SS [57] Absolutely Not!

Upon their return to the estate they met Princess Yrsa in the manor's grand dining hall, a room built to host dozens of nobles at once. The long banquet table stretched almost the length of the chamber, yet only Yrsa, Aurelius, and Tanisha occupied it. The servants had laid out refreshments, though nothing as extravagant as the meals from the previous evening. Despite the restrained atmosphere, Tanisha found herself enjoying the food. 

It was pork smothered in a rich cream sauce with mushrooms. She ignored the mushrooms as politely as she could, eating around them without complaint. Meat was a reliable way to her heart. Vegetables and most things that grew from the ground were not.  

Her thoughts drifted to Ivoi. The gynoid had once explained that mushrooms were not plants at all but an entirely different form of life. As the world's first modern chemist, Tanisha decided she ought to be more precise even in her own thoughts.  Of course she would have to write some kind of book on the topic of “not-plants” that look like plants and present the findings. 

Another bite of pork instantly pulled her mind out of the idea and back into the sensory detail of the moment. She was quietly pleased that a certain druid was nowhere to be seen. The realization that she had looked for him at all annoyed her far more than his absence. 

“Today must have been a very harrowing day for you all.” Yrsa said.

“It has been eventful, but we are accustomed to excitement,” Tanisha said. “And we would like to thank you for your hospitality, Princess.”

“I must say, I was surprised when I was informed I was housing such an important figure. Had I been informed I would have of course had you stay in the main estate building not the annex.”

“We were not advertising my status and we met no deception, I am simply traveling the continent, seeing the world and was unfortunately displaced by the mana hurricane. We did not intend to stay long and were planning to return in a more official capacity at a later date. Unfortunately, the incident at the Worldspine Gate did not allow us to remain silent about my identity.”

There was a calculating silence.

“You said you weren’t planning on staying long.” Yrsa clapped her hand. “I had prepared your gifts for your assistance in ensuring I arrived at Highhall in one piece.”

Tanisha noticed the change immediately. Before, Yrsa had spoken of them saving her life. Now she merely thanked them for helping ensure her safe arrival. That subtle shift transformed the act from a life debt into little more than an escort's assistance. 

She could have corrected her. Instead she let it pass. This was a clean way to settle accounts. A transaction was easier to walk away from than an obligation. 

Two servants had entered the room carrying boxes. One arrived at Tanisha’s side and the other at Aurelius’s. Tanisha’s box was significantly smaller. It could fit in the palm of the hand. The servant opened the box to reveal a silver hairstick. Faint enchantments shimmered beneath its polished surface. The ornamental head resembled the petals of an unfamiliar flower. Aurelius's gift was a beautifully crafted scabbard etched with delicate runes along its length. 

“I know you all are traveling so I decided these would serve you well as something practical for your journey. The hair stick is enchanted to resonate with electrokinetic spells. I know you used electricity magic, but I will admit I purchased this gift before I knew you were an arcanist. I am unsure how this will work with your alloy. As for Aurelius the sheath is enchanted to work with monster crystal blades like yours. Unlike normal sheaths I was informed that this one will allow the blade to self repair. I am unfamiliar with the process. There is a note included from the smith on the functions of the runework.”

“These are very thoughtful.” Tanisha said. “Thank you.”

“Naturally, there is also a reward of sixty gold waiting in your rooms. I thought it poor manners to place coin upon a dining table.” Yrsa said

Tanisha and Aurelius looked at each other then Aurelius spoke.

“Actually, we were planning on departing after his meeting and not returning to the room.” Aurelius said.

Yrsa hesitated only briefly before composing herself.

“It is unfortunate. I had hoped you might remain another evening.” Yrsa said.

The words were polite but the relief beneath them was not difficult to miss. When Aurelius declined once more, she accepted without further persuasion. 

***

Tanisha had convinced Bjorn to let her ride on his back as they departed the estate for what would likely be the final time. She was going to miss the bathhouse, but they needed to keep moving. Aurelius had grown increasingly anxious about returning home, and whatever lay beneath the Worldspine had only made that urgency worse.

