Chapter 18: Day Before the Soiree

Days have passed, being nothing more but a race against time. It all started with nothing but joking banter between the elders and the lords of Arisota's Hold, and I had agreed to playing a little ditty for the visiting dignitaries that would continue delivering needed supplies to Arrinoka Arisota and the land he protects. I spent most of my waking moments in a quiet room, reading the music sheet that I had no idea how to read without Zuddle's help, and he's unavailable for most of the day, or is otherwise sleeping in the night. I could ask for Arrinoka and Zuddle to help me get some tips from the bards that they would initially hire for most of their parties, but they would normally be commissioned to play at the various bars, inns, taverns, brothels, hotels, and what-have-yous, making their time and talent limited. But hey, at least I learned later that representatives of the Lecknart Tradehouse will be coming over soon. Specifically the head trademaster and their little daughter of ten years, Jerlla. So yeah. No pressure or anything.

Plucking these strings in a rhythm is a bit difficult, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Especially now that I know which notes on the music sheet corresponds on which string and where my yingy fingers is supposed to go on the frets of the harp guitar's fingerboard. Just gotta build up speed and consistency. And hey! If I can learn to read music sheets, I'll be able to play more than this dumb song!

I've taken to Zuddle's advice to heart in two ways. Sure, I've been practicing every evening and every morning, but I've been mostly doing it twice as much every time I either wake up or go to bed. I'm now a cathemeral yinglet, remember?

But there were scant occasions where I wasn't able to practice four times a day. One time there was an accident in Arrinoka's room where a maid tripped and nearly spilled wine onto a family heirloom, which had nearly been the family tree tapestry of all the rulers that ever ruled Arisota's Hold. Poor lady. She got reprimanded so harshly that I wouldn't be surprised she quit her job the next day.

And then there was this occasion.

Apparently, Zuddle had gotten his hands on way too many errand runners today, and Arrinoka bemusedly suggested that I help Lady Kilani Bel DaggerKnuckle in setting up the tableware for the upcoming party. He even went so far as to say staying in that room practicing that song all the time was bad for my health or something. Doesn't he realize my keep in this fortress is hinged on my performance to his honored guests? I'm just his house pet for crying out loud! Not to mention that my secret mission would be at stake if I get booted out the front gate, or worse, if my hide was flayed and then given to a tailor.

So yeah, I'm not too excited setting up plates and utensils at the moment. My mind was more focused on my rehearsals than remembering which sized fork goes in which order. She was delegated to carrying boxes that contained conveniently-counted utensils for every table in the room. My job was to set the utensils in the correct order they were to be used. At least Kilani had the foresight to have the maids and servants deliver boxes of utensils to the party room, up until Zuddle snatched them all for whatever he needed them for. Maybe to shift some rotten and overripe produce from the larder or something.

"No no, Roy. The forks go in this order." Kilani said, checking my work again as we proceeded on the fourth of the twenty five tables. She was wearing a simple dark green tunic with a stretched blouse area, with a low flowing skirt that hanged enough to conceal her ankles. She also wore brown heeled boots, which seemed more fit for combat rather than a casual stroll. Her hair was done in a prim yet simple bun.

"Uh? Oh. Sorry Kilani. I guess my brain is still focused on zhat song I'm rehearsing." I said embarrassingly.

She sighed as she righted my wrong on the dining table. "Nervous about the big day?"

"Anxious!" I shrilled. "Can you imagine what horrible outcomes might happen if I flubbed up? What if I get cold feet and flee from zhe stage? What if I skip a line on zhe music sheet? What if zhe audience boo's me off?"

Kilani huffed and rolled her eyes. "Oh I'm sure you'll be decent. Your performance doesn't have to be absolutely outstanding to wow the dignitaries."

I huffed and groaned. "Zhen what about you? Why are you so focused on zhis party zhing anyway?"

Kilani looked down at me with an indifferent stare before softening. "... Let's just say there is a particular visitor from Kalleg Darr I'm most fond of."

"Oh." I replied with a slight nod. ... What does that mean? I think I'll have to press further. "So is it like a close friend you have? Maybe you share a romantic inclination wizh zhem?"

