As soon as they left the library, SJ couldn't hold back.
"Navina is a vampire?"
"Yes," Carlito nodded. "I wasn't sure if you had realised at first. I have known her for over one hundred and fifty years. She has been the guild leader since I joined."
The matter-of-fact response to her question didn't answer SJ's question. "But she is a vampire?"
"Yes, and I am a dragonling. What is so surprising?"
SJ shook her head in response. "Amathera continues to surprise me."
Carlito smiled. "You are still young and, as a Legionnaire, have much to learn."
It was the first time that Carlito had mentioned SJ being a Legionnaire in the context he did, and she frowned. SJ still held the coin Navina had given her. It was bronze and engraved with an emblem identifying guild membership. She had been told she would have to show the coin when handing in quests. When she had accepted the guild membership, her display triggered, and a new screen opened, showing her guild membership details and listed available quests. Carlito hadn't explained to her prior that when he had mentioned that quests were posted, they were posted directly to all within the guild, and they could be accepted through the interface. This removed the requirement for assassins to go somewhere to find out about jobs. There was, after all, no social circle like other guilds. Some assassins knew each other, but most stayed to themselves, carrying out their trade in secret.
"I was going to call in to see Petunia and may as well while in the inner city. Do you have room if I transfer the loot I have?" SJ asked.
"Of course."
SJ removed and handed the various items to Carlito, who added them to his inventory.
"I guess you will be returning to Killic?"
"I will later today, yes. I need to get back to meet the coach."
"Okay. Here then," Carlito said, handing SJ a communication stone. "There is no point in just having the ear clips. This way, you can reach me if needed."
SJ took the stone and placed it into her inventory. Each communication stone was slightly different, so she could easily tell which was which. She needed to consider getting a combined one similar to Nexis's, especially since she wished to get more for her friends in Killic. She had no idea how they worked apart from using mana lines, so she would need to enquire further.
"Thank you for all your help," SJ said, knowing that it was unlikely she would see Carlito again before she returned.
"I am your guardian. There is no need to thank me. We are bonded, and if you need my help, you just need to call." Carlito smiled.
As Carlito climbed back into the cart that still waited outside the library, SJ turned and headed to Petunia's.
"Come in, my dear," Petunia smiled, greeting SJ at the door.
"Did your friend arrive?" SJ asked.
"Yes, yes. He is in the lounge. Come, let me introduce you."
SJ followed Petunia into the lounge. All SJ could see was the back of a being's head and the tops of two feathered wings sitting in one of Petunia's high-backed chairs.
"Skuldor. Can I introduce SJ to you?" Petunia said.
The being that stood from the chair and turned to look at SJ took her breath away. She felt her knees weaken looking at him. His hair was short cut and deep black, his face looked youthful, and he had a strong jawline with deep green eyes. He wore a simple tunic, but the fact that he had two colossal feather-covered wings clearly visible behind his back was what drew SJ's attention. Her wings looked feeble in comparison. It wasn't his looks which had made SJ feel weak-kneed but the aura that the being gave off. It felt like a wave of pressure had struck her upon meeting the eyes of the being.
SJ let out a slight gasp in shock.
"Tone it down," Petunia huffed.
"Sorry. I like to make a good impression when I meet beings for the first time. I am Skuldor. Nice to meet you. Petunia has been telling me all about you," he said, his voice deep and velvety sounding. He held out his hand.
SJ stepped forward, taking it; his grip was firm but also gentle, and his palm was smooth and soft.
"SJ. Nice to meet you also. I hope Petunia has been telling you good things?"
Skuldor smiled. "She has. She holds you in high regard. Which is a mean feat, knowing this troublesome gnome."
Petunia struck Skuldor as she passed him to take her seat. Skuldor was huge; he stood at least seven feet tall, his shoulders were broad, and SJ could see the defined muscles on his arms.
"Petunia said you had retired?" SJ asked.
"I have," Skuldor said, retaking his seat as SJ joined them.
"You don't look old enough to have retired," SJ said without thinking.
Skuldor and Petunia laughed. "He is older than I am."
"I still haven't gotten used to the ages of beings yet," SJ sighed.
"Valkyrie don't age. We are born as we will eventually depart the world," Skuldor said.
Imagining being born fully grown with a body as he had must have been a strange experience. She may have been reincarnated as an adult, but she had still lived a childhood back on Earth, learning to walk and talk, and SJ's mind spun at the concept of just knowing how to do things.
"So Valkyrie don't have children?"
"No. We are the gods' vessels. We are given life through their divine gift."
