Chapter 33: Bind – Part 2
"Enter."
, Alissa, and Lina steel ourselves, this ti Gify is also awake and aware, he massages my shoulder with the running water feeling and lightly connects our minds. I grab Alissa and Lina's hand and feel my mind clear. We breathe in and open the door.
Vanea is sitting at her usual spot, this ti with her proper chair. To the left there's a new small table where Farana is perusing over docunts and making small corrections. She's wearing the usual grey velvet uniform and beret of the university attendants. She lifts her eyes and glances at us then goes back to work. Her expression is neutral but now I see life in her eyes. She's wearing a collar with a black tag, the mark of a criminal slave.
Soul Info
Na:
Farana Uiara
Race:
Human
Level:
37
MP
120
Magic Power
30
I almost sigh in relief.
We bow lightly to Vanea and sit, her gaze is uncomfortable as always. I will need Lina's ass on my lap for a good half hour to heal after this.
"I see you have been busy, Mr. Ryder," Vanea says.
"As always," I smile for a mont.
"I believe you will accomplish a lot but I didn't think you would actually et with Lord of the Forest."
"We didn't, we only visited the Tree and talked to the Speakers."
"Oh? Oh yes, the dryads," her gaze loses focus for a mont. "I'm impressed you managed to find a way to being accepted, the Lord is quite unforgiving of trespassers."
"Gih."
"I see..." She contemplates Gify's words, her expression neutral with a hint of tiredness. "Now, I called you here to tell you that Darean has fled Rabanara."
I glance over to Farana and see her still working like before. She notices the silence and looks over us then returns to work, her expression is the sa but just a tad sadder. I turn back to Vanea and frown.
"How did he escape?" Alissa asks.
"Ever since I captured Farana he went into hiding, quite difficult to find soone that has that much money," she says, her eyes half-closed in annoyance and tiredness. "I only know he fled because his minions have dispersed and a considerable number has switched sides. Even if he were still in Rabanara he's finished."
"That's nice to hear but we will be leaving soon, we could end up eting him again," I say.
"Exactly," Vanea flashes a smile. "If you do et him please capture and interrogate him, I would pay a fortune to know who was funding him."
"You still don't know?"
"Only that it's imperial royalty."
Us 3 share a look. It really was royalty. This is insane, the amount of money they could have poured in to fight Vanea is almost limitless. I have to thank the Gods that I didn't make the mistake of announcing to the world my relation to her, she can survive the wrath of royalty, we can't.
Her smile grows wider as the silence continues.
"I know you are going to the High Forest so this is my warning to you," her smile turns warm. "Darean has fled to the High Forest, neither I nor the empire has a proper network there and the elves have their own problems to deal with. He can survive there indefinitely, or at least until the western Crown Lord has been replaced and the order reestablished."
I sigh and massage my eyes. We haven't gotten rid of the fucking stalker yet.
"If you ever need soone to trust, the eastern Crown Lord is reliable," she continues.
"Why is that so?" I ask.
"He's the one spearheading the reforms on the High Forest, we have a good relationship with him," she says. "His side of the forest is safe, so it's unlikely Darean will act over there."
"But we are going to the western side because there's plenty of unregulated dungeons there."
"So rely on the eastern Lord, you can easily sell your services to him."
I would rather not have to deal with nobility again. Alissa and Lina look just as demoralized as .
"Thanks for the warning, we will deal with it," I give her a tired smile.
"I hope you do. I will be going to the capital next year, I will see you there," she smiles again, this ti more mischievous.
"What? I could end up avoiding the capital if we visit Somrland then Mountainho."
Find Hana's family then visit Lina's.
"You will certainly visit the capital, with your Gift I find it hard to believe the emperor won't notice you," I cringe at her words. "Now that we are talking about it, what is your Gift exactly?"
"I would rather not say."
"Guarded as always," she chuckles.
"It pays to keep your abilities a secret, Darean's attack failed because of this."
She nods in agreent.
"I know that well... one last thing, do you wish to purchase Farana?" She asks, innocently.
I choke on my spit, Alissa flashes a smile but quickly turns it into a frown, Lina's expression is unchanging but her skin pales.
"No, thank you" I answer as soon as I regain control of my throat.
"What a sha, it's quite obvious you are a good master, at least for won."
"I already have enough."
"At least Tarano will be happy..."
The ruffling of paper slows and I glance at Farana, she rubs her wrist in nervosity and then continues to work. I'm not sure if she's happy or not.
"Don't concern yourself too much over her, she's paid her dues, now she only has to keep being a good girl," an odd warmth on Vanea's voice.
Vanea rests her crossed hands on her lap in a relaxed posture.
"Was that all you had for ?" I ask.
"Yes, I believe this is our last eting like this. Have a safe journey."
"Thank you, for you too."
We bow lightly and take our leave. Once we leave the building Lina talks, "Vanea looked sowhat, disappointed."
"Gih."
"Yeah, she even looked tired, if it's bleeding over her expression she must be really tired," I say. "Not really of our concern now that it is over."
"I must say, I'm happy it is over," Alissa stretches as she speaks. "Though not entirely over at least we are only dealing with a fugitive instead of a cri lord with the backing of royalty."
"No invisible assassins," I say and Lina nods along.
"Gih."
"Yeah, and no kidnappers," Alissa grabs Gify and pets his cute white little stubs he calls wings.
Gih! Geh gah guh!
Eheheheh. You have never seen a real griffin, have you? Real wings are massive.
Guh gih geeh.
I have seen illustrations at books, and that's enough.
It's relaxing to eat our pie as we watch the hustle of the other students and ruminate on what we were told.
There's so catharsis in knowing we are safe in Rabanara but also I feel rather calm at the future, knowing the enemy is coming is hundreds of tis better than the sudden panic of falling into an ambush. Maybe this is why the shrieking space mage is what haunts
once in a while, I fear the unknown more than the known.
"Kweh!"
"Hold tighter!"
We are greeted at ho to a very small Aoi grabbing Roxanne's coif as she walks around. Roxanne is helping out with dinner and Aoi is stuck with her, trying to concentrate into copying Roxanne's manipulation of [Item Box].
"Sounds like you are having fun," Alissa tells Aoi.
"Kweh! Wob-ly!"
"Oh shush and go back to concentrating," Roxanne says and taps Aoi's head lightly. "I heard your wings flap, don't think I'm going to continue this if you start to ss around."
"Oh, no!"
While Roxanne is busy with the pot Hana looks at Aoi and mouths "flap more
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