Kilani giggled at me as she went to the next table. "Hu~hu~hu~hu~hu~hu whatever gave you that impression!?"

"Judging by zhe laugh you just made, I'd say I'm pretty close." I replied as I followed her.

"Well, if you must know, Elder Zann and Elder Dallia often mentions of a 'prissy one' when it comes to visitors from the Empire west of this hold." Kilani blushed lightly.

I nodded again. Now we're getting somewhere. "So is zhere a name to zhis... 'Prissy one'?"

She nodded this time, smiling warmly. "Lord Gerrand Gont Yontleese. But associates and friends close to him call him Gerry. I sometimes call him my Gerry-Bear."

I chortled at that. "Gerry-Bear? Wow. As far as pet names go, zhat's quite a cutesy one."

"Oh hush up." She said as she tapped my ear. "Now get this table ready while I get the next one set up for you."

"Yes ma'am." I then proceeded to arrange the utensils on table number five, standing on one of the chairs, opening the boxes that contains its own set of utensils, and setting things in their places. Salad fork, dinner fork, desert fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, tea spoon, salad fork, dinner fork, desert fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, tea spoon, salad fork, dinner fork, desert fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, tea spoon, salad fork, dinner fork, desert fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, tea spoon, salad fork, desert fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, tea spoon, salad fork, desert fork, soup spoon, tea spoo- wait... "... I seem to be missing some utensils on zhis table."

"Huh?" Kilanin came to my table and counted the silverware before her face flinched into anger. "Oh drat. Seems like we're missing a few forks and a knife. Judging by what is missing... two dinner forks and a dinner knife."

"Do you zhink zhe chefs in zhe kitchens keep any replacements?" I asked.

Kilani sighed. "Unfortunately, no. Not in those kitchens, at least. These utensils are specifically for special occasions. Having any common silverware replacing the missing ones here would be too noticeable and gauche, and I would not stand for using substandard replacements."

"Does zhis happen often?" I ask.

"It happens sparingly, but there have been cases of random theft of the cutlery on occasion. Fortunately, we are not without contingencies. Come with me, yinglet. We must seek the storage for the spares." She said with a snap and a motion of a beckoning finger before leaving for the storage.

"Yes ma'am." I answered, hopping off a chair and following after her.

And so, now in the storage room, Kilani and I were searching through some carefully stored boxes for some spare utensils. We only had a couple torches to light this room we were in, sadly. All the boxes looked beige in this low light.

"So zhe box I'm looking for is in zhe same ones we had in zhe dining room?" I asked as I was scanning through the inventory.

"That's correct, Roy." She answered, behind some large crate. I heard some shuffling behind it. It was her, undoubtedly. "They're about the same size as the boxes brought into the party room."

"Zhis would be so much easier if we asked a servant where to find zhe utensils." I opened a box that I thought was the correct. Nope. Just some weird moth-eaten underwear.

Kilani gave a dissatisfied grunt. "Well we could have, had Zuddle decided not to hoard them all. I swear, between those two brothers, they create the most headaches out of everyone in this hold. A-HAH! Found them!"

I closed the box I opened and made my way to Kilani. "Zhat's good. Does it have zhe spares?"

"Looking through them now... And yes. We now have two forks and a knife, and they are the right size. I'll have to make a personal request to the blacksmith to make some replacement silverware at some point." Kilani said with a smile, tucking two small boxes under her arms and cradling them like a baby.

As I came up to her, I paused for a second before I sighed. "Wait. Maybe we should have counted zhe silverware back at zhe greeting hall before we came here."

Kilani's smile faded slowly, and then it was consumed utterly by an exasperated frown. "Ah."

I sighed. "I zhink we're bozh anxious for zhe party."

Kilani paused before she shared a sigh with me. "Yeah. Yeah."

"... Let's just head back and make zhe most out of today. I zhink we bozh need a break afterwards. A little time off from our worries won't kill us." I suggested.

"Mm. After we're done with setting up the utensils on the tables." Kilani stated before gesturing at me to follow her again.

"Drat it. You were right. We should have counted first before going back." Kilani growled, glaring at the assembled utensils set on the dining tables in the greeting hall.

