RFC-Miniarc-An Average Day-18 (Umphrieltalia) (Patreon)

“Talk about a surprising appearance. I thought I would take all the attention with my flower on my arm but who could steal the room from the grandmaster himself when he decides to grace us.”

Talia had bowed her head the moment she recognized the voice of Dunwayne and straightened up as Kierra finished her greeting. “Good evening, grandmaster.”

“Umphrieltalia,” the Harvest Hero said warmly. Despite his age, the elderly man didn’t give off a hint of weakness in his tone, not even the shrillness common to men his age. “It’s good to see you here. To work at the Hall is more than a job. It is to be a part of a community. Pardon my eavesdropping but I overheard some of your conversation and may have to take exception if you plan to go to the north. I am not one to interfere in personal matters but you are not prepared.”

“Not to worry, Dunwayne,” Kierra said. “Flowers are especially fragile when removed from their gardens. I wouldn’t allow her to come with us and only because I know she will be safe under your watch.”

“Hohoho, you are talking about those capital boys? Not to worry. I am the master of the Hall and she is one of my people. Naturally, no scoundrels will compel her to do anything against her wishes. And if that is not enough to sway them from reckless action, I will remind them they risk the wrath of the elves.”

“I’ve told you all that I am no member of state.”

“I’m sure a delightful young woman like you could sway your family to action against those who wrong you and if you are any indication, we would be in enough trouble from them alone.”

“Haha, true! My mother would make your king whimper like a scared little boy in the face of his first wyvern. I suppose we should give your friend a chance to speak now. If he stares at me any harder, I may get embarrassed.”

“Don’t mean to offend,” a new voice Talia didn’t recognize said. There was a meaty thump, what she guessed was someone’s palm or fist hitting another part of the body, before he introduced himself. “I am Raymond Polluck of the Undying Ember Order.”

“Hm,” Kierra hummed.

“A famous order of knights from Fort Victory,” Talia said.

“Ah! That is why you are so interested in our talk.”

“Indeed. Anyone who is willing to walk through that cold oblivion is a friend, no matter their reasons. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, good. I was hoping that your warriors wouldn’t make things…complicated.”

“The knights of Victory aren’t very complicated. Just give us a sword, a monster, and a drink and life’s good, haha!”

“Excellent. Your order is famous? I haven’t dealt with the knights of this kingdom much. From what I can gather, they aren’t worth the effort.”

“Oh, I agree with you there. Most of the orders in the kingdom are fresh blood, formed in the last century or two. What kind of soldiers are made in times of peace? Bunch of smooth-skinned sunflowers posturing for pretty girls in their shiny armor,” he spat. “Only two I’d give a second glance at are the Order of Royal Knights and the Verdant Sun Order. Beyond that, you’d be better off looking for fighters in some of the guilds. They’ve come through Victory looking for a good fight. Tough fellows.”

“Insulting your own country’s fighters. Well, Dunwayne? Will you defend them?”

“Hm. Besides my master, I didn’t have much experience with knights during my fighting years. They didn’t take kindly to a common boy from the capital’s slums making a name for himself, hoho. I fought on my own and I went out of my way to avoid conflicts between nobles so I haven’t much experience fighting them either. If I had to give an opinion, I’d second the words of Sir Polluck. After all, many of the guilds’ hunters came through the Hall!”

“Victory may as well be another world,” Cynthia added.

“The orders closer to the capital may not be war veterans, but they are respectable fighters. They defend the lands of their sponsoring house from all manner of manabeasts and brigands,” Aurelius defended. “They may be a bit showy but becoming idols of the people serves a purpose as well. Better for a boy to dream of being an overly courteous knight than an immoral pirate pilfering a fortune from the weak.”

Sir Polluck scoffed. “They can get the job done without calling themselves knights. In the time of the first king, the word knight meant an elite fighter. Someone who could change a battle single-handedly. Strength mattered before dress and manners. If they want to play parts and pander to a crowd, they should become performers.”

Kierra laughed. “Well said! The only reputation a band of warriors should have is for their prowess. You are getting me excited for my trip.”

Sir Polluck chuckled. “The same for me. I’ll be joining the next campaign.”

“Oh?” Cynthia asked. “I thought you were joining the staff here.”

“In a limited capacity and my trip relates to why. I’ve been asked by Duke James to tutor his daughter, Alana. I’m one of two light casters in Victory and the second is my student, haha. No offense to the Hall but the duke wants a familiar face looking after her. Not to mention I’ve a few personal spells I’m keen to pass on.”

