Authors Notes:
Sorry all, updates will be a bit slower than usual. I'm on annual leave at the moment for four weeks and real life intrudes (as does Elder Scrolls Online and Log Horizon).
Just a very quick, small chapter to let you all know that I haven't given up or anything!
As always: Thanks SO SO much to my reviewers, favouriters and followers!
It does mean so much to me! No specific replies to reviews today, as it's now past midnight and I have a toddler due to wake me in… not many hours :(
30th Day of Early Spring 768 n.c
Malkarov and I entered the Pig and Wheelbarrow first and were greeted by Missus Rose.
When she saw Father Mattias and Sister Tera come in behind us she greeted them and then questioned Malkarov, "It's not a nine day or are you making up for missing yestereve? Would you like the usual room?"
I looked at him questioningly, but he just nodded to her, "Please, if you would be so kind."
Missus Rose escorted us up to one of her private meeting rooms on the second floor. Having never had a reason to stay in the Pig and Wheelbarrow, nor really set foot into the establishment prior to taking up my apprenticeship with Malkarov, I hadn't ever seen them first hand but had heard of their existence.
"Father Mattias, Sister Tera and I meet here for dinner every nine day, usually," Malkarov explained to me as we went up the stairs.
Once Missus Rose had escorted us into the room, I saw that it was decorated with utilitarian furniture and two paintings. One of the paintings depicted the town of Easthaven from a direction and height that could be nothing other than from the roof of Malkarov's tower. The other painting was of a waterfall, running over a stone cliff. The room was nice and warm, and smelled of the freshly picked spring flowers that decorated a vase on a buffet hutch.
Malkarov, Sister Tera and Father Mattias sat down automatically in what I supposed were 'their' chairs at the table. I followed their lead and sat down next to Malkarov.
"Something for lunch and the usual?" Missus Rose asked.
"Please," Father Mattias replied and directed everyone's attention to me, "ale or wine Sharein? I suppose that Malkarov has been making you drink nothing but ale, while I prefer a nice red wine and Sister Tera prefers a sweeter white. "
Malkarov blustered good naturedly at the jibe as I replied, "I confess that I have drunk more ale as Malkarov's apprentice than I had ever had previously, but have found that I quite enjoy the taste," I looked at Missus Rose, "an ale for me, if I may."
Missus Rose winked at me conspiratorially and left with a strange smile, an action which Malkarov completely missed but which was noticed by the two clerics.
Father Mattias raised an eyebrow at me and I responded in kind.
Father Mattias deferred but Sister Tera spoke up, "Missus Rose seems exceedingly pleased that you and Malkarov share a liking for ales."
I blushed a little and listened carefully to see if I could still hear the sound of Missus Roses'
boots on the steps outside.
I spoke quietly "Missus Rose said to me once, that she believes that Malkarov 'needs a wife' and suggested that perhaps that 'one must be a wizard to marry a wizard' is the reason why he has never made eyes at any of the girls or women in town."
Malkarov was staring at me wide eyed while the two priests started cackling, this made Malkarov snicker a bit.
"I confess, that I completely missed what she was suggesting at the time and was much preoccupied with my own worries that a wizard could only marry a wizard," I continued, this revelation renewed their lagging laughter and caused my cheeks to burn red.
Once their laughter calmed down a little, Sister Tera asked, "what did you think when you realised what she was suggesting?"
I sighed, "It wasn't until Missus Rose first saw me in trousers that she commented that 'You'll never catch the heart of the wizard dressing like that!' that I realised what she was saying. I confess that my first thought was that I might have more luck in trousers than a dress."
This made everyone at the table laugh uproariously, Father Mattias most of all.
"I must say Sharein," Sister Tera confided, once she had dabbed the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief, "you do look rather fetching in trousers. These robes," she said, indicating her shapeless white woolen robes, "do not show anything of my figure."
She sighed wistfully, "but then, who would I show that figure to?"
"I could always see what Amaldra is doing at the moment?" Malkarov suggested and I had the distinct pleasure of watching the usually stoic and unflappable priestess blush like a young girl.
"I do not understand why you persist," she said to the wizard a little crossly, "you know as well as I that the last time she was in Easthaven I worked up the courage to ask her here to share a bottle of wine with me. She was pleasurable company indeed, but it was only a friendly outing to her."
"You two are a hopeless case," Malkarov said, "I know for a fact where your interests lie and I'm mostly certain that her's are in the same… direction."
"I think you need must face facts Malkarov," said Father Matias, "that you might need to find a new quarry?"