We were now lacking two soup spoons and a teaspoon. I held up two dinner forks in both of my hands. "And now we have too many forks." I said tiredly.

"Urgh." Kilani was sounding more frustrated. However, she took a breather and calmed down before speaking once more. "It's fine. It's perfectly fine. We can just go back to the storage and get another box of spare utensils."

I sighed ruefully. "Back to zhe storage room again~."

Kilani politely shook her head. "Actually, you can stay here for the moment, Roy."

I blinked a few times. "Uh... Why so, Lady Kilani?"

Kilani looked down at me with hesitation before sighing. "You have a habit of distracting me, Roy. It's nothing personal, but I need to focus on the greeting party first and foremost. When the preparations are done, we can have a break after. Will that be satisfactory?"

I stared at her for a few seconds, contemplating my thoughts. I think I only noticed now that I've been quite chatty with the Outerguard Captains daughter. More than usual, to say the least. Was it because she was a pretty lady and if I do nice and good things she'll rub my head again? ... Uh. What? Shaking that intrusive thought out of my head, I gestured her to move along. "Oh very well. Away wizh ye, for I shall guard zhe meeting hall till you return."

Kilani smiled at me. "Very well. Oh, and make sure that when I return, don't let any of the utensils leave your sight."

I saluted to her. "Yes ma'am!" That was nice of her. Giving me a small task as simple as watching over the tables.

Come to think of it, how did this responsibility of setting up the greeting party come to be hers? Has this happened before? Is it normal for the masters of this fortress to take all of the help to leave poor Lady Kilani with no helpers to help, even when she puts herself into the role of an event/party planner? Why was there a sudden demand for so many errand runners, and why did Zuddle want them all? Would the reason for it be esoteric or mundane? Either way, I do find myself pitying those who have to work understaffed, yet one cannot help themselves from being inspired from displays of dedication and determination. Gritting your teeth even while life gets tough on you is a trait I greatly respect.

But now I found myself with nothing to do. I looked to the left and found no one. I looked to the right and spotted nobody. Everything in front of me contained no audience, and behind myself yielded the same result. I'm utterly alone, with the company of only myself. So how may I entertain myself while I wait for Kilani's return?

I could jump on the tables and straighten the utensils, but they were already pretty straight by the time Kilani was done with them. I could go and get Zuddle's guitar harp and practice my song, but the room I store it in is not on the same floor I was on, and that would require a trip to the elevator past the elevator guards. Maybe I can run around the room or pace around on a path to patrol on, which was ostensibly better than doing absolutely nothing. I could find a spot to nap, but the only furniture in this room were tables and chairs, and I think Kilani would shoo me off of the seats before I could get some shuteye.

I looked down at the two forks in my hands. Hm. Perhaps I could use these as practice weapons? They're like tiny little pitchforks, or spears with multiple tips on its end, when you think about it. I mean sure, they're not good slashing weapons. Any good knife can be a slashing or stabbing weapon, but weapons with a fork design would be explicitly used for stabbing only. In comparison, a stiletto knife would be designed for straight-forward stabbing since it's sole design makes it so its not meant to be used primarily as a slashing weapon. Ultimately, using a pronged fork as a weapon would be inefficient. However, using the prongs to block a blade swipe might be useful, so long as the impact didn't bend the metal too horribly. Since these eating utensils are used for eating food and not for actual combat, I'd probably rather use my own shelltooth to bite someone than rely on kitchenware for battle or warfare.

Still kind of nice to stab the air in front of me though.

Once I got bored of stabbing the space in front of me, I've decided to go to one of the tapestries that hang on the walls in the greeting hall. It hanged on heavy ropes, and it seemed to be built rather thickly. Do the humans of this world have access to sheep? Or do they use their own hair? It depicted the fortress of Arisota's Hold overlooking the districts, and the farmlands laying beyond. There were small people depicted as farmers tilling the lands, raising livestock, growing crops, and delivering their harvests to the structure that protects the people of this land. I don't see any depictions of little hills or hill-dogs, so perhaps this tapestry dates before the implementation of the outer hill-dog defensive perimeter? Overall, the craftsmanship was of great quality. I wonder if a seamstress or seamster wove this?

