It has been two weeks since her first job inside the forest, and two weeks since Terence, and she, made love for the first time. But that was not the only thing that has changed, there was also the fact that she slowly had taken over the household. Her mother's lessons, on how to do just that, were not a waste of time after all. Mister Kelner, Gods bless his heart, was happy that she did. Not that the man didn't know how to do it, but Terence and Emrys were tone-deaf to that kind of thing. Audery blames that on the stereo typical lessons, men and women of their class are getting. Men are trained to lead the financial stuff, and are tasked to fight if needed. Women are trained to sit still, look pretty and boss the staff around. She however those not boss the staff around, that is Mister Kelner's job. She only made a few suggestions, like art from a specific painter in the hallways and in the dinner hall. Carpets on the cold stone floors, vases with fresh flowers. To make this manor feel more like a home, instead of an empty shell. And Mister Kelner took all the vases that were stored away, and started to desplay them. The carpets were also pulled from Huibin knows where. The curtains, had a good wash. Paintings from a specific painter were acquired and slowly made their way on the walls. Some paintings she had seen before when she was a little girl, so those were sold by her mother and bought from the man she sold them too. It brought tears to her eyes when she saw the first one, and Terence had comforted her. Her uncle, was so kind to paint three portraits of the brothers, two of them separately and one with them together, for by the entrance of the manor. It was also an excuse to keep him longer in Spheros, not that she needed to force him. He wanted to be there for when the First Druid of the Landosa Circle came to by. Emrys was training in the courtyard, which was at the back of the house. Audery had recently suggested to mister Kelner to plant something that could endure the harsh winters. Terence was sitting in his office, discussing matters with Sir Arnold Harvey. While she was discussing diner with the cook when there was a knock on the front door. Mister Kelner rushed from his place in the dinning room, towards it. He was back in a matter of seconds.
"It is your uncle, young lady Treloar. And he claims that he brought the First Druid Tamblyn with him, among others." Mister Kelner said, his voice sounded calm. But the expression on his face told her that he was everything but calm. Terence had already predicted that other First Druids of various circles would attend this meeting, and she made preparation in the case that he was right.
"Mister Kelner, let them in," she said. Then turned towards the cook. "Mister Brisley, send a kitchen maid towards Madam Ward, we need all the help we can get this evening." The cook nodded and rushed away. Audery had no doubt that Terence was already be informed of the visitors, that was also the great advantage that his office was right next to the front door. "Mister Sharp, can you inform Emrys that our guests are here?" She asked the youngest footman that Terence currently has on staff. Mister Sharp repeated Mister Brisley's actions, and it was up to her to take a deep breath. Right now, she was acting like she was the Lady of the house, and she kind of liked it. Not at all what she expected when her mother put her through the ringer. She turned towards the door, just when the First Druid Tamblyn entered, followed by many others.
"Traveler," he said, bowing his head. "I didn't know, when I made this meeting, that you would be one of our hosts." His amber eyes looked at her, not sure what to make of the situation. She gave him a smile.
"I have to be honest with you, First Druid Tamblyn, A lot had changed in these two weeks. Let me also introduce myself, I am Young Lady Audery Treloar. And as far Lord Mildenhall is permitting me, I am here to welcome all the First Druids of the Faded Crestworth Forest. Please take a seat, the cook Mister Brisley is already preparing a meal." She motioned towards the chairs.
"Thank you, Young Lady Treloar," First Druid Tamblyn said, and he led the charge towards the seats. The other Druids of the forest followed him. Audery smiled at her uncle.
"Mister Albury, look above the fireplace," she pointed towards it, he turned around and tears jumped into his eyes.
"That was one of my first paintings, your father bought that one from me." He whispered, he looked at her. "How?"
"I bought it for Audery, welcome mister Albury." Terence entered the dining hall. He turned towards the table with the First Druids. "I am sorry, First Druids of the Faded Crestworth Forest. I haven't forgotten you, but this man is Young Lady Treloars, long-lost uncle. And as costume here in Spheros, we greet family first."
