Well folks, here we are. Chapter 50.
Timeline wise, we're around book 4. Some things got done a little early. Others got done REALLY early (like... 7 books early?) And some just aren't happening at all (Meeting with the Filolial Queen).
And while I'm not putting it under a magnifying glass like I did with DxD, time is still marching on, and 'time wise', we're in book 4.
But what has been happening in Melromarc while Kodori has been occupied? Have Ren and Itsuki stopped sharing a brain cell and grown their own? Has Motoyasu actually cut himself off from that red headed... thing... Are the people staying with Van really okay?
Anyhow... :)
Chapter 50(!)
Frost left a handful of his crew behind, past his quartermaster and her two subordinates. He said they were just there to make sure messages got sent, and people (the guards) knew who was in charge, oh, and that they were actually going to get paid.
Itsuki's heart was in the right place. I could give him that. But he made the easiest mistake to make when starting, or finishing, a revolution. He let someone who was basically the exact same take the place of the one he had disposed of. It was like punishing a child, without showing them what they should be doing instead.
I made sure to double check with Hickwaal over the Occulus, and he assured me that supplies would be only a day or two behind me. He even said the Ringmaster offered to sell some slaves towards rebuilding, but I assured him that the new 'regime' had exactly one casualty and no workers would be needed.
When we made camp that night, part way to Siltvelt, I made sure to give Raphtalia her reward for working so hard in the arena. Poor Atla had to wonder what why the raccoon girl was making 'those strange sighs', but by then Raphtalia couldn't answer.
We impressed Frost with how we did our morning training. And even though I was equally impressed by how he ran his company, he told his people 'they were lazy slobs compared to us'. Then someone pointed out that Frost needed someone to kick him awake every morning, and he couldn't keep the shame from his face. On a side note, Sadeena wasn't impressed with waking up so early, but she did join us.
With the class up, my party had gained a good boost in power. Usa had no trouble with his best lightning spell. Melty could dual cast water and ice 4 out of 5 times. Raphtalia had gotten her 'vanishing act' down to only a few short words. Clive... Well, his inability to speak prevented him from casting magic, but there was almost no target he couldn't hit. He still had 'magic' but only for enchanting, which he did a lot of. I estimated that by the time we actually got to Siltvelt everyone in Frost's company would have a magic shovel.
Tetsu was a little sad she didn't get anything special out of all that. But after some headpats, encouragement from her 'grandpa', and a REALLY good running start... She flew.
Well, more like a 'high powered leap, long distance glide, and a broken tree upon landing'. Her wings weren't big enough to fly without a really good thermal to give her more lift, but she could glide. I had to bribe her with a special dessert to get her back into the wagon harness, but this opened new options for combat, and maybe for travel, if someone were insane enough to ride on her back.
Our collection of (99 percent) freed slaves took a little time to stretch their legs. Frost, like Ake, helped those interested in picking up a weapon. This collection managed an average level increase of two while we travelled.
This however brought up a conversation and a small change in plans...
"And now you know why I want you to tell me when I'm doing something stupid." I gave Melty's shoulder a pat.
"Well, to be honest it was Mother who mentioned it." She blushed a little, "But thinking on it, I understand why."
Raphtalia looked a little troubled, but nodded slowly, "I guess having this many people crossing into your country would be a little upsetting..."
"What should we do about it?" Usa asked, "Send them ahead? Is that safe?"
The problem could be summed up like so. We had a small population of slaves, and they really didn't need to travel with us all the way there, then back to Melromarc. No one wanted what amounted to refugees wandering in either. And if I was going to roll up to Siltvelt and extract the Queen, it might end up a 'combat situation'. With the highest level among my new rescues being... five... It was a bad idea.
"They'll need escort." I said, looking across our camp towards Sadeena, who was carousing (responsibly) with Frost and some of his team.
"I could ask her... But would she be enough?" Raphtalia asked, "She's strong, but it's still a lot for one person..."
"Send more of Frost's company?" Usa asked.
"Gr...click." Clive added.
"Split the party?" I guessed at his meaning, getting a nod. "We... could. I'm reluctant, but..." I thought about it.
(One short vote on my discord later...)
"No. I'll ask Frost for a hand here too." I said.
"You can't just tell him to?" Melty asked.
"No. The contract was to escort us to your mother, then get her to the castle. Contracts are very important to a merchant." I explained.
"You might want to ask soon." Usa mumbled, "I think Miss Sadeena is asking about their wine barrels..."