“An understandable opinion,” Dunwayne said. “Sir Polluck has agreed to compare techniques with a few instructors. As anyone else who contributes to the pursuit of magical mastery, he is welcome here, no matter how temporary his stay.”

Talia could feel it. Kierra still had a light hold of her hand and she felt the elf’s tension from the way her fingers tightened. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end in response to the emotions coming from the woman. Anticipation laced with danger, like an animal crouching as it prepared to pounce on prey.

“Alana James. I’m familiar with her.”

“Oh, what a coincidence!”

“Not too much of one. I was put in charge of the initiates this year.”

“She is a student of yours. Lucky for her.”

“She’s more than a student. Alana befriended my wife and they have grown, mm, inseparable. She is also the reason we will be joining the campaign.”

“The James blood is strong, I see! You know, they are descended from the knight who founded Victory. Generation after generation, they have led the way into the Bleak Peaks. It’s like there’s something buried under the snow that calls to them. Calls to all of us. And we aren’t going to stop until we find it.”

“Will you begin teaching her immediately?”

“The knights of Victory aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. There’s plenty she can learn before the campaign. Her father is eager to see the results of her time at the Hall.”

“I see. That may present a bit of a problem.”

The tension in the air grew stronger, though Talia, with her knowledge of Alana’s relationship with the Tome household, was the only one who could see the impending tragedy. If it was her previous self, she might have sent a discrete warning to the grandmaster or mayhap intervened.

Now, she was Kierra’s lunar lily. Trees stood in the path of fierce storms. Flowers that tried the same were ripped from the ground and tossed away. If her contract with Lou required intimacy and romance, then her contract with Kierra required she played a docile role. One that did not permit her to ruin the woman’s fun without very good reason.

Without prompting, Talia slipped her hand from Kierra’s and took a discrete step back.

“I am in the process of molding my star. You’ve left a good impression thus far but I can’t have you messing up my efforts.”

There was a beat of silence as the others realized that there may be a problem developing.

“Dear lady—"

“I am not one of this kingdom’s ladies. You shouldn’t mistake me for one.”

“Fair. I can respect a teacher not wanting to give up a talented student but don’t you think you’re out of line? Her father—"

“What does her father have to do with anything? Alana is one of mine. You are not needed. It is a simple as that.”

“You…I’m a light caster. I’m the best one to teach her!”

Kierra scoffed. “Sharing her element doesn’t make you the most qualified to teach her. Besides, I have plans for that. You can rest assured she will have the best instruction possible for anyone on this continent.”

“Now listen to me you—"

The knight quieted as the grandmaster cleared his throat. “I’m glad to see the instructors of the Hall so dedicated to their duties. However, a key component of the Hall is choice. Every acolyte has the freedom to choose their own path. Duke James may have convinced you to join the Hall to teach his daughter but she has the right to decide whether she wants that instruction.”

“What non—forgive me, grandmaster, I don’t mean to be rude, but of course she wants my instruction. This has been our plan for years!”

“Plans change,” Kierra purred. “As Dunwayne says, it will be her choice. And she will not choose you.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“Because I know her heart.”

Talia heard several gasps. Spoken by anyone else, the words would seem innocuous but Kierra and Lou had a reputation. One that led those who knew of it to feel a wave of dread.

For a moment, as the silence lingered, she thought her colleagues had recognized the manabeast camping on that particular road and had swerved to avoid it.

Then someone spoke.

“Does Lady Tome intend to make the daughter of a duke her mistress?” Aurelius asked with a small chuckle. “Or perhaps it is another of her trysts.”

He may as well have sounded a war trumpet.

“Trysts? Mistress?” Sir Polluck asked.

“Oh, look! I think I see Madam Willow over that way. I’ve been meaning to ask her what she uses for her hair, it really has an amazing luster. Excuse me.” The alchemist hurried off after delivering her excuse.

The grandmaster hummed thoughtfully.

“Master Aurelius, I would ask that you explain your words,” the northern knight insisted.

“I would suggest you take it up with Alana James. Lady Tome may have a reputation but I don’t know the intimate matters of her bedroom.”

“Bedroom?!”

“Yes. From my understanding, Lourianne Tome is married to Kierra but doesn’t shy from seeking relations outside of her marriage. Correct me if I’ve misspoken, Kierra.”