"Go ahead, Lord Mildenhall. We are currently enjoying the liquor your staff and your Lady friend has provided," one of the male Druids, Audery didn't know his name, said. Terence nodded, and focused his attention once again on her uncle.
"From what I have being told by the previous owner, Lady Treloar has sold the whole collection of her husband's paintings to his father. His father was a great admirer of your work, and when he got the opportunity to buy them, well he jumped out of his skin. His son however didn't inherit his father's taste and was happy to sell them all to me. The others are currently awaiting their new spot once your niece has picked out where that is." Terence concluded. Mister Albury, nodded and reached out his hand.
"Thank you, I am happy to know that my art was owned by someone who loved them as much as my brother did. And now they are where my niece is, but now I need to play the fatherly role. Since my brother can't do it. Treat my niece like the queen she is, no more sneaking around her camp when she is out on a job. Worship the ground she walked on, and I forget some of the lines. But you get what I am saying. My brother loved nothing more than his daughter, and I know he would find a way to escape Huidin's grip to give you a beating if you treat her poorly. And so will I." Terence nodded.
"Audery has lead out the law in that regard, Mister Albury. She is a pretty independent woman, and I was clearly in the wrong. But if you want to excuse me, I have ignored my other guests far too long."
*********
The food was as aspected amazing, as to be aspected from Madam Ward and his own cook, Mister Brisley. The Druids were talking with each other, sharing jokes and stories about their respective circles. Emrys was sharing his own story with a young female druid, a daughter of one of his guests. Audery was holding his hand, while they were talking with her uncle. When First Druid Tamblyn, a large man with amber eyes and straw blond hair, stood up. The talking that happened around the table died down.
"My friends, I think that I am speaking for every Druid at this table, that I am grateful for Lord Mildenhall, Young Lord Mildenhall and Young Lady Trelour's hospitality. I can't remember the time when we sat here together, sharing a delicious meal and talking about our lives." The other Druids nodded in agreement. "Everyone around this table already knew what has plagued my circle for a time. How we needed to flee our home, to seek shelter by another circle. For which I am grateful," he now looked at another Druid, who nodded. "But it also gave me time to reflect on things. How we are protecting this forest, by keeping travellers out. Not realizing that they might be the solution to a few of our problems. All around the kingdom there is some kind of understanding with Adventure's and Druids. The Adventures clean out any unwanted visitors, and the Druids do not attack them in their sleep. Why do we not have the very same agreement? It is thanks to Young Lady Treloar, and Young Lord Mildenhall that we were able to reclaim the Londosa trail. And as far as I know, the Druids of Main Road Circle are doing this for years." A female Druid, one with gray hair and eyes, rose up as well.
"Because they are not us. Bryn, but I understand where you are coming from." She said. "My circle is being plagued by a spider plague, and nothing we do is keeping them away." Terence saw that Audery motioned for one of the footmen, and whispered something in his ear. Probably asking him to fetch Madam Ward, which was the same thing on his mind. Audery had really changed a lot inside this manor. Not only the decor, but also the feeling. She slowly had become the Lady of the House. "Maybe I will extend my hand towards some Adventures that can clean that up for me."
"Hmm, what kind of spiders are they?" Emrys asked. It was the woman's daughter who answered.
"The giant sort," she said. "That is my mother, Eileen Mist of the Gibwater circle. By the way, it is a bit rude to not introduce yourself, mom." Her mother nodded slowly. Madam Ward entered the room. "But I am sure that Emrys, and Young Lady Treloar are more than capable to get rid of them. Of course, I do not want to bypass the Guild Master." She said, nodding towards Madam Ward. Who nodded slowly.
"I always take the ones who submit the jobs preferences in consideration. But I can miss those two, at the end of next week. I always give my Adventures three weeks off after their missions, so that they can spend time with family and friends." Madam Ward explained, this was nothing new for Terence.
"We thank you, Guild Master. We also thank the two Adventurers for helping us." First Druid Mist said. "And I am sure that my fellow brothers and sisters will reach out if they need your help as well." This time only some of the Druids nodded, another few bowed their heads slightly as if they were thinking about that. But none of them voiced their objection to this statement, all with all and good day and a very good meeting.