Frost's reply started with a frown, but he nodded, "Yeah, I get where you're coming from. But you understand, that if it does become a combat egress, we'd be better with more of my company than less, right?"
"Absolutely. But removing a couple dozen dead-weight from the line of fire now..." I trailed off.
"Yeah, good call. I'll round up a few who know Melromarc, or at least northern Melromarc." He looked over to Sadeena and sighed, "I'll probably have to give up our wine barrel just to keep her on task. She's got a problem."
"I can guess why." I said, then continued when I got a curious eyebrow raise from Frost. "She was out fishing when her village was basically stripped clean for slavery. Had she been there..."
Frost took a moment, crossing his arms, "Right. Seen it before. Well, maybe she'll cheer up a bit when they're all safe?"
"Hope so."
"On the other hand, heard you were a total lightweight. Fell off a roof and everything." He laughed.
"You're lucky our contract doesn't let me kick you in the shin." I sighed, "Kunshu says the road ahead splits into something resembling a trail leading south just a little way ahead."
"Huh... So she does other things than make people nervous?"
"She can read and write too." I nodded, "Sadly, she still hasn't figured out dice or cards."
Speaking of the best giant insect I'd ever met (a short list, but I counted Jamil's bees as 'giant', and they were smart enough to play fetch too), Kunshu had basically attached herself to Atla. Much to Fohl's dismay, at least at first, Kunshu was doing what she had done with Usa, helping to compensate for her disability.
Except! And while I knew Kunshu was really smart, this was something close to Sir Skitters level of smart. Atla couldn't really be touched. The sores all over her body made almost all contact painful. Even when Fohl was taking care of her, he had to be super gentle.
Kunshu however, went a step further. Since she had an exoskeleton, and not squishy flesh, she wrapped her arms and hands in cloth when ever she went to take care of Atla. Not only that, Kunshu was also careful not to handle Atla until she'd been brushed clean of dust and pollen.
Oh, and since we had left Zeltobe, I was no longer graced with the giant bee's presence behind my knees when I slept. But I couldn't be mad about that. The Empress Bee was being extremely sensitive to Atla's needs, and not even Fohl could complain. Well, he did complain a little, but to compensate he worked with Kunshu on cultivating the medicinal plants all over the wagon. Kunshu couldn't physically manipulate some of the tools needed to make the medicine for Atla. Oh, he also took Atla's place for 'headpat duty', since that was all Kunshu wanted for her service and Atla wasn't strong enough to satisfy Kunshu.
"Already getting tired of me huh?" Sadeena asked, leaning just a little further than she had to towards me.
Usa sighed just loud enough for me to hear, probably because she was teasing me, and not him. However, I was sober, and mostly immune to this kind of teasing. So in reply, I leaned forward just a little as well, like I was going to kiss her cheek, and said quietly into her ear, "Not in front of the children." And being of a race where my ears were on top of my head, I took the opportunity to brush my cheek against hers, and said, "Nah, you're perfect for the task. And Van might need help."
"Van... Trying to remember who he was. I know I've heard the name..."
"He was Lord Seaetto's friend." Raphtalia reminded her, "He is very kind as well."
"He know all the best spots to scratch!" Tetsu said, taking this opportunity to lean over me and rest her dragon chin on my shoulder. "Yeeeeeeeah like that spot there." And encourage me to scratch at that spot above her eye.
Sadeena joined in, apparently no hard feelings for getting nibbled on, "Oh, this tall, thin, glasses, looked like he'd read a book about women instead of asking one questions?"
I had to cough into my hand to stop myself from laughing, but Raphtalia just pouted at her old friend. "Don't be so crude!" Pause, "But yeah..."
We all had a laugh about that, "Fine fine. I'll say hello, find a spot to watch for trouble, and watch." She said, "I'm sure there's a few people here who miss their family..." She sighed, "I hope to catch the ones who did this some day."
Her face started to take on an angry look, but then she saw the look we were all giving her.
"Wait..."
"Give this to Van." I handed her one of the spare Occulus I had from the meeting, "It might distract him long enough for you to talk to his new slaves."
She accepted the little box, a slow smile creeping over her face, "I'll do that. Be good kiddo."
Raphtalia couldn't stop Sadeena from giving her a rough ear scroofle, but accepted her fate for just long enough to justify some angry flailing to get her to stop.
"Take care of them, and we'll be there soon." Raphtalia said after Sadeena had stopped laughing at her feeble anger.