Malkarov laughed once and looked slyly across at the old priest, "I did tell you about that acquaintance of Alladrial's didn't I? That priest of Alii'alarana?"
Father Matias made a warding gesture, "you know my vows Malkarov, I cannot be tempted so readily."
Malkarov chuckled next to me, "I know, I know. Such a silly promise to make."
"We all know where I stand on the rules as laid down," Father Matias replied, "but it was my promise to make and I did so honestly, regardless of it's warrant."
Missus Rose returned then, with our drinks. I had expected simply glasses and cups, but she brought with her two bottles of wine and a jug of ale along with the full glasses and cups.
"It's fried battered flatfish from the river today," Missus Rose informed us, "along with duck fat fried chipped potatoes and a servach salad."
"That sounds delicious, dearest Missus Rose!" Malkarov announced, "I await such a fine meal eagerly!"
Missus Rose was all blush and smiles as she left, closing the door behind her.
I looked at Malkarov and then pointedly at the bottled and jug and he smiled, "yes," he said, "this is what we get up to when you're not around."
"I didn't…" I began, but Father Matias waved away my denials, "I must say, Missus Rose keeps a tight lip about it, but if the rest of the townsfolk knew they would probably see us as somewhat more 'normal', more like them. It is helpful, for them to have the impression that we three… we four, are somewhat more. It lends an authority beyond that of the church, or magic."
I nodded, surprised that he would talk so bluntly and suddenly aware of how correct his statement was. I had always seen him, more so than Sister Tera, to be… not aloof, but apart from everyone else. He almost never came out to visit anyone and didn't really seem to have 'friends' as such. Sister Tera often left the church to perform her healing duties, but likewise she never seemed close to anyone else.
"I don't think that I could possibly break off my friendships with Mari, Beka or Brahdi." I said, worried that was what he was hinting at.
"Oh, no…" he said, "to begin with you are… merely an apprentice, but it will be something to consider when you move to your own town."
"If you move to your own town," Malkarov corrected, "although Father Mattias hates the idea of one of his… children going out into the world as an adventurer, it is a perfectly valid use of your abilities. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure we will support."
Although both Father Matias and Sister Tera nodded at this, I wondered how supporting they would be if they knew that I was fully committed to becoming a Chosen of Tenebrae?
"Of course," Father Matias said, "whatever you wish to do Sharein, we will assist in any way we are able… I just got the feeling that there might be something, or someone that might potentially keep you in Easthaven?"
"Oh?" asked Malkarov and I had three pairs of eyes eagerly looking at me, waiting for me to spill my romantic secrets to them.
"What…" I stuttered, all a-panic, I hadn't said anything and I didn't think that I had given anything away, "what makes you say that?"
"Nothing I can put in words," he said with a chuckle, "except your reaction just now. Don't worry, we won't push. Those of us without romantic lives of our own live for the stories of others, as much as it sometimes pains us."
We chatted about local matters after that, which mostly concerned the goings on of townspeople and news of the orc-wars. Mostly Malkarov and Father Mattias, at least. Sister Tera and I mostly listened and interjected occasionally (she more than I). Soon, lunch arrived and we all ate eagerly, washing down the delicious meal with our chosen beverages.
Once we had all finished lunch, we continued our discussions.
"Have you ventured out much?" Father Matias asked, "I recall that there are many components that you like to collect components in Early Spring."
"We had been," Malkarov replied, "but of course this tenday has been rather… busy with other things."
"Ah!" Father Matias exclaimed, "I had wondered whether you met the new Novice Sister Alia at the church in Sunhaven?"
"No," Malkarov replied, "we didn't visit the church."
"Oh," Father Matias said, sounding disappointed.
"Should we introduce ourselves to her?" I asked.
"If it suits," Father Matias said, "she joined the sisterhood for similar reasons to Sister Tera."
That sneaky old man!
"I thought you said that you wouldn't push?" I asked, much colder than I felt I would ever have dared before today. Maybe it was that I suddenly felt a part of their 'group', or that the pedestal I had put him on earlier was now gone. Either way, I seemed to have more confidence to treat him differently than I would have and It did actually shock me a little.
He threw up his hand, "I'm sorry," he said, "I did say that, didn't I. I just thought that it might have explained a few things."
I wondered for a brief moment what other things it might have explained, until I recalled our earlier conversation.
Before I could say anything, Malkarov asked, "what things?"
I tried to shoot the old priest a 'look', but he had turned his head to the wizard next to me.
When he opened his mouth, I briefly considered jumping across the table to cover it with my hands, "Why… Sharein's knowledge of severing."