********
Sylvia stepped out of her childhood home, she was ready to leave that place. There was nothing that would keep her here, her grandfather who had raised her since she was eight years had passed away a couple of months ago. And now that she needed to stand on her own two feet, her parents were also no longer among the living. Her father, Christopher Bennet, was a famous adventure before he was killed by the same monster that killed her mother. And almost killed her, but that were just smaller details. When she was little, and learned from her father's early death, she had vowed to make the creature pay. Which she was now old enough to do just that. She looked behind her, this house, this village, it was all she knew. She didn't want to admit it, but she was a bit scared. Which was in her mind only natural, everybody would be scared to leave the known for the unknown. She sighed and reached out to the door knob to close the door. There was a large backpack hanging over her shoulder, it was filled with clothing, food, and of course her papers. No person in their right mind would travel the roads of this kingdom without papers. Her eyes got a glimpse of herself in the polished silver that hung to the opposite of the front door. Her silver blond hair was cut short, to make it easier to meantime it on the road. Grass green eyes and a rose beige skin, she was a female version of her father. At least that is what her grandfather had told her, she herself was not sure about that. His old axe, was hanging on her back, which was a great comfort. A simple, and heavy weapon, that was all she had left of him and her mother. She closed the door, and stepped away from the house. The sun was still low, the morning was still in his early stages. But the people of Voxis, a small farmers village at the coast. Everybody rushed towards their work, fishermen just came back from sea with their latest catch and were heading to the fish market at the edge of the village. Shepherds were travelling through with their flock, from twenty to thirty sheep, or goats. Farmers were working in their respective fields, with oxen, and donkeys. Sylvia will miss this place, she would miss the sound of the animals. The crashing of the waves against the shore, but there was a job to be done, and she had promised her late grandfather that she would do it.
"So, so. You are up earlier than normal, trying to leave town without saying goodbye, aren't you." A high female voice, rose up from the noise. Sylvia's head snapped in to the direction of the voice, because she knew the owner of it all too well.
"No, I was planning of stepping by the temple first. To ask Adia for her blessing, and to say goodbye to you." Sylvia said, the woman, her best friend for years, was leaning against the wall of her neighbour's house. Christiana Tolfree, named after the Tolfree temple, better known as the temple of Adia, Goddess of the Moon. Christiana was left on the temple's doorstep and was raised inside the temple. Now she was one of the fighting cleric's defenders of the faith, or a simple errand boy or girl for their respective God, or Goddess. That is how Sylvia saw it, at least. Not that she would ever say that out loud to her friend, Christiana owned a lot towards the temple, taking her in, feeding her, giving her a roof over her head. And Christiana wanted or needed to pay them back, for doing the bare minium of keeping a child trusted in their care alive. But what did she know, nothing. Something Christiana has pointed out many times.
"You, going to the temple, to ask the Goddess for her blessing. Do not take me for a fool, Sylvia Bennet. I know you all too well," Christiana said, she didn't sound mad. But disappointed, which made it a bit worse.
"You are right. Sorry about that. But you know how much I hate to say goodbye," it was a lame excuse, and she knew that all too well. But like Christiana pointed out, she knew Sylvia and this was not some strange behaviour. Christiana shook her head, her long Auburn red hair waved with the motion. Closing her iron eyes, for a brief moment. "Let's go to the market, one last time." Sylvia knew that Christiana loved going there, it reminds her of the time that they were little, and Christiana was able to escape the temple. But they didn't get far, as they were interrupted by two herds of sheep and goats. The bleating of the sheep and the screaming of the goats was deafening, and it still ringed in her ears for days to come. Directly curing her of any notion that she would miss it. The market was busy, fishermen's wives were selling their husbands latest catch. Farmers were selling their harvest, or products made from their harvest. Like jams, chutney's, and even spirits made from potato. Sylvia herself never liked the drink, but it was something, George Korf, the farmer, in question was proud off. George was about the same age as Christiana and her, and it was not a secret that he had a crush on her. One that she never answered, because she had better things to do, then to stay inside this town.
"If it is not the two most beautiful woman in town!" George said a bit too loud for Sylvia's taste. "Wait a second, Sylvia. Are you leaving me?" She rolled with her eyes, she was leaving town, but she knew that was not what he meant.