About a half day out from the Siltvelt border, I figured it was about time for my 'act' to resume. I entered the wagon, got some of my old equipment out of storage, and resumed my 'male' form again. Rumour would travel, but the people I really wanted to fool were the ones least likely to believe the truth. When Aultcray found out...
"Ah, Usa said you had a very sinister laugh..." Atla said, reminding me she was in the wagon with me.
"I reserve it for sinister plans, usually for people who deserve it. I don't know if you can tell..." I was adjusting my voice as I spoke, "But I am... kind of what you'd call a therianthrope. Though, maybe..." I considered testing that later. Maybe I could change into my 'other' skin...
"Oh, is this the start of a story then?" She asked, hopeful.
I looked outside, figured it wasn't time for dinner, patrol or paperwork, "Sure."
When we got to the border of Siltvelt, clearly marked by the weird unnatural topography of this world...
Like... seriously... it was like one of those cartoons where you have 'the promised land' on the border of 'the wasteland'. A nearly perfect straight line. It made me want to plant a grove of fox-berry plants, just to make it look less... perfect.
Anyhow... Before I could get called out by Usa about me sighing again, I spotted a very small dust trail running towards us. Not needing a spyglass with the Shield's myriad of utility abilities, I focused on the disturbance coming up the road.
"M...Sir?" Usa stuttered for a moment, "Something ahead? Should I call Sir Frost?"
"I think that's the scout he sent ahead. Filolial is the same at least." I replied, dropping the 'vision magnification' skill and looking back into the wagon just in time to see Usa jump out the back. "Atla? Fohl? No problems? I know this is a bit of a homecoming..."
"It's fine." Fohl said, "Not much left to tie us to this place."
Atla gave her brother's hand a pat, but said nothing.
I looked ahead again, over Tetsu's crested head, and heard Frost and his not quite as impressive Knight Dragon stomp up beside the wagon, "Yeah, that's my scout. Must be important if they're coming back that fast though."
"Hope it's not a problem." I sighed, hearing Usa jump back into the wagon behind me. "For once, I'd like to just... accomplish something without needing to jump through hoops."
"Isn't that what makes a Hero though? All those trials and stuff?" Frost laughed.
"I want a day or two off." I grumbled.
A minute or so later, the scout was slowing down to give his report. Tetsu tried to wave 'hello' to the Filolial, but was given 'the glare' in return from the bird. Not wanting to potentially lose his mount to an angry dragon (Tetsu would never have just eaten someone's bird like that, but why risk it?) the scout steered clear, did a sharp 180, and fell into step beside Frost and his dragon (who was ignoring the bird like a professional).
"Well, I have... I'm not sure if it's good news. But they didn't shoot at me." The scout started, "The Hero is expected."
Both Frost and I gave him a surprised look. "Huh. Anything else? Angry words? Demands? Instructions telling us to bugger off?" Frost asked.
"Just that the Hero is expected, and they are waiting for his arrival at the capital." The scout replied with a shrug. "No angry words or demands."
"Huh. So either it's a trap, or..." I looked back into the wagon, "Usa? Know where Melty is?"
"She's with Raphtalia and Clive looking for dinner." He replied.
Hmm, call Melty back to see if the Queen had bypassed the potential need to break her free... or let them catch dinner...
"I'll ask at dinner time then. We'll be in Siltvelt by then I think."
At dinner, while I cooked for everyone still in our little caravan, I got Melty to assist so I could ask her questions. "Did your mother pave the way, or is this a trap?"
"I don't know." She replied, "She may still be under guard, and unwilling to share the secret of the Occulus. But if you think about it, I suspect she has. Who else would know we were headed that way?"
"That's a good point." I admitted, "Well... Hopefully she has, and they don't throw a party..."
During my watch that night, I felt a subtle tingle of magic, much like I would feel when I had all my tails and magical senses intact. I didn't react, figuring it was Raphtalia coming to replace me.
"Sir hero." A quiet voice said just out of arm's reach of me, behind and to the left. "Ah..."
Out of arm's reach, but not tail's reach. "Just curious, don't mind it." I mumbled, "Shadow?"
"Yes." There was a very gentle brush of fingers over my tail, "My Queen thought you would appreciate a little warning. You are expected, and will be a guest when you arrive. There may be a few small issues with your disguise, but..."
She hesitated, "But?"
"Their current religion only worships the Shield. There was talk, once word had reached them about your work in Zeltobe, to send disguised slaves to catch your attention."
I rubbed at the base of my horns, "Thank you for the warning. Shame I'll have to disappoint them. Politely, of course."
