24. A Matter Of Safety

Arganan found himself watching the shop either mostly by himself during the next few days. He figured it made sense that Frey might take Illuminata and/or Amber with her often, given that the place where Frey fell was located in Yokmir forest, and that Amber might have a better idea of the area even back when she was a monster. Arganan was also more than sure that Illuminata would be able to hold her own well enough, and no one had come to the Clinic with grievous injuries, so he didn't mind it. Today, Amber wasn't in the shop because Frey wanted her to rest up and rejuvenate herself a bit from all the fighting in the underground caves, and Arganan reassured Amber that he could watch the shop by himself while she just took the day off. He was sure Illuminata wouldn't mind if he gave Amber the opportunity to have her own free time and rest a bit.

Besides, he still hadn't heard a word yet about whether he had to pay for airship repairs. And working all the hours at the shop would help him gain enough money to (hopefully) pay it off when the time came.

He heard the shop's bell open, and he turned to see none other than Clorica enter the shop. The lavender-haired butler wasn't someone that Arganan talked to much in comparison to, say, Vishnal, but he had the understanding that she was at least used to him being around in town, and at least they weren't enemies. "Clorica. Good afternoon. Is there something you need?"

"Yes, actually." Clorica cleared her throat a little, before looking Arganan in the eye. "Sir Therius arrived in Selphia just now. He's at the castle, and he asked if I could bring you to see him. Immediately."

"What?" Arganan looked around the shop, then Clorica again. "I'm kind-of looking after the shop right now. Can that wait a bit, at least?"

"I don't think so." She shook her head, frowning. "He said the situation was urgent."

Well, damn. Arganan sighed, before looking her in the eye in return. So much for extra hours. "I'll be there as soon as I can, I just need to close the shop early, first. Please tell Sir Therius that I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I'll let him know. Thank you." With that, Clorica left. Arganan looked around, seeing all the plants and various things about. He knew that he'd have to restock the shop, write a note for Illuminata about the early closure, clean up…

Looking down at his right hand, it was then that he got an idea.

If anyone passed by the flower shop and looked through the front door's window during the next half hour, they would be welcomed by the sight of Arganan's concentrated expression as various bags of Greenifier, bottles of plant formulas, and seed pouches all floated onto the shelves. A broom swept the floor by itself, glowing blue, but after the formulas, seeds and Greenifier made it onto the shelves, the broom suddenly stopped glowing and fell over, only not hitting the floor because it was close enough to a wall to lean on. Arganan sighed, looking around, before a chuckle escaped him.

I guess it really did work out for the shop, after all. Illuminata was right. After writing a quick note for Illuminata and Amber and placing it on the counter, he left the shop and locked the door behind him (Illuminata gave him a spare key some time after he started working for her), before heading straight to the castle. Fortunately, it wasn't a long walk from the shop, and he made his way into the castle.

The entrance he went into the castle through led to the chamber where Ventuswill resided. However, the dragon still wasn't standing proud and strong like usual, weakened from her collapse. She wasn't even anywhere close to standing, just sprawled out in the center of the room. Arganan felt a twang of pity for her; for a being to be so powerful now reduced to weakness. To be vulnerable, for anyone to see on top of that.

In a way, he understood that. After all, he lost his position as Count not too long ago. But at the same time, he knew she was in a much worse situation than him. After all, unlike him, she was dying. She could die any moment if Frey didn't do anything to save her. If the last Guardian, Leon, was released now, she'd be dead for sure.

And no amount of healing magic would stop it. Not even the Outsider's power, and definitely not with how Arganan currently could use it.

"Sorry, Venti." He muttered, swallowing as he looked towards her. "Wish I could do more to help."

She didn't stir. He suspected she might be asleep.

"Arganan?" He looked to his left, just in time to see Volkanon. "Clorica told me you were coming."

"I'm here." Arganan took a deep breath.

"Please, follow me. Frey is currently out, but she asked me to speak with you and Sir Therius on her behalf."

Arganan followed Volkanon out of Ventuswill's main hall and into the servant's quarters. They were different from Lazulis Castle, for sure, because 1. The rooms were roomier, and 2. Volkanon had his own office, roomy enough for about four or five people to stand in. Sir Therius was also there, looking as he usually did in his white armor. Clorica was also there at the side of the room, equally as quiet as him.

"Sir Therius." Arganan took a deep breath, looking down at his right hand, and then up at the white knight. "

"I heard word about your confronting Arthur the moment I arrived in town." Therius managed, looking the former Count in the eye. "As well as all the rest of the trouble you've gotten into."

"I assume you'd hear of it." Arganan frowned. "I also hope you're here to do more than lecture me on my niece's behalf. I presume she sent you? To help Frey save Ventuswill?"

"She did send me to assist in any research that may be required. Speaking of which…I also heard that you retrieved the original notes from Arthur."

"And I yelled at him for not being really useful around here." Arganan added.

Therius could only sigh. "I also heard of that."