The wagon rolled out of the estate Bjorn alongside it. Yrsa had already returned inside before they were even out of sight. That woman truly wanted them gone. Tanisha hoped the dwarf's exile would end more kindly than her own had. 

“Oh well, onward to new cities and hopefully ones without Trues sleeping beneath them.” Tanisha said.

“I agree.” Bjorn said.

Anasuya nuzzled up against her from behind. Tanisha was in her usual basking spot on Bjorn. Tanisha petted her gently and she settled down.

“We are going to take the long way around the city to the north gate. I don’t want us to go anywhere near the Worldspine.” Aurelius said. 

Once they reached the estate gate a familiar silhouette was waiting for them. Tanisha groaned as she saw the familiar green skin and moose antlered druid.

Soren.

Aurelius slowed the carriage as they approached and Tanisha’s frustration only grew. That quickly changed to suspicion when she noticed the man had a rather large travel pack slung over his shoulders. It was stuffed full enough that he clearly wasn't planning to return to the manor. 

“Here I thought you were avoiding us,” Aurelius said.

“Nah, nothing like that. I am glad you all seem to be going out to the city again. I wanted to say my goodbyes.” Soren said.

“You said them. Bye.” Tanisha interjected.

“Tani.” Aurelius said. “What do you mean your goodbyes?” 

“I am going back to the Force Isles. I am leaving for Valachyra now.” Soren said.

“Good luck with that.” Tanisha muttered.

“I thought you were working for Yrsa?” Aurelius said. “She didn’t seem so keen on letting you go.”

“Contract ended,” Soren shrugged. “Now that I'm no longer bound to Princess Yrsa, I can actually tell you what I wanted to yesterday. The dwarves care more about who you know—who you associate with than the coin you carry. Yrsa wants to have you under her. If that happens you will be stuck here. So, I suggest leaving as soon as you can. Though after your client’s princess reveal… you might not have anything to worry about.”

“So you lied.” Tanisha said accusingly. “This is why you can't trust them.”

Soren didn’t even look over to Tanisha, instead he was focused on Aurelius.

“When you asked me why I told your client you all should leave when we were in the forest I couldn’t speak on the reason then.”

“Why?” Aurelius questioned. 

“The tabard Princess Yrsa made me wear was enchanted. It recorded every conversation I had. She could listen to them afterward. I couldn't warn you outright without warning her too.”

He sighed and adjusted the bags on his back. 

“Anyway,” Soren continued. “I am going to start heading out. If I catch you at The Foxe and Flagon back home I will get you a round on me.” He started to walk then stopped. “You are old enough to drink right?”

“Yes.” Aurelius confirmed.

“Right-right.” Soren said, then he turned down the road.

Aurelius watched him for several seconds before looking toward Tanisha. The glance told her that he was going to suggest something she wasn’t going to like.

“Absolutely not!” Tanisha said. “No… no. I am not changing my mind on this.”

“Hear me out.” Aurelius said.

“No.”

“He is going to be traveling alone.”

“And?”

“He doesn’t even know that Valachyra borders are closed.”

“No.”

“He is my countryman, Tanisha. He was stuck here about as long as we were stuck underground.” Aurelius said.

“Have you forgotten we are being hunted by an Avatar? Perhaps it is best that he goes his own way.” Bjorn added.

“Thank you,” Tanisha said.

“The Force Isle is also under threat if what the Devil said is true,” Aurelius said. “He deserves to know what is going on there. He deserves the chance to fight if it comes to it. Besides we are going to be traveling at least part way with a caravan should we not get them involved with our travels.”

“Now that you mention it, probably not,” Bjorn said. “But I see your point.”

“We don’t have to keep him with us but we can at least help him leave the country.” Aurelius said.

Tanisha scoffed irritably.

“Fine. But he is not allowed in the wagon.” Tanisha said. “Bjorn, we are going ahead. See you at the North Gate, we will make sure they know we are coming.”

Bjorn trotted ahead of the wagon passing the druid as they picked up speed.