"Of course." The Shadow replied, "There may also be a small matter forming in Melromarc, that may complicate her majesty's return. We are looking into it now, but that is all I know about that."
"If it helps..." I did a quick look through my very long list of slaves, looking for any blacked out names. "Nothing seems to be happening as far as I can tell, on Lord Van's territory. And the last of Lurolona's population will be joining them there in a day or two."
"I will report that to her majesty."
"Any advice on how to approach?"
"You may not be among friends, but nor are you among enemies."
"Confidence, caution." I nodded. "Now shoo before Usa hears you."
But she was already gone, my tails swishing at the now empty spot she had been in.
Siltvelt was a pretty nice place. Nice grassland, the occasional large hill, good trees, hard packed roads (like the one we were on now). Crossing over the border was... amusing. Yes, we were expected. The guards at the outpost greeting us with something close to a smile. Frost and his much diminished company got a bit of a raised eyebrow, at least until he called me 'Boss'. Then they got the same almost smile too.
Of course, Tetsu was happy to show the guard where to give headpats for the best luck, and not only did that guard give her the prescribed scale scrubbing, the other seven guards on duty got in line for a turn.
If I didn't think Tetsu deserved just as much of a welcome as the rest of us, I'd have stopped them.
But yes, they knew who I was, who the rest of my party was (by reputation if not actual name), and we were let through with instructions of 'follow this road towards that peak over there'.
So we did. And my opinion here was, 'a nice place'. Of course, I was also thinking about 'how easy it would be, or would have been, to siege'. We did meet a single highway patrol, who gave us a respectful nod but nothing more. We helped someone get their wagon out of a rut.
I almost felt like it was too easy. Very few monsters (yes, still had wild monster spawns, including Balloons). But then, we got to our destination.
"Well." I said as what I assumed was the capital came into view. "I'm glad we didn't need to pull a rescue."
Fohl and Raphtalia peeked their heads out through the wagon's curtain behind me, "Oh, yeah. It's a fortress." Fohl said with something close to disinterest.
Raphtalia on the other hand was quite impressed, "Wow... the walls are so high... It kinda looks like that fancy cake."
Yes, the 'castle town' of Siltvelt looked kind of like a multi levelled wedding cake. The outermost ring had a tall stone wall around it with evenly spaced towers and nice crenellations. The next level was built higher, as was the next, and on top was another wall, and inside that space, was the actual castle.
It would have been very difficult to storm this place. And while it looked like there was a main 'staircase' built from the front gate of the town right to the top where the castle was perched. If the guards were even mildly competent, it might have been impossible. Of course, now that I was seeing what I might have had to deal with, I starting thinking on it.
"Huh. Weird." I said, "The towers on the castle look like something I've seen before." Yes, the white stone towers of the castle had something similar to the pointed orbs of the Taj-Mahal, or Saint Basil's Cathedral.
"They look all glittery in the sunlight!" Tetsu said, "Hmm, I smell... something sweet!"
There was a dry wind coming up from the city, and yes, it did smell sweet. "Always thinking with your stomach." Raphtalia sighed, "I know you don't want one, but I do kinda hope they have a party... Or at least food. It was the only nice thing that happened that night..."
"That and all the ideas I got for cooking later." I said, thinking about 'the duel' with Motoyasu. "Come on Tetsu, almost there."
The welcome at the gate wasn't quite as warm to Frost's company. And I almost laughed when I figured out why. Most of them were human. But they also weren't 'invited' like I was.
"Welcome Sir Hero. You and Lady Melty are expected, but unless they were also invited, your..." The Guard at the gate paused, sizing up Frost.
Of course, Frost was the kind of person to speak for himself, "Frost, of Frost's Ragers." He said, "Yeah, been here before. My crew and I will take a break down on the lower tier of your nice city here. Keep out of trouble and stuff."
The guard (a wolf demi-human, his ears pointy like mine, but without the nice inner fuzz) nodded briskly. "See that you do. The rest of your party can go with you, but the wagon will have to stay on the lower tier as well."
"Very well. Show us were I can put the wagon."
Now that we were inside the walls, I was seeing a little more of the 'truth' here. It wasn't that this place was 'nicer' than Melromarc. It was... almost as bad. There were slaves here as well, but they were all human this time, and the Demi-Humans were the dominant population. The lower tier was also a bit of a slum. Not filthy or smelling of desperation like that little fort we went through between here and Zeltobe. But it was obviously 'less well off' than the tier above.
All the same, we left the wagon at the same inn that Frost said 'he would drink dry if we didn't hurry', and were promised by the owner that it, and my dragon would be taken care of.
