Chapter 24 – Gray Gardens

-Ryan's perspective-

Having finally arrived at Gray Gardens, Silvia spoke up with a question. "What do you think that guy needed with a sphinx anyway?"

Equally puzzled I responded, "He never really made mention of it before he up and left randomly like that..."

-roughly an hour or 2 before-

"Ah! I forgot something at the ship!"

And with that exclamation the guy and his cockatrice vanished.

-present time-

With how random it was, we eventually continued on our way when there was no sign of his return.

"Wait here whilst I go inform the Captain of your arrival." Instructed Raheli as she left the other two Lizardman to watch us.

We were not left to wait long before Raheli returned with the ones she refereed to as -fill later-. Three more were accompanying her. From the looks of them and what I gathered from the encyclopedia I had, the cat-like girl was a Sphinx while the dog-like girl was most likely an Anubis. And being led with them a slightly aged human man whom I had met previously when trying to evade a succubus, Tony.

I was about to make myself known to the man I had previously acquainted with when Iva's voice over took everything.

"DARKSTAR LIVES AT GRAY GARDENS!?"

The next moments could only be described as 'fan girl moments'. Firing off question after question, Iva had begun to make her way closer to the would be target. The three mamono had begun to move themselves between Iva and the human but before they could do so much, Iva herself had stopped her advance as though hesitant. Currently standing behind her I couldn't see what her expression was but she began to sheepishly stretch out her hand and asked in her most child-like voice. "M-may I touch you?"

The silence sank in after that for a few moments as nothing really happened. Raheli had shot me a glance to which I interpreted as 'do something' but as to why she would look at me for that was lost on me. It was then that Tony spoke, "I don't see an issue with that."

As Tony held out his hand Iva deftly made her way to Tony almost instantly bypassing the other three mamono entirely as she slowly reached out to hold his hand but suddenly opted for just holding two of his fingers before letting go and moving back near me and the girls.

Clearing her throat Iva began again. "I apologize for that. So I take it that Darkstar and his companions have lain claim to the area known as Gray Gardens?"

The Sphinx having moved into a more protective position in front of Tony, Anubis addressed responded to Iva, "That is correct, Gray Gardens has been the home of Clan Darkstar for roughly half a year. What business do you have?"

"Personally, I had wished to claim it for myself a year ago. But as someone else has done so before I, I have no more reason than to request a brief interlude before being on my way to Teremir. The boy and his companions wish for the same along with possible access to your library archives in search of information about the history of the island as well as other things he may find."

The exchange went on for a little while longer going into details and such but eventually the agreement of we would be allowed to stay but would need a guide whilst we were near the center due to the traps Gray Garden held. Raheli and one of the other lizardmen, being introduced as Simrit, being appointed as such guide for the time being. We were offered to be led to the bathhouse to clean up to which the girls accepted however I wasn't too eager for any mix bathing at the moment and requested to go to the library.

Needless to say Ione and Silvia weren't very thrilled about me not going with them, both for their own reasons I'd assume. But Iva had convinced them to let it be. Raheli and Simrit discussed for a bit and decided to allow it, Simrit guiding the girls to the bath and Raheli guiding me to the library.

"What is it you hope to find?" asked Raheli as we approached a room filled with scrolls and books.

"Well my main interest is a means back home. But really anything useful would be good."

"If you should require assistance please let me know." she said as she took a position next to the entrance and left me to find my information.

The library mainly held ancient scrolls, after about 5 or 6 of them being rudimentary things, based on what Raheli translated for me, I moved on to the more modern looking books in hopes I wouldn't need to ask the girl to read it for me. The first book I picked up randomly was a fairly large one, using video game logic, big book equals important to quest. Opening to a random page I quickly discovered it was a medical study book. An anatomy/physiology book, to be more precise a Mamono Anatomy and Physiology book. The page I had opened up to was coincidentally the one for the lizardman species. The text was in old English, but English nonetheless thankfully. I looking over the diagram I began to recognize most of the terms.

"Surprisingly similar to humans..." I subconsciously spoke aloud.

Raheli having come over, possibly assuming I was in need of further translation, noticed what I was looking at. "You have an interest in this kind of stuff?"

"I used to, I studied to be an M.A. during my last couple years of high school using my mother's medical books. But ultimately lost interest as I wasn't the type who could handle blood and organs very well for the most part. Although its surprising how much a little anatomical knowledge can aid in a fight."

Closing the book and replacing it where I found it, I began going through other books. Some were stories, some were study books like the anatomy book for various other fields, some were history, legends, cook, about everything one could come up with off the top of their head it might have been there. But nothing on returning to earth.

Raheli interrupted me when browsing through another book about some underground city and it's moon long ago to inform me that the sun had begun to set and offered to direct me to the bathhouse.

"I won't be attacked or anything would I?"

"While acting as your guide and throughout the duration of your stay, I would never allow anyone to do such."

"So does that mean your going to be present the entire time?"

"Is that an invitation?"

'Ah crap' I had forgotten majority of mamono will jump at any attempt to get with a man. Racking my brain for a way out of the likely outcome of my slip up.

Noticing my hesitance Raheli spoke, "I have been tasked with keeping you from harm and out of trouble, I will simply be outside the room making sure nothing goes amiss."

"..." Now I was just speechless.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I'm just surprised at your self control. I was led to believe it was a foreign concept in this world."

"But of course, a warrior must always remain in control of her emotions."

"Warrior huh? That word has practically lost all meaning in my world. Though I guess soldier makes a close enough synonym."

Raheli glanced at me questioningly as I continued, "By technical description, a warrior is one who wages war. Warriors generally have codes of honor and such and are warriors to upholds said beliefs. While a soldier is someone who fights for a living, an occupation. While there are soldiers who could be called warriors they are few and far between in my world."

"Do you consider yourself a warrior?"

"Nope."

"A mercenary?"

"Nope."

"Then what?"

"I do follow nor particularly believe in any Bushido or code of honor. Nor have I ever been interested in enlisting as a soldier or any other branch of the military. I picked up the sword simply because I thought it'd be fun." Upon saying that I took notice of a disapproving glance from Raheli. "I'm not ignorant to why that is wrong anymore. But that is the truth, I enjoy fighting but ironically I do not enjoy hurting. I learned how to fight to enjoy the fight, not to win the fight."

"So you are a Barbarian then."

"I guess so." I reply shrugging.

"We are here." Raheli informed me as we arrived. After a bit of explanation of where everything was she left me to myself. Thankfully I was the only one there to use the bathhouse at this time.

After I had finished Raheli escorted me to meet with my companions where we had eaten then settled down for the night.