Considering that Nexis was a god, SJ wondered how the gods confirmed Valkyrie, and she would have to ask him about it when she saw him next. Skuldor was a delight, and the conversation flowed freely as they sat chatting. To SJ, it was obvious Petunia and Skuldor were very close, considering the banter that was apparent between them. It was only after lunch that SJ left again, thanking Petunia and Skuldor for their time. Petunia gave SJ a hug on the doorstep.
"Come back and see us again soon," Petunia said.
"I will. I have a portal here now, so I can return more frequently."
"Really?" Petunia said, a flash of mischief on her face.
"I will see you soon," SJ said as she walked away, nervous now as to what Petunia might plan for her going forward after knowing that she had been the reason that the chancellor had contacted her originally.
"What now?" Dave asked.
'I think we are pretty much finished here. I need to go home and check with Yawnee about the seeds and collect the other items and the tools Lurtew got for Terrence, but apart from that, I think it's time to head home.'
"Sounds good. I can't wait to hear what Cristy has been up to."
SJ rolled her eyes at Dave's comment. 'You have your favourites,' she chuckled as she walked along.
The relief that SJ felt now that things were resolved for the tower was immense. She had felt an overwhelming doom the whole time she had been working to fix the problems, and she walked with a relaxed and casual step as she made her way home. Skuldor had been a delight to meet, and from what Petunia said, he was planning to stay for a while and was even considering setting up a home in Asterfal. He had apparently got quite fed up with the capital and its continual problems. SJ still knew so little about Luxoria, but knowing the issues Asterfal had could easily consider that it was a more severe version.
Once SJ arrived home, she went upstairs to pack her belongings. Yawnee had managed to source the seeds that Charlotte had been after, and with everything else stored in her inventory, it was time to head back.
"Come on, Kibble. It's time to head home," SJ said, standing in the lounge. Kibble was busy batting one of Yawnee's balls of yarn around the floor before pouncing on it again. He squeaked and turned, launching into the air before coming to rest on her shoulder. SJ bent down, picking the yarn up, and replaced it in Yawnee's basket, from which he had stolen it.
She walked to the kitchen and was just about to head down to the rear yard when there was a knock on the front door.
"I'll get it," SJ called, heading down to the front door.
The same runner from the chancellors stood outside.
"Ma'am. I have been asked to deliver this to you," the runner said, handing SJ a pouch and a rolled parchment.
SJ took them frowning. "Thanks," she said, handing the girl some more copper coins.
'I wonder what this is?' SJ thought, taking the parchment and pouch back upstairs. Lurtew and Yawnee were both sitting in the kitchen, and SJ joined them, unrolling the parchment.
Dear SJ,
Harmyster and Otherlisar have confessed to all. Our inquisitors have made us proud, and we also have several other beings now under arrest. Otherlisar, will be deported to Luxoria along with her nephew. The charges would usually have brought a more severe penalty, but with the political links to Luxoria and the bank, it is deemed that banishment is the best option. I wish to thank you for your service to Asterfal. Please find your reward attached to this message. I believe your use of such an item will bring you more benefits than my own.
Kind Regards,
H
Intrigued, SJ lifted the pouch and opened the strings before tipping the contents onto the kitchen table. Five gold as per the original quest she had taken. That wasn't surprising, but what surprised SJ was the ring that fell from the pouch. It was silver-coloured and brightly polished with an almost blue undertone and a wyvern carved around its band.
"Mithril," Dave said.
SJ picked the ring up and examined it.
Ring of Bonding - this ring will allow the wearer to improve their bond with a companion. The bonded companion receives permanent bonuses to their attributes once linked.
"Wow. This could be interesting," SJ said, turning the ring on her fingers.
"What is it?" Yawnee asked.
SJ explained what it was.
"A worthy gift," Lurtew said. "I am sure our little monster here would be happy being even more troublesome," he laughed.
SJ smiled as she slipped the ring on her finger. Her display triggered.
Would you like to improve your bond with your companion?
SJ selected yes without consideration and suddenly felt Kibble shifting on her shoulder. He let out an alarmed squeak as he hopped down from her shoulder. The three of them sat and watched in amazement as Kibble transformed. He didn't change dramatically, but still enough to be visible to those who knew him. His limbs and body broadened, and his wings grew longer. It was as though he had a sudden growth spurt. When the changes finished, he must have been three inches longer, and as he opened his wings, their span had also grown substantially. That wasn't the part that got them, though; it was the crackling blue lightning that now enveloped his little jaws every time he opened his mouth. It was as though he was plugged into an electricity supply.
SJ cautiously looked at him. "Do you feel okay?" she asked, a little concerned.
Kibble turned and looked at her, standing up straight and regally before he squeaked and bowed his little head forward. It was as though he had suddenly changed from a child to an adult the change in his behaviour and composure.