"Arthur isn't the Prince anymore, so he technically can't get me jailed over it, if that's what you're worried about." Arganan raised a brow, giving Therius a look. "There's only so much of me that can be controlled."

"Though that is true," Therius managed, "You should still be careful with yourself."

"I'm still alive." Arganan pointed out.

"Must I remind you," Therius nearly shot back, "That you've been in involved in not just one, but two incidents involving monsters turning into people. You've been clinic-bound at least two times, as well. And now, you recently, illegally, hijacked an airship and drove it without a license."

The former Count couldn't help but audibly groan. "It was to save Frey's life! How was I supposed to know she knew the Escape spell at the time?"

"The point is," Therius finished, staring him down, "We don't know how stable your powers are. And with the way you've been going about with this, the last thing Calista wants is you dying."

"Because she actually cares? Or because I'm her uncle and therefore I have political connections to Lazulis and I'm going to make her look bad?" Arganan crossed his arms. "I've been trying to help Frey this whole time. And I understand that sure, I broke the law and got deeply involved in all of," He gestured with his right arm around himself, "This. But if you're trying to tell me, on behalf of Calista, that I should stop helping Frey, I'm not going to stop. She's my friend, Therius. And she's the best person that I've ever met. It's not fair that I should just stand aside and do nothing to help her, especially right now."

Therius opened his mouth to speak, but Arganan just kept talking. He didn't want to stop helping Frey out with something as big as this, right now. "Maybe my power can help Frey's power as an Earthmate save Ventuswill, maybe not. I don't know yet. But maybe there's a way."

Therius swallowed, quiet as he gazed at Arganan. It was hard to read Therius' expression as anything but serious, but what it meant was impossible to figure out. What was Therius going to do, tell him to back off from all of this? Take him back to Lazulis with him and make sure he couldn't do a thing? Arganan took a deep breath, bracing himself for the worst.

"I can't stop you." Therius finally managed, finally relenting as he shook his head lightly. "And given the dire circumstances, and how deeply involved you are with all of this as is, I think there's no choice but to press forward with you helping Frey with all of this. But please, for your own sake, be careful. And I don't mean about missing reports alone, either. You may not be the Count, anymore, but you being Countess Calista's uncle still puts you at some amount of risk, even if you don't hold the same amount of political power that you once did."

"As long as I'm not kidnapped or assassinated, I think I'll be fine. And everyone in Selphia is too nice for that as is."

Just before anyone could speak up, that was when Frey, Illuminata, Vishnal and Arthur all rushed in, heaving.

"Miss Frey?" Volkanon turned to face the Princess, eyes widening. "Are you and your friends alright?'

"It's Doug." Frey panted, looking up at him and the others.

"What?" Therius raised a brow.

Arthur shook his head, swallowing. Arganan realized, given how worn the younger man looked, that he must have accompanied Frey to those underground caves, along with Illuminata and Vishnal. "Doug wants to kill Ventuswill."

"What?" Clorica stared. Despite her best attempts to hide any shock "Why?"

Therius frowned, his gaze inspecting Arthur. "How did you find this out, exactly?"

"Well," Illuminata managed, holding up a hand slightly to get everyone's attention as she straightened herself, "We made our way through the mines and made it back into another section of Yokmir forest, leading straight to the area where Frey, Forte and Arganan previous fought Amber. But this time, there was this tree monster!"

"A tree monster?" Arganan stared. First a butterfly monster, then a unicorn, then a marionette, and now a tree? What's next, a cat monster? A river monster? How many larger, dangerous monsters lurk around here?

Frey nodded. "Yeah! And after we defeated it, the Chipsqueek gave Venti's charm back, the stone I used to lure it started glowing, and the whole forest lit up in Runeys."

"You're saying…it created runes?" Arthur raised a brow.

"Yes." Vishnal frowned softly. "Doug called it a Rune Sphere. He also claims that Lady Ventuswill killed everyone in his previous village, including his dad. And he thinks that she's lying to us and everyone in this town, too. He thinks that she was the one that sealed the Guardians in the first place, and the reason she erased their memories was to make sure they didn't tell anyone about her real nature."

Arganan frowned. "That…doesn't seem right." Then again, he thought, there have been people that seem goodhearted or at least an ally, and then turn their back on you. Like Dagran. Like Jirall. Could Ventuswill be the same?

Frey sighed, shaking her head. "I don't believe him. She's sacrificing herself in order to help everyone else. And Doug is going to try to get the other Rune spheres before I do, to try to stop me from saving her."

Arganan swallowed. Does he intend on destroying the Rune Spheres? Even though he'd only recently yelled at Arthur over stupid things, he was more than tempted to do the same to Doug. "Should I go over to Doug's house right now and yell at him for how stupid that is?" Arganan asked. "Because I'm more than willing to do so."

Everyone stared at him. The former Count sighed, shrugging a little. "I mean, I'm in enough trouble as is. I might as well make more for Frey's sake."