I heard some rampant stomping that I heard in the outside hallway. Was it Kalina? ... No, she was wearing heeled combat-capable boots. These sound more... heavier.

"DAMN IT TO HELL!" A roar erupted from the hall, too masculine to be Kilani.

In a panic, I quickly went behind the tapestry and hid behind it.

... Why did I do this?

I didn't bother understanding why, for I was too frightened.

For a minute or two I heard grumbles and growls as pacing steps patrolled right in front of my hiding place.

Go away please.

Another set of footsteps came into the room.

Was it Kilani?

"Judging by that yell you made," Borafous' said, this voice unmistakably belonging to him. "you came upon a bit of bad news."

"You could say that, yes." Said Arrinoka in an angry tone. Oh, so it was him that shouted in the hall.

"Should it be something I should concern myself with?" Borafous asked.

"No, but it is such a dumb problem that I'm having trouble getting headway around it." Arrinoka replied.

"If it's a secretive matter, then I can butt out of here and be on my way. Perhaps Zuddle can help you with this problem? He's more knowledgeable to cloak and dagger shenanigans than I am." Borafous suggested.

"Sadly, I'll have to refuse your suggestion, Borafous. The sleuth I hired lost their lead, and the person she was tailing has vanished." Arrinoka answered.

Oh. Is that bad for me? "Really? What have you learned so far about the person your sleuth is tailing, if I may ask?" Borafous asked.

"Without getting into too much detail, they've been the voice for a client inside of my hold that's been hiring mercenaries." Arrinoka explained.

"My my! That sounds a bit dangerous and uncanny!" Borafous stated.

"Yes yes, and I would prefer it if you do not share this information outside our current company, please." Arrinoka firmly pleaded.

"Very well. I will not share this conversation with another soul. You have my promise as a captain of the Outerguard regiment." Borafous promised.

"Thank you."

"Do you know why the client is hiring mercenaries?"

"From my unreliable and secretive sources, they say that the mercenaries are going outside of our hold's territory to collect some cargo, only to return with it back here when they finished with their tour of duty." Arrinoka explained, only to release a tired sigh. "Since my sleuth was nearly discovered, I'm contemplating whether or not I should have her continue shadowing her target."

A contemplative 'harumph' emanated fro Boraphous, sounding like he might be in deep thought. A paused passed before he spoke and said "Why would the client have mercenaries deliver this mystery cargo to your hold in the first place? And who are your sources? Or is that on a need-to-know basis?"

Arrinoka sighed. "As I've said, it's nothing to concern yourself over. I'm just trying to think of a way to break this news to-."

"To whom?" Borafous asked.

Another pause passed. "Nevermind. I think I shall refrain from saying the identity of this person for the moment. They were the one responsible for unveiling this plot to me, after all."

"I see." Borafous said, taking his turn to pause. "Do you know what kind of mercenaries the clients hire?"

"The client seems to want the mercenaries to join forces with traveling minstrels that travel south to appease the United Tribes of the Southlands." Arrinoka answered.

"THE SOUTH- oop. I mean uh... The Southlands? You don't think they've been smuggling burgens into our hold?" Borafous asked Arrinoka, concerned.

"I rather doubt it. Burgens are twice the size and weight of a baxxid, and are often used to hunt down the largest of plain beasts and game animals the southern tribes rely on for meats. They are said to be as loyal as dogs, but only the tribals know how to raise, tame, and care for them. You and I know that there is a substantial bounty reward for their hide. No, what the mercenaries are supposedly bringing back with them is something smaller. Something about the size of a human teenager or smaller."

"Hmm... Perhaps some burgen pups? Wait. Would they be called burgen kittens? Or are they cubs? Calf? Nestlings?" Borafous mused aloud.

"I don't care if they're called spawn or burgenlets. But even then, I doubt that they're burgen offspring. I heard rumors that they need to eat a lot of meat to get as big as they are, and I doubt that my hold can sustain such a diet without creating a huge dip into someone's savings, which would catch the attention of my treasurer when the tax quarterly review comes up. And, as far as I'm aware, nobody in my hold has gone ahead to register a burgen to adopt as a pet. The guild members of the Exotic Animal Registry would quickly notify me, if that were the case." Arrinoka explained.

