t much, but then I suspected they didn’t realize just how large my mana pool had become. And it was more than sufficient for the small injuries and pains my captivity had inflicted on me.
I hurriedly shucked off my clothes and lay them on a nearby bench, then hurried across to the bathing area to scrub myself free of the feel of Khine’s hands on me.
It took a lot of scrubbing.
***
The air bus to the Exhibition Hall was packed. A variegated mix of people from all across the empire, all apparently here to rubberneck and gawk at the exotic wonders of the modern age.
Lakshmi shifted unhappily, the smell of sweat and packed bodies making her shiver.
Daniyel said softly “We’ll be there soon. It will not take long.”
Lakshmi nodded unhappily. She had never liked crowds. Which was just perfect, because father made her stand in front of huge crowds and give speeches.
Eshaan nudged her. “Hey, uh…” He fumbled and for a moment she was terrified he would call her princess right in front of everyone. But instead “Lakshmi. Is that…?” He pointed into the distance down the vast corridor between the buildings, where a soaring building of minarets and buttresses, wrought in black and red and gold.
She nodded; her mouth pressed into a thin line. “Yes.”
Eshaan was silent for a moment, then said simply “It’s big.”
Lakshmi roused herself slightly from the daze of her thoughts. The bus turned a corner, mercifully hiding the sight of the palace.
“I thought you’d been here before?” She said.
Eshaan shook his head. “I mean, sure I’ve been in the city, but I was only stationed here for two weeks! That’s not enough time to get to sightsee, let alone learn where the shops are! And anyway, I didn’t even get to leave the training grounds.”
Lakshmi nodded again. Eshaan stared at her quietly, then said “When we get Lily back, you should ask her. She’s good with people.”
Lakshmi laughed, startled. “Ask her what?! How to get kidnapped?!”
Eshaan scowled. “That’s not fair.”
Lakshmi shrugged. “Life’s not fair.”
The voice of bus driver rang out, interrupting what he might have said in reply. “Exhibition Hall, this stop is Exhibition Hall!”
The crowd shuffled and stirred as the group pushed their way through the milling throng and out the exit, stepping onto the landing platform amid a small crowd of people.
Soriya looked around confidently, then said “Alright, everyone! Let’s go get famous!”
Eshaan frowned. “Isn’t that the exact opposite of what we want to do?”
Holly laughed kindly. “Dear, when you’re putting on a performance, it’s the exact right thing to do. But I think the first step is simply to get our exhibitor’s pass. And that’s exactly what our inventor needs us for.”
Soriya gestured grandly. “Correct, loyal minions!”
Daniyel frowned. “Miss Soriya, I am glad to see you enjoying yourself, but perhaps less of the overbearing would be welcome.”
Soriya immediately crumpled. “Sorry. I’m sorry it’s just…”
Daniyel shook his head, patting her arm. “We like you fine as you are. Perhaps that person can be our inventor?”
Soriya tipped her head to the side, her large witch’s hat slipping a bit. “She’s even more bombastic than the inventor.” She said slyly.
Daniyel sighed and rolled his eyes. “Please, Miss Soriya. For the sake of my heart.”
Soriya pouted. “Oh very well. Just a little bombastic.”
Daniyel nodded agreeably. “A little bombastic is an acceptable flourish.”
Holly pointed to the small sign modestly above an inconspicuous door. “Curious that the Exhibition Hall’s entrance is not the inventor’s entrance.”
Lakshmi shrugged. “Let’s get this over with.”
The group marched over to the office and opened the door. The room was quiet and small, and filled with the smell of ink and paper and elemental crystals. A small mousy woman looked up from behind a desk, pushing up her spectacles. “May I help you? This is the inventor’s registration center, for the presentation.”
Soriya swept towards the counter. “Yes, this is exactly the right place! I am here to present my findings on the nature of the Etheric stratums, the transient paths of the Soul and the Wake of the World.”
The clerk blinked slowly, then said “Well. We don’t often have presentations that don’t have a material component…” She looked down and started shuffling papers, finally pulling one forth.
“Here. This is the paper for a Symposium presentation.” She paused, then hesitantly said “I’m afraid I’ve never heard of a Symposium presentation being awarded the Imperial Scholar’s Prize…?”
Soriya jerked her head up in surprise. “What, never?”
The woman shook her head. “No. Practical applications are prized over the theoretical.”
Soriya frowned, gritting her teeth. “There are practical applications to my work.”
“Do you have any devices to show?”
Soriya ground her teeth. “No.”
The clerk was silent. “A-are you presenting for a collegium?”
Soriya shook her head. “I am self-taught.” Her fist curled slowly on the paperwork.
There was a long silence, then Soriya looked up brightly and smiled. “Well! All the better, I suppose. Will there at least be a few who listen to the Symposium lectures?”
“Oh yes miss, of course! All the universities will be sending representatives! If you’re after a teaching position, several of those are offered every year!”
“Hm. A teaching position?” She turned and tapped the application. “Regardless, we must pay.”
The clerk seemed startled by the abrupt change of pace, and then nodded. “If you’re ready, we can accept credit on the Imperial bank- eep!”
She was cut off by the slam of Lakshmi putting down a thick wad of zeni bills. “The payment.” Lakshmi ground out. “For the illustrious inventor.”
“O-oh my!” The clerk cleared her throat and hurriedly counted through the thick stack of bills. “Ah! Well, yes! This is the correct amount! If you’ll just sign there, and affix your signature?”
Soriya stamped and signed where directed, and received a small square of paper in return proclaiming her a presenter for the contest. A few more shuffled pieces of paper. “It’s actually quite lucky that you’re presenting to the symposium, the majority of the display sections of the Hall have already been taken, but there’s still plenty of lecture halls! I’ve given you the best one remaining!” The clerk said, handing her another thick packet of papers with the instructions and times. “Here are the times and dates, you can fill out which one you like, or present at all of them. If you don’t mind my saying so, the best presentation is just after lunch. The academics will all have eaten, and be in a much more receptive frame of mind.”
Soriya nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll keep that in mind. My thanks!” They turned to go, and Holly said “Miss?”
“Yes?” the clerk looked up from her paperwork.
“How long have you worked here?”
“Oh, five years? Yes, it’s been five years now.”
Holly nodded. “Thank you.” She followed the others out.
Once they were clear of the office, Holly said “In my day, the symposium was the cream of the competition. Inventions and devices were considered ‘second rate.’ Pure research was more important than ‘tinker’s toys.’”
Lakshmi looked up in surprise. “Really? I’ve never heard of that?”
Daniyel coughed gently. “Mistress Holly has a great deal of worldly experience-”
Holly burst out laughing. “Oh you can say I’m old, Master Daniyel, it’s ok, I don’t mind!”
Eshaan immediately protested. “That’s not right at all! You’re definitely not old!”
Holly smiled kindly at Eshaan. “Dear, I have a daughter who’s seventeen. I most certainly am not ‘farm fresh’.”
Soriya snapped “Can we maybe discuss what is and is not the right age for things, after we get a hotel room?”
The group looked at her in surprise, and then Eshaan said hesitantly “Sure, Miss Soriya… I’m sorry if I’ve offended you? I thought you were the same age as Lilyanna?”
Soriya tossed her head. “Yes. That’s right, I am the same age as Lilyanna.”
The air bus ride to the inventor’s quarters was awkwardly quiet.