"No!" Frey shook her head. "The last thing I want is Doug getting you Clinic-bound if he actually fights you after you yell at him! Besides it's bad enough as is between him and me right now. He literally called me an enemy!"

A soft hum escaped Arthur's throat. "I don't think it would help any of us maintain a sense of decorum with Doug. Let's not attempt that idea, please."

Arganan shrugged, looking towards Arthur. "It worked with you. Besides," He looked towards Frey, "You know that only seems to help my case, right? You're my friend. And I don't like my friends getting hurt or having enemies, period."

"I…ugh…" The Princess shook her head, before a sigh left her. "As much as I appreciate you defending me, Arganan, I really don't want it to end up in an actual fight. I don't know how good Doug is at combat, but I'd rather not risk it. He might not be," She swallowed, "Speaking with me, for a while, but….right now, we need to focus on Venti's wellbeing. I have an idea of where the rest of the Rune Spheres might be, but I need to check with Dolce and Dylas first. They might have an idea."

"Does that mean, Princess," Therius asked, "You'll be heading back to the Water Ruins? And the Haunted Mansion?"

"Yeah." Frey nodded, looking towards him, "That's probably going to happen in the next while."

"I can look more into these Rune Spheres, if you'd like." Arthur offered. "I'm sure there has to be some sort of written text about them, somewhere."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you."

Arganan looked towards Arthur, who raised a brow but didn't comment. Arganan decided to just let Arthur handle that aspect of things, before looking towards Frey. "I know I can't do much, but I do want to help in some way."

"Well," Frey started, "Don't pick a fight with Doug if you don't have to. And secondly, I was thinking about taking you to the Water Ruins along with me and Dylas. Maybe Vishnal, too."

"What?" Therius stared at Frey. "He's been Clinic-bound at least twice. Is that something he should risk?"

"The first time was an accident." Vishnal managed sheepishly. "My fault."

"Besides," Frey looked towards Therius, brow raised, "I know he can handle himself in battle. At least, a little a bit. And it's not like he's fighting alone, either. Maybe bringing someone who's new to the area can offer a new perspective and help us find the Rune Sphere."

"I see." Therius frowned slightly, but did not protest. Arganan couldn't help but smile slightly, seeing how the other man was defeated. "Perhaps I can assist better with research back here with Arthur?"

"I can help, too!" Illuminata took out her magnifying glass. "Let me help solve this mystery!"

"That would be good." Frey nodded, before looking towards Arganan. "We should make preparations, but I think we can make it out there in two days from now. Is that okay?"

Arganan nodded. "Of course. I can be ready by then."

"Is that all?" Illuminata asked, practically bouncing on her feet. Frey smiled, nodding, and Illuminata beamed, pumping a fist in the air. "Alright! Let's do this!" And with that, she ran out the door. Therius and Arthur both jumped slightly at seeing her run off, before Arthur sighed.

"We should catch up with her." The former Prince managed. "I can start looking in my office for anything on Rune Spheres, and use my connections to help."

Therius nodded in understanding. "I can ask Lady Calista if she might have anything in the Lazulis Castle library as well, though that may be a stretch…" With that, both men left the castle, hoping to both catch up with Illuminata and also get to work.

Vishnal smiled softly. "I think we have a chance." Arganan heard him speak up. "Let's do all we can to help Lady Ventuswill."

"Yes!" Clorica agreed, just before Volkanon spoke up again, looking towards Arganan.

"Arganan? One more thing."

"Yes?" Arganan looked towards the elder butler. "What is it?"

"Given the circumstances of you doing driving the airship while unlicensed in order to get help for Frey," Volkanon managed, "Frey and I decided that we'll waive the fine for that. However, you will have to personally pay for the repair fees."

Arganan sighed internally. I had a feeling I'd have to pay something. "How much are those airship repair fees, exactly?"

"Thirty-thousand pg."

"What?" Arganan couldn't believe his own ears, staring at the elder butler, just before he saw Frey cringe.

"Sorry, Arganan. I tried my best to lower the repair fees, and I even offered to pay it off for you given that you did this for me, but that's the total costs it came to and Volkanon wouldn't let me."

I'm in the red. Arganan realized, trying not to groan. Just like Bado. At least he didn't have to worry about paying for medical expenses. At least he'd also been working all this time, beforehand, so he did have some pg saved up, but still. "Is…is there a time limit, on this debt to pay?"

"Given that you're staying here indefinitely, and you haven't been here too long, we don't expect you to pay it all right away. And there's no interest or anything you need to worry about, either." Volkanon reassured him.

"Can I pay in smaller installments?"

"Sure." Frey offered him a soft grin. "You could, if you want."

Thank goodness for that. Arganan could only hope and wish that he didn't have to be in debt for too long. Maybe he could ask Illuminata if he could work overtime and help clean up the shop after closing, to get a little more pg. Do a few small jobs here and there. He'd figure it out.

He had all the time he needed.

Ventuswill, however? Not so much. He just hoped that Frey's hunch about the Rune Spheres was right.