“You seem to know plenty about our bedroom.”

“Now, one moment!” Sir Polluck yelled. “Stop this run around and tell it to me straight. Are you saying this Tome person has laid her hands on the duke’s daughter?”

“At least the pest acknowledged it’s none of his business,” Kierra sighed. “It certainly isn’t yours.”

“Saints’ blessed asses, of course it’s my business! She’s engaged!”

Another poignant silence. Talia took several more steps backward, as she was sure that if someone did not intervene soon, blood would be shed.

“Liar. Alana has chosen no partner.”

“Her father arranged it during her absence.” The knight sighed. “I was going to keep it secret, as her fiancé wanted to tell her in person, but who would have thought the girl would take leave of her senses. Fooling around with…with…”

“I see. You speak of the strange tradition of this kingdom where fathers sell their daughters off like broodmares.”

“You! How dare you—"

“Oh? Did you ask Alana for her opinion?”

“It’s a father duty to find a man that will take care of his daughter in his stead. Not to mention her husband would stand a chance of leading Victory should the worse happen to her elder brothers. Of course it is his decision! The girl has justified the practice on her own. She’s left alone for a few months and she’s involved with—"

“Be careful,” the elf whispered. “You are talking about my wife.”

“…I see. I understand now. Dunwayne! What kind of school are you running?! One of the instructors taking advantage of—"

Sir Polluck’s words abruptly cut off.

“Hoho. I remember when I was so young and passionate. A habit I broke when it got me into too much trouble.”

The grandmaster’s voice was still that of a friendly grandpa but carried notes of warning. “As I’ve said, freedom is at the center of the Hall. If two initiates become close, that is their business. If one of them happens to be married to an instructor, that is also their business. As long as it is her choice, made without burden or coercion, and Kierra continues to honor her commitments to the Hall, the Hall has no place to intervene.

“As for your personal objection, Sir Polluck, it is also not the Hall’s place to intercede so long as you abide by the rules, of which includes no violence. I would also appreciate it if you kept your conversation civil. Having two of my instructors bickering is a bit unseemly.”

Sir Polluck sucked in a sharp breath. “You just cast a spell on me!”

“On you? Dear boy, no. I cast a spell around you. A very big difference.”

“You’re that ignorant and you claim to be a better instructor than me,” Kierra scoffed.

“Ah, Kierra. I would also appreciate it if you could cease goading the poor man. You are allowed to defend yourself but it loses its meaning when you instigate the trouble.”

“For you, grandmaster, I will oblige. So long as he does not touch Alana. If he does, nothing will save him.”

“We can settle this now!” the knight exclaimed. “A duel, beyond the boundaries of the Hall.”

“I’ll have to intervene again, Sir Polluck. A fight between two masters is quite destructive. While Quest may not be a part of the Hall, we are quite dependent on one another. Having the city destroyed because of an argument would be an inconvenience.”

“Then we’ll go far away from the city!”

“And why would I do that?” Kierra said breezily. “It sounds annoying inconvenient.”

“Are you a coward?”

“Coward? No. If you want a fight, you can certainly have one. But I think I will wait a while. Your face right now is rather amusing. Imagining you glaring at me like that for weeks while your heart labors under the weight of your temper…” The elf chuckled.

“You’re a dead woman,” the knight growled before stomping off.

“Well, I don’t believe he will be sending a glowing recommendation to the duke,” Dunwayne said. “A shame. We get so few students from the north.”

“Perhaps it is a good thing. If they are anything like him, there’d be nothing but trouble.”

“I can still handle a bit of trouble. I hired you, didn’t I?” Dunwayne chuckled. “Though I suppose I should be thanking you for your restraint. For a Dusk elf to remain composed after being called a coward, haha. I don’t think I could believe it if I hadn’t witnessed it.”

“We made an agreement, did we not? I will respect your territory.”

“And I shall respect your autonomy. Not that I would ever think to control you.”

“It’d be quite simple. All you’d need to do is challenge me and win.”

“Challenge the niece of the reigning queen? That alone would be enough to give me second thoughts, knowing that province’s traditions. Adding a pure affinity to it, mm, no. My days of challenging the impossible are over. I just want to quietly watch over the next generation…but my words apply to you as well. Alana James will make her own decision. If that is to obey the wishes of her father, you will respect that or you will face me.”

Kierra chuckled darkly. “Of course.”