Borafous paused again, a tapping foot slightly breaking the silence. Borafous then broke the silence with a chuckle. "Here's an idea. This go-between you've had your sleuth spy on. Is it possible this person is an errand runner in our fort? How about we give them a command that changes their route, or have their meeting change to a different location altogether? We'd have to make it so that your intervention into their routine isn't too intrusive, otherwise they might suspect your suspicion."

"As grand a plan that might seem, I feel that any interloping on my part might scare the client that's hiring the mercenaries. The client is quite careful covering their trail, you see, so it will be difficult to discover their identity or their smuggled cargo without revealing myself." Arrinoka groused.

"And what about the person you wish to tell this to? And what about your, eh, mysterious sources? Do they need to know this soon?" Borafous pressed.

"Eh..." Arrinoka sighed and paused for several seconds before he gave an answer. "I suppose I can wait to tell them or my sources. It's not like I need to give them any reason to worry so soon. And I trust you, knowing that your loyalty to me won't endanger my efforts to figure this mystery out on my own means."

"I see." Borafous said humbly. "Alas, patience and stubbornness are patient and stubborn enemies. I wish you luck then. I'm heading to the larder."

"I think I'll accompany you this time. I think I need a snack to calm my nerves." Arrinoka said with another sigh before leaving the greeting hall.

Once the steps they made became as quiet as silence could allow, it was only now that I noticed that I used the forks to climb up behind the tapestry I was hiding behind. I guess I was worried my feet would have been spotted? Thank goodness that this tapestry is so thick, and that I'm light enough to hang here like this!

However, now that those two were gone, I finally allowed myself to come out of hiding. I then walked toward one of the closest chairs and sat in it. I looked down at the ground in contemplation. My mind felt fuzzy, yet it was also racing around with questions. Was Fortmaster Arrinoka Arisota, lord of Arisota's Hold, really going to withheld news that important from me? But then I guess even the infinite resources of a ruler of a fortress has some limitations to work with. How would the patriarchs and matriarch of Sharp Rock Enclave react to this? How would I tell this to them? Should I try to get in contact with them in secret and tell them what I overheard? Can I even do that? I mean, this news is quite upsetting as it stands, but for Arrinoka to withhold this from me was even more upsetting. But the most upsetting yet was that Arrinoka practically gave half of everything away to Borafous Bel DaggerKnuckle. We don't even know if he's even in on this either!

My mind was brought back into the present when a face leaned into my vision. A startled yip later, I found that Kilani had returned with yet two more boxes. "Have I interrupted your thoughts?"

"Kilani! You scared me!" I hissed as I hopped off my seat. "Do you know how rude zhat is?"

She held up a hand in surrender. "Calm yourself, Roy! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!"

I blinked a few times before sighing. "... Yeah, well, I'm sorry for snapping like zhat."

"Did something happen while I was away?" Kilani asked.

I paused, contemplating for the answer I should give. I've elected not to tell her the whole situation. "I may have eavesdropped on a couple of people before you arrived."

"You mean like... Lord Arrinoka and my father? I passed by them while I was on my way here. What did they have to say?" She asked curiously.

"Oh... Zhings." I replied.

"Zhings?" She parroted.

I huffed and glared at her. "Spelled tee-aich-eye-en-jee-ess, but my lisp makes me pronounce zhat as 'zhings'."

Kilani stifled a giggled. "Sorry." She paused before her expression became more concerned. "Did they say anything mean to you?"

I sighed and shook my head. "No. And I won't explain it to you." I paused one more time before sighing again. "Listen. Can we finish up soon? I'm depressed, and tired, and I want to nap."

"Yes, I think we are fine for today. You can take your nap." Kilani blinked. "Actually, I didn't know yinglets could get depressed. They're usually happy-go-lucky idiots. No offense meant to you."

"None taken. I guess yinglets also have zheir dog days sometimes." I stated, getting off of the chair I was sitting on. "I wonder if zhere are zherapy dogs in Arisota's Hold?"

"I've heard of hill-dogs, but I never heard of a therapy dog before." Kilani said, possibly puzzled by my inquiry.

A/N: Man do I hate holiday depression.