The poor owner nearly had a heart attack when my dragon transformed into her newt form and declared, "I can take care of myself, thank you very much! Oh... except for washing that one spot between my wings... yeah... that spot there..." She leaned into Usa, while he gave her back a scratch.
"We'll... stay down here too." Fohl said, "Sir Frost? Do you mind?"
"Nah, just watch what you drink." He laughed, "We'll find something mild for your sister too."
"Kunshu? Can you help me get her into the chair?"
"buzz."
Our guide waited patiently through all this, and once we'd collected everyone, led us on foot towards the 'staircase'.
"So... many... steps..." Raphtalia complained as we got near the top. "You would think hiking through all the rocky terrain in Melromarc would help, but wow..." She looked to me and Tetsu, "How are you two not tired after that?"
Yes, the staircase up here was like a kilometre or so long and aside from a platform on each tier that opened left and right, there were over a hundred steps per tier.
"I do more leg on leg day than you." I said, "Or them."
"Kunshu... is cheating..." Usa panted a little, rubbing his thighs a little.
"I dunno?" Tetsu replied, "I kinda don't ever get tired unless we do lots of fighting! Or it's time to learn letters or numbers... or I get too many headpats..."
Clive only made quite amused 'click' noises with his mouth.
Our guard/guide however, just shrugged, "You get used to it Ma'am." He looked down the steps, "Most people only travel up and down one tier once a day, not the entire length in one go."
"The view is pretty good though." I said with a smile, "Shall we?"
"gonna be sore later..." Raphtalia sighed as we started towards the big castle gates.
Aside from the total reversal of population dynamics compared to Melromarc, the other thing I noticed were actual 'pure breeds'. Not like Sadeena, who could be one or the other. But full on 'werewolf' type stuff. For example, the guards waiting for us at the front gate (big heavy metal bound double doors and a raised portcullis) were lions. Like the Leonid from Falmart (or the nice new city I founded for them), they were full furred, 'hand shaped paws', big (boopable) noses... This also reminded me of the one Myne had 'rented' to capture me.
Maybe I'd go buy him? Just so I could give him a Karate Chop of Justice. Oh, and then give him a proper job.
"Sir?" Usa said as our guide talked for a moment with the two lion guards, "Please don't laugh like that here?"
"Just thinking of something." I smiled, "Well?" I said to the wolf man as he stepped away from the guards and walked back to us.
"Sir." He tapped his heels together and rapped his knuckles on his breastplate, "My duty here is done. Follow them inside."
Polite, but not worded like a request. "Of course. Thank you." And we all watched him march back towards the stairs.
As expected, the lion headed guard had a voice that was just as much 'growl' as 'words', "Hero of the Shield, you and your party will conduct yourselves properly here." Again, polite, but not a request, "Open the gate!" Then a much less... brisk, "Be welcome."
And with a grinding groan of huge iron hinges, the doors swung inward...
I wonder if this is how Rias felt when she returned home from Earth?
Lined up on either side of a nice cobblestone path, with nice gardens on either side of it, were a row of soldiers, dancers, and maids. It was only single file, 'guard, dancer, maid' but it was quite the show of welcome.
The guards, armed with pole-arms (mostly halberds) rapped the butt of their weapon on the stone path. This provided a beat for the dancers, who spun and whirled across the path, their clothing consisting of mostly veils and what ever fur their heritage provided. And the maids (and butlers, four out of four worlds had them!) simply bowed to us, a single chant of "Welcome, Honoured Shield Hero!" spoken to us as we got about half way.
It was impressive. Friendly. Not too extravagant. And oddly, it still put me on edge. My party was having a bit of a mixed reaction too. Usa wasn't a fan, but settled a little when he tucked his ears under his helmet and touched the 'hearing protection' amulet I'd made him. Melty was surprised at first, but seemed to be in her element. Raphtalia was almost as wary as I was, alert, but her tail betrayed her with a slow happy swishing. Tetsu loved it, but it was new and exciting, and she even did a couple spins of her own. Poor Clive couldn't seem to move his eyes around fast enough, but even I had to admit there was a LOT of eye candy here.
And of course, Kunshu just clung to my back and ignored it. Or at least, didn't react past a brief buzz of her wings at the sudden noise.
I suppose it was a compromise? I did say I didn't want a parade or anything fancy. But who was I to say what my host did to greet me in their own home? At least it wasn't like the Guild back home. I almost had to threaten Royman with my children's weaponized sad eyes to stop him from making a big deal of my birthday, or me starting the railroad... or founding the refugee city... negotiating with Earth... sigh...