"She is not leaving you, George. She is leaving all of us. You silly boy," the farmer next to him said, equally loud. "Her grandfather, is no longer with us, and she has only three options. Become someone's wife, and that is something she those not want. Option two is that she becomes an adventure, like her old man. And then there is option three, but that is not one that I am going to say out loud." She knew that he meant she would become a woman of the night, which was ... She didn't even want to think about it. There was nothing wrong with the job, or the woman, or man who were drawn towards that profession. But that was just the thing, she was not drawn towards it. "You are going after it, aren't you?" The farmer asked. "The Lamia that killed both of your parents." She nodded, almost all the villagers knew the story. The story about the morning that her father was out on the field, helping a farmer. At the same time, she was playing inside her own room. When she heard her mother scream, and the sounds of fighting. Sylvia had opened her door to see what was going on, when she came face to face with the creature. A tall woman, with the lower body of a snake. Ruby red eyes filled of hatred, reddish orange skin and hair. The long fingertips were covered in her mother's blood, her mother laying lifeless on the ground. That is when her father rushed into the house, chasing the creature out. That afternoon, they both buried her mother in the local graveyard. She went to live with her grandfather, while her father went after the monster, only to be killed by it as well. Leaving her all alone in the world, yes, she had her grandfather. But he never could replace her father and mother. And he never tried to do so. She missed him, that was for sure.
"I heard that the creature was spotted near Aeria, that is a city inside the Slator district." Another person added herself inside the conversation, it was Amanda, one of the other clerics of the temple. And Christiana's biggest rival. "You know, all the way up north." Amanda looked at Christiana with a fake smile. "Mother Superior wants to see you, by the way." The woman, with raven wing black hair and dark brown eyes, was attractive. But that was only from the outside, from the inside she was rotten to the core. And she had always being like this, even when they were little. It those not help that Amanda was one of the priest bastard daughters, but that was a small detail that many were willing to overlook.
"And I will go to her, once I see Sylvia off. Mother knows that she is leaving today, so she will understand that I am a bit later." Christiana said, coldly. There was no pretending on Christiana's part and which was something that Sylvia loved about her friend.
"What ever," Amanda said. "She will die, just like her none believing parents did. The Goddess will protect all who believe in her. You know that, and so do I," Amanda said, she looked at Sylvia. Sylvia wanted to grab her axe and threaten the woman, nobody talked about her parents in that way. Her father had done so much for the temple, while he was a live, and so did her grandfather.
"That was uncalled-for, Amanda!" George said, he walked around the table and gave Sylvia a small flask. "Here, I know you do not like this stuff. But it can help with injuries and that kind of stuff. You will kill that monster, I know you can."
"Alright, lover boy," Amanda snapped at him. "Mother Superior, is also wondering when you will deliver the order we placed a few days ago?" George rolled with his eyes.
"No, she is not wondering about that, because I talked with her this morning. My cousin, has some trouble with his crops and has hired some Adventures to help him with that problem. But I already told her that, and she understood. I offered to lower the price, but she didn't want to hear it. So if that was all, so long, Amanda." He said, while waiving. She blew up her cheeks, as if she was a chipmunk, and walked away in a huff.
"That girl," the farmer in the stall next to George said, while shaking his head. "But you better be of Sylvia, if it is true what she said. Then you know that the road ahead of you is long and dangerous. Please enter the Adventures guild when you are there, otherwise you might get into some legal trouble." She nodded, and sighed. It was really time for her to go, a moment that she had dreamed off. But now that it was here, it frightened her. She had never travelled outside the village before, and now she was going all the way up north. Christiana wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Be careful out there, I do not want to hear that you died just a couple of miles into your journey. Make some new friends, fight against some monsters on your way there. And most of all, do not become narrowminded. Life as you know all to well is to short for that." Christiana said. Sylvia nodded, she stepped away and turned around. She didn't want Christiana to see that she was crying.
"Well then I am off," she said and she walked from the market sqaure onto the road. The road that might lead to the Lamia that had killed her parents.