"Wow," was the only word that passed Lurtew's lips.
As Kibble transformed and grew, his colour also changed, becoming more pearlescent, the light in the kitchen shimmering over his scales.
"Well, that was unexpected," SJ said, stroking his head. The blue of the lightning crackled as she did, but it didn't shock her when he again squeaked.
Kibble shook himself, flapping his wings before he again hopped back onto SJ's shoulder. She could feel the immediate increase in his weight. It wasn't significant, but it was still enough to be noticeable.
'I wonder what his attributes are now?' SJ thought, opening her companion screen. Unfortunately, it had Kibble registered as an adolescent and didn't show any further details.
"Maybe once he is an adult, we can find out more," Dave said.
"Right then. I think it is time I headed back," SJ said, standing.
"Okay. Thank you for everything," Yawnee said, hugging SJ; Lurtew did as well. "And give Cristy a hug from us both as well."
"I will, and I will be back soon," SJ said as she opened her map and triggered her portal back to Farleck.
After SJ had given Charlotte and Terence their items, she walked with Brian out towards the main track, which led back to Killic. He had been talking excitedly about his latest fishing antics and was explaining a new rig that he had created, which appeared to be working wonders. SJ had listened to him enthusiastically, knowing that Charlotte and Terence very rarely discussed his hobby with him. They sat in the tree line by the path, awaiting the coach. SJ had no idea when it would pass; it could be an hour, or it could be several. She just knew that they had expected to arrive back in Killic by that evening, and it was now mid-afternoon, and from Farleck to Killic, it was a couple of hours' journey.
"I hope I didn't miss them?" SJ said as she threw a stone at a tree, aiming for a certain branch. They had been taking turns selecting targets to aim for. Brian was very accurate, and he led with the number of direct hits he achieved. It was now early evening, and several hours had passed since they arrived.
"You can always just head back if you are concerned you did," Brian said.
"I think I may do. They could have passed before we arrived. Thanks for keeping me company," SJ said as she stood up and lifted Kibble from her shoulder, placing him down as she started to transform.
"No problem. You saved me from Charlotte's orders for the afternoon. I guess you will be back tomorrow evening as usual? Now you are back."
"That's the plan. I will see you tomorrow. Thanks, Brian." SJ said as she took off. Kibble realised what she was doing and took off following her. They flew side-by-side as they crossed towards the crags and flew up the winding path that led to the gates to Killic. The stone gates were an imposing sight as they approached, and SJ could see the figures of beings on the parapet as they neared. She turned and headed up to the side, not wishing to cause them the issue of having to open the gates when she could fly over.
The pair flew through the forest and eventually reached the fields on the outskirts of Killic. The windmill stood at the lakeside on their right as they flew. Her cottage was further to the left of the village, so she turned, heading in that direction before coming to land in the front garden and growing. She smiled, taking in the beautiful garden and her surroundings. Killic was her home, and she missed it and her friends while away. There were no lights on in the cottage, and SJ found the door locked. Not needing anything inside, she made her way into the town. Every street she walked down, beings she recognised called to her, welcoming her back, and the streets themselves were adorned in bright bunting. SJ could imagine how amazing it would look for the festival, which would start the day after tomorrow.
Eventually, she reached the town square; the whole square had been transformed. Market stalls were no longer present, but a large stage had been erected, and rows of tables and benches were positioned around the fountain. There was currently no room for any horse or cart traffic to be able to cross the area; the roads were all covered. More bunting covered the square, and SJ smiled as she walked towards the Hogling Arms.
As SJ approached, Bert opened the door and walked outside, carrying a dwarf under his arm, who was kicking and screaming in objection. After reaching the roadside, he carefully placed him down as Kerys appeared in the doorway. "That was your third warning tonight, Gospore. You can come back tomorrow once you sober up."
The dwarf grumbled before kicking his feet and turning, staggering off down the road. SJ couldn't help but grin at seeing her friend, standing hands on hips, her miniature form hiding the thunderous voice that bellowed from her mouth.
"Hi," SJ said as she approached.
"SJ," Kerys beamed, hugging her fondly as she reached the door. Bert looked at her, smiling, and nodded.
"How are you?"
"Busy," Kerys said, indicating back inside. "I think half the surrounding villages are already in Killic. SJ looked into the bar; it did indeed look busy inside, and SJ could hear Ptolemy playing, supported by boisterous singing from many inside.
"It sounds like they are already celebrating the festival," SJ chuckled.
"They have been like this for the past three nights. I think some are trying to turn it into a week-long celebration. Anyway, come inside and get a drink on me. You must be thirsty after your journey."
SJ smiled, following her friend inside.