At the end of the path were four individuals. All in some kind of 'noble' styled outfit, they were still unique both in body and style. First, was a 'pure blood' lion man. Seeing him, he reminded me greatly of the 'leonid' of Falmart. Crammed into a military uniform of bronze trimmed red, he was imposing and proud looking. Tawny and red fur groomed to perfection, I could feel him glaring at me.
Beside him was a dark skinned, slender, bald woman who seemed ageless, as if being bald was perfectly natural. She also had a cunning look, and was dressed in something that made me think a business suit and a toga had a child together. It hugged her curves (lots of those) but didn't have an excess of fabric to get in the way of movement. It was also vibrant green, making her skin seem darker than it was. (I was going to talk to her at least once... I wanted to steal this dress idea.)
Next was a man with fine bird-like features. He had almost glowing red hair, though as we got closer it would have been more appropriate to say 'plumage'. Other than that very distinct non-human feature, he seemed the most 'human' of them. His mode of dress was something close to a 'Chinese Philosopher' robe, and he even had a fancy staff with an easily recognizable phoenix etched into the dark wood.
And lastly, a lizard demi-human. Wearing a dragon skull for a helmet, he seemed more 'shaman' than 'politician'. I had to correct myself again as we got closer, noting that he had a tail under that robe, and was looking at Tetsu with something close to reverence under the shade of his fancy skull hat.
"Sir..." Usa mumbled to me, just barely loud enough for me to hear over the dancing and spear tapping behind us.
"This can't be coincidence." I replied. "White tiger, black tortoise, red phoenix, blue dragon. Though, it's a lion, it's too similar..." I gave Usa a pat on the shoulder, "Remind me later."
Behind us, the steady thump of pole-arm on stone ceased, and the four in front of us bowed slightly. "We are the current ruling council of Siltvelt." The Lion said, "And we welcome you."
In return, I stepped a little ahead of my party, bowed, and replied, "I am Kodori Haruhime, Shield Hero. And these are my closest friends and party members..."
After introductions, we were led inside. It was quite spacious, a mix of Arabic 'openness' and Victorian solidity, bright colours on couches and cushions, dull colours on walls (because who looked at walls anyhow?). I was told that this was their 'common area' for things like politicians who wanted to socialize. A place to rest, relax, and make quiet comments about people you didn't, or did, like.
There were actual 'serious' places for politics, but they were smaller, had stone seats, and had good acoustics. Mostly to encourage 'business' to be done quickly, and honesty, since even quiet comments would likely be heard by someone who shouldn't hear them. Sadly, I could tell I would be in one of those places before I could leave...
We were told, politely, that while they did greet us, they had a few things to do before anything 'serious' could happen. However, my party was told to rest, relax, have a snack, a drink... Everyone except myself and Melty, but only because I refused to sit down before I saw the Queen.
The Tortoise, who had a nice smooth voice that was just as ageless sounding as she looked, offered to take us to the Queen, so long as we disarmed (so much as I was able). We were led down a hall, far more utilitarian than the 'lounge' up a wide set of stairs (Melty groaned at the sight of them, and I carried her up even though she protested that she was not a... oh, fine, I am a child!)
At the top of the steps, it was as if we had stepped into Melromarc's Castle. Nice wood panelling, iron and glass wall lanterns, carpet... It was as if this hall was just for guests from Melromarc.
The queen's room was guarded of course, though this one looked like a cat-folk from Falmart (hand shaped paws). He gave the Tortoise a snapped heel-click salute, and stepped away to guard the staircase we'd just come from.
With a smile just as radiant as her business toga, our guide knocked once, announced us then opened the door. Waiting just inside, wearing a royal purple dress that would have made Queen Elizabeth jealous as casually as one might pants and sweater, was Mirellia Q Melromarc.
For a moment, I stood there, looking at her as she looked at me. Then, with a smile and a small bow, I put my arm and tails around Melty and nudged her into the room.
I then closed the door and said to my (shocked!) looking guide, "Let's give them a moment. Maybe tell me a little about what to expect before dinner? Or who made your dress?"
NOTES!
A little shorter, yes. But I'm on vacation right now. Nyaa.
Next episode? Politics, and hopefully a calm and collected exit from Siltvelt with the Queen in tow, and not say... over a shoulder while running away from an angry mob?
Thank you for reading! And if you want to see any full colour art, join the discord!
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