Chapter 147: Nira and Kaelith Visit Eldoris

Tanaka was re-reading the plans for the construction work when a familiar presence arrived at Eldoris. He immediately put the papers down. "Nira?" He rushed outside, and came to a stop just as two dark elves came through the gates. Nira was walking at the front, studying the growing settlement; her companion followed at a more relaxed pace, studying the new buildings, the workers and the monsters walking past.

When Nira saw Tanaka, a smile appeared on her face. "Tanaka!" "Welcome to Eldoris!" Tanaka greeted, and Nira grinned back, momentarily forgetting that she wasn’t alone. Unfortunately for Tanaka, the other dark elf had observed their exchange with interest. Kaelith smirked.

"So you’re the Tanaka my sister won’t stop talking about." Nira’s expression turned to stone. "Kaelith." He ignored her and turned his attention back to Tanaka. "I’ve been wondering about you lately. Guess I now know why." "Kaelith, don’t start." "Start what? I haven’t said anything yet!" "You haven’t even bothered to greet him!" He turned back to Tanaka and delivered a perfectly respectful greeting. "There. Happy?"

Nira closed her eyes. Tanaka laughed. "It’s all right. Welcome to Eldoris, Kaelith. I’m glad you could both come." Kaelith studied him for a long moment before his smirk returned. "So, Tanaka. When do you plan on marrying my sister?" "KAELITH!" A few of the monsters nearby turned to stare. Nira gaped at her brother.

Not that she hadn’t expected him to say something embarrassing eventually, but she hadn’t expected it so soon after they’d arrived. "Kaelith, I swear . . ." "All right, all right. I’ll behave." Nira didn’t believe him for a second. Tanaka, however, was too happy to see them to be annoyed. "Come on. Let me show you around." He led them inside the settlement.

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Kaelith’s attention was drawn to the changes in Eldoris. New building projects were being built, the residential section had been expanded and roads between the different areas were being improved. He was also impressed by the mix of races working on the projects. Goblins were hauling building materials alongside Orcs, Greater Ogres were helping with beams while Star Wolves stood watch. "So this is what you’ve been doing," Kaelith murmured.

Tanaka nodded. "We’re expanding the Dominion. With the Varkesh families arriving, we need more housing, and I’ve got plans for a number of other projects." "A number?" Nira shot Tanaka a sidelong glance. "How many projects have you started?" Tanaka hesitated. "That’s a tough question." Kaelith laughed. "Wonderful. He’s already forgotten how many things he’s building." "I’m not!" "Then tell me." Tanaka opened his mouth, then stopped and stared at a nearby construction site. Nira shook her head, amused.

They walked past a number of sites before stopping at the building where the human mages were housed. Tanaka explained how he had freed them from the Varkesh and invited them to live in Eldoris permanently. He also showed Kaelith and Nira the magical communication device the mages had built. Kaelith examined the device with interest. "You’ve barely had them here a day and they’ve already built something useful."

"They volunteered to help," Tanaka replied. "They’re also going to teach your people about spellcasting and mana control." Nira studied the notes scattered over a table. "And you’re planning to build a school?" Tanaka nodded. "I want children from all the races to have the chance to learn to read, write and do mathematics. As long as we can find enough teachers, we can teach other subjects as well." Nira’s expression became distant.

"Then you’re going to need more than a handful of books." Tanaka agreed. "That’s one of the problems we’ve got. The mages supplied us with a few materials, but we’ll need books about different subjects. Especially magic ones." "You should go to Rosen City." Tanaka looked at her. "Rosen City?" "There are merchants there that deal in books and other writings. You could get volumes about spellcasting, mana theory, mathematics and other things. We might even be able to find something for children who are just learning to read." Tanaka considered this. "That’s actually not a bad idea. I hadn’t thought of looking there yet."

"We should make a list before we leave. That way we won’t waste time buying books that don’t do any good." Nira spoke with the same kind of certainty she always did when discussing a subject she understood. She began listing the subjects that the school would need to study, and Tanaka listened. He was surprised when she mentioned another possibility. "Davreim’s known for its herbalogy. If we can find the right books, I could teach the children about medicinal plants, herbs and their uses." Tanaka turned to face her.

"You’d be willing to teach?" "Of course. I know enough to give them decent lessons, and herbalogy would be useful for your people, wouldn’t it?" Her gaze moved to the settlement outside the walls. "Your healers could benefit from it, too. Knowing some medicinal plants would give them more options for treating injuries and illnesses." Tanaka smiled. "That would be a big help. Thank you, Nira." She returned his smile.

"Then I’ll stay until the school is properly set up. There’s going to be plenty to do." Kaelith studied her. Nira continued talking about the books they would need, ignoring the expression on her brother’s face. He was familiar enough with his sister to realize that the conversation had a purpose. The school needed books. The herbalogy needed a teacher. Both were true, but Nira had discovered a reason to stay in Eldoris for an extended period, and she wasn’t about to waste it. Kaelith decided it was best to keep quiet about it. For now.

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Tanaka led the way from the mages’ building, showing them the new residential district and talking about his plans for a road linking Eldoris and Varkesh. Kaelith listened to most of the discussion, occasionally asking questions about the schedule for the construction work and how the responsibilities for the road would be shared between the two kingdoms. He was most interested in how Tanaka intended to rule over Varkesh without destroying its identity.

Tanaka explained that Tharven would continue to run the day-to-day matters of the kingdom, reporting to Eldoris. "I don’t want to waste my time running someone else’s kingdom," Tanaka admitted. "Tharven knows his people better than I do. As long as he follows the laws we set down, he should be able to deal with his own matters." Kaelith nodded. "Conquering one kingdom is one thing. Governing it is another." "Exactly." He turned his attention to the road. "You’ve got quite a project for yourself." Tanaka laughed. "You’re not the first person to tell me that."

"Then maybe you should listen." "I’ll think about it." Kaelith shook his head, amused. Eventually, he stretched his arms and turned to look at the district outside the main settlement. "I’m going to go exploring on my own for a while." Nira turned to face him. "Already?" "I’ve seen enough to find my way around. I want to look the place over without someone showing me everything." He glanced at Tanaka. "Don’t worry. I’ll behave." Nira gave him a doubtful look. Kaelith ignored it and walked away. Tanaka watched him disappear before turning back to Nira.

"Would you like to see the rest of Eldoris?" She smiled. "Yes. I’d like that." They walked back along the road, talking about the school, the books they would need and possibly visiting Rosen City. Nira made a number of suggestions, all of which Tanaka listened to with a genuine interest. She was knowledgeable, thoughtful and willing to contribute much more than a few lessons in herbalogy.

That was one of the things she liked about him. He never considered her help to be insignificant. When she offered an idea, he considered it. When she pointed out a problem, he listened. He made her feel that she belonged. And that made the prospect of staying with him all the more appealing. Tanaka pointed out a large building that was still under construction ahead of them.

"That’s probably where the school administrator will be. We need somewhere to keep records and plan lessons." Nira looked at him. "You’re already planning an administrator building?" "Someone has to run the school." She smiled. "Then I guess I’ll have to stay long enough to see it finish." Tanaka nodded, not realizing the implications of what she said. "That would be great. Your help will make everything much easier." Nira turned away, hiding a small smile. Yes. That was exactly what she wanted to hear.